Alchemy
Real Alchemy and the Alchemy used in Fullmetal Alchemist both start with similar bases, Chemistry. Though, in Fullmetal Alchemist the use of chemical science is only scene a few times, for example when Edward and Alphonse were attempting to bring back their mother, but even if not shown the thought is still there in the Law of Equivalent exchange. In the scene I stated above, they used a series of elements that a human body is made up of, they then mix these ingredients to help with the bases of the experiment, this is connected to the process of real alchemy. Though, here is where Arakawa adds in the aspect that makes the serious more fantasized and Shonen Jump like, the boys have to draw a Transmutation circle made up of geometrical shapes as well as Alchemic ruins to start the Alchemic transmutation into what they think will be there mother.Just placing the material that you need to make what you want to transmute, the knowledge of how to transmute, and equivalent exchange is not enough to make a reaction; a Transmutation circle is need (Photo of the Human Transmutation Circle is to the Right).
This is how it works, “The circle itself is a conduit which focuses and dictates the flow of power, tapping into the energies that already exist within the earth and matter. It represents the cyclical flow of the world's energies and phenomena and turns that power to manipulable ends (Alchemy).” (Also, noted that each form of alchemy uses a different transmutation circle and ruins.) The Alchemy used in Fullmetal alchemist is almost always done in this matter by people who have not seen the Truth, but if a person has, those people are able to use their bodies a transmutation circle by only clapping their hands, with no transmut...
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Whenever we see or think of something, we picture its image with matched meanings and specific traits already ‘cooked’ in mind. We are used to regarding these meanings and qualities to be inherent in the thing itself rather than attached. It might be wondered by some people what is the ‘authenticity’ or nature of all things, so a way of removing all words and concepts which human could come up with to describe one thing has been tried out to see what is left for us to perceive then.
Today, alchemy is mostly use to change one element into another such as lead and mercury into gold and silver for undiscovered material. In Frankenstein, it tells about alchemists that who want to discover the mystery of life and the creation of inanimate objects. By look at these alchemist, Victor wants to use the alchemy that he learns from his teachers to creating life from death and he thinks it will benefit for the people.
When reading How to Read Literature Like a Professor along with The Alchemist, or any book for that matter, readers are able to dig deeper between the lines and come to conclusions that are not so obvious. Knowing how to digest literature can prove to be helpful since connections inside and outside of the text can easily be seen. The Alchemist sends us different messages throughout the end, leaving the reader to decide if the message is to follow our Personal Legends, or to realize it is just a dream. After reading How to Read Literature Like a Professor thoughts are directed to the follow your Personal Legend since Foster tells us to use Biblical clues to unearth the truth, as well as character actions that point to certainty. When you have an extra reading device to help interpret, the text seems to come alive. Through Fosters ideas I have come to the conclusion that the alchemist referred to on the cover of the book is not the alchemist that we meet in the center of the novel, but rather Santiago and becoming an alchemist is his personal
Casting a circle is one of the most basic magickal acts that a Witch does. Circles are used for rituals and sometimes magickal workings. A circle does a number of things. Most importantly, it protects the practitioner(s) from spirits, negative energies, and other nasty things out there. With that in mind, please be sure to practice with extreme care and be sincere in what you are doing. Abide by the Wiccan Reed* and you should be fine. The circle also serves as a sacred place in which to do ritual workings like sabbat celebrations and certain spells. The circle keeps the energy in a contained area so that it can be concentrated and strengthened as much as possible before it goes out to do its job. So without “further ado” here is how...
When considering the origin of the faiths and philosophies of the world, it is judicious to take into consideration the culture and religious practices of the period. For instance, Daoism developed out of the political climate of the time and the religious beliefs and practices and that existed in China in the preceding centuries. In order to gain a greater comprehension of the creation Daoism, the theory, philosophy, and practices, it necessitates a journey to China in the distant past.
During the Warring States period China was going through chaos. The teachings of Confucianism and Daoism were welcomed by society to bring order, stability and liberate people from the misery and oppression. The rulers were greedy and desirous of political power and their own agendas; however they were looking for a new way to unite their people. It is often said that Confucianism and Daoism are the yang and yin, respectively, of Chinese religion. That is, they are not rivals so much as complementary traditions, working together to produce an overall balance in the lives of the Chinese. This is not true because the two religious philosophies were different from one another. Confucius believed that the traditions and virtues that were studied and taught in the old days by the Ancients was the best way to organize society (trickle-down approach). Also followers of Confucius believed in education, a moral force and human goodness to advance and progress within society. Daoism on the other hand relies on human nature and a balance of good and evil (Yin-Yang) to bring about social order. It neglects education, virtue and cultural norms because it is said that people are born faultless.
