One of the less discussed aspects in the lab practice is the choice of the right
Vas Artis, which must be associated to the proper operation. It is not so uncommon observe, in the illustrative
engravings of the ancient texts, the
relevant armamentarium represented by
retorts shaped in the most daring
manners, simple and composed cucurbits, multiple
and common helmets, circulatory apparatus and feedback flasks, crucibles and complex furnaces adapted to the most various requirements.
Often, this choice is
not well understood both by the postulant
and the already expert alchemist, and
an alternative solution is chosen, ie
the use of ordinary chemistry labware.
Without taking anything away from
this, there are capital operations which involve
the use of tools absolutely targeted. Usually, is often overlooked that the common laboratory glassware can be used only in an alchemy and spagyric research perspective. However, when certain philosophical operations are required in reason to obtain reaction not commonly reach by usual chemical manipulation, the ordinary glassware is no longer sufficient.
These needs stems from objective
requirements based on the intrinsic nature of philosophical matter and not from a "romantic"
taste of the past. The ancient
alchemists, although not aware of the thermodynamic extent of their operations, were nevertheless aware of the substantial issues of matter to be handled in the right synergy with mechanic dynamics (pressure and temperature)
and Fire (exotic conditions), according to the rules of Nature and Philosophy.
Exactly replicating the work of Nature, the concept of circulation is forged in the synergy vaporization/condensation and becomes the
basis of the principle of distillation, which
still today retains its purpose and its application. From this again, derived a series of operations apt to transform deeply the structure and the substance of the matter, where the phase changes are imperative to be managed in the right direction.
Laboratorium Philosophiæ want to deal with this sensitive
issue, bringing it directly to the laboratory practice and
configuring, since the beginning,
as a necessary compendium for the
systematic learning of laboratory operations, both in the alchemical and spagyric fields.
The work is divided into four volumes and face the problem from the Laboratory design and construction perspective, to the more detailed description of every lab manipulations, passing through the same nature and architecture of Instrumenta Philosophiæ. This latter argument usually ignored or considered into the background by many modern authors is developed in clear words and without any allegorical veil. Although Alchemy and Spagyria appears to most people as completely different sciences, they actually belong - from an instrumenta point of view - to similar lines of thought, in spite of epistemological and gnoseological differences.
The work is divided into four volumes and face the problem from the Laboratory design and construction perspective, to the more detailed description of every lab manipulations, passing through the same nature and architecture of Instrumenta Philosophiæ. This latter argument usually ignored or considered into the background by many modern authors is developed in clear words and without any allegorical veil. Although Alchemy and Spagyria appears to most people as completely different sciences, they actually belong - from an instrumenta point of view - to similar lines of thought, in spite of epistemological and gnoseological differences.
The Spagyria, art of
destruction and reconstitution of the “bodies”, work with the same tools of Alchemy, although in a different way and despite
the first not consider
the dynamics of Fire embodied in the organized compound that become essential to every alchemical
operation: The
Spirit of
Philosophical Wine otherwise
known as Alkahest.
Laboratorium Philosophiæ will be the result of over 34 years of personal lab experience, but even taking advantage from the over
50 years work of Gerhard Köenig, the chief designer and workshop manager of
Chymia Labor –Tools, the internal glassblowing and instrument workshop facility
of Chymia Laboratorium SA.
An irreplaceable and essential manual for
both the postulant and for the
experienced operator. The work will
be released simultaneously in two
prestigious paper hardcover editions (four volumes each), in English and German.
Description:
Laboratorium Philosophiæ.
Über die Organisation, die Werkzeuge und den Betrieb von Alchemistische/spagyrischen Labor, mit
besonderem Augenmerk auf Laborgeräte, Öfen und anderen Instrumenten, ihr Design, Form und Funktion.
(About the organization, tools and
operation of Alchemical/spagyrical laboratory, with
particular attention to laboratory equipment, furnaces
and other instruments, their
design, shape and function).
Band I.
