* Figurative: The chef transformed ordinary ingredients into a culinary masterpiece through a kind of alchemy in the kitchen.
* Historical: Medieval alchemists sought to transmute lead into gold, a pursuit now considered pseudoscience.
* Metaphorical: The artist's ability to blend colors and textures was a form of alchemy, creating beauty from seemingly disparate elements.
* Literal: The study of alchemy was once a major branch of science, but today it is largely considered a mystical practice.
Let me know if you'd like more examples or want to explore a specific context!