Chapter 7: The Three Primes And The Four Aspects

Chapter 8

Of all the aspects of alchemy that modern chemists scoff at, perhaps none are more risible than the theories of matter alchemists developed. Yet, despite the fact that alchemists were wrong that the three primes and four elements were fundamental particles, modern chemistry owes a great deal to the three primes in the development of oxidation-reduction reactions and theories of acids and bases, while the four elements were transformed into the states of matter. So while a substance such as iron is now held to be a fundamental particle, it still can be transformed via the three primes and converted between a solid, liquid, and gaseous state by the four elements.

This chapter provides an overview of the development and significance of the three primes—sulphur, salt, and mercury—and the four elements—air, water, earth, and fire. We will begin to see both the physical and metaphorical significance of these theories, which will allow us to begin to see the magical and chemical importance of these theories. Future courses will delve more deeply into these processes, and advanced students may even learn how to increase their abilities by attracting elementals, which are magical creatures that can help focus the power of their element.

The Three Primes

It is surprising that the theory, which was more widely accepted in its day, especially when compared to the four elements, is now only familiar to a handful of historians. Today, the three primes are the dark secret in the closet of alchemy, which is in no small part due to the fact that the elegant theory underlying them has been relegated to an era of mysticism and irrationality. Yet for over a millennium, the underlying theory of matter went relatively unchanged. And with the end of the three primes came the end of the most glorious quest of the alchemist, achieved only by Nicolas Flamel: the creation of a Philosopher’s Stone, which turns lead into gold.

But let’s not get ahead of ourselves. The theory of the three primes, most completely laid out by Paracelsus, posited that all life was composed of three parts: salt, sulphur, and mercury. Paracelsus’ theory was built on a long-standing hypothesis called the Sulphur-Mercury Ratio, which held that all metals consisted of some specific ratio of sulphur and mercury, and that any metal could be converted into another metal by adding or removing sulphur. Paracelsus also pointed out that three things happen when a substance is heated: flames are produced, smoke rises, and ash falls to the bottom. These three things correspond to the three components of matter: flammable sulphur produces flames, volatile mercury rises as smoke and dissipates, and solid salt remains on the ground.

The table above gives the basic metaphorical dimensions of the three primes. What is important is that unlike the four elements, which are mutually exclusive, the three primes exist within the same being; that is, each of us has some salt, some mercury, and some sulphur. As the Trinity is comprised of the Father, Son, and Holy Ghost, so, too, do we each have physical, mental, and spiritual needs in different ratios.

Of course, as modern chemists know, sulphur and mercury are actually elements in their own right, and salt is not an element but a compound formed in a reaction when an acidic solution is mixed with a basic one. And it is in this fact that we can understand the attraction of this theory to the ancients and also what it continues to offer us today.

Sulphur, especially in forms such as sulfuric acid, which is known to alchemists as 'oil of vitriol', is an element that reacts strongly with metals in oxidation and reduction reactions. Sulphur can be used to coat a metal with a layer of another metal, to corrode a metal, or even change the chemical composition of the top layer of a metal. In a solution with vinegar, sulphur can turn a silver coin into one that looks as though it were plated in gold. Of course, it is not actual elemental gold but instead just looks like gold. This imitation gold was especially vulnerable to fire, particularly compared to natural gold, which often led alchemists to experiment to get the ratio just so

While the ancients believed that they had transmuted silver into gold, modern scientists would simply call this an oxidation reaction, no different than the effect of water on iron, which turns iron red and produces rust and is called iron oxide. This is what the three primes were transmuted into. They were not transmuted into components of matter, but rather important chemical reactions that involve transforming pure metals into impure ones, thereby changing their color, durability, conductivity, and other properties. Each of the three primes combines with pure elements in important ways and processes that do shape the nature of matter, for example, salt’s role in biochemical regulation or mercury’s importance in electric and thermal chemistry.

The Four Elements

Though the three primes may be all but a footnote, the four elements of air, water, earth, and fire are still alive and well within the popular imagination. Perhaps it is their use in astrology or even the way our houses at Hogwarts still divide students on the basis of personality traits connected to these elements that allows for their presence in our society, but either way, the elements are important, not only for our study of alchemy here but also for magic and chemistry more generally, where they have developed into the states of matter.

The theory of the four elements dates to antiquity, with the general theory owing a good deal to the work of Greek philosopher Aristotle (384–322 BC). Aristotle himself argued that these elements did not exist in pure form in the natural world but rather were ideal, perfect forms related to the natural substances that contained them. That is, there is no such thing as pure earth, for example, but rather, a stone consists primarily of earth, with some parts of air, water, and fire trapped within them. These components would be identified by their physical properties: The part of that substance that was hot and wet was air, hot and dry was fire, cold and wet was water, and cold and dry was earth.

This typology contained some important consequences. Each element contained two allies, which are elements they share at least one property with. Each also has one enemy, which represents their polar opposite. For example, air is allied with water (both are wet) and fire (both are hot) but is enemies with earth (neither hot nor wet). This was further backed by experimentation since fire cannot burn without air, air becomes water and vice-versa through condensation and evaporation, and air and earth do not naturally mix unless mediated by water or fire.

The physical properties of the elements inspired not only scientists but also theologians, artists, philosophers, psychologists, and of course, wizards. So for example, earth is solid and hard to move but responsible for providing the nutrients of life to plants and animals. Thus, earth became associated with magic relating to the caring for people and plants, such as Herbology and Care of Magical Creatures. Even the four houses of Hogwarts are inspired by the four elements.

