In this final episode of our American Alchemy series, we explore the term 'The Christian Alchemists' coined by Walter Woodward, encompassing a diverse group of practitioners with varying religious affiliations. A key figure among them was Gershom Bulkeley, an alchemist, pastor, and physician from Massachusetts. Despite his skepticism towards astrology, Bulkeley was deeply involved in Paracelsian medicine, compiling an extensive library of alchemical works and passing on his knowledge to his children.
The episode delves into the lesser-known alchemists of the 17th century New England, including Robert Childe, Elias Ashmole, and others who straddled various fields from alchemy and Rosicrucianism to astronomy and medicine. Their complex beliefs and practices reveal the multifaceted nature of the intellectual landscape in early American colonies.
We also examine the alchemical practices of individuals like Thomas Vaughan, who, despite his religious leanings, immersed himself in mysticism and alchemical studies. His deeply personal and tragic narrative with his wife Rebecca illustrates the intertwining of love, loss, and the pursuit of esoteric knowledge.
The story of John Jacob Zimmerman and his successor Johannes Kelpius sheds light on the Society of the Woman in the Wilderness and the Ephrata Cloister, communities devoted to astrology, sacred music, and esoteric Christianity. Their unique practices and beliefs represent an offshoot of the Rosicrucian movement in America.
The episode concludes with a reflection on the waning influence of alchemy as a cultural force in the colonies by the 18th century, giving way to more orthodox forms of Christianity. However, the alchemical and astrological roots of early colonial America left an indelible mark on American cultural identity, showcasing the nation's ongoing fascination with transformation, both spiritual and material.
This narrative of American Alchemy, blending science, mysticism, and spirituality, highlights the complex and often contradictory foundations of early American society and its enduring legacy.
SELECTED READING: “The Intelligencers and the Fifth Moon of Jupiter: Alchemy in the American Colonies” by Kimberly Nichols via Newtopia Magazine (Oct 2012)
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