Alchemy and trolls

I found an interesting link between the trolls’ signs and alchemy. More like zodiac signs and alchemy– each of the signs, or elements of the signs, have specific connotations with elements, strengths, and the like.

Given that alchemy has a strong place in Hussie’s work, I figured I’d try putting it together.

Cancer- Karkat- ♋- the crab. This is also a symbol for day/night in alchemical works. The Crab is ruled by the moon, giving it the silver association, but in this case, the alchemical symbol for silver is different from day/night symbol.

Aries- Aradia- ♈- the ram’s head. This is also one of the alchemical symbol for red arsenic. While Mars, Aries’ ruling planet traditionally signifies iron, the ram’s head symbol also means red arsenic.

Taurus- Tavros- ♉- the bull’s head. This is also one of the symbols for rock salt. Another mineral, bismuth, shares a similar alchemical sign to this. While Taurus is normally ruled by Venus, the alchemical symbol of rock salt or bismuth is actually a derivative of the symbol for Terra.

Gemini- Sollux- ♊- the twins. This is also one of the signs for yellow arsenic, also known as orpiment.While the ruling planet for Gemini is Mercury, and is associated with quicksilver, Sollux’s color is the yellow of orpiment, not the gray of quicksilver.

Leo- Nepeta- ♌- the lion. This is also a symbol for litharge, the natural mineral form of lead oxide. While Leo is normally associated with gold, the alchemical symbol is not related to Nepeta.

Virgo- Kanaya- ♍- the virgin. This symbol is unusual in alchemy– some texts use it as a symbol for measurement, signifying a drop, or a “minum”. Sometimes Virgo is associated with Chiron, the centaur, whose symbol is related to the alchemical symbol of copper.

Libra- Terezi- ♎- the scales. In alchemy, this is the symbol used for the process of sublimation. It is referred to as the ascending node, also known as the Dragon’s Head.The corresponding opposite sign is known as the Dragon’s Tail.

Scorpio- Vriska- ♏- the scorpion. This is also an unusual symbol in alchemy, but like Virgo, it also symbolizes a drop of ingredient, or a “minum”.

Sagittarius- Equius- ♐- the archer. This is one of the many alchemical symbols of iron, and also is a general sign for masculinity.This is because of the ruling planet of Mars.

Capricorn- Gamzee-♑- the goat-fish. This is one of the signs for lead, because of the ruling planet Saturn.

Aquarius- Eridan- ♒- the water bearer. This is one of the signs for water, or aqua.

Pisces- Feferi- ♓ - the fish. This symbol is closest to the symbol used for tartar-1. The ruling planet, Neptune, has a sigil of a trident– much like Feferi’s. The symbol– is one of the signs for salt of ammonia.

Similarly, each of the signs has an alchemical process associated with it.

Aries- Calcination

Taurus- Congelation

Gemini-Fixation

Cancer- Dissolution

Leo- Digestion

Virgo- Distillation

Libra- Sublimation

Scorpio-Separation

Saggitarius- Incineration

Capricorn- Fermentation

Aquarius- Multiplication

Pisces- Projection

More information on the processes can be found here.