The goal of alchemists was to bring a mystical fifth element known as the ‘quintessence’ from the divine fiery heaven and down to earth. The alchemist’s journey required him to pass through the outermost circle of the underworld…and to overcome the Greek god of time Chronos. And in overcoming Chronos, one has broken transient and sequential time and reverted to a golden age of eternal youth and divine benevolence. Through drinking a rejuvenating elixir [khemeia] or drinkable gold, it is possible to cheat age and death and become immortal.

Adapted from Alchemy and Mysticism by Alexander Roob, Taschen (1997)