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1. The topic that surprised me most was that science and alchemy at one point was used together to remedy a person, if one didn't work then there was no real objection to try the other. I found that the norm of this natural science to be fascinating.
2. Alchemy has always been interesting to me as I am Hindu, and the realization of how much alchemy is embedded into the religion frankly shocked me. The more I did research the more I understood why certain aspects were important. For example, it is frowned upon for a person to not wear gold or have it on their person. the perception has been that it keeps us (mind, body and soul) safe. I never really understood that but when I did my research and I read that gold represents perfection and Hinduism strives to achieve the perfect soul throughout life so that they may enter nirvana it made so much more sense to me.
3. I truly enjoyed researching about the Elixir of Life. The types of magic that find a way to incorporate this into its stories has interested me, even to the extent of our modern day magical series; Harry Potter has brought life back into this generation!
4. I am most likely going to remember that Isaac Newton, a scientist who discovered gravity had a very serious interest in alchemy. But this also taught me that one needs to be able to think outside of the box to discover new concepts. If we are not open to the possibility of something new or different then it will never be possible.
5. The most dangerous is the red herring in my opinion because ultimately its the manipulation of diverting the viewers attention from one issue by distracting them with serious sound effects and other non-related topics that come up as pictures to add realism. That is part of our everyday world and its vital for us to take heed to them. The least dangerous in my opinion is all natural, where natural science is used to try and understand society and complex modern science. This is because essentially society advanced from this manner of thinking. Historically humanity used this to understand things that were not conceivable because the knowledge didn't exist yet.
6. The most important knowledge I would pass on is to keep an open mind, and to question everything. It sounds like an oxymoron but the reality is both are needed to work in duality. One needs to be open to new information, new methods to advance. However we need to question what we find as well to ensure the reality of what we found is true.

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The study of alchemy had seemed to contribute greatly to modern science from metal work, to the production of gunpowder, to even to the formation of the periodic table of elements.

The connection that I see is the confusion of correlation. The need to obtain the exact codes to changing basic metals into gold, and the search for eternal life lead to the understanding of real science. The research that was conducted by Issac Newton and other practitioners helped form  real medical realizations that helped the formation of modern day world.

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There are many chemical engineers, chemists and biochemists working with BioFuelNet on advanced biofuels using some of the most modern cutting-edge technologies. Personally, I'm particularly interested in ancient history and the history of science and knowledge, which is often left out of modern scientific training in university and grad school. This article explores the history behind modern chemistry and biochemistry, which is misunderstood but highly relevant to modern thought. This article has been reposted from my personal blog, The Spaced-Out Scientist.
Alchemy is generally seen as an archaic proto-science based on superstition that is of little interest to the modern chemist. In truth, chemistry owes much to alchemy, which covers philosophical traditions and chemical history spanning several millennia in the Middle East, China, India and Europe. Alchemy has played a significant role in the development of modern chemistry, medicine and psychology.

The etymology of the modern word, chemistry, comes from the Arabic ( al 'the' + kīmiyā), which comes from the ancient Greek word , meaning "black magic". The Greek word is derived from the ancient Coptic word for "", "", which means "black earth", a type of fertile soil that is left after the annual flooding of the Nile.

Alchemy can generally be defined as an ancient art form that seeks purification of the soul and immortality in parallel with the transmutation of chemical elements where gold symbolizes perfection. Alchemists made medicines and pharmaceuticals, and endeavoured to understand the material basis of the world. Although the alchemists practiced actual chemistry and medicine, turning lead into gold symbolized a spiritual transmutation equivalent to an awakened consciousness present in all forms and which created the universe.

In Western alchemy, perfection is achieved through the action of the Philosophers Stone. Alchemists believed that it could turn any substance into gold, prolong life and cure illness. The Philosophers Stone is created from "prima materia", which is the primitive formless base of all matter, similar to our modern concepts of dark matter or chaos.

Western alchemy: from ancient Egypt to Renaissance Europe

The Ancient Egyptians were some of the first practitioners of alchemy around 2000 BC, and much of the early chemical knowledge in Egypt was linked to embalming the dead and religious ritual. The Ancient Greek king, Alexander the Great conquered Egypt and founded Alexandria in 331 BC, which became the intellectual and cultural center of the ancient world. Alexandria became a major hub for alchemy, bringing together Egyptian, Greek and Jewish knowledge and culture.

