Technikatörténeti szemle 22. (1996)
Papers from the Second International Conference on the History of Chemistry and Chemical Industry (Eger, Hungary, 16–19 August, 1995) - Pérez-Bustamente, A. Juan: The Holistic Concept of Alchemy
A great deal of fundamental aspects of the alexandrine-greco-blzantine alchemy have been disclosed by the translation and interpretation of an acomparatively reduced number of available sources: "Physics and mystics" by Bolos of Mendes (ll-l b.D. a), Zosimus's writings (lll-IV a.D. o), Leyden's and Stockholm's papyrus 87-88 , and a number of medieval document (XI-XIV c.) extant in a number of european libraries which have been investigated by Hoefer 9 and Berthelot 1012 as pioneers. The holistic meaning of alchemy is briefly summed up in fig.5 where the general features of Alchemy are considered as well as the most significant concepts and keywords related to each ot the three main projections: transmutatory (hylic) exoteric alchemy, alchemical medicine ("latrochemlstry") and mystical alchemy. Space limitations do not allow here to enter into and 1 Tranonutatory - Hylic aim(aaterialias.} - • Opus swior",crisopoeia - Tetrasoay - Sulphur.mercury,cinnabar - "Triada Prias" - Azoth,Alkahest " fr^ec^p^SSr*^ 1 " 1 "' - " Lapis Philosophons." - Fíra techniques,distillation, - îùrxfacîion,aurifiction Istrocheaistry - Hylic aim(aaterialias.} - • Opus swior",crisopoeia - Tetrasoay - Sulphur.mercury,cinnabar - "Triada Prias" - Azoth,Alkahest " fr^ec^p^SSr*^ 1 " 1 "' - " Lapis Philosophons." - Fíra techniques,distillation, - îùrxfacîion,aurifiction . Mystical -Body cnnobleaentC'Chyai*tri«") - Health, longevity,rejuvenat ion - Potable •old,clixÍra,quihtaeasentiae - Panama, arcana,magisteria - Spagirics,separation.purification - Isolation of active principles - Spirits , ' essences,balsams,extract* - Hoetaniaa.,Philantropy - Distillation.aabliaation.extraction techniques ' ¡SfíiCÍS*** * in * ral «tance a, herbs i - Syncr*ti*. :Rc li (Ion .Philosophy - Tr»dition»l,inici»tlc,««cr,t - Horatio t ~»"iïS''"Î{c S r r *«- Mythology,astrology,magics - Opposition of contraries U finaîS^eso^Jîr-"*^- Sexuality,psicology.eabrvology - Prisw natter,cosmic unity - H>lozoxu,psnteisn;viUlisBi ani- Nature iaitation ** - Volatility and fixity - Saturnisa melancholy ¡Jjja^ljinnabar,spirits, atones , Crafts and techniques - Qualitative natter parodian. - Elemental theories - Belief in elemental transmutât ió - Spiritual ennoblement - Soteriolofjr " **cesis,quietism.eelfcontrol,meditation - Inmortelity.rcdention,salvation - Relaxation,contemplation,serenity • Sou,cinnabar .potable gold,elixirs macrobiotics ' - Body positioning,respiratory practices - Gnosis,illumination,knowledge,revelation - Catharsis i - Syncr*ti*. :Rc li (Ion .Philosophy - Tr»dition»l,inici»tlc,««cr,t - Horatio t ~»"iïS''"Î{c S r r *«- Mythology,astrology,magics - Opposition of contraries U finaîS^eso^Jîr-"*^- Sexuality,psicology.eabrvology - Prisw natter,cosmic unity - H>lozoxu,psnteisn;viUlisBi ani- Nature iaitation ** - Volatility and fixity - Saturnisa melancholy ¡Jjja^ljinnabar,spirits, atones , Crafts and techniques - Qualitative natter parodian. - Elemental theories - Belief in elemental transmutât ió i Fig. 5. Main projectioins and specific aspects of ALCHEMY to discuss -in detail most of the included questions which are extensively dealt with in a vast amount of alchemical literature 23 A lof of attention has been paid to the subject related to the etymology of Alchemy, directly related to its presumable origins 747679828995 which involves a clear connection between cultures and languages of the Old
