Alchemy 101 - Where to Find Things
I’ve been posting about alchemy in literature for a few years now, somewhat randomly, based on what I was reading or in response to asks. I thought it might be useful to create a list of the key posts, with links for easy reference. This is a work in progress. I’ve listed the categories I intend to include and will fill them in as I have time.
General Introduction
This is my brief introduction to the five main kinds of alchemy: physical, spiritual, literary, psychological, and practical.
https://argentvive.tumblr.com/post/180576502445/alchemy-physical-spiritual-literary
This is the first part of Lyndy Abraham’s historical introduction to alchemy from her indispensable Dictionary of Alchemical Imagery.
https://argentvive.tumblr.com/post/182911061965/lyndy-abrahams-introduction-to-literary-alchemy
Alchemical Diagrams
European alchemists were very keen on using diagrams to illustrate the opus alchymicum (the magnum opus, the Great Work) of creating the Philosopher’s Stone. I’ve written about these four famous images multiple times. Studying these images--especially Maier and Mylius--is the quickest and easiest way to learn the basics of alchemy.
1. Michael Maier, Atalanta fugiens
https://argentvive.tumblr.com/post/175647751650/michael-maier-atalanta-fugiens-creating-the
2. John Dee, Monas hieroglyphica
https://argentvive.tumblr.com/post/186477356685/john-dee-monas-hieroglyphica-1564-the
3. Johann Daniel Mylius, Mundus elementaris
https://argentvive.tumblr.com/post/181570593980/johann-daniel-mylius-mundus-elementaris-the
4. Heinrich Khunrath, Amphitheatrum sapientiae aeternae
https://argentvive.tumblr.com/post/167962110550/spirit-soul-and-body
Alchemy Symbols
https://www.tumblr.com/argentvive/768450950360924160/alchemy-symbols
Numbers
https://argentvive.tumblr.com/post/629995509687468033/alchemy-101-numbers-1-3
https://argentvive.tumblr.com/post/630005072751984640/alchemy-101-numbers-4-6
The next post explains the correspondences between the 7 heavenly bodies, the 7 metals, and the 7 organs of the body. The doctrine of correspondences is fundamental to spiritual and literary alchemy.
https://argentvive.tumblr.com/post/630269538308587520/alchemy-101-the-very-special-number-7
Marking Characters
https://argentvive.tumblr.com/post/181491637675/alchemy-101-marking-your-characters-names
https://argentvive.tumblr.com/post/181567904630/alchemy-101-marking-your-characters-birthdays
https://argentvive.tumblr.com/post/181631587880/alchemy-101-marking-your-characters-personality
https://argentvive.tumblr.com/post/181911238600/alchemy-101-marking-your-characters-mastery
The Chemical Wedding of Sol and Luna (Red King and White Queen; Sulphur and Mercury/Argentvive)
This is a general introduction to the chemical wedding, with some examples:
https://argentvive.tumblr.com/post/190746374560/chemical-wedding-what-does-it-look-like
I’ve also done case studies of the Chemical Weddings between Jaime + Brienne and Jon + Daenerys from Game of Thrones/ASOIAF and between Lord Asriel + Marisa Coulter and Lyra + Will from His Dark Materials.
Jaime and Brienne
https://argentvive.tumblr.com/post/170620855110/jamie-has-his-hand-cut-off-by-in-a-storm-of
https://argentvive.tumblr.com/post/171503434530/jaime-and-brienne-as-captives
https://argentvive.tumblr.com/post/171582701530/jamie-and-brienne-in-the-bath
https://argentvive.tumblr.com/post/171784901810/bear
https://argentvive.tumblr.com/post/173562760305/jaime-brienne-oathkeeper-and-a-new-mission
https://argentvive.tumblr.com/post/173653207295/jaime-brienne-and-honor-part-2
https://argentvive.tumblr.com/post/173911940355/jaime-brienne-and-honor-part-3-oathkeeper
https://argentvive.tumblr.com/post/172539993755/jaime-and-brienne-conjoin-through-oathkeeper
Jon and Daenerys
Jon and Daenerys have not met in the books yet, so my posts draw either on how they are marked in the books or their interactions in the TV series--minus the last 2 episodes of course.
The symbolism and imagery attending their initial meeting at Dragonstone is particularly interesting.
https://argentvive.tumblr.com/post/183547267265/got-is-all-about-jon-and-dany
This post looks at the cave scene in the show:
https://argentvive.tumblr.com/post/165880094905/jon-and-dany-in-the-cave-at-dragonstone
Lord Asriel and Marisa Coulter
https://argentvive.tumblr.com/post/189696226305/lord-asriel-and-marisa-coulter-chemical-wedding
Lyra and Will
Lyra and Will have a very well developed Chemical Wedding in TAS.
https://argentvive.tumblr.com/post/639261663723405312/lyra-and-wills-chemical-wedding-in-the-amber
https://argentvive.tumblr.com/post/639352508929687552/lyra-and-wills-chemical-wedding-part-2
https://argentvive.tumblr.com/post/639797141245689856/lyra-and-wills-chemical-wedding-part-3
https://argentvive.tumblr.com/post/641702023866286080/lyra-and-wills-chemical-wedding-pt-4-mary
Solve et Coagula
Solve et coagula--Latin for dissolve and coagulate--is the central process of physical alchemy. Using fire and water, the alchemist first dissolves a solid into a fluid substance, then coagulates it back to a dry solid. In a story, the “solve” usually involves the protagonist having a dramatic encounter with water--a bath, tears, drowning, etc., while the “coagula” is shown by having him or her be burned by fire or injured by piercing weapons. Knives, swords, axes, scissors, the scythe of Saturn, and the teeth of lions and wolves are symbols of the “secret fire.”
https://argentvive.tumblr.com/post/182587352715/why-is-game-of-thrones-so-violent
https://argentvive.tumblr.com/post/171503434530/jaime-and-brienne-as-captives
Colours and Stages of Alchemy
This post lays out the main schemes of the alchemical process--four stages, seven, twelve, and fourteen.
https://argentvive.tumblr.com/post/643426690373173248/alchemy-how-many-stages-four-seven
In the following post on “Citrinitas,” the optional yellow stage, I explain the origins of the four stage--black-yellow-white-red--sequence:
https://argentvive.tumblr.com/post/646325994800676864/citrinitas-alchemys-yellow-stage
https://www.tumblr.com/blog/view/argentvive/644877860469964800
Animals and Birds
https://argentvive.tumblr.com/post/188998432877/anonymous-said
Works of Literary Alchemy
https://argentvive.tumblr.com/post/167747829925/alchemy-or-not-how-do-you-tell
Sources for Literary Alchemy
https://argentvive.tumblr.com/post/648933123789373440/hi-do-you-have-any-book-recommendations-for















