Alchemical authors frequently employed a riddling ... Alchemists traditionally used planetary names for the metals, naming lead Saturn, iron Mars, tin Jupiter, gold Sol, copper Venus, quicksilver ...

Alchemy is a paradox. On the one hand, it is bogus science. You cannot turn base metals into gold. A universal elixir that could cure all diseases and grant eternal life does not exist.

However, this form of Alchemy also taxes the Alchemist, as Edward had to sacrifice his arm to bind Alphonse’s soul to a piece ...