tully's TSIAi,CI{T" erpbhed Secret Fie d Philosqhers

Bed<erts ?hilosoph.

1@Aduinsmihijr trght E:rhactedfiorn Chaos

SHORT ALCHEI'I I CAL TRACTS I I6HTEEI{

The p r edominance of thes e t ra c t s we re o b t a t n e d f ro m S ig is mo nd Bo cstr om's personol Iibra ry . T h f s is e v id . e n c e d b y s o me o f t he fn t h e s e p a g e s . A t le c s t s o me o f t h e se m ar g fnclio kept intact have been trons Ia t e d b y Dr. B a c s t ro m n n s e t s .

TA B L E O F CO I I T E NT S The pagination of these t ra c t s a re n o t s e q u e n t , ia l. Ra t h e rr they adhere to page n u mb e rin g o f t h e t ra c t it s e lf .

Glo r y of Light Lig h t out of Chaos Ba cstr om's P rologue Lo Zo ro a s t e rrs Ca v e Zor o a sterrs Cave (Magical G o I d ) Slo a n e ms 631. f 183 R am o n tullrs Testament 1 0 0 Aphorisms on Magick Le t,ter to Dr. J.J. B ecker M e r lin To M ake the Likeness of a V e g e t a b le Se cr e t Fire of the P hiloso p h e rs G r ea t W ork of the Lapis Ph ilo s o p h o u ru m Pr a cti ce of the P hilosophe rs So p h ick Mercury for P hilos o p h e rrs Stone Th e Fir st Matt,er Op u s Philosophorum Ver b u m Dimissum (Trevisan) Par a b le of the Fountain (t re v is a n )

L -2 3 1 -3 0 1- 2 S -f 6 1- 4 l- 5 1 -1 3 L -z I 1- 2 I 1- 2 3- 7 1- 5 1- 6 I- 6 L- 4 l--2 3 f -f Z

"IeR" THEGLORY OF LIGHT

B.M.Sloane 2219
translatedby: L.F.P.
Fr uit, tittle things manifest, so far a s i s p o ssi b l e to a l l - me n; for in com m onsense and r eason all agr ee i n M y s t eri e s n e ve r so th a t none may speak of Science without Know l e d g e , w h i ch b re a ks th e Gates of Br ass, and cuts asunder the Bar s o f I r o n , b e fo re th e E ye s of Under standing, that the Tr easur es of D a r k n e s s ma y b e o p e n e d , a nd the br ight and fier y Swor d discover ed, w h i c h t urn s e ve ry w a y to keep tr ansgr essor s out of Par adise; for i f w e c on si d e r w h e re i n ye Celestia1 and Ter r estr ial Bodies agr ee, w e s h a l l- fi n d so me th i n g objective in the Infer iour Bodies, wh er eby t h e y c o mmu n i ca te th e i r C elestial Vir tues and Influence, which pr ec i d e n t Art d o th i mi ta te , to pr oduce a Glor ious Substance of c om m i x ed f o r m s a n d o f cl e a re st V i rtues and Beauty beyond expr ession. The Mathematicians say the Celestial Influences do hold and govern every natural Body, and by many Unities collect a quantity s u b s i s t i ng w i th o u t S h a d o w; for the r eal Vir tues effect to be s pec ificate, a n d so l i vi n g F i r e gives life to other things, which C e n t r a l S u b sta n ce o f C e l estial Vir tue or For m of M etals, is the Su b j e c t o f th i s sh o rt D i scour se. That Urim and Thummimwere given in the Mount cannot be proved; That they are potential from the Creation may appear, for they w e r e Su b sta n ce s w h o se N a me and Essence did pr edicate each other b e i n g c o n ve rti b l e te rms, the Name and Essence, One. The W or ds s i g n i f y l i g h t a n d p e rfe cti on, Knowledge and Holiness, also M ani f e s t a t i o n a n d T ru th , e ve n as Science and Essence m ake one per fec tion. It is likely they were before the I,aw given, for the Almighty conmanded Noah to make a Clear l,ight in the Ark, which some take for a Window; others for the arching and bowing of the upper deck T h e T ru th se e ms b u ri e d because it br ings but it is great and prevaileth to make all for th

1.

a cu b it.

B ut sith

the

Tex t ,

" Da V a n d Nig h t then cease. u n c e rt a in : p ro h ib it e d

s h a l-I n o t

mo re c e a s e " , there the of

( G en z B z22) it

seems it

did n o t

A n d wh e t h e r out c o u ld

we r e one or many Windows is Su n n o t the giving his Light, A rk,

B u t wh e n t h e

Win d o ws o f Ra in , S p iri t

He a ve n were opened and th e A ir but Cr eatures in the

d a rk e n e d b y p o u rin g Cle a rn e s s

t h e G e n e ra t iv e

wh a t e x t e rio r

be expected.

The r efore

some of the Ra b b in s

s B V , t h e He b re w wo rd Z O HA R, w h i c h

b ut i n th e Ch aldee translate NEHE R is n o t f o u n d in t h e S c rip t u re th ic nTrna <6 tha-c like t h e Wo rd , it s e e me t h t o b e a Ra re L i g h t ,

} /*l*v v t

a n d th at

which

is

generally

doubted to

be,

the

Cre a t o r

c o mm a n d e d to all do,

No a h to make by A rt. Ston e hanging

Oth e r He b re w d o c t o rs o f t h e A rk ,

s & V , it

wa s a p re c i o u s

in the midde s t

wh ic h g a v e L ig h t

Ca rb u n c le c o u ld n o t T h is t h e g re a t e s t Livin g Creatures therein: n ^F e l ar nz.a^'i.ous S tOne th a t iS O n ly n a t u ra l; B Ut t h e Un iV e rS a l fixed in a transpare n t Spir it B o d y s h in e s lik e t h e S u n in g lor y an d g ives it is nost sufficient probable Light Light this to a ll to a ll liv in g t h e ro o m t o re a d b y : L ig h t that Cre a t u re s , for it T h e re f o r e is wa s t h e G o d c o mma n d e d Noa h

to m a ke to give

u a I du rance: A nd whereas T u b a l-Ca in is s a id t o n r vvvtJ ar r a r-z n! vr in B ras s a n d I ro n wh ic h s o me h o ld t o c o n t a i - n ^a*ifice th e w hole and perfect whe r e i n Dec o c t io n o f t h e Me t a llic a l V irt u e , th e the r e veilCe ntral V irtue is mos t a b u n d a n t , of the of of o n e Na t u re , F ire s , a n d ma k e s t h e stones the c h ie f is of F ire : is to h a p p y mo r e F o r wh er e a d m i- r e d who wark in the m id s t are two things the mention in th e r e for e

of perpetb e a p e rf e c t Master

b e u n d e rst o o d ,

P u re F ire

the Temple seeme d e v e r mo v in g , ge n e r a tive and moving, whic h f ix e d in c le a r Thummim.

A "l +1,. dL La d u r ruu6rr aJ^ 1r -ssseI'ICesare no t

p re f e me d . The Scarlet p u re F ir e , a md s ig n if ie d b o d ie s is Urim a n d ma d e ma n i f e s t p o s s ib il - i t y saw the he s a w

wit h o u t

g re a t

d if f ic u lt y

by th e mselves, un q u e stionable. ]Ior se s n o t,

X et the cle a r V is io n t h e re o f ma k e s t h e A s at E lis h a h is P ra y e r, h is s e rv a n t of Fi re a b o u t h J -s Ma s t e r, wh e n t h e rn v is ib le apparen t is

and Chariots

wh ic h b e f o re

so are these

ma d e v is ib le .

2.

So m e think that Urim and T h u mmim we re n o t A rt if ic ia l, because * ho r r ar a qairr in the Text t o b e p u t in t o t h e B re a s t p la t e but not +^'r ^^ * ^r^'oxod.2B z30). u rJ lJg llld.Lls B u t t h is p o in t ma y b e c le a re d b y o b s e r v \ ! i ncr tho <a\raFal_ kinds of ma k in g a S b e t wix t t h o s e t h in g s ma d e w i t h H an d s, and those w he r e Nature is by an i nward m o r e absolute things w h ic h a re o n ly ma d e v is ib le a s t h e p u re b y E b u lit io n , by Effect, the p e rf e c t i o n of Metalb y t he S u lp h u r not for and habitual V irt u e d o me e t t o g e t h e r it s e lf

by a new g e n e ra t i-o n ,

P ower doth p u rif y

fir st and remote Causes, b u t b y t h e s e c o n d a n d n e a re r, wh e re of ,'T h e S e c re t o f a ll_ S e c re t s iS s u c h a d i s tho p h ira<nnhsl saith, po siti on m utati on is th e sa id , N atur e which cannot be p e rf e c t e d wit h Ha n d s , f o r to it is a TransA ls o it of Natural Things f ro m o n e t h in g a n o t h e r" .

taket h imp u re S p irit s , a n d b y S u b lima t io n , "The A rtist and A rt cleanses t h e m in t o B o d ie s , P u re a n d F ix e d : s o t h a t p re d o min a t e , other t h in g s . b e g in n in g s I ro n f ro m t wo L i g h t s , But ig n o r a n c e mu s t b e ma k e p la in : a n d b e in g mo re t h a n

Bodily nature doth E te rn a lly pe r fect, doth give perfectio n to No w that bo th cut th e in an d the these perfection s A nc ie n t E leme n t s the Text Matter pieces and the of the before

h a v e t h e ir P h ilo s o p h e r a re t h e

G a t e s wh ic h

I n v is ib l-e

b e ma d e V is ib le . affirm what they

For the Natural have seen and

Urim and Thummim, the do n e , tha t Ar t. End . th e se Silve r , sou n d of to e xtr act

Philosophers

and that they did n o t h irg , s a v e t h a t t h e y k n o w b e f o re : so n nor fonf, K nowledge is e s p e c ia lly re q u is it e t o ma k e a p e r f e c t T herefore we are no w t o c o n s id e r t h e me a n s t o a t t a in t hi s
* r-r t-v

T he Lord gave B ezabe l Wis d o m, Un d e rs t a n d in g a n d ^ K n o wle d. g e , are the Means; for G o I d is d is s o lv e d b y lc lis d o m; in Co nt r i t i o n , and Fire. and B rass, the words, the The E n d is which but of is not a c c o rd in g th e Ma t t e r B o d ie s , d . i-re c t e d t o to to is the in v e n t wo rk s a c c o rd in g o f a ll the in Go 1 d , to the for b e u n d e rs t o o d in t e n t the

Assati on ,

Dis t illat i o n ,

Inward

part,

a n d ma n i-f e s t

Ce n t ra l- V irt u e : p e rf e c t io n

w he r e the perfection o f th e Pa r e n ts in vi r tu e of all-

g lo rio u s , t h in g s

F orm must be more g lo rio u s . Inferiour and remperature

T h e s u n a n d Mo o n a re and those wh ic h

as the c o me n e a r e s t

a re mo re e x c e lle n t .

T h e s u n s mo t i-on

an d Vir tue th e C el- e sti al qu a lity r eg a l his

doth vivify S un is

all sa id

I n f e rio r to b e a ll

B o d ie s , F ire , in

and the the

p u re

f o rm d o th hath in f u s e

of the also

Te r restrial

a n d t h e re wit h e x t e rn a l in t o He a t ,

S un communicate mo s t V irt u e : of pure S ulphur b e in g thin g s d ig e s t e d B o d ie s , but t h e ir Infer io u r all

T h e re f o re For the V irt u e s

in c o ru p t ed

Power over all In fluence B odies into

Sun doth u n t il

e s p e c ia lly s a it h ,
nnt It\JtJ

GoId;and they

these be

Na tur a l-

do never One of
i' l *la n r r ch d.IlJlI\JL5II

sh e w f o rt h the Ra b b in s the
thorr trIlEJ di d \-lILL

m a d e Spiritual.
oi crhf u46tlu C ) z.n q m o n *d V!l!4rllvrrUDt

Temp1e Urim and Thummim, to

end they

" T h e y ma d e in t h e S e c o n d might make up all the

t O h-rr UJ *hC m UMllIt ?-reeattse UevquDv

on^tri 9II(.lUIrv

t h e H o ly Gh o st w a s n o t th er e. And ever y Pr iest that spake not h r r t h o l {n 1 rr r:fu g sf,a n d o n whom the Divine Majesty r esteth not,
er ! v r r v +J v

therr
v r leJ

cn/-tlril^e -^+'r^r'
v r lll4r ! v rrV u UJ

1^;h
lLaltl

"

So it

iS

with

SaCramental

Bread

whiCh

h a th Sp ir it

n o significance of B ezaliel, Tincture

befor e

Co n s e c ra t io n :

But these S p irit u a l and causeth f o u rt h of

me n h a d t h e wh i c h the Ra d ic a l

and m a d e t h e Na t u ra lsome say s o p u rif ie t h the s h a l1 Ch ild re n p e rc e iv e ma n s L if e a ll 10th)

B o d ie s ,

So ve r ig n ( yea , He a lth i cal i on

Hu m o u r so to

abound, that A ncestors.

of the the is

G e n e ra t io n such present and Radp ro po r t the for 0i1 there

some say the of their

effect n a t iv e o b s e rv e the

The two S taves which uph o ld M oisture, which requl re t h like a n d mi-xture;

He a t , equal

c a re t o

a T , a mp , wh e re n e it h e r

F la me n o r E t e rn it y , A n d t h is the F a ll for

m ust surpass, lest the 0i1 e x h a u s t o r t h e i < 4 n ^aqi'hi'1 ity and aptnes s in Na t u re t o n a tur a l e xten d e d be a fte r a fte r the desires itself FalI, are never to a lt o g e t h e r but t h e re immorta lit y

F la me s u f f o c a t e , a t t a in

seeing a p tn e s s and shall appointed there that

f ru s t ra t e . is

a s i-t wa s b e f o re

the Resurrection terminative Y outh so that denied say that if

o n e f o rm o f Na t u re o f P a re n t s , T h e Ha rt a Ma n t o t h is for ends.

and another it

b y Co rru p t io n is p o s s ib le

ar e pe r fect r e n e w their w hich should is not

a n d p riv a t iv e

and Eagte o b t a in

to unre a s o n a b le ' years

c re a t u re s . Wo rk a n d arrd give what you will

Ph ilo sophers live

y o u h a v e o n c e f in is h e d ye might

one thousand

4.

wh e n you wiIl, F'ir e m av give

b.," v 4bl !!

without to his

da n g e r o f d imin it io n , Neio ' h b o u r wit h o u t h u rt

a s a Ma n t h a t t o h ims e lf .

hath

Ma r c u s

Va r r o sa i th , " T h e re w a s much m or e M yster y in the Flamm ine Ce r em oni e s t h an o n e u n d e rsto o d : Vesta signified pur e Ear th and Fir e Inter n a l , o f w h o m i t i s sa i d , Vesta is Ear th and Fir e. is both." e o e t h th e n a me a n d so d oth fixt.Vesta "T h u s i s sh o w n fo rth i n a W or k by Fir e, T h e M i g h ty V e sta a n d her pur e attir e. "
Ph ilo sophy in con se q uently e xclu d e th e r e is is the is nothing Material. real- E ffects E xperience, e ls e but ih e study to o f Wis d o m c o n s id e r e d and can never wh e r e F ai t h Faith B o d y is the but the S h a do w

Ear th und er -

a Created Nature,

as we ll- s u b je c t E ssenc e ,

S e n s e a s in v is ib le , i-n t e rp re t a t io n a n d wit h o u t for

A n d Wi-s d o ms Ce n t ra l a n d t h e Mo ra l hath not f ro m o c u la r F a it h

o f Wi sdoms Central Re a so n hath

d e mo n s t ra t io n , Me rit , t h in g , to

no knowledge

of a n y e x c e lle n t

end of

U nd erstanding. Th e Rabbins hol-d every n a t u ra l b e g in n i-n g four b e e it h e r O t h e rs Ma t t er , a t e of Cause of Matter, the Creator first v lz . the E le me n t s l

or the op in io n the

ma d e O n e P u re Ma t t e r

o f wh ic h He m a d e of Com-

Four E lements.

B ut he re b e g in n in g s

mu s t b e we lL u n d e rs t o o d , d e v ise

fo r th ere are beginnings o f P re p a ra t io n , a : rt d b e g in n in g s p o siti on and Operati-on: f o r t h e A rt is t wa s c o mma n d e d t o wo r ks in Go1d. the That is, f ro m t h e Na t u re Corp o re a l O b je c t the to the Fo r if N atur e poreal is no t the Matter be G lo ri-o u s ,

p o s s ib ilit y . yet the Bodily Coron of

F o rm mu s t b e mo re G L o riou s

a n d though So that is the

S piritual

b e mo re o p e ra t iv e , S p irit u a l, in t e n t io n . a -n d t h e

must predomi-nate Et e rn a lly . to make the the whole first, but S p irit u a l s p irit u al is mu s t p u t wh ic h scope o f t h is Yet the For that doth

the Na t u ra lr' f o r rmmo rt a rit y .

Co rru p t io n

r n co r r u ption g r e a test

and Mortality,

duration

and mos t A b u n d a n t in V irt u e ,

mo s t e x ce l l

i n G l o r y a n d B e a u ty, a n d so fittest to make Ur im and Thumm i m . F o r P o we r a n d H o n o u r a re in this Sanctur y. But because the gr eates t t h i n g s a re n o t d o n e b y str ength or habit of finger ing as also b e c a u s e th e In te l l e ct d o th so far excell the Sense this is a W or k a n d the beginning upon the Vir tue of Elem ents . o f s e c o n d In te n ti o n , T h a t i s a p u re , b ri g h t,
nonfanfinn
}/vr r

and clear W ater of Putr efaction,

(properly So called) requires

for

the

nf

everV

Art,

a New Birth,

a s th a t D ea th is the r e for e of is

which taken

is

sowed is n o t Mutation , Life

q u ic k e n e d not for

except

it

d ie . the that

But here Clo d s . the Now secret and T,ive.

for is

ro t t in g is

under

we must take the

the K e y o f A rt t h e re o f ; i n t e rn a l see k s t o T h is s h in e t if e

a n d c o n s id e r

eve rything p la ced This itseif

a V a p o u r, is

a n d in V a p o u r to

the trV onder of Art . by the

Wh o s o e v e r h a t h d e s t ro y

He a t a g it a t in g s a id

m ovln g in T,ife w ith Spir it

T ra n s mu t a t io n , V a p o u r is lik e not

T,ife the A rtist Glory because it is of

a n d re s t o re c a lle d the

a n E t e rn al the Vegetable vegetable, ye shal1 P u re F i r e by help Form. ye

arrd B eauty . until it

d e g re e o f h e a t wit h S e c re t s ,

hottest S t e e l, of that but

a n d b e i-ng decocted see g r eat wh ich of like by th e mselves, the ele mental but Fire

b rig h t e s t

and marvellous Celestial

b y S e p a ra t io n not ma t e ria lly , for

o f E le men t s

by pred o min a t io n S u n , e n t e rs h is sends f o rt h differe n c e

a n d v ic t o ry I n f lu e n c e

a n d I mp re s s i-o n of a lt h o u g h

H er e we must observe have now the

o f p e rf e c t io n s ,

For-.rntain of l,ife , and Centre of the Heart, the Universal Sp ir its which lives in th e Ra d ic a l Hu mid it y a n d d o t h n a t u ra lly vi- vifi cate, and is the Ma s c u lin e S e e d o f y e Ce le s t ia l So1. Here is th a t rule made good, S orts, except V ulg a r, y o u s o w G o ld in G o ld y e d . o n o t h i n g . b y G o 1 d , wh e reo f wh ic h of God. a n d b y c e rt ai n of the to Sun the sav a d v is e t ak e is G if t Die t , Ch e mic a l, is a n d Div in e , Th e r e fore the r e th e r e for e fo r m s to l i ke of we must take so called P rayers at he e d wh a t we u n d e rs t a n d a S p irit u a l bV exact o b t a in hath

are three

becau s e it certain th a t

The Theosophists b e their M atter

are pe rs u a d e d ,

T ime s t o Na t u re

the Angel

Guide and Dire c t o r; above E arth

T h e P h ilo s o p h e rs

u n d . e r e a rt h .

O t h e rs

that

t h e mo st p re ci o u s T r easur e r iseth fr om a Vile thing, all w hi c h under stood, for in the lines fol l ow i ng a r e e a si l y a g re e d i f ri g h tly t h e s a me A u th o r sa i th , " The Vile thing is fr om the Sper m of Gol d Others c a s t i n th e t/l a tri x o f Me rcur y by a pr ime Conjunction". for this high per fection, a f f i r m Azo th a n d Ig n i s to be sufficient

t h e w h i c h A zo th a rn o n gth e Ger m ans is Silver , with the M acedoni ans f r o n , wi th th e Gre e ks Me rcur y, with the Hebr ews Tin, with the T a r t a r s B ra ss, w i th th e Ar abians Satur n, and with the Indians i t i s t a k e n fo r Go l d . A l l - which being adver se in Natur e, ar e potenti a 1 i n o n e C o mp o si ti o n , and by the D- r al- of Spir its the Celest i - a1 G o l d o bta i n e th V i e to ry o ver all the r est, and is m ade ( though not w i t h h a n d s) a B o d y, S h i n i ng like the Sun in Glor y, which is cal l ed Ens omnis privationis expers or Thummim. This is the King that m a d e t h e p u re , cIe a r, b ri ght Fountain, and of it was made him s el f. T h e f a i r Wo ma n ,so L o vi n g the Red M an she became One with hi- m , a n d y i e l d e th h i m a l l Gl o ry , who by His Regal Power and Sover ei gn q u a l i t y re i g n e th o ve r th e Four fold Natur e, Eter nafly. But if any s h a l l u n d e rsta n d e i th e r Com m on or Chem icaL Gold to be the Subj ec t o f t h i s S a cre d B o d y, h e i s much mistaken; for a Glor ious Spir i t will not appear save in a Body of his own kind. Although pure ( M a n c h e t) b e ma d e o f th e finest Meal, yet lVheat is not exclud ed, a n d s o Bre a d i -s mo st p ro p er ly said to be of the second and ne ar er C a u s e s , ra th e r th a n o f th e Rem ote, notwithstanding that which i s m a d e w i th h a n d s, After we fell- from Unity we groan under the burden of Division; but Three makes up the Union, first temporary, and after Eternally fixed. H e th a t kn o w s a thing fulIy must r mow what it was, is, a n d s h a l l b e . S o to kn o w ye sever al par ts of a successive Co ur s e i s n o t a sma l l th i n g , n e i ther the honour little. r n t h e ri g h t u se o f th e cr eatur e: Air tur ned. into water , by hi s proper mixture becomes Wood, and th.e salne Wood by Water is turned i n t o St o n e . A s a S p ri n g in Italy called Clitum m us m akes Oxen W hi te t h a t d r i nk o f i t. A n d a water in Boetia m akes sheep Black that drink of it. And the river in Hungary turns rron into co,pper.

7.

W h a t e x ce l l e n cy
M VV!

th i n g s may attain
and Art

by habitual

Vir tue,
who is

or what
able to

D^,r'^ts
t
vJrP5 vvv.

r^'hon \Tature
YVttvlr It

make one Perfection,

c]a n 7 .o

q <

W h a t re ve re n d Ma rti n Johnnes Rupicisa affir meth,

Arrinr-oacah^a
s aq4lI

"The exal- ted

forth such

upon

the

breaking

of

the

Glass

sendeth

fr eo 'r a n r i nio siII the

S nonf,s, that house, but

it

doth not that that

o n ly fIy

d e lig h t b y will

those s it of

that on the

enter wind.ow your sweetexart approxiare

even B ird s del ig h t , b y A rt take

so ravi-shed with

y o u ma y t a k e

t h e m wit h a d mira b le to is q u a rit y it

ha n d . " A nd if you desire ne ss a nd odour, you will in to such excellency. quality of and Water, Th e proper m ate in E arth most abundant As the n o n e in yet is

t o h a v e a t h in g

a s u b je c t o f lik e (Be z a ma d e y e p e rf u me ). F ire a n d A ir upon. in is is wh a t B o d ie s s h a ll

S we e t n e s s , we f in d other

but

wh e re t h e s e t h in g s ,

to be wrought B odies in

Celestial themselves. A ir,

wo rk q u a lit ie s T in c t u re . a n d t ru ly It is c a lle d the A ir

S o th e Me t a llic a l

B o d . ie s g iv e Ca u s e o f

Vet have n o T in c t u re: L if e , Mer c u r y after and and at and al l is doth

a r e most abundant a cocted congeal the for

A ethereal and fire;

Ho mo g e n e a l, wh ic h crude quality is h e ld that

a so r t d r y,

a Cru d e G o ld . , a n d G o ld a f i x 1 be cold hot it pure these is it and d"y,

and Mature yet so m e hord

Mercury, rnternal the

and although excellen c y

and E t h e re a L o f h is is

s p irit

T e mp e ra t u re

Fir e o r like to it, where b y it 1q."'oa nnnrraA that these Bodies Air , fi ttest w hose proper S ubjects quality is

d is s o lv e c l,

h o ws o e v e r,

are most abund.ant in T h e re f o re

Fire

s we e t n e s s .

a : l^et h e

to make t h e mo s t p re c i-o u s P u rf u me in t h e Wo r l d , an d consi-dering clearness a n d b rig h t n e s s is t h e Ce n t re o f e a c h th in g . A nd these B odies h a v e b o t h c e n t re a n d s u p e rf ic ie s , clear an d br ight when they are p u rif ie d b y A rt , a n d t h e B o d i-e s ma d e Sp ir itua lb e Bo d ies com p a r eth sa yln g , and those of greatest a Gl-orified S pirits or c o rp o ra t e lig h t a g a in , c le a re s t t h e y mu s t n e c e s s a r i l y a n d p e rf e c t io n . A s on e

a c L e a r la n t e rn wit h a T a p e r in i t , "The more a man ex c e lle t h in V irt u e t h e g re a t e r o r les s e r

B od y t o

w as th e Taper".

B ut the

wo rk c a n n o t b e ma n if e s t e d

wit h o u t

the their

o f a b e t t e r, F o rm, a n d re s t it u t io n d e str uction of the exterior w hio h 'is the glorious S ub s t a n c e s o f Urim a n d T h u mmim, wh ic h i n
v v r t 4v lr !u

Bein g i ble .

and P hysical but all

Use pre s e rv e s ju s t corrosives

t h e T e mp le o f Ma n s B o d y in c or r u p t b e t wix t o p e ra t io n s but o f lik e n a t u re s , Infant L iq u e f a c t io n Na t u re n a t u re s , n e it h e r in it the and because can Womb, hates,

S ome observe not

d if f e re n c e o f v io l-e n t G e n e ra t io n but

So lu ti on the r e

b e ca u se there you ha ve the yet Na ture

can be no tru e precious is

can be no true

Genera t io n

o f lik e Father the of F ire

S perms wit h o u t s e v e ra l to the

a n d Mo t h e r,

a n o al t h and differ-

ou g h One V essel hath en t m eans to q u e sti onabl-e, Te n fold is V irtue

sufficie n t it, every

t o p e rf e c t B re a s t s s t re n g t h

provided

t o n o u ris h a Ma n . cannot

exalt but

H ow Gold should

be burnt ,

wh ic h t h e

c o n s u me , is S p irit S p irit , G o ld , it ad d s which turns

Ex a lt a t io n Du s t ,

o f t h is o n e p a rt

S o v e re ig n o f t h is

and P ower, t h e n t a k e

b e co me as insenseable

and cast

u Do n Mo lt e n

all i nto P owder, which bein g d ru n k in Wh it e Win e o p e n e t h t h e U n d e r < tq n r l in cr innpg25gth Wi_S d O m, t h e Me mO ry . F o r a n d S t re n g t h e n e t h

, Lr Lv .

h e r e i s th e V e i n o f U n d e rstanding, the Fountain of W isdom, an d the R i v e r of K n o w l e d g e . T h e Tr uth of ever ything is said to be in hi s

rnannn,rnrorl Nature, for nothing shall rest Eternal-ly visible at

t h e l a s t F i re b u t th a t w hich is of pur e Vir tue and Essential Pur i ty . T r u t h a n d S ci e n ce i -s n ot led by chance or For tune, but the Spi r i t o f G o d g u i d e s b y th e h a n d of Reason. And it seems the Pr ophets
ty'\h..r^..ranf *1'rogg Stones of Firer sottie mentioning the Stone of

Da r kn e ss, An d Ezekiel Th e r e fore stan d s of Wa ter s hot shilo ah To ob tain

a:rd as it the let the

were,

F ire F ire

t u rn e d a t t a in e d

up,

other

the

Stone

of

Sin.

S tone of precious

b y Wis d o m, wh ic h

he differeth

fr o m the natural

S t o n e s a s p u re F ire that p o s s ib le , a n d d e g re e s ,

f ro m c o mmo n F ire .

modesty le t terminations

( r ) wh e re o f h e u n d . e r n e it h e r re f u s e t h e W a t e r s that wa d e in f o llo w deep Na t u r e

because they the

go s lo wly , ' f o r o f Na t u re ,

they

cannot go fast. Treasures y e mu s t o n ly

9.

w h o g i ve s n o t l i ke ti me to ever y gener ation. But as the Mare has t e n m on th s, th e E l e p h a n t hath thr ee, or as some say, nine year s , a n d f i f ty b e fo re co n j u n ction. Be patient ther efor e in a W or k of N a t u r e , fo r th e re u n to o nly is pr omised victor y, and the chief e m o r s i n A rt a re h a sti n ess and dulness. N O T A . 0 f th e S u b sta n ti a l A s u b s ta n ti a l q u a l i ty c i p l e s i s T h re e fo l d : qualities, Sulphur , SaIt and M er cur y . M ixtur e of the Pr i n-

a rising

fr om the fir st

W hich the Chem ics call- :

NQ TE 1. Pr in cip les.

These flow

isl1ns d ip t a r' ' rr f r^ n m t h o

c o mb in a t io n

of the

first

F I RE . S a l-t , S u lp h u r.

SpiritM er cur y.

M atter .

F o r a s i n th e b e g i n n i n g the spir it conjoined with the Matte r p r o d u c e d th e mo vi n g o f the water s i so M er cur y is nothing but M oti o n , t h e fi rst fl u i d th i n g which cannot be fixed nor contained w i t h i n a l i mi t; a n d sa l t is Dr y and Hot, and uncor r uptible, jus t a s s p i r it a n d F i re , i t i s pr eser ved. by Fir e, it is Dissolved w i th water or Mercury, but turns neither to Flame nor smoke, though it i s a m o st sp i ri tu a l cre a tur e, and ever y way incor r uptible. The sulphur, what is it but Matter mixed with Fire? For why

10.

d o t h i t d e t i g h ti n F l a me ,b u tth a ti tisofalikenatur e' andln c o m p o u n d .th i n g si ti sth e fi rstthingcom bustible,ofapttobe inflamed. N o T E 2 .B u tb e w a re th a tyo u und.er stand.notour Vulgar Miner al Sa l t , Su l ph u ra n d .Me rcU f}rfo rQuicksilver ,for thesear em ixed ( that is' Ear th' Mer cur ial W ater ; Bo d . i e s : S a l t E a rth , S u l p h ur y ye-E and Mercury are predominant ' sulphur, salt, wherein matter be infalmed'' for Sa}t that parts apt to with other things ad.joined., a n d ' S u l ph u rS o me sa l t,a n d .S om eMer cur y,butthed' om inationis f r o m t h e ch i e fe st)' T h e s e q u a l i ti e sca n n o tb e S eenaStheyar einthem selves,but b y i m a g i n a ti o n ,b u tth e ya re i n allthi.ngs,asCher nistsd.emonstr ate and watery parts out of every crud.e extracts who Eye. the to W o o d , s to n e ,e tc,a n d o th e rfa tandoilypar ts' andthatwhich speaks, that so the thing itself r e m a i n s i s S a l t, th a t i s Ashes, So m e t i q u o ri sMe rcu ri o u s;(a sVulgar W ater ar r dPh} egm ) other S u l p h u ry;(a sOi l a n d S p i ri to fWine) ,other sSaltar r d' tar t( as Aq u a F o rti s)a l so w e fi n d b ye xper ienceinthebenum bj.ngAshesof t h e M e mb e rs'th a tS o me V a p our sar ecr ud.e,other sshar p.Godpr o. every bod'y that the substance of intrinsicaliy d.uced the qualities m i e h t b e fo rme d ' F o r : MercurY
r ...i .l i tr r UJ IL,T !LT !

oition ruditY
Sulphur

giveth urnto things

oftness

And from thence

Cleavi- ng, together ' Fatness

Salt

It.

T h a t Me rcu ry g i ve th
nrr*
UL{. U

fl u i dity
t

and easy coition

lWJ rrr r.oq<nn sqaVtl ! nf V! tho Ullv
IJ!

of the } 4atter appear s

nf vr M or.ntrrrr rrrvr vu!
J

nf (JI

Ar r i

t{U!Ul\D!!

n lr ci' lr r o r ^v

V!

rVVMVl! uhi oh

nr.odnm'i n2nrr1r vuvlll4Ir(4lvJ

i s m o st fl u i d ; S o th a t i t will not endur e to be stopped or fi x ed. I t i s al so mo st cru d e , s o that it can neither be kindled nor bur ned: Now that the Bu t i f yo u p u t F i re to i t, it fl- ies away into Air . C o a g u l a ti o n o f B o d i e s i s fr om Sulphur , as i- t wer e Glue, appear s f r o m t he n ce th a t th e re i s m or e 0i1 in d"y, solid, and close Bodi es t h a n i n mo i st B o d i e s; a l so because Ashes ( after that the Sulphur i s c o n su me dw i th F i re ) i f you pour W ater upon them cleave not tog e t h e r i n a 1 u mp , b u t w i th 0i1 or Fat they cleave together . N ow t h e C he mi cs e xtra ct 0 i 1 out of ever y Stone, leaving nothing but L e e s r n o p a rt cl e a vi -n g one to another any longer . An d th a t S a l t g i ve s consistency appear s by the Bones of l,iv i ng C r e a t u re s, o u t o f w h i ch Chem ics extr act meer Salt, also all dens e t h i n g s l e a ve b e h i n d th e m mor e Ashes, that is Salt. God ther ef or e w i t h g r e a t C o u n ci l te mp er ed these thr ee qualities together in F o r j -f Me rcu ry wer e away the Matter would not flow toBo d i e s . g e t h e r to th e g e n e ra ti o n of things: If Salt, nothing would c ons i s t t o g e t h er o r b e fi xe d . If Sulphur , the consistency would be for c ed a n d y e t a p t to b e d i ssi p ated. T , a s tl y' i f th e re w e re not Sulphur in W ood and some other M atter s w e c o u l d h a ve n o F i re , b ut Solar on the Ear th ( for nothing woul - d b e k i n dl e d ) a n d th e n w h at gr eat deser ts would the Life of Man endure.

T h e M a ru i a g e o f th e E l e m entsr or How to set Natur e to wor k.

It works is not prophetical that a l1 me n s h a 1 l wis e ly c o n s id . e r t he

of God to the end they may tceow how to value them rightly, an d m a ke just difference b e t we e n c o rp o re a l a n d s p irit u a l t h in g s , a n d cor porate spirits. F o r a lt h o u g h s p irit s p o s s e s s n o t p la c e ,

L2.

r r pt th e w fail
J " v v r lv J

not

to

fill

e v e ry

p a rt

by contact

of

t h e ir the

V irt ue and cause t h in g

an d i n disti nct so u g h t to the Md of

the after

use alters

both q u a lit y

a n d q u a n t it y . q u a lit ie s

T h e De rf e c t f ro m t h e

knowledge whereof by the proper openeth the effect, also

d . o t h n e c e s s a rily a n d a p p ro p ria . . t e in t e rn a l that is

ma n if e s t a t ru e

Beauty of you see. , p riv a t iv e , t h e ric h e s t

a n d n a t ur a l e nd

Esse n ce as plainly eve r y particular

as by s e e in g A rt, wh ic h

sheweth the

termin a t iv e

a n d p e rf e c t of in t e lle c t u a l

Tr ea su r es, seve r a l

becaUS e S cience

a n d E s s e n c e a re Q n e , a n d wh e re t h e

W orks and S uccess iv e a re a p p a re n t , t h e t ime n e e d n o t b e (fike the men of B e ih u l-ia ) f o r o n ly a t E 1 is h a h is p ra y e r ' l i m i te d wh ic h a l l t h in g s , h is Se rvants E yes were op e n e d t o s e e in v is ib le w hich r ise the l i ke ha th Lo ve of as the in Glory shall see. It to wa s h e ld in t e rn a l be the of o ld n o t h in g d es e r v e s they an honest man s a v e t h e affec t io n Beauty, t h e re f o re

h e l- d Love or natural p ower in

f irs t

c a u s e o f lllo t i-o n , in f l u e n c e

Heat and Motion al-l things all recess for things they

o f y e S u n a n d o f t h e wh o le He a v e n s u n d e r He a v e n a n d b y t h e ir g ro w, liv e a n d a re b e in g a n d f a llf o rc e a rrd d ro o p , lit t le Thai conserved

c re a t e d

a n d Ra diation, a n d by their the y fect th e d o not th ings,

in c re a s e , an y A rt ,

mo u rn , wit h e r t h e ir

necessitate

Vet mo s t o n im p e r a l-t e r a t i o n b ef o r e is to be v irt u e

a B ody of e q u a l

t e mp e r re c e iv e s

fr om th e

Constellations,

b e c a u s e t h e E a rt h is not d is ia n t

re c e iv e d

H eavens were adorned wit h in Reascn w h ic h and in b e in g in beirg,

S u n , Mo o n a n d S t a rs . a n d t rs e . c o n f u s io n , ih e under Riv e r the

disti ng u ished th in g s

in p la c e , and a better Nilu s

ano different

For change of quality r en o va ti on, by r ea son to of the long

b ro u g h t a f f irm dec o c t io n the L7th.

the Historians

change , v a p o u re t h nc t , is the Wa t e r b e g in s even then although

Sun, yet

m o st wholesome and medicin a b le e n cr ease i-n weight wh e n th e river

a n d t h e n e ig h b o u r J u n e (a n d n o t

e a s ily

b e f o re )

begins to ris e . wh ic h s y mp a t h y c f t h e d is t a n t 'the Water and E arth by powe r o f He a v e n is n o t a g a in s -u Na t u re , b e yo n d ordi-nary reach.

us obser ve the concor d of l I e t a l ] i ca l B o d i e s, w h i ch like the fir st M ale and Fem ale have not several beginnings but are all from a Sulphureous Vapour, which by h e l p o f i n fl u e n ce , i n stru ment, digestion and a Masculine and F em i n i n e V i rtu e , co n n e cti o n pr oper and appr opr iate qualities, they o b t a i n th e i r p e rfe cti o n by the power of God his Or dinance. Yet cast,
rq qo A r r o y . .1 r vvvtJ T lo y.fhuI! lal rri
JJS-LLTD

T h e r efo re fo r

a leading

let

o ' l r la

n n* J.IUU

IIJIU

1 i l '^

T'/Inl -n'l
IvIgUd.Ir

DU

a^

o\roFrr evelJ

T1/l otel lvtvuGf

rri

JJ-9ILl-sUIt

al

doth

nnt IIIJU

l i k e C en tra l V i rtu e . T h er efor e accor di- ng to that Cr eating C om m and, everything should increase in his proper kind (not divers ) and tirne m a k e s th e n u mb e r i n fi n i te . The Ancients, r eading the gr eat Book o f N a t u re , fi -n d n o a b ri -d gem ent to assimulate the Myster y of N atur e, s a v e Ma n a n d th e S to n e , both which ar e caIled Living Stones, w hos e p ur ity and difficult o r i g i n a l mo rti fi ca ti o n exaltation ar e o f i nfinite vi rtu e . Sun, T h e y o b ser ve al- so a Cetestial and Ter r estr ial w h i c h t h e y p a ra l l e l w i th m an, because they ar e only capable of tr ue t e m p e r , w h i ch i s ce rta i n l y possible, although seldom enjoyed ; but t o g a i n th i s p re ci o u s T reasur e of lir ' e and W ealth, we must m ak e p ro vi si o n , l i ke men that deal with gr eat per sons, for sufficient G o l d i s l ,o rd o f S to n e s a nd noblest of M eta1s, and by his pr oper R e g i m e n t d o th mu l ti p l y h im self infinitely, ther efor e Geber in hi s Bo o k o f D e n u d a ti o n sa i th , ' ,In Gol- d ar e ten par ts heat, ten par ts
l"rrmid i* rr r r qr r r 4u4
vJ t

*uan vrr
t

nef t S uu vq!

Sieeit V D49v+

uJ

vylr t!vl '^ ht i a l a

lu -4r i ^4'i }/4 9

u t

n a r f a !vv a *i n n v4 vl l
}.r e t

nakeS
I

a l1

ab-

c n' lr r f a

T T n i * rr

BOdy, t
lvuJ

SOUl
vv4!

an.l
4lu

Qni ni *+ vyr!

hai pg vv4.

E tefnal l y

U ni ted,

beCaUSe

U nity of ten the is

is

a generical

qualit y

o f a ll it . it

that

is

01",

a n d is of

an effect g o v er n m e n t s , no comand A Hea r t , the SuImost are

Form which is like

doth unto

pr o d u c e Gol-d , f o r

F o r o f a ll t h e n a t u ra l is

k in d s

the most perfect,

and for

s u b s is t a n c e S t a r. of the of It the

po siti - on Ter r e str ial the

o f mo s t p e rf e c t A Ce le s t ia l T h e Ce n t e r

t e mp e r

eq u a l mixtion." Secret V irtue

The Mira c le Foun t a in of all the great

o f Na t u re . o f L if e .

S un, the

Ce le s t ia l S e e d , f i-rs t S e c re t

a n d T e rre s t ria l of t h e A lmig h t y . In it

B o d i-e s , t h e hath

M a scu line Fo r m Entity

and Uni-versal

a n d mo s t p o we rf u l

p h u r e o u s nature,

so most virtue

a n d o p e ra t io n .

E le me n t s

L+.

Froman*iqorl
v4svs

it

is

called

Su1phur,

and Sul'chur

Firer

g3,

it

is

be al-l- Fire, or l ik e t o t h a t in wh ic h it is d is s o lv e d , r.iohi is the Cente r o f He a v e n , a n d S o u l o f t h e Wo rld , S o '< R r i cr htness'r s the Center a n d Ce le s t ia l V irt u e , t h e f o rm o f Go l d , w ho se admired mixtion an ythin g en ter s th in g , be for e artificial, with it potentially whether virtue an d d o remain not h in g exce p t in it me re ly n a t u ra l it a g re e wit h c a n d i-s s o lv e r ro r in iv ia t t e r a n d F o r m , T h is v irt u a l inf l u e n c e , visible is Hu mid it y and no other

sa id and

to

t h e re c o n g e a la t io n . t h e Ra d ic a l the is best heat,

and dw e ll-s in for teIl

from Heave n o r E a rt h , be matched, B ut whithe r rained t h e re s h a ll

V e t it is n o t c o n c o rd wh e re it L iq u o r is lik e

m o st abundant. of Na ture. str o n g co-action,

we mo u n t t o ma t c h t h is us of a n E t e rn a l

mira c l e of most descent,

The Historians

d o wn f ro m He a v e n , h e re

she is called Hypericon o r d a u g h t e r o f t h e S u n , a b o d y o f lik e r r r a io h * arrl rripf,qg with Go t d , f a t r, q u ic k , o n ly c o c t e d a n d c le a r, br cu g h t her the to from the E m:ire i-nto her these then that lord,
.i^

o f Hu mid it y ,

to

s u it

the

p e rs o n , the

wh ic h

in of how

cr u de nature lle tais d isp onsate

shows stro n g own c o lo u r. two,

a f f e c t io n

a n d t u rn s

n o b le s t s t u c iie s her

T h e re f o re f irs t

t h e A rt is t

a n d f irs t both

denudate the a c t iv it y ,

Lady of to

Frosty he r

Ga r m e n ts, fette r e d
D rr= ;+

she may hav e t h e are t h e y

a n d liq u if y

in t h e p o we r o f A rt

better.

^r ^- : .DL r ur u rb uu,.yected this he a v e n -b o rn He rma p h ro d it e , He rmo d a c t y l u s , an l {r r r l tama] r!J ur vrrrvr is of a natur e s o o b s t in a t e a n d in c o rre c t , t she will by n o means recei-ve the b e s t imp re s s io n . c o n s id . e r, h e r n a me s qicr n ifr r m'iv+ m4f,f,sr of co n t ra ry q u a lit y , t h e re f o re ma y b e s e pa r a t e d . ,

an d a lthough

her Original

o b s c u re h e r

c o n d it io n , a n A iry in t e rn a l S p irit s to

b e c a u s e it o r A ir

is it se r f cor-

un kn o wn, V et her virtues a n o q u a lit ie s a ffe cti ons and subsistence, f o r it is with co ld . po r a te a l/lercurial Others in the S pirit, is the s u b s is t in g E a rt h ,
is

a re k n o wn b y t h e Body, heat

in n a t e

of

a n 4 e x t er n a l Wo rld the q u a lit i e s and being

sav

say it W omb of of all

c o mp o s e d o f t h e and apt
of

of the

re c e iv e
wond.er.

an d p r o perties

natu ra l
the weight

t h in g s ,

a s lV a x imp re s s io n ,
greater

r'n mn n co d nf c' r-rJrilyuD Uu uropirits

others

a/ L).

it
th e

i s a C ru d e S p e rm n o t sufficiently
t

decocted ( yet not to be pr oit s e lf , By her and they a p u re Infant.

ph a n e d ). Father

0thers
^r.

call

it to

a n I mma t u re G o I d wh ic h k ills b rin g f o rt h t h e p e rf e c t io n the to in O rig in a l the S n o w.

and Mother, Fire,

ove r co me the h e r M etallicalthe r e o f, ea sily

she is

o f t h e Un iv e rs a l s h e h o ld s of Ma t t e r

Me d i c i n e . wi t h is su c h and proper included as magnify

Vr l ha t c onformity,

what sim ilit u d e , Nature, be in g

wh a t id e n t it y equal

a n d S u b s t a nc e GoId, A n c ie n t s the

and may be coagu la t e d seen as the W hiten e s s who crea t e d th in g Matter, qualities, separable

t e mp e r

T h e re f o re

the m ost B lessed, pr o p e r ties it is a V iscous the

s u c h a S u b s t a n c e a n d g a v e it in Na t u re doth possess. s u p e rf lu o u s h u mid it y ,

as no other

Y e t we s e e a c c id e n t s . or through we r e , debilitate, to co 1 d , dr y , Substance the h is it Eleown doth t ha t lin e a r y ou . and Searchers public unveiled espouse

wh i-c h h a t h s e p a ra b le

a n d ap proximate fhe r e fore in a Welt lo n g fo r

a n d in s e p a ra b le t o wh ic h it

ma y b e re mo v e d , t h e Wa t e ris h n e s s

e n d s h e is a . s it doth

of Tears that

ma y b e v a p o u re d r doth, d u ra n c e p ro p e rt y , is to is

d ecoction w hatsoever by his

by drlrness v a n q u is h e d , and bec o me mo re a p t contrary of in t o to like is n o u ris h e d , s c a ld in g is

then for

con g e a l a n d l i ke the h a th

and Fire,

and extension,

t h e n a t u ra l heat heat

but heat

c o n t ra ry

a n d th e natural fr esh a n d time m e n ts. na tur e , heat turns

property strength heat,

we a k e n t h e G lu t io n o u s

W ater adds powe r a n d h e a t , from wh ic h is

a u g me n t e d b e c o me s F i r e , T h is a ll a n d De a t h o f t h in g s to heat, that in t e rn a l

Co rru p t io n . t h e L if e b rin g e t h upon the if

i nternal so the

Therefore obtain

as commo n F ire wo rk in g victory . sha1l hid d e n

external,

ne ce ssarily

T h e re f o re to in a ll

y o u c a n b e lie v e open to

and drlmess

ov e rc o me c o ld

a n d mo i-s t u re , t h e Wo rld is min d s , to

an d successive Th e r e fore i nto go o d , her in r e so lve to Natures

course,

as Nature raise to beauty the

delig h t s City

c o n c o rd r re f u s in g hath

s o t h e lo v e rs a s s is t the

W orks must b e o f the Ma rria g e to

constant f o r' t h is

a n d G e d io n -lik e never

Me ro s ,

and then a bed of

P rin c e s s s k ill the

h e r Vi rgin

except

h im t h a t

a n d p o we r t o d is p o ilia t i-o n

Love whic h n o n e c a n d o b e f o re

l _o.

o f t h e e xte ri o r

fo rm, b ut the

o n w o r k, th e E te rn a l n o w w arm a n d b l i th e , h e r l o r d g ra te d to d u st, hi- s unnatur al softness deceives the s ens e, a n d t h e y p a ssi o n a te l y condol- e each other s exile, and in their e m b r a ce s fa l l i n to a sw ound, until their dissolved Bodies sh ow C o r r u pti o n , a n d th e mo re pur e being cor r upted ar e mor e wild. fi n d i n g them out of their Indian Par adise, col - Lec ts T h e n t h e A rti st t h e i r C e n tra l V i rtu e , a nd r aising them fr om Death, leads the m to t h e t h orn y p a th to th re efold happiness, and by fier y tr ial- , pur i fand so br ingeth them i e t h t h e q u a n ti ty, a n d changeth the quality,
fn
ev

obstacles r emoved, and Natur e s et for bei ng d e cr ee doth necessitate the effect, a n d apt for new gener ation, and pounded w i th

nonfon*

post,

whereby

they

have

power

over

the

BodieS

of

Men

a n d M e ta l s, a n d a re cro vmed in token of their dignity and bo undl es s t e r r i t o ry. N o w co n ce rn ing the r ar ity of tr ue Knowledge, the honour a n d d i g n i ty o f th e th i n g desir ed, what Spir it is so ignoble to t h i n k mu ch e i th e r o f co st or time, when that which is sough t i s of a l l T erre stri a l T re a su res most excellent.

