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.
Typically, the process is described as casting a small portion of the Stone into a molten base metal.
Claims and demonstrations
The seventeenth century saw an increase in tales of physical transmutation and projection. These are variously explained as examples of charlatanism, fiction, pseudo-scientific error, or missed metaphor. The following is a typical account of the projection process described by
Jan Baptista van Helmont in his ''De Natura Vitae Eternae''.
Other reports include:
*
Elias Ashmole's ''
Theatrum Chemicum Britannicum'' lists an account of
Edward Kelley making projections from lesser metals into both gold and silver. Kelley's success is also recorded by
John Dee
John Dee (13 July 1527 – 1608 or 1609) was an English mathematician, astronomer, astrologer, teacher, occultist, and alchemist. He was the court astronomer for, and advisor to, Elizabeth I, and spent much of his time on alchemy, divinatio ...
.
*
Alexander Seton was reported to have projected a heavy yellow powder onto a mixture of lead and sulphur resulting in a button of gold.
* A variety of accounts are given of
Sendivogius
Michael Sendivogius (; pl, Michał Sędziwój; 2 February 1566 – 1636) was a Polish alchemist, philosopher, and medical doctor. A pioneer of chemistry, he developed ways of purification and creation of various acids, metals and other ch ...
performing public transmutations.
* In legend,
Nicolas Flamel makes a projection of the red stone onto mercury, making gold.
While it may not account for all claims of metallic transmutation, some alchemists of this time period give accounts of fraudulent projection demonstrations, distinguishing themselves from the projectors.
Maier's ''Examen Fucorum Pseudo-chymicorum'' and
Khunrath's ''Treuhertzige Warnungs-Vermahnung'' list tricks used by pseudo-alchemists. Accounts are given of double-bottomed crucibles used to conceal hidden gold during projection demonstrations.
In art and entertainment
The concept of projection appears in various fictional works related to alchemy. It's a notable theme in Ben Jonson's
''The Alchemist'' where the following dialogue can be found, commenting on fraudulent applications of projection:
References
* Charles John Samuel Thompson. ''Alchemy and Alchemists''. Courier Dover Publications, 2002.
* Tara E. Nummedal. ''Alchemy and authority in the Holy Roman Empire''. University of Chicago Press, 2007.
Notes
{{DEFAULTSORT:Projection (Alchemy)
Alchemical processes