When shiro sat under the apple tree…

there was no revelation.

no revealing of the veil behind the sciences…

no fruit under natural forces fell…

there wasn’t any fruit at all actually-

 

twas autumn.

 

WHY GRAVITY

WEIGHS ME DOWN.

That being so…

shiro got lil wet n lil cold…though nothing fell…

cept couple rain drops…and some leaves-

and you expect them to do that…so nope,

no new theory today!

Is that how sir isaac newton felt most of the time pre-sir ?…

mumbling:

WHY GRAVITY WEIGHS ME DOWN…

till that one time…

when the apple donked and the theory clicked…

and all fell gravitating into place???

 

 

At times such are the won wanders of shiro’s mind…

 

 

THE ALCHEMY OF CHEMISTRY

 

 

Looking into the origins of the word ALCHEMY leads you back to the ancient Egyptian/Arabian/Asiatic World.

The core word CHEM/KHEM/CHUM has an almost global natural/nature essence and reach. (click) (click) (click) Meanings such as black earth, metal working and natural juices seem to apply to most early applications and usages…most.

Documents from possibly as early as the 12th cent. use related words and phrases, all thru to the late 17th: many such applications were interchangeably called either/both/such etc. (click)

The early ‘ alchemists ‘ used the local/their own preference when discussing such topics.

 

 

An olden/ancient word whose modern application is in the SCIENCE OF CHEMISTRY.

TWO SIDES TO EVERY STORY…

 

 

Whilst researching such traditions as alchemy you may well be confused.Martial artists become aware through training and lectures that the physical art they study…

is only half the story.

The application of their arts philosophies, concept and doctrines usually begins with self…in the mind.

 

 

This approach: physical/mind, inside/outside, above/below, scroll/oral, shown/hidden, outer/inner etc is a teaching device such traditions utilise.That being so…

one’s attention must be focused; to recognise which is being discussed in the story being told…the research being read etc:

The inner story is about mind per se…

the outer is about the physical in this/most case(s)…

(though metaphors and analogies from either can be used to refer etc…)-

 

 

Alchemy usually involved BOTH lab/physical work AND mental/mind work.

 

 

The two sides of the alchemical story use similar concepts and imagery…

but are  ‘talking ‘ about two different topics.

Usually;

metal transmutation/lab work=physical

AND

mental=enlightenment/meditational mind work.

Some of the alchemists though had interest in both fields…their work notes etc will be quite laborious to make sense of …if they mix the two in the story.

So when doing the research keep this twofold device in mind!

The alchemical WORK can be/has been approached vis physical and/or mental means…or a combination which seems preferable to many, if not most alchemists.The research references may use either/both approaches in the discussion.

A tradition with two stories/sides to tell..it’s views from.

 

A SOCIETY OF SCIENCE SO ROYAL.

The traditions of western alchemists, then later inventors and early minds of SCIENCE…along with the specialised KNOWLEDGE soon led to the formation of groups dedicated to such investigations.

One such, in England became known as the ROYAL SOCIETY (click).

 

 

(Video Link)

 

…back in the 1650’s…still reeling from revolutions and associated social/political upheaval those that enjoy the investigation and sharing of knowledge continued to expend effort to bring along the RENAISSANCE that eventually allowed learning to become relatively simpler as time progressed on. (click)

With Royal assent and a name to match…

THE ROYAL SOCIETY soon became a hub of inquiring activity of many natures and fronts.

WESTERN SCIENCE per se was learning to walk. (click)

 

 

The sharing of knowledge in this group brought together many.Expert and  novice.Inventors, architects, engineers, scientists and more.Membership lists read like a western honors roll of learning (click).

Through much political turmoil including visits by some of the soldiery of the time the knowledge quest continued.

In 1662 royal assent via king charles 2nd made the Royal Society “official“.

 

 

(Video Link)

 

 

The intel reveals too…

oldest known Royal chemical society group still being conducted is almost 2oo years of age.

LOTS  OF LAB TIME therein!..

(click their name above to learn more of chemistry’s secrets…).

 

MARIE’s BAIN–MARIE aka…

ALCHEMY IN THE KITCHEN.

 

 

Twas not just the men who searched for meaning in this tradition/system.Many of the alchemists were women whose contribution is LEGEND.

One such was MARIE of the BAIN-MARIE.

This piece of equipment: an essential it seems for the alchemical lab work…and some kitchens too.

A prolific inventor of alchemical equipment MARIE is credited with at least three pieces/processes.

Referred to as the Tribokos, the Kerotakis and the BAIN-MARIE.The bain-marie or marie’s bath is akin to a double boiler and the modern culinary version finds wide use among chefs. (click) (click)

 

 

Several alchemical texts are also attributed to MARIE of the BAIN-MARIE.

Many flavorful dishes have been creatively prepped in the kitchen version…

(Not necessarily by MARIE of the BAIN-MARIE).

