Alchemy

1. “A branch of knowledge or study dealing with a body of facts or truths systematically arranged and showing the operation of general laws: the mathematical sciences.” This is the definition for science from the Random House Unabridged Dictionary. “The art of producing illusions as entertainment by the use of sleight of hand, deceptive devices” This is the definition of magic from Random House Unabridged Dictionary. Alchemy can be said, is a sort of mixture between the two. Alchemy is hard to define, because it did not base its studies in one concrete field. Alchemy studied the nature of substances, which can be viewed as the scientific approach. However, it also dealt with its search for the Philosopher’s Stone, which “transmuted baser metals into gold.” This is part of the definition of Random House Unabridged Dictionary. In the definition it is also included that Alchemy has to deal with philosophy as well, Alchemy was a way to find meaning to our existence, what is our role in the “big scheme of things”. Alchemy was a mixture of many things, and the search for the Philosophers Stone added a great deal of magic and mystery but that was never the only message, role, which Alchemy meant to play.

2. Holistic medicine is one in which not only the physical state is taken into account. Just because a person has no ill, meaning that there body is physically well, does not mean that there is nothing wrong with them. Holistic medicine, takes the well being of a person to a whole new level, implementing the person’s mental and emotional well being along with the physical. “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.” In other words the below and above are necessary for the well being of one thing. In holistic meaning, the physical and psychological parts of a person are both needed for the well being of a person.

3. I was not sure what the Elixir of Youth and the Philosopher Stone meant so I did what any other person does, I Google. And after doing some reading I could not understand why people thing that Alchemy is “a quack hobby”, and I’ll explain why. The elixir of youth, which is a potion that can grant eternal youth, how can anyone not see this relating to us; In a world where people are running to the plastic surgeon, where skin laser technology is available, and people are running to get Botox injected into their face? Not only that but an actual pill called “Elixir of Youth” which said that if taken regularly can slow down the aging process and even fight off disease, what more proof do we need that the connected with the philosopher’s stone and today’s modern age are similar, if not the same. Although the argument that it can transmute metals into gold, is a leap. However, society is always looking for ways to increase wealth, and maybe this was the basis of looking for a philosopher’s stone in the first place. But it was also meant to “cure illnesses, prolong life, and bring about spiritual revitalization”. It seems to me that all of these results from the philosopher’s stone are still being implemented today. There are research centers which devote all of their time to finding a cure for cancer, AIDS, and many other diseases that still plague the world today. And prolonging life, the same can be said, there are scientists who spend all of their time finding ways for people to live longer, such is the case with the “Elixir of Youth” pill. The search for spiritual revitalization has been a philosophical search since the beginning of time. The methods might be different but the searches for all of the components of the Philosopher’s Stone have always been present.

Alchemy

1) Alchemy was something more spiritual and philosophical that was practiced in the Middle Ages. Alchemy is different from both magic and science although I think there is a little of science in Alchemy. Magic is more of an illusion and there is always an explanation of how the trick is done. Science is something being studied in an experiment. Alchemy is similar to science because in the Middle Ages when Alchemists were always trying to discover different techniques into transforming metal into gold, these techniques would be called experiments.

2) Holistic medicine is a treatment that involves the mind and body of a person. The only medicine for it is the mental and spiritual wellness of a person like positive attitudes, exercising, eating healthy, meditation, etc. Holistic medicine is similar to alchemy because it relates to the spirituality of an individual.

3) Alchemy isn’t common today as it was in the Middle Ages but I do see evidence that people are still seeking The Elixir of Youth and the Philosopher’s Stone. One example of the elixir of youth is Botox where men and women inject themselves to get rid of wrinkles, frown lines, brow furrows, etc. Although it is not an elixir but his would keep the person from appearing old and keep them looking young. Nowadays people don’t try to turn metal into gold, we try to find new tactics for oil. Something as natural as oil which comes from the earth is used in our everyday lives and we are trying to find ways to replace oil with solar energy or electric for the cars (hybrid cars) instead of gas.

alchemy

I would not say that alchemy differs from magic and traditional science. Alchemy seems to be harmonization of magic and science. Magic is fake, science is real. Alchemy is caught somewhere in between the two. Alchemy is unlike magic AND science in its philosophical aspects. Alchemy encompasses a number of different philosophical, scientific, and magical beliefs.

Holistic medicine concentrates on the healing process through mental and physical stimulation rather than prescriptions and drugs. The second principle of the emerald tablet agrees with the process of holistic medical treatment. The way I read it, "above" referred to the mind, and "below" referred to the body. Therefore, above and below had to work in harmony in order for the healing process to work correctly, body and mind must be one.

People today are still searching for the ""philosophers stone" and the "elixir of life" in many different ways. Cosmetic surgery is at an all time high. People today are so worried about their looks that they are willing to drastically alter themselves to look a couple of years younger. Although we may not be looking for a potable liquid to keep us young forever, we're still searching to keep us as young as we can for as long as we can. The search for the "philosophers stone" is one that I think will go on forever. Not literally, but what it represents. I think all humans should always chase enlightenment, no matter how old are educated you are.

alchemy

Alchemy is a combination of philosophy and chemistry. Alchemy was basically used to find out more about nature and the world and how it works. Alchemy was a more common practice long ago in ancient times to seek the Elixir of Youth and the Philosopher’s Stone. Since then, alchemy some how influenced magic and traditional science. However, alchemy, magic and traditional science is three distinct categories.
Magic, is basically a form of hypnosis. In other words, magic persuades and manipulates an individual’s perception of things such he/she believes in some supernatural or impossible act which in reality can be explained. On the other hand, traditional science is knowledge gained through study and is tested through scientific methods and it is concerned with the physical world.

