Editing Alchemy (section)

== Core concepts ==
[[File:Fotothek df tg 0006104 Theosophie ^ Alchemie ^ Judentum ^ Kabbala.jpg|thumb|Mandala illustrating common alchemical concepts, symbols, and processes. From ''Spiegel der Kunst und Natur''.]]
Western alchemical theory corresponds to the worldview of late antiquity in which it was born. Concepts were imported from [[Neoplatonism]] and earlier Greek [[cosmology]]. As such, the [[classical element]]s appear in alchemical writings, as do the seven [[classical planet]]s and the corresponding seven [[metals of antiquity]]. Similarly, the gods of the [[List of Roman deities|Roman pantheon]] who are associated with these luminaries are discussed in alchemical literature. The concepts of [[prima materia]] and [[anima mundi]] are central to the theory of the [[philosopher's stone]].

=== Magnum opus ===
{{Main|Magnum opus (alchemy)}}
The Great Work of Alchemy is often described as a series of four stages represented by colours.
* ''[[nigredo]]'', a blackening or melanosis
* ''[[Albedo (alchemy)|albedo]]'', a whitening or leucosis
* ''[[citrinitas]]'', a yellowing or xanthosis
* ''[[rubedo]]'', a reddening, purpling, or iosis<ref>Joseph Needham. ''Science & Civilisation in China: Chemistry and chemical technology. Spagyrical discovery and invention: magisteries of gold and immortality.'' Cambridge. 1974. p.23</ref>