#transmutation of elements

[biology-geology-beaches-india]

The Science Notebooks of S. Sunkavally, p409.

[shisasan]

John Dee, Monas Hieroglyphica (The Hieroglyphic Monad) Originally published: 1564

[astra-ravana]

Ancient Alchemy

Alchemy is one of the oldest mystical and proto-scientific traditions, blending philosophy, chemistry, spirituality, and metaphysics. It was practiced across multiple civilizations, including Egypt, Greece, China, India, and the Islamic world, each contributing to its development.

⚗Origins and Evolution of Alchemy

Ancient Egypt & Hermetic Alchemy (c. 2000 BCE - 300 BCE)

• Egyptian priests practiced early alchemical processes, such as metal purification and embalming.

• Thoth, later known as Hermes Trismegistus, was considered the patron of alchemy, giving rise to the Hermetic Tradition.

• The Emerald Tablet, attributed to Hermes, introduced the concept of “As above, so below,” suggesting the microcosm reflects the macrocosm.

Greek and Hellenistic Alchemy (c. 300 BCE - 400 CE)

• Greek philosophers like Empedocles and Plato theorized about the four classical elements (earth, water, air, and fire) as the building blocks of reality.

• The idea of the Quintessence (Aether) emerged as a mystical fifth element.

• Alchemy merged with Gnosticism and early Christian mysticism.

Indian and Chinese Alchemy (c. 400 BCE - 1200 CE)

• Indian Alchemy (Rasasastra) focused on immortality and transforming metals into gold, with mercury playing a key role.

• Chinese Alchemy (Neidan & Waidan) aimed at achieving the Elixir of Immortality, focusing on both external substances (Waidan) and internal spiritual practices (Neidan).

• Daoist alchemists sought balance through the Yin-Yang and the Five Elements.

Islamic and Medieval European Alchemy (c. 700 CE - 1600 CE)

• The Islamic world preserved and expanded alchemical knowledge, with figures like Jabir ibn Hayyan (Geber), who systematized laboratory techniques.

• Alchemy entered medieval Europe through translations, inspiring figures such as Albertus Magnus, Roger Bacon, and Paracelsus.

• The quest for the Philosopher’s Stone—a mythical substance granting immortality and transmuting base metals into gold—became central.

Renaissance and Early Modern Alchemy (c. 1500 - 1700 CE)

• The fusion of alchemy and early chemistry occurred through figures like Isaac Newton and Robert Boyle.

• Paracelsus emphasized spagyric alchemy, focusing on the medicinal applications of alchemy rather than purely transmutational goals.

• The rise of the Rosicrucians and Freemasons kept alchemical philosophy alive in esoteric circles.

⚗Core Principles of Alchemy

The Three Alchemical Principles (Tria Prima – Paracelsus)

Alchemy posits that all matter consists of three essential principles:

• Sulfur (Soul) – Represents spirit, transformation, and the volatile aspects of existence.

• Mercury (Mind) – Symbolizes fluidity, adaptability, and the connection between spirit and body.

• Salt (Body) – Embodies physical form and stability.

⚗The Four Classical Elements

Alchemy works with the foundational elements of Earth, Water, Air, and Fire, believing these are essential to transmutation and spiritual purification.

The Magnum Opus (Great Work)

The process of transmutation was divided into four symbolic stages:

• Nigredo (Blackening) – Death, dissolution, and breaking down impurities.

• Albedo (Whitening) – Purification and enlightenment.

• Citrinitas (Yellowing) – Awakening and the infusion of divine light.

• Rubedo (Reddening) – Completion, the birth of the perfected being, or the Philosopher’s Stone.

⚗Applications of Alchemy

Physical & Material Alchemy (Transmutation & Chemistry)

• Attempting to turn lead into gold symbolized the refinement of base matter into perfection.

• Alchemists developed early chemical processes, including distillation, sublimation, and crystallization, laying the groundwork for modern chemistry.

• Gunpowder, acids, and medicinal compounds were discovered through alchemical experiments.

Spiritual & Mystical Alchemy

• Many saw alchemy as a metaphor for spiritual enlightenment—transforming the “lead” of the mundane self into the “gold” of the divine self.

• The Philosopher’s Stone was also symbolic of self-realization and immortality.

