[HPforGrownups] Re: Elixir of life

[Danger Mouse]

No: HPFGUIDX 75102

Annemehr:
I'm not sure how much alchemy *would* be taught at Hogwarts, 
especially OWL level and below.  After all, Flamel was the *only* 
known maker of the philosopher's stone.  Does anyone know of 
anything else alchemists may do, that might be taught for NEWTS?

Dan:
The process seems to be a lot like Potions, but with a different result. Where Potions is about creating liquids, alchemy seems to be more about making solids, using science (mixing chemicals, etc.) to create a solid magical result (in our world, this magical result is a reflection of the alchemists soul). They try to, in Potterverse terms, transfigure objects, or charm them, creating a Gurbruthanian fire, or gold from iron. I don't see alchemy being introduced in the Potterverse, because it's so similar to Potions already (bubbling cauldrons, fiddling with chemicals, etc) even though the result is not, but who knows. 

According to Levity.com:
In alchemy everything is composed of three parts: Sulphur (Soul or individualized essence), Mercury (Life Force), and Salt (Physical Body). It is the Work of the alchemist to separate and recombine these three basic principles as often as necessary until are in perfect proportion and harmony with each other. When this harmony is achieved, the creation of a 'stone' of physical object used in the transformation of the alchemist, or another, via a medium, such as water, wine, or direct contact will be produced... the aspiring alchemist seeks to separate these three parts and recombine then, giving rise to the phrase used by Paracelsus, spagyrics. Spagyrics is Greek for "separate and recombine" and is the term given to plant work, or the Lesser Circulation. The Greater Circulation consists of metallic and mineral work, its process follows the same principles as plant work, and is generally undertaken only after a certain degree of plant mastery has been attained.

Dan:
Perhaps Snape will have his students create their own "stones" by NEWT exam time; that'd be a good way to wrap up the series, with the alchemical component at the end as in the beginning. It's interesting that working with plants is the basic stage of alchemy--they've mostly only dealt with plants and animal components thus far, right? Not metals and minerals?

All for now,
Dan

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