Alchemy differs from magic and traditional science in that it fuses the two together to create a chemistry-like science that is based in magic. Alchemy is based largely in philosophy and spirituality. It bridges the two, focusing on nature and the human world. Alchemists manipulated the elements attempting to create magical items, such as the elixir of life, a remedy to cure all life’s ailments. Alchemy has many mystical features and often attempted to discover or create concoctions that would cure many of life’s ailments. Thus, as alchemy strived to be a science it was rooted largely in magic and mysticism.
Holistic medicine is founded in the belief that one cannot be physically healthy without being mentally healthy. It believes in the inter-connectedness of the mind and body and the way in which both must be in balance for one to be healthy. The alchemical principle 2 also echoes this belief. It states that what is above and what is below must be in balance, referring both to the mind and body, as well as to the heavens and the earth. It portrays a necessary balance to keep the world in order, as well as to keep one healthy. Holistic medicine replicates this sentiment in the way in which it approaches one’s health.
As humans grapple with their mortality there have always been those who have searched for ways to elude it. Alchemists sought the Elixir of Youth and the Philosopher’s stone as two items that would bring them eternal life. Although not to quite the same extent, science still attempts to address the issue of mortality. A person born in the year 2008 has an average life expectancy of 78 years old. The average life expectancy 50 years ago was 69 years old. This is due largely to the increase in technology and the advances in modern medicine. Scientists and chemists are constantly attempting to find ways to increase one’s life span and treat ailments or diseases that end it. As Western medicine attempts to prolong life through scientific methods, Eastern medicine does the same through more natural, holistic ways. Eastern medicine focuses on natural remedies and herbs that can both heal ailments and aim at eluding mortality. Through the use of natural products, as well as non-traditional practices (i.e. acupuncture) Eastern medicine also strives to discover the key to immortality.
The Emerald Tablet
The Emerald Tablet of Hermes Trismegistus
The Precepts of Hermes, engraved upon the Emerald Tablet
1. Speak not fictitious things, but that which is certain and true.
2. What is below is like that which is above, and what is above is like that which is below, to accomplish the miracles of one thing.
3. And as all things were produced by the one word of one Being, so all things were produced from this one thing by adaptation.
4. Its father is the sun, its mother the moon; the wind carried it in its belly, its nurse is the earth.
5. It is the father of perfection throughout the world.
6. The power is vigorous if it be changed into earth.
7. Separate the earth from the fire, the subtle from the gross, acting prudently and with judgment.
8. Ascend with the greatest sagacity from the earth to heaven, and then again, descend to the earth, and unite together the powers of things superior and things inferior. Thus will you obtain the glory of the whole world, and obscurity will fly far away from you.
9. this has more fortitude than fortitude itself; because it conquers every subtle thing and can penetrate every solid.
10. Thus the world was formed.
11. Hence proceed wonders, which are here established.
12. Therefore, I am called Hermes Trismegistus, having three parts of the philosophy of the whole world.
13. That which I had to say concerning the operation of the sun is completed.
The Precepts of Hermes, engraved upon the Emerald Tablet
1. Speak not fictitious things, but that which is certain and true.
2. What is below is like that which is above, and what is above is like that which is below, to accomplish the miracles of one thing.
3. And as all things were produced by the one word of one Being, so all things were produced from this one thing by adaptation.
4. Its father is the sun, its mother the moon; the wind carried it in its belly, its nurse is the earth.
5. It is the father of perfection throughout the world.
6. The power is vigorous if it be changed into earth.
7. Separate the earth from the fire, the subtle from the gross, acting prudently and with judgment.
8. Ascend with the greatest sagacity from the earth to heaven, and then again, descend to the earth, and unite together the powers of things superior and things inferior. Thus will you obtain the glory of the whole world, and obscurity will fly far away from you.
9. this has more fortitude than fortitude itself; because it conquers every subtle thing and can penetrate every solid.
10. Thus the world was formed.
11. Hence proceed wonders, which are here established.
12. Therefore, I am called Hermes Trismegistus, having three parts of the philosophy of the whole world.
13. That which I had to say concerning the operation of the sun is completed.
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2 comments:
I believe that the body and mind are connected, and one can not function without the other. If we can control our mind to create the necessary chemicals to help us fight disease then perhaps we can eliminate disease altogether. Of course we are far from that, but we have a way of evolving and adapting. If only we can accelerate that process and learn to control it.
I agree with your first statement in that alchemy is a fusion of traditional science and magic, but I think the purpose of "magic" is simply for entertainment. I always thought the main purpose of alchemy was to cure ailments in unrealistic ways, while magic was strictly for entertainment purposes. I might be wrong though!
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