Elizabethan Alchemy

By: Shannon Padfield

What is Alchemy?

Alchemy is a form of chemistry and speculative philosophy practiced in the Middle Ages.

It refers both to an early philosophical and spiritual discipline. This form of chemistry was mostly the main precursors of

modern sciences.

Mahy., Margaret. Alchemy. New York: Margaret K. McElderry Books, 2003.

Hudson, John. The History of Chemistry. New York: Chapman & Hall, 1992.

•Morgan, Bruce T. Distilling Knowledge: alchemy, chemistry, and the scientific revolution. Cambridge, Mass: Harvard University Press, 2005.

Viewing AlchemyViewing Alchemy

• Alchemy developed an amazing language of

emblematic symbolism.

• About four thousand printed books were issued from the 16th century to the

late 18th centuries.

• Its influence can often be seen in the work writer, poets,

and artists if the time

http://www.alchemywebsite.com/introduction.html

Alchemical SymbolsAlchemical Symbols

Alchemical symbols were first used by the Greeks, Alchemical symbols were first used by the Greeks, Syriac, and Egyptian writers around the 5Syriac, and Egyptian writers around the 5thth and 6 and 6thth centuries.centuries.

They were used to signify most elements and They were used to signify most elements and compounds during the 18compounds during the 18thth century. century.

The symbols were mostly common through the 17The symbols were mostly common through the 17thth century, but some are still used today.century, but some are still used today.

Autumn

Winter

Spring

Summer

http://www.purplehell.com/riddletools/alchemy.htm

Famous AlchemistsFamous Alchemists

► Geber was an Arabian Geber was an Arabian alchemist who was well alchemist who was well known by the Europeans known by the Europeans

and popularized the idea of and popularized the idea of the Philosopher’s Stone.the Philosopher’s Stone.

• Paracelsus was a Swiss alchemist who invented the word

alcohol and his own branch of alchemy called Spagyric alchemy.

• Isaac Newton was one of the last known alchemist and was said to turn

lead into gold.

http://www.alchemywebsite.com/introduction.html

Spiritual AspectsSpiritual Aspects The main mistake The main mistake someone makes when someone makes when approaching spiritual approaching spiritual alchemy is when they alchemy is when they

come to it with come to it with preconceived theories.preconceived theories.

• The second approach runs the risk of subjecting the materials being

examined to the unexpressed criteria.

• Instead, one should try to become intimately familiar with the with the pre-

modernist worldview.

http://www.angelfire.com/ga2/splitskull2/index.html

The Art of AlchemyThe Art of Alchemy This divine art and science can be This divine art and science can be

practiced only by those who are in practiced only by those who are in the possession of the divine the possession of the divine

power.power.

• The external manipulations required for the production, should

be taught to anybody capable of reasoning.

• If such a person would accomplish they would be without life, not

knowing what the true reason of life is.

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Alchemy Back ThenAlchemy Back Then It was perceived for It was perceived for

transforming a transforming a common substance into common substance into

something valuable.something valuable.

• Medieval alchemists were referred to as quacks for believing that they could turn

lead into gold.

• The overall goal of alchemy was to make sense of the nature of

matter.

http://www.alchemywebsite.com/introduction.html

Alchemy NowAlchemy Now Nowadays, people hope they could Nowadays, people hope they could

try to make healing remedies though try to make healing remedies though they are few with the ability to do so.they are few with the ability to do so.

• Most people who take an interest in alchemy use it as a source of philosophical

and esoteric ideas.

• Another group of people see alchemy as a part of depth psychology.

http://www.alchemywebsite.com/introduction.html

Elizabethan Science and Elizabethan Science and ExplorationExploration

By: Cesar MedinaBy: Cesar Medina

Elizabethan Science• The Middle Ages were not ignorant of

science, but its study naturally received a great boost of mathematics, physics, astronomy, and medicine.

• The invention of printing also fostered the scientific revival.

• The pioneers of Renaissance science were mostly Italians, French, English, German, and

other countries took up the work too.

http://www.elizabethan-era.org.uk/elizabethan-science-technology.htm

Famous ScientistsFamous ScientistsCopernicus (1473-1543)-was a Pole Copernicus (1473-1543)-was a Pole

who was the founder of modern who was the founder of modern astronomy.astronomy.

• Galileo(1564-1642)-was an Italian scientist who made one of

the first telescopes.

• Kepler(1571-1630)-was a German scientist who worked out the mathematical laws which govern the movements of the

planets.

Gribbin., John R. The Scientists : A History of Science Told Through the Lives of Its Greatest Inventors . New York: Random House, 2003.

Inventions 1450: Johannes Gutenberg invented the printing press with

movable type in Germany. 1510: Leonardo da Vinci designs the horizontal water wheel. 1510: Peter Henlein invented the pocket watch. 1565: Conrad Gesner invented the pencil. 1583: Leonard and Thomas Digges invented the telescope. 1589: William Lee invented the knitting machine. 1590: Dutchmen, Hans, & Zacharias Janssen invent the compound

microscope. 1593: Galileo invents a water thermometer.

http://www.erasofelegance.com/history/elizabethanscience.html

Gribbin., John R. The Scientists : A History of Science Told Through the Lives of Its Greatest Inventors . New York: Random House, 2003.

