Alchemy (錬金術 Renkinjutsu?) is a branch of magic, traditionally associated with turning base metals such as lead into gold and creating an elixir of immortality, with the true goal of simulating the world.[1]
A practitioner of alchemy is called an alchemist (錬金術師 Renkinjutsu-shi?).
Principles[]
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This section requires expansion General update, Philosopher's stone (purification of the soul), "as above, so below", Chinese variant, chemistry |
An alchemical glyph of the creation of the philosopher's stone, one of alchemy's ultimate goals.
With it simply being a sub-branch of magic, naturally it involves several applications and theories that are present in magic such as the teachings of Hermes Trismegistus, which the Golden Dawn advocates.[1] One of these teachings is that alchemy is not only that of turning lead into gold, but also a process in which one can make a natural body into perfection, the process being called Magnum opus or Ars Magna - put another way, that humans are incomplete gods and through training and making one complete, humans can become gods.[2]
According to Stiyl Magnus, alchemy is an unrefined knowledge, and a magician is referred to as an alchemist if they deal with subject matter closely related to it, if they are untalented enough for other roles.[1] Stiyl also pointed out several times that as the goal of Alchemy is to simulate the entire world, any result that they happen to get before reaching the ultimate objective would, or should be seen as useless by the alchemist.[3]
One of the alchemists known to have made significant progress is Paracelsus,[1] who developed a number of concepts which were incorporated into the field and other forms of magic.
There are various different sects, schools and other similar variants of alchemy. Some are associated with or named after locations where they developed or were present,[4][2] and some are connected to other esoteric fields, such as Hermeticism and Rosicrucianism.[4][5][6][7][8][9][10][11] Noted locations associated with specific schools of alchemy or alchemy in general include Zurich,[4] Vienna,[4] Bosnia,[2] Bohemia and Prague.[4][12]
Substances and Entities[]
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This section requires expansion General update, substances - Elixir of life, Panacea, Philosopher's stone (purification of the soul) |
The field of alchemy is traditionally held to involve numerous substances and their manipulation through various means to produce other substances.
There are a number of legendary substances which are spoken of and pursued by alchemists; these include the elixir of life, a drug which is said to convey immortality upon its drinkers, the philosopher's stone (賢者の石 Kenja no Ishi?), said to aid in the production of the elixir and enable the transmutation of base metal into gold, and Panacea, a cure-all medicine.[5] Some of these substances also feature in Rosicrucianism, with one of the three main Rosicrucian texts involving the four stage cycle involved in creating the philosopher's stone.[5][8][9][10]
A planetary hexagram with the symbols used for both the seven metals and the planets.
One core concept which various alchemical concepts were developed around is the seven metals,[13][14] which were identified by humanity in prehistoric times and the only ones known prior to the discovery of arsenic in the 13th century. Associated with the seven known celestial bodies among other things, the seven metals were gold (Sun, ☉), silver (Moon, ☽), mercury (quicksilver) (Mercury, ☿), copper (Venus, ♀︎), iron (Mars, ♂︎), tin (Jupiter, ♃) and lead (Saturn, ♄).[13][14]
Another important concept, developed by Paracelsus, was the three principles (also known as the tria prima or 'three primes') - salt (body or base matter, 🜔), sulfur (soul, 🜍) and mercury (mind, ☿) (not to be confused with the more mundane substances of the same name), and the relationship between them.[15][16]
There are also a number of entities associated with alchemy and alchemical concepts. Paracelsus associated spirits with each of the four elements,[17][18][19] known as Elementals, - such as Gnomes (
Processes[]
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This section requires expansion General update, Magnum opus, operations (General expansion, variable numbering) |
There are various processes and procedures involved in the field of alchemy.