Between 400-600 AD, most Alchemical texts were lost and the remainder shifted to the Islamic world due to the repeated destruction of the Library of Alexandria and of non-Christian texts during the late Roman Empire. The Islamic world became a melting pot for alchemical knowledge.

The crusades, which began in 1096 AD, brought the West into contact with Islamic knowledge, which contributed to the re-emergence of alchemy in medieval Europe. It re-gained popularity in Renaissance Europe, and until as late as the 17th century, many notable modern scientists were also alchemists, including Isaac Newton and Robert Boyle, who is considered the father of chemistry.

Indian alchemy

Alexander the Great invaded India in 325 BC, which suggests that there may have been some influence between Indian and Greco-Egyptian alchemy. Indian alchemy or , which means the art of manipulating Rasa, meaning nectar, mercury or juice, was closely associated to the Dharmic faiths (Hinduism, Buddhism, Sikhism and Jainism). Indian alchemy began in approximately 1200 BC and is an early from of Ayurvedic medicine focused on extending lifespan. Indian alchemists created medicines composed of various metals, including mercury and other substances that were combined with herbs.

Chinese alchemy

The beginnings of Chinese alchemy are unclear but probably emerged sometime between 400 BC - 100 AD. It is closely associated to Taoism and Chinese traditional medicine, Acupuncture, Tai Chi, Qigong and focuses on the purification of the body in spirit in the hopes of obtaining immortality. The Chinese alchemists concocted alchemical medicines or elixirs, which were often composed of metals like gold and silver, and other compounds.

Much of the central concepts between Chinese, Indian and Western alchemy are remarkably similar. It is unknown whether these forms of alchemy share common origins and whether they influenced each other. However, from 334-323 B.C., Alexander the Great conquered many parts of the East, which helped exchange knowledge between Eastern and Western cultures, so it is possible that influence occurred.

The decline of alchemy

How did such an important intellectual and philosophical tradition existing for several millennia suddenly disappear from Western thought?

Aspects of Indian and Chinese alchemy were absorbed by modern science and chemistry, and other aspects were preserved in other systems such as Hindu traditional medicine, Ayurveda, as well as Chinese traditional medicine, Acupuncture and modern Tai Chi and Qigong.

In the 18th century, Western alchemy was in decline due to the birth of modern chemistry, which detached itself from religion and spirituality, and embraced a more precise and empirical framework based on the scientific method. Alchemy was then generally understood to mean "gold making", which gave rise to the popular belief that alchemy is charlatanism and superstition. Poor translations of adulterated documents with esoteric and spiritualistic interpretations also contributed to alchemy's decline.

Alchemy is still practiced today by a small number of practitioners who focused symbolic and spiritual aspects of alchemy, combined with a "New Age" approach. Some alchemical techniques are still actively practiced in traditional medicine, using a combination of pharmacological and spiritual techniques. Many secret societies, such as the Freemasons and Rosecrucians have also always been interested in alchemical symbolism.

Alchemy's influence on modern science

Alchemy made important contributions to metalworking, refining, production of gunpowder, ceramics, glass, ceramics, ink, dyes, paints, cosmetics, extracts, liquors etc. Alchemists conceptualized chemical elements into the first rudimentary periodic tables and introduced the process of distillation to Western Europe. They were also among the first to extract metals from ores and compose various inorganic acids and bases.
Some examples:

Sulfuric acid was first described (approx. 1300 AD) by the alchemist, Pseudo-Geber. Sulfuric acid is the most used substance in chemical industries today after water, air, coal and oil.

The alchemist Andreas Libavius (1555 - 1616 AD) was the first to describe the preparation of free hydrochloric acid, of tin tetrachloride, and of ammonium sulfate.

Libravius and Pseudo-Geber described the preparation of aqua regia ("royal water"), a mixture of nitric acid and hydrochloric acid, which can dissolve gold.

The alchemist Albertus Magnus (1193-1280 AD) is often credited for the discovery of arsenic, although it was probably known to earlier alchemists.

Chinese alchemists invented gunpowder or black powder in the 9th century.

Indian alchemy made important contributions to metallurgy. High-quality, high carbon steel was already being produced in India between 300-200 BC, and was exported throughout Asia and Europe.

But there is much more than early chemistry to the story.

Alchemy was influential in the formulation of Isaac Newton's theory of gravity. It is also central to Jung's idea of the collective unconscious. Much of the vast array of symbols used in alchemy draws from the Collective Unconscious of the West. The history of alchemy is very complex, and it is impossible to even scratch the surface in this article.
The author, Annie Webb, writes the blog Spaced-Out Scientist.

