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Alchemy Challenge

The main task alchemy was the production of a substance - the "philosopher's stone" - with the help of which one can transform ("transmutate") base metals into noble ones and achieve immortality

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Alchemy laboratory

• Alchemical tools - flasks, baths, ovens, burners; specially prepared substances for chemical interactions; processing of substances - dissolution, filtration, distillation.
• But these are not just substances but also ethereal principles; when gas is not only something air-like, but also a kind of spirit, mysterious, otherworldly.

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In the alchemical laboratory

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Alchemical texts

• The alchemical reagents evaporated; the devices rusted and turned to dust; laboratory glass broke; the masonry of the stoves has weathered. Only medals, an impressive memory of a few alchemical miracles, lie in European museums, with their antique integrity exciting the gullible visitor or causing a respectfully condescending smile.
• But there remains a text that includes not only recipes for preparing the “philosopher’s stone”, but also an aesthetic and mystical description of alchemical actions

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To prepare the elixir of the sages, or the philosopher's stone, take, my son, philosophical mercury and heat it until it turns into a green lion. After that, heat it harder and it will turn into a red lion. Digest this red lion in a sand bath with sour grape spirit, evaporate the liquid, and the mercury will turn into a gummy substance that can be cut with a knife. Place it in a retort coated with clay and slowly distill it. Collect separately the liquids of different nature that appear. You will get tasteless phlegm, alcohol and red drops. The Cimmerian shadows will cover the retort with their dark veil, and you will find a true dragon inside it, for it is devouring its own tail. Take this black dragon, grind it on a stone and touch it with a hot coal. It will light up and, soon taking on a magnificent lemon color, will again reproduce the green lion. Make it eat its tail and distill the product again. Finally, my son, rectify carefully and you will see the appearance of flammable water and human blood

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Or maybe everything is simpler

The previously cited text can be presented in modern scientific language:

• When heated, lead turns into yellow lead oxide PbO, which at temperatures above 500° is oxidized into red lead according to the reaction: 3PbO+ ½ O2 → Pb3O4.
• Minium, at a temperature of about 570°, loses oxygen, turning into lead oxide, which melts at 880° and, upon cooling, solidifies into a reddish-yellow lighthouse.
• Red lion is a litharge that, unlike red lead, is easily soluble in acetic acid. The product of this reaction—saturn salt, lead sugar, or Pb(C2H3O2)2 3H2O—already when heated to 100° completely loses its water of crystallization, or reflux. It must contain an admixture of acetic acid formed as a result of the hydrolysis of lead acetate, a salt of a weak base and a weak acid. Further heating leads to the formation of acetone and lead carbonate.

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The most important alchemical signs

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Alchemical texts

Alchemical texts include not only a preparative part that can be interpreted in modern scientific language, but a mystical, philosophical meaning that reflects the worldview of alchemists.

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Alchemy symbols

The drawn symbols of alchemists are not so much designations of concepts as allegories and images (for example, a reversible chemical reaction was sometimes designated in the form of a dragon swallowing its own tail, seven metals were correlated with seven planets, mercury and sulfur - with the maternal and paternal principles, etc. .).

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And yet - what is alchemy?

• Alchemy is a scientific experiment complicated by magic.
• Alchemy is an art that uses a symbolic worldview.
• The activity of an alchemist is also a philosophical and theological creativity, and one in which both its pagan and Christian origins were manifested. That is why it turned out that where alchemy is Christianized (white magic), this type of activity is legalized by Christian ideology. Where alchemy appears in its pre-Christian quality (black magic), it is recognized as an unofficial, and therefore forbidden, activity.

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Alchemy - a stage in the development of natural science

• Alchemy is the art of improving matter through the transformation of metals into gold and improving man by creating the elixir of life.
• Striving to achieve the most attractive goal for them - the creation of incalculable wealth - alchemists solved many practical problems, discovered many new processes, observed various reactions, contributing to the formation of a new science - chemistry.

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Alchemy

Perhaps modern mystical ideas will be explained in the future and will serve as an impetus for the development of science and civilization.

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A L H I M I Y Scientists - alchemists What is alchemy?