Tha t l i ke

the Regeneration Degrees of

of Ma n a n d t h e P u rif ic a t io n a n d 0 p e ra t io n to t h e ir

o f Me t a 1 , Hig h e s t

have Perfection.

P reparatio n

The first Beginnings of Transmutation or Naturation are the s m a l l e st me a su re o f p u re Sulphur , which hath Riches and Honour in the left hand, and length of Days in her right. r n n atu ra l Ge n e ra ti o n the For m pr epar es the M atter , yet th er e a r e p r e ce d e n t p re p a ra ti o ns. The Beginnings of Tr ansmutation m us t b e d i s ti n g r.ri sh e d . so me ar e beginnings of pr epar ation, and s om e are beginnings of Composition. Beginnings of Preparation in the W e l l o f T e a rs d o th q u a l i fy the cofdness and dullness of the c r ud.e d i s p o s i ti o n , a n d ta me a n d subdue the fear ful quality of swift fl y i ng, and changeth the colour of this Eternal T-.,iquor, turni-ng the inside outward, and adding heat by the Internal Sulphur of the Homogeneal

L7.

Bod y, which ca n on ly tho u g h yet it b e in g th a t fi xed it is

is

by means o f yet

c h a n g e d Wa t e r, is it excfuded to wh ic h

b e c a u s e Wa t e r b y W a t e r in hath the the c o n c lu s io n : f irs t for a l-t e ra t io n f o llo wi n g , o p e rat i o n , a rrd c h a n g e s wit h e x c it e d the and to

be extracted, but that of after

be a necessary servile unhurt the

p re p a ra t io n p a s s iv e

the

preserved foll-ow

in we ig h t scald in g he a t , the

a n d p u rit y . in wa rd wh ic h o p e ra t io n s b y mix in g o f h is is o n ly to

Beg in nings S ulphur,

Composition doth dissolv e

a re t h o s e De lu g e , the the

s t u b b o rn n e s s I n t e rn a l but to the

n a t u re ,

by he lp n e ss,
a:rlo

of the

E xternal than
dS

S u lp h u r Body of

o p e r a ti on,
qh o' 1 "l

and purifyeth
o f t ef waf

Substance,

a P a le W h i t e -

more hurtful S ulphur

p ro f it a b le
.

Ma n , wh a t t h e s e a n d L ivi n g and is an d Cha s t e ,

appe a f

Aga in , pe r fected tin g e th na tur a l White, ju stl y b e in g

must be d is t in g u is h e d , W hit e S u lp h u r is

Wh it e of lik e

S u lp h u r

or Re viving to

S ulphur. by restrainirg, W hite

o p e ra t io n , a l-l d is e a s e s ,

a n d h e a l-e t h a lmo s t the Re s u rre c t io n , wit h in

ad infinit u m. not

B y k n o wle d g e h e re o f , y e Ce n t e r T h is wh ic h is the p ro p e r it B o d ily in

e v e n me e r of c o mpl e t e caused Men as Secrets, whom do not the same being

Men have believed rests to

b e c a me S o b e r, hath is to for

Te m p e r ate and P atient, condemn all with Looking glory apted but

d o u b t in g

the Red S ton e o f mo s t d e lig h t . Ceme n t a t io n s , the g lo rio u s Re v iv in g O b je c t , S u lp h u r

Ca lc in a t io n s

a n d Cit rin a t i- o n s , a s c le a r of such, they wit h S e c re t

enlightened

a C r ystal an d the th e on ly

Glass.

of the

whole Wo r1 d , a n d o n ly

C r eator m ortify,

by way o f n a t u ra l purify to resist with th e S un. S ulphu r, from th a t

d is p o s it io n ,

a P u re B o d y , q u ic k e n in g t o ma k e a S p irit u a l, S p irit , but the f irs t , S p irit o n ly the the S p irit E t e rn a lly f ix e d for the

Esse n ti al w ho lly Bo d y, stoo d , n e ve r phur, ar l n a tur e

Form, and are s a id is

b e c a u s e t h er e n a t u re a t ra n s p a r e n t a ma n h a v e Sulthe p o we r o v e r is of

i - s n o corcuption subject, shining of the

as the second,

T h e re f , o re of the if p re c io u s

Co n c lu s io n o f t h is wh ic h that

mu s t b e un d e r Re v iv in g hath

and n o t

though

so much white he is as far B odies

he gave not for

Inferiour of the

as an y o t h e r, s h in e lik e

wh ic h G lo ry .

S un, shall

S u n in

IO.

A s v J r'r w v u ro d

of

+ho

D l ri l n a nun l ropg vPrtvi

adV i S 4 u vu eS
4uv

U 4 u ,S .

i n ItL

seeki ns u vvf\4 r r 6

the

TfeaSUf : S

o f H e a l -th a n d R i ch e s, w show our affections to vir tue and pr udenc e, l i k e So l o ma n , a ski n g Wi sdom , Riches was given as advantage. Celestial Vir tue, which is in the C entr e be m anifest the sover eign spir it of H e a l t h a n d R i ch e s, fo r the Vegetable Sulphur is the fir st Mov er i n N a t u re , a n d o n l y th e M er cur ial Natur e hath the power of Metal l i c al life and Death. Crude Mercury is originally a Vapour from clear W a t e r a n d A i r, o f mo st s tr ong Composition cocted. Or Air its el f w i t h a Me rcu ri a l S p i ri t, by natur e flying, Ether eal, Homogeneal , h a r r i n c r th o cn i p i f,s o f h eat and cold, and by Exter ior and Inter i - or h e a t , do th co n g e a l a n d fix. Also Gold is a fixed Fir e or natur al Sulphur or mature Mercury, and may be made more volatile than Mercury' but only by divers Mercuries made of Mercury is Nature s e t o n w o rk a n d th e F i xe d Body loosed, the Vegetable Sulphur c r eated a n d t h e u n i ve rsa l sp i ri t fixed. How the Author ity of Ancien t writers, D i vi n e a n d N a tu ral- Reason doth assur e us, that this, and n o - o t h er i s th e tru e co u r se to manifest and cor por ate those Li ghts w h e r e i n th e C re a to r h a th heaped up Vir tue and power . B u t i t i s o b j e cte d , T h e Philosopher s do not agr ee amongst them selves. Answer. rnstruments of divers strings make sweet harmony if t h e y b e w e l l tu n e d , b u t their r eader s do r ather seek to over - r ul e t h e m , th a n b y p a i n fu l i n dustr y to find their Consent. O b j e c t i on . T h e y a ffi rm c ontr ar ies. Answer. T h e A rti sts intention is to agr ee contr ar ies. o b j e c t i on . T h e y e xcl u d e GoLd and Mer cur y fr om the cr eation of th e S to n e . Answe r . B e ca u se th e i r Cr ude Matter is fr om the destr uction o f th e e xte ri or for m .
O bje cti on. An swe r . O bje cti on. They say the V irt u e Rightt In res p e c t of A 11 their sec re t s to Rich and po o r. o f . E le me n t s is t h e ir b e g in n in g f ro m o n e v ile s p rin g t h e ir Ma t e ria ls . t h in g , common u p o n p u re Bo d i e s .

L e t u s se a rch th e n fo r o f a l l th i n e 's, so w i l -l i t

Ig.

and Scienc e F re ci o u s th i n g s cor r upted ar e most vile, i s co n mo n to R ich and Poor , and have m uch use of C al x o r D u st. N o Me ta l - i s requir ed to the making of the Stone. O b j e c t i on . A s n o p a rt o f M an to the making of Man. Answer. O b j e c t i on . On e th i n g , One G1ass, One fur nace is sufficient. T ru e , w h e re two things of one kind be apted and c onAnswer. j oined. Answer. Objection. Answer.
Ob je cti on.

Ou t o f On e R oot pr oceeds W hite and Red.

Even as Male and Female from The S tone is V e g e t a b le , one Womb. a n d Min e ra l. A n ima l

Right! An s w e r . Joint a n d s e v e ra l, it is s a id t o b e v e g e t a b l e b e c a u s e i n th e Ma tu ra ti o n , it is multiplyed in Vir tue and qual i ty . I t i s sa i d to b e A n i ma l because it incr easeth his own kind. And i t i s sa i d to b e Mi -n e ra l because his Or iginal is fr om the M etal , o r t h e i r Mi n e ra l . H e re we may r emember the Bishop of Utr echt, w h o l o st h i s L i fe fo r d i scover ing his Secr et. W hy should we pr ev ent t h e h i g h e st d i stri b u ti o n , who hath not m ade knowledge her edit or y , b u t w r a p p e d th i n g s i n se cr et, that we m ight differ ence things i n b e i n g , a n d i n b e i n g a n d use. Natur e is ever jealous of her s upr em a c y , a rtd a b h o re th to se e the sensible befor e the Intellectual t r e a s u r e s p re fe rre d . T h is shews the beginning a:r d the end of Ar t. l u x s a t a e st j u sto e u m re ctis animo lactitia. Mar k what ye sow , for such is your Harvest. Light is sown on pure Earthl Some grain b e g i n s to p u t fo rth E a r at thr ee joints, some at four , but the Ear never buds until the joints be grown. fuld what virtue this I c r o t t i n g o r fi xi n g g i ve s, consid.er , for by med.itation you may s ee, b y s e e i n g yo u ma y kn o w , by lm owing ye delight, by delighting y e a d h e r e , b y a d h e ri n g ye p ossess, bv possessi.ng ye enjoy the Truth, t h a t i s th e u n co rru p te d . Natur e made visible, ther efor e take h eed h o w y o u va l u e . r t i s h e l d , a l o n g stri fe is a gr eater hur t, for the cr _earer s i g h t o u g h t to d .i re ct , b ut we must Leave the wor Ld to opinion,

1U .

y e t b e ca u se T ru th fe a rs nothing but to be hid, and desir es nothi ng Our love to al l s a v e n o t to b e co n d e mn e dbefor e she be under stood. T r u t h , sh e w s a n a w fu l - a sser tion to the sover eign Tr uth, which i s n o t s u bj e ct to o cu l a r d e monstr ation, because Tr uth and Religi on ar t d an a r e U n ive rsa l , a n d th e S ense only capable of par ticular s, Ar t d o ne w i th o u t kn o w l e d ge of the Cause, is but a fallacy. I t i s o b se rve d th e P ro testant by the pur ity of his Doctr ine i n f e r s th e ve ri ty o f th e Chur ch; but the popist woul- d pr ove the
^ rrnifrr nf hi c Tlnninino lt r vJ fvr le o rv r r i c i L i v4 r 4 1 i +rurJ gf fuig ChUf Ch, and SO

pr e fer s like ver ity un to is

personal of his A rt

confidenc e is found

b e f o re

ra t io n a l of

d e mo n s t ra t io n . the s h o win g t h e S u b je c t , S c ie n c e and

The the Effect ev e n En d would

difference

a mo n g s t t h e

Ch e mis t s , I n v e n t io n ,

o n e p ro v e s

from the n a t u re k in d is A rt of

fr om the the

Cause, bV the nat u re third and fourth because it of his only one, as an hon e s t

a n d p ro p e rt y o f q u a lit ie s , Ma n s Wo rd is in f in it e s h o rt

of the for

Esse n ce are con cealed, pr o ve ati on s, Elixirs se ve r a lth e fecti on bu t

a deed, Vet the v j-rt u e . The other Ce me n t a t io n s , are

the verity which are

b y B la n c h e rs , a re

ano Citrin-

seem, b u t

o f p e rf e c t io n .

exampled by Urim and Thummim, which te rms , the Na me , f o r in of the they s ig n if y

The true joint and the t h in g , and Perand

and convertible predicating

t h e n a me s s ig n if y in g L ig h t s .

Th ing

L ig h t

and were Corporate enquire unto

a n d p e rf e c t

The Rabbins affirm did not sufficie nt Br e a st- plate. Kin g to spe ak of

S e c o n d T e mp le t h e y ma d e Urim a n d T h u m m i m , b e c a u s e Na t u re His them in the a n d A rt fol-d i- s n o t of is , the not wit h o u t put o wn s a c re d double O rd in a n c e . th e

God b y t h e m,

Gods serv ic e , Therefore they

Moses had a Command, and did o r General might God without Things Light, the Great enqu ire ,

we re S u b s t a n c e s ,

and none but p re c e p t S o n o f Uri,

a s t h e P h ilo s o p h ic A n d B e z a lie l the

lcro wle d g e .

T h e y a re n u mb e re d a mo n g s t t h e which is d . e v is e wo rk s u p o n S O l, for t h e ir E lix irs wh ich

Ar tifi ci al si gn ifi es calle d

(Gen. 3 2 4 7 . S ecret

was comm a n d e d t o remote

o f t h e A lmig h t y . B e g in n in g s a re t h e

The P hilosophers

27.

qrmo
t

tho
urlv

^ho

is

called

Donum Dei,

So is

the

other;

And the

Magnalia

Dei. T h e i r e xtra cti o n s of the Centr al Vir tue; Their Oper ati ons a n d P r.n crr e csi o n s a re a l i ke, ther efofe necessar ily the effect m us t V i rtue, and next to the Rational Soul- , the b e o f l i ke i n fi n i te r i c h e s t T re a su re . H o w pitiful a pr esumption is it to m ount the
r vb5

C h a r i ot o r cl i mb H e rme s Tr ee without a Gol- den Ladder , few a r e u n d e r s ta n d i n g l y a b l e to di- scer n a tr ue good, but it is Textual a d v i s e , to b u y ye T ru th ( Pr ov.3r L4) although the Justice of the
nniaa !vv }/r
iq

dnih urr
sv
f4r ,

nnf, rrv

always
and aS

pitch
in tfU e

upon

a point.
V i ftU eS

Each

thing

in

this

Art

r ^r nn rl o rfrr]

Maffi age

a1' e

matC hed,

SO in

the M arriage ti nu a n ce, b e g in n ing, w hich

Tf r r f;6 ^ !!lrg ..^,,

of

the E lem e n t s from t h e fixed .

t h e V is ib le end of e v e ry

t h in g s

a re

of of

s ma ll the

con-

although

in t e n t io n

s p rin g s

the El e m e n t s

and pure begin n i-n g s

a re f ro m t h e V irt u e a re d is p o n s a t e c e le s t ia l f ix e d ,

are E ternally

^1^d^ how Hea v e n a n d E a rt h JUu wupsfve n^ r-r^;-rrv ur!!r16 hid from the h e a t o f t h e

y o u s ha l - l and the form and infused a re o f If s h o rt , Knowbecause and course t ha t in

sun, S o in n a t e

of th e Vir tue an d of l on g e st l ed g e of in io n the the

Terrestrialinfinite have begot excellency only is parallalism

S o1 is

Ce le s t ia l-

V irt u e . o f g re a t e s t t h in k

drawn from the V irtue, expectation, of of

Cen t re

a re E t e rn a lly

mo s t d u ra b l e ,

b u t t h in g s y o u s h a ll for p ro mis e d .

i-n c re a s e t ime

and t h e mo s t p u re mo s t s u f f e rin g . the f o llo ws it, the c o n s o la t io n

affaction V ictory

p a t ie n c e ,

the r e u nto

Wh e n y o u s e e a lin e a r o f Ma n , a n d t h e d . a u n t , wh e n A rt doth

Re g e n e ra t io n o f t ime

P u rif i - c a t -

of Metal-, why doth

tra c t

sho r t time which Nature d o t h in o n e t h o u s a n d y e a rs . Th o mqkino of Urim and T h u mmim a n d t h e p e rf e c t in g o f t h e El i x i r s i< st/ n n i'lrr v4J vvrrr}/( c re a t io n o f Ma n k in d . . A d . a mf r o m ^ ^ -^ared to the f o u rf o ld

t h e E a rth , E va h fro m A d am , Abel fr om both, and Jesus chr ist fr om a Virgin. S o Ma n ca l l e d a Living Stoner pr oduceth that Eter nal Stony a n d F i r e co n q u e ri n g sp i rit, cal- led the Elixir , fr om their proper F ' o n *ht vrr+J n n ]rr +h e i r A d a m, fr om him their Evah, fr om both their Vi r gi n, ul

22.

from her only the sovereign and universal spirit, which doth vivify artd preserve all loving creatures, and. rai_seth the Artist from t h e d u st, to si t a mo n g st pr inces. life without sin is wisd.om-manifest in the Flesh. shadow is the universal spirit corporate.

A Body without

F I Nf S

23.

LA LUilIIEREDU GHAOS

Translated lron the Frenclt by J.W. HAMILTONFJO}IES

London: 1953

FROMCHAOS LIGHTEXTRACTED
PREF AG E
Philosophy took birth with the begiruring of the Wor1d. At all t i m e s m e n h a ve th o u g h t, reflected and m editated to find ways to live as a communi-ty, but self-preservation is not without interest and we may well think men forgot about this being so much occupied b y t h e i r su rro u n d i n g s; su bject to so many vicissitudes, the b utt o f s o m u ch th a t i s b a d , men seek to enjoy those things which s ur r ound them. Without doubt they have sought means to prevent illness a n d a l s o th e re me d i e s w h i c h will r estor e them to good health and p r e s e r v e i t fo r a s l o n g as possibl- e.to which end they lend a w i l l i ng h a n d i n o rd e r to e sca p e disease. Neither have men failed to r eas on

1.

u p o n t h e B e i n g s o f th e U niver se and to m editate deeply to disc ov er that fruit o f l i fe a n d that sour ce of r iches capable of br ingi ng m a n n e a r to i mmo rta l i ty; that they ar e not m istaken in this is
crrnnnn*ar{ '}rrr ffug faCt
vrtv aqv u

that
url4

lll

in

o1]r davs
vu ! q4J

thefe
v

eXiStS

a man named

i { . d e St" Ge rma i -n , o n e o f the most fam ous adepts of the centur y , w h o w i t h th i s p re ci o u s treasur e which he possesses has attained t h e a g e o f mo re th a n fo u r centur ies, and is still alive, fr ee fr om a l - l - t h o se i n fi rmi ti e s u sually br ought on by o1d age, and enjoy i ng a f o r t u ne to h i s ta ste . Secondfy, it was announced in the Jour nal En c y c l o pe d i q u e d e B o u i l l o n on l- st. Febr uar y 1783, ot1 the subj ec t of the transmutation of metals that in England by means of the powder o f p r o j ecti o n th i s w o rk had been dem onstr ated. Neither calr w e d o u b t t h e fa ct, i t h a vi n g been effecied in the pr esence of magi s t r a t e s a n d o th e r re sp o n si ble witnesses above suspicion, who affi r m t h e t r u th o f th i s e xp e ri ment. P r a c t i ca l - d e mo n stra ti o n of a tr easur e of this natur e is not nov el , b u t i t i s n e ve rth e l e ss u sually confined within a ver y sm al- l ci r c l e o f p e o p l e , w h o th i n k th a t beeause God has not given this lcr ow l edge f r e e l y to a l l me n , H e d o es not wish it to be divulged, and ther ef o r e t h o se w h o p o sse ss th e secr et m ake it lanownbut to ver y few s e l e c t e d fri e n d s. H e rme s Tr ismegistus, or the "Thr ice Gr eates t,', the first a mo n g st a l l th e Philosopher s known to be distinguished, w o u l d n o t co mmu n i ca te th i s wor k except to the eIite, after hav i ng
nF^atad *h a m la uv n ^ a a a ca yvuuerp ? r a fh ulI vv
PI

nprrfl A nnA qssllUs

and alu

zl onna#i gIJVI s

U4VIt ^-

< and

thOS e

p a sse d it i- o n s. Ho w is secr e ts, If tha t thin g kin d get it it it

on to

others to

wh o we re wo rt h y ,

and of

s imilia r

q u a lifi c a t admirable eye? risk a

possible the

co mmu n ic a t e f ro m a g e t o conceal t ra d it io n use, t ru s t , an o ra l t h e re

age these

and at

same t i-me t o for f u t u re

t h e m f ro m t h e too

p u b lic f e e b le of t h is they fathom

were done through would be lost in which fr om their to place

wo u 1 d b e t h e

me mo ry b e in g the

co mp le t e

a n d t ra d it io n s f u rt h e r it b e c o me s t o

b e come obscured source

by the p a s s a g e o f t ime ; the mo re imp o s s ib le

2.

t h e d a rk ch a o s i n w h i ch they ar e wr apped. Ther e is no other w ay b u t t o h a ve re co u rse to hier oglyphs, s1r mbols, allegor ies, fabl es a n d s i mi l a r me th o d s w h i ch ar e susceptible of m any differ ent ex pl anati o n s , w h i ch se rve to i n spir e changes in inter pr etation, and thus t o i n s t r u ct so me p e o p l e whiLst other s r em ain in complete ignor anc e. T h i s i s th e me th o d ch o sen by Her mes and after him all- the Her m eti c n h i ' l n < nn h o n c h a ve d o n e the same, causing am usementto the peopl e b y f a b l es, a s sa ys Ori g e n, and these fables together with the n a m e s o f th e Go d s u se d i n the countr y ser ve to veil their phi l os o p h y . It i .s n o w ti me for this Veil to be r ent so that light m ay a p p e a r fro m ch a o s, a n d b e shown in al- I 1ts br illiance; Hippoc r ates m u s t b re a k h i s si l e n ce b ecause I r egar d it like a theft whic h m an c o m m i t s a g a i n st so ci e ty, to conceal the discover ies which he has b e e n a b l -e to ma ke w h i ch would pr omote happiness and a gener al pr es e r v a t i on fro m ma l a d i e s. I h o pe th a t th o se w h o apply them selves to this science will appr ec i a t e t h e tro u b l -e I h a ve taken to compile this sm all book in the m os t i n t e l l i g i b l -e ma n n e r p o ssi- ble, T h e w h o l e o p e ra ti o n o f the gr and philosophical wor k has been m a d e d iffi cu l t o f a cce ss and wr apped up in allegor ies. Maybe I s h a l - l no t me ri t th e a p p robation of those gr eat subtle and penetr ating minds whose knowledge embraces al-l things; who know all without ever having learnt anything; who discuss every subject and arrive a t a c on cl u si o n w i th o u t lcr owing the cause; ther efor e it is not to s u c h p e o p l e th a t o n e g i ves lessons because to them pr oper ly bel ongs t h e n a me o f S a g e , e ve n mor e so than to Democr itus, plato, py thagoras and other Greeks who went to Egypt to breathe the Hermetic a i r a n d d ra w o n th e sci e nce of which this book tr eats. Vfhen one n e e d s l ig h t o n a su b j e ct which is difficult to believe for the sol-e reason that it is rare and extraordinary it is prudent to r e m e m be r th i s ve rse fro m Lucr oce:- . "A l th o u g h re a so n i n g car ueot di- scover the cause, it is tr ue .,'

The first r i dicu L e d fo o l, b ut

man to this

conceiv e

the

id e a it

of

f ly in g

in

the f ro m g re a t s p irit

a ir,

wa s the

as soon as he m e n t io n e d did not being prev e n t discoura g e d , Now, in has f o u n d wh ic h it all is

a n d t re a t e d p e o p le they in h is

a s a s e n s e le s s s e e k in g it we re t o ld e n t e rp ris e , the mear.s of was which arriv-

ma n y o t h e r a lt h o u g h success

m e a n s a nd not an i m po ssibility. tha t pr o ve s 'iJ-D

our days,

we s e e wit h

s a t is f ac t i o n in man

M . de Montgolfier that everything ;L1 lJ- Ls ^ t and that

c o n c e i-v e d b y t h e

P \JDD r

depends on finding

i n g a t ou r o b j e ct a n d w o rking on tr ue pr inciples. I f t h e i n cre d u l o u s a n d pr ejudiced will take the tr ouble to fol l ow s t e p b y ste p th e ro u te w hich I shal- l m ar k out, they will see, to t h o i v . c.:" e n t 'sto n i sh me n t, the tr ue banishment of the spir it of u n b e l i e f a n d fe a r, w h i -ch may have been occasioned by their ex per ience with a number of puffers and charcoal burners who do not s u c c e e d i n th e i r e xp e ri ments because they wor k on false theori es and do not know the First Matter without which one can do nothing a n d s h o u l d n e ve r u n d e rta ke any enter pr ise because this knowle dge i s t h e fu n d a me n ta l a n d g ener al basis of the Philosophical wor k . F i n a 1 ly, I b e g th e re a der to be per suaded that I have no other i n t e r e s t i n vi e w th a n to dem onstr ate the Tr uth to those who as pi r e t o k n o w i t, a n d I d e si re , with all m y hear t, that those who u nhappi l y l o s e t h ei r, ti me i n w o rki n g with substances which ar e for eign and n r r t n f ' r'i n a w i l l _ re ce i ve enlightenm ent by r eading this book and c o m e t o l cro w th e tru e a n d unique subject of the philosopher s; and t h a t t h ose w h o a l re a d y know it but ar e ignor ant of the gr eat poi nt
44rrv t

o f t h e di sso l u ti o n a n d t h e sp i ri t
morrin'ina
t

o f th e stone, and the coagulation of the water o f th e b o dy which is the completion of the uni v er s al
able here to apprehend the secret operations which

'^rilf
YYrr.

fs

are

d e scribed

so accurately .

4,

LIGH T O UT O F G HAO S
or

THE HERMETIC SCIENCE

ol lh Eraal ltorkofPhilosophy by rlici curAncionl producsd Sa0ss
The SoLrceof Richesand of Good HeatUr

TI-KETTOMTURE

O u t o f e ve ry ma te ri a l - thing ther e is pr oduced a cinder , fr om t h e c i n d e r th e re i s ma d e a sa1t, fr om the salt ther e ar e separ ated water and the mercury, out of the mercury there is produced or p r e p a r e d a n E l i xi r o r a Quintessence. The body is r educed to c i n d e r so th a t i t ma y b e cleansed of its combustible par ts; to s a l t t o se p a ra te i t fro m its ear thliness i to water to pur ify ar r d putrify; to sp i ri t so th at it may becom e Quintessence. T h u s th e sa l ts a re th e keys both of ar t and of natur e; unles s they are lceown it is impossible to imitate nature in her operations; it is necessary to know their sympathy and their antipathy towards m e t a l s a s w e l l a s a mo n g st them selves; pr oper ly ther e is only one Sa l t o f N a tu re , b u t i t d i vides into thr ee sor ts to for m the pr i nal l c i p l e s o f b o d i e s; th e se thr ee ar e Ni- tr e, Tar tar and Vitr i.ol, o t h e r s a l ts b e i n g co mp o sedof them . S u b l - i ma ti o n , p re ci p i ta ti on and cocti- on ar e thr ee m ethods whi c h she tak es N a t u r e u se s i n th e p e rfe ction of her wor ks; by the fir st off the superfluous humidity which would suffocate the fire and prevent its action in the earth, which is i.ts Matrix.

By precipitation

she re t u rn s

t h e h u mid it y

to

the

e a rt h

of which

th e vegetable kingdom an d t h e h e a t h a v e d e p riv e d it . S u b lim a t i o n 'i < n a nfnnmad by the elev a t io n o f t h e V a p o u rs in t o t h e a ir w h e r e th o r r av.a nnnr{snggfl intO ClO Ud S . T h e S e CO n d me t h o d iS d o n e by th e rain r ain, would with rain and f in e in we a t h e r perpetual a lt e rn a t irg ; fine it a c o n t in u o us would h is dry we re p re c ipi t a t e d seed from her drown everything, Rain fatl s i,t is thus that weather wa t e r

u p e verything. i n volume all a full

r)-

d ro p s b e c a u s e if n o g a rd e n e r

would be d e s t ro y e d ; Na t u re

iet'",

wo rk s a n d d is t rib u t e s

blessings
nf |lna

w i th w e i g h t, m easur e and pr opor tion. C o c ti o n i s a d i g e sti o n of the cr ude hum our instilled
aan*trr
vsr vr! t

in th e bos om
humour into

a maturation

and

a conversion

of

this

a lim e n t io n s
nf *l ro

through
nfLar v ullv!

the medi -u m o f h e r togethe r its that o b je c t off it s of

s e c re t the the

f ire .

are

so linked
.

end of

T h e s e t h re e o p e r a t nv ' r i ' ' r , ' o n e is t h e h e . c ri of a h e a v y th i n g a gross take effect, impe d e

Su b limation
i h +^ ' l .i

has for to

c o n v e rs io n to

r r r u\/ d. ^ rrS- 1,.+ rr-r, ofle, and ex h a la t io n an d i mpure body, up th e virtues to he r r elieve N o s ooner the pr oductions. are these vap o u rs cast of and propert ie s earth

in v a p o u rs , faeces, s u p e rio r

attenuate and, in

t o ma k e t h e v a p o u rs t h in g s ,

a s u p e rf lu o u s

h u mo u r wh ic h wo u ld they a re

s u b lj-me d , t h a n

condensed

i nto r ain, artd, spiritual a n d in v is ib le though they be, they immedio to'l'r r hannmo a d.ense and a q u e o u s b o d . y a n d f a lI upon the earth to the im b ibe e a rth it with that c e le s t ia l t h e ir nectar s o jo u rn wo rk s t o a v iv if y in g in f e rio r in wandering wit h in wh ic h a ir. they have cook them. t ric k l e s they is superior b e co m e impregnated receives contains superior deposit The water fr o m the no w i n the ne ithe r during the As soon as wh ic h the

them, Na t u re a ferme n t , upon the their parts during in without

d ig e s t

and to

s p irit b y wh ic h the air,

were impregnated turn live seed of l-ife

and which f e rme n t t h is

th e b o s o m o f t h e e v e ry t h in g

e a rt h .

T h is

wh ic h me n , a n ima ls

a n d v e g e t a b le s b re a t h e s

would

nor multiply;

in Na t u re

thin g sp ir it

and man does not which he absorbs

fh o

live

b y b re a d Na t u re ,
hndi vvssvu e s t-

a lo n e

but

b y t h is b rin g
t

a e ria l the mat e r i a l

nO t

c e a s e le s s ly . know how to
{r r

O nly God and His minister

a' l am onf v u q
v 4v r uv r r t

n ri n ' ir e u n l e s 4 re r v +y }/ !

of vr

i ntnvv

nhedi enee: vvs+vr r vv

v

al ' t

dOeS

kn o w how to as a r esult th e se ele m e n ts; Su lp h u r is of a ir ; is th is of The fire an earth Salt, fo u nd H er e is Na ture essa r y to

attain S aIt

this

wit h o u t

the

t h re e

wh ic h

b e c o me t a n g ibl e Ch e mis t s name and

of the resolutio n Mercury earth is

o f mix e d b o d ie s . these of a ir

Sulphur,

and Me rc u ry ; S a lt jo in e d

a re t h e p rin c ip le s o f wa t e r a n d wa t e r

forme d b y a mix t u re is

a n d e a rt h ; Me rc u r y S u lp hu r of the

and air;

condensed together. wa t e r;

of Nature a fat dry fact, very in the is

a s a f o rma l e a rt h s u b t ile

p rin c ip le ;

co mposed of

visc o u s and v e ry of gr o s s of

a n d a limp id mix e d wit h wa t e r

h u mid it y

p o n t ic

a n d a ra w a i-r wh ic h p h y s ic s b y B e c h e r, it the is upon

enclosed

therein. s u b t e rra -n e a n o p e ra t io n s , t h e re f ire it the it is

explanation simple her if

subject. very in h e r t h e re f o re in is but necspirit, as a imitate we wo u ld b e s u c c e s s f u l a n d a ls o i -n c o mb u s t ib le mix e d b o d ie s ; a n d o n ly to f it e x t ra c t for wh ic h e n t e rpr i s e ;

sh e h a s but r a d ica l th a n

one princi-ple, pure all in

o n e f ix e d re ma in s

com p o sed of a very humidity i n any other it spirit

substan c e , and virtu e it

mo re p e rf e c t in g o l d t p h ilo s o p h e rs me rc u r y f ro m it s p ris o n , to is the by the which this ex t r a c t and the q u ic k s ilv e r g o ld is

h a s the property cor r u p t pr in cip le fixe d

and to render of volatility, in gold

g e n e ra t io n ; about t h is ; to

o f ma l-le a b ilit y can d o n o t h in g and t h is is a n d b ro u g h t

a n d o f min e ra lit y ; p u t re f a c t io n cooked, g o ld s u lp h u r; in the of it

h u mec t e d ,

r ein cr u dated, op e r a ti on d r ie d renders O ne is su lp h u r io n it, is and fixed

and volatilize d by the

of mercury, through the soul

d ig e s t e d , of the the

t h ic k e n e d ,

op e ra t i-o n

p h ilo s o p h ic a l other is is the

these of all but

me a n s , in t o me rc u ry b o d ie s

a me t a llic p rin c ip le

t in c t u re .

the philosophical tincture,

and the

of their

c o mmo n me rc u ry

d e p riv e d

7.

g o l d a n d si -L ve r vu l g a r h ave but sufficient for them selves. The m e r c u r y a p p ro p ri a te to th e wor k must, ther efor e, fir st be impr egn a t e d b y a n i n vi si b l e su l phur so that it will be m or e disposed t o r e c e i ve th e vi si b l e ti nctur e of the per fect bodies and after w a r d s b e a b l e to co mmu n icate it with pr ofit. M a n y ch e mi sts sw e a t b l o od and water to extr act a tinctur e f r om c o m m o ng o l d ; th e y i ma g i n e that by the for ce of the tor tur e th ey g i v e i t , th e y w i l l d i sco ver the secr et of its augm entation an d m u l t i p l i ca ti o n b u t: "The hungry plowman is cheated by vain hopes". b e c a u s e i t i s i mp o ssi b l e that the solar tinctur e can be entir el y s e p a r a t ed fro m i ts b o d y i ar t does not lcr ow how to destr oy in thi s m e t a l l i c k g e n u s th a t w h i ch Natur e has uni- ted so well; and if they c o u l d s u cce e d i n e xtra cti n g fr om gold a liquor both colour ed and p e r m a n e n t, b y th e fo rce o f fir e or by the cor r osion of str ong w a t e r s , th e re su l t w o u l d be r egar ded as a par t of the body and n o t a s i ts ti n ctu re b e ca use that which pr oper ly constitutes the tincture, ca n n o t b e se p a rated fr om the goId.

OF THE which is the

PRIMARY SUBSTANCE

onl'u s r: h s t a n c e t O b e u s e d t o

THE POWDER OF PROJECTION

The souree ha p p in ess wh ich at all

of health l-ife

and ri-c h e s , is it s u s t a in e d ,

t win

b a s e s u p o n wh ic h o b je c t s p ra c t ic e for it s effects. of of wh o t re a t

the t h is it , art have are

of this

a re t h e the it ,

has always

been a my s t e ry ; supe rn a t u ra l info rma t io n

and those about wh ic h

ti-mes spoken of of the all the both ^r

vf

a s a s c ie n c e , a n d in

o f wh ic h re s u lt s

h a s something m i r acu lous r n cni*o

uy r vv

in themselv e s

t h e ir

o n e ma y g iv e

c o n d u c i- v e

t o w a r d s th e kn o w re d g e o f the pr imar y substance, the Gr eat Ar c hi t e c t of th e U n i -ve rse , Cr eator of all- Natur e, W homthe philos opher s p r o p o s e to i mi ta te , a l o n e can illumine ar r d guide the human s oul i n t h e se a rch fo r th i s i nestimable tr easur e r &s well as in the o p e r a t i on o f th i s a rt. T h e r e fo re , i f yo u d e si r e to succeed, seek in His nalne and y ou w i l l f i nd a su b sta n ce w hich is the daughter of the sun and o f the m o o n , wh i ch co n ta i n s w i thin itself the four Elem ents as well as t h e t h r e e K i n g d o ms o f N atur e thr ough which ever y- Ehing exists. T h i s m a tte r h a s n o fi xe d or deter mined shape except that it i s g re h , me mb ra n o u s, gelatinous, without r oot or br anches ; flatr
-i* In f^^+ r acr ,

as i ts e a r th;

.i- r - ^ Ltrs shape and the ma n n e r in wh ic h it is p ro d u c e d a s w e l l essence, have made me n g iv e it t h e n a rn e s o f s p e rm o f t h e

Heavenly

blossom o r No s t o c ;

in

effect e a rt h in
llt U l tv

s h e re s e mb le s in p a rt ic le s
w l vq +u 4 vq

g r e e n sperm which is sprea d o v e r t h e m on r c nf rrna^ r;a.l size. S h e is f o u n d

q r r v Wu q 4 u +4 v a vl L v 4p TVU IIS

or fragn a rts

t h e u n c u lt iv a t e d near to the

of th e lo n g ,

earth narrow,

which stony

are sl ig h t ly

mo is t

a n d mo s s y a n d a b o u n d in mo u n t a in s ;

and s a n d y p a t h wa y s ,

r)

. in

f ac t .

s v t Lh v e

iS

tO

be

fOU n .l

ottonrnrrhora v v vr
J

S he
vr r v

mU S tv
rrruu

be vv

6c

oaf,hered vu u r r v!

b e f o r e su n ri se i n th e sp r ing after the 21st. of M ar ch until the 2 1 s t . o f A p ri l , a n d i n th e autum n after the 21st. of September u n t i l t he 2 1 st. o f Octo b er . That which one gather s in the spr i ngt i m e i s th e fe ma l e , a n d that of the autumn is the mal- e; it is d e s i - r o u s to g a th e r th e g reenest. Under stand that you will pu t i n t o w ork th e q u a n ti ty you have gather ed in each season. I mus t t e l l y o u th a t th e e sse n ce of this substance is held in the air w i t h t h e ce l e sti a l b o d y, having both masculine and feminine qual i ti - e s , o f fi rm a n d stro n g vir tue, fixed and per manent and that i t i s e a r r i e d b v th e a i r i n to the bosom of the ear th which ser ves i t a s a ma tri x, m o o n p r o d u ce i t th e n ce to cor por ify it; ther efor e the sun and the fro m th e i r fecundity; which cir cum stance has c aus ed t h e H e r me ti c P h i l o so p h e rs to give it the name of Son of the S un a n d o f th e Mo o n , th i s n a me belongs to it mor e pr oper ly than a l l t h e o t h e rs, a :n d i t h a s b een given to hide it and conceal it f r om
fh o o a ra a nf vJvu vr

is

ab le

I t is n e c e s s a ry , t h e re f o re , "he vulgar. to understand anyt h in g , t o k n o w t h is ma t t e r,

*

b e f o re

on e

t h e p u re in Na t u r e re a s o n things

an d th e ca n give a r e no t,

impure, that

the

clean it

and the

f o u l,

b e c a u s e n o t h in g and for t h is n a t u re

which

doe s n o t dif f e re n t wh ic h

possesS:

and carueot be,

f ro m t h e ir is n e a re s t the

o r f ro m t h e i r is mo s t the and will is

pr in cip le s. Take therefore, pe r fect, sim p le , b y the se permanent truly th e i tse lf N atur e fo u n tain kno t is and it because it the part will is ther e is a n d wh ic h the suffic e ; le a v e mix e d a n d t a k e

o n ly

wh e re o n e f in d s the p rin c ip le It is

q u in t e s s e n c e s o me p e o p le c a n n o t p e ris h , light here c o n t a in s is in

means you will which every bond of and always and the spirit stirued i-s the

ma k e t h e me d i-c in e wh ic h wh ic h a brilliant

ca l- I qu intessence illuminates the

triumphant. soul all the the

which

who has come to e le me n t s , a ll e n t ire t h in g s

lmow it;

wh ic h

which nou ris h e s throughou t

a n d t h e me a n s wh e r e b y

commenceme n t a n d t h e

t h is s p ro u t in g u n iv e rs e ; e n d n f a ' l I h e r o p e ra t io n s .

10.

ever y other thing as use l es s a n d t o ta ke o n l y th i s w ater which bur ns, whitens, dissolves and c o a g u l a te s, w h i ch p u ri fi e s and fecundates; do not appfy your s el f cooking, t o a n yth i n g e l se b u t to give your m atter the r equisite to r eject w i t h o u t b e co mi n g i mp a ti e nt y o u w i ll p e rfo rm n o th i n g . at the length of the tim e, other w i s e

I c ou n se l yo u th e re fo re

O b s erve th a t th e te rms they employ such as; to dissolve, to t i n g e , to w h i te n , to ca l c i- ne, to cool, to spr inkle, to d"y, to c o a g u l a te , to i mb i b e , to cook, to fix, to humect, to distil- l, all signify the same thing which is to cook the substance r.;ntili t b e pe rfe ct; ta ke n o te also that to dr aw out the soul- , the spirit o r th e b o d y, si g n ify nothing else but the afor ementioned c a l c i n ati o n s w h i ch a re the oper ati- ons of Venus with the fir e n e c e s sa ry fo r th e e xtra ction fr om the soul- of the spir it.

THE FIRST

OPERATION

I n o r d e r to p ro cu re th e m er cur y and the Elixir Philosophica l , y o u m u st re j e ct a l l o th e r substances and take that vener able m atter o f t h e P h i l o so p h e rs w h i ch contains in itself ever ything nece s s ar y t o a r r i ve a t th e g o a l o f your desir es and after you have separ ated t h e h e te ro g e n o u s p a rts i n r ain water or fountain water , Vou w i l l also separate it from any foreign humidity, using double linen, a n d y o u w i l l p l a ce i t i n a glass vessel which m ust be r ound or oval with a neck as long as the palm of the hand but narrow tike t h e n e c k o f a b o ttl e ; i t is necessar y that the glass be of equal t h i c k n ess i n e ve ry p a rt, without lceots or gr ain so as to be r es i s ta n t ; y o u w i l l cl o se th i s her metically and lute it with the s eal o f s e a ls; o b se rve th a t all your op.er ation m ust be m ade in th e s a m e v e sse l , so a s to i mitate Natur e in your wor k which is the only way to produce everything.

11.

Yo u w i l l n o w p l a ce yo u r glass in the ear th so that c a n t h ere fe rme n t a n d th en dissolve, calcine, tinge,

dv"rr artrt r rrh'ify,
*-.Y

your matter whiten, s pr i - nk l e,

powcier of

in

fact,

cookr

so as to

give

you

this

Pn n io n r inn pa in s.

u,his[

wi]-l

mak e y o u h a p p y , t h is effect h a lf it s

a n d re wa rd y o u f o r is t o ma k e a h o llo w

your in no w this for you in t o which a

The method for cella r it er e ct naturalthe th is si l ver ; as large it is about r ound so that

producing as the buried it through during

ci rc u mf e re n c e up to the

of your vessel b e 1 ly in the in t h e f o rm o f will it

and to e a rt h ; the in

in s e r t

two h e mis p h e re s middle; seven months,

b e lI y

made of

oak cut furnace and for

you wil-L l-eave it which

produce f iv e

wh ite

powder with for

whic h y o u c a : t t ra n s mu t e the p ro d u c t io n into s o rt s wa rm, it leave art is t , wit h it not fine of of the gold. e a rt h

b a s e me t a ls

the red po wd e r y o u mu s t le a v e metals

mo n t h s f l o r e ; wit h to

m akes a year

re d p o wd e r,

you can transmute As there n a tur e ti- m e your

are different matter will and the but

wh i-c h a c c o rd in g at the period. it s d e g re e o f c o u ld

t he i r

are more or less

ma y b e t h a t for a longer

e n d o f t he p e rf e c t io n , so that it s u p p lim e n t

h a v e re a c h e d b y h is

i-n whi-ch case you will m ay b e come sor th is la ck of heat,

in d u s t ry ,

mu c h wis e p re c a u t io n .

The Phases through whi-ch the Substance passes during the t ime o f it s f e rme n t a t io n .