LEGEND.

 

 

 

WILL

CLEOPATRA THE ALCHEMIST…

PLEASE STAND UP.!?.

 

For a few brief seconds …

CLEOPAT(of)RA, QUEEN OF BOTH UPPER AND LOWER EGYPT…

she…above…

of the long nose, funny walk and wide open…arms…

was relegated to the laboratory…tinkering and transmuting away…

how soon the image fades…

WRONG CLEOPATRA it seems!

 

 

ALCHEMICAL LEGEND CLEOPATRA (above pic) btw is NOT the LEGENDARY CLEOPAT(of)RA who ruled EGYPT (2nd above pic) some time ago and had all those famous…or infamous…run-ins and lie-ins with various of the ROMANS.This despite being sometimes referred to as the QUEEN in various alchemical texts. (click)

The ALCHEMICAL QUEEN reference is to her position and standing and understanding of the ART OF ALCHEMY…not of royalty.

Her real name…has long been forgot.

Her invention referred to as the ALEMBIC.

In fact ALCHEMICAL CLEOPATRA’s knowledge was so extensive she oft. lectured the male alchemists in their studies.

Her writings and treatises are almost poetic in prose with a rich somewhat sensual language.The feminine touch.Deeply intuitive and at ease with discussions of natural processes and transformations she oft. led the way in the ongoing research.An appreciation of the beauty of the cosmos is readily apparent as is a belief in the harmony of nature and alchemy.

 

 

This QUEEN OF ALCHEMY, CLEOPATRA’s main written works is the text known as THE DIALOGUE.The audience of philosophers in the text includes for example the LEGENDARY MAGUS OSTANES.

His introduction of CLEOPATRA, QUEEN OF ALCHEMY worth revisiting to see the affect/effect of the female psyche into this rather arcane tradition/art:

 

“…in you is hidden a strange and terrible mystery. Enlighten us, throwing your light on the elements.Tell us how the highest descends to the lowest and how the lowest rises to the highest and is united with it and what is the element that accomplishes these things…”

 

 

Using imagery from the feminine psyche ALCHEMICAL QUEEN CLEOPATRA then presented a historic and note-worthy lecture on the facets of this ancient tradition; terms, elements, processes and methods using metaphors from such as birth, conception, plants and Nature itself. (click)

LEGEND…no fancy walk required here.

 

 

(Video Link)

 

 

 

ALCHEMY MYSTERIOUS aka …

THE SCIENCE SOME WANTED KEPT SECRET.

 

As with other traditions such as the freemasons, rosicrucians, architects, gold-, white- and black-smiths;

the alchemists kept much KNOWLEDGE to themselves per se.This is not necessarily a CONSPIRACY…but more likely expediency.Various authorities at various times in history looked askance at ALCHEMY…and some of the others.

Kings. leaders, churches too.

 

 

Furthermore patent, copyright and suchlike were unknowns.

Many outsiders were more than willing to pay for such specialised knowledge and services in these traditions.This, in turn, has enabled our times to still have an ancient connection through those such as mary, cleopatra then later sir(s) isaac newton, robert boyle, christopher wren and robert hooke…and so forth.

Women and Men of science and form who studied alchemy and related subjects of their times.

LEGENDS.

 

REFINING AND DEFINING ALCHEMY.

 

 

The ancient texts and treatises of the alchemists are oft. joys to read…though not necessarily understood.The metaphors of nature AND of working with nature (as they perceived it to be…) wax lyrical though as a SCIENCE only lil applies.They imagined themselves active colloborators WORKing with NATURE to transform raw materials into…hopefully something useful.

Sometimes they succeeded…finding new metal/mineral alloy types or elements and suchlike…new inventions and equipment too.Some tried to explain natures forces;

such as why gravity weighs me down…

Some became LEGENDS, whilst the many remained behind histories pages.

 

 

Collectively termed THE ALCHEMISTS.

The basic lab/smith work of the ALCHEMISTS is arguably one of the few remaining skillsets that MODERN CHEMISTS still probably use.Due to such as mass production methods and modern tech applications these skills are still specialised which may augur well for the remnants of this ALCHEMICAL sub-art/technique.

 

 

There may well always be those who love the lab…

and help solve the mysteries of CHEM.

One can only dream…

idreamofninja…DO YOU HAVE A DREAM?…

(Video Link)

MODERN ALCHEMY:

TODAY AND TOMORROW…(wip)…:

Modern alchemy is still a work in progress.

According to the intel….

Several substances have been prepared along alchemical lines/means and can be purchased online.

These are still being evaluated by shiro at the moment.

In addition various researchers actively peruse the old texts and writings for inspiration and clues…an intel report underway.

 

 

….thus a  further/closer look into the world of alchemy and elixirs, the philosophers stone and so on lies ahead…

research and intel gathering …still in progress…

coming soonish…i hopeish.

 

 

Till next…