Elizabethan ExplorationElizabethan Exploration

Exploration was a means Exploration was a means of pushing the boundaries of pushing the boundaries

of known lands.of known lands.

• Away from home, the explorers found new civilizations, wide oceans,

and exotic goods.

• Growing curiosity, desire to enhance

military, and demand for goods linked exploration

and trade.

Horwitz, Tony. A Voyage Long and Strange: Rediscovering the New World. New York: Henry Holt and Co., 2008.

http://www.elizabethan-era.org.uk/elizabethan-age-of-exploration.htm

Famous Explorers Sir Francis Drake(1542-1596)-was

famous for his voyage around the world between 1577-1580.

• Sir Humphrey Gilbert(1539-1583)-was famous for the discovery of

Newfoundland.

• John Davis(1550-1605)-was famous for his voyages to the Canadian Arctic

and Asia.

http://www.elizabethan-era.org.uk/elizabethan-age-of-exploration.htm

Horwitz, Tony. A Voyage Long and Strange: Rediscovering the New World. New York: Henry Holt and Co., 2008.

ExpeditionsExpeditions

In 1577, Sir Francis Drake set off for the Americas. His real goal was to In 1577, Sir Francis Drake set off for the Americas. His real goal was to sail around the world. He managed to navigate the globe in his ship, sail around the world. He managed to navigate the globe in his ship,

the Golden Hind, returning to England in 1580. the Golden Hind, returning to England in 1580.

• On April 27, 1584, Captain Philip Amadas and Captain Arthur Barlowe set sail and commanded the two barks that

made the first English Voyage to Roanoke Island. On their way back to England, they brought with them two Indians Wanchese

and Manteo.

• In April of 1534, Jacques Cartier lead his first voyage to North America from Saint Malo. When he reached

Newfoundland, Cartier sailed inland, going 1,000 miles up the St. Lawrence River. Named Canada “Kanata.” This voyage

lasted 137 days.

http://www.elizabethan-era.org.uk/elizabethan-age-of-exploration.htm

Horwitz, Tony. A Voyage Long and Strange: Rediscovering the New World. New York: Henry Holt and Co., 2008.

Motives for ExplorationMotives for Exploration

• Scientific curiosity, led men to set forth on voyages of discovery.Scientific curiosity, led men to set forth on voyages of discovery.

• The crusading spirit thrilled at the thought of spreading Christianity among barbarous people.

• In all epochs of exploration, adventurers sought in different lands opportunities to acquire mostly power, fame, and wealth.

http://www.elizabethan-era.org.uk/elizabethan-age-of-exploration.htm

How it affected the future

There were countless scientists of the Elizabethan Era and they all contributed to our modern-day life and knowledge.

• The amazing inventions and discoveries that all the genius inventors and scientists of that time made have helped and continue helping us

because of the quality and great range of help the invention or discovery provides for us.

• The great explorers of the Age of Exploration have been very brave and valiant for all their journeys and voyages that helped us discover more

about the continents of the world.

http://www.elizabethan-era.org.uk/elizabethan-age-of-exploration.htm

Work CitedWork Cited Mahy., Margaret. Mahy., Margaret. AlchemyAlchemy. New York: Margaret K. McElderry Books, 2003.. New York: Margaret K. McElderry Books, 2003. Hudson, John. Hudson, John. The History of ChemistryThe History of Chemistry. New York: Chapman & Hall, 1992.. New York: Chapman & Hall, 1992. Morgan, Bruce T. Morgan, Bruce T. Distilling Knowledge: alchemy, chemistry, and the scientific Distilling Knowledge: alchemy, chemistry, and the scientific

revolutionrevolution. Cambridge, Mass: . Cambridge, Mass: Harvard UniversityHarvard University Press, 2005. Press, 2005. http://www.alchemywebsite.com/introduction.htmlhttp://www.alchemywebsite.com/introduction.html http://www.purplehell.com/riddletools/alchemy.htmhttp://www.purplehell.com/riddletools/alchemy.htm http://www.angelfire.com/ga2/splitskull2/index.htmlhttp://www.angelfire.com/ga2/splitskull2/index.html

Horwitz, Tony. Horwitz, Tony. A Voyage Long and Strange: Rediscovering the New WorldA Voyage Long and Strange: Rediscovering the New World. New . New York: Henry Holt and Co., 2008.York: Henry Holt and Co., 2008.

Boerst, William J. Boerst, William J. Galileo Galilei and the Science of MotionGalileo Galilei and the Science of Motion. Greensboro, N.C.: . Greensboro, N.C.: Morgan Reynolds Pub., 2004. Morgan Reynolds Pub., 2004.

Gribbin., John R. Gribbin., John R. The Scientists : A History of Science Told Through the Lives The Scientists : A History of Science Told Through the Lives of Its Greatest Inventors of Its Greatest Inventors . New York: Random House, 2003. . New York: Random House, 2003.

http://www.elizabethan-era.org.uk/elizabethan-science-technology.htmhttp://www.elizabethan-era.org.uk/elizabethan-science-technology.htm http://www.erasofelegance.com/history/elizabethanscience.htmlhttp://www.erasofelegance.com/history/elizabethanscience.html http://www.elizabethan-era.org.uk/elizabethan-age-of-exploration.htmhttp://www.elizabethan-era.org.uk/elizabethan-age-of-exploration.htm