Notanda chymica

Though Sir Isaac Newton’s work in chemistry is often overshadowed by his more celebrated discoveries in physics, his enduring interest in early chemistry (chymistry) is well recorded by the extensive collection of personal papers still surviving. In these four pages of notes, an oft-hidden side of Newton is revealed; his interest in alchemy and the occult. These extracts on topics like sublimation and astrology were transcribed by Newton from the book Arcana arcanissima hoc est Hieroglyphica Aegyptio-Graeca by Michael Maier, an early 17th century physician well-known for his involvement in alchemy and the esoteric Rosicrucian movement.