Ancient Alchemy & Fire Magic Effects

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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around the historical and chemical aspects of fire magic as depicted in fantasy literature and its potential real-world applications. Participants explore substances that could create visually interesting effects when used in fire, focusing on non-dangerous and inexpensive materials that might have been known to alchemists or magicians from a thousand years ago.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory
  • Technical explanation
  • Conceptual clarification
  • Debate/contested
  • Experimental/applied

Main Points Raised

  • One participant inquires about historical agents that could produce interesting fire effects, emphasizing a non-experimental approach.
  • Another suggests that any highly flammable powder could suffice for creating effects.
  • A participant shares a list of chemical combinations they believe could create "magical" fire-starting effects, including potassium permanganate with glycerine and powdered aluminum with iodine crystals.
  • There is mention of a website that provides information on starting a fire with water, along with the necessary chemicals.
  • Some participants joke about the simplicity of using common materials like flour or hardwood dust for fire effects.
  • A reference is made to a survival show where a participant created a violent fire through mixing unknown substances, prompting curiosity about the materials used.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants express a range of ideas and suggestions, with no clear consensus on the effectiveness or safety of the proposed chemical combinations. Some contributions are light-hearted, while others are more serious, indicating a mix of perspectives on the topic.

Contextual Notes

Some claims about chemical reactions remain unverified, and the discussion includes various assumptions about the properties and safety of the substances mentioned. The effectiveness of the proposed mixtures is not established, and participants do not agree on specific methods or materials.

Who May Find This Useful

This discussion may be of interest to those exploring historical alchemy, chemistry enthusiasts, or individuals looking for creative ideas for ceremonial fire effects.

Helios
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In many fantasy books and movies, like Harry Potter for example, there are wizards or priest who perform "fire magic" by throwing various powders into a fire cauldron. The effect is a poof of smoke or a flash. I guess the intent is to evoke some spirit or something. My question is what agents were known or could have been known back in the age of alchemy that could produce any interesting effects. I just need some descriptions or leads for historical research and am not intending to experiment. I am not seeking anything dangerous or explosive, just some cheap effects that could have been known to magicians of maybe a 1000 years ago. My inquiry is therefore possibly historical as well as pertinent to chemistry.
 
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Any highly flammable powder will do.
 
Thanks Borek, that was very informative. I would never have thought of that.
 
Bahaha, come on, it's only a joke.
 
Actually, it is not a joke. Trick is to have the substance finely powdered, so that it can create an aerozol.
 
I actually need to verify some ideas that I got for "magically" starting a campfire for a group I lead.
1. Potassium Permangante mixed with Glycerine will ignite?
2. Powdered Aluminum mixed with crushed Iodine Crystals and then wet with water will produce purple smoke and then ignite?
3. Powdered Chlorine (HTH pool chemicals) plus Pine Oil (PineSol) will also ignite?

The idea being to "magically" light a campfire for a ceremony.
 
http://www.unitednuclear.com/negx.htm

This shows how to start a fire with water. The site also sells the chemicals needed, and as far as my experience goes, they are pretty reliable.
 
philnow said:
Bahaha, come on, it's only a joke.

You can try it with flour. :approve:
 
on Tv's SurvivorMAN he really had to make fire so he sacrificed 2 things out of his first aid kit...simply by mixing he had a pretty violent fire.

anyone know what this could have been?
 
  • #10
powdered aluminum works great , and so does sanded hardwood dust.
 

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