The most notable of these is the four-stage cycle said to be involved in the Magnum Opus, be it for the creation of the philosopher's stone,[8][10] the attainment of wisdom,[10] or the refining of one's being. In order, the four stages are as follows:[8][9][10]
| # | Name | Color | Meaning(s) | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Nigredo | Black | Death | |
| 2 | Albedo | White | Bonding | |
| 3 | Citrinitas ( |
Yellow | Fermentation |
The fermentation which this stage represents is considered a beneficial transformation which grants new value to that which is being fermented.[9][10][21] |
| 4 | Rubedo | Red | Rebirth |
There are other operations, some of which are an expansion of the four stages and others that are separate from them. Some of these have been assigned numbers which sometimes differ between sources.[22] One example is 'separation', described as the eighth operation when utilized by Anna Sprengel.[23][22]
Tools and Instruments[]
Whether an alchemist is seeking to create the philosopher's stone, a panacea or elixir of immortality, pure control over the elements, or to rearrange the universe, they need to have the necessary tools at their disposal in order to progress in their research,[24] and if a necessary tool doesn't exist, they will need to invent it.[24]
There are numerous alchemical instruments which exist to these ends, invented for both general and specific purposes. Three examples, attributed to the alchemist Mary, are the Bain-marie (
In a way, a still or similar glass container can be said to have its own separate miniature "world" inside it, whatever it is being used to produce.[20][25][26] This symbolism has been used by Good Old Mary in a protective spell, preparing one side and then defining the seen and unseen (or the interior and the exterior) to create a barrier.[20]
Notable Spells[]
Ars Magna[]
Ars Magna (
However, according to Stiyl, since alchemy is an unrefined knowledge, modeling the entirety of the world and its laws into a chant takes centuries, even with the assistance of descendants and removing of unnecessary lines. Kamijou Touma deducted that this why the prospect of actual existing vampires are sought after by the magic side, by both alchemists and normal magicians, since one could finish the chants of the level of Ars Magna if one was able to figure out vampire's immortality.[1] Hence forth, no one has yet to achieve Ars Magna under the above means.[27]
Aureolus Izzard, the only alchemist who achieved Ars Magna.
Aureolus Izzard is the only person who has managed to achieve Ars Magna. By utilizing the Gregorian Chant Replica to chant the spell simultaneously, he was able to bypass the time required to chant the spell in only a mere seven days as well as increasing its effects 120 times.[27] In his use, the Ars Magna distorts reality through his thoughts, and requires a vast amount of concentration to accurately model a thought into reality with it.
Limen Magna[]
The dart and chain used for Limen Magna
Limen Magna (
Background[]
The exact origins of alchemy are unknown but one of the earliest surviving texts from the 4th century (by the Gnostic Christian writer Zosimos of Panopolis) concerning alchemy mentions an alchemist named Mary.[29] Said to have lived in Alexandria at some point between the 1st century and the 3rd century at the latest,[29][30] she was credited with the invention of fundamental experimental tools, such as the Bain-marie, the Kerotakis and the Tribikos,[24][30] as well as various alchemical operations and precepts. However, given the nature of this mention, it is unclear whether she was actually a real person.
One of the most famous alchemists (and one of the few known to have made significant progress with their studies) is Paracelsus,[1] a 15-16th century Swiss alchemist of the Renaissance period. He developed a number of concepts incorporated into alchemy and other forms of magic, including the three principles (also known as the tria prima or 'three primes') and the elementals associated with four elements.
