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Alchemy encompasses several philosophical traditions spanning some four millennia and three continents which are commonly derived from the teachings and wisdom associated with [[Hermes Trismegistus]]. | Alchemy encompasses several philosophical traditions spanning some four millennia and three continents which are commonly derived from the teachings and wisdom associated with [[Hermes Trismegistus]]. | ||
These traditions' general penchant for cryptic and symbolic language makes it hard to trace their mutual influences and "genetic" relationships. One can distinguish at least three major strands, which appear to be mostly independent, at least in their earlier stages: Chinese alchemy, centered in China | These traditions' general penchant for cryptic and symbolic language makes it hard to trace their mutual influences and "genetic" relationships. One can distinguish at least three major strands, which appear to be mostly independent, at least in their earlier stages: | ||
* Chinese alchemy, centered in China | |||
* Indian alchemy, centered on the Indian subcontinent | |||
* Western alchemy, which occurred around the Mediterranean and whose center has shifted over the millennia from Greco-Roman Egypt to the Islamic world | |||
Chinese alchemy was closely connected to Taoism and Indian alchemy with the Dharmic faiths. In contrast, Western alchemy developed its philosophical system mostly independent of but influenced by various Western religions. It is still an open question whether these three strands share a common origin, or to what extent they influenced each other. | Chinese alchemy was closely connected to Taoism and Indian alchemy with the Dharmic faiths. In contrast, Western alchemy developed its philosophical system mostly independent of but influenced by various Western religions. It is still an open question whether these three strands share a common origin, or to what extent they influenced each other. | ||
[[Islam]]ic and European alchemists developed a basic set of laboratory techniques, theories, and terms, some of which are still in use today. They did not abandon the Ancient Greek philosophical idea that everything is composed of four elements, and they tended to guard their work in secrecy, often making use of cyphers and cryptic symbolism. In Europe, the 12th-century translations of medieval Islamic works on science and the rediscovery of Aristotelian philosophy gave birth to a flourishing tradition of Latin alchemy. This late medieval tradition of alchemy would go on to play a significant role in the development of early modern science (particularly chemistry and medicine). | Using the [[Emerald Tablet]] as their fundamental Hermetic text, [[Islam]]ic and European alchemists developed a basic set of laboratory techniques, theories, and terms, some of which are still in use today. They did not abandon the Ancient Greek philosophical idea that everything is composed of four elements, and they tended to guard their work in secrecy, often making use of cyphers and cryptic symbolism. In Europe, the 12th-century translations of medieval Islamic works on science and the rediscovery of Aristotelian philosophy gave birth to a flourishing tradition of Latin alchemy. This late medieval tradition of alchemy would go on to play a significant role in the development of early modern science (particularly chemistry and medicine). | ||
==Hellenistic origins== | ==Hellenistic origins== | ||
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==In popular culture== | ==In popular culture== | ||
Alchemy has made an ongoing impact on literature and the arts, with many artists from varying disciplines incorporating alchemical themes into their work. | |||
Alejandro Jodorowsky's 1973 film ''[[The Holy Mountain]]'' is based around a character called The Alchemist who brings a group of spiritual seekers on a quest to find and climb a mountain that will connect them with the heavens. Several characters are archetypes based on [[tarot]] cards and each has an [[astrology|astrological]] connection to a specific planet. The movie contains a graphic scene showing the lead character gaining enhanced spirituality through an alchemical processing of his defecation. Jodorowsky was intensely interested in tarot, alchemy, and other [[New Age]] ideas, although these specific subjects are not mentioned in the original novel upon which the film was based, ''[[Mount Analogue]]'' (1952) by French author René Daumal. | Alejandro Jodorowsky's 1973 film ''[[The Holy Mountain]]'' is based around a character called The Alchemist who brings a group of spiritual seekers on a quest to find and climb a mountain that will connect them with the heavens. Several characters are archetypes based on [[tarot]] cards and each has an [[astrology|astrological]] connection to a specific planet. The movie contains a graphic scene showing the lead character gaining enhanced spirituality through an alchemical processing of his defecation. Jodorowsky was intensely interested in tarot, alchemy, and other [[New Age]] ideas, although these specific subjects are not mentioned in the original novel upon which the film was based, ''[[Mount Analogue]]'' (1952) by French author René Daumal. | ||
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[[Category:Magic]] | [[Category:Magic]] | ||
[[Category:Occultism]] | [[Category:Occultism]] | ||
[[Category:Alchemy]] | |||