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Alchemy: how a tradition spanning millennia became modern chemistry

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There are many chemical engineers, chemists and biochemists working with BioFuelNet on advanced biofuels using some of the most modern cutting-edge technologies. Personally, I'm particularly interested in ancient history and the history of science and knowledge, which is often left out of modern scientific training in university and grad school.

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Post #9: Everyday Alchemy; Fundamentals of Transformation

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Post #9: Everyday Alchemy; Fundamentals of Transformation

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This Youtuber takes alchemy and makes it relate-able by calling the ancient practice of changing led to gold, a metaphor. She uses this to as a self-help to transform oneself to the person that they want to be rather than the person whom they are.
This connection was very close to a confirmation biased. She uses what alchemy was back in history and even briefly explains how long this has been in practice for and then relates it back to what she thinks its in perception.; "changing out life into gold" was how she interprets it. She goes about explaining the steps to that ultimate transformation of the self, through the use of Alchemy.

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How to Practice Everyday Alchemy The Fundamentals of Transformation HD

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Post #8; Blurred lines of Modern Medicine and Alchemy

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Post #8; Blurred lines of Modern Medicine and Alchemy

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Through out history medicine and alchemy have both been used in healing rituals and even modern medicine practitioners have had a serious relationship with alchemy. I have posted this video to depict the way this gentleman uses alchemy to create medicinal treatments for everyday uses.
It is evident that he believes in what he is saying and feels that the research that he has conducted is all natural and enough to conduct healing. At the beginning he starts the intro with the basis of the elements and from least to greatest complexity. But then he tries to make it relate-able by stating that he goes about it through trial and error to see what works and what doesn't.

The red flag that pops into mind when watching this video in mystical energy. Practitioners seem to manipulate the energy to do what is needed at the time. In this video he believes that the energy of the plants that he has selected can be manipulated to heal a sore throat or the common cold with other natural ingredients that he has picked out from his farm through his research.

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Alchemy and Chemistry pt 7 - Alchemical Realms and Medicines

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Alchemy seems to pre-date ancient Egypt, however it seem to have come into light more so during this time period. This video claims that it brings forth the calculations of the heavens in matter such as math, astronomy, medicine etc.

The pseudoscience that I chose to use is Ideological Support. This video does well in making the information that it presents in a serious manner from the music, to the way they keep adding relevant and scientifically proven facts into the midst such as mathematical formulas to play up the reality of the topic. They are trying to create a non-biased, and serious perception from the viewer

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The Fundamental Teachings of Ancient Alchemy and Hermeticism

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This 17th century manuscript contains instructions that Newton copied from an American alchemist's writings, as well as descriptions of one of Newton's own experiments.

Credit: Chemical Heritage Foundation

One of Isaac Newton's 17th-century alchemy manuscripts, buried in a private collection for decades, reveals his recipe for a material thought to be a step toward concocting the magical philosopher's stone.

The "philosopher's stone" was a mythical substance that alchemists believed had magical properties and could even help humans achieve immortality.

The manuscript turned up at an auction at Bonhams in Pasadena, California, on Feb. 16, where the Chemical Heritage Foundation (CHF) in Philadelphia bought it. The alchemy text will be available in an online repository for those interested in the history of modern chemistry, according to James Voelkel, the CHF's curator of rare books.

The handwritten document contains instructions for making "philosophic" mercury that Newton copied from a text by another known alchemist. Written in Latin, its title translates to "Preparation of the [Sophick] Mercury for the [Philosophers'] Stone by the Antimonial Stellate Regulus of Mars and Luna from the Manuscripts of the American Philosopher."

"This manuscript is of great interest to us because it is part of Isaac Newton's alchemical activity," Voelkel told Live Science. "It's a sign of his readings, interest and experiments in alchemy." [ Mad Geniuses: 10 Odd Tales About Famous Scientists]

Up until the 18th century, alchemists believed that metals could be broken down into their constituent parts and be transmuted into other, more expensive metals, like gold. They developed extensive symbolism and wrote numerous manuscripts in secret codes, all as part of an elaborate process to weed out those who were unworthy of their lofty goals, Voelkel said. It was these early alchemical experiments that gave rise to modern chemistry, Voelkel added.

