Jack Zaikos’s Reviews > The Foundations of Newton's Alchemy (Cambridge Paperback Library) > Status Update

I am convinced, like Jung, that the “not just metals” the older alchemists refer to is in fact the kind of the practitioner as the more I learn about the historical practice of alchemy from the symbolism, metaphors and secrecy the more its psychological function becomes apparent. This is also why the practice was fundamentally changed when information sharing became accepted as it was no longer true alchemy.

First of all I didn’t think newton would ever feel he was successful in discovering the “philosophical mercury”.

Second the information about the breaking down of gold be considered more difficult than its construction is significant in that both represent highest alchemical pursuits.

Finally I would be really interested to see how these alchemical developments line up with newtons mathematical works

Newton incorporating the Saturn (eating the stone instead of Jupiter) myth into his experimental thinking is really cool to see

Gold being represented by a circle has activate the Jung in me

The connection with antimony to gold, lions, stars and gravity is FASCINATING

Wow this is hard to grasp as someone w no chemistry background will need to re read a couple times

I already know I’m going to lose track of all his manuscripts because of the lack of pictures coupled with the complexity of the content.

The methods for dating his texts and the significance of their content is cool to read about tho…

I struggle a little bit with the discussion as to how the contemporary figures all new eachother because it seems a little inconsequential and boring but the information about their personal opinions on alchemy, religion and science are fascinating

Descartes roll in the contemporary intellectual context is also really cool and I enjoy the criticisms of the other figures towards his ideas…