PS/SS Title Change (was: What is Canon?)

[Steve]

No: HPFGUIDX 55568

--- In HPforGrownups at yahoogroups.com, "Katy Cartee" <rainbow at r...> wrote:
> K wrote:
> 
> > .... she's ... talking about ... the 'Philosopher's Stone' which 
> > is a specific artefact which has been sought for centuries and in 
> > the Potterverse actually exists. ...edited... Stone since it was 
> > never discovered in real life but there's no mythical Sorcerer or 
> > Wizard's stone either) 


> 
> .... But i'm guessing that this myth is one that originated in
Britain? Because I've never heard of it. So if the Philosopher's Stone
is an area-specific myth, I can understand why they changed it. But
knowing now where the name originated, I do wish they had left the
title alone.
> 
> ~Katy~


bboy_mn:

The ancient SCIENCE of Alchemy is known all over the world. The
primary texts existing today on this subject predate the 16th century,
although the bulk come from 16th & 17th century Europe with text
originating in every European language. While the bulk of the existing
texts originate in Europe, the European version of Alchemy comes for
the Hebrew/Kabbala Alchemy. Alchemy was also practiced in India,
China, and in the Islamic world. Original text exist from all those
cultures.

Alchemy was not just myth and fairytales, it was the science of the
day. It is the science that predates modern chemistry, and carries
over into religion, philosophy, and medicine. The text I refer to were
the scholarly texts of their day. Alchemy was actually studied and
practice my many many people. 

Because Alchemy itself was real, historical references to the
Philosopher's Stone fall into the catagory of legend rather than myth.
It is widely believed amoung people who believe in Alchemy, that
Nicholas Flamel truly did create a Philosopher's Stone, and there are
claims by several individuals that they met and talked with Mr.
Flamel, long after he aledgedly died. 

For the record, Mr. Flamel lived in France, and you can go there and
visit his house, it's been converted into an inn. People who have been
there say it's a really creepy place.

http://www.alchemywebsite.com/index.html

As a side note, I remember watching the 'Robinhood' TV series that
orginated in the US too many years ago to recall, and they did an
episode on alchemy where Robinhood needed a special elixer that would
allow him to walk on fire.

Just thought I would throw that in.

bboy_mn