Alchemy, from its beginnings, was a means to transform the human soul from its base (lead) state to its Enlightened and eternal state (gold). Alchemy was the forerunner to chemistry and in the manipulation of materials, alchemists (the ppl who practiced alchemy) developed many of the basic techniques used in chemistry today. The best known goals of the alchemists were the transmutation of common metals into gold or silver and the creation of a panacea, a remedy that supposedly would cure all diseases and prolong life forever.
Alchemy was born in ancient Egypt. Egyptian beliefs in life after death, and the mummification procedures they developed, gave rise to basic chemical knowledge and a goal of immortality.
By 332 BC, Alexander the Great had conquered Egypt. Greek philosophers became interested in the Egyptian ways. Greek views of how matter is made up was that of the four elements of nature - Fire, Earth, Air and Water, were merged with the
Egyptian sacred science. The......
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