The search for the legendary philosopher's stone has been pursued by hundreds of philosophers for centuries. The first person from whom mankind heard about this miracle, according to legend, was Hermes Trismegistus. They even say that the Egyptians personified this man with Thoth - the sorcerer god.
Unfortunately, most of the books written by Hermes have not survived to this day, but died in a terrible fire in the Alexandrian library. And those texts that experienced tragic events were greatly distorted in the course of an illiterate and inept translation.
The adoption of Christianity in the Roman Empire, naturally, also did not contribute to the development and preservation of pagan literature. Alchemy was equated with heresy and mysticism, and people studying this science were often tortured and persecuted. In 529, the Pope banned the reading of ancient philosophical books altogether.
The next famous person in alchemy was Abu Musa Jabir ibn Hayyan. It was he who suggested that each metal is based on two principles - philosophical mercury and sulfur. The first determines the hardness and metallicity of the element, and the second determines its flammability. Jabir's theory was as follows: dry and wet vapors condense in the ground. The former give sulfur, the latter, respectively, mercury. Thus, combining in different proportions, the vapors form seven known metals - noble gold, then silver, mercury, lead, copper, tin, and last of all - iron. The purity and favorable ratios of Sulfur and Mercury determine the quality of the resulting element. Accordingly, Jabira assumed that it was possible to artificially create conditions in which gold would form. The accelerator for the creation of a favorable environment was to be a special elixir of dense substance. Later this magic "medicine" was called in Europe - "Philosopher's Stone". Europeans have been addicted to alchemy since the 10th century. However, this interest was not constant and periodically faded away.
Modern scientists do not deny the fact that the transformation of one metal into another was quite possible. But they firmly believe that medieval alchemists could not get gold from copper in any way, despite numerous stories and legends.
The theory of alchemy is mysterious and very fascinating. However, its knowledge is impossible without changing the worldview and thinking. In addition, we must not forget that the process of studying alchemical symbols can drag on for many years. And yet, the most important thing is that alchemy is a science in which you need to painstakingly understand and reach everything on your own. Others' conclusions and guesses are inappropriate here, only independent study and knowledge will allow you to understand all the riddles and open all the keys.
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The alchemists even had a set of seven rules, the observance of which was strictly controlled. The first is silence, because the dissemination of classified information is dangerous not only for the informant, but for the whole case as a whole. The second is the careful choice of the place of work. Secrecy is above all. The third is the timing of the processes. In the course of the work, one should not rush, but it was also forbidden to hesitate, since "only the losers hesitate." Fourth, this is the one mentioned earlier - patience. After all, without diligence it is impossible to achieve good results - a long-known fact. The fifth wise rule is constantly self-development and improvement of knowledge. Ignorance and illiteracy were equated with death. The sixth rule is cleanliness. The final rule of the alchemists was the recommendation to stock up on means and confidence before Doing. After all, without them the philosopher is doomed to failure,collapse and defeat.
All theories in alchemy are based on the theory of the four elements, proposed by Plato and Aristotle. According to her, the entire Universe was created from fire, water, air and earth, they are the primary matter. All other assumptions and theories are just a transformation of the names and quantities of the primary elements, whether it be the emergence of teachings about Sulfur, Mercury or quintessence.
Each alchemist's work and scientific labors were unique. Even in the same treatise, one philosopher, you can find different names for the same substance. A complete picture of all the works has not yet been received, because each master used his own material and worked with unique substances and recipes.
However, the tendency to use three substances to create a philosopher's stone can be traced in many works of alchemists of that time - primordial substance, secret fire and philosophical mercury. Primary matter, by the way, is not the substance itself, but only its possibility, in which all the qualities of matter are combined. Each person equally owns the first substance, both the rich and the poor. However, the ignoramus parted with him and relieved him of him, whereas for philosophers, it is the primordial substance that is the highest value and reward.
Initially, it is a masculine substance, which, when combined with a feminine one, becomes one and unique. In terms of chemistry, the male component is metal and the female component is mercury.
Namely, philosophical mercury, that substance that can bind together Spirit and Body, by reconciling them and combining opposites. Mercury can act in this way on the Primary Substance only by means of the Secret Fire.
Alchemical symbolism is of particular interest. Indeed, despite the fact that each philosopher had his own unique and individual method of work, most of them adhered to the general concept of depicting the processes and reactions taking place.
And so, the first is the Body. It is known to be divided into two halves - good (white) and evil (black). The body is cleansed, respectively, with a snow-white swan and a coal-black raven. The peacock with its iridescent feathers is a symbol that the transformation has begun and the process has begun. Pelican is blood feeding, indicated in red. The eagle is the victorious symbol of the completion of the ritual begun. Thus, the main stages of the process and the Doing are nigredo (black stage), albedo (white stage) and the final one - rubedo (red stage).