n ancient idea held by the alchemists was that matter was composed of four different "elements". These were earth, air, fire, and water ~which came from one common source. Matter was thought to have a soul, which could be transferred from one element to another by means of the philosophers' stone.

Some alchemists believed that gold was formed when fire and water combined, under planetary influences, in the depths of the Earth. If the resulting product was only slightly impure, it was thought to become silver. If it was markedly impure, a base metal such as lead was believed to result. If, however, fire and water could be brought together in states of superfine quality, the philosophers' stone would at last have been found.

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