• Alchemy ( lat. alchimia, alchymia, from Arab.خيمياء‎‎, presumably from the Egyptian “chemi” - black, hence the Greek name Egypt, black soil And lead- “black earth”; other possible options: Old Greekχυμος - “juice”, “essence”, “moisture”, “taste”, Old Greekχυμα - “alloy (of metals)”, “casting”, “flow”, Old Greekχυμευσις - “mixing”, Old GreekΧιμαιρα - “Chimera”) - the general name existing in various cultures systems transformation person based on metaphor chemical transformations and using chemical compounds, as well as those accompanying these systems and probably arising as a result of their vulgarization of attempts to obtain precious metals, drugs, philosopher's stone, universal solvent, drinking gold and others supposedly possessing miraculous properties substances. In alchemy Human or its individual components ( consciousness, spirit, soul, body, individual energies, etc.) are considered as having certain chemical and physical properties substances, and some operations are performed with them, described in the language of chemical transformations. In parallel with the main - chemical - metaphor other symbolic series often develop; European alchemy is especially rich in this regard. Without exception, all alchemical teachings are characterized by mystery and secrecy, which in the course of history has often given rise to their misunderstanding.

Biography of Nicholas Flamel

Nicholas Flamel was born in 1330 near Pontoise into a poor family. It is believed that his parents died when he was young, after their death Nicholas moves to Paris and becomes a public clerk.

After marrying Perrenelle, a woman of mature years and twice a widow, Flamel rents two workshops, one for himself, the other for his apprentices and copyists.

In 1357, Flamel, being the owner of a small bookstore, acquired for her a papyrus known as the “Book of the Jew of Abraham.” For 20 years he has been trying to unravel the “secret meaning” of the book, part of which was written in Aramaic. To translate this part of the book, he visits Jewish communities in Spain under the guise of a pilgrimage (at that time Jews were forbidden to live in France), after which a myth arises that Nicholas Flamel allegedly managed to reveal the secret of the philosopher's stone. The myth was strengthened due to Flamel's long life.

In 1382, Flamel became the owner of about 30 houses and plots of land within a few months. In his old age, Nicholas Flamel became a philanthropist, established several foundations, invested money in the development of art, and financed the construction of chapels and hospitals.

In 1402, Perrenelle, Nicholas's wife, dies. Flamel himself supposedly dies in 1418, having previously purchased a burial place for himself in the church of Saint-Jacques-la-Boucherie. Since he had no children, he bequeathed almost all his property to this church.

Nicholas Flamel

After their death, a legend arose that Flamel supposedly predicted his death and carefully prepared for it, that supposedly the funeral was actually staged, and Flamel and his wife went into hiding. The legend continues and more and more often Flamel and his wife are “seen” after death, for example in 1761 at a performance at the Paris Opera.

In 1624 it comes out English translation his works “The Secret Description of the Blessed Stone Called the Philosopher’s Stone.”

The house of Nicolas Flamel, built in 1407, which is considered the oldest building in Paris, has been preserved (Rue de Montmorency, 51. Metro Rambuteau)

Until 1789, the hospital held an annual procession to Saint-Jacques-la-Boucherie to pray for the soul of Nicholas Flamel. During his lifetime, Flamel made about 40 significant donations to the hospital.

Born in Florence into the family of a local successful jeweler. At the age of 10, he lost his parents, who died during the plague. Due to the lack of relatives, he was taken in by Dominican monks, who, in turn, combining business with pleasure, took over his entire inheritance. At the monastery, Rene learned to read and write, acquired basic knowledge of astrology and, using the permission of the abbot, eagerly studied all kinds of books. Possessing a talent for studying science, he quickly acquired basic medical skills and, helping his brother, a doctor, learned to treat with herbs and minerals. He also showed interest in occult sciences and astrology. A few years later, the monks began to notice that the boy sometimes foresaw certain events, after which Rene began to be suspected of witchcraft. When Rene turned eighteen, he left the monastery and became a student of a local pharmacist, gaining the opportunity to freely study the alchemy he loved.

After some time, the balms made by an unknown young man gained fame as the best in the city, and Rene acquired regular wealthy clients. Later, having acquired the skills of a perfumer, Rene goes to France in search of better fate, hoping to receive the patronage of the reigning Florentine.

Settling down in a modest house on one of the remote streets of Paris, Rene asked for an audience with the Queen Mother, intending to present her with perfume. self-made. Catherine, who has a weakness for the extraordinary and talented people, and besides, amazed by the wonderful aroma of the gifted perfume, she declared Renee her personal perfumer. From that moment on, Rene Bianchi became Catherine's personal shadow, carrying out her various orders. Having received the patronage of the Queen of France, he was finally able to improve his knowledge and soon, thanks to the patronage of the courtiers, all of Paris learned about him. He had talents in the occult sciences and was an excellent healer and perfumer.

