Multiplication (alchemy)

Multiplication is the process in Western alchemy used to increase the potency of the philosopher's stone, elixir or projection powder.

It occurs near the end of the magnum opus in order to increase the gains in the subsequent projection.

[2] Henry VI began to issue patents for the practice of alchemy, but the act of Parliament against multipliers was not repealed until 1689.

He notes that the methods of multiplication are related to the processes of congelation, cibation, and fermentation.

Like Ripley, other sources describe multiplication as subjecting the philosopher's stone to further maturation by reiterating the same processes as was used to originally make it.

'Multiplicatio' emblem from Philosophia Reformata ( Johann Daniel Mylius , 1622). Here, multiplication is illustrated using images of a pelican and a lion feeding their young.