The Philosophers Stone
AKA
The Sorcerors Stone
Today, the quest for the Philosopher’s Stone (or the Sorcerer’s Stone, as it is known today) is merely thought of as a work of fiction from the pages of a Harry Potter novel. However, in the Middle Ages, the very real search for the Philosopher’s Stone was second only to that of the Holy Grail. It was believed that this mysterious stone –which one had to concoct from secret ingredients – could turn base metals into gold, and reveal the secrets of immortality. This fascinating documentary unearths the astonishing events surrounding this legendary stone, and the alchemists and adventurers who stopped at nothing in their search for this tantalising quarry. The programme also takes a wider look at medieval alchemy, and how this now-obsolete science paved the way for modern scientists.
The search for the Philosopher’s Stone presented a different challenge to that of the Holy Grail: while the latter was a geographical riddle, the Philosopher’s Stone was made of a variety of secret elements that an alchemist had to combine. Alchemists believed that gold was the most superior metal in the world, as it did not tarnish, rust or corrode. It was thought that the Philosopher’s Stone was made of something purer than gold itself, and that its presence next to something of a lesser metal could turn the inferior object into gold. Similarly, as gold was seen as perfection, human beings could draw from its elixir too, and turn from mortal (imperfect) to immortal (perfect).
These ingredients were hidden in bizarrely coded manuscripts that baffle scholars to this day, written by alchemists who lived in their own secret society. The creation of the stone was rumoured to be a hazardous and possibly fatal pursuit, yet this did not dissuade the finest scientific minds of the era – not to mention the most powerful European rulers – from chasing the stone’s secrets.
The programme follows the stories of alchemists such as Nicholas Flamel – brought to life in ‘The Da Vinci Code’ and ‘Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone’ –who really existed and was rumoured to be hotly on the trail. The programme also looks at two noted alchemists – Edward Kelly and John Dee –whose obsessive search for the stone resulted in stories of madness, conversations with angels and even wife-swapping.
Some of today’s most prominent chemistry scholars, such as Harold Goldwhite and Lawrence Principe, explain why these men only sound crazy in today’s era. In the Middle Ages, alchemy and the experiments devised to create the stone represented a huge stride forward in science. Today we owe most of our modern lab equipment and experimental techniques to the efforts of these alchemists. The programme examines their work and asks if their search for immortality and the secrets of transmutation were really on sound scientific ground. It also poses the question: did any of these alchemists – as rumoured – succeed in cracking the secrets of the stone?
The Hermetic Seal and Philosophers Stone
"Make of man and women a circle; thence a square, thence a triangle. Form a circle (around the three) and you will have the Philosopher's Stone."
The seals have been around for thousands of years and there are many examples. This concept of using geometric symbols to represent Man's transformation from the physical to spiritual worlds, is not a recent concept, but dates back to the ancient Greek Pythagorean Philosophy of using geometric symbols to illustrate Man's physical and spiritual transformation. The Hermetic Seal became important with early alchemists as well, when these early scientists sought ways to create more 'abundance' for Mankind by creating gold from certain base metals. It was believed that by combining base metals such as lead with the three elements of alchemical transformation: Mercury, salt, and sulfur, it would be possible to make gold, and therefore bring more physical wealth to Mankind.
One important ingredient was found to be missing, however, and that was the magical properties of an ancient and unknown substance referred to as the Philosophers Stone. This substance, always searched for and never found, was believed to be the final ingredient or 'elixir' needed to make to actual transformation.
Along with physical alchemy, was the belief of Man's ultimate destiny and spiritual transformation as also attributed to the Hermetic Seal, representing the transformations of the human spirit. The final circle represented the universality of the spirit. Alchemists believed that by combining the magical properties of the Philosophers Stone with the physical body and spirit, it would be possible to bring the dead back to life. These ideas have become so intriguing that fiction writer J.K. Rowling used the Philosophers Stone as the theme for one of her Harry Potter Novels.
This set of videos explains in depth the basis for the beliefs of millions throughout history concerning The Philosopher's Stone. The search for the Philosopher's Stone is still as desired as it was thousands of years ago. Researchers are baffled to this day as to the meanings of the ancient alchemist's secret codes and symbolisms.
Astoria Brown Psychic Readings
Join me on Twitter Comments
