Absolutely, Alchemy
written by Hermione Potter
Brilliantly written, German Alchemist Marin Bratsch delves into the basic essential knowledge of alchemy, its history, and its famous works. Brief, concise instructions are emblazoned within every spell and every potion. Many references founded by the famous alchemists of our time are featured in the text with special chapters dedicated to Nicholas Flamel, Albus Dumbledore, and Harry Potter, the boy who lived.
Last Updated
05/31/21
Chapters
20
Reads
3,486
The Philosopher's Stone
Chapter 2
The Philosopher's Stone
The Philosopher's Stone was a man-made, blood-red stone with magical properties. It could be used to create the Elixir of Life, which extended the drinker's lifespan, as well as transform any metal into pure gold. The Philosopher's Stone was believed to mystically amplify the user's knowledge of alchemy so much that anything was attainable.
The famed alchemist Nicolas Flamel, born in the 1327, created the only known Philosopher's Stone in existence. Flamel used the Elixir of Life made from the stone to extend his and his wife Perenelle's lifespan for centuries until they decided to destroy the stone in 1992, where the couple soon died afterwards.
In 1991 the Philosopher's Stone became the target of the Dark Wizard Lord Voldemort in his quest for immortality. Voldemort used a human host, Quirinus Quirrell, to seek it out at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry, where it was being held. —”The Mirror of Erised.” Dumbledore, himself an alchemist, was well aware of the principle of love and enlightenment, and hid the Stone in a place where only the pure at heart would be able to obtain it. Professor Quirrell could see himself with the Philosopher’s Stone but could not get it. Why? Because he wanted it for material gain and power—to return his master to strength; Harry, on the other hand, wanted to get the Stone to keep it safe and in no way did he ever intend to use it for himself. This is why he was able to get the Stone from the Mirror.
The Elixer of Life grants extended life for as long as the user drinks it, the elixir can also return a witch or wizard’s whose soul is separated due to the effects of a horcrux.
If the creation of the Philosopher’s Stone was difficult, the creation of the Elixir of Life was next to impossible. The Elixir of Life must contain the four elements (fire, earth, air and water) plus the three principles of animal, vegetable and prima materia (tan). To work with these ingredients many thought it was necessary to use crocodile livers, human skeletons, mandrake roots, and gall bladders of antelopes as well as other bizarre ingredients. The alchemists believed that all metals were made up of mercury and sulfur, in different proportions and degrees of purity. Mercury was also known as quicksilver or unicorn blood and was used to make red mercury oxide by heating it in a solution of nitric acid. The prima materia or tan is thought to be the mineral cinnabar, or mercury sulfide, also known as Dragons Blood.
The Philosopher's Stone was a man-made, blood-red stone with magical properties. It could be used to create the Elixir of Life, which extended the drinker's lifespan, as well as transform any metal into pure gold. The Philosopher's Stone was believed to mystically amplify the user's knowledge of alchemy so much that anything was attainable.
The famed alchemist Nicolas Flamel, born in the 1327, created the only known Philosopher's Stone in existence. Flamel used the Elixir of Life made from the stone to extend his and his wife Perenelle's lifespan for centuries until they decided to destroy the stone in 1992, where the couple soon died afterwards.
In 1991 the Philosopher's Stone became the target of the Dark Wizard Lord Voldemort in his quest for immortality. Voldemort used a human host, Quirinus Quirrell, to seek it out at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry, where it was being held. —”The Mirror of Erised.” Dumbledore, himself an alchemist, was well aware of the principle of love and enlightenment, and hid the Stone in a place where only the pure at heart would be able to obtain it. Professor Quirrell could see himself with the Philosopher’s Stone but could not get it. Why? Because he wanted it for material gain and power—to return his master to strength; Harry, on the other hand, wanted to get the Stone to keep it safe and in no way did he ever intend to use it for himself. This is why he was able to get the Stone from the Mirror.
The Elixer of Life grants extended life for as long as the user drinks it, the elixir can also return a witch or wizard’s whose soul is separated due to the effects of a horcrux.
If the creation of the Philosopher’s Stone was difficult, the creation of the Elixir of Life was next to impossible. The Elixir of Life must contain the four elements (fire, earth, air and water) plus the three principles of animal, vegetable and prima materia (tan). To work with these ingredients many thought it was necessary to use crocodile livers, human skeletons, mandrake roots, and gall bladders of antelopes as well as other bizarre ingredients. The alchemists believed that all metals were made up of mercury and sulfur, in different proportions and degrees of purity. Mercury was also known as quicksilver or unicorn blood and was used to make red mercury oxide by heating it in a solution of nitric acid. The prima materia or tan is thought to be the mineral cinnabar, or mercury sulfide, also known as Dragons Blood.
