Alchemy was an ancient practice dating back thousands of years. It’s a practice laid the foundations for actual scientific practices we value today, such as medicine, psychology, and experimentation. It brought to life biology, astrology, and chemistry, and had sown the seeds for some of today’s most famous literary authors. It has also inspired a variety of famous fantasy games, novels, and TV shows. One particularly famous alchemist, or rather, the one who fed the imaginations of so many authors and scientists, was George Ripley.

Not much is known about George Ripley. In fact, there are many different variations of Ripley’s life, ranging from his being mentored by Pope Innocence III, to giving financial assistance to the Turks. Even so, his many works are praised and are still being studied today. One of those works was The Wheel. The Wheel was meant to portray the Solar System and its corresponding elements of earth, water, fire, and air. Back then, scientists believed the earth to be the center of the universe, and Ripley agreed with those beliefs. In order to illustrate this, he made The Wheel in a way where the planets circled around the earth. It was also used as a guide to helped aspiring alchemists determine which substances to use.

However, one of Ripley’s more famous works was the Ripley Scroll. The Scroll was an important bridge between alchemy being accepted as a science, rather than a magical art. In the scroll, the depiction of an alchemist pops up, giving the reader instructions on how to use the scroll. It describes the values and hopes that people have in alchemy, including detailing the philosopher’s stone. The philosopher’s stone was said to turn common metals into gold. During a time of strife and uncertainty, it made sense that many alchemists, scholars, and common folk alike would try to find this precious stone.

One line that’s remembered by many was the Bird of Hermes. The line reads: The Bird of Hermes is my name, eating my wings to make me tame. Hermes was the Greek God of traveling and was considered the messenger of the gods. However, the line also refers to Hermes’s domesticity, since he had wings, he could have left his role as a messenger. Instead, he decides to stay behind and serve the gods, even becoming a god himself. What’s more, when the line is paired with its illustration, it reminds audiences of the Ourobouros, a serpent that is forced to eat itself to stay alive. This illustration can refer to anything from pride leading to someone’s downfall, or the fear of uncertainty. It’s a very poetic line that encompasses one of the philosophies of alchemy, that alchemists need to be proud enough to face the unknown.

George Ripley has left a rich foundation that allowed both the arts and the sciences to flourish. His efforts aren’t merely diagrams; they provide inspiration that allows many to add to his knowledge. Even now, both academia and popular culture are continuing to nourish Ripley’s legacy, providing both creative detailing and critical thinking that adds to its beauty.