The first alchemists : the spiritual and practical origins of the noble and holy art

Summary/Review: "Explores the origins and practices of early alchemy. Examines the oldest surviving alchemical texts, the original purpose of the "Royal Art," and the first alchemists, showing how women dominated early alchemy. Looks at the historical setting for the first alchemists, with detailed accounts of their apparatus, recipes, chemical processes, and the ingredients they used. Reveals how changing the color of materials was more important in early alchemy than transmuting base metals into gold"--