• Theurgy and Hermetic practices integrated alchemy with ritual magick to invoke higher states of consciousness.

Medicine & Healing (Alchemical Medicine – Spagyrics)

• Paracelsus introduced the idea that diseases could be cured by extracting the essence of plants and minerals.

• Early homeopathy and herbal medicine developed from these alchemical principles.

• Some alchemists sought longevity elixirs, believed to extend life or even grant immortality.

Psychological Alchemy (Carl Jung’s Interpretation)

• Carl Jung saw alchemy as a metaphor for psychological individuation, where the Magnum Opus represented self-integration.

• The shadow (Nigredo), anima/animus (Albedo), and self-realization (Rubedo) were psychological processes paralleling alchemical transformation.

Occult and Modern Esoteric Alchemy

• Alchemical concepts remain central in Hermeticism, Thelema, Rosicrucianism, and Freemasonry.

• The idea of internal alchemy is found in modern spiritual traditions, focusing on energy work, ascension, and self-deification.

⚗Legacy of Alchemy in the Modern World

• Chemistry & Pharmacology: Many laboratory techniques originated from alchemical practices.

• Spiritual Development: The concept of personal transformation remains a key theme in occult traditions.

• Symbolism & Psychology: Alchemy’s symbols and processes influence Jungian psychology and self-improvement methodologies.

Alchemy is far more than just the pursuit of gold—it is a science of transformation at all levels: material, spiritual, and psychological. From its ancient roots in Egypt and China to its esoteric revival in modern mysticism, alchemy continues to inspire those seeking wisdom, power, and enlightenment.

[wildpiercy-art]

Got this finished and ready! I really wanted to experiment with contrast, a looser composition, and a moody atmosphere.

[cealtrachs]

One of my favorite things about Vagabond is how beloved Kojiro is within the narrative. A deaf-mute swordsman with a kill count nearing the triple digits. Referred to as a "monster." A "beast" and "crazy tiger." A "person purely devoted to the sword."

"Even if you love him, you've got to fear him." And yet, he is wholly loved by so many.

Animals love him. Birds land on his body, and cats curl up in his lap. An untamable horse on the verge of being put down accepts Kojiro as its sole rider.

Children love him. They follow him like mayflies and giggle when he notices them. They give him group hugs. They beg him to train them.

Women love him. Sex workers refuse to charge him and even thank him for being a good lover. They comment on his warmth. The women in Kokura adore him (as do all village residents, within a day of meeting Kojiro).

Even his enemies love him. They refer to him as "cherished by all swords." They remark on his sparkling eyes as they are disemboweled and beheaded. They note that Kojiro fights without hatred or rage - only a look of mild curiosity, or open joy. They watch him develop new techniques on the battlefield, and celebrate!

They seek and - it's fairly ambiguous whether this is supernatural, or a projection placed onto Kojiro by outsiders - fully understand what Kojiro is conveying through his swordsmanship! And Kojiro is excited by this. Being seen. Understood.

Swordsmanship not as a method of domination or centralizing political power but an expression of love. A dedication to craft and singular method of communication!

Kojiro's opponents almost never survive, of course. But when they do, they imagine him telling them to become stronger. They see him in their dreams. They speak of him as they would an old friend, years later. Even Musashi - Kojiro's natural antagonist, in history and in fiction - thinks back on his "way" while watching Kojiro spar.

"So their primal instincts tell them that they are not enemies."

[minotaurmerkaba]

[dragongirlbunny]

ok i'm focusing on becoming normal now

[vladthemountain]

Virtual Riot - So Baked

2021 again. Features The Null's glyph from the Room franchise by Fireproof Games. The bottom-right glyph is inspired by Antichamber's "Destruction" badge in Steam.

The texts are taken from The Room Two's chapter 4:

We began at home, staring at the stars. So much to discover, so little time.

Countless ships bore us triumphant to a hidden temple. It was at home you proved a shallow friend.

Under these alien stars I courted only death. I am saved by science. My muse.