He also had no equal in the production and invention of various poisons. Ladies and gentlemen attacked Rene's Parisian shop, set up on the Changers' Bridge. They crowded there from morning until late evening, constantly replenishing their supplies of “fragrant weapons.” And it was not only in the form of a liquid that was rubbed on the body, sprayed on the hair and underwear. To give the gloves a pleasant smell, the perfumer prepared a special paste. It was used to cover accessories embroidered with gold and stones. For some, according to legend, it cost their lives. In those times full of palace intrigue, the saying “beauty requires sacrifice” received many confirmations in practice. Well, would the mother of the future king of France, Henry IV of Navarre, have died if not for the burning desire to become more beautiful and desirable? By order of the insidious poisoner Catherine de Medici, Master Rene soaked his beautiful gloves in poison. It was not the first time that the Florentine had carried out such delicate chemical research on behalf of his royal mistress.

Of course, the poor victim knew nothing about this. She could not resist the overwhelming combination of beauty and aroma and gladly put the fragrant gloves on her sleek hands. This became her last mistake. And at court it became fashionable to give accessories “with a secret.” He served the Queen Mother faithfully and tried to protect her from all sorts of troubles

Catherine

alchemists

Rudolf II Holy Roman Emperor, King of the Czech Republic BIOGRAPHY OF RUDOLF II

In 1578-1581. the emperor suffered a serious physical and mental illness, after which he became unsociable and withdrawn, began to be burdened by meetings and receptions, stopped appearing at hunts, tournaments and holidays, and in 1583 he completely moved from Vienna to Prague. Over the years, he developed a persecution mania - a panicky fear of poison and damage. Melancholy sometimes gave way to violent fits of rage, when the emperor jumped up from his seat and began to destroy furniture, statues, clocks, tear paintings and break expensive vases. Until the end of his life, he never married, but had a long relationship with the daughter of his pharmacist Jacopo de la Strada, Maria, with whom he had six children. The most famous of them, the emperor's favorite Don Giulio, was mentally ill, committed a brutal murder and died in custody.

Rudolf was openly burdened by state affairs. He was much more interested in the arts and sciences. He understood poetry, painting, mathematics, physics, architecture, chemistry and alchemy, astronomy and astrology, philosophy and the occult, and although he was not a professional in any of these fields, he sought to surround himself with people who were professionals. During the years of his reign, the greatest astronomers of that time lived and worked in Prague - Johannes Kepler and Tycho de Brahe, artists Bartholomew Sprangler and Giuseppe Arcimboldo, sculptor Adrian de Vries and many others. However, along with geniuses of art and luminaries of science, all sorts of adventurers and charlatans - astrologers, alchemists and mystics - came to Prague from all over Europe. A special place among them was occupied by the Englishmen John Dee and Edward Kelly. Rudolph tried in vain to get the secret of getting gold from Kelly, but, tired of waiting for the result, he was thrown into prison, where he soon died.

Under Rudolf, the golden age of the Jewish community in Prague began. The mystic emperor worked closely with Kabbalist rabbis. During the reign of Rudolf, there is a legend about the creation of a golem by Rabbi Loew, who was a personal friend of the emperor.

Rudolf's passion for art and science led to the creation of the "Kunstkamera" in Prague - a rich collection of books, manuscripts, paintings, coins and all sorts of rarities. However, in addition to watches and scientific instruments, the Kunstkamera also contained such “rarities” as a nail from Noah’s Ark and a bottle with Adam’s ashes. Rudolph’s collection also included the so-called “Voynich Manuscript” - a manuscript of unknown purpose, which scientists still cannot decipher.

Rudolph's contribution to the decoration of Prague was significant. He encouraged the construction of new houses in the Renaissance style, which shaped the modern appearance of the city. The royal palace was decorated with 3,000 paintings and 2,500 sculptures, the cost of which was expressed at the dizzying sum of 17 million guilders.

In 1598, Rudolf suffered another attack of mental illness. The emperor became even more gloomy, melancholic and suspicious. Outbursts of rage began to alternate with periods of apathy. Rudolf was completely disgusted with state affairs. The emperor locked himself in his palace for a long time, so that even those closest to him did not know whether he was alive or dead.

In 1604, a Protestant uprising broke out in Hungary. However, Rudolf was not at all worried about the threat of the rebellion spreading throughout the country. In 1606, the Habsburgs at a family council decided to consider Rudolph mentally ill and transferred power in Austria and Hungary to his brother Matvey. He hastily recognized the right to freedom of religion for the Hungarian nobles and cities. The emperor refused to recognize this decree, but Matvey moved troops to Prague. Rudolf did not have the strength to repel the aggression, and he was forced to submit. Austria, Hungary and Moravia were officially transferred to Matthew, and in the Czech Republic he was proclaimed Rudolf's heir.

Crown of Rudolf II