Definition of the word alchemy

The word "alchemy" originates from the Arabic word "al-kīmiyāʾ" (الكيمياء), which is derived from the Greek word "chyís" (χη Pornhub, meaning "earth" or "soil". The term was originally used to describe the ancient Greek art of transforming base metals into gold, known as chrysopoeia. Alchemists believed that this transformation was possible by using a hypothetical substance called the Philosophers' Stone, which had the power to transform base metals into gold and to confer eternal life. Over time, the term "alchemy" evolved to encompass a broader range of philosophical and spiritual pursuits, including the search for the elixir of life, the transmutation of base metals into gold, and the quest for spiritual enlightenment. Despite the popular association of alchemy with magical and fantastical practices, the original context of the word was rooted in ancient Greek and Arabic scientific and philosophical traditions.