Holistic medicine is definitely a practice which goes against the use of drugs as treatment and practical surgery. Holistic medicine tends to cling with nature and a spiritual and Supreme Being as well as the body and mind. When treating one’s illness, the body and mind as well as the spiritual being needs healing if the healing is to be complete. Similarly, alchemy principle two is really believing in the physicality of the body and the forces of natures in the world combined with the power of god to heal one’s sickness which is indeed considered to be a miracle.

Today, I do see, especially in the medical field, dermatologists and other doctors, scientists etc seeking to find the same two things that alchemists seek. For example, since 186 BCE, alchemists seek immortality such as the embalming of Lady Tal. Today, dermatologists seek to avoid signs of aging by manufacturing products such as youthful essence which is said to redefine the skin and eliminate 10 years of aging on a person’s physical body.

Alchemy

The alchemy is one early form of chemistry. As we remember from the books and movies, alchemists were trying to change base metals into gold and find the elixir of youth. The science is an antonym of magic and I think that the definition of the alchemy is somewhere in between these two words. Magic is the human’s ability to control people, animals, filings, time and other natural things. However, alchemists were trying to find a method of transforming one thing into another without magic. It was not chemistry because it was not scientific experiments and it didn’t have an explanation.

"Like cures like," was first said by German physician Samuel Hahnemann and it derives from the principle number two on the Emerald Tablet. In this principle it says that “What is bellow is corresponding with what is above, and what is above corresponding with what is below”. The principal of holistic medicine is that mental and physical treatments should be interrelated for the best result. You can not be healthy physically if you have some mental problems, and vice versa. Basically in holistic medicine as in the principal number two it says that two things should work together to “accomplish the miracle of one thing”.

There is no evidence of Alchemy today, but there are other disciplines that are searching for elixir of youth. The genetic scientists are always coming with the ways to life healthier and longer. People can use a human clone to save and prolong the life of another, but there are a lot of ethical questions. Alternative medicines are wildly used today. I have heard the stories when alternative treatments worked very well and common medicine did not work at all. However, it seems like there are no researches that have been done in terms of philosopher’s stone. It happens because there are different values today, than there were back then.

hermes "thrice greatest"

1) In the middle ages, alchemy was a form of theoretical philosophy of nature that was practiced. Magic is an illusion of devices, mainly used for entertainment rather than a form of life. Traditional science is a research done based on scientific methods to come to a conclusion. The differences between alchemy and magic/traditional methods can be seen through the process of how the information comes together. For example, magic is produced through devices that seem in the norm but are filled with escapes to perform what cannot be done. A Researcher, who follows the traditional science, that would like to answer why suicides occur in an area (city/state/country) will do research and compare statistics rather than forming a pot of spell. Alchemy is mainly just theories of how things are, which cannot be proved through research or spells. 

2) Holistic medicine is based on the mind, body and spirit. For example, a person who follows the principles of Holistic medicine would follow a nutritious diet, exercise regularly and perform yoga when stressed. The treatment that holistic medicine would provide is mainly therapy and intakes of natural supplements. These therapies may focus only on changing the patient's lifestyle. These natural supplements are similar to the conventional drugs that many people take (who are not following the holistic technique). Researchers have found that holistic medicine does have some part of a patient's recovery, but without conventional medication, it may not be effective at all. Holistic medicine can only help lower the possibility of an illness, holistic medicine does not remove the illness itself.

3) Alchemy is practice with more of a quack mentality because many people don't buy into products or theories without given proof of facts; although, some buyers would still hope that these products are as effective as they seem. One example includes the make up products sold in the market today. Products like "bare minerals" or "pure minerals" are both products aimed directly at the ability to become more youthful. These products may use vitamins or antioxidant herbs, but to determine exactly how youthful the buyer may become after the usage of these products are not known. Another example of youthful production used today to reach this goal may be through exercising or massages, but to take the statistics of the results may not be dependable.  

 

Hermes Trismegestus/ Alchemy

1. Magic entails creating illusions of scenarios that are highly impossible and lack clear explanation (such as David Copperfield making a plane disappear or walking through the Great Wall of China). The magician allows you to see only enough to make you actually believe that a feat is actually happening. Traditional science involves using experiments and trials with chemicals to test things like medicines or vaccines. Alchemy relies more or nature and the natural elements of the Earth as one power to see how it relates to spiritual and mental discipline and well being.

2. Holistic medicine is an approach to treatment involving the mental and spiritual aspects of a person in addition the physicality. The goal in holistic medicine involves wellness of the body, but also the mind and the spirit - as all three go hand in hand in a person living a fulfilling life. When a person is sick, not only is the body affected, but the mind and the spirit as well, so to only treat the physical aspect of the sickness and not the other components means that only part of the job is done. Holistic medicine insures that the body is treated as a WHOLE unit and not just the sum of its parts. Principle 2 is basically stating the physical and the mental should be treated equal as they both are components in healthier living.

3. Alchemy is not really as prevalent today, but I do think that there is some evidence that the search for the Elixir of Youth and Philosopher's Stone are still being sought out. One example of today's Elixir of Youth is stem cell research. Researchers are trying to determine how stem cells - which can renew themselves and then transform into different cell types - can be used to help in the fight against diseases such as Alzheimer's disease and diabetes - thereby possibly resulting in extended life expectancy. An example of the Philosopher's Stone is oil, both domestic and abroad. Oil is probably the most sought after resource in the world because it can be transformed and used for many different things - thereby increasing its value.