T h o n .a n a n a f,l s1 1 i s co m posed of four par ts; the fir st is the s o l u t i o n o f th e ma te ri a l into mer cur ial water ; the second is the
'rrnonqz'af i nn rrrvyq!au{vrr ^

c o r r u p t i o n ; th e fo u rth i s the cr eation of the philosophical sul phur . T h e f i r st i s ma d e b y th e m iner al- seed of the ear th; the seeo nd

-f

the

Mercury

of

the

Philosophers;

the

third

is

L2.

volatilises

a n d sp e rma ti s es the body; the thir d makes the sep er ati - o n o f th e su b sta n ce s a n d their r ectification; the four th uni tes a n d f i x e s, w h i ch i s th e c r eation of the stone.
Dllilnen n l ra n < h a rre n e z.46l the v v rn r r ymn q! vu u l tv
q On nrenara.ti 9 P4 t }/r

tO

the

C feati _On

Of

t h e w o r l d , w h i -ch w a s fi rst a m ass, a chaos, ar : empty ear th wi thout form and dark, which had nothing in particular but everything i n g e n e ra l ; so th a t b y th e fir st digestion the body is dissolv ed, t h e c o n j u n cti o n o f th e male ar :tdfemale and the mixtur e of thei r s e e d s i s ma d e ; th i s i s foll- owed by putr efaction and the elem ents a r e r e s ol ve d i n to o n e h o mogeneous water . The sun and the moon a r e e c l ip se d i n th e h e a d of the Dr agon, and the whole wor ld at l a s t t u r n s a n d re -e n te rs into its ancient chaos and dar k abys s . The first d i g e sti o n i s made as in the stom ach, bV a l- ow heat m or e
annr O nr vy! i
sy.yr +svv

a te

-fn ev

a n rn rrn *i vvr! uyurvlt

^-

than ur!41

tO uv

6errv!

genefati On. 4

In th e wa ter s,

second digestion light begins to

the

s p irit the

of

G o d is a re

c a rrie d

upon the f ro m wa te r s ; of chaos the e a g le

ap p e a r,

wa t e rs

s e p a ra t e d c o me o u t

the m o on and the an d con stitute a n d th e Th is in is th e an d to w ater s too lion

sun re-ap p e a r, f e a t h e rs in

e le me n t s

a nev/ wor1d, are re-united is

a n e w h e a v e n a n d a n e w e a rt h ; a n d b e c o me d o v e s ; bond. f ie ry it ; for s p irit , f ro m it s the the fear too to the a n in d is s o lu b le

you n d crows change their regeneration form of water carry is the but the di-rect

mad e b y t h e see d in t o

wh i-c h d e s c e nd s o rig in a l s e p a ra t io n that d ry of those in and too s i-n wat e r of t ha t ar i d . ea r t h the p h ilo s o p h e rs

to w a s h t h e ma t t e r your a t t e n t io n

golden

a fi - re;

so that earth le f t

made by weights a quantity, di-gestion into the the it soul all the

a n d me a s u re s f o r drown the is not e a rt h

are under g r e at The third an d in fuses wh ich to

heavens do not

or that

lifting

furn is h e s tho s e

a wa rm milk s p irit u a l

t h e n e w b o rn

v irt u e s wit h in it s

a q u in t e s s e n c e s p irit . h e re that

b inds

and b o d y t h ro u g h t re a s u re

t h e me d iu m o f t h e sun; take note

Th e e a r th

now hi-des a grea t

b o s o m, a n d b eg i - n s

r e se mble

moon and a f t e rwa rd s

the

i n t h e H e rme ti c p h i l o so p hy, the moon si' gnifies silver , and the s u n ' g o l d ; th e fi rst i s named ear th of the m oon, and the sec ond e a r t h of th e su n ; th e y ar e bor n to be united in an indissolubl e m a r r i a ge , b e ca u se n e i th e r of them fear s the gr eatest heat of the fire. T h e fo u rth d i g e sti o n a ttains all the m yster ies of the wor r d; b y i t , th e e a rth b e co me s a pr ecious fer m ent, which changes a l l i n t o p e rfe ct b o d i e s, j u st as yeast changes al- l d.ough into its ow n n a t u r e ; i t h a s a cq u i re d this pr oper ty i- n becom ing a cer estial q u i n t e sse n ce ; i ts vi rtu e , whieh em anated fr om the univer sal- s pi r i t o f t h e w o rl d , i s a p a n a cea or a univer sal m ed.icine for alr th e m a l - a d i-e so f cre a tu re s w hich can be healed. This secr et foun tai n o f t h e P h i l o so p h e rs, i n which you make your matter fer m ent, w i l l
give you this miracle of art and nature simnlv bv a renetitinn

o f t h e fi rst w o rk. T h e w h o l e p h i -l o so p h i ca l pr ocess consists of the solution of t h e b o dy a n d th e co n g e l a tion of the spir it, and ar l- is done by t h e s a n e o p e ra ti o n . T h e fixed and the volatile ar e per fectr y m i x e d , b u t th i s ca n n o t b e done if the fixed. is not fir st mad .e volatile; fi n a l l y th e y a re uni- ted and by r eduction becom e abs ol utel - v fixed. B y t h e se me a n s, th e su per fluities of the stone ar e conver te d. i n t o a ve ri ta b l e e sse n ce; but he who shoul- d.separ ate anything f r o m o ur su b j e ct, kn o w s nothing of the philosophy, because al l t h a t i s su p e rfl u o u s, u n clean, feculent, in fact, the whole subs t a n c e o f th e co mp o si ti o n is per fected by the action of our s ec r ot fir^ o

This informati-on should open the eyes of those who, in rnaking a n e x a ct p u ri fi ca ti o n o f the elements and the pr inciples, ar e p e r s u a de d th e o n e sh o u l d take the subtle and r eject the gr oss ; they do not ]mow that the fire and the sulnhur are hidden in the c e n t e r o f th e e a rth a n d that it is necessar y to wash it per fe c tl y w i t h i t s sp i ri t i n o rd e r to extr act its bal- m, the fixed. sat- t w hi c h

I-Y.

r /r

i s t h e b l o o d o f o u r sto n e; her e you see the centr al

4 v}/vr ^ n aFafin n

myster y of thi s
h oye rla made a

r ^r higj1

W v y l ri] A _l

nO rtv t

b vve

q vvvl l l ^ vl r Jl tvq

qnonmn1ichod

r r n f iuII! 4 tt

rrn rr vu
J

su itab le the th e

digestion

and a s lo w d is t ill-a t io n . wh ic h a re f o u r the fou rt h , the f irs t is the a re a ls o the c a lle d the the keys f irs t the is of the the by el e bring in n u mb e r, f ix a t io n .

Th e operative solu ti on bo d ie s cocti on ; an d th e in to

principles

wo rk or the regimen, or liquefaction; and the are reduced to then crow is born. r e duction;

second, ma t t e r is

a b lu t io n ;

t h ird,

B y s o lu t io n

a n d b e c o me ra w a g a in in t o to the the b rin g four

the marriage together; A blution out

3l!9

ma d e b e t we e n t h e ma le a n d f e ma l e , re s o lv e d u n it e S a t ur n the snirit
a u 4 t4u

The stone is

m en ts blended the world.

h e a v e n a n d e a rt h S a t u rn ;
v Y v!r ! v!

ma d e t o wh it e n t h is
I9 q 4 vu 4 vl t

c ro w a n d t o the
u l tg

Jup iter to birth ?r n r lr r in*^ anjrif,.

u P 4 ! +v a

of
it
4u

is

d o n e b y c h a n g in g is
rp

The wo rk o f re d u c t io n
was denrived
YYGr u vP!4 vv9 wJ

t o re t u rn
vv !Evq !tl

tn

iia

lrnrlr'^f

which
YYrrrvrt

brr volatilization

and

to

n o u r ish i nfan t

it

with

a spiritual-

milk

in

the the

f o rm o f d e w, u n t il f o rc e o f He rc u le s .

the

Jupiter

shaI1 have d e v e lo v e d

D ur ing these last two o p e ra t io n s , t h e d ra g o n , n o w d e s c e n d ed fnn m l r aorran becomes furiou s wit h h ims e lf . He d e v o u rs h is t a i L an d swallows it little by lit t le u n t il a t la s t h e is c h a n g e d i n t o
rrvq Y vrr t

sto n e . Su ch was the Whilst to th e a fou n tain m ar ve l; h im se lf' tr ee . with th e se of her their with little dragon of wh ic h Ho me r s p e a k s . s y mb o l o f these u n d e r a b e a u t i-f u l t re e , He is the t ru e Ulysses to i m ag e and the veritable we were meeting Greeks, which t wo o p e ra t io n s . P in e t re e , s a id He c a t o mb s , n e a r back, sent to

and we were t h e re came out o f t h e dragon wit h of t h is

t o ma k e t h e t h e re o n h is we re e ig h t

a p p e a re d a p ro d i g i o u s by Jupiter the Pine a n d ra n s ma lr

a horrible

s t a in s t re e

came out from th e b a s e o f t h e A lt a r rn the branches fury mother who flew ones. A fter ro u n d t h is , a b o u t t h e m. the

s p a rro ws s ie z e d lo s s hi m ,

T h e d ra g o n

and al-so t h e mo t h e r wh o wa s b e mo a n in g t h e s a rn e G o d wh o h a d s e n t

t\

made him beautiful o u r astonished to ap p ly the moraL.

and brilliant I lea v e it

eyes.

znd r :hen.e"ed him into stone b efor e to the r eader to inter pr et a nd

SIGNS OR DEMONSTRATTVEPR]NCIPLES

The colours th e cou rse The y fo l-low in n in g

which

come u p o n t h e imme d ia t e ly
vf lg I

p h ilo s o p h ic a l a n d in f ire
r4I v v4

ma t t e r o rd e r.
v

d u rin g and red. The begto work

of the

processe s

o f t h e wo rk a re b 1 a c k , that
llg u4!

wh it e b e o in s
w v5 .

one another black

uf rvYvu

of the

shows t h a t

the
vl tv

o f n a t u re

a n d t h a t th e ma tte r i s o n the way to solution. W hen this blac k c o l o u r a tta i n s p e rfe cti o n the solution is com plete, the elem ents a r e b l e n d e d , th e g ra i n ro ts and becomes r eady for gener ation. T h a t w h i ch w i l l n o t b l a cken wi- 11not become whlte, says Ar tephi - us , b e c a u s e th e b l a ci cn e ss i s the beginning of whiteness and is the i n d i c a t i o n o f a l te ra ti o n as well as of putr efaction. The action of fire upon humidity performs everything in the w o r k , B S i t d o e s i n a l l natur e in the gener ation of mixed bodi es . D u r i n g th i s p u tre fa cti o n , the philosophical m al- e, or the sul phur , is blended with the female in such a manner that they become one a n d t h e sa me b o d y, w h i ch the philosopher s have named her m aphr odi te; t h i s s a ys F 1 a me l , i s th e andr ogyne of the ancients, the head of the crow; the elements converted in this way reconci-l-e two natures which can make our embryo in the belly of the glass and bring and ineorruptto birth a very powerful KinS who will be invincible ible. Ou r su b sta n ce i n this condition is the ser pent Python, w ho having arisen from the corruption of the mud of the earth, must now be killed and vanqui-shed by the arrows of Apo11o through the g o l d e n su n , th a t i s to say by our .fi- r e equal to that of the Sun. Her mes says: Son of colour is the white. T h e s e co n d p ri n ci p l e

IO.

the vultur e cr ies fr om the top of the m o u r n ta i n ; I a m th e w h i te fr om the black because whiteness fo l l ow s b l a c l c ee ss. Mo ri e n ca l l s this whiteness the white fum e. Alphi di us i n f o r m s u s th a t th i s su bstance or white fum e, is the r oot o f the a r t a nd th e a rg e n t vi ve of the sages. Philelethes assur es us t h a t t h i s a rg e n t vi ve i s the tr ue mer cur y of the philosophers ; t h i s a rg e n t vi ve , sa ys he, extr acted fr om this ver y subtile bl ac k , i s t h e p h i l o so p h i ca l ti n ging mer cur y with its r ed and white s ul p h u r n a tu ra l l y mi xe d to gether in their miner a; the philosopher s have given it an infinity of names. A r t e p h i u s sa ys th a t this whiteness comes about because the s o u l o f th e b o d y sw i ms upon the sur face of the water , like a w hi te c r e a m a n d th a t th e sp i ri ts ar e united together so str ongly t hat i t i s i mp o ssi b l e fo r th em to depar t because they have now los t t h e i r vo l a ti l i ty. T h e gr eat secr et of the ar t is ther efor e to w h i t e n th e ma tte r; so the wise ar tist need occupy himself sol el y w i t h t h e d i sso l u ti o n o f the bocly with its spir it, cut off th e h e a d o f th e cro w , w h i -te n the black and r edden the white; it i s t h i s r e sp l e n d e n t w h i te colour which contai- ns in its veins th e b l - o o d o f th e p e l i ca n ; l et the ar tist abandon all those book s w hi c h o n l y emb a rra ss th e re a d er and engender false ideas of the wor k w h i - c h a re u se l e ss a n d e x pensive. T h e p ro ce ss o f th e w o r k should not cost mor e than the pr ic e o f t h e ve sse l . T h e w h i te n e ss i s th e s tone per fect at the white stage r it i s a p r e c i o us b o d y w h i ch , w h en it is fer m ented will become white and fu1I of an exhuberant tincture which has the property of communi c a t i n g i tse l f to a l l metals; the volatile spir its having al r eady b e e n f ixe d . T h e n e w b o dy r esuscitates, whi- te, beautiful, im m or tal , v i c t o r i ou s; fo r th i s re ason it is calJ- ed r esur r ection; light of day; and by all the names which indicate whiteness, fixity i n c o r r up ti b i l i ty. F l a me l h a s re p re se n te d this colour in his hier oglyphical and fi gur es ,

t h e S ci e n ce , kn o w th a t

1n

b y a w o ma nh a vi n g a w h i te bor der to her dr ess, in or der to s how , s a y s h e, th a t R e b i s co mmences to become white in this sam e m ai l r r er ; w h i t e n i n g fi rst a t th e extr em eties all r ound in a white cir cle; t h e b e st n h i l n so n h e rs sa rr this sign is the fir st indication of w h i t e n e ss. As t h e b l a ck a n d th e w hite ar e the two extr em es, and the two e x t r e m es ca n n o t u n i te e xcept in some m iddle colour , the subs tanc e w h e n p a ssi n g o u t o f th e bl- ack does not become suddenly white; the c':".atr nn]nrrr.. i g forrnd to be the intermediary because that participateS tf"J
o f b o th. The philosophers it fo llows the m ake s drE spagnet r evo lu ti ons dr Espa gnet, ha vin g at his in ills br illia n t of I,astl y which being have g iv e n whic h say that Flamel fixed a rr on the s ie z e s las t , t h is c a ll t h e n a me o f J u p it e r S a t u rn . wa t e r of the is It after f1ask, is it t h is b e c a us e fact adds after g o v e rn m e n t ; f a c e, al-l the which has had seven J u p it e r the black they

f o llo ws bottom c h ild b e in g

n a me s imb ib it io n . t h e re a lm

T h e ma t t e r, a n d h o ld s

overcome S aturn, coming the and, at

philosop h ic a l then c e princip a l of the is cook the stone;

f o rme d a n d n o u ris h e d a b e a u t if u l re me d y f o r is the

the matrix,

b o rn wit h

and white, the third to of fi-re.

b e c o me s a u n iv e rs a l c o lo u r is After ma s c u lin e c ro wn ; re d , the

the human body. wh ic h t h is first compl-etion me rel y is comof stone; matter. c a lt e d ro la l we o b t a in re d n e s s work sun;

a n d th e perfection by conti-nuing p le a ted sp e r m ; cele sti al r ed un ti l spe a k' sta ge, the fire

substance the

s p e rm; p h ilo s o p h ic a l min e ra at

son of the wit h the

M ost philosophers so that to m uch attention one learns the reason which is

comme n c e t h e ir those them, wh o re a d detect

t ra c t s these

stone not

the

b o o k s s h o u ld s o u rc e

pay too

because they o p e ra t io n s of the of

a re t h e

o f ma n y e r r o r s , of the

how to for in the

t h e ma t t e r

o f wh ic h p h ilo s o p h e r s p ro p o rt io n s of the the v e ry Eli-xir,

the ir

and the f irs t .

sub stan ces a r e ve r y o p e r a ti on

s e c o n d wo rk ,

o r t h e p ra c t ic e A lt h o u g h it is the f irs t ,

different simply

from t h o s e a rep e t it io n

s ec o n d necessary

t o n o t e th a t w h a t th e y c aLl fir e, air , ear th and water in the one, a r e n o t th e sa :n e a s th o se used in the other ; their Mer cur y i s called Mercury whether it is in liquid form or whether it is dry. T h o s e , fo r e xa mp l e , w h o r ead Alphidius imagine, when he calls the to fi nd s u b s t a n ce o f th e w o rk " red miner a" it is necessar y fir st a r e d ma tte r b e fo re b e g i nning the wor k; sone ther efor e wor k on c i n n a b a r, o th e rs w i th minium , other s on or pim ent, other s with the r u s t of i -ro n , b e ca u se th ey do not know that t h e p e rfe ct p h i l o so p h i ca l stone. the r ed miner a i s

D r Esp a g n e t d e scri b e s the method of making the phitosophical s u l p h u r; ch o o se a re d d r agon, cour ageous, who has- lost none of h i s n a tu ra l fo rce , a n d then seven or nine vir gin eagles, fear l es s , w h o s e e ye s w i l l n o t b e com e dulI in the r ays of the suh; put them w i t h t he d ra g o n i n to a c1ear , tr anspar ent pr ison, well close d up, a n d u n d e rn e a th p l a ce a war m bath, so that they may be incited to fight; th e y w i l l n o t d e l ay in coming to gr ipe; the combat wil J b e l o n g a n d ve ry a rd u o u s , until the for ty- fifth day or fiftieth when the eagles begin to devour the dragon; in dying the prison w i l l b e co me i n fe cte d w i th the cor r uption of his blood and a
\ r a1 at ?r' l q n 1 r of t he -^ i e a g l e .s snn ^ th a vrrv t and th e r r ve J ' rr rr i nl _gngg d ie a] s+u v so: t Of W hi C h thc vf tv OV e1.C OmeS the nrrtref:nti nrl u! }/4 f eS i S tanCe of the se from f ! vr r r

?r n r r io c he a d , the th u s th a t

o a'nr/v wil-1 be bo rn , stretch carry he will find rain out h is lo o k will

wh o lit t le

b y lit t le to

wiL l f1y;

ra is e the

his and

he will tormented,

win g s a n d b e g in and thither; a p o in t at la s t , b irt h re d , to for

wi n d

clouds

him hither any c h in k s ;

fatigued escaper

by being

b e c a re f ul d e w, y o u w i l l c ro w in d i c a t e s e le me n t
Of

he does not

wa s h e d a n d wh it e n e d of the

by a constant to
fir rf!{;,

of long of the

d u ra t io n

a n d a c e le s t ia l

see hi- m metamorphosed int o you the If

e r uh' i UIl, nh vYItJ-

a s wa n ; t h e f u rt h e r to
ryrvrrh i tvo !!s t

death
l^r es Wq-

d ra g o n " the add the

t,v n* r*r..nh nr r ri q]

you wish

to proceed
I qnk inc r

of

in

tur ho rv

rvrvr4v i *h n rr* rlv u,

femo V J . n g

t h e f l a sk, b u t b y fo rti fyi ng your fir e by degr ees; apply iis ac ti on t o t h e ma tte r u n ti l th e occul- t becom e manifest, the indication

l- g.

o f w h i ch w i L l b e a ci tri n e col- our ; then gover n the fir e of the f o u r t h d e g re e g ra d u a l l y by its degr ees, until by the aid of v ul c an y o u s e e b l o sso ms o f re d r oses, which will change into amar anth, t h e c o l o u r o f b l -o o d ; b u t do not stop the wor k until you see al l i s r e d u ce d to ve ry re d a nd impalpable cinder s. This philosophi c al fier iness and dr ynes s ; s u l p h u r i s a n e a rth o f e xtr eme tenuity, it contains the fire of nature in great abundance and for this r e a s o n th e y h a ve ca l l e d it the fir e of the stone; it has the pr op e r t y of o p e n i n g a n d p e n etr ating the bodies of m etals and of c h a n g i ng th e m i n to i ts o wn natur e; they call it, in consequenc e' F a t h e r o f th e ma l e se e d . T h e th re e co l o u rs, b Ia c k, white and r ed must necessar ily fo Il ow o n e a n o th e r i n th e o rd e r I have descr ibed; but they ar e not the o n l y o n e s th a t b e co me vi s ible; they indicate the essential c hanges w h i c h t a ke p l a ce i n th e s ubstance, wher eas the other colour s, almost infinite and resembling those in the rainbow, are but temporary arld of very short duration. They are a kind of vapour which affects the air more than the earth, which follow one another and are dissipated to make way for the three principal ones of w h i c h I h a ve sp o ke n . Some strange colours which may appear are signs that the regimen i s f a u l ty a n d o f a b a d l y conducted wor k; the r etur n of the b l ac k i s a c erta i n i n d i ca ti o n , because the c::owr s chickens, says dr Es pagn e t , m u st n e ve r re tu rn to the nest after they have left it; pr emature redness is also a bad sign, and must not appear until- the end as a proof of the maturity of the grain and of the time of t h e h a r ve st.

OF THE EIIXIR
S eeon d O p e ra t io n

It

i s n o t su ffi ci e n t

to have pr oduced the philosophical

sul phur

20.

w h i c h I h a ve n o w d e scri b ed; for the most par t, people ar e m i s l ed, a n d c e a se th e w o rk a t th is stage, believing they have br ought i t t o p e rfe cti o n ; i g n o ra nce of the pr ocesses of natur e and a r t a r e t h e ca u se s o f th i s er r or ; in vain they will tr y to make pr oj e c t i o n w i th th i s su l p h ur or r ed stone. The philosophical stone c a n n o t b e co me p e rfe ct u ntil the end of the second wor k, which i s c a l l e d e l i xi r. O u t o f th e fi rst
t ur!v!v44uv! hov..oq ff a v.

su l p hur ther e is made a second, fr om whic h,

to infinityr minera ol'r.e must Of fire, therefore for USe when firSt

vfl can multiply ^ ' nrtr<try.I/e lrar\r CarefUll_y thiS

tsa ^1r eY44! ! i naA vs.

Th e elixir,

following

d rE s p a g n e t , wa t e r

is

c o mp o u n d e d o f y o u wis h

a t rip le

m a tte r ; that is, of a me t a llic ar r l- 'r in aA ^ r the white fe rme n t

u4v ! 4r r r v ut vr

o r me rc u ry

p h ilo s o p h ic a lry t o ma k e a wh i t e
of the second

s h o u ld
elixir,

orivin
v 44r !4r

nn nad
vr

ferment

for

a red

and lastly

s u l p h u r , a l l - a cco rd i n g to the weights and pr opor tions pr escr i bed p h i l o s o p h i ca l l y. T h e e l ixir must possess five qualities; it m us t 1^^ f.,--iL1 D e ] u s r -o re , p e rma n e n t, penetr ati.g, tinging and multiplying; it d r a w s i ts ti n e tu re a n d fixati- on fr om the fer ment; its fusibili ty f r o m a r g e n t vi ve , w h i ch ser ves as a m edium for r euniting the ti nc t u r e s o f th e fe rme n t a nd of the sulphur , and its multiplicati on i n q u a l i ty co me s fro m th e spir it of the qui- ntessence which it p o s s e sse s n a tu ra l l y.
lTlr o

rrle

* r ^r n

uvvu ha' y='fect

metals

give

a perfect

tincture

because

they

con tain fi nd for e fe r not in

within white takes

them the eli-xir up the not the

p u re wit h

s u lp h u r than at in

o f n a t u re ; these

do not re d wit h the the

expect t in g e the

to there-

their your it; to

ferment

elsewh e re

t wo b o d ie s ;

t h e mo o n , a n d t h e

sun. trans-

M er cury

tin c t u re other

o n c e a n d c a n t h e re a f t e r in mix in g lo s e a ll. to of heat,

be careful take one for the done ln

to ma k e a mis t a k e o r y o u will the

f e rme nt s , f irs t ; but it is

T h e s e co n d .

wo r k i s th e

same f la s k and wit h e lix ir

o r i-n o n e s imila r s a me d e g re e s in

same furnace

ver y m uch shorter. Th o nonran{-i611 of the

}/v! r vv u'

c o n s is t s

t h e ma rria g e

and the

2L.

n oFfaa Jy e! 4v v u

r rr i 4ll4vrr

^n

O vr f

tuhe rtv

dr srJ r r

a n.l 4 tu

full, ro lv

ttu l l t!u t

lnrrmi A

uv

SO

tuh a tt4 ut

tuh eV r IvJ

I eCOme b

1n-

s e p a r a b l e a n d th e th e h umid gives the dr y the pr oper ty of bei ng f u s i b l e i n a sl i g h t h e a t; you can make this tr yal by placing a s m a l l amo u n t o n a th i n if it of copper or ir on and heating i t, me l -ts i mme d i a te l y without fuming, Vou have what you des i - r e. plate

T h e P ra ctice

of the Elixir

Ea r t h o r re d fe rme n t, thr ee par ts; water and air congealed tog e t h e r , si x p a rts; mi x together and gr ind to make an amalgam or m e t a l l i -c p a ste o f th e consistence of butter , that the ear th m ay b e i m p a l p a b l e o r i n se n si ble to the touch; add one par t and a hal f o f f i r e , a n d p l a ce a l -l - i n a flask simi- lar to the fir st one, hav i ng give it a a n e c k tw e l ve i n ch e s l o n g, and seal it up per fectly; f i r e o f th e fi rst d e g re e to digest it; you will then m ake the e x t r a c t i o n o f th e e l e me nts by the degr ees of heat appr onr iate to e a c h u nti l - th e y b e re d u ced into a fixed ear th. The substanc e w i l l b e c o m e a b ri l l i a n t sto n e , tr anspar ent and r ed, and will then be p e r f e c t. T a ke a n y p o rti on you desir e, place it in a cr ucible , put it on a gentle fire and imbibe it with its red oil drop by drop until it will melt and flow without fuming; do not fear that y o u r me rcu ry w i l l e va p o r ate because the ear th will dr ink with pleasure and avidity that humour which is of its own nature. Yo u n o w h a ve i n yo u r p o ssession your per fect elixir . Thank the G r e a t A rch i te ct o f th e Univer se for the favour confer r ed upo n V o u , a n d se e th a t yo u u se it to His Glor y and do not give th i s s e c r e t to a n y e xce p t th o s e of high pr inci- pIes and str ict m or al s . T h e w h i te e l i xi r i s made the same as the r ed, but using on l y t h e w h i te fe rme n t, a n d the white oil.

22.

The Tinctur e

T h e ti n ctu re , f i x e d , fu si b l e ,

i n th e philosophical sense, is the elixir r ender ed p e n e tra ti ng and tinging, by the cor r uption a nd

does not o t h e r op e ra ti o n s w h i ch f have descr ibed. This tinctur e c o n s i s t o f a n e xte rn a l colour , the colour is within the subs tanc e itself w h i ch g i ve s ti n ctur e to the metallic for m; it is l- ike s a f f r o n i n w a te r; i t p e netr ates into paper mor e easily than oi l
wil 1 do:
*"' ' 44 r !v

it

will

mix

verv

rendilrr-

I ike

wax wi-th

wax

or

water

b e ca u se th e union is made between two things of the s a m e n a tu re . It i s fro m this pr oper ty that it has come to b e an a d m i r a b l e p a l ra ce a fo r a l l the maladies in the thr ee Kingdoms of Nature. It se a rch e s o u t the r adical and vital pr inciple whic h i t r e l i e v e s b y i ts a cti -o n of the heter ogenous causes whj- ch inflic t i t a n d h o l d i t i n p ri so n , it eomes to the aid of the vital pr i nc i p l e a n d j o i n s w i th i t to thr ow out the enemies; they become a c t i v e to g e th e r a n d a ch i eve a per fect victor y. T h i s q u i n te sse n ce a tta cks the im pur ities in the body, as fi r e e v a p o r a te s h u mi d i ty fro m wood; it pr eser ves the health and g i v es f o r c e to th e l i fe p ri n ci ple to r esist any attack of illness and t o s e p a ra te th e ve ri ta b l e nutr im ent in food fr om the substanc e w h i c h is i ts ve h i cl -e .

w i t h w a te r,

Multiplication

lVe tmderstand ion in quantity tincture alJ- that of th e r ei- ter a ted

by the and in

philo s o p h ic a l quality, That both

mu lt ip lic a t io n , the one and the is q u a lit y

an augmentother beyond a mu lt ip lic a t i o n a n d f ix a t i o n the secOnd

one can imagine.

of the

through c o rru p t io n , v o 1 a t illL z a t lo n times 2 s t h e a rt is t as m2yr1r ma y p le a s e ;

a u g m e n ts o n l y th e q u a n tity of the tinctur e without incr easi- ng i ts virtue. T h e se co n d su l phur is multiplied with the sam e m at ter o u t o f w h i ch i t w a s ma de and by putting in a sm al- l-piece of the first a cco rd i n g to th e weights and m easur es r equir ed. T h e r e a re th re e me th ods of making the m ultiplication; the fi r s t i s t o ta ke a p a rt o f th e per fect r ed elixir and mix it with ni ne p a r t s o f i ts re d w a te r; place the flask in the bath to make i t a l l d i sso l ve i n w a te r; after the solution, cook this water unti l i t c o ag u l a te s i n to a su bstance r esem bling a r uby; incer ate thi s t o t h e ma tte r o f th e e l -ixir and by this fir st oper ation the m edi c i n e a cq u i re s te n ti me s m or e vir tue than it had befor e, r ei - ter ate t h i s sa me p ro ce ss a se cond tim e and it will augm ent to one hundr ed;
o *hinr l *ima
v +r r r v t

a thousand,

and

so

on always

increasing

ten

fol-d.

Th e second method is with th e its other, it water, in always the bath then and after distilling elixir too

t o mix t h e b e in g p la c e d

d e s ire d of it the a s in in

q u a n t it y the a vessel of

of the of c lo s e ly the f ire s

el i x i r one and sealed, until time,

c a re f u l

p ro p o rt io n s

hav in g the will long,

disso lve

a n d f o llo w in c e ra t e , re it e ra t e

re g ime n the

second, and the f irs t in c rea s e p ro je ct one

su cce ssively vi r tu e but its th is fo rce The third o u n ce of

nf n rrri

e le me n t s

b y t h e ir

p ro p e r other f irs t

all- b ecomes stone; of the way is

case, the to

a u g me n t o n e h u n d re d -f o ld a s in the in

more and more. method is elixir the mu lt ip lic a t io n in q u a lit y q u a n t it y ; the multip lie d u p o n o n e h u n d re d ounces

f i ad ol mereu ry ; t h is me re u ry p la c e d u p o n a s ma ll f i r e I,u !!4rvq -ornmon w i J- l be quickly changed in t o e lix ir. I f y o u t h ro w o n e o u n ce o f th is new elixir upon one h u n d re d o u n c e s o f o t h e r c o mmo n me r c u r l r ;

th is in to

mercury elixir.

placed If

upon a s ma ll- f ire

will t h is

b e q u ic k ly n e w e lix ir it

changed upon one become made in in is will-

you throw

one ounce of

h u n d r e d ounces of other c o mmo n me rc u ry p u rif ie d , m ost fine gold. *ha mrr'r r' in ' r. ic a t io n o f t h e wh it e
b v +u r vrrv rrrs! v 4 }/r

e t ix ir wa t e r

the

saJne manner, taki-ng elixir; the

t h e wh it e

e lix ir

a n d it s

in s t ea d

of th e red

mo re y o u re it e ra t e

t h e mu lt ip lic a t io n

/+

q u a l i t y,

th e g re a te r

e ffect

it

will- have in pr ojection,

but not

b y t h e th i rd me th o d o f which I have spoken, because the for c e d i m i n i sh e s a t e a ch p ro j e ction upon the comm on mer cur y; one cannot t h e r e f ore p u sh th i s re i ter ation beyond the four th or fifth t i m e, b e c a u se th e re b y th e me dicine would become so active and so f i er y r h a - f r h a n n a n sf,i sn w o u l d take place instantly; the dur ation s hor tens
v }J v r I

o r fifth tim e to satisfy the desir es of the artist, b e ca u se o u t o f the fir st, one gr ain can conver t one hund r e d gra i n s o f me rcu ry i nto go1d, at the four thr or r e hunor ed t h o u s a n d , e tc. On e mu st judge that this m edicine is like the s e e d o f w h e a t w h i ch mu l tiplies each time it is sown. I t sh o u l d b e o b se rve d that what is called r ed water is the r ed p o w d e r ; w h i ch th e fi rst oper ation has pr oduced; and that the per f e c t e l i xi r o r re d o u l i s the r ed powder pr oduced in the sec ond o p e r a t io n ; th i s mu st b e under stood in the sam e way for the whi te.

a t e a ch re i te ra ti o n ; g r e a t a t th e fo u rth

co nsequently its

vir tue

is sufficiently

The Wei g h t s

in

t h e wo rk

Raymond Lul1y thing it is taken needful Signs, m a ke b ut m e a su r e. strative th e of one.

advises If there do it under the

us that but

this

unique

thing

is

one only which

individually, to

two things

of the

same nature and

a re t wo o r mo re t h in g s ac c o rd in g t o we ig h t s , in Eagle spoken of those of the the the

t o mix t o g e t h er , p ro p o rt io n s chapter and the that on Demonin

I have already given

the names of the pro p o rt io n s One s h o u ld the

Dragon and re q u ire d the p ro p o r t i o n s

I h a ve also the

substances f irs t

nu ltiplication. substances

s e e f ro m t h e s e

are not

s a me in

and second work.

Gener al

Rules

B e f ore p u tti n g yo u r h and to the wor k in whatever way it m ay be, i t i s ve ry d e si ra b l e to have so combined all- that ther e will be n o t h i n g i n th e p h i l o so p hical books which you ar e not able to under s t a n d so th a t yo u ma y b e successful in the oper ations which y ou p r o p o se to u n d e rta ke . For this pur pose it is necessar y to be s u r e of th e su b sta n ce to be used; to see whether it has all the qualities a n d p ro p e rti .e s attr ibuted to it by the philosopher s ; because they aver they have never named it by the name by which i t i s o rd i n a ri l y kn o w n ; one shoul- d r emember that this m atter c os ts n o t h i n g e xce p t th e tro u ble of gather ing it, and that the m edi c i ne w h i c h P h i l a l e th e s, a fte r Geber , cal- led medicine of the fir st or der , p re p a ra ti -o n is m ade per fect without much expens e o r t h e fi rst i n a l l p l a ce s, a t a l l ti mes, by a1l- sor ts of people; but see ther e i s a su ffi ci e n t q u a n ti ty of the m atter , &t least, twenty or thi r ty p o u n d s. T h e te rms u se d i co n ve r sion, desiccation, m or tification, in s pi s s ati o n , p re p a ra ti o n , a l te ra tion, all signify one and the same thi ng i n t h e H e rme ti c A rt. T he sublim ation, descension, distillatio n, c a L c i n a ti o n , p u tre fa cti o n, congelation, fixation, cer ation, ar e i n t h emse l ve s d i ffe re n t things; but they do constitute one c ont i n u o u s o p e ra ti o n i n th e pr ocess of the wor k in the sam e flas k ; t h e p h i l o so p h e rs h a ve g iven all these nam es to the differ ent t h i n g s o r ch a n g e s w h i ch they have seen take place in the vess el ; w h e n t he y sa w th e su b stance exhale a subtle fume, which went to t h e t o p o f th e g l a ss, th ey nam ed that ascension and subl- imati on; s e e i n g th e va p o u r d e sce nd to the bottom of the glass, they c al l ed i t d e sce n si o n a n d d i sti l l ation. M o r i -e n sa i d , i n co n se quence; all our oper ati- on consists in dr aw i ng out the water from the earth and returning it until the earth putrifies a n d p u ri fi e s; when they per cei- ved that this water m i x ed w i t h i ts e a rth , co a g u l a ted or solidified, that it becam e bla c k

a n d s t i n ki n g th e y th e n s aid it was the putr efaction, the pr inc i p l e o f g e n e ra ti o n ; th i s putr efaction will last until the m atter b e c o m es w h i te . T h e ma tte r b e i n g b l a ck is r educed to powder and then comm enc es t o b e co me g re y; th i s a p pear ance of cinder has given bir th to the i d e a of ca l ci n a ti o n , i n cer ation, etc. and when it becam e compl etel y w h i t e , th e y ca l l e d i t p er fect cal- cinati- on; seeing the matter tak e a s o l i d co n si ste n ce , th at it did not flow, it then answer ed to t h e i r co n g e l a ti o n , th e i r indur ati- on; for this r eason they hav e s a i d t h a t th e w h o l e ma g ister y consists in natur al dissolution a n d ' c o ag u l a ti o n , a n d i n cooking by one r egim en until the r ed d a r k e n s i t. On e sh o u l d be car eful not to m ove the glass or r em o v e i t fro m th e ce n tra l fir e, because should the m atter bec om e c o L d a l -I w i l l b e l o st. T o g i ve a fi re o f th e fir st degr ee the be1ly of the flask m us t b e p l a ce d i n th e e a rth u p to one quar ter ; for the second degr ee t h e e a rth mu st co ve r i t, half way up the belIy, & etc.

The V irtues

of t h e

P h ilo s o p h ic a l

E lix ir

It gold th o se th e y e lixir , daily

is,

accordi.:eg to of riches in

the

s a y in g s

o f a ll

the

p h ilo s o p h e rs , it only for

th e all use or red taken other is

sou r ce

and of are

g o o d h e a lt h , c u ra b le O n e s in g le d ro p s y , but

b e c a u s e wit h a cure not o f t h is a l-s o , b v it s gout

one can make

and silver

abundance and effect g ra in

maLadies which can be prevented. will during

mo d e ra t e me d ic in e if

cure paralysis , some few days. colic, rheuma t is m, all

a n d le p ro s y , ftenzy, p rin c ip le . eyes.

Epile psy, i nter n a l a n a ssured

in f la mma t io n ,

a n d a ll rt

compraints

canno t re s is t

remedy for

, t h is lif e a f f e c t io n s of the

A 1 1 a p o s t hu m e s ,

z(.

u l c e r s , w o u n d s, ca n ce rs, fistul- as, noli- m e- tanger e and all di s eas es o f t h e ski n w i l l b e cu re d by dissolving one gr ain in a glass of w i n e or w a te r, a n d b a th i ng the affected par tsr it will- disso l v e, sto n e in the bladder ; is an antidote for al l litt1e b y l i ttl e , p o i s o n s b y d ri n ki n g i t as above advised. R a y mo n dL u l 1 y a ssu re s us that it is, in gener al, a sover ei gn r o m o d rrfn r hum anity fr om the feet to " '1I th e i l l s which afflict t h e h e a d ; i f th e i l l n e ss has lasted one month it w111 cur e i t i n i f i t h a s l a ste d a year , it will cur e it in twelve day s **J a rr. t ^no d
wh ile io r to in one month it will e limin a t e it s a n y d is e a s e e f f ic a c y of it a ll that c u re s of the that it is wh a t s o e v e r. in f in it e ly of re jo ic e s d is e a s e s superA le x a n d e r , t he whether it Ar n o 1d de V ill-a o f Avacina h e a r t, p e o p le hot wil-l tho se facu lty;
m2 n\r \re lr s J ve!

Nova sa y s t h a t ordin a ry in ge n e ra l,

any and every reme d y o f Hip p o c ra t e s , and of all strength me d ic in e ; that it gives and e n e rg y , c o n s e rv e s

G a le n ,

youth

a n d ma k e s o l d

yound again;

or cold cure,

or humid or d ry . making an enumeration himse lf b y s a y in g t lre o ld

qn2n
pysrr I

Geber, without diseases that

u

maladies will by the

1 'e k i n s a

which me d i-c a I

contents it

o v e rc o me a l l h e a lt h
ni ece

which are re g a rd e d rejuvenat e s

turrv he nnr a] rrv! . m rrr44

a s in c u ra b le
s i mn] rr u+!ry4J trrr

a n d p re s e rv e s

d ur i n g
th e

lr er r nnd vvJ vrru

s i z e o f a mu sta rd se e d two or thr ee times a week, fasting. P h i l al e th e s a d d s to th is, that it cl- ear s the skin of al- 1 b el m i s h e s an d w ri n kl e s & e tc. that it will help a wom an in labour , t h e c h i l d b e i n g d e a d , si mply by holding the powder to the m other r s n o s e , an d q u o te s H e rme s as his author ity; he asser ts that he himself has snatched many from the arms of death who had been g i v e n up b y th e i r d o cto rs . for i ts You will- find pr escr iptions application in all diseases by consulting 1,u11y and Arnold de Villa Nova. the works of Ralrmond

A V i n d i ca ti on

of the

Gr eat W or k

T h e Gra n d w o rk o f th e Sages holds the fir st r ank amongst beauti f u r t h i n g s; N a tu re , w i -thout the help of ar t, is unable to per for m i t , a nd a rt w i th o u t N a tur e cannot ventur e to under take it; i t i s a ma ste rp i e ce w h i ch bor der s on the power s of the gods; it s e f f e c t s a re so mi ra cu l o us, that the health which it gives and p r e s e r ve s to p e o p l e , th e per fection which it gives to al- l thi ngs i - n N a tu re , a n d th e g re a t wealth it pr oduces in a m anner who l l y d i v i n e , a re n o t re cko n e d to be its highest mar vel_s. r f t he Gre a t A rch i te ct of the univer se has m ade it the m os t perfect agent in al-l Nature one may say without fear that it has r e c e i v e d th e sa me p o w e r fr om Heaven in r egar d to mor ar ity; i f i t p u r i f i - es th e b o d y, i t clar ifies the spir it; if it dever ops c om p o u n d su b sta n ce s to th e highest point of per fecti- on, it can el - ev ate o u r i n te l l i g e n ce u p to the highest knowledge; it is the savi or o f t h e g re a t w o rl d , b e cause it pur ges all things fr om their or i gi n a l sta i -n s a n d b y i ts v ir tue r epair s the d.isor der of their tem per a m e n t . rt su b si -sts i n a per fect tenar y of thr ee pur e pr incipl es , t r u l y d i sti n ct, b u t w h i ch together make one and the sam e Natur e. I t i s n o rma l l y th e u n i ver sal spir it of the wor ld cor por ified in a v i r g i n e a rth , b e i n g th e fir st pr oduction or the fir st m ixtur e o f t h e e l e me n ts to th e fir st point of their bir th. It is w or k edi n i t s fi rst p re p a ra ti o n , it pour s for th its br - ood, it dies, i t s u r r e n de rs i ts sp i ri t; i t is entombed.in its vessel, it asce nds t o h e a ve n a l l q u i n te sse ncified and judges the hale and the si c k , d e s t r o y i n g th e ce n tra l i mpur ity of some and exal- ting the pr i nc i pl es o f o t h e rs i so i t i s n o t without r eason that it is cal- led by the S a g e s , th e S a vi -o u r o f the Gr eat W or ld and the image of the Sav i or o f o u r so u l s. o n e ma y j ustly say that it pr oduces mar vels in N a t u r e i n tro d u ci n g i n to bodies a ver y gr eat pur lty and it al s o

29.

d.oes mi-racul-ous things

in rnorality

ill-uminati-ng

our spirits

with

t h e m o st p o w e rfu l l i g h ts. I l - e a ve th e re a d e rs th e liber ty to supplem ent these r esults in any manner they may judge fit and convenient.

F I NI S .

)v.

CAVF (extrcts) BacsUqn'sPrdogp to ZOROASTERS

T h i s M .S . i s a n E xtra ct fr om Zor oaster ' s a n d a fe w n e ce ssa ry R e mar ks. S. Bacstr om . Cave with my Explanati on

has opened my mind considerably in respect to COUNT BERNHARD T R E T t r IS A N tS si mp l e a n d e asy pr ocess, whi- ch f never r .mder stood s o a s I d o a t p re se n t si n ce I wr ote this Extr act. Ther efor e, I w oul d h a v e y o u co n si d e r th i s M.S. as no less valuable than that of L a m s p r i n g . Mo re o ve r, th e pr ocess is infinitely m or e simple, s hor ter easier and less expensive than that of LAIISPRING. With this you must study the PHILOSOPHICAI CANONS & the Letter yo u h a ve o f me in a late M .S. o f D I PP E T ,IU S I intend to make a conci-se extract from COITNT TREVISAN, BERNHARD o f w h i ch yo u sh a 1 l h a ve a faithful copy. All these well com par ed a n d s t ud i e d to g e th e r, w i l l make you a com plete Master of COU N T BERNHARDTS easy and simple process for obtaining the TREASURE 0F T R EA S U R E Si , .e . th e T i n ctur e. I h a v e w ri tte n th i s n o t r egular ly, Vet not without necessar y r e f l e c t i on . It w i l l b e necessar y that you copy it cor r ectly, not a s I h ave w ri tte n i t, b u t exactly as the pages in "Zor oaster r s C a v e ", fo l l o w re g u l a rl y. I have noticed with lines in the li ttl e p r i n t e d b o o k e ve ryth i n g I copied. Yet, in the pr inted book, Vou h a v e b u t fe w o r n o n e o f my necessar y r em ar ks. Ther efor e, you c o p y t h i s & th e n co n d e mnthis for waste paper . I call- this work superi-our to that of IRENIOUS PHIIALETHA as infinitely mo re si mp l e , m or e easy, shor ter , & less 1abour ous & o f c o u r se , l e ss e xp e n si ve. There is no animated. Sophii H wanted.. Count Bernhardus mad.e u s e o f cru d .e , V e t w a sh e d., cleansed & dr ied H , wh5.ch, d.ur ing the d . i g e s t i on , b e co me s, b V means of Q' , or O & O , & By THE KEy O F PU T R E F A C T ION , S o p hii, & is fixed by m eans of the mer cur i al i z ed P or & , O D . And this takes place by TIIE BLACK CI,OUDor O

It

1.

v AP o UR , a sce n d i n g fro m the E65, which becom es a p i"f V r or k i n d o f L A C V IR GIN IS , a s Count Ber nhar dus expr essly m entions The natur al & T H O SE B I,A C KC IOU D S ,& their tim e of dur ation. For , r we must get r id of. ; kept her e and r emains in y our Lt is so highly necessar y i n the w o r k o f d i g e sti o n a n d p utr efacti- on, ascends in a BI- ,ACK CIOUD or VA P O U R , a n d d e sce n d s a s a $ iaf y , and by centr ally openi ng methods are good) THE SoPHII 0R ANII\4ATED g DUPIICATUSIS GENERATED IN THE GLASS, without a labourious and expensive previous preparation. Y o u w i l -l so o n p e rfectly com pr ehend m e, and this agr ees fi nel y w i t h t he P h i l o so p h i ca l Canons & Dippelius, and you will her eafter s e e , w i th C o u n t B e rn h a rdus. And a:nav.'t +hat my studies and labour may finally conduct us
qqfo]rr fn nnlskrgs to obtain with Jason the Golden Fleece Hesperian

the EEd, consisting of crudE pure H & O. o, H & O & C (both :

-f

lr

Ap p l e s . f h o p e Go d ma y pr ovide the m eans to make another at tem ptl Am e n . I do believe that I know it at present as much as I know my own narne, and you find that I prove my remarks with good reasons, n o r w il l yo u fi n d a n y contr adicti- ons in my r easons or system . S . Ba cstro m. P. 83. IN RESPECT T0 FERMENTATION, I am not certain that r have e x p l a i ne d th o se l i n e s ri ghtly. If he m eans by fer m entation, the m u l t i p li ca ti o n i -n vi rtu e , then I am r ight, but the whole sen tenc e i-s very confused. Perhaps you may be able to explain it more clear1y. T h e d i ffi cu l -ty i s a b o u t the wor ds, BODY, DUST +

2.

An Ea sy In trodu c ti o n to th e P h i l o s o p hers

MAGICAL GOLD
!f E.T.ASTR0]||AGUS, London, 1662

!l itself. J . 2 . B a si l -i u s ma ke s menti- on of the Ti nctur e of I a T h a t T R. i s e d b y the ( h, of d A I r esolved per deliquim , (i n to V distilled i i & coagulated) with the gluten aquil oe, I or fixed + a s yo u ma y see likewise in Rupescissa, and in a p. b o o k o f Gra ta ro l u s of the TR. of p Second.Part. ::..th" O r e l-se th e E b y th e assistance of an it5 with { is r es ol v ed p e r d e l i q u i m a n d d i sti l l e d . is calcined and c oagIn this the U :F u l a t e d w i th me ta l s, th e method that Basilius himself seems to hav e f o I l o w e d i n h i s b o o k o f his two- fol- d q of O in the r epetition of th e Gre a t S to n e . p . 4 7 . Mo st su re i t i s that conm on e gives us an excellent Q p o t a b i l e b y th e S . V . i f after its due calcination it ( e ) be c r y s t a l l ise d a n d d i sti l l e d by itself into a sweet :5 61 g ( v i de Ubigerus ) . W h i c h p ro ce ss co n fo rma bl- e to that of Basilius, we owe to a nobl e p e r s o n a fri e n d o f mi n e , who had it fr om him . r n r r a a rl i + i s P a ra ce l sus hi- s Cir cuLation Minus which he cal l - s
5. r s v v s t a v

little

the matrix of metals, especially the sea Q wherewith the Circulatum Majus from +: agrees (lac Virginis). The sweet tr" of 6 was so u g h t by C ro1l i us , but h e m is s e d it .

