Alchemy Lab Equipment

Alchemy (Arabic:al-kimia) (Hebrew:אלכימיה al-khimia) is both a philosophy and a practice with an aim of achieving ultimate wisdom as well as immortality, involving the improvement of the alchemist as well as the making of several substances described as possessing unusual properties. The practical aspect of alchemy generated the basics of modern inorganic chemistry, namely concerning procedures, equipment and the identification and use of many current substances.

The fundamental ideas of alchemy are said to have arisen in the ancient Persian Empire. Alchemy has been practiced in Mesopotamia (comprising much of today’s Iraq), Egypt, Persia (today’s Iran), India, China, Japan, Korea and in Classical Greece and Rome, in the Muslim civilizations, and then in Europe up to the 20th century, in a complex network of schools and philosophical systems spanning at least 2500 years.

Most people don’t realize that the most famous of alchemist’s is Sir Isaac Newton.  He spent the majority of his life studying alchemy.   Albert Einstein’s wife claimed that he read alchemy texts before going to sleep!

The best-known goals of the alchemists were the transmutation of common metals into gold (called chrysopoeia) or silver (less well known is plant alchemy, or “spagyric“); the creation of a “panacea“, or the elixir of life, a remedy that, it was supposed, would cure all diseases and prolong life indefinitely; and the discovery of a universal solvent. Although these were not the only uses for the discipline, they were the ones most documented and well-known. Certain Hermetic schools argue that the transmutation of lead into gold is analogical for the transmutation of the physical body (Saturn or lead) into Solar energy (gold) with the goal of attaining immortality. This is described as Internal Alchemy. Starting with the Middle Ages, Arabic and European alchemists invested much effort in the search for the “philosopher’s stone“, a legendary substance that was believed to be an essential ingredient for either or both of those goals. Alchemists were alternately persecuted or supported through the centuries. For example in 1317 Pope John XXII issued a Bull against alchemical counterfeiting, and the Cistercians banned the practice amongst their members. In 1403, Henry IV of England banned the practice of Alchemy. In the late 14th century, Piers the Ploughman and Chaucer both painted unflattering pictures of Alchemists as thieves and liars. By contrast, Rudolf II, Holy Roman Emperor, in the late 16th century, sponsored various alchemists in their work at his court in Prague.

Alchemy is seeing a rebirth as unusal things are being observed in chemistry and physics which challenge our knowledge of these sciences.  It appears there is more to the story than science can explain at the moment.  An Arizona farmer by the name of David Hudson seems to have rediscovered knowledge that alchemist and even the ancient Egyptians already knew.  This white powder of gold that he discovered has many names throughout history, “Manna”, “What is it?”, the “Elixir of Life”, the “Philosopher’s Stone” and now being called “ORMUS” or “mon0-atomic elements of the platinum group”.  Having strange properties that broder on the edge of magic, this powder is now being explored by thousands of “homebrew” Alchemists.

On this site we will cover the more practical aspects of operating an Alchemy lab in your home, including discussions on equipment, processes and recent literature.

We invite you to learn more and join in on the adventure!