ALCHIMIA. - The name derives from the Arabic al, the article, and from the Greek χημεῖα or χημεία = fusion. In popular conception, alchemy is the science and art of transforming metals into gold and silver. In reality, this is too partial and one-sided a concept, which does not take into account the vast and complex structure created by true philosopher-alchemists (e.g., Paracelsus). Indeed, the fundamental law of alchemy was that minerals, plants, animals, man, the astral entities of the celestial spheres, etc., are moved by the supreme Artificer through a single permanent flow of life in various gradations and according to a single informing virtue. This law governs both the macrocosm (the universe) and the microcosm (man) in the same way, and it does not concern only the matter with which these two entities are constituted, i.e., their chemical state, but also the entire complex of interdependent vital phenomena, namely, cosmic relations (astrology), diseases or imbalances, reciprocal influences, etc.
- Magical Gate (16th century).
Rome, Piazza Vittorio Emanuele.
As regards chemistry, the foundations of alchemy in the Middle Ages were reduced to the following laws: 1) All species are invariable and cannot be transformed into one another. 2) Metals belong to a single species and can be transformed (purified) from the base state to gold, i.e., to absolute purity.
In the chemical-pharmaceutical and iatrochemical field, alchemy held that disease was due to an imbalance of fluids created in the human body either by the action of foods or poisons, or, more often, by cosmic influences, i.e., repercussions of meteorological or astronomical events on the microcosm. Every organ of the human body was therefore related to the stars, and every metal likewise depended on one of them. Therapy, therefore, had to restore the disturbed balance in the human organism by using metals, or rather their salts.
The basis of alchemy was continuous experimentation, but limited only to thermal treatments of matter. Through this experimental method, the main chemical discoveries were made, as well as the formation of a technical alchemy, which in Italy had Vannoccio Biringuccio as its exponent. Although he followed the method of alchemical research, he denied the second of the above-mentioned laws. Many alchemists, driven by the pursuit of profit or by religious deviation, wished to move from the field of natural magic into that of black magic, i.e., diabolical magic, incurring the gravest sanctions; others resorted to the most heinous frauds, also falling afoul of the law.
The means for achieving the transformation of various metals into gold was represented by a hypothetical substance, known as the philosopher’s stone, from which derived the powder of projection; when thrown upon the metallic compound to be purified, this powder effected the transformation. In the human sphere, the corresponding object was the elixir of life, another hypothetical substance which, as a medicine, was to restore physiological equilibrium, enabling one to reach the furthest limits of natural life by eliminating disease as a cause of death.
From the standpoint of religion, alchemy was not condemned if practiced with honest intentions consonant with morality. Under such conditions, the Council of Trent declared this art licit provided that no fraud was involved. Medieval tradition attributed to St. Dominic a secret for transmutation. This secret was said to have been passed to St. Albert the Great through the spiritual heirs of the holy founder, and from St. Albert to St. Thomas Aquinas. All this (which has been shown to be entirely without foundation) was adduced to lend weight to the supposed attribution to St. Thomas of two little treatises: one on the philosopher’s stone and one on the art of alchemy. These two booklets, the second of which is dedicated to a certain Brother Reginald, would seem to be the work of another Dominican, a friend of St. Thomas; who, for his part (In II Sent., d. 7, III, vol. VI), though showing perfect knowledge of alchemical operations, often reveals himself as highly skeptical regarding this science, doubting the possibility of transforming metals.
Among the alchemists officially recognized is also Raymond Lull. It is written on the flyleaf of a fourteenth-century codex (Italian script from Spain): “Raymond finished this reading in the city of Genoa on the first day of February in the year of our Lord 1303, to the honor of Jesus Christ. He expounded this and other works orally.”
Alchemy could become a sinful art through the means employed and the fraudulent ends pursued. One of the most celebrated examples was the Marshal of France, Gilles de Laval, whom legend transformed into the infamous Bluebeard.
As regards the transmutation of metals, today the alchemists’ dream may be said to have been realized in the artificial transmutations of elements (v. NUCLEO), though, of course, on entirely different bases.