Making philosophic mercury was just one of the steps of the alchemical process. It could be used to make the philosopher's stone, a mythical substance that alchemists believed had magical properties. They believed that it could not only transform lead into gold, but also help humans achieve immortality. For those reasons, it was the most sought-after substance in alchemy, also called "chymistry" in 17th-century England.

Newton's recipe for philosophic mercury was originally written by an American chemist named George Starkey, Voelkel said. Starkey studied at Harvard University and moved to England in 1650 to work with eminent chemists of the time. He ended up working with Robert Boyle, one of Newton's contemporaries. But Starkey published under the pseudonym Eirenaeus Philalethes, allowing him to control other chemists' access to his experiments, Voelkel said.

"This manuscript links Newton's alchemical practice to the American figure George Starkey," Voelkel said. "He's probably America's first renowned, published scientist."

Although historians can't tell if Newton carried out Starkey's alchemy experiment himself, Voelkel said it was very likely that he did. In fact, Newton made notes and corrected a mistake in Starkey's original text. On the back of the manuscript, he also wrote down one of his own experiments for distilling lead ore.

Though best known for his study of gravity and his laws of motion, Newton also apparently wrote more than a million words of alchemical notes throughout his lifetime, historians have estimated, Voelkel said. But most of his handwritten manuscripts were sold by his descendants at Sotheby's in London in 1936. As a result, many documents were purchased by private collectors. Some of those were donated or sold back to public institutions over the years, Voelkel said. But this particular text resurfaced at Sotheby's in New York in December 2004, was offered again at Bonhams in 2009, and finally sold at Bonhams in Pasadena Feb. 14, s2016.

Now that the CHF has purchased the manuscript, it will be added to The Chymistry of Isaac Newton project, an online repository curated by Indiana University, so it can be shared and studied more widely, Voelkel said.

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Isaac Newton's Recipe for Magical 'Philosopher's Stone' Rediscovered

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One of Isaac Newton's 17th-century alchemy manuscripts, buried in a private collection for decades, reveals his recipe for a material thought to be a step toward concocting the magical philosopher's stone. The "philosopher's stone" was a mythical substance that alchemists believed had magical properties and could even help humans achieve immortality.

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The Elixir of life was also known as the elixir of immortality. It is a potion created from the Philosopher's stone that was said to grant eternal youth as well as an immortal life. This elixir could also help cure any illness which helped prolong life.  In India the Amitra (elixir of life) was described in the Hindu scriptures. In China he ancient Chinese believed that ingesting long-lasting precious substances such as jade, cinnabar or hermatite would help attain  longevity to whomever consumed them.

This website talks about the history of where Elixir of life have been practiced throughout the world. This is connected to the pseudoscience of all natural where the claim of elixir of life is approached in a scientific manner which can be deceiving.
https://www.huffpost.com/entry/elixirs-of-life-a-history_b_59496f6de4b07e2395ce1007

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Although mankind's quest for longevity has been successful to a point (life expectancy worldwide has doubled over the past century), we have not yet been able to sidestep death's clutches in the end. This is not for lack of trying. Throughout history, from the legendary ambrosia of the gods of Ancient Greece to the sought-after Philosopher's Stone among European alchemists in the Middle Ages to the modern-day believers in such mythical substances, the idea of an "elixir of life" has been a constant illustration of our human desire to defeat mortality.

Elixirs of life have assumed many forms throughout history, but in most legends they take the form of food or drink that grants the consumer immortal life. Some of the most popular ingredients used in ancient recipes include mercury, sulphur, iron, copper, and honey. Of course, in modern times we've discovered - rather ironically - that many of the chemicals used by alchemists (particularly mercury) are actually highly poisonous. A 2014 unearthing of a buried nineteenth-century "elixir of life" on New York's Lower East Side found that it contained primarily aloe, gentian (a root that aids digestion and a common ingredient in bitters and some liqueurs), and a mixture of alcohols. Such concoctions were frequently hawked by Victorian-era quacks, of course, but you can still find pseudo-scientists today who promote one magical cure for death or another.

"Why do people believe in things they can't prove or that seem illogical? We may never know," Dr. Dagmar Wujastyk, a professor at the University of Vienna and expert in the history of classical medicines said. He adds, stating the obvious, that "Claims of immortality have never been proven to be true."

Among the many mythologies of the ancient Greeks, perhaps one of the most famous is that around ambrosia, the so-called ectar of the gods. The ancient Greeks believed that what the gods ate and drank gave them immortality. The ambrosia came from the horns of Amalthea, the goat (or goatherd) foster mother of Zeus. It was believed that ambrosia could heal scars, cure diseases, raise people from the dead, and banish death completely. Historians believe that the ancient idea of ambrosia would have been based on honey, although the Ancient Greek poet Ibycus called it "nine times sweeter than honey."

