The Philosopher's Stone
According to legend, the Philosopher's Stone was able to turn “lesser” metals, such as copper and lead, into gold and to grant eternal life. The endless search for this object of arcane lore was undertaken by men who became known as alchemists. These men believed that by finding the Stone, they could purify their souls of sin and gain the knowledge of God.
According to the article on the Philosopher's Stone in The Encyclopedia of Magic and Alchemy, the Stone was known by many names, including “the elixir, the tincture, crystals, powder, lapis, and so forth.” Despite it's name, it has been described as “a stone that is not a stone” by Zosimos, an alchemist from Ancient Greece, and, according to the online article “History of Alchemy from Ancient Egypt to Modern Times”, was called the “Powder of Transmutation” by John Frederick Helvetius, a Dutch alchemist from the 17th century (Guiley 131; 348). Helvetius also described it as “resembling glass or pale......
View the rest of this paper...
Approximate Word Count: 768
Approximate Pages: 4 (250 words per double-spaced page)
Why should you join Frat Files?
- - It's safe, secure, and private.
- - Instant access to over 100,000 papers. New papers are added hourly.
- - Fast and reliable customer support.
Similar Essays
-
The Philosopher'S Stone
The Philosopher's Stone. ... Guiley, Rosemary E. "Philosopher's Stone." The Encyclopedia
of Magic and Alchemy. New York, NY: Facts on File, Inc., 2006. ... -
The Philosopher'S Stone
The Philosopher'S Stone. ... As an alchemist and hermetic philosopher Paracelsus
appears reverent to the mysterious Philosopher's Stone. ... -
Harry Potter
... me. ” In 1995, Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone was completed and
the manuscript was sent off to prospective agents. The ... -
Alchemy
... In nearly every case the transmuting element was a mysterious powder or the
"Philosopher's Stone" Radioactivity is the key to today's alchemy. ... -
The Effect Of Alchemy
... of devising a thought which could have acted more powerfully and consistently on
the minds and faculties of men, than the very idea of the Philosopher's Stone. ...
Frat Files
Members
Information
