system
A chat on 4chan
human
Tell me about Alchemy /x/
gpt
Luckily, almost everyone here is missing the point. Alchemy is a hidden three part Art involving the body, mind and spirit and thus can be achieved through a combination of 3 works in the chemical, magical or spiritual plane. There is a psychical aspect to alchemy that requires manual experimentation with chemicals to create first metal transmutation and ultimately a Panacea. This act also requires a thorough understanding of the occult nature of celestial energy and study of astrology and magic. Don't take my word for it, read the works of Michael Maier or Heinrich Khunrath or Lampsrink or go back further to it's origins in Chinese alchemy to find these same concepts explained in some clarity
human
>its origins in Chinese alchemy
So Western alchemy is a derivative of Chinese alchemy? By Chinese alchemy, do you mean Taoist alchemy?
gpt
Western alchemy doesn't come from China, it's possible they came from the same original source though.
human

Alchemy originates from Egypt (its an Egyptian word) which developed parallel to or was furthered in ancient China depending on which dates you believe regarding human history. The symbols of the European alchemists are Egyptian as they pay homage to their Hermetic roots but many of the recipes and techniques used in the various chemical or physical preparations came from other parts of the East. Taoist Alchemy is concerned more with the psychospiritual transformation where a Chinese alchemist includes Toaist thought but also would have the knowledge to prepare the same Panacea of the Western alchemists almost 2 millenia later, not to mention am understanding of the spells and astronomy of ancient China
gpt
The alchemists in China around the turn of the millenia were less concerned with spagyrical coding to hide their knowledge, but China has kept much of their ancient knowledge to themselves, not that it aids those who would keep it. They aren't contained within the lineage of mysterious Hermetik Philosophers and thus their sometimes more illuminating texts regarding the techniques for and reality of preparing a true Elixer are not included in their teachings