Elements of alchemy also influenced the Rosicrucian movement, with the supposed founder Christian Rosencreutz reputed to have been an alchemist.[11] According to Samuel Liddell MacGregor Mathers, William Wynn Westcott 'brought alchemy back at the end of the 19th century'.[31]
Chronology[]
Toaru Majutsu no Index[]
Deep Blood Arc[]
- Main article: Deep Blood Arc
The concept of alchemy was prominently featured only in the Deep Blood Arc but was introduced earlier. It is also referenced much later, usually in the company with eerily similar concepts such as the teachings of Kabbalah and Thelema as well as Esper powers. Touma even thought that the basic principles of alchemy were similar to those of espers.[1]
La Regina del Mare Adriatico Arc[]
- Main article: La Regina del Mare Adriatico Arc
While not present in the actual story in any form, Biagio Busoni mentioned that the spell that empowered the self destruction of the Queen's fleet was reinforced with Alchemy.[32]
Shinyaku Toaru Majutsu no Index[]
Coronzon Arc[]
- Main article: Coronzon Arc
Aleister Crowley referred to the relationship between salt, sulfur and mercury in alchemy, during his explanation of the Lady of the Masquerade Ball's Taphthartharath.[15] Mina Mathers later referred to the seven metals, specifically silver, when detecting Coronzon's imminent attack.[13] One of the places remotely attacked by Coronzon was Prague, noted for its association with alchemy.[12]
Souyaku Toaru Majutsu no Index[]
Christmas Eve Arc[]
- Main article: Christmas Eve Arc
Neoka Norito made use of the seven metals, utilizing their association with the planets and from that the Sephirah, for the magic he had acquired from R&C Occultics.[14][33][34]
Christmas Day Arc[]
- Main article: Christmas Day Arc
Anna's Pneuma-less Shell, an intentional distortion of the Philosopher's Egg.
During the initial stage of her clash with Misaka Mikoto and Shokuhou Misaki, Anna Sprengel made use of her Pneuma-less Shell, made from an intentional distortion of the Philosopher's Egg and while invoking it, referred to the red stone which she did not seek.[6]
Los Angeles Arc[]
- Main article: Los Angeles Arc
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This section requires expansion GT4[35] - Rosicrucian Citrinitas |
A Rosicrucian interpretation of Citrinitas played a major role in the events that occurred in Los Angeles on December 26th, with Citrinitas being the title of the magician protecting R&C Occultics HQ and the basis of the magic they used to trapped the city's population in sand.[8][9][10]
Post-Handcuffs Arc[]
- Main article: Post-Handcuffs Arc
One of the magicians in the group centered around Alice Anotherbible was an alchemist referred to as good, old Mary, who according to her story took on the name of the Virgin Mary to hide her identity, and apparently had alchemical skill that could produce miracles on the same level as the real one.[36][37]
New Year's Eve Arc[]
- Main article: New Year's Eve Arc
On December 31st, besides Mary's resurrection techniques, Anna Sprengel made use of the eighth operation 'separation' in a chemical mine, in a thwarted attempt to kill a reanimated Anna Kingsford.[23]
New Year's Arc[]
- Main article: New Year's Arc
During a battle with Trismegistus on January 3rd, Good Old Mary invoked her own gigantic Tribikos, and mentioned her connection to the alchemical tool's foundation, mentioning the Kerotakis and Bain-marie alongside it.[24] Various alchemical concepts were also mentioned and utilized during events on January 5th surrounding "Christian Rosencreutz", with Rosencreutz being a figure who was reputedly an alchemist at heart.[21][20][25][11]
