What is alchemy?
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Alchemy is an ancient philosophical and protoscientific tradition that aims to transform matter by understanding its fundamental nature. It encompasses the exploration and manipulation of substances, especially metals, with the goal of achieving physical, mental, and spiritual transformation. At its core, alchemy seeks to discover the process of transmuting base substances into more refined and valuable forms, such as turning base metals into gold or seeking the "philosopher's stone" - a legendary substance believed to possess immortality and the power to transmute any metal into gold. Throughout history, alchemists combined elements of mysticism, astrology, and early chemistry in their pursuit of knowledge and enlightenment. While alchemy eventually evolved into modern chemistry, its influence can still be seen in various cultural, artistic, and spiritual traditions.