title: [Magician nature and human magician: on a fundamental analogy of alchemy].
abstract: This contribution discusses Paracelsism-influenced early-modern alchemy. There are notably two forms of analogy, each hierarchically arranged: a vertically ordered analogy ("as above, thus below") in which Nature is situated as mediator between God and man, and a horizontally ordered analogy ("as without, thus within") in which Nature's magic is regarded as a model for man, particularly expressed in the metaphor of "Vulcan" (smith) and doctor (e.g., Nature as inner healer). In alchemy the conventional "healing power of Nature" is pin-pointed: The doctor (as alchemist, magician) must unravel Nature's secrets and emulate her magic to perfect her work -particularly medicine production. Diagrams and historical depictions illustrate this.
authors.affiliation: Medizinhistorisches Institut der Rheinischen Friedrich-Wilhelms-Universität Bonn. heinz.schott@ukb.uni-bonn.de
authors.forename: Heinz
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Schott
mesh_terms: D000422:Alchemy; D004741:Engraving and Engravings / Q000266:history*; D005858:Germany; D049668:History, 15th Century; D049669:History, 16th Century; D049670:History, 17th Century; D049691:History, Medieval; D006801:Humans; D008273:Magic / Q000266:history*; D008512:Medicine in the Arts; D008602:Mental Healing; D019365:Metaphor; D019368:Nature; D010151:Paintings / Q000266:history*