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Alchemical PDF
Alchemical PDF
and Symbolism:
An Exploration
Timothy O. Deschaines, Ph.D.
Egyptian Symbols
Greek Apparatus
Indian Alchemical Apparatus
The Four Elements
N Fire P Water
M Air O Earth
From Greenberg - “A Chemical History Tour”
Aristotle’s Transmutation Diagram
Fire
Hot Dry
Air Earth
Wet Cold
Water
Modern appearances of the four elements
Mercury Sulfur
Aries A Calcination
Taurus B Congelation
Gemini C Fixation
Cancer D Solution
Leo E Digestion
Virgo F Distillation
Zodiac Sign Symbol Process
Libra G Sublimation
Scorpio H Separation
Sagittarius I Ceration
Capricorn J Fermentation
Aquarius K Multiplication
Pisces L Projection
More Processes
Amalgamation p To Boil n
To Solve r To Rot o
To Take @ To Compose q
To Precipitate Q To Filter
To Sublimate $ Distill h
To Pulverize C To Purify D
Substances
Essence t Universal Seed ;
Amalgam u Aqua Vitae W
Oil of Vitriol Aqua Vitae *
Aqua Regia m Aqua Fortis (nitric acid) :
Manure
N Crucible
Water Bath , Retort v
Weights & Measures
Pound 1 Ounce 2
Dram 3 Scruple 4
Pinch 5 Pint 6
Time
Hour ! Week %
Month ^ Year &
Night & Day $ Year
Day # Night @
Summer 7 Autumn 8
Winter 9 Spring 0
Symbolic Relationships
Water
P
Aqua Vitae Aqua Fortis Aqua Regia Water Bath
* : m ,
Clay Rust
[ or k >
Symbolic Relationships
Fire
N
Sulphur Amalgam Distill Sand
u h P
Arsenic Sulfur
U
Symbolic Relationships
Universal Seed
;
Salt Nitre
Oil of Vitriol Rock salt
e H
Systematized Symbols…?
Water Earth
Air Fire
No!
Animals – Birds
1. Amalgamation 7. Gestation or ?
2. Separation 8. Fermentation
3. Purification 9. The Cycle
4. Putrefaction 10. Tria Prima
5. Solution 11. Multiplication
6. Conjunction 12. Calcination
Source: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Michael_Maier
Emblem 1