Design und Konstruktion dieses
Laboratoriums
(Design and construction of laboratories)
The first volume details the principles for the design and construction of the alchemical and spagyrical laboratory, well highlighting the differences between the two and their particular characteristics. The right architecture of the alchemical laboratory is the first step in the systematic approach to alchemical science. In the history of alchemy, this was often overlooked. On the other hand was of primary importance for Ancient Philosophers identify the right structure of the operative space, as wisely pointed out by Owen Hannaway in his article Laboratory Design and the Aim of Science: Andreas Libavius versus Tycho Brahe (in Isis Vol. 77, No. 4, Dec., 1986, pp. 584-610, The University of Chicago Press). Andreas Libau (1550-1610), also known as Libavius, devoted many pages to the design of the spaces in which to conduct the alchemical operations. His House of Alchemy is a true demonstration of all this. Spaces that are kind of interaction environment in the dynamic of mind-matter alchemical dialog.
Band II.
Die Laborgeräte für die Philosophie. Konzept, Gestaltung und Produktion von Glasgeräte,
Keramik und feuerfeste Werkstoffe
(The laboratory equipment for the Philosophy. Concept, design and production of glassware, ceramics and refractories).
Together with Gerhard Köenig, the chief designer and workshop manager of Chymia Labor –Tools, the internal glassblowing
and instrument workshop facility of Chymia Laboratorium SA, the authors look
across the wide arsenal
of alchemical laboratory, focusing
on all those instruments that Tradition
considers as indispensable in their specific function,
highlighting the thermodynamic aspects of
their shape and architecture, the specific proportions
and their course
of action.
Here are described the traditional distillations apparatuses, monostage and
multistage retorts, the various condensing helmets, circulators, cohobators and
rectificators. A very detailed section is dedicate to the sublimation
instruments, in their different concepts and applications. Both for Via Sicca,
Via Humida and Via Brevis, the wide armamentarium of refractory ceramic labware
and crucibles are described in their most technical aspects.
The subject is treated very
rigorously as is the
habit of these authors, starting from
design issues passing through the careful
selection of materials oriented to the specific alchemical laboratory
application. The book is full of
technical data, such as corrosion tables
for borosilicate glass, quartz, ceramics
and refractory, curves of thermal and
mechanical resistance, models
of the vapor thermodynamics for individual classes
of substances in relation to the specific condition and operations where these
are involved.
Band
III.
Über Öfen und ihre Funktion.
Konstruktion und Bau von alchemistischen Athanor für Via Sicca, Via Humida, Via Brevis.
(About Furnaces and their function. Design and construction of the alchemical
Athanors for Via Sicca, Via Humida, Via Brevis)
Common opinion, but still rooted in many modern operators, is that ancient alchemists
used a furnace called
Athanor in which they operate the final cooking of the
Stone. Until today, nobody know the real structure and architecture of
this singular furnace (Piger Henricus),
in spite of the countless graphical representations. This also because under the term Athanor was often designated a more wide class of special philosophical
ovens. Not limited to the best known Philosophical
Backing, this wide class of ovens and furnaces is addressed to various temperature class operations.
Thus, there are many other Athanor
in the lab, as the multiple burner
ovens (Fornax spagyrica),
the cupola furnaces, the reverberatory,
annealing and calcinatory furnaces, the more “infernal” blast
furnaces, the impressive quartz-corundum furnace for Via Brevis (die Art und Weise des Blitzes) and the amazing "Apollo’s Eye", the retort’s
ovens and the various Balnea.
This text is the fundamental guide for the design, construction and management
of all philosophical furnaces and ovens used in the alchemical/spagyrical lab. Again
in couple with Gerhard Köenig, Alexander
Jenner expose the principles of construction and
operation of the alchemical furnaces
based on their own long experience, not forgetting the
connection with the individual preparatory
and completive manipulations that occurs
systematically in the lab.
Band IV.
Über dem allgemeinen, Unitarier und speziellen Prozessen in der alchemistischen/spagyrischen Labor.
(About the general, unit and particular processes in the alchemical/spagyrical laboratory).