Per contra, the views of the nature of these two philosophies have something in common as well as some differences. Taoists consider the nature as sensible, enormously sophisticated, and interminably illogical. The aim of Daoism is wu wei, doing nothing against it. For nature, there is no need to be improved or enriched. Only people have to change and transform. The only means to determine the original source is to observe the nature. In Taoism, there is no a single mention of anthropocentrism. Unlike other religions, it always remembered its animal gods. Early Chinese shamans put on animal masks to join and speak with these deities. Their animals-spirits linked the world of people, dynasties, and idols. There was a tradition, according to
Often stating magick involves using demons or other spiritual forces to accomplish a desired goal, while alchemy is focused more on physical materials. I do not think that
The idea of a Personal Legend can mean different things to different individuals based on the life they have lived. For some, their legend may be to save a life, become a doctor, or even achieve happiness. It takes some people a longer time to find and achieve this legend, but I have been blessed to have realized my Personal Legend at a young age. My Personal Legend is to lead those who are lost to Christ and project God’s love with my helpfulness, advice-giving, and overall generosity as a person. The Alchemist somewhat reminded me of God’s power as my creator.
Have you ever encountered problems while trying to fulfill a goal in your life? In the book The Alchemist, written by Paulo Coelho, a shepherd boy named Santiago overcomes obstacles to reach his personal legend. Throughout the book Santiago encounters many friends to help him fulfill his destiny. Santiago encounters many problems throughout the story. He overcomes them with the help of his friends and his wife-to-be. These problems shape Santiago into a dignified man of many traits.
While possessing similar goals, Confucianism and Daoism texts have conflicting information on how to achieve these goals. Confucianism and Daoism have some similarities such as the belief that “human fulfillment lay in harmonizing our thinking and behavior with the Way (dao)” and a refinement of the self to gain an objective (Adler, Chinese Religious Traditions, 15). Both traditions recognize that we can do better as humans. While there are similarities between these religious traditions, their written teachings have very different instruction on how to achieve the Dao. Confucianism encourages the notion of ru, which is “evoking a commitment to learning, refinement, cultural accomplishments, and the practice of rites and
There are countless heroes throughout literature. Their stories are all timeless and meaningful. The Alchemist, written by Paulo Coelho, is home to one of these heroes with an incredible quest. Interestingly, it is quite common to see quests and journeys throughout all literature. In the Alchemist, the protagonist, Santiago, goes through many stages of being a hero such as, call to adventure, refusal of the call, supernatural aid, crossing the threshold, and road of trials. Santiago clearly demonstrates all these stages throughout the entire novel.
Because other metals were thought to be less perfect than gold, it was reasonable to believe that nature created gold out of other metals found deep within the earth and that a skilled artisan could duplicate this process. It was said that once someone was able to change, or transmute a "base" chemical into the perfect metal, gold, they would have achieved eternal life and salvation. In this way, alchemy turned into not only a scientific quest, but a spiritual quest as well. Although the purposes and techniques were often times ritualistic and fanciful, alchemy was in many ways the predecessor of modern science, especially the science of chemistry.The birthplace of alchemy was ancient Egypt, where, in Alexandria, it began to flourish during the Hellenistic period. Also at that time, a school of alchemy was developing in China.
Coelho was raised in a Catholic family as a child, he left the faith as a young adult, and he returned to Catholicism later in life (Frye). In spite of this, the spirituality of The Alchemist is very different from that of Catholicism. Coelho included elements of both Islam and Catholicism in the novel and combined those ideas with divination and alchemy. Throughout the narrative, Santiago seemed to accept and embrace each of these different ideas of spirituality. Despite each of these spiritual influences, Santiago seemed to learn more in the story from the Soul of the World and the Language of the World, which are spiritual ideas based in New Age philosophy (MacInnis). Additionally, Coelho expressed the idea that all things are connected and have divine power within them, and this is basically Pantheism (MacInnis). This idea played out on page 152 of The Alchemist, where Coelho said, “The boy reached through to the Soul of the World, and saw that it was a part of the Soul of God. And he saw that the Soul of God was his own soul” (Coelho, 152). However, Coelho seems to have made an exception on page 10 that contrasts this Pantheistic philosophy. On this page, Santiago mentioned that he “couldn’t have found God in the seminary” (Coelho, 10). Even though, of course, the seminary is a part of the world, and therefore should also have the Soul of the World within it, according to Coelho’s philosophy (MacInnis).
When alverz went to the art school he was doing indestril drwaings and woodworking and that gave hime the ability to visylaze and build any kind of experimental apparatus he could imagine (Alvarez, 1987