Alchemy & Alchemists

Alchemy has long been regarded as a mix of medieval superstition and greed, with alchemists attempting to turn lead into gold and find the elixir of life. However, it has also been seen as a powerful secret that captivated great minds like Isaac Newton and Robert Boyle. This study traces alchemy’s history from its origins in Egypt and China, through the Hellenistic and Islamic worlds, and into medieval Europe, where figures like Albertus Magnus and Roger Bacon were drawn to its mysteries. The Renaissance saw alchemists like Paracelsus revolutionize medicine, while in the 17th century, alchemy influenced the development of modern science. In the 20th century, psychologists like Carl Jung explored alchemy’s connection to the unconscious, furthering its intrigue as a key to understanding human nature.