The earliest known attempts to create an elixir of life rather than just refer to it in mythology took place in ancient China during the Qin dynasty (during the first and second centuries BCE), according to Dagmar Wujastyk. In ancient China, Taoists believed that certain chemicals and minerals like mercury and cinnabar (an ore of mercury, bright red in color) had miraculous qualities. Ancient Chinese chemists believed that the demonstrated instability of mercury indicated "spiritual significance."

"Although historical accounts referring to 'rivers of mercury' flowing through the tomb of the first Qin emperor may have been exaggerated, archaeological surveys have confirmed the presence of elevated levels of mercury in the soil around the tomb site," said Wujastyk.

Chinese mythology is also rife with images of Ling Zhi, a species of mushroom found throughout much of Asia. It is still referred to as the "mushroom of immortality" and has been used in Chinese medicinal practices as a potent hot water extract for nearly 2,000 years.

Early cultures in India, starting around 400 BCE and continuing on to 800 AD, practiced ayurvedic rasayana, an early version of alchemy. The phrase loosely translates to mean "the science of mercury," according to Wujastyk. Mercury was not the only substance used to promote longevity of life; amla (a fruit similar to a gooseberry) was also a common ingredient. Other tales from ancient Indian folklore speak of soma, a fermented drink that was said to grant the drinker immortality. The recipe has been lost to time, but historians believe it may have been made with the fermented milky sap of Asclepias acida, a kind of milkweed.

Ancient Indian alchemy may have sought a more spiritual goal than our modern ideas of immortality. "Indian traditions at least did not necessarily mean keeping one's body alive forever," professor Wujastyk said. "Rather, it was about attaining a state of spiritual liberation or enlightenment (moksha) without having to die. But the body would have been transformed, the outer layers of gross matter having been shed."

From 1500s to the modern day, we've sought for a recipe for immortalityChristianity

Immortality comes into play in the story of the Garden of Eden. According to Genesis, the garden contained two trees: the Tree of Knowledge, from which grew the forbidden fruit, and the Tree of Life: "And the Lord God brought forth of the ground all manner of trees, fair to behold, and pleasant to eat of: the tree of life also in the midst of paradise..." (Gen. 2:9). The Tree of Life, most religious scholars agree, conferred immortality and incorruption upon the one who ate from it. Of course, as we know, Adam and Eve were thrown out of the Garden of Eden for instead eating the forbidden fruit from the Tree of Knowledge.

The mythical Holy Grail was also said to confer immortality. Said to be a cup of "mysterious power," it was said to have held the blood and sweat of Jesus Christ (or to have been the cup from which Jesus drank at the Last Supper), and some believed that drinking from it could heal the body, enlighten the mind, and make the drinker's entire being immortal.

Most modern readers only know of the alchemist Nicolas Flamel thanks to the Harry Potter series, but such pseudoscientists thrived in the Middle Ages and even developed some of the foundations of modern experimental science. The primary function of alchemy was to find the legendary substance, process, or object that could turn base metals into gold. Known by many names - the Philosopher's Stone, the Stone of the Wise, the Diamond of Perfection, the Universal Medicine, the Forbidden Fruit - the substance was also closely associated with the elixir of life. The Philosopher's Stone was variously said to be made of red powder, liquid gold, golden seeds, and many more thousands of descriptors throughout history, and alchemists performed countless unsuccessful experiments seeking to identify it. Some have taken their quest for immortality less literally; some historians believe that the Philosopher's Stone could signify immortality of the soul, or a symbolic wellness, much like some concepts in ayurvedic alchemy, according to the University of Delaware Special Collections.

In 2016, one recipe for the Philosopher's Stone, copied by hand by none other than Isaac Newton, was found in a seventeenth-century document purchased by the United States Chemical Heritage Foundation. The paper, originally written by Eirenaeus Philalethes (who was a prominent alchemist widely read among Newton and his contemporaries), talks about "sophick mercury" (short for philosophical mercury), which is a synonym for the elixir of life. The recipe calls for distilling ore and purifying other metals to make a substance that can turn base metal into gold.

