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Show SOHCERERS BURNED AT STAKE Custom of, an Early Age When Thou, and of Unfortunate Student Wert Put to Death. Alchemists often believed that by deep thought they could find a way to turn base metals Into gold, but alchemy al-chemy itself was much deeper and broader than this, according to a writer. writ-er. It was supposed at this time that there were seven heavenly bodies the sun, moon, Mars, Mercury, Venus, Jupiter and Saturn -and seven metals gold, silver, Iron, mercury, copper, tin and lead. There were also seven days In a week and seven colors In a rainbow. There were twelve signs In the -odlnc, twelve months In the year, twelve precious stones, and twelve parts to the body. It seemed to the alchemists that there must be some hidden connection between these things of nature, and In trying to find It they spent much time In Watching the sky and In bending over their crucibles and retorts. During an age when superstition was rife such nocturnal nativities could not fail to arouse suspicion, and to be accused of being a sorcerer was generally followed by burning at the, stake. Many thousands of such un-! fortunate students were put to death during these dark centuries, but In spite of the dangers men secretly studied alchemy. |