Outline of alchemy
The following outline is provided as an overview of and topical guide to alchemy: Alchemy – A philosophical tradition recognized as protoscience, that includes the application of Hermetic principles, and practices related to mythology, religion, and spirituality. == Branches == Alchemy and chemistry in medieval Islam Chinese Alchemy Neidan Processing (Chinese materia medica) Iatrochemistry Spagyric New Age Psychoanalysis Analytical psychology Individuation Metacognition Rasayana === Influences === Influences upon alchemy – alchemy developed dependent on a number of influences and experienced regional and period-specific variations: Aristotelianism Esotericism Western Esotericism Esoteric Christianity Gnosticism Hermeticism Humorism Metallurgy History of metallurgy in the Indian subcontinent Platonism Neoplatonism Pseudoscience Pythagoreanism Taoism Stoicism === Related fields === Anthroposophy Astrology Ayurveda Homeopathy Kayaku-Jutsu Magic, magick Moxibustion Tay al-Ard Yoga Nidra == Concepts == Alchemical elements – Primarily the four Classical elements of: Fire (classical element) Water (classical element) Earth (classical element) Air (classical element) For variations see: Wu Xing • Mahābhūta • Five elements (Japanese philosophy) Alchemy in art and entertainment Alkahest Anima mundi Chrysopoeia Filius philosophorum Takwin Homunculus Philosopher's stone Cintamani Elixir of life Panacea Prima materia Yliaster Septenary of the seven metals and Classical planets in Western alchemy Lead • tin • copper • iron • mercury • silver • gold Saturn • Jupiter • Venus • Mars • Mercury • Moon • Sun Tria Prima (three primes) Salt • mercury • sulfur Body • soul • spirit Unity of opposites or coincidentia oppositorum Hieros Gamos Rebis == Processes == Magnum opus – great work of alchemy consisting of: Nigredo Albedo Citrinitas (sometimes excluded) Rubedo Alchemists also engaged in practical and symbolic processes including: Calcination Ceration Cohobation Congelation Digestion Distillation Fermentation Filtration Fixation Multiplication Projection Solution Sublimation == Symbolism == Alchemical symbol – 1.