USERIT EXTRAGTS FRI|TI ZI|RIIASTER'S CAUE

p. 57. D ry !fro m th e philosopher s Clouds, look for it and be

s u r e to h a ve i t,

fo r

it

is the key to inacessabLe things,

a nd to

t h o s e l o cks w h i ch o th e rwise would keep thee out. It is a Natura Media between fixed and not fixed

and partakes

of a $ . a z u r i n e ( + s i v e H Dr ") . part a k e of U D""(lunae). .L

I t i s ra w n a t i o n fro m p. 58. The p o t e n ti a , &

( Cr u d eye t p u r ir ie a

must

(b ru d e ) co oling, fem inine A , and expects its i npr ega ma scu l i n e Solar $ fr om Q . tru e ma tte r and subject of this Stone has e & Oi " which Q & a rg e n t vi ve ( (

'1 i rri ncqrtd i= better than common( lJ -\ c a n i - ncre a se (w h e n re d u c ed I f th i s co u l d n o t b e effected, the m atter would never be br ought t o p e r fe cti o n , a s th i s ar t pr omises. T h i s sa :n e i n vi si b l e e o" O which by this magister y is ex al - ted t o s o su b l i me a d e g re e , cannot com m unicate its per fection to i m p e r f e c t me ta l s w i th o u t the help of vulga" O & O. T h e S u n a n d th e Mo o n must be in conjunction, that they may abs o l - v e p e rfe ct g e n e ra ti o n. Ar noldus Vi11a Novanus in Flos fl or um . fro m o n e to another can be made without putr efac tN o al te ra ti o n i o n , wh i ch i s th e o n l y way to gener ation, nor car r any putr efac ti on b e o b ta i n e d w i th o u t so me or Ar gent Vive, which is the spec i al A D i l a t o r o r C o n d u cto r o f the vegetating Faculity, calIed by the ( vir iditas, i. e. im m atur e, gr een) . Ph i l o so p h e rs V IR ID IT A S NATURAE p . 59 . Ou r S to n e i s the conjunction of Q a ) until Q has

drawn the essence of O & converted- it into his ovrn nature and colour. I-,u L l i i C o d i ci l l um. And this is d.one by the inwar d A or ;he philosopher s, lcnow that they O *O argent vive , which are d a i l y se e n a n d l -o o ke d a t, fr om which our ar gent vive is extrac ted ( i . e . fro m Q & O re solved into H ). p. 6 0 . It i s a p p a re n t what the ar gent vive is which Geber poi nts a t i n h i s S u mma ,to b e taken, nam ely, the el- ean substance o f fi x ed

g co nc eal edi nQaD .

IJ

+.

o f b o d i e s (o f Q & D ) by an intim ate & insepar able uni on, P a s t h e r e i s i n S i mp l e ! m ixed with V p . 6 4 . A rg e n t V i ve i s c alled wind, aer ial- U , str ongest vineSZ T ,
tu!r15!rrb inp. inE Ve nom v vllvlll
,

A't _u. ur o !J

iF h o

rrrc

n ufr

fh uo rrc

Dln ] ncnnhoz-q rrl rir-uD u-urrE !

i q !o

.,n uuIIID oS ed

of

tl

C rude

&

t he

ra n LJd-W

\Ii rc i ri V J-l-

511f

ID

hrrz.ni no |JUtf lMfS

lUUrlI4r16 l l ni no

w nr5g vvVl ,

than

CO m m O n

A.
tn;^"1^ +"h v!r uu- La. uur lr
\

minus and Circ u la t u m

ma ju s a re b o t h

f a it h f u lly

d e s c r i b e d b y U rb i g e ru s ). p . 6 4 . Wh e n o u r T e rra l im osa ( fJ ial 17 I is wh' itensd, we c al l i+ L ^ - ; + ; f , \ YAsr Yl r -wu when it is m ade r ed, it is called Tem ei nr r r arrr{ r. e . ). c h i a m , i . e . e . (S e e Per nety Dictionar y) .
n nr ,,r /l v(. mayest m ake the per fect medium without 1 , . Ao V & )th o u s e p a r a ti o n o f th e e l e me nts, without labour , without fear and w i tho u t d a n g e r. /6\

Tha r r nood o long lib . ,<\

) X!l

time,

but

they

a re S a f e .

I S a a c u S Ho ll_ a n du s

2 de opere Minerali.

H o l l a n d u s sa ys: T h e A ncients labour ed in the EE5- tion

, which is indeed th e l pnct nor fant rrrnz.l r and tha

of Q
is

a
but

aaTe

small-.

a l o n e p e rfe cts th e wor k. In we find all that we ne ed. I T o i t w e a d d n o th i n g fo reigt.. O & ) ar e not for ei- gn to eac h o t h e r b e ca u se i n th e b e ginning of the wor k, they ar e r educed i nto rr ^n H they to ok t h e i r fi rst n a tu re , th a t is , U . Ther ef^na v-vlvt 4r v !r Y Y t h e i r be e i n n i n e . I
Lu llius
1r^ 1r v4
J

in
n n* ltv
u

Codicil-le,
!rr

" T h e r ef
hfft 9w

nFA v
v!

rYv rr n nlrr \ v!

in

a ffVth v r 1 4 t 5 jn g 4tJ

i . e . i n to our of O Vulgar & O vulgar, b o t h d is s o L v e d , p ro c e e d s a p re p ar a t i no nn n r ,' ltg , a r. r o fr l{ .r vu 0 f th ose )t wit h o u t a n y o t h e r s p e c ie s , t he ? p h y s i c a l sto n e i s g e n e ra ted and no other can it be made by natural
nl U.

first

ma tte r,

T
4

nnrrnco'l
vv4 l r u v!

at^1r v4
J

hrt
urJ

!4

fn'i

l vl

al dg

that

^< \ & ),
P.A aY .

r educing them into

thei r

T h e d i ffe re n ce
th e So1ar contains

b e tw e e n the O
S olar A ?

r * & the O""

Tinctur e

is thi s :

Albertus

Magnus.

The Lunar contains D +

says

N . B. on e i n p. 69 .

The S tone is kind. A zoth is that

On e , y e t whic h is

t h is

O n e is

not

but O NE I N NUT I B ER r* c m t h e bodies

e x t ra c t e d ' h rrv J

A 1 ' 1 FH vs!
Y

( O&O) Elixir
after

di s s otv ed.. ; ^1 \-t is nothing else but one body resolved. into a H v Y raJ_
Azoth is extr acted out of i- t, i. e. a

wh i ch re so l u ti o n

rriq YL u.

s p o n t a n e o u s a n i ma te d e ssence. ( N o t e . Mi n d th e d i ffe r ence between the Azoth of Geber and of t h e An ci e n ts, a n d th e A z oth of the M oder ns) . r n . .n a th 'i h g a s to sp ecies, but in two individual things, i t ur!+rrt rar vrrv L as tl y ' c o n s i s ts a n d i s p e rfe cte d, fir st the white, then the r ed. b y i n c r e a si n g th e A . ( Her e, two things ar e mentioned, i. . \J q & (J , but in many other places of this book three things '
H
y ,

^\&O

e,

).

REGIMEN al-l clearly p. 69,

pointed

out.

and pur e In th e fi rst R e gimen, place the cr ude ( H ) ( O & ) I Elements upon an easy fi.re that they may be mixed a n d u n i te d . Go ve rn th e m so that they m ay be dr ied and becom e BI A C K fro m w h i ch b l a cl cress a hidden W hiteness is dr awn, and after w a r d s a R e d n e ss b y b a re Decocti- on. W h e n i t h a s b e e o me th e per fect W hi.te, it is in an impalpab l e dust. T h a c.o rl e :^a ti o no f me tals and the Stone of Philosopher s is to j o i n t he ri g h t p ri n ci p l e s; the Man with the W om an; acti- ve with A ' Pa s s l . ve ' +\ wi.th H , that gener ation m ay pr oceed fr om cor r u pti on. v i ve i s th e re ci p i e n t of the for m, and O is the Lapis Phi l o0 + s o p h o ru m. ( S o sa ys Ire naeous Philatetha p. 1. ) p . ? 0 . T h e w h o l e w o rk c onsists i" O , D & . H Richard Anglus says it is necessary that the Stone (ttre H ) b e f o r e i t b e ma d e E l i xi r be extr acted fr om the natur e of two bodi es

(e& o )

t h e A o u g h t to b e ve ry soft until the- n- - ( the is s epar ated H ) from the body, ascending in BT-.,ACK CLOUDS above the body. By a c r u d e ---rr- ( .Y 5 ) a d i g e sted- cr - - ( U ) is extr acted. fr om the

/\

d isso t v ed body ( Q or D I 1 o r Q ' *

).

N. B .

e x t r a c te d fro m th e ca l ci ned ( dissolved) metals by putr efaction, u n t i l th e co mp o si ti o n p uts off one natur e and puts on anoth er , a n d b y su ch o p e ra ti o n s i- s m ade the E of tlr e Philosnntlsps. N . B.
-L J.r/cl u L r D,f r

:^ o ur H YI-

;;;;;;:'", H u"nai ;: 1;;p ore o"D ,-;;"'".J.'j-""?

C ount Ber nhar dts Tr evisanr s way & the Phi l o-

( T h is i s ce rta i n l -y s o p h i ca l C a n o n s ).

P . 7 !. N a tu re b e g i n s all her oper ations fr om separ ation. M o r t i f i ca ti o n i s th e fi rst step to separ ation and the only w ay to t h a t en d . A s l o n g a s b o d i e s re m ain in their oId state, Separ ation wi thout p u t r e f acti o n o r mo rti fi cation cannot r each them . AMAIGAMATTON X X I ti o n , w h i ch i s th e fir st wor k, is m ade with one par t of & 4 p a rts o f ; & this beginning of the wor k, th; phil oe P sophers have cal-led by many names: ouR vENUs, our Q & etc. r n t he fi rst d e co cti o n, when you ar e blacking ( N. B. ) there w i l - l r ise fro m th e f a cer tain Q i"r humidity, like a cloud and wil-l stick in the upper part and sid.es of the empty part of t h e g r a ss, w h i ch yo u must l- et al- one untouched. ( this desce nds a n d b e c o me s! ( ii) . VH RAYMUNDUS says in his CIAVICUIA: BIACKNESS like that of the bia.cke s t e o l -o u r i s th e se cre t of the tr ue Dissotution.
t/ Tho

AAA)

p. ?0. sol-ution turns the stone into its MATERTA pRrMA t p i"r cloud and water) i. e. into V , ablution into V , conjunction

f)

into A & V , SPTRITUAT & TINGING ( into Red V EXTERNALLY, but A INTERNALLY). What is this also but corporified. fr om A ? A co rp o ri fi e d i n 5L i.e. a fixed alcali differ ing c o m m o nfi xe d a L ka l i , i .e . our philosophicaL fixed aLkali con tai ns Ther efor e, it is filled A , A , V & {F h a rmoniously united. w i t h i t s o w n e l e me n ts, w hilst comm onfixed alkali is VOID & MAGN ET I C A L g re e d .y to a ttra ct V & V which it wants. Compar e this w i th w h a t I h a ve sa i d co n ce rn ing fixed aIkali in Lamspr ingr s M.S. A & Li g h t a l o n e ti n g e and nothing e1se. Note that well! B ut L i g h t a n d A mu st h a ve a body to r etain, cor por ify & fix it, and that body is Y . ( i n * & V , A ca n h ave no per manenr fixation. A is Lig ht A i= concentr ated a n d L i g h t i s A , b u t d i ffer ently m anifested. a n d a g ita te d . L i g h t, i -.e. l,ight manifested in A ly the m ed i um o f A wh i ch L i g h t i s o n l y a fir st m anifestation of the om nipr es ent, i n v i s i b l e, u n i -ve rsa l A g e nt A.1 S.B. PUTREFACTION F u t r e fa cti o n i s ma d e b y a most gentle A, hot and m oist, a nd n o o t h e rr so T H A TN OT H ING ascends. ( Nothing must ascend cor por a l l y e xce p t a b l a ck fu me , which becom es a p:- "f V ) . Concepti on i s m a d e b y p u tre d n e ss i n the bottom of the glass. AUREOI- .,U S s: say u labour not to ma ke th e I diaphanous, i.e. into a clear , tr ans ? parent V , for that way it is too highly inflamed and destroyed., a n d w i l l n e ve r b e fi xe d nor congealed. ( this is against T,ams pr i ng b u t m u st n o t d i stu rb o u r mind) . W h e n w e d i sso l ve r w e calci- ne, sublime, separ ate and conjoin a n d b e tw e e n so l u ti o n a n d composition of the body and the - cr - t her e i n t e r v e n e s n o sp a ce o f ti me. p . ? 6. A 1 1 a l o n g th e A must be gentle, until the water is c o n g e a le d i n WH fT E N E S S . If a str onger heat is given, your H fIies, th e A , b V re a so n of its coldness ( \3[ ) ( } } a pr oof t h a t c o mmo n , a l th o t p u ri fi ed. is m ade use of) . Ther efor e, k eep A

and fixation

says BENEDICTUS. a soft A until you have a WHITE CONGELATION p . ? ? . B y a te mp e ra te A , a sm aIl quantity of the dr y, ex s i and not and littie, c c a t e s T H E MOIS T , a n d th is is done by little s u d d e nl y, a n d th e mo re the Stone r eceives ablution, the mor e i n t e n s e th e Wh i te w i l -l be. p. ??. The Aof degr ee, i.e. of Solution and p utr eth e fir st f a c t i o n o u g h t to b e so g entle that nothing ascends of the na tur e o f - ^ - (o n l y a b l a ck fu me is to ascend, but no J* ) ( This s eem s This gentle rational, a l th o r Ire n o e us asser ts the contr ar y) . A g i ve s i n g re ss to th e U to enter the body ( O ) centr all y , w h e n wi th a stro n g A a l l is destr oyed. Else all i - s T h e he a t th a t ma ke s w hite m ust not be too gr eat. g o n e . A rg e n t vi ve i s fi er y, and bur ns the bodles mor e than A . W h a t e v e r me ta l i s j o i n e d to it, r emains with it, and pr ecipitates (S o sa ys D i ppelius, M.S.) . q Dr ebellius or Depel s . i t t o du st. p . ? 8 . T h e re a re o n Jr y 2 fir es mentioned by the Philosopher s . T h e o n e i s D R Y th e o th e r is M OIST. The fir st !r A o r h e a t. T h e mo i st fir ' e1sr ne9. THE VESSEI T h e ve sse l mu st b e o f glass, with a long neck ( about 6 inc hes ) f i r m l y se a l e d a t th e to p , and is to be placed in another ves s el , t h a t t h e n e a t ma y n o t to uch the matter , mediately, and ther efor e t h e d i ge sti o n i s d o n e i n a tr eble vessel, says Liber Tr ium Ver bor um ( i . e . th e b a th , th e w o o den vesselr or Yvessel, and the glas s ) . Put thy E "a "a carefully into a glass vessel of such a capacity that the Y sown and harrowed may occupy only a third part of t h e g l a ss a :o d cl o se u p the openi- ng. p . 7 9 . S e t h a l f o f th e belly or globe in ashes. The other upper half above the ashes, that you may look at your work when y o u l i k e, sa ys A L A N U S . Vol. ii. oi Thetr e. Chem: ver y obscur e. W e n e e d b u t o n e ve sse l , one fur nace, one Disposition, whic h i s t o b e u n d e rsto o d a fte r the pr epar ation of the fir st Stone ( i .e. is the elementar y

t he U o r t h e E E E ) . +

>.

T h e n e ck o f yo u r ve ssel is 6 inches long, and r ound bellied , a n d m u st b e se a l e d , so that the least fume may not escape. p . 80 . Isa a cu s H o l l -andus says, concer ning: THE COLOURS
tn

W h en th e ma tte r h a s stood for the space of 4O 6 ,f in a m ode r a t e h e a t, th e re w i l -I begin to appear above, a Blackness, l i k e p i t c h , w h i ch i s th e C a put Cor vi of the Philosopher s. Bl a c kn e ss o n ce o b ta i n edr $ou may be sur e of a IRUE CONJUN C T ION o f t h e P ri n ci p l e s to fo l - low imm ediately. Be f ore th e cl e a r sp l e ndent colour com es, all the colour s i n the world wil-l appear, and disappear. Then you will see arl admirable W h i t e n e ss w h i ch w i l l se em to you to be the TRUEW HITE, and y et i t i s n o t so . Be f ore th e tru e Wh i te com es, You will see all about the si des o f t h e g 1 a ss, a s i t w e re like Or iental pear ls, in the matter of the Stone, glittering like the EYES 0F FISHES and when you then s e e t he ma tte r b e co me W hite Like Snow, and shining like Or ie ntal S t o n e s , th e Wh i te S to n e is then per fect. I f yo u d o n o t w i sh to car r y this to the Red K, let it coo l of g ra d u a l l y. itself THE COLOURS2 T h e co l -o u rs a re o n l y thr ee. The other s that appear ar e cal l ed i n t e r m e d i a te o r tra n si e n t colour s, which vanish away, but the B l a c k ' Wh i te a n d R e d a re per manent and lasting scenes, Says T r i themius. p. 80. found the p . 81 . junction, that When blackness appears in the work, know that you have right way of working. A rn o l d u s, i n "Flos Flor um" says, "It1 the hour of conw o n d e rfu l th i n gs pr esent them selves. A11 the colo ur s can be imagned appear in the work; and the rMpERFEcr BoDy

10.

O ) i s co l o u re d with a fixed Tinctur e, bV medj_ation of 1 r\ :- - !X,- ' fh fau nmonf ^^r ^ ra/ r ! r !,.,rsrrul1 into ia1 S.o" a Anima) . 1 o y th e Q) r educed Q it c an "T h e S to n e " (th e e e ;) ' m ust be kept in the A until n o m o re b e ch a n g e d fro m one natur e to another , or fr om one c ol our t o a n o th e r, b u t i s b e co me like the REDDEST BL00D, m elting lik e w a x a n d ye t n o t d i mi n i shed in the Ieast". \,, "W e ta ke a ye a r fo r o ur expectation, for our f ( TR. ) say s
l.?rnlalrll a

( the '?

!l

p . 82 , V a ri a ti -o n o f Time happens fr om the quantity of the M e d i c in e a n d d e p e n d s o n the industr y of the Ar tist. (13 , the caput M o n a ch u s, p . L 7 , sa ys "After the fir st 5o - -n C or o rvi v i shews sh e w s ltself. i tse l f. F rom t From thence, h e n c e , in lJ the h e Do lJO O O Dove v e is m a d e ; 6,Y f , t

and in another L5o CP

1 1 m o n th s, a n d ,2 0 d P
TTn{-

, the Red is wrought,, (i.e.

near ly) .
*1,'n

350 (P

or

urru4r
.,

j'l

n An^ 1rn J..lur uorn up rrnrr

+^

to

the

IrIl,'

i *n White,

use

a gentle

A.

Some s &V,

i n p 0 6 ./ , a fte r p e rfect W hite, the Red is com pleated . Sc al a Ph i l o s op h o ru m, a n d R i p l ey "W hen it has stood eclipsed for 5 m onths a n d D a rkn e ss d i sa p p e a rs, the Light appr oachir g, incr ease yo ur A a l i ttIe '.. T h e ti me fo r p e rfe cti n g the Elixir is at least one year . fn
l.\

l1

after perfect wh it e n e s s t h e Re d is p e rf e c t e d . 90 6/ PHOE NIX LIB E R P RE TIOSI S S I MUS (a mo s t p re c io u s b o o k )

says:

decoction has n o e e rt a in t ime , a n d in d e e d is S O I \ I E W H A T "Th e first TED IO US .| Y et wait and ex p e c t it wit h jo y . Ma n y h a v e p e ris he d th r o u g h haste, and affecte d wit h the t e d io u s n e s s , h is le t t e r in h a v e g iv e n M. S . ). up th e w hole business". (S e e Dip p e liu s

OF FERMENTATION p . 83 . Iu L I,IU S IN C ODICILI,O. Fer m ent m ust not be t h a t , b u t o f Q A ) o n fy. W e look for nothing else t h e St o n e (h ; e ) b e tu rned into its lik e ( into \2 ) I t h e m ( fro m O o " O I i s the whole tem per atur e ( i.e. this or but that and from V orp

&

11.

A, o" + ) nor is it ferment before the bodies ( O converted into their first matter ( 6 ) . Note this
+
Ph ilo sophical Canons ) .

& )l
rrro'l 'l
.

be
frri Y
\ 4sv

ri o

m ind that I n r e sp e ct to fe rme n tation ( he m eans multiplication) , t h e q u a n ti ty o f th e vo l atile does not exceed the quantity of the f i x e d (T R ) o th e rw i se , the sponsal union of the body ( e or T R ) ( w o u l d b e p u t to fl i g h t, but if a little means her e of the + $ f r e s h ; ; ;, o r fre sh for multiplication in quantity) be c as t $ u p o n m u ch o f th e b o d y ( O or TR) so that the body ( TR) has the d o m i n a ti o n o ve r i !, i t soon conver ts it into a powder ( i.e. T R ) . ( This concer ns the taxe j; o f th e 6 u l ;" of the body ( TR) .
t '.

m u lti plication Fer mentation do e s the n a tte r rational

in is

quality the immort a l

o r v irt u e ). of the S t o n e (t h e the

r9lJ

an ima t io n soul

a a a ). body,

(So i. e .

o f ma n a n ima t e p.

). The r e is no ferment I am afraid pa r t.

but G o ld a n d S ilv e r. ri-o h t l v e x n la in e d

8L+. the above confused

I have not

MULTIPLICATION & PROJECTION OF THE TINCTURE p . 84 . Mu l ti p l i e a ti o n a l t e r a ti -o n , b y d i sso l vi n g a p p o s iti o n o f n e w ma tte r T o o b t a i n T R . fi n e me ta l. p . 8 5 . Wh e n th e S to n e is either vir tual such as is m ade b y and congealing; or in quantity, bV ( i.e. e o" O in the Y & in th e \4 ) . H

is liquified by digestion, it must be c o a g u l a te d . a g a i n w i th fer m ent ( O ") or with its own bo dy + ( w i t h i i E ). C a st th e Medicine upon your fer m ent in a ! T h e n i t b e co me s b ri ttl -e like glass. Take that glass ( of e o" O a n d c a st i t u p o n me ta ts O o" H and you witl have C o" e f i f i t h a s b e e n h i g h l y mu l ti plied you will have TR. ) . p . B ? . Ou r R e d Ma n ( e ) and his white wife H do not ti- nge, f u n t i l th e y a re ti n g e d (An old axioma: "Lapis not tingit, nis i prius ti-ngatur,, ) .

L2.

A r n ol d u s i n R o sa ri o says: "he that is negligent o f b o oks, sh a l l n e ve r b e r eady in the pr epar ation o n e b o o k o p e n s a n o th e r ( per fectly just and tr ue) , i - n o n e i s i n co mp l e te i n another is completed; and r e f u s e s T h e o rrr a n n 1 rr h i m< o]- f f,6 r egular pr actice?" i n R o sa ri o .

in the r ead.i ng of things, for and that w hi c h how can h e that SayS, Ar nOl d.us

A1 1 w i sd o m i s fro m God, and was ar ways with God fr om Eter ni ty . W h o s oe ve r, th e re fo re , l _oves W isdom , 1et him seek it, and pr ay f o r i t to Go d ; fo r, H e is the altitude of al1 Science, and the T r e a s ure o f a l l Wi sd o m. Am en.
F I NI S p. L2.
!

The way of
rrt

pro c e e d in g
d.

is var ious,
tho vr!v hol n trv!}, nf vr

and yet i t
a
*ho vrtv n
\-,,

is

e a S j I tr vqp4!J

r edr l ned euuvsu

r/(J -+^

T .i ^.. ^rr. hrr !.L!l(/Ut eJ

nf vr

co a l- , which

Liquor

afterw a rd . s

by

in ar tifice,

can extr ac t

i s a l -so -+ ted per s, and fixed with the Tinctur es o f o , d c Q u u t ch i efly it is nour ished by its own m ilk, of I (o r, th e black cloud, which becomes L a c V i rg i n i s, V ). p . 60 . A rg e n t vi vu m i n its fir st r oot is composed of whit e concealed in Sea Q r s ay I fi"" ous mixed with a bright and cl_ear fl&, until- the m oist be tem per ed w i t h t he d ry a n d th e d ry with the m oist, equally into one subs t a n c e , a n d i s so h o mo geneousin i- ts natur e that it either rem ai ns a l t o g e th e r i n th e A , and is fixedr or , it flies all away in a f u m e ; b e ca u se i t i s i n combustible and aer ial, and this is a s i en o f i t s p e rfe cti o n . p . 6 ]-. E cru d u s d i -ssolves bodies into their mater "'i,- -- ial nr i m a \, + b u t t h e p co rp o ru m ca n not do it The !y " Lucid Key ( H ) . o p e n e d se cre t p l a ce s o th er wise inaccessible ( i and w i thi n O & ) w a s g r ea t sto re o f ( This expr ession is for ..r nd in ' T he O & O Ar a b i a n N i g h ts. 1 OO1n i g hts, and is an allegor y) . ( +? As the

t he s o u l o f of O . +
p. L3.

-L).

o r in cin al

of

fi
\-/

lies

conc e a le d
vvllveo

in

Se

ae
).
t

n o l l unf us

l ona u lr l u!

+1, r,r1

pf

O-

n r i e t v o f sr:r,fi mi n e I with { v !ur. sea Q & (Et Y n p . 72 . T u rn th e b l a ck cloud into r." "sqi +r r t o m a ke i t fru i tfu l .

to waier the V

bel ow ,

T h i s re d u cti o n o f C l o uds into Rain is called by some ' .The D r ag o n ' s Ta j -l " . o th e rs sa y that new U is to be added. ( r believe n o t ) b u t w h e n th e p e rfe ct white islOtained, Incer ation or fm bi bi t i o n mu st ta ke p l a ce ). p. 72. The bodies ( C & to be subtitized by ) I ar e fir st r a d i c a l d i sso l -u ti o n , WH ICHIS TI- IEFIRST DEGREE OF THE W ORK. T hi s that bodies may be r educed i nto ;s o*l i- .e. m etal- lick I + , ) e they took their or igin. No U , but a metallick body conA " 41 s i s t i n e ofH & r "1.e. v ) is par t of our Stone. p . ? 2. fh e -o -- o f me tal-s i ( ? T h a t -rt- w e mu st e xtra ct fr om the 2 per fect metal- lick bodi es b y p u t r e fa cti o n , D i vi si o n of the Elem ents, and their Fixation. ( u o d i sti l l a ti o n . N a tu re does it all, say Ber nhar d.us & Montanus . ) p - 7 2. w h e n th e ma tte r ascends in a Fum e ( the black cloud), t h e P h il o so p h e rs ca l l i t Sublimation. W hen it is cast into the b o t t o m o f th e g l a ss a n d c onver ted into ! , they call it solu ti on, o r d i s t i l l a ti o n . w h e n the f becomes thick, they cal- l it cor r uption. Wh e n i t b e g i n s to change fr om b1ack, they call- it Abluti on. ( I , o t i o a w a sh i n g o r ma ki ng cl_ean what was dir ty) . Extracti-on of V from the Y ( from the E X Hl and returning i t t o t h e f, a g a i n (n o t by hands) until the f- putr efies and t u r n s b l a ck a n d b e co me s cLear again ( tn t5o ( ,P ) is the suM of
our MAGISTERY. w he n the in cr e a sed call- e d their c'21o *.rsw4vrr in e rinn P hilosophers they called it sa w t h e ir c re a t io n , V
J

d imin is h e d a n d wh e n a ll a lb u m).

a n d t h e ir b e c a me T they

work congelatio n , rTinctura a.)_vd. al-b a { \rrrrvuqLa

t

a n d wh e n wh it e , n a t u ra e

, th e y c a lre d it

L+.

D i s s ol -u ti o n ca u se s B l a ckness, Reduction, W hiteness. Fixati on c a u s e s Y e l l o w a n d R e d .n ess( occasioned by cor por ification of A ) . & B l a c kn e ss i s th e \F ; W hi.teness the [ ; Yellowness tt' r e * R e d n e ss th e A . ( Se e t h e w i sd o m o f t h i s s e n te n ce the Elementary Consanguinity

+r

V A A

p. 73 Solution Compare this with Natur e)

Imb i b i ta tion,

Incer ation

p . 7 4 . Wi th th e V o f Par adise, bedew theY ( TR. Alba) , now cl-arified and your \/ will again ascend to heaven and descend to the ! to fe rti l i se and i t and br ing for th W hite, Citr ine, R e d s a ys Isa a cu s H o l l a n d us. C i b a ti o n i s th e n u rti ti o n of our dr y matter , with milk, and m e a t m o d e ra te l y g i ve n , u ntil it be per fect, says Ripley. Our great work is to make the body a-$--& thesa bod.y. If t h e q u an ti ty o f th e vo l a tile exceeds and subdues the weight of the f i x e d , i t w i l l fi n a l l y b e conver ted into a Spir itual body, W hi te or Red. T h e $ z d o e s n o t g e rmi n ate without fr equent Incer ation, nor r e c e i v e In ce ra ti o n w i th o ut Desiccation. p . ? 8. E ve ry ti me a fter exsiccati- on, pour \/ upon it moder atel y , n e i - t h e r to o mu ch n o r to o Iittle. If too m uch it will be a s ea of c o n t u r b a ti o n . If to o Ii ttle, all is bur ned to a light cinder ( C o n s u l t F l a me 1 ) F l a me l has im bibed seven times, som e but fiv e. mixed with M agnesia ( i.e. r ed9 sh crud e Pur e ) takes aw ay ? .) ' The Dragon born in darkness must be fed with his ow r \J suo? m e r g e d i n i t, a n d th e n b y littIe is dealbated by i - t. and littIe

L5.

& A , and u n ti l - ther e be peace between V K e e p a so ft A , u n t i l - th e -sr- a n d th e b ody become One. M i n d th a t th o u w a te re st tem per ately; for , if the water abounds , i t w i l l- b e a se a , a n d i f the S is wanting, a com bustion wi l l 0 e m a o e . ( u o n su l --E t'l a mel ) . I n t h e fi rst co mp o si tion of this wor k, nothing extr aneous enter s , s o n e i th e r ca n a n yth i n g multiply it that is not of its fir st c o m p osi ti o n . N. B. C o u n -uB e rn h a rd u s sa ys: "The M agester y of the Philosopher s does n o t w a n t a co mmi xtu re o f anything extr aneous. Out of the pr oper m e t a l l ick se e d , ca st i n to pr epar ed philosophical f a Stone i s p r o d u ce d i n fi n i te l y mu l tipliable, if it be nour ished with its ow n ItJ m e n s t ru u m ( Q ) o r co n natur al- humour , and be excited by the heat ? o f t h e P h i l o so p h e rrs S un 1 $ iaf A ofO fr om POTENTIA int o AC T ) .
Cal vq!!u id s er r s :
u@Joa

t t Tek e !qflv

turr9 he

'r r n rrantitrr ILUArre+sJ

(.xru

and

n l r s o r . r r cvv vvuv!

!uJ

its

rvYU46lIt/t ,rreicrh*

au\l

o A rl

{n UU

i t a s mu ch o f th e h u mi d ity as it can dr i- nk, of which humidit y w e h a ve n o d e te rmi -n a te pondus ( See Flamel Clangor Buccinoe. T he t i m e o f Imb i b l ti o n to E xsiccation is 20 or 30 dP . p . ? 6 . P o n ta n u s. Ou r A is m iner al, equal, continual & etc . R i p l ey. T h e fi re a g a inst Natur e m ust tor m ent the bodi- es ( e & i .e . th e D ra gon ( U ) bur ning violently. A, Bened .i c tus Dl s a y s , a 1 l a l o n g , yo u r C m ust te gentie, untit i;he [ ( U I u" c o n g e a l e d i n to Wh i te n e ss. A str onger heat given, the $ flie s - A' fA f ' r o m t he A , b y re a so n of its coldness. Ther efor e keep the l \ s o f t , u n ti l th o u h a st a ccomplished a W HITECONGET,ATION. p . ?9 . T h i n k n o t th a t the philosopher s tell an r m tr uth w hen t h e y sa y th e w h o L e ma g i ster ium is per for med in one only vessel . M i n d h e re th e fi g u re o f the vessel, which is but one, not th e s u b j e c t, w h i ch i s MOR E THANONE, althot of ONEAND tHE SAM EOR IGIN .

F I NI S

IO.

B.M.MS.Slone631, f.l83
and sent by the Br ether en of the R. C . t o a c e rta i n Ge rma n , a copy wher eof Dr Fludd obtained of a Pol a n d e r o f D a n tzi ch , h i s friend, which he since pr inted ( in Lati n) a t t h e en d o f h i s tra ct i ntituled Tr actatic de Summ um Bonom . T h i s Ep i stl e w a s w ri tte n

GGo
Venerable and Honourable Sir. year of thy Nativityr w pray Seeing that this will be the first that thou mayrst have from the most high God a most happy entrance i n t o , a n d a d e p a rtu re o u t fr om thy 1ife, and because thou has t h i t h e r t o b e e n w i th a g o o d mind and constant sear cher of Holy Ph i l o s o p h y, w e l l - d o n e P ro ceed, Fear God; for thus thou mayr st g a i n H e a ve n , a n d g e t to thyself the most tr ue lcr owledge. For it is God who hath found out every way and it is God who alone i s C i r c umfe re n ce a n d C e n ter . B u t d r a w th o u n e a r, l i sten, Take this to thee. For he who i nc r e a s e t h kn o w l e d g e i n cre a seth sor r ow; Because that in much kn ow l e d g e i s mu ch g ri e f. For al- 1 wor ldli ngs We speak by exper ience. a n d v a i n g l o ri o u s, va u n ti ng boaster s, gor gious m en, talker s, and vain people do unworthily scandalize, yea and curse us for arr unknown matter. But we wonder not that the ungrateful World does p e r s e c u te th e F ro fe sso rs of the tr ue Ar ts, together with the T r u t h i tse l f. Y e t fo r th y sake we shall- br iefly answer to th es e questions z Tiz. What we do? What can we do? 0r whether there are any such as we? In John therefore we read that God is the supreme light and in (although in a lanterrr) light we walk, so that we exhibit light t o t h e wo rId . B u t th o u man of the W or ld that deniest this, thou k n o w e s t n o t o r se e st n o t. It behoves thee to lcr ow that in th y v i l e b o d y Je su s d w e l l e th , this thou hast fr om the Apostle, an d

l.

J e s u s k n e w a l l th e i r th o ughts to whom, if thou adher est thou ar t a t l e n g th ma d e o n e S p i ri t wiih Him, and then being out of the s a m e n a tu re , w h o p ro h i b i teth thee with Solom an to know as wel l t h e w i c ke d a s g o o d co n te ntions of men. And this thou m ayr st tak e f r o m m e o u t o f th e p ro mi ses. A n d h e n ce i s i t th a t w e do not answer to al- l; Yiz. because of t h e d e ce i tfu l mi n d s o f some. For whosoever ar e alienated fr o m G o d , a r e co n tra ry to u s. And who is so fool- ish as to per m i- t a new c o m e s t r a n g e r to e n te r i nto another mans house. But if thou obj ec t t h a t t h is u n i o n i s o n l y to be expected in the W or ld to come, behol d n o w i n th i s th o u sh o w e st thyself a W or ldlir g, who extinguisheth
'l i .o h t hrr thrr ignoranCe. Ap o stl e in th e this th e se is a liar. words: not in to the A ls O t h O U a rt t h in g s not a s h a me d t o ma k e t h e ma n if e s t e d In whom t h e s e a re mo re c le a rly

R eveLation

"S o that y o u ma y b e wa n t in g i-n n o G ra c e , e x p e c t i n g of our Lord J e s u s Ch ris t . " But thou say0st that be understoo d verse of t h is in f e rio u r 1 if e , wh a t t h er e f o r e " Wh o s h a ll- c o n f irm y o u e v e n t o t h y K ingdom of G o d t h e re is n o e n d , T h e re f o re in t h i s in t e n d ,

do e s th e en d - for

foll-owing

Tem p o r a l S tate wiLl appear t h e G lo ry o f t h e L o rd a n d J e s u s G l - o r i f i e d . ' , Tf q n rrthirrcr is further d e ma n d e d CO n c e rn in g o u r o f f ic e S r o Ur e n d e a vo ur is to lead back lo s t S h e e p t o t h e t ru e S h e e p f o ld . You l - ab o u r therefore in vain, 0 Mis e ra b le mo rt a ls , wh o e n t e r u p o n a n o t h e r wa y tha n which io n , r i ei bu t vi - z. that as the not A pos t le in wills , through b y p u t t in g dying in off the T a b e rna c l e , opint a u gh t been way is walked willeth, according a s c h ris t if it to vulgar hath had not

as P eter

wh e re h e s a it h for s a f e k e e p in g , had not s a id , T e ll to

when he was trans f ig u re d down, entrusted the had the to A p o s t le

t h e Mo u n t , s a id

wh ic h

d e p o s it e d

o r la yin g se cr e t n e ithe r fr om th e

and hidden,

S upreme T ru t h of

"As Jesus taught ile,,, t h is t o n o ma n . For die was known to liv in g "Let the stones. s a me min d b e all men be ye

accordi-ng

the vulgar

way, vulgarly the wo rld . in t o

beginning

B e y e c h a n g e d t h e re f o re ,

cha n g e d from dead stones Th e Apostle

P h ilo s o p h ic a l

shows the w a y wh e n h e s a it h ,

i n y o u wh i ch i s i n Je su s. " Ar so he explains that mind in the f o l l o w i n g w o rd s; vL Z . w h er eas being in the for m of God, he thought
it ru nn v . n h lr a n r rru !\rlruEly

to

be equal

to

God.

Behold

these

things,

Oh all

you

s e a rch i n to th e a b struse secr ets of natur e. Ye hear the s e m a t t e r s b u t yo u b e l i e ve them not, oh m iser abl- e m or tals, who d o so anxiously run into your won rui-ne, but wil_t thou be more happy, 0 h t h o u mo st mi -se ra b l e , wilt thou be etevated above the cir cles n r r nn' \ fJ r fh ra/ r r Erw ulA rr-u ' Oh th o u p fo ud one, wilt thou comm andin Heaven, abov e t h i s e a r th a n d th y d a rk body, oh thou am bitious m an, wilt ye per f o r m a L 1 mi ra cl e s 0 h ye u nwor thy? Know ye ther efor e ye stone r e j e c t e d o f w h a t n a tu re i t is? But thou oh Br other , har ken, r w i l l s p e a k w i th st. Jo h n , that thou m ay' st have felr owship with u s a n d i n d e e d o u r fe l l o w ship is with the Father and with Jesu s . w e w r i te u n to vo u , th a t ye may r ejoice, because God is light a n d i n hi m i s n o d a rkn e ss at all- . But if thou mayest come into u s , b e h o l d th i s l i g h t, fo r it is impossible for thee to see us (unless when we will) i n another light. r n t h i s th e re fo re fo l ro w us, wher eby thou m ayest be m ade happy w i t h u s , fo r o u r mo st fi xed. palace is the centr e of all things , l i k e w i s e i t i s mu ch o b scur ed, because cover ed with m any nam es . E n t e r , e n te r to th e g l o ry of God, thy own sa.lvation the gates and s c h o o l of P h i l o so p h i ca l fove. In which is taught everlasting Charity and fraternal- love and t h a t s a m e re sp l e n d e n t a n d invisible castle, whi_ch is built up on t h e m o u nta i n o f th e L o rd , out of whose r oot goeth for th a fountai n o f L i v i n g w a te rs (a ri ve r of love) Dr ink, dr ink, ald again dr ink , t h a t t h o u ma ye st se e a l l hidden things and conver se with us. Ag a i n b e w a re , b u t w h a t? For thou knowest ver y well that natur e r e c e i v e s n o th i n g fo r n u tri m ent, but that which is subtile, the t h i c k a nd fe cu l e n t i s ca st out as excr ements. It is also wel1 di s p u t e d b y th yse rf th a t th o se who wil- l love in the m ind., r ather t h a n i n th e b o d y, ta ke i n nour ishm ent by the spir it, not by th e m o u t h . A s fo r e l ra mn re i + i.s lawfull_ to know Heaven by Heaven, not

that

by Ear th, stan d e th but eve r calle d

but

the virtues

o f t h is

by the in t o

o t h e r,

a n d if h im f irs t .

thou thou

un d e r s ee k e s t

me aright is

no man a s c e n d e t h not from He a v e n is tho u canst

He a v e n wh ic h

he who descended from He a v e n e n lig h t e n e t h th erefore a vi-rtue. Oh B rother, itsel-f, all it will thy spark, dwelling the might, a grain in not to a f a ls e

Wh a t s o be

I ma g e a n d c a n n o t c o n f irme d allthy

Th e r e fore by Vir tue and with wo r ks, glisten in g o wn b o d y, in g i t, alwa ys This awa y all vio le n ce tho u ar t And th a t r e a d e th fou l

be better in is

than re ligi o u s l y

S upre me T ru t h , endeavour d a ily . c re a t e d

wh j-c h if follow F o r it never b e in g ,

t h o u wilt , a f ie ry

words and S p irit , a his fire,

confi-rm the e eve ry

imp a s s ib le ,

d y in g ,

s u b limin g p u r in the

s u s t a in in g p u rg e d r wit h o u t

and govern-

Gold burning, more glorious shall, f

bV Ch ris t and p u re

p u rif ie d , in b ila t in g d a ily

d imin u t io n . a s a c e rt a in and canst death nor v iz . s h a lt learned take any

szV , confi-rm t h e e

u n t il,

m an saith,

"Thou art made lik e a lio n in b a t t le the pull of the wo rI d , a n d f e a re s t not whatsoever a dev illis h thy to t y ra n n y the become such a on e a s t h o u God may bless Authors la b o u rs , d e s ire s t , wh ic h

c a n in v e n t thou

s e e ing re c e i v e a wise art with man

a S t o n e a n d a wo r k l

in most approved one thing Tho u art

be read under a n o t h e r. after wit h

a shadow, for

and unde rs t a n d s breat h e purge th y s e lf

imperfect,

a d u e p e rf e c t io n ; t e a rs , wit h the s u b lime

thou t h y s e lf

an d unclean, soul

g o o d m aJlners and virtues, m a ke thy th in g s, sublime and conformable

a d o rn t h y s e lf for to A n g e lic a l

S a c ra me n t a l that it

g ra ce s , of Heavenlv it of that

and s u b t ile ,

c o n t e mp la t io n

S p irit s ,

ma y v iv i f y

thy vile ashes and rotten b o d y a n d ma k e it wh it e a n d re n d e r a 'ltncr o thap i-coryuptible a n d imp a s s ib le b y t h e re s u rre c t io n o u r l or d h a th to is th in g s Jesus Christ. wrote Do t h e s e be t o ld to t h in g s I. thee a n d t h o u wilt These things f ro m (o r no man hath th y more plainly shalt trust. F. T. *. F. I n lig h t a n d C. than the

confess

Lady Virtue These whi c h

commended should deserts read if to thou thy

b y ) wh o m a c c o rd i n g taught. that

h e re a f t e r

b e mo re la rg e ly wirre t h -K e e p

thou wilt,

a s t h e A p o s t le

co m mitted Fa r ewe11.

RAilIOlII LULL'S TESTAilIETIIT

The Final Conclusion for Understanding RayrnondT,u1lyrs Testament o r C o d i ci l l a n d h i s o th er Books, and aLso the Ar gent- Vive on w hi - c h t h e w ho l e i n te n ti o n a l Intention does Depend, which is other w i s e cal]ed RAYMONDS REPERTORY OR I}WD{TORY.

Bu t o u r S e cre t P h i l o so phical W ater is compoundedof thr ee N atu r e s , a n d i t i s ]i ke to a Miner al W ater , in which our Stone i s d i - s s o l ve d , a n d th e re i n i t is ter m inated, W hitened and r ubifie d. F o r i t i -s n o t j o i n e d to the wor k, unless essentially m oisten i ng t h e p a rts o f th e d i sso l ved Stone, whose Phlegm pr eser ves the w hol - e W o r k f r o m co mb u sti o n ( o r bur ning) , bV the m eans of the Ar tist s I n d u s t r y. is Bu t lcro w th a t a l l i ts substance, that is the phlegmaticall, b y d e co cti o n se p a ra te d fr om the whole Compound,but our Phle gm i s t h e mi d d l e su b sta n ce , and the fir st W ater of M er cur y, in w hi c h t h e b e g i n n i n g o f th e S tone is, that is, its dissolution, neither d o e s i t e n te r w i th i t, although they embr ace one another with the Bo n d o f N a tu re , u n l -e ss as a Phlegm m oistening the par ts of the t h i n g s , a n d n o t g e n e ra ti ng nor augm enting; W hence the r adical l m o i s t u re s a re th e e sse n tial par ts of the Stone imbibed in the t h i n g s th e mse l ve s, o f w hich alone the par ts of the things co ns i s t, t h e r e f o re b y i t, i t i s augm ented and nour ished. But it is the truly germinating (blooming, sprouting, or growing) Nature, which t h e m o re i t i s d e co cte d with the Phlegr n; in its Vessel, by a F l r e f o r c i n g (o r sti rri n g ) i s the mor e ingr afted into ( or fastene d w i th) a 1 l - a n d e ve ryo n e o f th e Par ts, it is ador ned, and so m ade fit ter t h a t m a n i fo l d F ru i ts ma y be gener ated out of it: For this is c a l - l e d th e mi d d l e n a tu re , and the Stone, Mer cur y, Ar senick, and t h e n o bl e sp i ri t p a rta ki ng of both extr eams, the W hite Sulph ur and the Red, binding up Mercury ang converting it into better Silver than that of the Mine. But the Phlegm in which is our

I.

