Pseudoscientific process hinted at by four squares in this puzzle (7)

I believe the answer is:

alchemy

(Other definitions for alchemy that I've seen before include "Medieval activity to turn base metal into gold" , "Legendary gold-making practice" , "Old pseudoscience hoping to turn base metals into gold" , "Pseudoscientific forerunner of chemistry" , "Chemistry's forerunner" .)

I've seen this clue in The New York Times.

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