Alchemy is often advertised as a wild goose chase for gold, but its true aim is transformation. In this episode, we trace the origins of alchemy, unpacking humanity’s obsession with immortality, and explore the idea of alchemy as a metaphorical, spiritual and physical process. From the alchemist’s search for firsthand knowledge to the idea of the magnum opus as a tangible expression of inner transformation, we uncover how experimentation lies at the heart of both alchemy and creativity.

Episode Resources & Easter Eggs:

Spiritual Concepts:

• Start here: alchemy.
• Gno some stuff about gnosis.
• The Great Work can take you many places, but I’m taking you here.
• Actually, maybe start here: prima materia. (Start anywhere).
• Mercury, salt, and sulphur (and maybe the first academic link on the show).
• Are you a recluse, or are you going through your hermit phase?

Books & Media

• Tuck Everlasting, a book for kids about immortality (+3 to read it).
• Groundhog day deserves your views (+3 to watch three times in a row).
• Scare a cashier at a local bookshop by buying Real Alchemy: A Primer of Practical Alchemy.
• Did Dexter from Dexter’s Laboratory even have parents?
• Read The Wasteland (+15 to read all of the source material, too).

Episode Cast

• Paracelsus, the father of toxicology.
• Learn about the guy who banned alchemy, aka Pope John XXII (+2 to defend or defame the use of roman numerals).
• You have 9.58 seconds to read Usain Bolt’s Wiki.

Repeat Characters

• Remember yin/yang? If not, ⁠click here!⁠
• ⁠Nirvana is here⁠ (not the band).
• Internal alchemy, aka ⁠qigong⁠.
• ⁠Wicca⁠.

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