Su l p h u r i s d e e o cte d , w h i ch is called GoId, is that in which the h u m i d A i r i n th e su b sta n ce of M er cur y is spir itually inter cep ted, u n t i l its mi d d l e p a rt a l - so be condensed into W ater , by the m eans o f t h e A cti o n o f H e a t o f the Body. For the Metallick Body as an a c t i v e V i rtu e w o rks l i ke a male, and this because it is pr op er t o i t , b e ca u se i ts H e a t is inclined in a humid, which when it e n t e r s i n to th e p o re s o f Cold M er cur y it is passive and is al ter ed by little a n d l i ttl e , a nd so al- so that which is digested by a ( even in the sm allest par ticles) n a t u r a l H e a t, i t i s to ta l ly di s s o l v e d i n to Wa te r, b e ca use it is the pr oper ty of ever y Element t o h a v e i n i tse l f a co n tr ar iety and to act on its contr ar y; but t h e p a rts w h i ch a re n o t dissolved into water ar e in the for m of an Argent Vive Amalgamated with a Body, which cannot be dissolved u n l e s s th e y b e mo re su b til- ized by sublim ation. And ther efor e l u t e ( o r cl o se ) i f yo u would di- ssolve it by coldness, then the m o r e c oa g u l a te i t. B u t the Heat of the Body does indeed diges t a n d d i s so L ve Me rcu ry, a s well as is condensed into water , with i t s p a r ts o f Me rcu ry, o ther wise di- ssolved. And so our Phlegm o f w h i c h e sse n ti a l su b stanees it consi- sts, which Essences of the El e m e n ts a re i n d e e d mu tually so dir ectedr so that the most of e a c h o f th e m, w i th th e most of the other , and the least of one w i t h t he l e a st o f th e o ther , is alter ing one another , bV ( or w i th) t h e i r qu a l i ti e s. Wh e n ce Alexander says: That they m ake a m i - x tur e o f t h e E l e me n ts, b e ca u se the Elements wor k som e cer tain Effec ts b e t t e r i n mi xtu re , th a n simple. And this by r eason that in s uc h m i x t u r e th e p ro p e r E sse nce of the Elements do r emai- n, which ar e t h e p r op e r o p e ra ti ve P o wer sr &s appear s by our philosophical W a t e r w h i -ch i s ca l l e d metalline, because it 1s gener ated ou t of ' a M e t a l l i ck K i n d o n 1 y. F o r in th i s w a te r b y Sulphur then is the middl- e disposition, w h i c h i s b e tw e e n so ftn e ss and har dness by the ( means) m ediati on o f w h i ch , th e re i s ma d e a passing' fr om the softness of Ar gent V i v e , to th e mo st p e rfe ct har dness of a m etat. W hence I say i t

2.

i s m a d e b y a d e te rmi n a ti ve

which par takes of the tw o c o n t r a ri e s: N o r i s th i s an essential disposition of Ar gent Vi v e a n d Su l n h rrr i n th e i r su bstance or Natur e' ?r r :t onlv z nzr f. o f them . dissolution,
v 4+ y r r s r rr s e4! v t vf rvrrr t

f o r m wh o se a l -te ra ti o n o f the Essential Par ts, they come una ni m ous l y ( o r t o g e th e r) i n to a n e ar thly m iddle substance. T h e re fo re i t re ce i ve s a cer tain fixation, as a Spir it of fi x ati o n , th e n e a re st to th e Rest ( or r epose) of fixation, becaus e w h e n i t i s fi xe d , i ts p hlegm is separ ated by desiccation fr o m the w h o l e g e n e ra te d C o mp o u nd. T h e re fo re to re ce i ve (or get) tfr e phlegm, condense Air by the h o t a nd th e d ry, a n d ra r ify the dr y, and you shal1 have the hot a n d m oi st; th e A e ri a l l Vapour s is spir itually r eceived in the m a t t e r o f Go l d , a n d o f other things m ixt, and ther efor e they ar e t h e s o o n e r d i sso l ve d i n to it. But our W ater after its sepa r ati on b y t h e A l e mb i ck i s i n C olour clear as conm onW ater , and in the b e g i n n i n g o f i ts Op e ra tion by the filtr e, it is pale in Colour l i k e t he h e i g h t (o r to p s) of the Chaff ( or r ather the Bear d) of W h e a t , th e C a u se o f w h i c h is the digestion conver ting the B ody t o c i t ri n i ty, a n d b e fo re it is separ ated by the filtr e it is b l a c k ; th e C a u se o f w h i ch is the Ter r estr ial Cor r uption of t he
nlrcnrrna
v svuJ

PaArr coveri-ng

the

brighter

parts

of

the

Spirit

in

a corrupt

for m , it the is in is

although its 1et hiddenly

it

be not compleat

so. d e c o c t io n , wh ic h is d o n e b y ra re f a c t i o n , is n o t h in g by the as the e ls e p h le g m : S pi r i t not is va r r i e d . but in d e e d but of a ls o

And after Spirit car ried but C olour,

White, loose

wh ic h Wh it e n e s s from t h e in is c o lo u rs ; S p irit

b o d y a n d c a rrie d

But th e phlegm is Va r ie d in

varied also

as often e v e ry is

so often form.

t h e p h le g m,

because the

p h le g m i s

Fo r t h e

d e c o c t io n

and certainly and in black power. is

t h e ma t t e r imbibed with

a u g me n t e d in after

we J - g h t , by the

i n Vir tue, fi l tr e , the

For when the black

water

separation

matter

g ro ws wh it e

u p o n t h e P o rp o h ry .

B u t th e su b sta n ce o f this
VPIM

W ater is the br ight

in the Book of Nature

and illum inati ng

was united to

Q^ini#

nf
VT

fh^ errv

Bodys,

which

t h e m e ta l s a n d co a g u l a ted by fir e, that is by the m iner al Vi r tue; a n d w h e n i t i s co a g u l a ted it is found ( to be) par taking of tw o N a t u r e s a n d e xtre a ms, for it is par tly fixed and par tly Vol ati l e, ( or a n d t h e re fo re i t i s ca l l ed the medium in which the fixative f i x i n g ) V i rtu e i s, a n d whil- e it is fixt and follows ( or takes a f t e r ) tfre p ro p e r n a tu re of a m etal. For this is cal- led Sul phur , a n d a h a rd l i q u o r
4

su b l i med after
can never

the m anner of a Spir it

in any

into

DnrrrAon
v v Yue! t

+v !

rar

+here
b

be made a liquability

Spirit.

F'n r th iq o f w hich in it another Vive is

iq

oenerated

from t h e and of other

substance o n e k in d A rg e n t

of

t wo c o n t ra ry t h e ir Ro o t , in o n e d e g re e .

mo i s t u r e s , the But one

as to heat is

and coldness S OL, and the degree in argent it vive is in a certain which

as to

V iv e

LUNE and Argent it s

differs not

Vi-ve; yet this Argent d e g re e wh e n it is jo in e d wit h S O L, s i n c e o wn n a t u re , is b e c a u s e it wit h has other o f He a t . jo in e d S0T, as an Agent; the
nature the middl-e

str on g er Ar gent but

fo mq l o .

V irtues, V ive
?r r r f

a re t h o s e ma t t e r A rg e n t

SOL is
vq"

as a passiv e not joined wit h

nl

V iv e ,
in

a . S t h e ma l-e wit h
reality

rvrrrq4v,

o f A r g e n t V i ve h a s d o mi ni- on over the matter of gold, and cor r upts .if ;+ :+ a ur a s r-r r-E a cte d u p o n it like a mal- e; but it not only cor r upts i t , b ut a rte ri n g i t e n ter s into the fixt and hot hum idity of s o]., w i t h t h e S p i ri t, (i ts S pir it) and this by the mediati- on of that S p i r i t i n w h i ch th e B u d ( the Spr out or Gr owth) if both of th em i s c a r r i e d.Wh e n ce S OL i s n ot joined to Ar gent vive, nor Ar gent v i v e t o S 0 l, b u t b y th e mi d d le substance , nor does the one love the o t h e r , b u t b y su ch a d i sposition akin to natur e; of whi- ch o ne s ubs t a n c e' th a t i s, th a t o f Ar gent Vive exceeds the substance of SOI i n a f o u r-fo l d p a rt (o r pr opor tion) because it is col- der than Sol,; because the active Powers are. greater in so], than in LUNE i n t h e b e g i n n i n g o f th e Confection of ( or m aking) the Stone .

-n

the

Contrary,

because

o f th e matter of S0l does not in tr uth exceed. tu h or r s n n ' i n a nf r o n e p i e ce o f Gol- d; but it exceeds m or e in the w ei ght l / r J-u E u o f t h e L U N E ma tte r, b e cause it is of a m or e ter r estr i_al natur e a n d o f a w e a ke r P o w e r, a nd it is ther efor e str engthened with the n a t u r e o f g o l d , a n d w i th out it, it i- s weakened. For LUNE, thi s a c c o r d i n g to a l l (A u th o rs) it be cold, vet it is hot in some c e r t a i n d e g re e , b u t i t h as not so gr eat a power , that it can ac t o n t h e p a ssi -ve ma tte r o f Ar gent vive, unless it be assisted by a m o r e a cti -ve ma tte r, a n d ther efor e the Ear th of Sulphur is pr e par ed w i t h A rse n i ck, a s a rg e n t vive with our sulphur . But the pr ep ar ati o n o f S u l p h u r i s, th a t if it be boiled with its Oil, with a ti ttl e o f t h e fe rme n t, i t w i l l within B days r etur n into a most r ed Po w d e r ti n g i n g S i l ve r i n to Gold.

Y e t t h e q u a n ti ty

Fi- nis.

5.

Sloane

MSS

13 21

AN HUNDRED APHORISMS CONTAINING THE WHOLE BODYOF MAGICK

ffi

ffi
1

a n o n ymo u s

The whole World is animated with the first supreme and intellAA t u a l S o u l - p o sse ssi n g i n ltself the sem inar y r easons of all T h i n g s , w h i ch p ro ce e d i n g fr om the br ightness of the ldeas of the first Intellect are as it were the Instrument by which this great Body is governed and are the links of the golden chain of Providah aro

2 . W h i le th e Op e ra ti o n s of the Soul ar e ter minated or bounde d t h e Bo d y i s g e n e ra te d o r pr oduced out of the power of the Sou1, a n d i s d i ve rse l y fo rme d a ccor ding to the ir nagination ther eof, hence it hath the denominating power over the Body which it could not have except the Body did fu1ly and who11y depend upon it. I n t h i s p ro d u cti o n w h ilst the Soul fashioneth to itself a 3. Body, there is some third thing the mean between them both by which the Soul is now inwardly joined to the Body, and by which the Operation of aLl natrrral things are dispensed, and this is CAI1Ed The VfiAL SPIRIT. 4, The Operations of Natr:ra1 things are dispensed. from this S p i r i t by th e o rg a n s a cco r ding to the disposition of the Or ga n. The disposition of the organ depends first and prirnarily upon 5. t h e I n t e ll e e t, w h i ch d i sp oseth all things. Secondly upon the S o u l o f th e Wo rl d th a t fo rms itself a Body accor ding to the se m i na r y r e a so n s o f th i n g s. T hir dly, unto the Spir it of the Univers e that c o n ta i n e th th i n g s i n such a disposition.

1.

No bodily
SO lrrr

far it,

th i n g h a th ar ly ener gy or oper ation in itself s av i ng fo r a s i t i s a n r nstr ument of the sam e spir itr or info r m ed fo r th a t w h i ch i -s m eer ly cor por eal is meer ly passive.

7 . H e th a t w i L l w o rk g reat things, m ust ( as much as possi- bl e) t a k e a w a y co rp o re i ty fro m things r or eLse he must add Spir it to t h e Bo d y, o r e l se a w a ken the sleeping Spir it, unless he do s om e o f t h o se th i n g s o r kn o w how to join his imagination to the i m agination o f th e S o u l o f the W or td, now Labour ing and under taki ng
he wilI never dn a:n\r ffioat tnatter. an exchaflSe,

B . I t i s i mp o ssi b l e to take al- l this Spir it fr om anything whatsoever for by this Bond a thing is held from falling back into i t s f i r st ma tte r o r n o thing.
This S pirit is 9. we r e free from the Body agreeably, of
' lO +v.

somewhere or rather Body, and he that a T re a s u re

every where found as it knows how to join it with better t h a n a ll t h e ric h e s

possesset h

th e world.
Thc

e ithe r at 11. of

i s se p a r ated fr om the Body as much as it is pos s i bl e by means of fermentation or drawn by his Brother which is
S n i ri f,V }/ L L

l i berty. The Organs by which th i- ngs, which meerly t h is S p irit wo rk e t h c o n s id e re d lif e , Body. a re t h e q u a lit ie s to do no e ls e but

a n d p u re ly of the

a re a b le

m or e than the m od ifi c ation

eyes can s e e wit h o u t of the matter

a s b e in g n o t h in g

1 2 . A1 1 th i n g s o p e ra ti n g do it to this only pur pose, to mak e t h i n g s u p o n w h i ch th e y wor k like themselves. ] - 3 . Th e S u b j e ct o f th e VitaL Spir it in the Body in it a n d b y i t w o rke th , n e i th er is it ever so pur e but that j o i n e d w i th i ts Me rcu ri aL m oistur e. i- s r ec ei v ed, it is

?.

Th i s H u mo r d o th n o t specify the spir it because it is the c o n m o nma tte r o f th i n g s apt to be m ade anything neither is it Se e n w i th e ye s b e ca u se it is nr r r e . r r nr i' l it be fir st ter minated i n a mo re so l -i d b o d .y. S o u l s n o r pur e Spir its, nor Intelligences can wor k u p o n B o d i e s b u t b y me a ns of this Spir it, for two extr emes ca nnot b e j o i ne d w i th o u t a me an, ther efor e Demonsappear not but af ter s a c r i f ice s u se d . L 6 . If th e S p i ri t o r Intelligencer of it be specified with bei ng, e i t h e r d i ssi p a te d b y th e contr ar y or changed.into another th i ng, t h e y ce a se to w o rk th e re any r onger , as they ar e ar r ur ed by the vital sp i ri ts o f l i vi n g cr eatur es so they ar e put to flightr or r a t h e r ce a se to w o rk u p on Bodies, wher e shar p and venomous thi ngs a r e u se d . Th e sta rs d o ti e the vitar - spir it to the nody disposed., by l i g h t a n d h e a t, a n d b y the sam e means do thev insnir e it into t h e Bo d y. 18. f n Ge n e ra ti o n th e Spir it is mixed with the Body, and dir ec ts t h e i n te n t o f N a tu re to its end. 1 9 . Th e S e e d s o f th i n g s ar e known to contain mor e plenty Sp i r i t th e n a n yth i n g e 1 s e. of thi s 17. L5. N e i th e r

14.

2 0 . Th e se e d s d o n o t contain such plenty of this spir it as i s r e q u i s i te to th e p e rfe ct pr oduction of a thing, but the internal Spirit allureth the External coming down from Heaven unites it t o i t s erf, a n d b e i n g fo rtified ther ewith at length it begets i t s l i ke . Be fo re th e se e d s d o ger m inate or bud, it b y f e r m e n ta ti o n d i sp o se d to attr action. 2r. is fer m ented, and

3.

I f g e rmi n a ti o n sh o ul- d be hinder ed with the ad.vancem entof a t t r a c t i on a n d a ssi mi l a ti on, the things m ight be br ought at l ength f r o r n t h e se e d to th e sp i r it of it in a m oment. T ha t w h i ch i s mo re univer sal doth m or e fur ther attr acti.on a n d m o re d i sp o se th th e i r seeds to attr action as Salt- petr e in v e g e t a b l e s. Every family o f th i ngs hath som e with its mixt univer sal, w h e r e b y th e se e d s a re d i s posed to attr action and m ade fr uitful. 2 5 . H e th a t kn o w s h o w to join ar tificially the Univer sal- to the s e e d o f th e A n i ma 1 fa mi l y may pr oduce ever lasting weights, bes i des the terminate matrix or womb at least formaIly, and the like reason I t i s a l so o f o th e r th i n g s. 26. He that can join Light with Darlc:ess can multiply their own kind, and change the nature of them. 27. things in 24. 23.

22.

T he U n i ve rsa l V i ta l Spir it coming down fr om Heaven, pur e , c1ear, and uncontaminated is the Father of the particular Vita1 Sp i r i t w h i ch i s i n e ve rything, for it incr eases and multiplies i t i n th e B o d y; fro m w h ence the Bodies bor r ow the power of mul ti p l y i n g th e mse l ve s. A s th e fi rst V i ta ] Spir it lies in the Mer cur ial- Hum or that things i s i s c o mmo na n d fre e , a n d the vital Spir it of par ticular resident in that Mercurial Humor imbued with the virtue of that Bo d y wh o se i t i s, w h i ch they cal- I r adical Moistur e. 28. H e th a t ca n j o i n a Spir it im pr egnate with the vir tue of one B o d y w i th a n o th e r, th a t is now disposed to change, ilay pr odu c e m a n y m i ra cl e s a n d mo n ster s. 29.

+.

3 0 . T h e F i rst V a ri e ty of the Disposition t h e Va ri o u s co n co cti o n of W ater .

of Bodies pr oceeds fr om

3 L . Th e se co n d , fro m the var ious m ixtur es of the thr ee pr inc i pal s , Sa I t , S u l p h u r, a n d Me rcur y. 3 2 . Th e se d i sp o si ti o n s fl- ow fr om the var ious positions St a r s , e sp e ci a l l y fro m the Sun. 3 3 . Eve ry th i n g h a th so much Vitality t h e n a tu ra l a cti o n s o f the species. as is r equir ed of t he

to pr oduc e

3 4 . No th i n g b e g i n s to be made that doth not r eceive some Vi tal i ty from Heaven by which it can work somewhat. He th a t kn o w s h o w to infuse the pr opitious Heaven or S un th i n g sr o r th e mi xtur es of things, m ay per for m wonder s , and h e r e u po n d e p e n d a l l Ma gical Oper ations. 35. into 3 5 . B y h o w mu ch th e D i sposition or the Subjects ar e m or e for m al , s o m u ch mo re o f th i s l i fe they r eceive, and so much mor e pow er f u I 1 y th e y w o rk. ) 7 . As i n th e e ye , th e oper ati- ons ar e mor e nobLe than in the f o o t , a l th o u g h th e y b o th pr oceed fr om the same Soul- , becaus e of t h e v a ri e ty o f th i s Organ apt to r eceive a gr eater pr otion of L i f e t S o th e co n ste l l a te char acter s because of their for mali ty r e c e i v e a g re a te r p o rti o n of Spir it fr om Heaven and per for m nobl e a c t i o n s. continually flows from Heaven and back again 38. This Spirit to Heaven, and in the flowing is found pure and unmixed, and therefore may by a skilIfulI workman by wonderful means be joined to a n y t h in g , th a t i n cre a se the vir tues of it accor ding to the d i s pos i ti o n o f th e su b j e ct.

3 9 . T h e H e a rt o f H e a ven is the Sun, which by Light a l l - t hi n g s, a s w e l l to the Star s, a.s to the Ear th. +0. Op a q u e i s n o th i n g else but a Body either h a v i n g th e L i g h t a sl e e p in it.

distr ibutes

wanting Light

or

He that can by Light d.raw Light out of things, or multiply I i g h t S i th L i g h t, h e kn ows how to add the Univer sal Spir it of L i f e to th e p a rti cu l a r Spir it of life, and by this addition do m i r a c l - e s. 42. Ho w mu ch l i g h t i s added., so much Life, so mu ch i s lost of the other . and so m uch of the one

+L.

a s i s l o st,

4 3 . Th i s S p i ri t, b e g i n s b y l i ttl e 4+.

a fte r the last pr ocess of M atur ation, a n d l i ttle to vanish.

str a i ght

Ma tu ra ti o n i s n o th ing else but the oper ation of the pr oper r a d i a t ed S p i ri t to th e per fection of the Individual, as far for th a s i t ma y b e p e rfe cte d , pr oceeding to the seminar y r easons ex p o u n d e d o r p ro p o se d b y Natur e or the Soulr or it is an actuati on o f t h e In te rn a L S p i ri t as far as it can be actuated.r or it i s the g r e a t e st rl l u mi -n a ti o n o f the m atter that can possibly be do ne b y s u ch L i g h t. Th e S p i ri t i s d i ssi pated when it str ives to act upon a m atter t o o r eb e l l i o u s, o r w h e n the natur al Cr assis or m i- xtur e of a thi ng i s a l t ere d b y th e sta rs, sometimes too m uch excited it br ea k s f o r t h , o r b e i n g ca l Ie d out by his Br other s spir it it goeth aw ay to it. +6, Th e Ma tte r i s re b e Llious when by r eason of a star r y cr as i s o r t e m p e ra tu re i t ca n n ot be over com e allur ed by the Spir itr or w hen i t i s i n th e n a tu ra l p e riods beyond which it can neither go r nor 45.

t h e S p iri t ca rry i t a n y fur ther , for only so much Spir it a s s e r ve th e ve ry th i n g to the due per fection of it. 47.

is g i v en

T he T e mp e ra tu re o f a thing is alter ed by the Star s which the H o r o s c o p e o f th e N a ti vi ty comes to the degr ees or positions o f t h e Pl a n e ts co n tra ry to the beginning of Life. 48. T he S p i ri t fo r, agitation, i s to o m uch exeited by fer mentation or im m od er ate mo d e ra te agitation is necessar y to vital- oper ati ons . out by his Br other Spir it when it is

4 9 . T he S p i ri t i s ca Il e d t o o m u ch e xp o se d to i -t.

5 0 . I n ce rta i n th i n g s i t cannot be calted out by its Br other, b e c a u s e o f i ts stra i g h t locality with the Body, but it allur es i t s B r o th e r to h i m a n d i s str ongly for tified ther eby. 5 L , F erme n ta ti o n i s th e action of heat upon moistur e, bV whi c h t h e m o i stu re i s tre a te d and made subject to the Spir itr or it i s t h e a f f ect o f th e S p i ri t cir culating itself in the Body which cannot remain in the same state because of the fluxibility of the Bo d y . 5 2 . H e th a t b y me a n s a n d use of Univer sal Spir it can excite the particul-ar Spirit and of any thing to a natural fermentation, a p p e a s e a n d se ttl e th e n atur al tumul- ts by r epeating the oper a ti on, may miraculously increase things in virtue and power, the highest S e c r e t o f th e P h i l o so p h e r s. 53. Brery man li:nows that by means of fermentation the spirit i s a s p u re a s i t p o ssi b l y may be dr awn, but almost alL men do i t w i t h o u t th e fru i t o f mu l tiplication, because they icr ow not ho w to j o i n o ne B ro th e r w i th a n other .

5+.

T h i n g s d o a b i d e i n the same state of natur e so long as they

<n mrlgft Spirit
v v rrrg

nosscssl

as

is

sufficient

to

nerform

the

due

execut-

i o n t he re o f.
<1 F \r o n r r *L i fe rme n ted wor ks mor e str ongly ) ). -u ,vE ryr,rr.rrrg f e r m e n te d th e S p i ri ts ar e m or e fr ee.

because in th i ngs

5 6 . H e n ce i s ma n i fe st the cause of the natur aL Death or de s tr uc ti o n of th i n g s e ve ry thing tends to m atur ation as to the pe r fec t' i o n t he re o f, a n d w h e n i ts ( z) the Spir it begins to show its for c e, a n d s o b y a cti n g i t i s dissipated and vanisheth, which at le ngth i s t h e ca u se o f d e stru ction. 5 7 . He th a t co u l d 1 a y hold on this vanishing spir it and ap pl y i t t o th e B o d y fro m w h ence it slipt, or to another of the s am e Sp i r i t r i l a y th e re b y d o wonder s. 5 8 . Fro m th i s fo u n ta i n ar e all- natur al Philtr es flowed; for eas i l y may the Spirit be imbued with the qualities of another Body causj-ng i n B o d i e s o f th e sa me kind a r eal sim ilitud.e, which is the v i - ol - ent c a u s e o f l o ve . 5 9 . Th e se th i n g s a re a pt to inter cept this par ticular spir i t w h i c h h a ve th e g re a te r sim ilitude of most natur al conjunction w i t h th e p a rts, o r w h i ch being applied to a vegetous body, ar e by such a contact made more flourishing. These things are to be u n d e r sto o d o f th e B o d i e s of W ights, especially of M an wher e phi l - tr es a r e o f mo st p o w e r. 6 0 . T h i s S p i ri t w h e re it findeth a little Matter disposed ac c or d.i ng t o t h a t l i ke n e ss, i t makes and seals the com pound.s pr od.uced.. 6!. Wh e re th e S p i ri t o f one Bod.y being m ar r ied. to the quali ti es o f t h at B o d y i s co mmu nicated to another Body, ther e is gener ated.

a t a c e rta i n co mp a ssi o n , because of the mutuaL flux and r eflux o f t h e S p i ri ts to th e i r pr oper Body which com passion or Sym pathy i s n o t e a si l y d i sso l ve d as that which is done by im agination. 62. T he re ca n n e i th e r L ove nor compassion be gener ated witho ut

t h e m i x tu re o f S p i ri ts. 6 3 . T hi s co mmi xtu re i s som etimes done by mater ial application, s o m e t i me s b y i ma g i n a ti o n , and not seldom by the disposition of the Stars.
6 1 1 '. By natural Bod y i s apt to and they Am ator ia intercept application in the anoth e r, S pirit , it is d o n e wh e n t h e S p irit c o mmu n ic a t e it to of one

implanted

b y me a n s o f t h o s e t h in g s and to and by the Ancients

wh i-c h a r e another, called

are known by the or such things

signature,

a s lo v e

o n e a n o t h e r.

6 5 . B y i ma g i n a ti o n L o ve is pr oduced when the exalted im aginati on o f o n e d o th p re d o mi n a te over the im agination of the other , and s o f a s h i o n e th a n d se a l e th i t, and this may be easily done becau s e o f t h e vo l u b i l i ty o f th e im agination. Hence aLl incantati- ons get their efficacy for though peradventure they have some vertues i n t h e m se l ve s, V e t th i s vir tue cannot be distr ibuted because of t h e u n i ve rsa l i ty th e re o f. 66. From the Stars l,ove takes its begiruaing either when the d i s p o s i ti o n o f th e H e a vens is al- ike at the tim es of Nativity as t h e A s tro l o g e rs d o a b u n dantly teach, and this is m ost fir r n and m os t t o b e d e si re d , o r w h e n the beneficial Beam sof the star s bein g a p t f o r th e p u rp o se a re at a fit time r eceived into m atter di s pos ed and in a due manner brought into Art, as Naturar Magick more f u l l y te a ch e th . 67. Spirit H e th a t ca n to th e se manner s of d.oins add the Univer sal ma y d o w o n d e rs.

9.

ma ^. . , ye st ca l l the univer sal spir it to thy help if t hou u s e i n stru me n ts i mp re g nated with this Spir it, the gr eatest s ec r et o f M ag i ci a n s. H e th a t kn o w s h o w to make a vital- particular Spirit, il&V cure the particul-ar Body whose Spir it that is at any distan c e, always imploring the help of the Univer sal Spir it. 7 0 . H e th a t ca n fo rti fy the par ticular Spir it with the Uni v er s al m a y ve ry l o n g p ro l o n g his life; unless if star s be against i t, y e t b y th i s me a n s h e may lengthen his Life and Health, and s om e s t a t e th e ma l a ce o f th e Star s as he need.s confess that know s the h a b i t a ti o n o f th i s S p i rit. 7 L . No th i n g ca n b e p u trified. without it fir st b e c a use n o th i n g e o me s n atur ally to incr - ination 72,
qnir^i*

AA u .,.

m L^, rn o ,u

69.

feel- fer m entati on, but by state. or of the

P u tri fi ca ti o n
f' l .'u i*r-ry rg

i s the symptom of d.eclining natur er

D1lu. t . u

away.

? 3 . Th e re i s n o th i n g p utr ified volatile sp i ri _ t.

that hath not gr eat stor e

of the

7 + , A l 1 h e a t p ro ce e d e th fr om the Vital_ Spir it, and is said. of m o t i - o n n e i th e r ca n th a t Spir it subsist without heat t or at l bas t n o t b e mi n g l e d w i th b o d ies. 7 5 . E ve ryth i n g th a t i s putr ified hath less heat in it than it had b e f o r e th e p u tri fa cti o n , ther efor e it is false that things putrifyi n g d o g ro w w h o l e .

76. As mu ch sp i ri t
lost
q r!

so much heat is gotten, mu ch a s o f th e other .

and of the one is

10.

7 7 . H e a t ca n n e i th e r b e stir r ed up by natur e nor Ar t, o f L i g ht, e i th e r e xte rn a l or inter nal.

but b y m eans

? 8 . He th a t sh a l l - ca l l Light the spir it of the univer sal shal _l p e r a d v e n tu re n o t fa r mi ss the tr uth, for it is either Lightr or h a t h h is d w e l l i n g o r h a bitation in the Light. 7 9 . He th a t ca n d e stro y bodies without putr ifaction, and in the d e s t r u cti -o n ca n j o i n S p i r it with Spir it by means of heat, po s s es s e t h t h e p ri n ci p a l S e cre t of Natur al M agic. 80. The external- Light heateth by bringing in a new heat, and by a c t u a t i ng i ts o w n h e a t, whether it ( the r ight) le deter m inate or i n d e t e r mi n a te . possESSETH 81. THE IIGHT DETERMTNATE A DEsrRoyrNGHEAT, arrd such an one as burneth all things, so it be compactly actuated. as in
fi no

82. fndeterminate b u t b y a cci d e n t.

light

giveth

Light,

and never hurteth

anything

8 3 . H e th a t kn o w s h o w to m ake light deter m inate of T,ight ind eter m i n a t e , n o t ch a n g i n g th e spir it, nor r eceiving it other wise than in a commonmedium knows exceeding well how to purge mineraL and. all 84. h a r d b o d i e s w i th o u t l oss of r adical- moistur e.

T h e l i g h t w h i ch w e call deter minate and which hath in it the T , i f e o f th i n g s b e i n g th e car r iage of the univer sal soul lieth h i d i n d a rkn e ss n e i th e r is it seen but by a philosopher to whom ' t h e C e ntre o f T h i n g s i s appar ently d.iscover ed. 8 5 . T h e i n te rn a l h e a t i s excited w h o s e h o u se i t i s. by r eason of the inter nal S pi r i t

1 'l

86,

T h e S p i ri t

i s a g i ta ted

by fer mentation

or motion,

somet i m es

t h e y o ccu r o r co n cu r b o th together B?.

to agitati- on.

T he re i s a th i rd se cr et means of Agitation known to the P h i l o s o p h e rs w h i ch i s p e r ceived by them in gener ation and r egeneration.

8 8 . W h e n fe rme n ta ti o n i s distinguished fr om m otion under stand l o c a l p ro g re ssi ve mo ti o n which com es fr om the im agination direc ti n g t h e vi ta l S p i ri ts to m otion. 8 9 . A1 1 fe rme n ta ti o n m o d e r a te p u tre fa cti o n befor e the due time is e sir r n nf su cceeding. fi n i shed

9 0 . H e th a t kn o w s h o w to hasten fer mentation and hinder s put r ef a c t i o n b y h a vi n g th e S p ir it of the Univer se pr opitious, under s t a n d s th e P h i l o so p h e rs c ontr ition, and can by means ther eof do m i n e r a l s. 9 L . P u tre fa cti -o n h a th n ot its or iginal t h e B o dy, a n d th e re fo re i t was contr ar y fr om the Spir it, to the Spir it. but fr om

9 2 . H e th a t kn o w e th th e Spir its of the Univer se and the use t h e r e o f ma y h i n d e r a l l cor r uption, and give the par ticular Spi r i t t h e d o m i n i o n o ve r th e B o dy; how much this would avail to the c ur e o f d i - s e a se s l e t p h ysi ci a n s consider . 9 3 . T ha t th e re ma y a u n i v er sal medicine be given is now agr eed o n a l l h a n d s, b e ca u se i f the par ticular Spir it get str ength it c an of itself cu re a l l d i se a s es r a.s is known by comm onexper ience , f o r t h e re i s n o d i se a se which hath not been cur ed without the
Fhrrqi nqnq ho'l r . ..--p

12.

9 + . T h e U n i ve rsa l Me dicine is nothing el_se but the Vital- Spi r i t m u l t i pl i e d u p o n a d u e subject. 9 5 . H e th a t se e ks th i s Med.icine else wher e than in the top s of the highest mountains shal_l find r nn* l ai - ].'.+ r v v r r *r 6 vL rr oOffOW and 1 O SS fOf t h e re w a rd o f h i s p a i n s . 9 6 . T h e P h i l o so p h e rs who say it is to be sought in the Caverns o f t he E a rth me a n th e Ear th of the I,iving. 9 7 . T h e y th a t h o p e to find it in the fur naces of the chemi c s a r e d e sp e ra te l y d e ce i ved, for they know not the fir e. 9 8 . N o th i n g h a th fro m the fir st intention of Natur e m or e S pi r i t t h a n i s su ffi ci e n t fo r it, to the conser vation of its pr oper spiritr ve t o u t o f e ve rything Natur e playing the midwife fo r hi m , t h e p h i l o so p h e r ca n p rod.uce a son nobler than his Father . 9 9 . T h e fi rst a n d th e last colour of things ar e yellow, bec aus e t h e S ta rs a n d th e S u n ar e Ye11ow, those things that ar e of a l es s er t e m p e r a s th e p l a n e ts appear Gr een, after they have touched the A i r , b e i n g n a tu ra l l y a nd m ost highly cer uleous or Blue, and w or k i ng upon them makes Yellow things Green, but being mad.ehard.er they put on again their first and natural colour, out of the thinEs t h a t ha ve b e e n sa i d th o u mayest pick up Myster ies. 1 0 0 . T h e A i r i s B l u e , and the Hor izon appear s Blue to the s i ght o n a cre a r d " y, a n d th e Air by r eason of its thinness is no t apt t o t e rrn i n a te th e stro n g and r iger ous vitar Bear ns, until the y languish and grow weak by d.istance, but then the terminated. Beams s h o w th e n a ti ve co l o u r of the Air , And thus m uch to have s ai d a t t h is ti me b y w a y o f Aphor isms, if thou make not ver y m uc h a c c o mp t o f i t, i s to o much. Finis. l- 3.

ANONYIVIOUS PHILOSOPHER, BYA CELEBRATED l,lRITTEN A TREATISE

communicated to:

DR.JOHAN J. BEGKER
and translated from the Germanoriginal

@w.S0g. @@esffiw@m
s h al l n o t tra n sl a te it fr om wor d to wor d, but only extr ac t t h e m ost e sse n ti a l se n tences. ) (I T h a t ma tte r w h i ch i s in its whole substance r esembles m ost s i l v er a n d g o 1 d , i s to b e j u d g ed to be the near est matter wher ein t he M a s t e r o f th i s A rt rn u st place his whole Intention and confid enc e, i f h e w i -sh e s to fo l l o w natur e, and into this m atter he must i ntr oduce the Form of S0T.., & LUNA. T h i s ma tte r i s A rg e n t Vive, which is the near est matter in potenti a to S0T, & IUNA. MERCURY comes nearest in weight to s0r,, being only L/5 part lighter, than so], aLthough Geber says that MERcuRyis heavier than sOT,, but he means MERCURY highly purified and liberated of its superfluous humidity and arsenicaL EARTH. That MERCURY is the nearest matter to S0T, is not only meant of the commonI\IERCURY as it is bought at the Druggists, but arso that Mffi.cuRywhich is e x t r a c te d o u t o f th e i mper fect metals, such as SATURN, JUpT T ER , vENUs and MARS, and especially the REGUtus oF ANTTMONY & IRON, because this argent vive extracted. out of the REGUIUSOF AI{TIMONY & I R O N p o sse sse s th e g reatest r esem blance in its whole substanc e o f SO L . This and commonargent vive do not differ very much, except i n s o me a cci d e n ts, a s they ar e al1 equally fluid and of the s ane weight with commonor vulgar MERCURY. They are all elevated into vapour by the FrRE, vet they differ in digestion, and as vulgar MERCURY contains a large proportion 1. of immature indeterminate

of Bodi es . h u m i d i ty, i t i s o f co u rse m or e volatil- e than the M ERCURY I dar e Y n b e car r ied to a higher per fection, N o w a s ME R C U Rca t o a f f i rm th a t A rg e n t V ive is nothing else but cr ude and unfi nished SOL & LUNA and can be maturated into SOL or LUNA by an e f f i c i e n t ca u se . Y e t I woul- d not have you think that the m etal - s ar gent vive as thei r a r e c r e a te d i n th e mi n es out of this com m on that n e a r e st ma tte rl I fi n d and acknowledge r ather with Ar istotle t h e n ea re st ma tte r o f metals in the mines has been a ponder ous m e t a l l-i ck va p o u r, w h i ch is sulphur eous- m er cur ial, and is ca l - l ed E x h a l ati o n , a n d a s th e alim ents in animal- bodies, ar e chang ed i n t o Bl o o d , w h i ch n e ve rthel- ess wer e no blood at fir st, so is l - i k e wi se th e me ta l l -i ck m atter , whatever it may be, fr om whi c h t h e me ta l s p ro ce e d i s n ot the same with that what has been gene r a t e d o u t o f th a t va p our which is now a deter minate ar gent v i v e, a n d b e co me s th e b o d y o f a metal, distinct i- n each species, ac c or di n g t o th e d i ffe re n t mixtur e, ther efor e ther e i- s no near er m atter for Art, but Mercury not only the commonMERCURY, but also the MER.CUR oY f th e i mp e rfe ct bodies, wher ein then ever y Ar tist m ay s e e k fo r h i s Ma tte r, i f he wishes to r eap the fr uits of this S c i e n ce , Ie t h i m p re fe r this befor e any other m atter , whether s u l p h u ri c, u n ctu o u s o r inflam m able. 0 n 1 y th e su b sta n ce o f ar gent vive, that most subtit, indis s ol u b l e v i sco u s a n d l i vi n g substar lce, which cannot be bur nt in the fire, i s th e n e a re st matter in our Ar t, and the near est m at ter o f S0 1 ,& L U N A , th i s i s the matter which conquer s the FIRE, and i s n o t co n q u e re d b y th e FIRE. A r t e p h i u s sa ys p . 4 8 2, that m ost subtil natur e cleansed b y s u b l i ma ti o n , a n d p a g e 4 53, this FIRE is a cer tain middle su bs tanc e c l e a r a s fi n e l u N A , w h i c h ought to r eceive the Tinctur es of Sol o r I U NA , (i .e . R E GU L U S 0F ANTIMONY & IRON) . Thus I have sa i d e n o u gh o f th e n e a re st Matter of Ar t, now I wilL say something o f t h e E ffi ci e n t C a u se without which neither Natur e nor Ar t c an p r o d u ce a n yth i n g .

cause to pr oduce a chic k , I n th e E g g i s h i d d e n the efficient a n d so i t i s i n a n i ma l - seeds, and in vegetable seeds, and is f o u n d n o w h e re e 1 se . this ar gentBu t i n o u r n e a re st metallic m atter , i.e. M ERCURY i f i c o r a u ri fi c E ffi ci e nt Cause is not concealed in the same into manner as in an egg, in order to rnaturate every MERCURY SI L VE R o r GOL D ,b V n o means, but must be intr oduced by natur e o r b y a rt, a n d th u s i s cal- l- ed a For m, which never theless is of the s a m e ME R C U R IAGe T , n i u s, but of a m or e noble and glor ious For m , and must be absolutely LUNA or SOL. Therefore this form must be inCause. t r o d u ce d b y a rt, a n d this For m is the Efficient T h ere fo re i n ma n , i n his sper m lyeth concealed the efficie nt c a u s e o f g e n e ra ti n g h u man kind and no other , and so in the pr ec i - o u s me ta l s l ye th co n c ealed this sper matic Efficient Caus e to g e n e ra te L U N A o r S OL a nd no other . I say then, in silver ly eth c o n c e a l e d th e sp e rm o r efficient cause of gener ating IUNA a nd i n S01, is found the sperm of generating S0l and LUNA both. T h is L u n i fi c a n d S o l i fic Sper m or efficient cause is noth i ng e l s e b u t th e Wh i te a n d Red Tinctur e, that is SOL or IUNA dis s ol v ed n a t u r al l y, a n d p e rfe cte d by concoction, and her ein lays tha t pow er to make S01, & I,UNA, which fiery power has been increased by Decoction. And although I-,UNA or S0T, are inanimate bodies, which do not propagate in the mines, yet they can be made to multiply b y a rt a n d th e a ssi sta nce of natur e, when those bodies ar e di s s ol v ed a n d d i sp o se d i n to se e d or into that quality which per for ms the O f f i c e o f S e e d , a n d a s we say that in a Dog is the efficient c aus e of producing a Dogr so is in I,UNA and SOtr the efficient cause of multiplying IUNA & SOL in a Mffi.CURIALpure body, a,s AUGUREIIUS a t r u e p o sse sso r o f th e Philosopher s Stone has declar ed in hi s l , a t i n V e rse s. " fn a u ro Sem ina sunt aur i, quamvis abstr usa r ec edaut l o n g i us. " i - . e. " In Go Id th e S eeds of Gold do li- e, though bur ied in obq nr rn i -Frr vvqA vJ
-

lr
.

because the fier y qualit y T h at q u a l i ty i s a fi er y quality, i s t h e mo st a cti ve E l e ment, so that, if it was not moder ated by t h e o th e r E l e me n ts, w her ewith it is mixed it would destr oy al l
+L ; ulrrrrE;D. - --

T h e a rg e n ti fi c

o r a u r ific

efficient

cause is m oved by means of

t h e fi e ry q u a l i ty, a s by an Instr ument to cause our near es t m atter t o r e ci e ve th a t fo rm o f LUNA or SOL: The author intends to s ay : "T h a t th e U n i ve rsa l A gent of natur e, the Electr ic FIRE m an i fes ted in light, in Oxygen and in fl-aming FIRE, by him called the fiery
--n,rously conta in e d wh e r ewith you have prev io u s ly
n r:o l i *r r y4 q 4 4vr,, an- i

in

the

Co n c e n t ra t e d that

ma rin e

acid, S ec r e t

c le a n s e d

y o u r ME RCURY b y s u bl i m a t i o n , ME RCURY in t o the Form of powder,

( er tephius FIRE forces S0I,, by its to

p.

+82)

and h a v e c o n v e rt e d

the REGULUSANTIMONY&IRON to reeeive volatilisation unio n of fixati-on a n d b y p u t rif a c t io n , the

a n d u lt ima t e l y

cause a central Se condary qualities

and complete sub ti lity cip a ls, i tie sr m a tte r

af

in t h e b la c k 3 p rin e ip le s and Regeneration in Tincture AJ.ba. d e riv e f ro m t h e ma t t e r not that they b y t h e p rio r t e n u it y a s s is t a ls o , act

w h ic h

such as Tenuity, as prinqualthe t h at it

of the matter, but so these acquires act with

as the Form d o e s a c t such a wo n d e rf u l and pe n e t ra t e

a n d p rin c ip a l t h e re f o re

mo re p o we r a n d b e t t e r, o u r n e a re s t

a n d s u b t ilit y , ma t t e r

can quickly

enter

and concoct

B u t b o th q u a l i -ti e s, the pr imar y as well as the secondar y qual i ti es , a s t h e y a re a cci d e n ts, they can be exalted by ar t, and by s uc h a n e x a l ta ti o n , th e so l i fic for m ( the tinctur e) acts with mor e p o w e r a fte r e a ch e xa l tation, although that for m itself r em ai ns t h e sa l n e . T h e se a re the pr incipal- Reasons of the efficient c aus e. T n n o n fa n *ir r - r r r,vrrvu u .rfl .ga n y n a tur al thing, species is the fir st and pr i nc i p a l e ffi ci e n r ca u se . T h ere fo re th e se e d o f LUNA gener ates LUNAand the seed of S0T , generates LUNA & SOL in our nearest natter (REGULUS OF ANTIMONY & r R o N ).

+.

of the " ra l i ty (th e secr et FIRE) and the subtility m a t t e r (R e b i s) d o e s a ssist, as an instr um ent the enfor m ing F ac ul ty , t o d i sso l ve th e F o rm (S0T,) ( in Rebis) and to concoct it, by putr er||h o Tr 6Flr ^l Y'

re g e n e ra ti o n and fixation. T h e i n te rn a l p o w e r cannot act, if exter nal heat does not as s i s t t h e I nte rn a l , w h i ch w o uld r emain dor m ant and pr oduce no effe c t. T h e e xte rn a l - w a rmth mu ltiplies the fier y qualities ' conceale d i n t h e sp e rm, b V g e n tl e d ecoction. cause to T h e e xte rn a l h e a t mu st move the inter nal efficient d i s s o Lve a n d p u tre fy th e mixtur e. T h e F i re , w h e re o f I have said, that it is an assisting effi c i e n t qu a l i ty, It separ ates th e i s th e C AUSE of dissolution. h e t e r o g e n i a a n d co l l e cts the hom ogenia, which is Ar gent vive. I n al l th e me ta l s i s a cr ude or indefinite Humid, which mus t be c o n c o cte d a n d d e te rmi n a ted, that it may be br ought to the t em per o f I , UN Aa n d S OL , th e n i t will be a per fect m ixtur e. Pe r f e cti o n i s o b ta i n e d by concoction. T h e ma tte r o u t o f w h ich by the adm inistr ation of ar t the s eed o f I , UN Ao r S Of, h a s p ro c eeded, is Ar gent Vive, but not cr ude but c o n c o cte d A rg e n t V i ve , that is fine IUNA or fine S0I,, these m us t be dissolved and IVIERCURIALIZED, before you can come at the seed. T h i s se e d o r sp e rm i s hot and dr y as ever y concocted concr e te is warm. But vulgar Argent Vive which is our nearest matter, and w h i c h i s co n ta j -n e d i n all the metals, is cold and hum id, one m or e t h a n th e o th e r; b u t w h en the Solific seed is mixed w i th or lunific A r g e n t V j -ve th e y u n i te easily on account of the near ly r elated o r i g i n , a n d b y fu si o n i n the FIRE they ar e mixed and oper at e b e c a use th e fi e ry h o t and dr y qualities of the seed cause a r eac t i o n i n th e co l d a n d humid qualities of the Ar gent Vive. H e a t i n h o t w a te r i s intr oduced exter nally, but in the seed o r T j -n ctu re o f S OL o r LUNA, it is inter nal. T h i s i s th e ca u se , w hy 50L, or LUNA in their own fixt natu r e,
hofnno fharr 'r-'e mercurialised, cannot act in MERCURY although they

faction,

you intr odu c e the temper of LUNA or S01, into vulgar MERCURY, or into the MERC U R Yo f B o d i e s (th i s i s effected by intr oducing the fier y M ER C U R Y by ffa tum . But if of MARSinto the MERCURY when you make a REGULUS 0F of ANTIMONY, & IR ON ) th e n a r eaction will take place, and the m i x tur e AN T I MON Y rrri I "l n o rra n l r'; su cce e d , and the for m of LUNAor SOL will b e i ntr od u c e d a n d a ti n g e d me tal- will be obtained. N o w i f yo u w i sh to choose vulgar ar gent vive for your ne ar m atter , a s a p a rt o f th e S o l i fi c or Lunific Seed, it must not be us ed s u c h a s i t i s, w h e n i t com es fr om Spain and as it is sold, bec a u s e i n th a t sta te o f cr udeness it would be too disobedien t to t h e S 0 T ,o r L U N A , o n a ccount of its hum id, cold, cr ude and i ndeter m i n a te d h u mi d i ty, a n d ther efor e it will take a long timer a.s ther e h a v e b e e n so me a mo n g st the Ancients who have made use of vul gar a r g e n t vi ve , b u t co u l d not absolve their wor k in less than thr ee y e a r s o r tw o a t l e a st, Vet this even could not be accomplished b u t by th e fo l l o w i n g methods. Su ch co mmo na rg e n t vive m ust fir st be depur ated of all its s uper f l u o u s h u mi d i ty, b u t so that it keep its natur al fluidity, and then it may be united with either SOL or IUNA, and such a MERCURY is t h e n ca l Ie d a n i ma te d a rgent vive. N o w a s i n a n i ma L b o d ies the anima, T,ife or Spir it is the pr i nc i p l e a n d ca u se o f h e a t, so is SOL or LUNAthe pr inciple o f heat i n a rg e n t vi ve , w h i ch other wise would be too coId, and coul d e f f e ct n o th i n g ; b u t th e anim ated ar gent vive as it conceals i n itself th e fo rm o f S OL or T,UNA,and actually does possess, i t i s b e t t e r th a n vu l g a r a rg ent vive and is the near est m atter to S0l a n d L U N Aa n d ca n b y i tself; only by assistance of exter nal heat, i.n a little time be dig.ested or transmuted. into S0I, or IUNA. ( T h i s P h i l -a l -e th a d o e s confir m the same in Secr ets Revealed) . T h e mo st a n ci e n t P h i losopher s have discover ed 2 ways to effec t t h i s a n i ma ti o n a n d co n junction . T h e fi rst w a y w a s, that they be conjoined or uni- ted with r uN A

s h o u l d b e mi xe d th e re w ith

o r S0 T ,b y a n e a sy ye t philosophical pr ocess, with vulgar ar gent v i v e , o r w i th a rg e n t vive of bodies, so fir mly that those 2 c oul - d n o t b e se p a ra te d fro m each other by the FIRE, which they th en c h o s e fo r th e i r g e n u i n e Ar gent Vive. But this they have, 8s the p r i n c i p a l p a rt o f o u r ar t, concealed with the gr eatest care, and w h e n th e y ca me to th e sol- ution, they said that the har dest w or k w a s do n e , th e n th e y h ave added LUNA or SOL and br ought the w hol e t o p e rfe cti o n , a s yo u will- f ind by that which fol- l- ows. ( The
ncr^ fcnt vv i
vrvrr

nn

nr vr

rlrrlr,vr

im ner

f i r vent v

v4 vl I

nn

n f va

*l 'r a vl tv

n a n f ar vv n*
!,v!

