It's happy 350th birthday to the discovery of phosphorus, an element that is essential for life as we know it. ... Alchemy had a spiritual framework rooted mainly in ancient Greek philosophy, ...

Alchemy had a spiritual framework rooted mainly in ancient Greek philosophy, which stipulated that all matter is formed of four elements, or qualities – air, earth, fire and water.

Phosphorus: 350 years after its discovery, this vital element is running out ... Brand had been trying to achieve one of the great goals of alchemy, to make the philosopher’s stone.