Typically occasions, once we discuss herbalism and alchemy it could seem to be we’re simply speaking concerning the previous. We all know that herbalism and alchemy have been utilized by each civilization around the globe all through historical past. We return to the traditional teachings and assets and be taught from the academics of the previous. We spend time studying all types of books: texts by historical authors, historic reviews on alchemy and alchemists, and natural reference works.
Typically it looks like there’s nothing new to find … that every little thing was found prior to now.
However the artwork of alchemy has constantly advanced and refined over the centuries. Alchemy is not simply, “Here is this little field of data, and when you be taught this, that is all you could know”. There are at all times new discoveries. Alchemy is at all times rising and rising.
Mockingly, one of many methods it grows, evolves, and adjustments immediately comes from the sphere of research that emerged from it: chemistry. In our fashionable world, individuals usually need onerous scientific proof that one thing works, or that it’s secure or efficient. And with herbalism and alchemy, chemistry helps to deliver a few of that scientific validation.
Chemistry does this in not less than two methods. First, fashionable chemical units may help us look at vegetation and tinctures and ashes and oil and way more in ways in which had been by no means attainable. We are able to distill supplies exactly. We are able to decide at what temperatures sure adjustments or reactions happen. We are able to experiment with our herbs and cures in a means that alchemists used to need to have completed.
This capability leads to chemistry serving to to vary alchemy. With this contemporary scientific precision we will present scientific proof that herbalism and alchemy “work” and heal. We are able to get a lot extra information, proof, and documentation than we may 100 years in the past. This, in flip, causes extra individuals to hearken to alchemists and take the means significantly, which ends up in extra individuals to turn out to be desirous about alchemy, which ends up in extra individuals to experiment, which ends up in extra new discoveries and information. It’s a virtuous cycle that fashionable alchemists can cheer on.
You probably have been working towards alchemy for a very long time, you will have doubtless been requested whether or not that is chemistry associated or how it’s completely different from chemistry or an identical query. These are attention-grabbing questions that my visitor on this week’s podcast episode has contemplated for many years.
My instructor Robert Bartlett is one in all my favourite friends on the podcast. He is been in a number of episodes and I am certain he shall be in lots of extra episodes as effectively. Robert lately retired from his profession as a working towards chemist and may now focus solely on alchemy. Earlier than he retired, I used to say that Robert was a chemist by day and an alchemist by night time. I believe he is an alchemist through the day and Evening.
On this episode, Robert and I talk about the variations between chemistry and alchemy in depth. Robert reveals how chemistry had a profound affect on his research of alchemy and spagyric. Robert’s day job enabled him to conduct experiments that the majority alchemists can solely dream of. And this tinkering led him to find many extra questions and potentialities that future alchemists may discover.
As you might even see, I proceed to be fascinated by Robert and his work, and I be taught some new issues each time I converse to him. I at all times take pleasure in sharing our conversations with you and providing you with an perception into our discussions. I do know that in my very own research I usually be taught as a lot about herbalism and alchemy by overhearing conversations as I learn books. Along with the brand new data I be taught, I additionally be taught what inquiries to ask, easy methods to strategy my very own experiments, and so forth.
I hope you take pleasure in this week’s episode: My interview with Robert Bartlett concerning the relationship between chemistry and alchemy, what his work as a chemist enabled him to do what different alchemists could not (and what he hopes future alchemists can construct on from his work ), his reply to a query I get from many new spagyric writers, the topic of his subsequent guide, and way more.
And make sure you learn Robert’s newest guide. The temperament of the herbs.
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