Uses of Alchemy in the story[]
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This section requires expansion Examples |
| Name | Description | Usage in Toaru Majutsu no Index |
|---|---|---|
| Alkahest | A "universal solvent", supposedly capable of dissolving all substances without altering or destroying its fundamental components. | Good Old Mary referenced alkahest, referred to as the enchanting potion capable of dissolving all materials, as an example with regards to how a still can contain an entire world, when facing "CRC".[20] |
| Bain-marie | A type of insulated pot used in alchemy, the creation of which was ascribed to the alchemist Mary. | Good Old Mary mentioned the Bain-marie alongside the Kerotakis and Tribikos as the basic tools which are necessary to create a universe, while invoking her own gigantic Tribikos.[24] |
| Chrysopoeia | The transmutation of base metals into gold. |
|
| Citrinitas | The third stage in the magnum opus, be it the acquisition of wisdom or the creation of the Philosopher's Stone. | The title and magic of Citrinitas is based around the third stage.[8][9][10] |
| Gnome | The elemental associated with earth. | Esther Rosenthal invoked a Gnome when bolstering Huotou's defenses with the Armor of the Dead.[17] |
| Homunculus | A type of artificial human mentioned in alchemical texts, created through application of alchemy. |
|
| Kerotakis | A type of reflux device used in alchemy, the creation of which was ascribed to the alchemist Mary. | Good Old Mary mentioned the Kerotakis alongside the Tribikos and Bain-marie as the basic tools which are necessary to create a universe, while invoking her own gigantic Tribikos.[24] |
| Philosopher's Egg | A vessel used in the alchemical sublimation process. | Anna Sprengel's Pneuma-less Shell was created from an intentional distortion of the Philosopher's Egg.[6] |
| Philosopher's Stone | A legendary red stone said to enable the transmutation of base metals in gold and the production of the elixir of life. |
|
| Salamander | The elemental associated with fire. | |
| Separation | One of the alchemical operations. | Anna Sprengel made use of separation in a thwarted spell in a chemical mine used against Anna Kingsford.[23] |
| Seven Metals | The seven metals of antiquity (gold, silver, mercury, tin, iron, copper and lead), which were identified by humanity in prehistoric times and the only ones known prior to the discovery of arsenic, and play a notable role in alchemy. | Neoka Norito used the seven metals and their association with the planets and the Sephirah for a sanctifying vocalization adaptation.[14][33][34] |
| Three Principles | Also known as the tria prima or 'three primes', consisting of three parts corresponding to the body or base matter, soul and mind, and the relationship between them. The three share the names of more mundane substances which they are not be confused with; salt (body/base matter), sulfur (soul) and mercury (mind). |
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| Tribikos | A type of distiller used in alchemy, the creation of which was ascribed to the alchemist Mary. | Good Old Mary mentioned the Tribikos alongside the Kerotakis and Bain-marie as the basic tools which are necessary to create a universe, while invoking her own gigantic Tribikos.[24] |
Known Alchemists[]
Trivia[]
- Stiyl commented that alchemists are like scientists of the magic side, who are constantly researching subjects, looking for a basis or rule for them.[1]