[starryknight-dragonarts]

Queen Alzien The Lady Beneath the Waves Gender: Gender Fluid (She typically identifies female, but has the ability to change genders on a whim) Background: Alzien is a Hybrid Water Dragoness, though some dragons think of her like a living Sea Goddess or some other mythical being. She supposedly has been around for generations thanks to her healing abilities. In order to deal with the persecution of Hybrid Dragons she founded a secret underwater kingdom using her magic to transform herself and her subjects to be better suited for a fully aquatic lifestyle. She seems to have had some personal trauma in her past with the surface but she won't expound on it openly. Personality: Queen Alzien typically has a very playful and mischievous personality. She is charming, intelligent, and loves to mess with other dragons but also teaches them something new in the process. Despite being a Queen she is very personable to her subjects wanting to bring out the best of them and protect them, some consider her to be like a Mother, though she has mixed feelings about that title. The most important thing to her is her subjects' safety from the world beyond her kingdom by keeping their existance secret even if it means limiting her people to a life detached from the surface but she believes the Ocean is a vast world all on it's own and is very interested in the unique creatures that live there. Strengths: Miraculous Healing and Restorative abilities, Genius Intelligence, Charming Leader Weaknesses: Sworn to secrecy, Very Protective, Avoids Conflict Powers: Water, Valkirtani Magic (Specializes in Magic that transforms Living Things, Hence how she has Aquatic Adaptations) Stats Elemental Energy: 8/10 She has a vast amount of energy and stamina but it is not inexhaustible. She has had to use supplements of energy for long and particularly tedious healing sessions  Elemental Control: 10/10 Alzien has surgical control over her elemental powers and mastery of her Valkirtani Magic, especially transformation Magic.  Intelligence: 10/10 Alzien has been around for a long time, she will not specify how long however but she seems to have a very long life's worth of wisdom and has spent much of that time studying Magic, Biology, and Medical technique in order to perfect her transformative abilities. Combat Ability: 6/10 She is no doubt powerful but she is not well versed in fighting as she tries to avoid getting into conflicts with other dragons or even dealing with dragons from the surface.

[juuheizou]

Into the Monster’s Claws - Rated T - Mutsuki Tooru/Suzuya Juuzou - hero/villain high fantasy au

The wait is over (in a universe where anyone was waiting) and Chapter 6 is finally up! In this installment, Tooru has vanished into the night to traverse Big Mountain alone. Against all his efforts, the commitment of his abandoned friends and an honest stranger’s terrible confession may just save his life, for he has survived predation and peril just to wander directly into the clutches of Sorcerer Juuzou himself.

[fleshwizard]

The seven metals known since Classical times in Europe were associated with the seven classical planets ; this figured heavily in alchemical symbolism. (...) The associations above are attested from the 7th century and had stabilized by the 15th. They started breaking down with the discovery of antimony, bismuth, and zinc in the 16th century. (...) The tradition remains today with the name of the element mercury, where chemists decided the planetary name was preferable to common names like "quicksilver", and in a few archaic terms such as lunar caustic (silver nitrate) and saturnism (lead poisoning).

more about planets and space

more about alchemy

Inner Solar System

[i-suggest-murder]

Silly Game Time: Who are the protagonists of two stories you really enjoy? (could be from any media: movies, shows, novels, games, comics, etc.) (yes, OCs count)

AND which of them could solve the same sudoku faster?

mark watney(the Martian) vs Edward Elric(fma)

watney would win easy because he spent thousands of hours waiting around, he had to have spent some of them doing puzzles to pass the time, whereas ed is smart but spends his time fighting and doing research

if we allow cheating ed wins because he would just use alchemy. It would either nerdsnipe watney or prevent him from writing on the paper

[softgrungeprophet]

anyway, trying to decide if TJ is like, a walking neutron bomb or what

[sokolygrandaananeva]

TRASMVTATO Magazine

[skylobster]

A new source of heavy elements

Astronomers have discovered a previously unknown birthplace of some of the universe's rarest elements: a giant flare unleashed by a supermagnetized star. The astronomers calculated that such flares could be responsible for forging up to 10% of our galaxy's gold, platinum and other heavy elements. The discovery also resolves a decades-long mystery concerning a bright flash of light and particles spotted by a space telescope in December 2004. The light came from a magnetar—a type of star wrapped in magnetic fields trillions of times as strong as Earth's—that had unleashed a giant flare.

Continue Reading.

[hiddenrituals]

You have to master the elements in thought/spirit/soul before you can survive in their domains.