How Aristotle Accidentally Helped to Invent Alchemy (and got nearly everything wrong)

Reading historical texts of alchemy is puzzling because the underlying theory of transmutation is utterly foreign to modern physics and chemistry. Interestingly enough, the theory of alchemical change originated in the Meteorological speculations of none less than Aristotle. In his text the Meteorlogica he attempts to deploy his physics to explain phenomena between the Earth and the Heavens such as shooting stars, comets, sundogs, rainbows, etc. But in the same text, however, he will also provide his theory of "exhalations" which will also serves to explain how metals and minerals form deep within the earth. Thus, Aristotle's Meteorologica will not only explain how metals and minerals form but will also ultimately provide the physics by which substantial transmutation was thought to be achieved by the alchemists - a theory which endured for over 2000 years.

Consider Supporting Esoterica!
Patreon -   / esotericachannel  
Paypal Donation - https://www.paypal.me/esotericachannel
Merch -    / @theesotericachannel  

Recommended Readings:

Wilson - Structure and Method in Aristotle's Meteorologica: A More Disorderly Nature - 978-1107042575
Reeve - Aristotle's Chemistry - 978-1647920890
Lettinck - Aristotle's Meteorology and its Reception in the Arab World - 978-90-04-10933-9
G.Vuillemin-Diem - Aristoteles Latinus: Meteorologica. Translatio Guillelmi de Moerbeka - 978-2503530802
Francisci Vicomercati ... in quatuor libros Aristotelis Meteorologicorum commentarii - https://www.google.com/books/edition/...
Rechter Gebrauch d'Alchimei - https://www.google.com/books/edition/...