The following table provides an introduction to dimensions of the four elements. Wizards should be particularly careful to consider the magical properties of each element when deciding how and when to use them in magic. It is important to pay close attention to dimensions like the colors and compass points in your workings; using red to draw a water sigil or beseeching earth elementals in the west will cause your spells to backfire much as a wrong wand gesture in charms or wrong proportions in potions.

Air, the Sphere of Intellect

Air magic is born out of logic and reason, even if those patterns are too complex for us mere humans to grasp. This is why physical air controls the weather—hurricanes, tornados, blizzards, downpours, heat waves, etc. Air is also the magic of communication and the senses since air can bring smells, sights, and sounds from anywhere in the world. Therefore, air also plays an important role in entertainment and creative pursuits: to do something new, one must understand the rules in order to know what can be broken.

This search for pattern and rules can also be the most difficult thing about air. Air magic is the most slippery and volatile, requiring a keen eye for detail—even the smallest logical gap can cause the air to get away from you. This does not mean that air is as dangerous, for example, as fire, but air often works insidiously, slipping out through the cracks in the design. This is why air has such a reputation for being difficult to work with. Unlike fire, which will adapt to changes, air needs the complete pattern in place before the spell is even begun. This also means that working with air requires concentration greater than any other element, leading to the stereotype of air magicians as cold and distant.

Water, the Sphere of Emotion

As the oceans cleanse the toxins accumulated on land, and the system of rivers serve as the blood vessels of the planet, water seeks motion and growth, a cathartic, cleansing search for what is pure and true, particularly at a human level since pebbles thrown into a lake produce rippling currents. Water is the magic of birth, death, regeneration, and despite its long-standing association only with femininity, it would be fairer to say it is the element of sex and gender more generally. It is also the realm of community and security, that of a mother bear protecting her cubs. Finally, water rules human emotions, particularly love, where water is able to discern shades of meaning and intent hidden at the bottom of the ocean.

Yet unlike earth’s straightforward love and dedication, water’s emotional depth can be destructive as well. A love that runs as deep as the trenches of the ocean may literally stop at nothing to be realised, even when it turns self-destructive or pyrrhic. This is a careful balancing act because water magic must be channeled toward a specific goal or target in order to work properly. Water workings require careful attention and constant adjustment. Unlike air, water will not simply dissipate. As any person who has spilled their drink knows, water gets everything wet. This can be problematic when your water-based potion touches the wrong lips.

Earth, the Sphere of Preservation

Stable and practical, earth is the magic of healing, of the cycle of life, and of having everything in its season. Unlike water, which is constantly moving, earth works best when simply staying put. Earth magic is that of basic human needs: good harvests and hunts, providing for and protecting the family and community, growing herbs suffused with magic, and healing and repairing human bodies and structures. Though the Ravenclaws drawn to writing about alchemy tend to discount earth as boring or simple, the truth is that earth’s solidity and preoccupation with basic human needs such as food and shelter form the bedrock upon which all the other elements can function.

However, there is a grain of truth in the critique. Earth is an easy element to work with, particularly for beginners. It is very forgiving of errors, and whereas air magic gone wrong leads to entire cities being wiped out of existence, an earth spell gone bad might give you food poisoning for a couple of days. This is because earth is stubborn. There is no channeling or complex diagrams to draw as is the case with water. However, physical exertion is often required since no wizard can make earth magic work properly in the herb garden unless they spend the necessary time and effort in the garden, pulling weeds, adding nutrients to the soil, watering, and so on. All this work may seem to be small result, but after all, earth workings are limited in scale to what you can physically perform. Yet, the consequence may be enough to brew a cure to save a loved one’s life, and no Hufflepuff would trade that for the world.

Fire, the Sphere of Action

Seeking passion and illumination, fire flickers and sparks with the smallest bit of air or earth until something happens. Fire is a destructive element, no doubt, but it is also the magic of transformation. This is not water’s emotional growth or earth’s cyclical turning of the seasons. It was Prometheus’ gift to the mortals that transformed them completely from naive beings to rational, thinking ones. Fire is the force of destruction, converting earth and water into air or conversely, air into water and earth. Fire not only rules its namesake, but also rules the removal of heat. This destructiveness is a necessary part of life on Earth since Earth’s forests need wildfires to allow new trees to replace old, and air’s skies need fire to help release the water within. At a human level, fire is essential as well. Fire represents passion and justice, a purity of cause and focus no other element can achieve. Fire is the magic of the soldier fighting for a cause she knows is right.

As this shows, fire is also the most dangerous element. It consumes, often without regard for its own self-preservation. When the air has been polluted with ash or the earth has been rendered barren by polluted water, fire is still sparking, looking to blaze up again. But without fire, human beings would not be able to survive. This is the knife blade working with fire entails. Fire requires constant supervision; one must constantly be aware of the flame and how it affects the other elements. Fire burns through the complex diagrams of air, jumps water’s channels, and burns a line straight through earth. The wizard using fire must always be vigilant. After all, fire does represent the sphere of action.

The Fifth Element?

Finally, a few words about the fifth element. Over the centuries, there have been several suggestions for a fifth, central element. Called 'quintessence' or 'aether', essentially corresponding to the element of wood in the Chinese elemental system, this element represents life itself, the soul or spirit. The argument is that the other four elements represent purely physical properties, while the last is something greater and more spiritual. Many Western alchemists have argued that this fifth element belongs not to the realm of alchemy but instead to that of theology. That is, God alone can manipulate this fifth element. As such, it lacks those physical properties that can be ascribed to the other four. Does this last element exist? Only one’s faith can decide. However, its role in Western alchemy is more symbolic than practical, and as such, we leave it to you to decide.