Although the practice of alchemy and the quest for an elixir of immortality have largely faded, there remain some who still believe that miraculous longevity can be achieved by ingesting certain substances. In 2009, the staff at a fourteenth-century Carthusian priory in Yorkshire, England, attempted to recreate a centuries-old recipe for Chartreuse liqueur that was once used as a miracle medicine. The monks were evicted in the sixteenth century during the course of the Reformation (decades before Carthusian monks in France began formulating the spirit, according to tradition), but the modern-day staff at the historical site has nonetheless established a special herb garden in an attempt to match the formula called "the Elixir of Long Life."

In 2015, Russian scientists began injecting mice with 3.5 million-year-old bacteria found frozen in Siberian permafrost, which they claimed were able to successfully prolong life. The scientists reported that after being injected, "mice grannies not only began to dance, but also produced offspring." One of the scientists admits to injecting himself with the bacteria and reported positive effects; needless to say, these claims have not been verified by mainstream science.

Even alchemy itself lives on, to an extent; author Robert Cox, who bills himself as a modern-day alchemist, claims to have discovered a mysterious white material that he identifies as the Philosopher's Stone in his Arizona backyard. Check on him in, say, 100 years and see how he's doing.

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Although mankind's quest for longevity has been successful to a point (life expectancy worldwide has doubled over the past century), we have not yet been able to sidestep death's clutches in the end. This is not for lack of trying.

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It was a popular belief that with this stone one could change any metal into gold, and it would provide the elixir of life. So far Alchemy has been about manipulation and medical phenomenon, however, alchemy was also about perfecting the human soul. The philosopher's stone supposedly could do that along with curing illnesses, prolong life, and bring about spiritual strengthening.
The picture below depicts Isaac Newton's recipe for creating the philosopher's stone.

I feel that there is some ancient wisdom that have been passed down through ancient wisdom. This website depicts the way this practice has been around since the common era in the East side of the world. As it transcended time and parts of the world it tied back to the ancient practice of Hinduism and other old religious/spiritual practices.

https://www.livescience.com/54162-newton-recipe-for-philosophers-stone-rediscovered.html

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"Paracelsus was one of the most influential medical scientists during the early 16th century." When he practiced alchemy it was during a time where alchemy was still widely accepted. Paracelsus was focused on the understanding that there are 4 main elements; fire, water, earth and air. These elements were a form of "natural" spirits that also represent other spirits. Essentially he believed that these spirits were everywhere. He also believed that the human body had little differences in the materials needed to practice alchemy. So with basic understanding of these principles that the human body can be manipulated from being sick to healthy.

The picture below I feel best represents his passion for medical science as well as his belief in alchemy while he combined the two practices to help the human body.
There are clear flaws to the theory as he was persistent in believing that the human body can be manipulated based on theoretical principles. However, due to his combined practice of medical science and alchemy could have been the reason for his success. The continued study of this art has lead to Appeal to Authority red flag. The more that influential and recognized professionals studied the art and tried to code the exact ingredient to gold and immortality, the more authority was given the practice of alchemy.

https://listverse.com/2015/06/07/10-alchemists-who-created-strange-modern-legacies/

http://broughttolife.sciencemuseum.org.uk/broughttolife/people/paracelsus

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During the time that Isaac Newton existed, alchemy was no longer a common practice, in fact it was seen as backwards. Although he never published his research in the science, his interest was in the Philosopher's Stone. Many practitioners kept their research a secret, which meant that it was coded differently from one another. Newton's main objective was to find the key to the world's mysteries.
The picture depicts Newton's work on alchemy, however the real importance is in the fact that his reputation as a mathematician, physicist, astronomer etc, helped because his codes were more romantic and it strayed pretty far from science.
Newton was able to separate science and alchemy as two entirely different practices.

https://listverse.com/2015/06/07/10-alchemists-who-created-strange-modern-legacies/

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Gold is considered the highest form of metal, and it represents perfection in all aspects of the mind, body, and sole.

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What is Alchemy? Alchemy was the study of changing base metals for example lead, into higher more developed metals such as gold. However it is more than that, it dives deep into the spirituality. Alchemy believes that everything around us is connected to the spirit world. Metals were alive and that they grow within Earth.
Therefore, it was believed that base metals were spiritually and physically immature to higher metals.

The picture below shows the ancient symbols that pertain to alchemy, they depict the elements as well as the planets and metals that are the foundation to be able to manipulate them to create what is needed.

This is clearly shows ancient wisdom as the knowledge of this craft has been passed down from different time periods through scriptures and "science".

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alchemy