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

ed to matter-spirit and macrocosmos-microcosmos correspondences (cosmic unity, synthesis of evolutive-involutive cosmic forces, peripheric imperfection of six metals vs. core-gold perfection, the Philosopher's Stone, etc.). On the other side a conceptual logical congruence can be easily observed between the different evolutive symbolisms of fire, sulphur and phlogiston. The main conceptual aspects of Aristotle's theory of matter, its interconversions by the moulding action of the four qualities (two active and two passive), as well as the cosmological eternal equilibrium between the four elements brought about by permanent alternative condensation and rarefaction cyclic processes is summed up in fig.10. The conceptual basis of the important aristotelic "two-exhalations" theory, SUN Í «*ays ) f X ! S sh*eal"n*B \fatty

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o sheatns ly Î ( 1 SUN 1 1 (r.v») l_ WET EXHALATION "ataidodestorH'' (vaporous,coul) two exhalations (inprisioned in the earth) - birth .growth .nmduration. of "sementiae" \if DRY EXHALAT1 /

analhunu ase (s*OKy TnotT HALATION HETALS Mliquidity(watcr) nvolatility(aii*) STONES.MINERALS «colorí fire) _}> CALXEB ("leprosy") — smoke(Vapours (dry exhalation) -»- EARTH (evtl.: - smoke - vapours (wet exhalation) Fig. 11. Schematic process of the formation and implications of the aristotelic two-exhalations theory relating the action of the solar rays on the earth planet, directly to the formation of metals and stones as derived from the "wet" and "dry" exhalations respectively is outlined in fig. 11. Fig. 12. "ALCHEMY" as symbolized by the chaldean-gnostic serpent-dragon "OUROBOROS"