HIST 421 Lecture Notes - Lecture 6: Sulfur, Middle Ages, Emerald Tablet
Document Summary
Alchemy aims at getting at the most basic secrets of the universe, manipulate the elements to change one substance into another ie. metal into gold. They felt there were certain substances that had special properties and they could actually affect mutations themselves. The major substances that were used were sulfur, mercury and salt. Mercury was supposed to be a principle of life, it was quick silver. Sulfur is a principle burning substance, bringing fire and therefore it is a purifying substance. Salt could break things down too as well. The goal of the alchemist was to figure out how substances worked when they were combined. Wanted to find out how to get the philosophers stone or the elixir which could help you live forever or protect you from disease. The universe is the macrocosm and the body is the microcosm that is connected to the universe. Mineral had special associations with the planets.
