A mixture of aqua fortis ("strong water," i.e., nitric acid) and   spiritus salis ("spirit of salt," i.e., hydrochloric acid) produces  aqua regia ("royal [..]

The process of washing a solid with a liquid, usually in water. Spiritually and psychologically, it is facing one's emotions and letting feelings flow, so that innocence and purity can be restore [..]

Air is one of the Four Elements of alchemy. Air in the alchemical sense carries the archetypal properties of spirit into the manifested world. It is associated with the operation of Separation and rep [..]

The alkahest is the power from Above that makes possible alchemical transformation. The word is usually translated as "universal solvent," which alludes to the ability of the alkahes [..]

An angel in alchemical treatises symbolizes sublimation or the ascension of the volatile principle.

An angel in alchemical treatises symbolizes sublimation or the ascension of the volatile principle.

Aqua fortis is Latin for "strong water" and refers to nitric acid. Various grades of aqua fortis were prepared depending on the length of Distillation, which concentrated the acid.

The "living water" or water "with spirit." An aqueous alcohol concentrated by one or more Distillations.

The arcana ("magical secrets") are archetypal influences that transcend space and time. According to the ancient text Archidoxies, the arcana are pre-existing powers that "h [..]

Ascending birds indicate the volatilization of compounds or their sublimation. Descending birds indicate the fixation of compounds or their condensation and precipitation. Birds shown both ascending a [..]