^F
v!

l r r r i Jv!

i n ^ a n f a ^!vv t

m e t al s

d o e s n o t co n si st i n th eir exter nal EARTH or sulphur but de pends on the internal IVIERCURIAI, substance, and according as that MERC U RYi s cru d e o r d i g e sted so is the m etal im per fect or perfec t a n d p u re , a n d n o t a s i t contains m or e or less sulphur t ela.T tz o r f a e ce s, b e ca u se th e y can all be separ ated fr om the per fe c t m e t a l s, a n d th e i r ce n tral pur ity is m anifested; on the con tr ar y t h o s e i mp u ri ti e s sti fl y adher e with the imper fect m etals r s o that o n e is i ro n , a n o th e r c opper , another lead & etc. aJ.r d as they ar e .,^^f.,1 t\ ^'l'I q o d h a s o rdained it so) . a r r - r ,rD E J-L ..rI T h e S e co n d Wa y o f A nim ation and sol- utlon, which is accompl i s hed b y a rti fi ci a L co n j u n ction, was, that the ancient philosopher s r e d u ce d th e p re ci -o u s m etals S01,& LUNAto a vegetating natur e, e i t h e r b y me a n s o f p u re vulgar Ar gent vive, i.e. by ani- mated MERCURY, which they named THEIR MERCURY, in a longer or shorter t i m e , so th a t th e i r IUNA or SOL vegetated visibly in the gl as s , a n d e xh i b i te d a l i ttl e for est, which gr ew upwar ds like pr etty little tre e s, w i th b ra nches and leaves, fr om which phenom enon i t h a s b e e n ca l -l e d L i l l y, and Her mes his Tr ee, that is vegetati ng S0 1 , , a n d H e rme s h i mse l f has called such SOL the Flower s of SOL. T h i s T re e th e y h a ve fi xt and per fected, when they took vulg ar y e t h i g h l y p u re A rg e n t vive for their near est matter , bv s ubti l m a n e g e me n to f th e F rR E on which this whole ar t m ostly depends , in one Year, but by means of animated. Argent vive, which they h a v e ca l l e d th e i r a n ti monial Ar gent vive ( Ar tephius) they hav e s o m eti me s a cco mp l i sh e d their wor k in I m onths time.

7.

W h e n th e y h a d a cco mplished this, they have said that they now p o s s esse d th e g re a te st Tr easur e in Natur e, and tr uly it is no o t h e r w i se , a s I h a ve seen it, with one of my good fr iends, ther ef o r e I w ri te th i s fro m tr ue exper ience, and so I send it to y ou. T h ls th e y h a ve ca l l e d their SaI alcal- i, Sal amm oniac, thei r a r s e n i c, a sh e s o f a sh e s , sulphur of sulphur , and the secr et of Art I ( i. e. REGUT,US 0F AI\IIMONY& IRON ) and this is the genuine M E R OU Ro Yf th e p h i l o so p her s, not of the vulgar M ERCURY, thi s i s the WATER o f S OL ' a n d the Seal of lr ma ( the sealed fountain of C o u n t B e rn h a rd ) a n d th e tr ue M edium to unite the Tinctur es. This has the nature of the superiour a:rd. inferi-our, and is the Medium between the cold and warm, and between the humid and dry. ( T h i s Me d i u m se e ms to me to pr ove, that this author has made u s e o f th e S e cre t F IR E ) . a n d h a rd , fi xt a nd volatiIe, col- d.and war m, hum id and dr y ) . T h is i s th e g e n u i n e undoubted solution of the philosophers , o n w h i ch th e fo u n d a ti o n does r est, this is the tr ue sublimati on a n d ca l -e i n a ti o n o f th e Philosopher s, wher eby the philosopher s S0I, ( IRON in the REGULUS OF ANTIM0NY & IRON) and the philosophers I-,una (REGuLus) are exalted in power and dignity above vulgar SOL and LUNA. T h ere fo re i t i s ca l l e d our ver y shar p vinegar ( Ar tephius) w hi c h converts LUNA and S0l into a Spirit, and this is the first part o f t h ei r w o rk. A fte rw ar ds they divided it, accor ding to th ei r p l e a s ure i n 2 p a rts, some Ln j wor ks, although ther e ar e bu t T w o, that is the work of Luna and the work of Sol. T h ere fo re th e y h a ve s aid that they have com pr ehended. Hea v en a n d Ea rth , th e S u p e ri o rs and Infer ior s the Coar ses.t ald the m os t Su b t i l , i n th e S p i ri t and body ( in secr et FIRE and Rebis) Bec aus e i n t h is Wo rk i s tru l y, what all the philosopher s d.esir e, the body o f l u n a a n d S o l (R e b i s) conver ted. into a Spir it, ( i.e. volati l i s ed) i n w h i ch sp i ri t th e E l em ents ar e concealed, and this is the tr ue a n d g e n u i n e P h i l o so p h i cal separ ation of the ELements, wher e of al L (soft

t h e ph i l o so p h i ca l

a n d wi th o u t th i s Ar t . In this our Li1ly (Regulus of ANTIMONY & IRON) are contained EARTH, AIR, WATER and FIRE and this our separation of Elements i s w i d e l y d i ffe re n t from the separ ation of Sophists, who fr om

b o o k s m ake mention, but dar k and obscur el y , se p a ration ver y little can be effected in thi s

d e a d ma tte rs w h e re i n ther e is neither fixity or power , pr es um e t o s e p a ra te th e E l e me nts, and such m atter s ar e W ine, Ur ine, and o t h e r th i n g s, w h i -ch a re dead subjectsg VITRIOL, NITRE, and i n numerable unmetall-ick lhings, whi-ch have no communication with m e t a l l i ck n a tu re s, w h er eof you ar e to bewar e. j-s mader so as to be permanent IVATER Because our WATER which c a r u co t b e o b ta i n e d b u t fr om a fixt ever lasting Root, agr ee abl e t o N atu re , b e ca u se n e cessity r equi- r es that each Thing when di s s o l v ed b y a n o th e r T h i n g, should ascend and m ust be of the s el f s a m e n a tu re w i th th e Dissol- vent. G o l d a n d S i l ve r a re ever lasting bodies, ther efor e the hu m i di ty (the IffiRCURY) or the WATER which is extracted out of them, bV means of the MERCURIAIWATER(REGUIUS0F AI{TIMONY & IRON & SECRET F I R E ' A Z OT H ) i s p e rma nent, and although this Tr easur e of Tr eas ur es s u r p a sse s a l l o th e r T reasur es, although our SOl, does not appear therein by sight (i.e. fRoN in the REGUrusand in Azoth) yet in i t s op e ra ti o n a n d e ffe ct it is centr ally RED, never theless thi s our volatile Red SOL ( the fiery IVIERCURY OF IRON ) is not yet fixed , but can be fixt very easily in the Root of sor, & LUNA, when your S O L or T ,U N A h a s b e e n reduced into MERCURY ( i.e. has been vo l ati l - i s e d ) (ME R C U R IA IIS E D ) . (REculus oF AI\TrMoNy& rRoN) is retrogradated Our liI1y (into Az o t h ) a n d a fte rw a rd s united with the pr ecious m etal ( sot) by p u t r i fa cti o n a n d fi xe d in Tinctur e ALba et Rubia. r n th i s R e tro g ra d a ti o n ( when the REGULUS becomes a Iiquid. , u n c t uo u s A zo th ). T h e Second W or k ( of Digestion) comm ence sas i n the first work nothing else but the WATER (REGUT,US OF AI{TIMoNY & I R ON ) a n a th e su b j e ct of our stone, ( Rebis) has been com pos ed,

9.

w h i c h su b j e ct i s V e g e table, Anim al, and Miner al. l - . It i s V e g e ta b l e b ecause it gr ows and is nour ished. 2. It i s A n i ma l b e ca use it possesses an animated living S pi r i t a n d as H e rme s sa ys th e W ind car r ies it in its belly, that i s our ca l l e d Ma g n e sia ( REGUIUS Sp i r it, & IRON) car r ie s 0F AI{ TIM ONY t h e S o u l o f S o 1 a n d L una ( of Rebis ) invisibl- y
1n 1TA r\Al vv44J l1/ .

yet essenti- al l y

It i s Mi n e ra l b e cause it is m ade out of the tr ue Mines ( AN T I3, MONY & IR ON ). H e re n ow I have explained to you the Subjec t, the p r e c i o u s Gi ft o f Go d , and the m ost subtil W ay of the most anc i - ent Ph i l oso p h e rs b y w h i ch you m ay under stand, wher e the Philosopher s speak the Truth and agree. And here I have unveiled to an intelligent mi n d w h e re the Philosopher s speak by m etaphor es and s i m i l -i tu d e s to d e ce i ve and confound the r :nwise and fool- s, s o t h a t yo u n e e d n o t b e m i- slead any longer ! The first mentioned animated vulgar Argent Vive which is the n e a r e st ma tte r to sOL and r ,uNA can by decoction, in a par tic ul ar w a y be p e rfe cte d , b u t this costs m uch tr ouble, m uch tim e, and y i e l d s l e ss p ro fi t. Bu t I a d mo n j -shyo u and all lover s of this science to r elinqui s h a l l p a rti cu l a r w a ys, as tedious and uncer tain, but to pur s ue the genuine Universal way to obtain the true Tincture. For such as by a particular way Work with Vulgar Argent vive animated, or with MERCURY of SATURN,JUPITffi., VEI{US, I,UNA and IriARS, f i x s u ch a ME R C U Rb Yy concoction, they must with m uch tr oub l e artd l-abour first extract such a IVERCURY of bodies, and must purify i t o f i ts su p e rfl u o u s humidity, as m uch as if it wer e vulga r argent vive, and moreover they must inpregnate their MERCURY with t h e F o rm o f S 0 l o r IU NA, and al- I that is not yet enough, but i s i s a l so n e ce ssa ry to i mpr egnate the For m of sol or luNA with a fiery and active quality to be capable of acting in their MERCURy, a n d th e n th e y mu st p e rfect it by decoction. B u t th i s i s n o t th e simple, near and natur al way. Ther efor e I d o a d mo n i sh th e L o ver of our Divine Science to take oains and

10.

l e a r n to u n d e rsta n d th e ancient philosopher s, what they hav e wisely hidden from the unworthy, and he wil-I find that the true u n i v ersa l w a y i s si mp l e and easy. T h e P h i l o so p h e rs h a ve especially concealed 3 things; the M atter ' t h e E ffi ci e n t C a u se a n d the P1ace. is T h e Ma tte r fro m w h i ch W heat is gener ated and m ultiplied C ause r esides par tly in the gr ain of Wheat W h e a t, th e E ffi ci e n t ( t h e Ge rm), p a rtl y i n the Sunr s Light ar r .dHeat ( oxygen) pa r tl y i n t he A i r (o xyg e n ), p ar tly in the humour of the Ear th ( oxy gen in the NITRE) and in Rain WATER,and Dew, (the same oxygen in and impregnate Rain WATER NITRE, whereof the atmosphere is full, and Dew, Snow, Hail T h e P l -a ce i s w e l l g r o u nd . Ju st so i s w h e r ei n th e A u ri fi c G o l d , h i g h l y p u re , (REGUIUS0F ANTIMoNY& IRoN). This Matter the Philosophers have called by the barbarous name o f R e b i s, b e ca u se i t i s composed ( ex vina Re) fr om 2 Things, w hi c h b y l o n g d e co cti o n a re c onver ted into one species ( azoth an d s ophi c
lnq.p nrrpw
trpr\vvrLl

the metheor es) . d u nged, ploughed, har r owed or well pr ep ar ed i t in our tr uly Natur al Ar t. N.B. Th e M atter S eed is concealed, bor n and r egener ated i s a s the Gr ound is Our Anim ated Ar gent Viv e

a n d all

/.

T h e E ffi ci e n t C a u se lies par tly concealed in the S01,, an d i s i t s C e n tra l L i g h t a n d FIRE ( Ripley' s FIRE of Natur e) par tly i n our animated MERCURY (Ripleyrs unnatural FIRE; MERCURY 0F MARS) partly in our internal- and external Heat, which is compared to the H e a t o f S u n -sh i n e , (R i pleyr s FIRE against Natur e, i.e. the uni v e r s al A g e n t o f N a tu re specificated in sea SAIT, in its conc ent r a t e d A C ID w h e re w i th MERCURY is cleansed by sublim ation, ( k td p h i u s p . +B Z ) a n d co n v er ted into FIRE against Natur e) . ( The p l a c e i s th e g ro u n d w e ll pr epar ed to r eceive the Seed i.e. R EGU LU S 0 F A N T IMo N Y & rR o N ). T h e P l a ce i s a l so th e fur nace, called Athanor , wher ein is pl ac ed t h e T R IP OSA R C A N I, a n d the Glass containing the Matter . ( he m eans t h e Tri p o d a n d th e g l a ss) .

11.

h a ve made use of a Tr ipod, in the r oom o f s a n d o r a sh e s. If yo u consider that the Glass when placed i n a r i n g w i th 3 l e g s, sta n ding in an em pty cast ir on pan, with l am p h e a t o r a n y o th e r h e a t under it, so that the heated air circ ul ati n g r ou n d th e ri n g a n d glass, your matter must of necessity r ec ei - v e a m o r e e q u a l h e a t a l l round, than when you place your glass i n h o t sa n d o r a sh e s, w h e n the bottom m ust r eceive the gr eates t heat, a n d t he u p p e r p a rt mu ch less, Vet Flam el, Ripley, and Phila l etha h a v e u se d sa n d o r a sh e s) . The humour in the ground mixed with WATER,assisted by the a i r an d w a rmth o f th e Sun Beam s , dissol- ves the gr ain of W heat, w h i c h h o w e ve r n e i th e r dies nor putr efies, but swelleth and bur s ts o p e n , a rtd a fte r th i s d i ssolution the Ger m fol- lows, whi- ch is near es t m a t t e r o f th e p l a n t a n d futur e seed. N o w i t g ro w e th , i s d i gested and mul- tip1ies, until f inally i t comes to maturity during the sunmer season by continual Solar H e a t . D u ri n g th i s ti me of matur ation it passes thr ough differ ent c o l o u rs a n d sta te s. A pply this sim ilitude to our W or k. O u r A rg e n t V i ve d i sso lves the S01 ( in Rebis) and when the di s s o l u t i o n i s p e rfe cte d , the Ger m is gener ated, which is th e n e a r e st ma tte r o f th e Solific and l,unific Seed, that is of the R e d an d Wh i te T i n ctu re , which by continual concoction incr e as es i n s t r e n g th , u n ti l i t becom es finally a Red Massa, whi- ch is har d l i k e a g Ia ss, fro m w h i ch cir cum stance it has been called Lapi s o r a S to n e . ( T h i s d o e s n o t e xa ctl y agr ee with Philaletha and other ph i l os o p h ers, b u t i t mi g h t have been so with him, fr om a differ en t m e t h od o f w o rki n g , o r a differ ent degr ee of heat, he seems to hav e p a s s e d o ve r th e Wh i te , which must pr eceed the Red, and he has g i v e n so mu ch h e a t a t the end, so as to vitr ify his Red solubr e p o w d e r, w h e re b y h e mu st have lost the Glor ious Medicine, whi c h h a s h a p p e n e d to ma n y. Philaletha in Secr ets Revealed war ns us nor t o v i tri fy th e R e d p o w der by too m uch heat) .

( M a n y p h i l o so p h e rs

L2.

Y o u mu st b re a k th e glass, and take out the Stone, this you m u s t b e a t to a fi n e P OW DER and put it into a new ear then RET OR T a n d l u te i t, a n d l -e t i t stand B days and nights in a char coal F I R E i n a ca l ci -n i n g n o t m elting heat in a still FIRE, and the m a t t er w i l l i n cre a se i n Redness and will- become a deep pur p l e R e d , l i ke co a g u l a te d blood. A b l a cl cn e ss w i l l - se ttle on the bottom of the cRUcr BLE, whi c h m u s t b e se p a ra te d a n d thr own away, ( this pr oves what I say , h h a s fo rce d th e w o rk b y too m uch heat, and has bur nt par t o f the m a t t e r, e sp e ci a l l y d u ring his calcination in the cRUcr BlE) . i f w e ri g h tl y p ro ce e d we can have no CAPUT M ORTUUM. D u ri n g th e ti me o f d ecoction, we see as many cor our s as ther e a p p e a r i n F l -o w e rs a n d plants, yet the Ar tists notice only I pr i nc i p a l co L o u rs, vL z. B 1ack, W hj- te and Red. W h e n i t a rri ve s a t the W hite it is called the Ar gentific Seed, whi-ch has the power to transmute every MERcuRyinto pure LUNA, b u t w h e n i t i s b ro u g h t to per fect Redness, it is then the Aur i fi c
(a o A

r n th i s w o rk w e d o n ot want m any fur naces nor vessels, one furnace and one glass is enough. W e o n l y ma ke u se o f SOL and our Ar gent Vive. w i t h o n e o u n ce o f sOL at most you have enough for life, a nd a f t e r wa rd th e re i s n o need of adding any m or e Sol, and the l v or k r e q u i r e s n o t mu ch ca re , when once it is inclosed in the g1as s ,
it is never moved rrntiL the 'last ner feotion hv deeneti6p is ob-

t a i n e d. A n d yo u h a ve n o th i n g to mind but the Fir e, vou need not .to be h i n d e re d i n yo u r u su a l occupation, and no body need to know w hat y o u a re d o i n g . T h i s p o w d e r, th e A rg entific or Aur ific, after it has been onc e p e r f e c te d , i t ti n g e s from that moment 2OOand m or e par ts of Ar gent v i v e i n to L U N A o r so ],, accor ding as the stone is, white or R ed and constringes the MERCURY in an instant - and lrnur rJJNAor SOL

tl

th e SOL has been dissolved in its own pr oper & MARS) by a slow humidity or Argent Vive (REGUIUS0F ANTIM0NY t e m p e ra te d e co cti o n , a nd this fier y quality although pr e- ex i s ti n t h e S OL , a fte r e n t i n th e S OL , l a i d d or m ant, but by solution and concocti-on i s r e n d ere d a cti ve n o t o ther wise than that power which lays conc eal ed i n t h e e S B r a l so w h i ch after war ds by the war mth of the sitting h e n , i s sti rre d u p o r excited ( Pontanus) and the Chick is for m ed w h i c h i s mo re n o b l e a n d mor e per fect than the egg. In the s am e manner this our Aurific Seed (TINCTURERUBEA) is much more nobl-e a n d g l o ri o u s th a n th e S0l, fr om which it has pr oceeded. Alt hough t h e SOL h a d b e fo re a p ower of m ultiplication and in possibility, a s m uch F fR E a s i t w a n ted for its own existance or per fecti- on, y e t i t p o sse sse d n o fa culty of acting beyond it, ther efor e i t c a n n ot p e rfe ct th e mi xtur e of Ar gent Vive or other imper fec t m etal s , s o a s to e xa l t th e mr & s the Aur ific or Ar gentific Seed ( i.e. the R e d or Wh i te E l -i xi r) can do, which possesses both faculties of p o s s i b i l i ty a n d o f a cti on. Bu t i t i s sti l l mo re wonder ful, that such fier y power s and q u a l i - ti -e s, b y a R e i te ra tion of the W or k, can be augm ented or multiplied i n fi n i te l y. W h e n o n ce yo u h a ve p roduced this Aur ific Seed ( Tinctur e Rubi a) out of SOL, and you mi-x it de novo with its own Humidity (REGUI,US 0 F AI {T IMON Y & MA R S ) i n the r ight pr opor tion, dissolve that Seed t h e r e in a s b e fo re F n d i n temper ate heat decoct it, it again i s converted but in a shorter
fnnmor h^,a'6F yvYvvr t into

time,

and with

an augmentation of its
oftener this work

a deep Red Powder,

and the

o f m u l ti p l i ca ti o n i s repeated, the quicker , sooner and eas i er i t i s a b so l ve d , e a ch ti me with a mor e power ful oper ation, b ec aus e h o m o g e n e o u sme ta l -l i c mixts, when they ar e de novo dissolved and u n i t e d , th e y o b ta i n e a ch tim e gr eater power and vir tue than they h a d b e fo re , w h e n th e y wer e combined but once. A similitude tak en f r o m F IR E , w h i ch i s multipliable nr inei nl e by its own invisible
and fuel to lpfirnitrr

is equal in virtue

or quality

to any fine

LUNA or S0l, nay even

f iner. ( T h e A u th o r me n ti o n s her e that he only uses SOL and our A r gent Vi v e , i .e . h e o n l y u se s Rebis, REGUI,US 0F SOL, The Question i s , w h e t he r th i s ca n b e d o ne? Should it be feasible, then you hav e h e r e th e B ra ssfo u n d e rs pr ocess at once, as appear s fr om his c onv e r s a ti o n w i th D r. H e l vetius, when he said to him "Know that the C h a l y b s o f S e n d i vo g i u s is that ver y metall- ic M er cur ial Hum i di ty , w h e r e w i th w e ca rt, w i th out using any Cor r osi- ve, in an open C R U C IBIE, e x t r a c t th e ti n g i n g R a ys and separ ate them fr om the bodies of S O L an d L U N A , a n d a fte rwar ds r efix the volatile TINCTURE. I do n o t co n ce i ve th at this Author s Red IINCTURE imm edia tel y p e rfe ction, a f t e r i ts fi rst without being m elted with SOL, s houl d i m m e d i a te l y, a s h e a sse::ts, tr ansmute 200 and mor e par ts o f M ER C U R Yi n to S OL , w h i l st all other Philosopher s m ention only 10 parts. It se e ms i n so me places, as if he had made use of the s e c r et F IR E w i th R e b i s, but her e he says distinctly that he onl y made use of SOL and his Argent Vive (REGULUS & MARS) 0F ANTIMONY
if to 1. th is That can -/ Ue done with o u t a d d in g the s e c re t F I RE , in then the we have consider: the REGUIUS ANTIMONY& MARS cannot is kept in constant will Agent f u s io n , in then stronger act SOL, except mu s t t a k e the secret Wine a Re a c t io n a c id in in

th e matter p Iace , 2. W ithout

and the

c o n q u e r t h e we a k e r. t h e ma rin e Me d ic in e , a lt h o u g h an excellent White

the Universa l

FIR E, we must miss the Medicine or in Th is tho u g ht, may be obtained this the S .V .R.;

g lo rio u s

by infusing B ra s s f o u n d e r that
qIl
9. D.

the Red Glass possessed. we ll d e s e rv e s

however is

so weig h t y

it

a s e rio us

and some experime n t s ). .

The Cause of this wonderful effect in the Transmutation is that fi er y quarity in the so t (F rRE o f Na t u re ) wh ic h h a s b e e n m u l t i p l i - e d

'r ,l J-'Y .

appears that I have wrote more than I intended, concerning t h e s e g re a t ma tte rs, yet f am not sor r y that you should obtai n a fundamental and just li:nowledge of Our Art, and that you may g e t cl e a r o f so p h i stry and be able to distinguish the Tr uth fr om It f a l s e ho o d . A l t h o u g h I co u l d sa y much of the pr actique, of the tr ue waV' o f t h e b e g i n n i -n g , mi d d le and end of this Divine science, V et I and send it to t h o u gh t i t n e ce ssa ry to wr ite this Theor y fir st you. F i r st th a t yo u mi g h t by this com pr ehend the pr actice the better , secondly that I might be sure, that these my writings have come safe into your hands. Whoever has this Writing and comprehends m y m ea n i n g , to h i m th e Door is alr eady opened, and has no n eed to wander about in darkness or in doubt. I deny not, that in this p r e s en t C e n tu ry (1 6 0 0 ) new and shor ter pr ocesses have been di s c o v e r e d to a rri ve to the desir ed end, but I assur e Vou, thos e s h o r t e r w a ys a re su b j e c t to much m or e uncer tainty, tr ouble and e x p e nce , a n d ca n n o t b e m ultiplied like the simple wor ks of the A n c i e n ts, w h o tra ve J-l e d slowIy but safely. Ther efor e I fini s h h e r e th e me th o d o f th e Ancient Philosopher s. T h ere i s a n o th e r l a te r way, also pr oceeding fr om the R00 T ( S0T ,) and first Matter (REGUI,US & MARS) Uut this principle 0F ANTIMONY c o n s i sts i n 3 P ri n ci p l e s , viz. in M ERCURY, and SAIT , and SUT,PHUR h e r e i s th e d i ffe re n ce , that the ancient philosopher s obtai ned their end not by using the FIRST MATTER,but only the SECOND AND NEAREST MATTER, in regard of the mixture, as they did not lcrow TIIE VERY FIRST MATTER. The more modern philosopher has an advantage here that he has discovered THE FIRST MATTER 0F All THINGS, ( o x y ge n i n th e se cre t FIRE) which he found to consist in.3 pr i nciples MERCURY, SUI,PHUR and SAIT , and by these means he is also a r r i v ed a t th e d e si re d end, in a shor ter tim e, yet fol- lowin g the p r o c ess o f th e a n ci e n ts ( with 2 pr inciples, as I have said and d o n e ) i n th e se co n d w or k of digestion, but not in the fir st W or k o f So l u ti o n .

IA

This f have from a slncer e hear t com m unicatedto you, wi th e a r ne st re q u e str V o u will keep this as a secr et for your se l f, a n d n o t p u b l i sh i t.

(The author means to say that those who work with 3 pr incip l es have followed the way of the Ancients in the second Work of Dig e s t i o n , b u t n o t i n the fir st W or k of Solution) .

Finis.

I7.

A T r an sl a ti o n

o f a fe w Sentences fr om differ ent b y D r . B e ch e r i n h i s C oncor dantia Chymica.

Author s quoted

A gar den i- n c l os ed S o l o ma n rs S ong. Chapter 4i vs. !2. i s m y si ste r, my sp o u se. A Spr ing shut up, a fountain Seal ed. Although the prodestant Church and the Clerglg, even Dr. luther h i m s e l f e xp l a i n S o l o man' s Song to r epr esent Chr ist and his C hur c h, I s a y i t i s fa l se , S o l om an never thought of Chr ist when he w r ote t h a t so n g r o r i n th a t same song he woul- d not have r elated h ow m a n y w o me nh e h a d i n h i s Har em , Ch. 6. vr . 8., ther e ar e 3 s c or e q u e e n s a n d 4 sco re co n c ubines and vir gins without num ber . T hi s h a s ve ry l i ttl -e co n n e ction with Chr ist and his Chur ch, Solom an w r o t e th a t so n g , w h i ch is an Epic Poem in Hebr ew, to cel- eb r ate the Grand Work of the L. P. with this Work he has intermixed by w a y of me ta p h o re th e B eauties of his beloved and favour ite Sul t a n a , p ro b a b l y a d a u g hter of Phar ao, King of Egypt, Cln. ?. v s . I & 2. sme l l e th a l i ttl -e of Bawdy, ver y il1 adapted to Chri s t and the Church. you find a pattern of a Turkish In I-,ady Mary Montaguers letters l o v e L e tte r i n th e sa me Easter n style, as Solomanr s Song. So we will leave fanaticism to the preachers and return to common s e n s e a n d so u n d p h i l o so phy, especially when we find expr ess i ons t h a t a re u se d b y o th e r Al- chem ical philosopher s and Adepts, 'T he I n c l o s e d Ga rd e n (se e F lam el) is the Glass." Sister and Sp ous e of Sol is REGULUS 0F AI{TIMONY & MARS, the Spring Shut Up is I,tlERCURYSUBI,IMATE, the Seal-ed Fountain is REGUIUS0F ANTIMONY & MARS, see Ripley Revived and Count Bernard Trevisan, and other philos o p n ers. C h . +. vs. 1 6 ., " A w ake O Nor th W ind! ComeThou South! b e g i n w i th a g e n tl e h e at! See De la Br ie. W h a t b u si -n e ss h a s th i s with the Chur eh of Chr ist? "f , e t my b e l o ve d (S OL) come into his Gar den & etc. i .e.

p. 1BB.

ro.

" J - 9 0 . S o o n a fte r th e conjunction in the glass, it begins to t u r n bL a ck, a n d th e se cond tr ue solution is at hand, and this i s a c e r ta i -n ta ke n th a t th e W or k wil] pr oceed r ightly. BONELEUS. In 40 days and nights the upper part wil-l be Black BODY and fluid like pitch, and this is a sign that the YEIT,OW i n t h e b o tto m (S 0 1 ,) i s tr uly conver ted into M ERCURY. THEOPHRASTUS. T,et the matter stand in the anthanor until- of i t s e l - f w i th o u t a d d i n g a nything, it begins to dissol- ve per s , on Island appear s i n the t h e s up e rfi ci e s o f th e matter , and a little m i d d l -e o f th e Oce a n , th is Blaclceess is the Bir d, which flies by n i g h t ti me w i th o u t w i n g s, which Bir d is conver ted into a Rav en b y t h e D e w , w h i ch a sce nds and descends almost im per ceptibly, Vet continually. is extracted al-I at AIANUS. Do not think that this TINCTURE and by little o n c e or i n a sh o rt ti me , no! But only a little in a long imperceptibly day by day blacker and bl-acker, until t i m e pe rfe ct B l a cl cn e ss i- s obtained. S o t oma n 's S o n g C h . 1 . vs. 5., I am black but comelyr vs . 6., l o o k n o t u p o n me (d o n o t dispise me) because I am bIack, be c aus e t h e Su n (g e n tl e h e a t) h as looked upon m e. & etc. ( denotes putr ef a c t i - on ). p. l-92. When temperate heat does act in TURBAPHILOSOPHORUM h u m i d IV i E R C U R IA I d i e s, it gener ates blaclc:ess, wher eby the Ger m bo o f y o u r S to n e i s g e n e rated; and when l0 days have passedr w e hav e s e e n th e R e d n e ss o f th e Car buncle which is our Adr op, Uziph ur , (R i p ley has bor r owed this ver y sam e expr es s i on and our Red lead. f r o m th e T u rb a P h i l o so p hor um) . So l oma n cs S o n g C h . 2 . vs" 10. My beloved ( S0I) spoke and s ai d u n t o m e , ri se u p my l o ve3 M y fair One! And come awayt vs . LZ i (my l,ove, fry fair One is R. The fl-owers appear on the Earth. A l b a ) fn e Wi n te r i s p a st, ( i.e. putr efaction in blaclmess is p a s s ed ) th e R a i n i s o ver , ( i.. the Cir culating Dew or Azot h i s d r i e d u p ) th e fl -o w e rs appear , ( i.e. the beautiful Colour s a ppear b e f o r e p e rfe ct Wh i te n e ss is obtained) .

19.

A ri se my Love, fr V fair one and come away! 0 m y Vs . L 3 & l -4 . D o v e , th a t a rt i n th e Clefts of the Rock, Iet m e see thy Counte n a n ce , th y C o u n te n a n ce is com ely. ( The King watching his W or k s hi ni - ng a t t e n ti ve l y se e s th e a ppr oaching glor ious W hite Tinctur e ' l i k e 0 ri e n ta l p e a rl s). p. L 9 3 . C a e sa r l o n ginus of the W ar of the Ser pent Python( M ER w i th P h oebus; SOL in Rebus) . C U R YS U B L IMA T E between the Elements, and the There was a terribl-e lightning s ee Rebus and MERCURY W a t e r (A zo th ) co ve re d the whole Ear th. N o a h rs F l o o d i n R i p l e y. AND THE REGUIUS) conBut our strong Glants (n[ERcuRYSUBI,IMATE t i n u e d fi g h ti n g w i th o u t r em ission, night and day, wher eby the h u m i d i ty w a s a l l d ri e d up. "Those Giants fought our wonderfully sma1l Dwarf, (the SOL in R e b i s, w h o i s th e sma l lest or l- east in weight: only the I/7 , the i/4, the L/LOr or the L/l.zth. part of the whole, according to p ro p o rti o ns of differ ent philosopher s, such as t h e di ffe re n t But our A u r e l i a o ccu l ta , S e n i o r, LuLlius, Ripley, F1am el & etc. D w a r f, b J a mi ra cl e o f God, conquer ed at l- ast, caught the Gi ants a n d bo u n d th e m. (S OL fixt the whole) . ALAI{USp. J-9L. The putrefaction of the body is the beginning o f o ur w o rk, a n d i s e ffected by gentle heat, for this r easo n that i t r n ay n o t d e sce n d , b e cause as often as it ascends, a separati on from the body takes p1ace, which must not be until the of MERCURY (REGULUS) MERCURY and the Anima of S0T,, are united, and perfectly c o n j o i n e d i -n On e E sse n ce, in per fect bl- aclceess. p . 1 9 6 . It is necessar y that your putr id black m atter VENTURA. b e w ash e d a n d p u ri fi e d , and the longer the water stands on the EARTHthe mere the EARTHwill be purified. p . J-9 7 . Wh e n th e Matter is becom e W hite, then the Spir it ( IVER CURYSUBLIMATE)is coagulated with the body, $ou must wait a long t i m e b e fo re th a t C o a g ulation, r esembling fine pear ls, takes p1ac e. R O SA R IU M. Wh e n yo u see that W hiteness appear , super em i- n ent

au.

a b o v e a l l o th e r co l o u rs, then you m ay be cer tain that Rednes s whiteness, then you need not tak e i s c o n ce a l e d i n th a t b rilliant o u t t h a t w h i te n e ss, b u t you may boil your BB, until- it bec om es R e d , an d tru L y R e d , b e cause the m or e Red it is the mor e it i s worth. A n d th e mo re i t is boiled, the m or e it is wor th. Ther efor e pr oceed with the Phi l oC H IR S T OP H ORP UA SR IS INSIS. s o p h i ca l F IR E (A Z OT H )until W hiteness is past, and until- after s o m e C i tro n Y e l l o w C o l our s, a Red Colour foll- ows like Scar l et, which is the highest Tincture AIba, and although you have this C o l o ur n e ve rth e l e ss l -e t the Glass stand 6 weeks or 2 months l onger w i t h o ut o p e n i n g i t, a n d it will become m or e beautiful and d eeper c o L o u re d , a n d ri ch e r, and you ar e the mor e sur e of per fect F i x ation. ISAACUSHOIIANDUSp. 108. If you work with a small FIRE especi a l l y i n th e b e g i n n i n g , the m atter does better r etain its o w n h u m i di ty (ME R C U R IA I). T h e Ma tte r i s n o t co ngealed into a har d stone, like a glas s o r c r ysta l , w h i ch i s melted in a violent heat, but it m ust be congealed into a soft POWDER, which flows like wax over a sma1l heat. H e th a t g o ve rn s h i s matter by a gentle heat, he can come to that mystery and hi-s matter will not be vitrified, and will always r e m a i n so l u b l e i n e ve ry stage, of the W or k. But by a violen t h e a t th e ma tte r i s vi tri fied, indur ated so that it looses its s o l u b i l i ty e xce p t yo u l cr ow with a gr eat deal of labour , to r es tor e i_t. ARNOIDUS DE VILIA NOVA. 0 Ye unlearned Artists: Why do you r a i s e su ch a vi o l e n t h eat? In a vi- oLent heat the Matter is des t r o y e d a n d vi tri f.i e d . A11 philosopher s have said, bewar e o f v i t r i f i ca ti o n ! B e ca u se it does not belong to our Stone to be Vitrified. T h e re fo re roast him gently in all his changes, and y ou w i l l ge t th e sci e n ce , and if you act other wi- se, you will no t enj oy t h e f ru i t o f yo u r L a b o ur s. SOII DEO GLORIA. Finis.

2t,

B.M.f 5549 (additional M.S.)

T a ke o n e a n d a h a l f ouxces of 1ameI of steeL and calcine that i n a p o t o f e a rth 7 d a ys and longer if it be need ti1l it be v er y red. Then take it out from the fire and keep it clean from dust and from all manner of filth till that your corrosive waters be truly made under that form. ( 1 part ) and tincture Take tincture of Roman Vitriolof Sal-t Petre * part, and 2/3 ounces of good Vermillion and grind all t o g e t h e r u p o n a ma rb l e Stone. Then put all the for esaid m atter s i n a sti l l -a to ri e o f g l ass well cover ed with a blind aLembic k w el l l u t e d (1 u to S a p i e n a e ), then when the lute is dr y, put your v es s el i n b a l n e o h o t, se ve n d ays- Hoc Facto- Quenehthe fir e and when i t i s a l l co l d se t th a t said glass in a dr y fur nace with ashes , and do away the blind coverature, and lute a head with alembic upon the said glass, luto Sapienae. And make first a lent fire under the furnace' ti11 that thou think that all the faint waters be drawn by the said Alembic into a receiver, and look that the j o i n t s b e w e l l l u te d -H o c Facto- Reser ve that water in a Ves s el o f g I a ss, a n d l u te a n o ther r eceiver , or the same, to thy pipe, luto Sapi-enae, and set the same vessel in the furnace and increase the fire more and more till- a1l the good water be drawn. And also that all the said vermillion that is in the said glass b e s u b l i me d u p i n to th e head of the said glass. Then take the said glass from the furnace and take the water that is l-ast drawn and dissolve in that same water one ounce of Sal Amnonj,ack and all that is sublimed up into the head of the said glass; take it and grind it up on a Marble Stone with the said l a m e 1 o f ste e l - th a t i s caLcined befor e, all together ver y sm al l - . Then dissolve the matters with your water that the said Sal i s d i sso l -ve d i n, a littLe Am m o n i .a c with 2 or 3 and a Iittle, g l a s s e s u n d e r th i s fo rm. 1.

T h i s i s th e w a y o f smoothness N o o t h e r way hath Hermes H e t h a t ta ke th mo re o r less A 1 1 hi s w o rk i s l -i ke to Bes.

Finis.

2.

TOTIIAKE THELIKEIIESS OFA UESETABIE

Sloa ne nSS 699, page 166

R x . Ma y D e w , a n d se t it to putr efy in a close glass; the n di s t i l l - it, a n d o u t o f th e feces extr act a salt accor di- ng to A r t. T a k e o f th i s sa l t 1 o u nce and of the distilled water 2 pints . W h at h e rb s yo u w o u l d see, take a handful- or two of their Seed. and powder it; And pour on it the Water so much as the water may r e m a i n th re e fi n g e rs h i gher than the seed that lies in it, and p u t t h a t S a l t a n d d i sti l l ed water of Dew and the Seed.stogether , i n t o a stro n g g l a ss a n d. lute it or seal_ it her m etically; ( N .8. T h e g l a ss mu st b e h i g h enough to take the r epr esentation of the plant). T h e n se t th e g lass two feet in hor se- dung for 14 d .ay s , and the matter shall- become thick; And then set it in your Chamber where is clear light. And in the night when the moon clearly s h i n e s i n , w h e n i t i s b ad weather . secur e your bottl_e and s o k e e p i t th u s ti l 1 i t i s dr y. And when you please to see the flowers and. plant you must set the glass in a littl-e warm sand and. so in a moment; as it were comes the plant and flowers up. And when you take the heat away the Fl-ower and plant goes.

Finis.

1.

The

SEGRETFlJt!"r,i," PHILOSOPHER
No Aut hor or Dat e
T h is, a s i t i s th e highest M yster y of Natur e, so it is the g r e a te st se cre t o f th e philosopher s: The fir e of the per ipatet_ i c k s i s d ry; b u t th a t of the her m etic philosopher s is noist. The commonpeople calcine and burn with a cul_inary fire r w with a cl-ean a'd chrystalrine riquor; for our fire is a sulphureous Water' and the Spiritual Seed of Sulphur, which is our Merc u r y : S o w i th th e me rcur ial moistness is the M atter of our fi r e. As the kindled oi1 in the lamp is the matter of the r,ight, and by such a matter is augmented.. Nothing is so dark and obscure as the fire, and nothing is more oceult than the manner of od.ering and governing it. P o nta rtu s a fte r h e Isrew the tr ue matter ( as him self confes s es ) e r r e d a b o ve 2 0 0 ti me s, befor e he could per fect the wor k, be c aus e h e l o r e w n o t th i s fi re . T h e l a n o w l e d g e o f i t i s so necessar y, that when on a time, a So c i e ty o f th e S o n s o f Ar t m et together on pur pose to debate on the Great Work so that they should. mani.fesr not every one lcnew of it. After various opinions were brought forth and eonversed. anong them; the Yor.rngest of the company being asked. what he lcnew of that Mystery' answered. That he understood the fire and its Regiment, whereupon all rose up and gave hin the pre-eminencyr 4s t h e c hi e f Ma ste r o f th i s secr et, for he car r easily per for m al l things who knows it, and without its lorowredge nothing can be p e r f o r me d . Wh i ch se e i n g it is sor you m ay r eply to m e, tha t I have given you no satisfaction in arry wise, which hitherto r have w r i t t e n to yo u .

1.

Y e t my d e a r fri e n d , the things which I have said, do gr ea tl y c o n d uce to yo u r d e si re d end, for whosoever is well fur nished i n is well adapted for the o t h e r th i n g s, a n d h i th e rto instr ucted, f i n d i n g o u t o f th i s se c r et fir e, which he will pr obably obtai n, if
rrfm

o n l y h e co n ti n u e s h i s

Inquisition,

& God Vouchsafe to bl es s

pur po s e, I mu st co n fe ss th a t hither to I have wr ote to little u n l e s s yo u se e m to h a ve lcr own the things befor e, however it w i l l b e a gre a t co mfo rt to your that what I have wr itten m ay confi r m y o u r o p i n i o n s, a n d b e g et a confidence in you how m or e like a p h i l o so p h e r, th a n a p a r r ot you have wr itten, and ther efor e they cannot but be an incitement to promote your beginnings and progress, t o w hi ch I h e a rti l y w i sh a m ost happy event; because I suppos e y o u t o b e a ma n ve ry fi t to be made an adept. And I ser ious l y p r o p o se , h a d I b e e n so for tunate to have had the liber ty gr anted me by my patron, which many Adepts have. I woul-d have opened t o y o u th e w h o l -e S e cre t. B u t my g o o d fri e n d , l -et me use that liber ty of speech as to s a V; th a t i f w i th o u t th e tr emendi.ous Anathema of the philoso pher s , I m i g h t o p e n to yo u th e Gr eat Ar canum viz. their secr et fir e, I do a little doubt whether by this means I might be an i-nstrument o f g r e a te r fe l i ci ty, to you. I t i s w o rth y to b e n oted that sentence of a Chief Father of the Church, God, in Mercy, denied many things which he grants in his Anger; for very many gifts of the fnfinite Diety, are made rather punishments than benefits. My most worthy fri-end, I heartily pray that if you go about t h e Gre a t Wo rk, a n d fi n i sh it; this m ay not be pr ophetical of Y o u r th e ci rcu msta n ce s consider ed which accompanyyou, ther efor e r w o u l d th a t w h e n so e ver God shall make the matter of the Her m e t i c k Wi sd o mr $ o u w o u ld em ploy it about Medicine and Philos ophy ; b u t n o t ma ki n g o f Go 1 d .. FINIS.

2.

OF: EXTRACTS

T HE GREATWO RK O F THI

L A P IS

SO PHO RI UM

TO THELAMSPRING PROCESS ACCORDING

O F T HEW HI T E OF TH E R U BT I CA T I O N
ST]LPHAR NATURAE EXI,IERCURIUS

Having obtained the White Sulphur of Nature from Mercury in t w o o r th re e d i g e sti n g globe glasses, take that glass which y ou p r o p o s e to co n ti n u e to digest till it be per fected into the R ed Sulphur and without permitting it to cool place it in a lamp f u r n a e e i n a b e d o f si fted ashes, war med to the same degr ee of h e a t a s th e g l a sse s h a d acquir ed in the water bath. The dr y heat in ashes must be no stronger than that you can bear the glass in y o u r o p e n h a n d . C o n ti n ue the gentle degr ee of dr y heat, szy about L20 to 130 degrees until your SULPHUR NATURAE A].,BUM is become of a very bright and beautiful cinnabar colour, which it will in about thirty days. This is Sulphur Rubrum Naturae Indeterminatum. S o l u ti o n of the Red Sulphur Naturae into an 0i1.

Dissolve this Red sulphur of Nature by the sane process as you did the white sulphur; that is dissolve it in a genuine highly rectified sp i ri t o f w i n e , digest in a blood war m water bath, keeping the glass close shut and you will obtain a d.eep ruby r e d t r a n sp a re n t so l u ti o n . This solution is FIRE. If you tinge a bottle of good o1d lVhite Rhine wine or Austrain w i n e w ith th i s e sse n ce , until the same becom es as d.eep in co l our as Burgundy, which a smal1 quantity of the dissolved red sulphur w i l - I e ffe ctr ]o u h a ve th en in your possession, The Glor ious i nw ar d

M e d i c i n e ; o r Qu i n ta E ssentia Medicinalis which is so power ful l t h a t a fe w d o se s o f a coffee spoonfull- will- expeIl the most dr eadf u l l d i se a se s, E p i l e p sy , palsy, dr opsie, consum pti.ons, feve r s , g o u t , l e p ro sy, a l l fl y befor e it. I t i s a cu re fo r th e maladi- es of the whole animal cr eation. has been united and Bu t w h e n th e S o l a r S ulphur spir itualized, c o a g ul a te d th e re w i th , it then becomes a hundr ed times mor e pow er full, befor e it be a n d mu st th e re fo re be dilated pr opor tionally e x h i bi te d a s a me d i ci n e. One single gr ain in substance in that s t a t e w o u l d e xti n g u i sh life like a str oke of } ightning or a Vi ol - e n t sh o ck o f e l e ctri ci ty which is the sam e thing with less pow er , as we have proved by experiments made on dogs and other animal-s. D i sti l -l -ation T ra n sp a re n t S o l ution of the Ruby Red of Red Sulphur of Natur e.

H a vi n g , b V th e me a n s dir ected, obtained your r uby r ed tr ans p a r e n t S o l u ti o n o f th e Red Sulphur of Natur e in Spir it of W i ne, you must with a gentle heat in Balneo draw off the Spirit of w i n e , p r A L e mb i cu mu n til ther e r em ains behind a r uby r ed o i 1. C o mp o si tion of the Pr inciples. T o th re e p a rts o f th e Ruby colour ed oi1 you must add one par t of the GOLDH{FERMENT reduced to an oil-, by means of spirit of wine. Manage exactly as you did the White, and Coagulate the united o i l s i n a d i g e sti n g g l obe glass placed in a dr y heat of sifted a s h e s, l e a vi n g th e g l a ss open dur ing the fir st 24 hour s of di ges tion to evaporate the superfluous humidity. Then shut it and d i g e st u n ti l i t i s b e com e a beautiful DEEPRED MASS. This w i l l b e s oo n a cco mp l i sh e d i n a heat of fr om 120 to 130 degr ees. T he trial- is that it must melt without fuming.

4"

Mu l ti p l i ca ti o n

in quality,

vir tue

& Power .

