Multiplication (alchemy)
Encyclopedia
Multiplication is the process in Western alchemy
used to increase the potency of the philosopher's stone
, elixir or projection powder. It occurs near the end of the magnum opus
in order to increase the gains in the subsequent projection
. George Ripley
gives the following definition of multiplication:
Multiplication was also used to describe the facet of alchemy chiefly concerned with the reproduction of physical gold and silver. Such is the case in Henry IV's
1404 statute against the craft of multiplication. Henry VI
began to issue patents for the practice of alchemy, but the parliamentary act against multipliers was not repealed until 1689.
, cibation, and fermentation. In doing so he also hints at multiplication's internal significance.
Like Ripley, other sources describe multiplication as subjecting the philosopher's stone to further maturation by reiterating the same processes as was used to originally make it. Sendivogius writes, "Having made an End with the Composition of the Lapis, there remains its Multiplication in infinitum which is effected by the same way and with the same operations the Lapis was made; only that instead of dissolved Gold or Silver, you lay in only so much of the Lapis as you laid in before of the said Gold or Silver for the first Confection of the Lapis." Comparisons to plant and animal reproduction were also made.
Alchemy
Alchemy is an influential philosophical tradition whose early practitioners’ claims to profound powers were known from antiquity. The defining objectives of alchemy are varied; these include the creation of the fabled philosopher's stone possessing powers including the capability of turning base...
used to increase the potency of the philosopher's stone
Philosopher's stone
The philosopher's stone is a legendary alchemical substance said to be capable of turning base metals into gold or silver. It was also sometimes believed to be an elixir of life, useful for rejuvenation and possibly for achieving immortality. For many centuries, it was the most sought-after goal...
, elixir or projection powder. It occurs near the end of the magnum opus
Magnum opus (alchemy)
The Great Work is an alchemical term for the process of creating the philosopher's stone. It has been used to describe personal and spiritual transmutation in the Hermetic tradition, attached to laboratory processes and chemical color changes, used as a model for the individuation process, and as...
in order to increase the gains in the subsequent projection
Projection (alchemy)
Projection was the ultimate goal of Western alchemy. Once the Philosopher's stone or powder of projection had been created, the process of Projection would be used to transmute a lesser substance into a higher form, often lead into gold....
. George Ripley
George Ripley (alchemist)
Sir George Ripley was a famous English author and alchemist.Ripley studied for twenty years in Italy where he became a great favourite of Pope Innocent VIII...
gives the following definition of multiplication:
Augmentation it is of the Elixer indeede,
In goodnes and quantitie both for white and red
Multiplication is therefore as they doe write,
That thing that doth augment medicines in each degree,
In colour, in odour, in vertue and also in quantitee.
Multiplication was also used to describe the facet of alchemy chiefly concerned with the reproduction of physical gold and silver. Such is the case in Henry IV's
Henry IV of England
Henry IV was King of England and Lord of Ireland . He was the ninth King of England of the House of Plantagenet and also asserted his grandfather's claim to the title King of France. He was born at Bolingbroke Castle in Lincolnshire, hence his other name, Henry Bolingbroke...
1404 statute against the craft of multiplication. Henry VI
Henry VI of England
Henry VI was King of England from 1422 to 1461 and again from 1470 to 1471, and disputed King of France from 1422 to 1453. Until 1437, his realm was governed by regents. Contemporaneous accounts described him as peaceful and pious, not suited for the violent dynastic civil wars, known as the Wars...
began to issue patents for the practice of alchemy, but the parliamentary act against multipliers was not repealed until 1689.
Method
In his discussion of multiplication, Ripley goes on to compare the medicine or elixir to fire. He notes that the methods of multiplication are related to the processes of congelationCongelation
Congelation is the process by which something congeals, or thickens. This increase in viscosity can be achieved through a reduction in temperature or through chemical reactions. Sometimes the increase in viscosity is great enough to crystallize or solidify the substance in question.In alchemy,...
, cibation, and fermentation. In doing so he also hints at multiplication's internal significance.
And why may you multiply this medicine infinitely, |
Keep in your fire therefore both morning and evening, So that you do not need to run from house to house, Among thy neighbours to seek or borrow your fire , The more you keep, the more good shall you win, Multiplying it always more and more within your glass, By feeding with Mercury unto your lives end, So shall you have more than you need to spend. |
Like Ripley, other sources describe multiplication as subjecting the philosopher's stone to further maturation by reiterating the same processes as was used to originally make it. Sendivogius writes, "Having made an End with the Composition of the Lapis, there remains its Multiplication in infinitum which is effected by the same way and with the same operations the Lapis was made; only that instead of dissolved Gold or Silver, you lay in only so much of the Lapis as you laid in before of the said Gold or Silver for the first Confection of the Lapis." Comparisons to plant and animal reproduction were also made.