Alchemy

Alchemy

/ˈalkəmē/

noun

1. A medieval precursor to chemistry, aimed at transforming ordinary substances into gold and creating an elixir of immortality

The transmutation of the elements was pursued in medieval laboratories in a quest called alchemy.

– Cosmos (1980) by Carl Sagan (1934-1996)

2. A seemingly magical process of transformation, creation, or combination

The beautiful souls of the world have an art of saintly alchemy, by which bitterness is converted into kindness, the gall of human experience into gentleness, ingratitude into benefits, insults into pardon.

– Henri Frederic Amiel (1821-1881)