T h e Mu l ti p l i ca ti o n o f the r ed is per for m ed in exactly the s am e formerly taught. manner as that of the white tincture Yo u mu st d i sso l ve th e above r ed m ass ( which is the RED TIN C T U R E IN AN INFANT STATE capable of transmuting ten parts only of Merby a gentle di ges tc u r y i n to S Ot) i n yo u r r ectified lac vir ginis i-on. the Mer cur ial- Spir it fr o m the W h en p e rfe e tl y d i sso l ved distill t i n c t ure u n ti l i t re ma ins an oil. T h is b e i n g p u t to a digesting globe, placed in war m ashes , m us t be dried up again until i-t become again A RED MASS. R e pe a t th i s so l u ti o n and coagulation, until it will not d r y up any more, but remains a FIXED RUBYRED OIL which shines in t h e da rk. T h i s i s th e Elixir Reber um ter tial or dinis, which i s capable of vi-trifying a great quantity, at least one hundred parts gold can con v er t o f r e fi n e d g o l d j -n a cr uci- ble, which vitr ified a g r e a te r q u a n ti ty, a t least 1000 par ts of M er cur y into a R ED T I N G IN G C IN N A B A R T o r p r eeipitate, can tr ansm ute which, finally a t l e a st a h u n d re d p a rts of Mer cur y into fine goId. T h e re d ti n ctu re i s capable of being still fur ther multipl i ed. Be fo re i t h a s vi tri fi e d gold, it is the lapis Sophor umMED IC IN AI,IS UNIVERSAIIS, the URIM AND THUMIM which gi-ves light in the d a r k a n d ti n g e s a l co h o l of wine into a r uby r ed essence, wher ew i t h yo u ca n ti n g e o l d white Austr ian wine into the m edicin e, c a p a bl e o f h e a l i n g a n d over com ing all diseases, and able to pr es e r v e l i fe b e yo n d th e gener al ter m . T h e d o se o f th i s ti n g ed wine must be small, a few dr ops onl y a n d t ha t n o t to o o fte n . T o P re p a re the Solar Fer m ent . c ar e

T a ke th e p u re g o l d o f 24 car ots r efined. with the gr eatest

two ounces; get this beat into thin l eav es re fi n e r, b y a fa i th fu l l a t a g o l d b e a te rs, o n e whom you can trust and who will not chartge y o u r g o 1 d , V o u o u g h t to get enough beat to yield you two ounc es o f l e ave s. Di-ssolve the gold leafr orre leaf after another gradually in your in which a qua mi xe d w i th a a of good aqua for tis l a c v irg i n i s; f o r t i s yo u h a ve p re vi o u sly di- ssolved one four th par t of its w ei ght of Sublimed Sal- Ammoniac to make it become an aqua regia. I , e t yo u r d o u b l e so l ve nt consisting of your aqua r egia just m enti o n e d a n d yo u r l a c V i rg i nis, of each ar t equal weight, wei- gh tw i c e a s m u ch a s yo u r g o l d d o es, that is, have four ounces of solv ent. Dissolve the gold leaves gradually, without heat and you willa b e a u ti fu l tra n spar ent fier y r ed li- quor . T h i s i s th e h u mi d ca l cination; shut the digesting glass and p l a c e i t i n a b l o o d w a r m water bath to digest for eight day s . there Then distill the solvent from it very carefull-y until r e m a i ns b e h i n d a n o i l y liquid gold. Digestion. Put the SOLAR0Il just obtained into a digesting globe glass and set it in a water bath of a blood heat for one hundred and fifty d a ys (fi ve mo n th s) and the gold will die & r ot as the s i - l - v er d i d b e fo re . After balclcress is over you will obtain in about six months time the White Mercurial Sulphur of gold which will settle all r o u n d th e g l o b e l i ke sm aLl pear ls or the eyes of fish.
Rubification of t h e Wh it e S u lp h u r of G o ld . .

obtain

When you have the sign just mentioned, your White Sul-phur of G o l d se ttl e d ro u n d th e globe like small pear ls, take your g l as s gently out of the water bath and place it in ashes pr eviously

warmed over a lamp as nearly

the same degree of heat as the water b a t h wa s, th e n i n cre a se your heat gr adually to 110, L20 and 130 degrees and the White Sulphur will change into a yellow and finaIly deep r ed colour . T h e ch a n g e fro m th e W hite to the r ed wil- l be accom plished i n f i v e o r si x mo n th s (w e eks) and you will then have in your pos s es s i o n t he re d sp i ri tu a l i ze d gold or Solar Fer m ent extr emely fus i - bl e. of i n to a b e a u ti fu l

S o l u ti o n o f the Solar Fer ment and r eduction the same into Ol-eumS01,IS ( Solaris ) .

D i s so l ve yo u r re d so lar fer ment in genuine highly r ectified alcohol of wine and you will have a Transparent ruby coloured s o l u t io n w h i ch n o a rt can r educe per se into SOL again. This ruby tincture is AURUM POTIBIE PER SE but not T,APIS PHIIOSO P H OR U M D IC IN A IIS . Yet it is a glor ious r estor ative ME and c ur ati v e Medicine. D i s ti l l th e sp i ri t o f wine in balneo gently fr om the soluti on, per alembicum, until there remains behind in your glass body a d e e p ru b y re d o i l o f g o1d, that is a solar oily looking liqui d, w h i c h i s th e S p i ri tu a l Solar Fer ment for the composition of the p ri -ma e S e cu ndae et ter tiae or dini- s. R e d E l i xi r

S oli

De o Glor ia.

Finis.

7.

THE

PRACTICE OF PHILOSOPHER
a nony m ous

(WRITTEN IN BACSTROM'S HAND)

W HTTE OF C H A N GTNG INTO RED

Now l-et us divide the White body fixed into two parts of the w h i c h o n e mu st b e co n se rved for the W hite Elixir . The other part which is for the red put it in his glass and pour upon him of the water conserved for him, that it may overcome S h u t th e ve sse l - strongly and seeth hin with ,soft fir e ti Il h e l i q u i fy a s w a te r. T hen decoct him fur ther with a ]ittIe augm e n t a t io n o f fi re ti Il he wax thick like fat or oil. After that with more fire continue til-l he be coagulated. into a dry red stone. T h e n i mb i b e i t as befor e is said and seeth him and coagu l a t e hi m, a n d e te . ti 1 ] he be dr y. so do until he have dr unk all his vapour conserved for him. Put that part so dried into a r o u n d e a rth e n ve sse l , glazed well without, lute it and put i t in the furnace fourty one days and nights, so that he remain continually in one equal heat more than before, til-1 the Spirit enter the body by his regimen. sow thy purest fruit in thy mercury ti1I he be dead in him. D i s s e v e r th e q u i ck fro m the dead, the dr y fr om the m oist, with care, and imbibe the dead with the quick, and the dry with the m o i s t , ti l I th e d e a d h a ve over com e the ouick. heavy, hot and dry D o t o g eth e r, fo r so d i d I Take hard and moist & wet D o t o g eth e r e ve n I me te Then are thou richer than the King Unless that he have the sane thi.ng. Take hard, him.

1.

yo u sh o u l d p u t into the said body a littl- e water an d a little o f yo u r p o w d e r. Then take another glass and put a l-i ttl e o f t h e sa me w a te r i n th is glass and of the powder as you di d g1ass. And when it is aLl dissolved, put b e f o r e i n to th e fi rst g l a ss. i t i n to th e fi rst unto the And so do litt1e and little First th e p o w d er be dj- ssolved. And when it is al-l- dissolved and put in our body, then l-ute a b l i n d h e a d u p o n th e m outh of that body Luto Sapientae. And w h e n th e l u te i s d ry, set that sar ne body with all the said m atter s i n a ve ry h o t b a l n e o fo r seven days- Hoc Facto. Take up that body and do away with the blind head, soft and fair, that none of the l-ute fal-l into the body of the glass for hurting o f t h e w o rk. H o c F a cto. Lute a good head of glass with Al em bi c t o t h e mo u th o f th e sa i d body- luto sapientae- and set him in a dry furnace with hot ashes; Sicut Primus and make first lent fire till th a t yo u se e th e said body of the said glass begin to w ax red. T h e n i n cre a se th e fir e m or e and mor e unto the tim e th at y o u r fe ce s th a t l ye th i n the said glass be dr y, then let it c ool . H O CF A C T O. Take it from the furnace again and grind it upon a marble stone a s y o u d i d b e fo re w i th that, that is sublim ed in the head. And d i s s o lve i t i n a n e w cor r osive water m ade of Ti of Sal petr e , a h a l f pa rt, a n d o n e o u n c e of Sal ar moniac, dr awn as you did befor e, and ever remember that in all your drawing of your corrosive waters t h a t yo u p u t a w a y yo u r faint water s, that is to s&V, the fir s t w a t e r , th e w h i ch w h a t be ipetive like the colour of whey. And k e e p it i n a g 1 a ss, fo r it wilL ser ve for another wor k and not f o r t hi s. A n d a l J. yo u r cor r osive water m ust be m ade under the f o r m b e fo re sa i -d . T h en p u t yo u r fa e ce s so dissolved in the said body of glas s a^r r d in your corrosive water in balneo again seven days as you did before. A n d th e n co n g eal him and dissolve him unto the time that y o u h ave h i m i n a n o i L . T h e n p u t th a t o i l i n a glass well closed and 1uted, Iuto s api enae, t i m e th a t a l l

2.

keen it

b v h i mse l f.

T h e n ta ke one ounce of fine

Sol and make

t h e r e o f t h i n p l a te s. T h e n t a k e a g re a t cru se (crucible?) and put ther ein as much lea d a s y o u w i l l a n d me l t i t. And then lay a br oad thin plate o f l r o n f u l - l - o f sma l l h o l e s u pon the said cr uise, and upon the s a r n e p l a t e of Iro n l a y yo u r thin plates of SOL, plate by plate, s o t h a t n o n e o f th e m to u ch e a ch other ( Str atum Super Str atum ) , a n d t u r n t h em o fte n ti -me s. A n d l o o k th a t th e sa i d cru i s e with your lead may stand ver y h o t a n d l i q u id . F o r th e fe rvent heat and the spir it of the hot lea d w i l l c au se th e sa i d p l a tes of SoL to br eak into powder . Th e n w h e n i t i s so b ri ttl -e th at it is somewhat br ought into powder , g rin d t h a t po w d e r o f S o l u p o n a m ar ble stone ver y smalI, but not hard for grinding of the stone amongst the So1. Then take that s m a l l p o w d e r o f S o l a n d d i sso l- ve him in the cor r isive water , befor e s a i d , m a d e wi th S a I a mo n i a c, s al petr e and r oman Vitr iol. And c o n g e a l h i m a n d d i sso l ve h i m until the tim e that it be an oil. Hoc F a c t o . P'rt the first oi1 and the oil- of sol together and put them in a b o d y o f g la ss w i th a b l i n d alem bic well luted- Iuto sapientae; and s e t h i m i n b a l n e o h o t 5 d ays natur al; and then let it cool; Th e n t a k e i t u p a n d se t i t i n a cir cle fir e, not too hot 5 days, and then put him again in balneo another 5 d.ays, grad.us primus, and t h e n p u t h i m i n to a ci rcl e fir e another J days, sicut pr imus, and s o d o a s i t i s b e fo re sa i d. What in bal-neo and what in circle fire until the time that the s a id m a t t e r s b e co n g e a l e d . i n to a stone, the which will be d.one wit h i n ! w e e ks. T h e n t a k e . o n e o u n ce o f th e said. m ed.i- cineand cast upon 10 ounce s of f i n e l e a d mo l te n i n a cru ci bLe and one ounce of that lead. so arra y e d c a s t u p o n 1 0 o u n ce s o f fine luna wer l pur ged, while that it d o t h r u n , a n d i t sh a l l b e as good. sol as any in the wor Id to abid e a l - l - m a n n e r o f e xa mi n a ti on and Test.

To fix f i ne fu ll- : it

Lune unto with S aturn

the w e ig h t and set it

a n d q u a lit y h im in the

of

S o l-, t a k e it b e f in e d cast

lu n e at

and the powder

as we l-l- a s y o u c a n a n d in

Then take

S aturn

t ill ' a test d ry in g t ill

o n e o u n c e o r as t h e re in it s t rik e g la s s s a t u rn of f , with po t

m u ch as you will of g lass, an d cast colo u r s. a wa y. i-n more,

and dry

and always Then strike

as t h e p o wd e r wa x e t h wh it e the of thy wit h cle a n the sat u rn a wa y t h e f o u rt h it in t o f ro m t h e g la s s f ire a pot

and so 3 o r 4 t ime s p a rt

h a v e hi s s a t u rn b e was h e d and so do of th e him by

f ro m t h e a n d in

som e instrument Then take

so that that

a c le a n

m e l- t him by himsel-f

and c a s t

V in e g a r

9 ti m es: and then is thy S a t u rn we ll p re p a re d . The n take 2 parts of th a t S a t u rn p re p a re d a n d 1 p a rt l un e th e n aforesaid set it in wel-l- fined a test a n d s e t h im in s t ro n g lu n e f ix the f ire to g e ther, him se lf N ow if Take of Vin e g ar and cast him in t o V in e g a r,

a n d me lt

and d ry h im t iI l th o u t h y lu n e

a n d s o d o 9 t imes ; y o u h a v e t h e lu n e c lea n Sol to a b id e

and then hast you will thy S aturn

a s d e n s e a n d a s h e a v y as S o f . a s is c e me n t a t i o n : strong

make t h y prepa re d

a n d me l-t h im a n d q u e n c h h im in

and so do 9 times . T h e n t a k e o f t h y d e n s e lu n e t wo p a r t s an d m elt him and when it is me lt e d c a s t in 2 p a rt s o f t h y s a t u r n l - ast prepared and have r e a d y b y t h e e a v e s s e l wit h t wo p a rt s o f Vin e g a r and one part of S a l- a mmo n i-a c d is s o lv e d in t h e s a me V i n e ga r :i A nd in 9 ti m es, fi ne out at a ll This calIed m atte r that liquor quench thy me t a l a n d s o me l_ t a n d q ue n c h and when thou ha s t d o n e s o r t h e n s e t h im in a t e s t a n d the saturn till t h o u h a v e t h y lu n e c le a n b y h ims e lf , and times look that th y t e s t b e rig h t hot or thou put thy therein. wil-1 abide ce me n t a t io n Ro y a 1 , lik e a s S o l wil-l and is

lune

AUREUMALBA. one ounce of

S o l a n d o n e o u n c e o f t h e s a id a u re um a l b a an d 4 ounces of V enus and me lt t h e m t o g e t h e r a n d . p la t e t h e m e t a l in to thin plates and 1ay t h e m in c e me n t a t io n in a c ru c ib le with th e se materials:

Th e n take

Ir

bor ace cr oufer or c r os T a k e S a l A l ka l i , sa l am m oniac, Vitr iol, f e r i - s u se d . o ti s q u e n ch e d in the galle of a bowl; Red powder of ti l es I n a b b re vi a ti o n D.H. ) the juice of celedone, of e ar th S a ] EV E IT(a and like me ch e . Then temper him with honey and make him like a paste and then m a k e th y ce me n ta ti o n w i th the plates between 2 cr ucibles and l ute h i m f ast, a n d d ry h i m well and put him into the fir e 24 hour s . all the Venus be wast ed N o t e w e l -I th a t th o u c em ent him tiI] T hen a n d h a ve n o mo re b u t th e weight of the 2 pr inciple bodies. m e l t hi m w i th b o ra ce a nd thou shalt have the fair est So1 tha t e v e r th o u sa w e st, th e which will- abide cem entation Roya1. E x p h at a rs i sta ve ra e t pbata. way for Sol: Take one ounce fine Sol and one ounce fj-ne + o u n ce o f fi n e Venus, melt them together and wash hi m wine (urine) after that you have cast him in ar.I ingot. h i m i n to th i n plates and keep him to the cem entati- on. T h e n ti n c. l p a rt o f Rom anVitr iol and m ake powder ther eof and t e m p e r h i m w i th ch i l d 0 s ur ine and boil him together till tho u s e e h i m ri se u p g re e n and ye1Iow, then take hir n off the fir e and grind hin with tinc. l part of Sal- ammoniac and one ounce of Sal gemmeand temper him with strong Vinegar unto the time that h e b e a s th i ck a s p a ste , and then cem ent the plates with tha t paste and melt the metal and cast him in an ingot and thou shalt have good Sol and gentle in working. A good l-une and in stale An d b ea t

Q . D. R.

E X P E R IM ENT S ror t he pREpARAT t ON of t he

SO PHI C K MERC UR Y

byLuna and theAntimonial steilarHegulus ol ilars

f or the

PHILOSOPHERS STONE
written by: Eugeneousphilafetha
on EnglishrTron o n cJ

Co sm o p o lite

I.

T h e se cre t o f th e Philosophick Ar senick. I t o o k o n e p a rt o f the Fier y Dr agon, and of the Magnetica l B o d y tw o p a rts, I p re p ar ed them together by a str ong Fir e, and i n t h e fi rst fu si o n th er e was m ade about eight ounces of the tr ue Ar s e n i ck. T h e S e cre t o f p re p ar ing the M er cur y with his Ar senick, for t h e se p a ra ti n g i ts Faeces. I did take one part of the best Arsenick, and I made a marui-age with two parts of the Virgin Diana into one Body; I ground it very fine, and with this f have prepared my Mercury, working them a l - l t o g e th e r i n h e a t, until that they wer e most exquisitely i nc o r p o ra te d : th e n I p u rged it with the SaLt of Ur ine, that t he F a e c es d i d se p a ra te , w hich I put away. T h e P u ri fi ca ti o n o f the Sophick Mer cur y. The Mercury thus prepared, is yet infected with an external u n c r e a n n e ss, w h e re fo re distill it thr ee or for - r tines in its p r o p e r A l e mb i ck, w i th i ts steel- Cir cur bit, then wash it with the s a l t o f u ri n e , u n ti l that it be clear and br ight, and in its m o t i o n l e a ve s n o ta i l - behind it. 3. An to th e r mo st e xce l l- ent pur gati_on. T a ke o f d e cre p i t sa 1 t, and of the scor ia of Mar s, of each ten o u n c e s, b f p re p a re d Me rcur y one ounce and a half, gfind the Sal - t and the scorias very fine together, in a Marble Mortar; then put in the Mercury, and grind it with vinegar, so long until- no more o f t h e Me rcu ry a p p e a rs; put it into a Glass Body, and distill i t b y S a n d i n a Gl a ss Alem bick, until all the Mer cur y be as eended, p u r e , cl e a r, a n d sp l e n didly br ight; r eiter ate this thr ee times , and you will have the Mercury excellently well prepared for the M a g i ste ry. 4, 2.

1.

2.

T h e se cre t o f th e j ust Pr epar ation of the Sophick Mer cur y . Ev ery si n g l e p re p a ra tion of the M er cur y with its Ar senick i s o n e E a g l e , th e F e a th e rs of the Eagle being pur ged fr om their C r ow l i k e b l a ckn e ss, ma ke i t to fly the seventh flight, and it i s p r e p a re d e ve n u n ti l th e tenth flight. 5. Th e se cre t o f th e Sophick Mer cur y. I have taken the proper quantity of the Mercury, and I mixed it w i t h i ts tru e A rse n i ck, to wit, about four ounces of M er cury , and I m a de a th i n co mmi xe d consistencei I pur ged it after a due m anner , a n d r d i sti l l e d i t, a n d r had a pur e Body of Lune, whence r k new t h a t r h a d ri g h tl y p re p ar ed it; after war ds r added to its wei ght o f Ar se n i ck, a n d r i n creased its for m er weight of M er cur y, i n s o much that the Mercury might prevai-I to a thin flux, and so I purged i t ' t o th e w a sti n g o f the blackness almost to a Lunar y whitenes s ; t h e n I to o k h a l f a n o u nce of the Ar seniek of which I m ade a due marri-age, r added it to this betrothed Mercury, and there was m a d e a te mp e ra tu re l i ke potter s tr oam, but a Iittle thinner ; r purged it again, after a due manner, the purgation was l-abourous and a long time; I made it with Salt of Urine, which I have found t o b e th e b e st i n th i s wor k. An o th e r R rrg a ti o n , but yet better . r have found out a better way of purging it, with vinegar and p u r e se a -sa l tr so th a t in the space of har f a day r can pr epar e o n e E a g l e ; r ma d e th e fi r st Eagle to fly, and Diana is 1eft, w i th a little T i n ctu re o f B rass; r began the second Eagle by r emov i - ng the superfluities, and then r mad.eit fly, and again the Doves of D i a n a a re 1 e ft, w i th th e Tinetur e of Br ass; r conjoined the thi r d Ea g r e , a n d r p u rg e d th e super fluities, by r emoving them , ev en to a w h i t e n e ss, th e n r ma de it f1y, and ther e wa.s left a gr eat par t o f B r a ss, w i th th e D o ves of Diana; then r m ad.eit f1y twice by itself, to th e w h o l e e xtr action of all the Body; then r join ed the fourth Eagle, bv add.ing more and more of its own humour bv 7. 6.

d e g r e e s, a n d th e re w a s m ade a ver y tem per ate consistence, in w hi c h t h e r e w a s n o H yd ro p s, (or super fluous moistur e) as ther e wa s i n t h e t hre e fo rme r E a g l e s. I h a ve fo u n d th e b est r lr ar rnf nr cnar ing the Sophick M er cur y Y i z. su ch a s fo l l o w s. T h e A ma l g a ma te dMa ss, espoused or joined ver y intimately by a due Marriage, f put into a Crucible, and into a Furnace of Sand f o r h a l f a n d h o u r, b u t so that it might not sublime; then I tak e i t o ut, a n d stro n g l y g rind it; then I put it again in the Cr uc i bl e, a n d i n th e F u rn a ce , a n d after a quar ter of an hour or ther eabouts , I g r i nd i t a g a i n , a n d make the M or ter hot, by this means th e A m a l ga mab e g i n s to b e c1ean, and to cast for th a gr eat deal of Powder; then I put it in the Crucible again, and to the Fire as B. b e f o r e, fo r a co n ve n i e nt tim e, so that it be not sublimed, other w i s e th e g re a te r th e F ir e is, the better it is; so continual l y putting it in the fire and continually grinding it, till almost a l - l t he P o w d e r d o th w h olly disappear , then I wash it, and the F a e c es a re e a si l y ca st out, and the Amalgam a becomes intir e w i thout any Heterogeneity; then I wash it with Salt, and agai.n do heat it and grind it; this I repeat to the fu11 cleansi.ng it from al-l m a - n n e ro f F a e ce s. A T h re e fo l d tri a l of the goodness of the Pr epar ed Mer cur y . Take thy Mercury prepared with its Arsenick of sev-en, eight n i n e o r te n E a g l e s, p u t it into a Phial, and thou shalt lute i t with the lutum sapienti-ae; place it in a Frlrnace of sand , and let it stand in an heat of Sublimation, so that it may ascend. and d e s c e n d i n th e G1 a ss, until it be coagulated a r ittr e thicker t h a n Bu tte r; co n ti n u e i t unto a per feet coagulation, until i t be a s w hi te a s S i l ve r. 9. 10. If A n o th e r T ri a l . by sh a ki n g i t i -n a G1ass with the Salt of Ur ine,

it

be tur ned

+.

an i mp a l p a b l -e w h i te powder of its own accor d, so that i t doth not appear as Mercury, and of its own accord in an hot and d r y p l a ce i t co a g u l a te s again into a thin M er cur y it is enough; b u t y e t b e tte r i f b e i n g agitated in Fountain- water , it r uns i nto s m a 1 l h e a d s o r p a rti cl e s, for if the gr ain be in the Body, i t w i l - l n o t b e th u s co n ve rte d and separ ated into sm all minute par ts. into Th e T h i rd T ri a l -. D i s ti l -l i t i n a Gl a ss Alembick, fr om a Glass Cucur bit; if i t p a s s e s o ve r a n d l e a ve s nothir ng behind it, it is a good Miner al Water. The extraction of the Sulphur from the living Mercury by Se p a ra ti o n . Take thy mixed corporal and spiritual Compound,the Body of w h i c h i s co a g u l a te d o f the volatile by digestion, and separ ate the Mercury from its Sulphur by a glass still, and thou shalt h a v e a w h i te L u n a fi xe d and r esisting Aqua for tis, and m or e ponderous than commonSulver. !3, Th e Ma g i ca l - S o 1 o ut of this luna. Out of this white sulphur by Fire thou shalt have a yelrow s u l p h u r, b v a ma n u a l Oper ation, which sol i- s the r ed lead o f the P h i l o so p h e rs. 1 4 . Ou t o f th i s S u l p h u r , Aur um potabile. T h o u ma yst tu rn th i s yeIlow Sulphur into an Oil as r ed as B1ood, b y c i r cu l a ti n g i t w i th the Volatile- Mer cur ial- philosophical M enstruum, so thou shalt have an admirable Panaceat ot UniversaL M e d i c in e . !5. T h e g ro ss co n j u n cti on of the M enstr uumwith its sulphur , f o r th e fo rma ti o n of the Off- spr ing of the Fir e. T a k e o f th y p u rg e d , b est pr epar ed. and. choicest M er cur y, of 12. 1l-.

)e

n o n e r o r at most ten Eagles, mix it with the pr epar ed L a t o n , o r i ts re d su l p h ur , that is to sav, two par ts of the w ater , o r a t th e mo st th re e , with one of the pur e Sulphur , gr ound and p u r g e d ; N .B . b u t i t i s better that thou takest two par ts to one. l - 6 , Th e w o rki n g o f th e mixtur e by a manuaL Oper ation. This thy mixture thou shalt grind very well upon a Marbl-e, then thou shalt wash it with vinegar and saI Armoniac, until it hath p u t o ff a l l i ts b l a ck Faeces; then thou shalt wash off all i ts s a l t n e ss a n d a cri mo n y with clear Fountain- water , then thou s hal t dry i-t upon clean white paper, bv turning of it from prace to p l a c e w i th th e p o i n t o f a knife, even unto an exquisite d.r l r nes s . Th e p u tti n g i n o f the Foetus into the philosophicar Eg g. N o w th y mi xtu re b e i n g dr yed, put it into an Oval Glass, o f the b e s t an d mo st tra n sp a re nt Glass, of the bigness of an Hens Egg; i n s u ch a Gl a ss Ie t n o t thy M atter exceed two ounces, seal i t H e r m eti ca l l y. r7. 1 8 . T h e Go ve rn me n t o f the Fir e. Then you must have a Purnace built in which you may keep an immortal Firer in it you shal1 make an heat of Sand. of the first degree, in which the dew of our Compound may be eLevated. and. ci-rculated eontinually day and night, without any intermissi.on, & etc. A n d i n su ch F i re the Body will die, and the Spir it wi l l be r e n e w ed , a n d a t l e n g th the Soul will be glor ified and united w i th a new immortal and incorruptible Body: Thus is mad.ea new Heaven.

s e v e n , e i g h t'

F I NI S .

THE FIRST MATTER

(No Aut hor or Dat e)

W h e n w e tu rn o u r th o u ghts to the pr epar ation of the Univers al M a t t e r , th e h i g h e st A rt of the W ise, in which is concentr ated a l - l t h e stre n g th o f h e a ven and ear th, we m ust know that it is i n a l - I th i n g s, kn o w w h a t the univer sal Subject is, and how it i s c o n sti tu te d ; th e fi re of natur e in its two diver se pr oper ti es , t h e c o rp o re a l a n d th e u niver sal wor king power , which the phi l os o p h e rs ca l l th e F i rst M atter . The foundation being the M er c ur y o f t h e Wi se a l so ca Il e d the univer sal m atter . But the W ise k now t h a t i t ca n n o t n o w b e found in the wor ld as One Thing, in whi c h t h e 2 ce n tra l fi re s o f natur e r emain limited and cor por eal. T h e r e f ore th e y sa y, th a t whoever can wor k thr ough One Thing er r s a n d d o e s n o t fo l L o w th e Ar t, but he who lcr ows the Univer sal M atter h a s t h e tru e Wi sd o m, a n d for him the door of W isdom stands o pen. W h a t Go d h a s cre a te d is found in the thr ee Kingdoms, so we m us t e a r n e stl y l o o k fo r th i s univer sal Matter in them, and it is eas y t o f i n d i f w e th i n k i n which cr eation the cl_eanest and pur es t l i g h t o f N a tu re o f Go d can be found. T h e u n i ve rsa l su b j e ct is the most noble of Godr s cr eation, i n w h i c h Go d H i mse l f b u rn s for love. w h e n w e l o o k a ro u n d i n the whole of natur e, we see that M an i s G o d rs mo st e xce l l e n t wor k, for all cr eatur es belong to th e n a t u r a l a n d p e ri sh a b l e wor ld, but M an stands in a two- fold p os i ti on, f o r h e i .s n a tu ra L a n d a l so super natur al, heId dear est by God al d c r e a t e d o ve r a l l th i n g s. T h o ug h h l s b o d y i s p e rishable thr ough the FaIl by cor r uptio n a n d p a rti ci p a ti n g i n i t, yet his soul- is bor n of God, super n atur al a n d i m p e ri sh a b L e , fo r th e spir it of God has his place and hom e i n h i m , a n d d o e s n o t b e l ong to the gr eat wor ld, but Eter nity .

1.

T h e re fo re B a si l i u s

V alentinus

says: Man is thr ough his

so ul -

a d i v in e e n ti ty, e ve n though his outwar d body per ishes even as the animals, but man can overcome this natural being through t h e Q.E . fo r h e i s th e Centr um Centr or um and the Centr um Co nc ent r a t u m , a s th e sma Il w or ld is called, and Basilius says fur ther , everything is found in the small that is found in the great one, namely heaven and earth, the elements and all that is in the Firmament. W e se e to o th a t th e W ise, not without r eason, say, "In you l - i e s th e mo st p re ci o u s of all pr ecious things, in m an is fo und a l l t h e stre n g th o f h e aven and ear th. The philosopher s say , "T a k e o n th e A rt, w h e re Natur e l- eaves off", for they wish peopl e t o u n d e rsta n d C re a ti o n and how Cr eation came about. The ph i l os o p h e rs a fte r th e i r ma gician Stilo say: This Univer sal- M atter i s t h e p h i l o so p h i c Me rcu ry fr om which all things ar e taken and he1d, and man being the Centrum Centrorum understands the properties o f a l l C re a tu re s, a n d has the power s of the thr ee Kingdom s of the l o w e r w o rl d i n tri p l i ca te in him self. He must r ealize that the beginning of the light of Nature can be found in himself, for he is grounded in the eternal nature. In order that we should not be confused by the various narres of the Prima Materi-a, sendivogious warns us truly that we must comprehend the hidden meaning, not simply the outward words, for t h a t i s th e i r i n te n ti o n . W her e Natur e finishes in the M etal l i c kingdom and in our eyes has a substantial bod.y, there we must s t a r t o u r A rt. T h e Me r cur y of the W ise must necessar ily be tak en f r o m ma n , a s R i p l a u s shows when he wr ites, Man is the nobles t of al-l creatures in the false creation, and in hj.m are the four e l e m e nts, o n e i n a n o th e r, which become one wor kir g, and in the mercuri-al- family are many materials, which through thd Art can be drawn out. A s t h e tw o ce n tra l fi res of natur e lie in the M icr ocosm o s o r a r e t h e y a L so i n th e Macr ocosm o, and in specie in the spir itual

2.

as a subtle nitr e an d i s In $ h e fi re i s a n Astr al Spir it, e n d . o we d w i th a l i vi n g soul, which is the Ar chaus of the Motor th a t i s i n all- things and which opens its most i nner U n i v e r sa l i s, Centrum and pours into it a fermenting property through which l i f e a w a ke n s, a n d i s b rought to fur ther use: W ithout this as tr al th e tw o co rp o re a l fir es ar e dead and not wor king, but w hen spirit t h e y a re o p e n e d b y th e fer m enting pr oper ty they ar e made vol ati l e, fire. and al-l life awakens. Nothing ca:r exist without this astral S p i r i t w h i ch i s th e l i fe of all things, and in Alchemie nothi ng n e w c a n b e b o rn w i th o u t it, or be placed in the Plusquam perfec ti on, f o r t h e S p i ri t a l -o n e g i ves life to all. As all creatures have it for their beginning and in Gods order a r e h e l d b y i t a n d n o u ri s hed, so it is no str anger to any creatur e' f o r t h ou g h i t i s S p i ri t, Vet it can be in a body. Her mes say s : W or k the upper T h e u p p e r o p e n S p i ri t i s most hidden in the ear th. one o p e n Sp i ri t w i th th e l o wer secr et one, so will the living awaken the dead, and be to it as a Well of Life and work great w o n d e r s. is indeed the agent which awakens and subtilizes The Holy Spirit t h e t wo co rp o re a l ce n tra l fir es. W hen these two ar e br ought to full- perfection and their Universal Weking power made substantial, t h e p h i l o so p h i ca l sa yi n g is justified: fixed, and the fixed volatile, under "H e wh o ma ke s th e vo l a tile s t a n d s th e w o rki n g o f o ur Univer sal- and Par ticuLar Recipe' . This is confirmed by Basilius in his Tract on Uni-versal and Pa r t i c u l a r T h i n g s w h e n he wr ites: "The Univer sal is the m ost pr ec i o u s t h i n g o f th e w i sd o m , and the thr ee pr oper ties ar e one p r operty, and is found and drawn out from one koperty from which aLL metals can be made into one, and is the true spirit Mercury a n d An i ma S u l p h u r, w h i ch cleanses the holy salt, selaed unde r one heaven, living in one body and. is the Dragon and the Eag1e. The K i n g a n d th e L i o n i s th e spir it and the tight wor d. of spir it, the b o d y o f th e su n co l o u r b ecom ing a medicine. Finally al- l thr e e principles a re o n e e xp re ssion in the Love of God T

T h i s U n i ve rsa l i ty o f the Stone is confir med by the m any b or n f r o m th e u n i ve rsa l ce n tr e. Other Recipes ar e only used in par ticular i n sta n ce s a n d must be so obser ved. T h a t th e U n i ve rsa l Mater ia lies only in the Micr ocosm s is fur ther s h e w n b y B a si l i u s i n T r . de M i- cr ocosm o. The natur al means and r e m e d y i s fo u n d i n th e M icr ocosm os, m etals and miner als fol-l ow a f t e r , a n d i f o n e ca n n ot find out the r em edy, place one sim i l ar u p o n a n o th e r si mi l a r a nd healing will r esult. It is also s ai d, Though it may be easy to make the Stone or Lapidum it is far h a r d e r to fu Il co mp re h end it. A11 Philosopher s including A dam , S o l o ma n , H e rme s a n d T h eophr astus, by they ever so wise, r c ogni z e t h i s d i ffi cu l ty. D i o n ysius Zachar ias also r ealises that God p l a c e d a D i vi n e w o rki n g power in the Univer sal Stone. T h e Wi se a l w a ys me n tions the necessity of knowing how to pr epar e t h e i r Me rcu ry i n th e i r wr itings, for they say "Our Spir it whi c h e n l i v en s th e b o d i e s o f m etaLs is a natur al fir e, declar ed openl y by man or revealed by Gods Spirit. Flamellus fearing to offend G o d d i d n o t w i sh to d i sclose the Key to the por tals of natu r e, by turning over the lowest earth to the highest heaven. Sendivogius s a y s : " T h o u g h i n a se n se much is said openly never thel_ess, the e x t r a cti o n o f o u r sa l t or Mer cur y Sophici and that which bri dges them over our water, is never openly mentioned but only revealed by God. W h en th e p h i l o so p h e rs m ention their - saLt or m er cur y, their W AT ER i s s i mp l y a ma tte r o f s peech. They speak of their water as a dr y w a t e r w h i ch d o e s n o t cl eanse the hand.. what they r eally mean by this is that the sat-t is the Key to the Art, for in the sAlr lies the opening of all things, and in such lies the universal_ Mens t r u u m o f th e w h i te Me r cur y. of this Mer cur y the philosopher s s a y : rt i s a sto n e a n d y et not a stone, when a fier y air sal t g o e s in to a 1 l b o d i e s a nd opens them . It is a Stone however w hen i t o p e n s a n d u n i te s w i th the body, then it belongs to the fier y g r a d e o f n a tu re , ma y b e com e dr y and be pr ocessed. Then is the w h i t e me rcu ry a sa l t w hich has no r esemblance to the or r tir laF .* r

tl

s a 1 t , b u t w h i ch h a s a n Alkali and an Astr ingent substance, of w h i c h P h i l a l e th a sa ys, "Our mer cur y is to be found nowher e ov er t h e e a rth , b u t i t i s a Son which is given to us by a wonderful Art. I t s b e g i n n i n g i s p a rtly heavenly, par tly false, for it mus t g i v e bi rth to a l i g h t Spir it, in it ar e two centr al spir itual fires, th e se a t th e b e ginning of all Pr ocr eation cover ed ov er t h e w a te rs, a cti n g a ccor ding to Gods Hand, and until a cer ta i n hour gave all creatures nourishment and multiplicity. It is false h o w e ve r th ro u g h i ts fa l ,se being, over comes love and its exis tanc e and thereby partakes of both the lower and higher powers. From i-ts heavenly source it draws al-l the powers of heaven, and lives i n t h e A i r, th e re fo re called the Sea of the W ise, and Basili us a g a i n sa ys, T h e R e ci -p e of al- l metals is a heavenly volatile w ater y spirit, which is contained in the AIR and in the earthy kingdom and WATER,seeks its natural home and the air is the secret and hidden earth, which hovers over our heads and from which through the elementary enviroRments. is dravrn our white nitre. Paracelsus w r i t e s o f th i s," On e mu st know the anatom y of the living bod y , and from it draw the Essence (without hurting the body) from which a]l- the wonders of the world can be produced',. This woul-d b e t h e g re a t se cre t o f the Adepts whlch they keep concealed, and Paracelsus shows that the two central fires should not be taken roughly from people but gently when overflowing of itself. Ur in Caltha has in it the cold eentral fire whfch stands in i t s n o b l e sa 1 t, a n d th a t is our M agnet, Philaletha calling i t Moon artd Copper. In the red that is in the Stercus Adamish earth is the Electrum mi.nerale immaturum, the Electrum electissimum, t h e s e cre t w h i te sa tu rn ine m iner a, sti1I in its water , and i n whose strength all metals 1ie hidden, and from which can come f o r t h mi n e ra l s l i ke A n timony, Ir on, solis Gold, the sulphur of the philosophic mars, iron and the gold in which the warm centralfire or our acidie sulphur, through which our astral mercury r e c e i ve s i t. F o r th i s sulphur is the clear est fir e and gr eates t B a l m of N a tu re .

)o

Se n d i vo g i u s w a rn s u s that we should not be l- ed astr ay by t hes e a b o v e me n ti o n e d mi n e ra l s, for he says: "One must not look fo r the warm central- fire in the ordi-nary metals of commonman, for the gold in ordinary mortals is dead, but ours is alive and has a spirit, it i s th i s w h i ch one m ust take." T h i s u p p e r a stra l sp i rit Sendivogius calls our W ater or D ew , f r o m wh i ch o u r n i -tre i s dr awn, the mother of the centr um soli s a n d m o o n . H e rme s sa ys: The sun is its father , the Moon its m other , t h e w i n d ca rri e s i t i n its belIy. It is called by many nam es , t h e S u b j e ctu m, H yl e , th e Fir st M atter of the wor 1d, for this is the sarne tight Power hovering in the beginning over the Spirit water, the Archaus, the first working nature or Beginning of allthings. Pr o t he u s a l so , fo r h e takes aIl m anner of cr eatur es to him s el f. T h e S a tu rn i a n S p i ri t, for he br ings all things befor e us. Thi s astral spirit through its incessant working and motion imparts i t s s t re n g th to th e l o w er wor ld. ceased for a For if this spir it m o m e nt, th e n w o u l d a l l cr eatur es die and decay. God the Almighty Creator of Heaven The earth l-ives in light The light in Spirit The Spirit in Salt The Salt in the Fire The Air in Man The Man makes visable the Air and Spirit. 0h single eternal J e s u s C h ri stl This holds us in eternal f a l s e T re e o f l i fe , Heavenly and true Life, the salt and tree fru i t, Apocaly xxll v. 2. which leads an d 1ife, I pray you that we may confound the Ge n. 2. v. ) J3 & 22. and hand over the W al l - s o f P a r a d i se th e se p a g e s of pr ose. M ay we in this l- ife r each our g o a l f o r th e re fre sh me n t of our mor tal bodies, to the confoundi ng of death by practising the true knowledge and working of our Art! AMEN

G{UP

OPUS PHILOSOPHORUM
British M us eum Slone 319

d i sso l -ve S e ri co n in wine vinegar distilled, to each 1b; o f t h e b o d y p u t I g a l Io n of vinegar , filter it 3 tim es, the foec es w h i c h re ma i n a re T e rra Dam nata. Distil this solution in a b al - neo tiIl i t b e co n g e a l e d i n to a gr een gufr , cal- Ied the Gr een Lyon, d r y i t g e n tl y. T h e n d i still this gur n in a Retor t of glass, l et t h e f a i n t w a te r smo a k a way, r eceive the white smoke and r ed fum e c a r e f u l l y, w h i ch i s th e blessed Liquor ; in the neck of the r etor t w i l l r e ma i n a S u l p h u r o f natur e. I n t he b o tto m o f th e retor t will- r em ain a black foeces, of w hi c h c a l c i n e 1 l b . o r mo re w ith a str ong fir e, tilI it be white a s s n o w , w h i ch i s o u r B a se called Mar s and our fixed white ear th. T h e r e st o f th e b l a ck foeces spr ead on a stone and with a bu r ni ng c o a l ca l -ci n e i t' a n d i t will come into a br ight citr ine colo ur i n h a l f a n h o u r; d i sso l ve this in vinegar as the fir st and d i s ti l l m o r e me n stru e th e re o f called Dr agons B1ood. Reiter ate this w or k u n t i l a l l th e mo i st p a rts of these foeces be br ought in r iquor , w h i c h p u t to th e fi rst, called the blessed Liquor or Gr een L y ons Se c o n d P ro ce ss. S e t a l l this in Ba1neo to putr efy 14 days, then s e p a r ate th e e L e me n ts a nd now have you all the fir e of the S tone w h i c h b e fo re Ia y h i d i n the foeces. Distill- all these putr if i ed m e n s t r u e s M.B . i n a g l a s s body with a fair r eceiver , fir st com es a i r w hi ch i s a n 0 i 1 , d i stiLl this over ; again ? times, until it w i l - l b u rn a l i n e n cl o th being dipped ther ein; then it is call ed o u r a r de n t w a te r a b stra ctum r ectified which keep cl- ose stopp ed; n e x t w i l l d i sti l l o u r F l ood or W ater , which will- be som e what w h i t e wh i ch re ce i .ve b y i tself. In the bottom will r em ain a thi c k o i l - l i ke l i q u i d p i tch , keep the water also by itself, closel y s t o p p e d , Y i -2 . A C ID (V i n egar . )

First

1.

0 n th i s b l a ck l i q u i d water put our ar dent W ater , stir them both it M .B. w e l - l to g e th e r, a n d l e t them stand 3 hr s. then distill ^-^i n a n d d i still, - "+ u l,; + J- rr UI I CLECL. do this 3 tim es, then it is cal l ed l, M a n r s B L o o d re cti fi e d , for which philosopher s seek. Then put on this b l a ck ma tte r o u r flood or water , m ix it wel- l and distill o f f t h e w h o l e ti l l th e re r emain m ost dr y and black ear th wh i c h i s t h e e a rth o f yo u r S tone, keep this oil and water togethe r c l os e s t o p pe d fo r a w h i l e . Powder this black ear th and mix it with M a n t s B l o o d a n d l e t i t stand 3 hr s., then distill it in ashes w i t h a g o o d fi re , re i te rate this thr ee tim es, then it is cal l ed o u r f ie ry Wa te r re cti fi e d; so hast thou 3 Eler nents exalted i n the v i r t u e o f th e i r q u i n te ss ence i.e. W ater , Air & Ear th. T h i r d P ro ce ss. T h e e ar th r emaining black and dr y, calcine i n a furnace of reverberation into a fine white ca1x, mi-x this white e a r t h w i th th e fi e ry w ater , distill c al c i ne all with a str ong fir e, the earth again with a strong fire, put on the fiery water again a n d di sti l l i t o ff; d ry, calcine and distiJ- l thus 7 times u nti l t h e su b sta n ce o f th e calx com es over the helm. Then hast thou a W a te r o f l ,i fe re cti fi e d and the + elem ents and m ade spir itual, e x a l t e d i n th e vi rtu e of their quintessence. This water wi l l d i s s o l ve a l l b o d i e s, p utr ify them and pur ge them , and this i s our MERCURY and lunary Aqua Fort. the Water and 0i1 before Distill r e s e r v e d i n g e n tl e B . and the r ed oil which r em aineth in the bottom k e e p d i l i g e n tl y b y i tse lf, for it is the elem ent of fir e and our red MERCURY. Rectify the same water again and reiterate the same work until no more of our said Lunary will remain in it. When a1l our Elements be thus separated, then take the first w h i t e ca l ci n e d fo e ce s cal1ed Mar s or Base, or white fixed e ar th, i m b i b e i t w i th o u r A rd ent W ater , r efined, to cover the caLx par tl y , p u t o n a b l i n d h e a d a n d set it in a cold place until- the ca l x have drunk up all- the water, which it wil-l do from B days to I days, thus doing until the calx will drink up no more, but stand l i q u i d sti Il , th e n n i p up the gIass, and set it M .B. to putr i fy 1 + 0 d a ys w i th o u t mo vi n g it until it become fir st r usset, nex t

2.

w h i t i s h g re y, th e n ve ry W hite Like fishes eyes which then is Sulphur of Nature flowing and not evaporating in the fire and our W h i t e S to n e re a d y to b e fer m ented. Then take the White Stone and divide it into 2 parts r orl part r e s e r v e fo r th e Wh i te w or k, the other nip up again and set it i n So a s h e s to d i g e st ti l I i t become r ed and of a pur ple colour . h a v e yo u th e R e d S to n e , r eady to be fer m ented; fir st parts. weigh both

arla, dissolve it in hot Take pure T,UNA,and of our MERCURY of our MERC U R Y a s h e s cl o se sto p p e d i n to a gr een colour distill from Lt 2 or 3 times that no part of your MERCURY remaineth with it M.B. the I,UNA, then nip up the oiI of the IUNA and putrify white which it shows all the colours and become crystalline until then is the VfHITE FERMENT OF FERMENTS. P u t to yo u r w h i te S to ne one 4th. par t of the fer ment of IU N A, l u t e t he g l a ss a n d fi x them together in a fixator y vessel under your fire, whi-ch will be done in 2 or 3 days. Then imbibe it with the White oiI of the Stone which is our l,unary, drop by drop, until the sane be oilish, then congeal it a g a i n a n d a g a i n i mb i b e i t, r eiter ate ar r d co ngeal this im bibition, ation, until it will flow in the fire as wax and not evaporate o n a p l a te o f co p p e r N e al- ed, then congeal it until it be W hi te, h a r d , a n d tra n sp a re n t clear as cr ystal. L a p i s A l b u s. T h e n i t i s M edicine of the 3r d. degr ee and the Perfect White Stone, transmuting all metals, chiefly VH{US and MARS into pure and Perfect trUNA. purged with 10 parts of Antimony T-,ikewise dissolve SOL first i n o u r L rma ry, a s b e fo re, and when it is not dissolved your l i quor w i l l b e C i tri n e , re cti fy fr om it 2 or 3 ti- mes. T hen our MERCURY nip up the oil of S0I, alone and putrify it in Bal. which likewise m u s t be co me b Ia ck, a n d must stand ti1I it becomes W hite, whi c h t h e n r emo ve to a stro n g er fir e, without opening your glass, k eep i t t h ere ti l l i t ch a n g e colour s, and becomes citr ine, which then i s a l s o fi rme n t o f F i -rments for the Red.

