Alchemy

Alchemy was a precursor to chemistry. The word is derived from the Arabic الكيمية (Al Kimia), meaning "the art of transformation". The key pursuit of alchemy was to discover a way to turn lead into gold, known as the philosopher's stone. This was as much a spiritual quest as it was a scientific one: the transformation of the base metal of the animal man into the pure gold of a son of God. Unbeknownst to alchemists at the time, gold is an element, and therefore cannot be produced by combining any other elements except through fusion.

The symbolism of alchemy is rich and employs many western and eastern traditions. Some of the important symbols of alchemy are Solomons seal, the hermaphrodite, and the four Elements of wind, fire, earth and, water. These symbols are said to be from the period of the legendary alchemist Hermes Trismegistus, founder of the Hermetic arts. These and the other symbols of alchemy are regarded as having psychological significance by Carl Jung, contemporary of Sigmund Freud.

Why it failed

Medieval alchemists wanted to turn lead into gold. It was a fruitless endeavor because they used chemical reactions. Nowadays, we know why: Chemical reactions cannot change one element into another. Only nuclear processes, which involve intense energies not available until the 20th century, can accomplish this.

The Alchemy of Christianity

The true Alchemist is God the Holy Trinity, Who alone fully knows the true الكيمية (Al Kimia), "the art of transformation".

Christ Jesus is the true philosopher's stone. (Matthew 21:42-44; Mark 12:10-11; Luke 20:17-18; Acts 4:11-12; 1 Peter 2:4-8; Psalm 118:22-23)

Redemption and Salvation in Christ alone through the mercy of God alone in Baptism, the Eucharist, the Forgiveness of sins and Anointing of the Sick is the true panacea. (Matthew 9:6; 18:18; John 6:27-69; 20:19-23; James 5:14-16)

The Gospel is the true alkahest. (John 8:32, 36; 2 Corinthians 3:12-18; 10:3-5; Hebrews 4:12-13; Revelation 5:9-10; Isaiah 29:11)

The purging of the soul by the Father is the true athanor. (Jeremiah 23:29; Matthew 5:10-12; John 15:1-2, 6-8; 1 Corinthians 3:10-17; Hebrews 12:1-11; James 4:6-10; 1 Peter 1:3-7; Revelation 3:19)

Christ Jesus himself is the true red lion. (Genesis 49:9-10; Isaiah 31:4; Jeremiah 49:19; Amos 3:8; Revelation 5:5; 19:12-13)

The Lord God Himself is the true white eagle. (Exodus 19:4-6; Deuteronomy 32:11-12; Ezekiel 17:1-6; Revelation 12:14)

The Holy Spirit is the true heart of purity. (Proverbs 8; Matthew 5:8; Luke 11:13; 2 Corinthians 6:6-7; Titus 2:11-14; 3:5-7; James 3:17)

The Holy Spirit is the true soul of prayer to God in preparation for the great work. (Romans 8:26-28; Ephesians 2:10)

The Holy Spirit is the true understanding of the mystery of transformation. (Isaiah 11:2-3; John 15:26; Romans 11:33-36; 1 Corinthians 2:6-16)

The Christian is the true base transformed into the true gold. (Acts 22:16; Romans 8:29-30; 12:1-2; 1 Corinthians 1:26-31; Ephesians 4:22-24; 5:26-27; Titus 2:3-7; 2 Peter 1:3-11; Revelation 22:14)

The Church is the true chamber of alchemical transformation. (1 Corinthians 3:10-17; Ephesians 2:17-22; Hebrews 12:22-24; 1 Peter 2:4-5; Revelation 21:22–22:5)