How Aristotle Accidentally Helped to Invent Alchemy (and got nearly everything wrong)

Reading historical texts of alchemy is puzzling because the underlying theory of transmutation is utterly foreign to modern physics and chemistry. Interestingly enough, the theory of alchemical change originated in the Meteorological speculations of none less than Aristotle. In his text the Meteorlogica he attempts to deploy his physics to explain phenomena between the Earth and the Heavens such as shooting stars, comets, sundogs, rainbows, etc. But in the same text, however, he will also provide his theory of “exhalations“ which will also serves to explain how metals and minerals form deep within the earth. Thus, Aristotle’s Meteorologica will not only explain how metals and minerals form but will also ultimately provide the physics by which substantial transmutation was thought to be achieved by the alchemists - a theory which endured for over 2000 years. Consider Supporting Esoterica! Patreon - Paypal Donation -