Alchemy is an ancient philosophical and proto-scientific tradition that emerged in Egypt around 2,500 years ago and spread to the Middle East, Europe, and China. The word "alchemy" comes from the Arabic word "al-kīmiyā," which means "the process of transmutation by which to fuse or reunite with the divine or original form." The history of alchemy began back in Ancient Egypt, where it was closely associated with worshipping the god Thoth. During the Middle Ages, alchemy had both practical applications and a strong spiritual component. Many alchemists believed that you could also achieve spiritual enlightenment and immortality through alchemical teachings.