- Stiyl also mentioned that, besides Paracelsus, no alchemist has really done significant progress with their studies and thus "wasn't strong".[1] This, however, was a statement made before he could experience Ars Magna first hand.
External Links[]
References[]
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3 1.4 1.5 1.6 1.7 1.8 1.9 Toaru Majutsu no Index Light Novel Volume 02 Chapter 2 Part 2
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 Toaru Majutsu no Index Light Novel Volume 02 Afterword
- ↑ 3.0 3.1 3.2 Toaru Majutsu no Index Light Novel Volume 02 Chapter 2 Part 6
- ↑ 4.0 4.1 4.2 4.3 4.4 Toaru Majutsu no Index Light Novel Volume 02
- ↑ 5.0 5.1 5.2 Shinyaku Toaru Majutsu no Index Light Novel Volume 22 Reverse
- ↑ 6.0 6.1 6.2 6.3 6.4 Souyaku Toaru Majutsu no Index Light Novel Volume 02 Chapter 2 Part 2
- ↑ Souyaku Toaru Majutsu no Index Light Novel Volume 04 Chapter 1 Part 4
- ↑ 8.0 8.1 8.2 8.3 8.4 8.5 Souyaku Toaru Majutsu no Index Light Novel Volume 04 Chapter 2 Part 5
- ↑ 9.0 9.1 9.2 9.3 9.4 9.5 Souyaku Toaru Majutsu no Index Light Novel Volume 04 Chapter 3 Part 7
- ↑ 10.0 10.1 10.2 10.3 10.4 10.5 10.6 10.7 Souyaku Toaru Majutsu no Index Light Novel Volume 04 Chapter 4 Part 9
- ↑ 11.0 11.1 11.2 11.3 Souyaku Toaru Majutsu no Index Light Novel Volume 09 Chapter 4 Part 2
- ↑ 12.0 12.1 Shinyaku Toaru Majutsu no Index Light Novel Volume 22 Chapter 3 Part 7
- ↑ 13.0 13.1 13.2 Shinyaku Toaru Majutsu no Index Light Novel Volume 22 Chapter 2 Part 1
- ↑ 14.0 14.1 14.2 14.3 Souyaku Toaru Majutsu no Index Light Novel Volume 01 Chapter 3 Part 12
- ↑ 15.0 15.1 15.2 Shinyaku Toaru Majutsu no Index Light Novel Volume 21 Chapter 1 Part 10
- ↑ 16.0 16.1 Toaru Majutsu no Index SS: Agnese's Magic Side Work Experience Chapter 2 Part 6
- ↑ 17.0 17.1 17.2 Toaru Kagaku no Accelerator Manga Chapter 014
- ↑ 18.0 18.1 18.2 Shinyaku Toaru Majutsu no Index Light Novel Volume 17 Chapter 3 Part 7
- ↑ 19.0 19.1 Shinyaku Toaru Majutsu no Index Light Novel Volume 22 Chapter 3 Part 10
- ↑ 20.0 20.1 20.2 20.3 20.4 20.5 Souyaku Toaru Majutsu no Index Light Novel Volume 09 Chapter 2 Part 4
- ↑ 21.0 21.1 Souyaku Toaru Majutsu no Index Light Novel Volume 09 Prologue
- ↑ 22.0 22.1 Secret Teachings of All The Ages by Manly P. Hall, The Theory and Practice of Alchemy, Part One
- ↑ 23.0 23.1 23.2 Souyaku Toaru Majutsu no Index Light Novel Volume 06 Epilogue
- ↑ 24.0 24.1 24.2 24.3 24.4 24.5 24.6 24.7 Souyaku Toaru Majutsu no Index Light Novel Volume 07 Chapter 4 Part 4
- ↑ 25.0 25.1 Souyaku Toaru Majutsu no Index Light Novel Volume 09 Chapter 3 Part 8
- ↑ Souyaku Toaru Majutsu no Index Light Novel Volume 09 Chapter 3 Part 9
- ↑ 27.0 27.1 Toaru Majutsu no Index Light Novel Volume 02 Chapter 4 Part 1
- ↑ 28.0 28.1 Toaru Majutsu no Index Light Novel Volume 01 Chapter 2 Part 2
- ↑ 29.0 29.1 Souyaku Toaru Majutsu no Index Light Novel Volume 08 Chapter 3 Part 4
- ↑ 30.0 30.1 Souyaku Toaru Majutsu no Index Light Novel Volume 08 Chapter 3 Part 6
- ↑ Shinyaku Toaru Majutsu no Index Light Novel Volume 18 Chapter 3 Part 4
- ↑ Toaru Majutsu no Index Light Novel Volume 11 Chapter 5 Part 9
- ↑ 33.0 33.1 Souyaku Toaru Majutsu no Index Light Novel Volume 01 Between the Lines 4
- ↑ 34.0 34.1 Souyaku Toaru Majutsu no Index Light Novel Volume 01 Chapter 4 Part 3
- ↑ 35.0 35.1 Souyaku Toaru Majutsu no Index Light Novel Volume 04
- ↑ Souyaku Toaru Majutsu no Index Light Novel Volume 05 Between the Lines 1
- ↑ Souyaku Toaru Majutsu no Index Light Novel Volume 05 Epilogue
- ↑ Toaru Majutsu no Index Light Novel Volume 03 Chapter 2 Part 8
- ↑ Toaru Majutsu no Index: Imaginary Fest
- ↑ Shinyaku Toaru Majutsu no Index Light Novel Volume 12