T h e n p u t to th e o th e r par t of the Stone which is br ought to a ' purple colour a 4th. part of this ferment of S0l, and flx them t o g e t h e r u n d .e r yo u r fi re as befor e, which will be well done i n 2 o r 3 d a ys. W h e n th e y a re b e co me one fine powder , then incer e as befor e i s t a u g h t, w i th th e R e d 0i1 of our Stone, congeal, im bibe, and r e i t e r a te u n ti l i t w i l l flow in your fir e like wax' and not ev apo r a t e o n a p l a te o f co p per nealed, which then congeal up til1 i t be clear, transparent hard and red like a Ruby or Jaci-nth which t h e n i s Me d i ci n e o f th e 3r d. degr ee, and the per fect Red Stone ' SATURN and transmuting all imperfect bodies, chiefly MERCURY, IUNA into pure SOf,. T h i s p o w d e r mu st b e kept in a dr y or war m r oom in sever al gl as s es , t h ey a re so te n d e r, and of so oily a p t t o d i sso l ve i n a n y moist place. for a substance, as they ar e

lapis Viz.

e x tri b u s

co n si sti t

r ebus.

ex! Spiritus sive aqua viva vita Animia sev media fermentu C o rp o ro albo vel r ubeo metallico, S i ve Calie.

basi

( N o t e . A h a n d w ri tte n Q u o d est S e ri co n E s t Azo th A l m i z i de r Sa1 Armoniac Calcinae Rubrai Cerasium Antimonium Magnetia.

n ote- below the Mss. 4s follows:) .

Ir

A T r e a ti s e C a l l e d

VERBUM DEMISSUM
by

GOUIITB. TREVISAN
B.M. S loane M S 363O
T ra n sl a te d fr om the Fr ench.

Ae
T h r fi rst th i n g re q u i si te in this Science of the Tr ansmutati on is the hrowledge of the Matter, from whence is extracted the A r g e n t vi ve , a n d th e S ulphur of Philosopher s; of which two the So v e r e i g n Me d i ci n e i s m ade and constituted. The Matter from whence is extracted the Sovereign Medicine a n d S e e re t o f P h i l o so p her s, is only most fine Gold and most fine silver and Argent vive, all which thou daily seest altered nevertheless, and moved by artifice in the nature of a Matter White and dry in the manner of a Stone, from whence our Argent Vive and Sulphur are elevated and extracted by strong ignition b y r e i te ra te d e stru cti o n of the sane, by r esolution and subl i m ation, and in this Argent Vive is the Air and Fire which cannot be beheld by corporeal Eyes, being subtire and spiritual which makes against those who think to obtain four Elements rea11y and visibly separated in the Work, each one apart, but such lorow

1.

n o t th e n a tu re o f th i n gs, and that sim ple Elements cannot be o b t a i n e d b y u s, a l -th o ugh we know them by their oper ations and e f f e cts w h i ch a re fo u nd in these lower elements, to wit Ear th a n d Wa te r, a s th e y a re aLter ed fr om a compact and gr oss natur e, That SoI whereby they are moved from one nature to artother. a n d L u n a a re th e Ma tter of our Blessed Stone, the sayings of a L l P h i l o so p h e rs co n fi rm, and in r eal tr uth saith our Fath er H e r me s " T h e S u n i s th e Father and the M 00N is the Mother ", but g r e a t d o u b t i s ma d e o f the 3r d. Com position, to wit what is the A r g en t V i ve o f w h i ch with the So1 and Luna our Composition i s m ade. W h i ch to kn o w , i t i s to be noted that the Philosopher s divi ded i n t o tw o p a rts, F i rst and Second. That Second par t is by Phi l os o p h e rs d i vi d e d i n to the W hite Stone accom plished, and into the R e d S to n e . Bu t b e ca u se th i s n o table Secr et lies in loeowing the Fir s t Par t, Ph i l oso p h e rs d o u b ti n g to r eveal this Secr et have m ade but l i tt1e m e n ti o n o f th e F i rst Par t, and believe that if it had not been t o pre ve n t th e S ci e n ce of Philosopher s would have r em ai- ne d as w h o l Iy fa l se i n i ts p rinciples, they would have been entir e l y s i l e n t a n d h a ve me n ti oned nothing of it; W her efor e if they had not in any manner touched thereon, the Science would have in allp o i nts re ste d i n Ig n o r ance and per ished, as being false in i ts t e r ms. As this is the beginning, the Key, the Foundation of our Magi s t e ry, w i th o u t w h i ch nothing is to be accom pr i- shed.tand t hat being unknown, ve science would remain deceitful and fal-se in p r a c ti ce . T o th e e n d that this gr eat secr et m ight not r emai n u n l cro w n , w h i ch i s th e Stone, to which nothing str ange or f or ei gn i s t o b e a d d e d , f h a ve designed to make some m ention of it, w ho1l y , c e r t a i n l y a n d tru e , w hi- ch r have seen and possessed., God o f T r u t h b e i n g my w i tn e ss , which r comm it to the secr et cabin et o f t he p i o u s S o u l ' u p on per il of the same, wher efor e Philo s opher s h a v e ca l l e d th i s se cret "ver bum Demissum "which is to say a w or d

2.

is then to be lcr own that the Philos ophi c al W o r k i s to b e d i vi d e d into thr ee degr ees- to wit- the Vegetabl e, M i n era l a n d A n i ma l S tone. The Vegetable Stone pr oper ly and pr i nc i p a l l y th e P h i l o so p h er s have attr ibuted to this Fir st, whi - c h i s t h e S to n e o f th e F ir st Degr ee, of which Peter of Villane auv e ( Br o th e r o f A rn o 1 d ) saith in his Rosar y, ' The beginning of our S t o ne i s A rg e n t V i ve or its Sulphur ity which we must obtain fr om left o r co n ce a l e d . It its g ro ss co rp o re a l substance befor e we can pass to the Sec ond Degree. " growing like a The beginning of our Stone is, that IIIERCURY t r e e , b e co mp o se da n d sublimed by opening it for the volati l e g e r m , o r se e d , w h i ch cannot nour ish nor gr ow without the F i x ed T r e e th a t re ta i n s i t, as the living nipple of an Infant. I t a p p e a rs th e n th a t this Stone is Vegetable, as it wer e , the s w e e t S p i ri t th a t p ro ceeds fr om the Bud of the Vine joined i n t h e Wo rk, fi rst to a Body, fixed and whitening as is said i n the G r e e n D re a m w h e re i n a fter the Text of Alchem y is ver y notabl y d e s cri b e d th e p ra cti ce of this Vegetable Stone to those who w i s e l y d i sce rn th e T ruth, which for eer tain r easons and ju s t c a u s e I fo rb e a r to se t down her e. T h e F i rst D e g re e th en of our Philosophical Stone, is to m ak e O u r ME R C U RV Ye g e ta b l e , clean and pur e, which is caIled by Phi l os o p he rs w h i te S u l p h u r not bur nir g, which is the means of conj oi nwith Bodies, and MERCURY, ing SULPHUR truly and realIy, that he m a y b e o n e n a tu re , fi xed, subtile, clean and united to the Bodi es i n t h e i r p ro fu n d i ty, by the help of their heat and moisture, of w h i ch P h i l o so p h e rs sa .lr Tinctur es m ay be conjoined, but not Argent Vive Vulgar, that being cold and phlegmatic and destitute o f Li ve l y o p e ra ti o n , which consists in heat and moistur e, but b e c au se i t i s i n p a rt volatile, ther efor e it is the m edium to m i x vo l a ti l e sp i ri ts, and to adher e or adjoin to the fixed s ubs t a n ce s o f B o d i e s, w h er ein is touched the cause of its nec es s i ty , w h i ch i s th re e fo l d . The fir st as we ar e to join the two S eeds ,

Ma l e a n d F e male, they ought to be mingled with eac h other b y a n a tu ra l a l l i a n ce and !ove, and by a continual sponge s s i ty , i n su ch ma n n e r th a t the m oist of one be attr acted by the m oi s t o f th e o th e r a n d b y consequence the one be m ixed with the other a n d th a t th e y b e j o i n ed together , and for as much as those tw o Go l d a nd Sil- ver ar e m ade moist by heat dige s ti ng, d i s so l vi n g a n d su b ti l i zir g, then they ar e the Fir st Matter and S i m p l e , a n d ta ke u p o n them the nar ne of Seed, which ar e near to g e n e ra ti o n , th ro u g h the impr ession they r eceive by their si m p l i c ity a n d o b e d i e n ce to instr um ental heat, equivalent and l i k e to the natural heat of this IVIERCURY, forming and sealing thereto a k i nd o f E l i xi r, fo r that the Fir st Par t of the Stone is c al - l - ed E1 i x i r. T h e F i rst P ar t then is the medium of conjoining e x tr em i ti e s o f th e V e sse l o f Natur e, in which Vessel the Spir its o ught t o be tra n smi tte d a s they pr oceed fr om one natur e to another , w h e r e i n i s to u ch e d th e Second Par t of its necessity, for as t h e S to n e o u g h t to b e impr egnated with Spir its, it is neces s ar y there should be therein a rententive faculty or Virtue embraced by them, to the end that they may be mixed with the Body in the s m a l l e st p a rts. T h i s Vir tue is tr uly found in our Philoso phi c al *NOTE(that MERCURY being putrified easily congealeth the MERCURY Vu l ga r w h i ch p u tri fa cti on is not without Sol and Luna conjoi ned) MERCURY, as it is in part of a Spiritual naturer so is truly a pure spirit, impregnated and purified from all fecculent and T e r r e stri a l re si d e n t spir its. r say tr ue and fixed in one par t for it contai-ns the nature of the one and of the other Fire, w h i ch th i n g ma n i fe sts and declar es its ponticity or com pu nc tuous sharpness, which appears in its operation, for by this Mercury m o r ti fi e d i s e a si l y congealed, the M er cur y of the vulgar , as the T e x t d e cl a re s. N e ve rtheless it is not fixed. by itself, but ought to be conjoined with So1 and Luna and be marri-ed in friend.s h i p a n d to th e e n d , that which is not in it, m ay be fixed by t h o s e B o d i e s, to w i t, that this thing which is com posed. of s ev er al B o d i e s, to w i t

t o w i t,

l+.

m i x t ure s

fix the to g e th e r w i th their co- natur als, m ay dir ectly M ER C U Ro Yf th e V u l g a r, for which cause no Bodies ar e m ixed w hi c h a r e fi xe d , to th e e n d that the com poundedFir e, which is c al l - ed MERCURY sublimed philosophically or First Matter, may be informed and b y pro p e r F i -rme n ts, a s to obtain the for ce mor e lastingly, p e r se ve re th e co n te st of the Fir e notwithstanding its asper i ty , w h e r e fo re , sa i th H o rtulanus "That is not str ange to it, to w hi c h s ai Y th And of this IVIERC U R ou g h t to b e co n j o i n ed' ; viz. fixed. Raymond r "The Argent Vive by us made, congeal-eth the conmon, and i s m o re co mmo nto me n than the comm on,of less pr i- ce, of gr eater v i r t u e a n d u ti l i ty, a nd also of gr eater r etention, bei- :ega Gum m o r e n o b l e th a n P e a rl s, whieh conver ts and attr acts to its fi x ed nature alt other Gums cl-ear and pure, and enables them to resist it i n t h e F i re , a n d to rejoice ther ein, wher efor e saith Mor ienus , "Those who would obtain this composition without this First part a r e l i ke th o se w h o w o uld mount to the height of a pinacle w i thout a l a d d e r, w h o w h e n th ey begin to climb find themselves cas t dow n (exuberate) then to the bottom in misery and pain. This I\IERCURY is the first begiruning and Foundation of our glorious Magistery, for it contains in itself Fire which ought to be replenished and nourished with a great and strong Fire in the Second Regiment o f o u r S to n e , n o w a s well the Fir e enclosed in our said MER C U R Y b y t h e F i rst R e g i -me nt, as the Fir e which ought to be enclo s ed by the Second is by Philosophers named the proper Instrument, which is the Second thing principally required to be understood in this high Magistery in such manner that the Matter Vol-atile a n d fi xt b y h e a t a n d congelation, with dissolution of the bodi es as Philosophers teach, This includ.ing and imprisonment of the F i r e o f th e P h i l o so p h er s, for the gr eatness of the Magiste r y hav e veiled under another name, to wit, Sublimation or Exaltation o f t h e Me rcu ri a l Ma tter , as it is exalted in its noble Vir tues , a n d S u b l i me d i n i ts d egr ees, ' .wher efor e" saith Ar nold ' Let M ER CURYfirst be sublimed, that is, as I|IERCURY is in nature Iow and

Ear th and W ater , let it be br ought to a mo re n o b l -e a n d h i g h er condition, to wit Air y and Fier y, w hi c h are principles near approaching to this MERCURY in the intention o f Art a n d N a tu re . Wher efor e when this M er cur ial Stone i s thus Ex al te d a n d S u b ti l i ze d , it is said to be subl- im ed in its F i r s t S u bl i ma ti o n , w h i ch i t is convenient to sublim e with its V es s el , a s sa i th R a ymo n di n his Codicil in the beginning Chapter : 2 de Vade Mecurnde Mercural-e Philosophorum. We hope in God that our M E R C U Rsh Y a l -l b e su b l imed to gr eater things which tinge i t, and i t s ' So u l sh a l l b e e xalted into Glor y, as being that which i t b e h o ve s ye t to e n te r into its M other s Bel1y, also it is s ai d t o b e b o rn o f th e F i rst Nativity, whi- ch hath r egar ds to a l l or der s o f th e C h e mi ca l E a rth , and the hear t of the wor ker s in th i s Ar t s h a l -l n o t b e fru stra te d of joy, and shall tell thee, calling G o d to w i tn e ss, th a t as this M ERCURY hath been by som e on e s ubI i m e d , i t h a th a p p e a red cloathed with so gr eat W hiteness as the S n ow o n th e h i g h e st m ountains, under a most subtile, cr ystal l i ne s p l e n d o u r, fro m w h e n ce pr oceeds at the opening of the Vess el , s o gre a tr so sw e e tr so excellent an odour , as the like is not to be found under the V{orld,and I who speak this lceow that this ( N OT E -T h eg re a t o d o u r of the Cr ystalline SULPHUR at the o peni ng o f th e Gl -a ss, e xce l l i ng all things in the W or 1d.) m ost mar v el l ous W h i te n e ss h a s a p p e a red to my own eyes, and have handled thi s attenuated and subtilized, crystalline Matter with my own hands, and w i t h n y o w n se n se o f smelling have smelt this m ar vellous s w eetn e ss, a n d w i th g re a t joy begun to shed tear s upon the ast oni s hm ent o f m a rve l -l o u sn e ss a n d sweetness, for which Blessed be the Eter nal G o d, mo st H i g h , a n d Glor ious who hath hidden these m ar vell ous g r e a t S e cre ts o f N a tur e, yet hath vouchsafed to a few I lm ow ( m o st R e ve re n d F a th e r) that when you shall be acquainted w i th t h e ca u se s o f th i s d i s position you will adm ir e that a Matter s o co rru p t sh o u L d co ntain in itself such a heavenly like natur e. I a m n o t su ffi ci e n t to declar e to you these W onder s, yet per haps

b a se co n d i ti o n

to w i t,

t h e ti me ma y co me (i f it be found expedient) that I m ay ac quai nt y o u w i th ma n y p a rti cu l ar matter s of this natur e, which he r e to w r i t e I h a ve n o t o b ta ined per m ission fr om the God of Natu r e. 0 f th i s i c k s, C e l e sti a l Natur e, it is said in the Book of Pr ognos tar e found, but to M ERCURY, take fr es h may not gr ow o l d or i n Medicine, Celestial Gifts p r o ce e d fu rth e r, w h e n you have sublimed this a n d n e w w i th i ts B l o o d or stale. P re se n t i t to its o f th e se th re e th i n g s, to i o n ma y b e ma d e , a n d that ce rta i n l y

Fer m ent, that it Par ents, Lune and Sol to the end that wit So1, Luna and M ERCURY our Com pos i tthe Second Degr ee of our Stone m ay

begin. T he S e co n d D e g re e , if thou woul- dst then have good multipl i cation in the strongest qualities and mineral virtues by the o p e ra ti o n o f th e S e cond Degr ee, and the help of Natur e. Take the clean Bodies and with them unite the said MERCURY in such weight or proportion, as is lcrown to the Masters of this Magi-stery, and conjoin the said dry Matter (or SULPHUR) which i s th e S U L P H U R o f th e Elements, and which is cal- led 0i1 of N atur e, and MERCURY sublimed, subtil-ized, dissolved and hardened by the o p e ra ti -o n o f th e F i rst Degr ee in r ejecting never theless a l l the residue and Faeces, that is made in subl-imation, ?s of no value. But it is not to be understood in our sublimati-on the thing sublimed should remain in the top of the vessel, as it happens in the sublimation of Sophisters, but in our sublimation w h at i s su b l i me d i s a little elevated above the Faeces of the v e s se l a n d su sta i n s i tself and is joined to the sides of the vessel, and that which is foul and irnpure remains in the bottom, b y N a tu re w h i ch d e si res to lose of its own accor d, by a c er tai n m a nn e r o f e va cu a ti o n , to the end it m ay be r estor ed in m el i or ation, in losing its impure parts that it may recover pure and b e t te r b y w h i ch p a rts the 3r d. cause of its necessity, whi c h is that as MERCURY is clean white, i:rcombustible it illuminates o u r S to n e a n d d e fe n d s it fr om adustion, and keeps it fr om bur ni ng

t e m p o ra l s a n d mo d e ra tes the excessive ar dur e of Fir e again s t Nature, reducing and bringing it back to a true Temperature and c o n co rd w i th th e N a tu ral Fir e. contains an excellency of the F or th e P h i l o so p h i ca l- MERCURY Fire in natural and sovereign virtue of which is to qualify against the heat of the Fire against Nature, and an amicabl-e aid that is c ono r a ssi sta n ce to th e Fir e of Natur e, natur aliztng v e r t in g i tse l f, o r making itself natur al by sweetly, acco r di ng to the natural Fire, which is a great increase lcrown to few. Wherefore here MERCURY is called the Earth or Nurse in this p a r t , a s i t i s th e Matter or Sper m, without which the Stone c a n no t g ro w o r mu 1 ti p l y, wher eof saith Her mes, "Ye Nur se of our of which Sol is the Father and Stone is the Earth ( of MERCURY) L u n a th e Mo th e r, i t m ounts fr om Ear th to Heaven, again de s c ends t o t h e E a rth , o f w h i ch the str ength is entir e, if it be tur ned t o Ea rth , w h i ch E a rth and the two per fect Bodies, the r igh t c om p o s iti o n o f th e P h i l o sophical takes bir th and beginning. " *(NOTE. When the unnatural Fire in the Mercury and the Fire of Nature of the Stone are made one, then the Earth of Mercury is the Nurse of the Stone, first ascending to Heaven and descending again to the Earth fixed. ) for thee, bei- ng s uc h L et th e se tw o B o d i e s then be sufficient as are sought and required, as saith Arnold de Vil1a Nova, that a s th e e n d o f th e sta te is per fection it per fects the MERC U R Y of the Vulgar and other imperfect Bodies and transmutes them. We must then necessarily acquire this virtue which is found where it is, now it is 1ike1y no ways better to be found than i n pe rfe ct B o d i e s, fo r if in Bodies pur e and fine ther e be not force and virtue to transmute imperfect Metals into perfect and t r u e S o 1 , i n va i n sh ould we seek it in the base, the like s ay o f Lu n e a n d a l l i mp e rfect M etals, SoI and Luna only ar e per fec t, a n d a l l th e re st i mp er fect. T o o b ta i n th e n th i s M er cur ial substance, wher ewith all the

to transmute into Sol and Lune the imperfect m e t a l s r $ o u mu st h a ve r ecour se to the two per fect Bodies and n o oth e r. Wh e re fo re i t is to be known, that the conjunction o f t he se tw o B o d i e s i s the natur al ter m of the l- ast subtilli ati o n a n d o f T ra n smu ta ti on of the Fir st M atter of Regener ation, b e c au se b y th i s co n j u nction, by the fir st simple M atter is m ade g e n era ti o n o f th e tru e Elixir . Lune r educed into its Fir st M a t t er i s th e p a ssi ve m atter , for tr uly, she is the wife o f Sol a n d (h e ) i s h e r h u sb a nd, that is in ver y near affinity to eac h o t h e r, su ch i s th e co nveniency between the M ale and the Fem al e *( N OT E . L u n e re d u ce d to its Fir st M atter is the passive m atter o f t he S to n e . ) i n th i s kind of Ar t, of both which is engender ed Sulphur White and Red, glutinous and congealing IIERCURY certain b e t t er cre a ti o n a n d n ear er tr ansm utation is made, when the pr oper M a l e i s j o i n e d to i ts pr oper Fem al- einto one natur e, and the M a l - e j o i n s mo st p ro fo u ndly in the passive Matter by the su bti l i ty of its nature, and transmutes it more, converting its nature into a n o t h e r n a tu re , to w i t, into the natur e of SULPIIUR; of whic h c o n j un cti o n sa i th D a stin "ff the W hite W om an be mar r ied to her Red Husband they incontinently embrace one another, and are j o i n ed to g e th e r. T h e y ar e dissolved by themselves that th es e which were two might be made one Body. This copulation is the p h i l o so p h i ca l ma rri a g e and indisolvable Bond, wher efor e it i s s a i d a l so , w h e re th e se two Bodies ar e made one by conjuncti on, which i s by t h a t th e y ma y h o l d o n e natur e, to wit, our I\IERCURY, s o m e ca l l e d th e R i n g or Sover ign Bond, also it is called the D a u gh te r o f P l a to n , w hich conjoin Bodies assembled in l- ,ov e. C o m p o seth e n th i s o u r Stone of these thr ee things, and not any o t h e r, fo r i n o th e r matter s is not lodged that which so many do s e e k. T h i s a ma l g a ma r or Philosophical composition thus order ed, it may be truly said of it, that the Stone is made but of one T h i n g . F o r th i s co mp osition is a m ixtur e of inestim able p r i c e a n d va Iu e , th a t i s o f such a pr ice as cannot be sufficiently t h o u g h t.

perfect

virtue

>.

T h i s i s o u r B ra ss, that is our ( aaa) or com position, m ade of the above said three things or Matter only, and then begins the Z n d . p a rt o f o u r mo st nobl- e Stone, and the Stone of the ? nd. D e g re e w h i ch i s ca l l e d Miner al. N o w i t i s to b e n o ted, that by the Znd. Regim en or Operati on, was bor n by the tst. Oper ation, s o t h e S to n e o f ME R C U Rwhich Y c l - e ar a n d re sp l e n d e n t, is mor tified, bl- ackened and made vi l e and u g f y , i n fi re , i s so defor m ed with the whole compound, that i t pur ity and m a y re vi ve w i th g re a t victor y, with gr eat clar ity, f o r ce th a n i t h a d fi rst. For this mor tification is vivifyi ng, f o r i n mo rti fyi n g i t r evives itself. An d ce rta i n l y th e se two Oper ations ar e so chained and inter l a c ed o n e w i th a n o th e r , that one cannot be without the oth er , a s ap p e a rs i n th e d o ctr ine of Philosopher s, for the cor r upti on o f on e i s th e g e n e ra ti on of the other . A1 1 th i s b u si n e ss then is nothing else but to cr eate SU LPH U R o f N a tu re a n d re d u ce the composition to its Fir st M atter of the M e t a l -l -i ck ki n d , fo r a s Alber tus saith in his book of m iner al s i "W e mu st n o t so mu ch alter or distance our Stone fr om the natur e o f Me ta 1 s." K n o w th e n that this Compound is the substance out of which ought to be drawn the SULPHUR of Nature by comforting i t , a n d n o u ri sh i n g i t in joining to this substance the M i ner al Virtue, to the end it may be made a new Nature stript from al-I its SULPHUREOUS terrestricity and corruption and all phlegmatic h u mi d i ty, h i n d e ri n g d igestion. It is fur ther to be obser v ed that according to the divers al-terati-ons or change of the one a n d th e sa me Ma tte r i n digestion, diver s names ar e im pose d on i t b y th e P h i l o so p h e rs a ccor ding to its diver s com plexions, s om e h a v e ca l l e d i t a co a gulating pr essur e, som e Azoc, Ar senic, other s Al b um a n d T i n ctu re i l -lum inating all Bodies, som e have called i t, Ph i lo so p h i ca l E g g , fo r a Egg is com posed of thr ee par ts vi z . Sh e l 1 , Wh i te a n d th e YoIk, so is compoundedour Philosophic al Eg g , o r B o d y, S o u l a n d Spir it. Although in tr uth our Stone i s

'l n

b u t o n e th i n g a cco rd i n g to Body, Spir it

and Soul- , but accor di ng t o t he d i ve rs re a so n s and intentions of Philosophy, is now c al l ed o n e T h i n g , a n d th e n a nother , which Pl- ato m eant when he sai d,

or always, if the For m stay n ot i ts "T h e Ma tte r fl -o w s i n fi nitely for ther e flux", in Unity, and Unity in Tr inity, so i s i t T ri n i ty MERCURand Y i s Bo d y, S o u l a n d S p i rit. Ther e is also SULPHUR, Ar s e n i ck, fo r th e S o u l br eathing, that is casting out its Vapour s b y Arse n i ck Wo rks i n c onjoining M ERCURY of which Philosoph er s s a y th a t th e p ro p e rty of Ar senick is to br eathe r or r espir e , the property of SULPHUR is to coagulate, or congeal MERCURY, neverare not theless this SULPHUR,this Arsenick and this MERCURY t h o s e th e vu l g a r th i n k of which ar e not those venom ous Spi r i ts t h e A p o th e ca ri e s se l l , but the Spir its of the Apothecar ies ar e t h o s e vu l g a r S p i ri ts, ther es ar e mor e of im per fection and c or r upti o n , to p re j u d i ce ra th er than r epair im per fect Metal- s. Wher efor e i t ca n n o t g i ve p e rfe ction and incor r uption to them , which per fection ought to be given by our Medium. Vainly therefore do t h o se S o p h i ste rs w o rk, who endeavour to m ake the Elixir , fr om in s u c h ve n o mo u s S p i ri ts full of cor r uption. For cer tainly, n o oth e r th i n g i s l o d ged the Tr uth of the Sover eign subtili ty o f Na tu re , b u t i n th e thr ee matter s above said, to wit, SU LPH U R , Arsenick and IVIERCURY wherein the reparation and Philosophical t o t a l p e rfe cti o n o f B odies that ar e to be pur ged, lodges, onl y alJ- the Philosophers have imposed divers names on our Stone. Wherefore leave the plurality of names and regard only the comp o u nd , w h i e h i s b u t o nce to be placed in one Vessel, fr om w henc e i t i s n o t to b e ta ke n tiI1 the Elem entar y Rotations be acc om plished, that the force and active Virtue of our MERCURY should b e n o u ri sh e d a n d n o t be suffocated and entir ely lost, for the s e e ds o f V e g e ta b l e s i n the Ear th ar e not pr opagated by gr ow th a n d mu l ti p l i ca ti o n i f their for ce and gener ative Vir tue be tak en from them by any strange quality whatsoever. In like manner a l s o , th i -s n a tu re w i l l not m ultipIy, or be m ultiplied if it be n o t p re p a re d i n ma n n er of W ater .

1 l_ .

o f th e Mo ther after conception r emains shut up or t h e F b u i t w i rl - b e l o st, so our stone ought always to r emai n c l - o s e d i n i ts ve sse l , nor any str ange thing ought to be a dd.ed , but only should be nourished and informed by the Formative Virtue o f its mu l ti p l i ca ti ve vir tue, not onr y in quantity but gr e atl y in quality, in such manner must be infruenced or put into the s a i d Ma tte r, th e vi vi fying Humidity by vir tue wher eof it i s n o u ri sh e d , i n cre a se d and m ul_tiplied. th e n o u r co mpound i- s made, the fir st thing to be d.one i s to a n i ma te i t, p u tting to it the natur aL heat, or vivify i ng h u mi d i tyr o r th e so u l , Air or life. By the wor k of solution or s u b l i ma ti o n w i th co n g elation, and as you have m ad.ethy com pound. s o mu st th o u h a ve a cer tain m anner of pr oceeding accor d.ing to t h e i n te rn a l h e a t e n cl- osed in the m atter , other wise it may r em ai n v o i d o f i ts d e si g n e d end, without soul, depr ived. of its no bl e h i g h vi rtu e s, a n d w o u l- d.have no motion to gener ation as other things by nature produced. The manner how to put Fire i n t o th e sa i d Ma tte r, and to conver t it fr om disposition to d i s p o si ti o n , fro m n a tur e to natur e, that is fr om low to high d e g re e . T h e ma n n e r o f this disposition is made by pr oper s ubl - i m a ti o n , Imp re g n a ti o n, m or tification for Resur r ection and Subl i m a ti o n i n th e l i g h t Elem ents, so that all the ci- r cle of thi s n o b l - e Ma g i ste ry i s n o thing but sublimation per fect, which nev er t h e l -e ss h a th ma n y p a rticular oper ations annexed, chained, i nter l a c e d o r j o i n e d to g e ther , but two ar e pr incipally attending the w h o le ci rcL e , w h i ch a re per fect d.issol- ution and per fect coagu l a t io n . so th a t th e whoLe Magister y is per fectly to dissol v e, a n d p e rfe ctl y to co n g eal, di- ssolve the Body and congeal the s p i r i t, a n d th i s o p e ration has tyes and al- r iances together, t h a t th e B o d y n e ve r d i ssolves but the spir it congeals, nor al s o t h e S p i ri t co n g e a l s n ot, except the Bod.ybe d.issolved. As R ay m ond a n d a l l th e P h i l o so p h e r s saV, that the whole Magister y is nothi ng b u t D i sso l u ti o n a n d C ongelation by the Ignition, of which Oper ati on A fte r

T h e Ma tri x

12.

m a n y g re a t a n d l -e a rn e d in this

Science have been deceived, thi nk i n g to u n d e rsta n d b y confidence in their lear ning, the Cir c l - es o f Na tu re , a n d th e ma nner of Cir culation. I t i s th e n e xp e d i e n t to under stand the manner of this Ci r c ul - -

a t i o n, w h i ch ve ri l y i s nothing else but to im bibe, r efr esh or m o i s te n th e C o mp o u n din due weight or pr opor tion with our M er to be cal- led Per m ar tent c u r i al Wa te r, w h i ch P hilosopher s comm and W a t er, i n w h i ch Imb i b i tions the Compound is digested and c ong e a l e d to i ts n a tu ra l accomplishment. T r i s mo st ce rta i n , that if Ear th is to be made Fir e, it m us t b e s u b ti l l -i ze d o r p re par ed, that it m ay be br ought to gr eater s i m p l i ci ty, so i s th e Compoundattenuated and subtil- l- ized, unti l t h e F i re b e a r ru l e th er ein. A n d th i s S u b l -i -ma ti on of Ear th is made by Subtile W ater , m os t h i g h l y sh a rp a n d p e n e tr ating, not having any feculency or odour , as Geber saith in his Summary, "Such is the Water of our Argent V i v e , su b l i me d a n d b rought back to the natur e of Fir e, under the name of Vinegar, Alum, SaIt and many other sharp Liquors and o t h er l i ke th i n g s, (e ven until now hid and cover ed) by whi c h W a t ers b o d i e s a re su b tillized, r educed and br ought back to thei r F i r s t Ma tte r, n e i g h b o ur ing Stone, or Elixir of Philosopher s , w h e re i t i s to b e kn o wn that as the Infant in the M other ' s Be1l y ought to be nourished with natural nourishment, which is Menstrual blood, to the end it may be i-ncreased and grow in quantity a n d stro n g e r i n q u a l i ty, so ought our Stone to be nour ished w i th i t s F a tn e ss (a s sa i th Ar istotle) of its own pr oper natur e and s u b sta n ce , b u t w h a t this fatness is that is the nour ishmen t of l - i f e , i n cre a se , a n d mul- tiplication of our Stone the Philos opher s h a v e w h o l l y co n ce a l e d it, as being the gr eatest Secr et the y hav e sworn never to reveal- or make manifest of anyone, otherwise than t h e i r w ri ti n g s d e cl a re, but have r em itted it to the hand o f G o d a Io n e , to re ve a l or conceal as it shall please Him. N ev er t h e l ess th i s fa t a n d viscous hum idity, vivifying or giving Li fe,

tl

t h e P h i l o so p h e rs h a ve called M er cur ial W ater , or Oil Per m anent, a W a te r a b i d i n g th e F ir e and also a Divine W ater , and is t he Ke y a n d F o u n d a ti o n o f the whole W or k, and this M er cur ial Water *( N OT E . th e K e y o f th e whole W or k is to m ake the Per fect B ody a n d E l -i xi r, U n ctu o u s.) impr egnated and per m anent, it is sa i d i n Turba "That Bodies must be wrought by flame of Fire that they m a y b e b ro ke n , to rn a nd debilitated, " to wit, by this W at er ful _l o f F i re w h e re i n th e P er fect Bodies ar e so m uch washed as i t i s d i s s ol ve d a n d ma d e Water , which is not W ater of the Clouds , or F o u n ta i n Wa te r, a s th i nk the ignor ant and foolish Sophister s : But this our Permanent Water which yet cannot be made Permanent w i t h ou t th e B o d y w i th which it is joined, that it r esists the Fire without flying, wherein our Permanent Water is the whole Se c re t o f o u r S to n e , for by that W ater is our Stone for that in it lodges the vivifying humidity of our b e i n g th e l i fe a n d R e s ur r ection of it, of which our i t i s sa i -d i n T u rb a r "The W ater alone does all, for a l l , i t co n g e a l s a l -l that is congealable and divides a l l w i th o u t a n y o th e r aid. r t is that which r inges
Tn 'lrni ar
t

Per fected, Stone r a.s Secr et W ater it diss ol v es and rends and is T i nged,,
Water,

r.\rrml1fgpft is
v4!

no

other

thing

than

Vapour

and

which

is

called

whiteni-ng

and rubifying

and casting

of the B od ie s , wh ic h P h ilo s o p h e rs "Bla clcless" m an ent water, fixed and in c o rru p t ib le a n d in c o mb u s t ib le th a t in to th a t th e in g cannot burn. two parts, is, other its part by reducing of the it, and reduces parts. Water is kindly which is water calIed cannot in T u rb a , by a vivifying Tris it t h e Ma t t e r in t o c a lx wh ic h P h ilo s o p h e rs the B o d ie s the a n d b y c o n g e a lin g fluid and running one of wh ic h d is s o lv e s

the h a v e c a l-le d p e r off oi1, have divided it s e lf in and

b y Ca lc in a t i o n ,

s a i-d Wa t e r c le a n s e s makes it

B o d y f ro m B l a c k n e s s , multipfy-

whitens This trating Tin cture, This

and pene" Mo s t s h a rp V in e g a r, heat, containing an invariable o r b lo t t e d . t e mp e ra t e out." or the Mo is tu r e

be defaced

named b y A rt e p h iu s ,

r ,l r L+.

o f t h e Wi se , Wi n e o f Choler ic Youth. This W ater is gr eatly c onc e a le d b y th e P h i l o so pher s under diver s and var ious names , and i s kn o w n b u t to fe w p eople. Her m es possessed it, and handl ed i t , A l p h i d i u s h a th treated of it, Mor enius hath wr ote of i t, L u 1 l y u n d e rsto o d i t, Ar nold per ceived it, Raymondhath feas i bl y d e c la re d i t, Ge b e r kn ew it, the Text was not ignor ant of i t, R a s is, A vi ce n , Ga l e n , Haley, and above al- l- Alber tus hath w i s el y h i d d e n i t. D a sti n B e r nar d de Gr eves, $r thagor as, the Anc i ent M e r l-i n a n d A ri sto tl e In shor t this W ater under stood it well. i s cro w n e d V i cto ri o u s Secr et, Celestial and Glor ious W ate r , the l a s t a n d fi n a l S e cre t for the nour ishment of our Glor ious Stone, w i t h o u t w h i ch i t i s n ever am ended, incr eased, nor mul- tipli ed, f o r w h i ch P h i l o so p h e rs have conceal- ed the m anner of m akin g i t, a s th e K e y o f th e i r Magister y, and in tr uth, I have r ead abov e o n e h u n d re d b o o ks o f this Ar t, and in none of them I foun d the perfecting of this MERCURY and Permanent Water and have seen g r e at a n d l e a rn e d me n in this Science, anong whom I have not f o u nd o n e th a t h a d th is secr et, except one able Physican, w ho year s in ear nest pr osec uti on t o l d me th a t h e h a d b een thir ty- six b e f ore h e o b ta i n e d i t. Of th i s n a tu re i t i s said that a double natur e is given to i t, t o wi t, o f S OL a n d L UNA, in the bowels of whom this Ar gen t Vi - v e i s mu l ti p l i e d r ? s i n the pr oper Bel- ]y of 1ts Mother , lodged and purged, and converted into White SULPHUR not burning in the action of the heat of the Fi-re-, being therein regularly informed by Ar t a n d q u a l i ti e s o f Sulphur , having been befor e intr oduced or p l a c e d i n th e sa i d A rgent Vive. So that this Mer cur ial W ater i s n o t h i n g e l se b u t th e Spir it of Bodies conver ted into the natur e o f Qu i n te sse n ce g i vi n g vir tue to our Stone and gover ning i t, and t h e S to n e o f o u r C o mposition is the containing M atr ix or ex pedi e n t p 1 a ce , to w i -t, Mother Ear thr or vessel- of Natur e, r etai - ni ng t h e fo rma ti ve V i rtu e of the Stone, wher ein natur aL heat is pl ac ed, w h i ch i s fo rma ti ve V i rtue issuing fr om the Vessel by the F i fth

L).

Sp i r it, Vi r t u e

Wh e re fo re i t is called Mother and Nur se as giving natur al to S u 1 p h u r, fe eding and nour ishing it. T h i s i s o u r C o mp o sition, wher ei- n this natur al Vessel , wher eto the Spirits are transmuted from nature to nature as they proc e e d, a n d so mu ch th e m or e as they ar e tr ansr nuted and alter ed i n t h i s V e sse l re ta i n e d so much, the r em oter ar e they mov ed fr om t h e i r co rru p ti o n a n d im per fection whatsoever , and the more they a p p ro a ch to th e te rms of pur ity and per fection, so long ti l l -

t h e y o b ta i n th e a cco mplishm ent of a Quintessence. W h e re fo re th e y ta ke r or ar e cloathed with a New Natur e, w hi c h i s cl -e a n , Wh i te r p u re , cleansed fr om all cor r osiveness, a nd p h l eg ma ti c vo l a ti l i ty. I n su ch a ffi n i ty th en of the Vessel the humidity of the Spi r i t w h e re i n th e a b o ve sa i d is inclosed by its viscosity or gluti nous nature is retained in adherance r or firm and natural conjunction a n d h e a t, a s i n i ts R adical- Hum idity m ixt and m or tified, and after Death revived by sublimation by a joyfull del-iverance in e l e v a ti n g i tse l f w h o 11y fr om a Saline and Bitter Natur e. T he n i t i s mi g h ty to sustain itself nour ish and multiply i ts e 1 f, a s b e i n g a l re a d y a kindled Fir e and simple natur e, w hi c h t r i s co n ve n i e n t to n o ur ish with W hey, to wit, its enlivening Humidity of which in part it was engendered, which is Permanent W a t er, V i rg i n s Mi l k o r Aqua Vitae coming fr om the Vine, fo r they a r e w h o 1 1 y d i ffe re n t. It is never theless called Aqua Vitae for t h a t i t vi vi fi e s o u r Stone of Resur r ection, it is also ca1l ed Bl o od i n cru d a te d , Wh i te Menstr uum , nour ishment of the Chil - d, food o f t h e H e a rt, Wa te r o f the Sea, Food of the Dead, and Ar gent Vi - v e o f P h i l o so p h e rs depur ated fr om feculent ter r estr iety by P h i l oso p h i ca l S u b l i ma tion. After then our Com poundis m ade, i t s h o ul d b e p l a ce d i n i ts Secr et Vessel and decoctedr or ba k ed i n a v e ry so ft h e a t mo i st or dr y, and m oistened with our Perm anent W a t e r b y Ii ttl e a n d Ii ttle, in dissolving and congealing s o o f t e n ti l 1 th e E a rth ar ise Filiated, which m ust be after war ds

ro .

a n d i n fi n i te l y incer ated in fixing with the said W ater , w h i c h i s ca l l e d fi xe d incombustible 0i1, tilI it flows and m el - ts s o o n l i ke i n to w a x, of which saith Raym ond, "The manner o f c er ati o n i s, th e S to n e b e sublimed with par t of the r eser ved h ur ni di ty gi v es w h i c h n e ve r l e a ve s i ts Body, being mi- xed, with cir culation a n d a fter war ds he said' It that thou is com m anded m o i ste n o r re fre sh o ur Stone with its per manent Hum idity, w her eby i t pa rts a re cl a ri fi e d as appear , for after the per fect c l ear i ng o r pu rg a ti o n o f o u r Stone fr om all cor r uption, par ticular ly the two Sulphureous humours, to wit the unctuous combustibl-e fatness a n d p h l e g ma ti c va p o ri ety, the Stone is br ought to its pr op er natur e a n d su b sta n e e , n o t b u r ni*g, and without this Hunidity, our Stone i s ne ve r a me n d e d , n o u r ished, augm ented or multiplied. T fi s to b e n o te d a l -so that our Stone in digestion is m ov ed t o al L th e e o l o u rs i n the W or ld, but thr ee ar e pr incipal, of w h i c h g o o d ca re a n d n otice ar e to be taken, to wit, Black c ol our , w h i c h i s fi rst a n d i t is the key of the Beginning of the W or k ; o f th e S e co n d ki n d o r degr ee, the W hite colour is the Sec ond, a n d th e R e d i s th e th i r d, wher eof it is said that the thin g of w h i ch th e h e a d i s R e d, the feet W hite, and the eyes Black i s our M a g i ste ry. N ote th e n th a t w h e n our Com pound begins to be m oistened w i th our Permanent Water, then is all the Composition turned l-ike r n e l te d P i tch a n d i s B l- ack like a coaI, and at this time is our C o mp o u n dca l l e d B l a ck Pitch, Bur nt Soot; Mel- ted tr ead, Foul l aton, M a g n e si a , a n d th e B l a ck Bir d. For ther e is seen a Black C l oud flying in the middle region of the Glass in desirabl-e manner b e i ng e l e va te d a b o u t the vessel, and at the bottom, the M atter m e l te d l i ke P i tch , o f which saith Jam es of the bough of S t. S a t urn i a , a b l e sse d Cloud flying about the vessel wher ein the S u n i s e cl i p se d , a n d Raymondsays, "W hen this M ass is thus Bl ac k t h e n i t i s d e a d a n d depr ived of For m, then it is said to be a d e a d B o d y, a n d o u t o f good temper atur e, its Soul being separ ated true fu si o n r"

calcined

L7.

th e n i s th e humidity manifest in the colour of B l ac k Q u i c ksi l -ve r, a n d sti n k ing, which befor e was dr y and W hite, of g o o d o d o u r h e a ti n g , cleansed fr om SULPHUR by its fir st op er ati on a n d i s n o w d e p u ra ti n g by this Second Oper ation. And for this is thy Body deprived of Soul- which it hath lost with its Splendour and marvellous lucidity which at first it h a d , a n d a l l n o w i s B1ack and Ug1y, wher efor e Geber names i t f r o m i ts p ro p e rti e s, stinking Black Spir it, occultly W hite and manifestly B1ack, naming it living Water and Dry. This Mass thus Blackened is the Key and sign of perfect inv e n ti o n o f th i s ma n n er of W or k of the Second Regim en of our m o s t p re ci o u s S to n e , wher efor e saith Her mes: "This Blessin g bei ng seen, believe that you are in a good Path, and have kept in the Right Way." So that this Blackness in colour shows the true and right mariner of working, for hereby the matter is made deformed and corrupt with a true Natural corruption from whence follows gene r a t i o n a n d re a l - d i sp osition in this M atter , to wi- t, the r equi r em e n ts o f a n e w F o rm which for lucid ser enity or clear ness, beauty , purity, marvellous splendour and fragrant odour or great sweetn e s s. Now when the work of Blaclcress is accompli-shed we must come to t h e Wo rk o f Wh i te n e ss, whi.ch is one of the Roses in the P hi l os o p h e rs Ga rd e n , b V many desir ed, r equir ed and expected, but as a b o ve sa i d b e fo re p e rfect W hiteness appear eth, all the Co l our s t h a t ma y b e th o u g h t o f ar e seen and per eeived in this work , of w h i ch ca re n e e d n o t b e had, but only to V{ hiteness that m us t be e x p ecte d w i th g re a t constaney. The way never theless of wor k i ng t o t h e B 1 a ck, to th e White, and to the Red is always one, to wi-t, bake and decoct the Compoundin feeding with our Permanent W a t e r, to w i t, d e co ct. Compound with Red, by which imbibi ti ons a n d d i g e sti o n s i s e xtr acted fr om the Stone this m iddle Subs tanc e o f I V IE R C U Yh i ch i s the whole per fection of our noble M as ter y , , Rw

f r o m i t,

'r Q

our Stone should be purged not only from s u l p h u re o u sn e ss b u t a l - so fr om ear thiness by sublimation of W ater , C a l ci n a ti o n o f E a rth , moistening and decocting of them by r edu c t i on , b e tw e e n d i sti l l ation and calcination, and after conj oi ni n g w i th p ro p e r S U L P HUR, bV its measur ed natur al- heat decoc t, o r ba ke so l o n g u n ti l it be congealed and depr ived of all Sul - phureous humidity by the union of natural heat and Fire thereto c o r r e sp o n d i n g , Iike a n d a fter it is sublimed into most W hi te SULPHUR Snow. By th i s i t a p p e a rs that our Stone contains two substance s of O n e N a tu re r o rre vo l -a ti le, the other Fixt, which, and either of w h i c h th e P h i l o so p h e rs call Ar gent Vive, because in the oper ati - on o f t h i s S to n e , th e S tone ought to be separ ated fr om all com bus tible and corrupt Sulphuriety, and that there remains only the pure subtil-ity arrd middle Substance of Argent Vive congealed and ' , t ( N OT E -B o thth e fi xe d and the volatile par ts ar e caIled Ar gent Vive) depurated. of all- external SULPHUR or strange corruption, and this depuration is made when the Body is turned into Spirit, a n d th e S p i ri t i n to B ody by r eiter ated cal- cination, r educt i on, a n d su b l i ma ti o n , w h e reby is made the dissolution of the B ody , and is but One Operation whereby all these things are performed, t o w i t, so l u ti o n o f A r gent Vive fixed with congelation of c er tai n p a r t s o f th e V o l a ti l e , and Ablution ther eof with W ater pr opor ti o n ed (w i th F i re ) a n d the congelation of the said W ater into a Stone, by the medium and operation of Heat of the Male and the F e ma l e , th e n tru l y i s bor n the Stone after the fir st conjunc ti on of them and not before, as in Man and Womanby this operati.on i s t h e B o d y d i vi d e d , subtilized and diligently gover ned, ti l l i t s su b ti l e S o u l i s e xtr acted fr om its solidity and tur ned i nto a t h i n a tte n u a te d a n d im palpable Spir it. Then the Body is m ade n o Bo d y, a n d th e n o B ody is m ade a Body, and this is tr ue, and the true invention of the rule of working. It is to be lmown though all Bodi-es are to be di-ssolved by a

in such manner that

Lg.

w i th which it is to be m ixed and wher e by S p i ri t, w i t h o u t d o u b t i s ma d e a like Spir itual- , and as this Spir it i s s u b l ime d i t i s n a me d Water ,which washeth itself and cleanseth a s a b o ve sa i d , i n ri si n g with a most subtile Substance, openi ng t h e co rru p te d p a rts a nd of it. And this Ascension Philosopher s h a v e ca l l e d D i sti l l a ti o n , Ablution and Sublimation per fect and a c c o mp l i sh e d . T h e S tone is then vivifyed by the vivifying Spi r i t o r n a tu ra l S o u l o f w h ich it was depr ived in Blackness, and i s n o w i n sp i re d , a n i ma te d, r esusci- tated, r educed, and car r ied to i t s l a st e n d o f su b ti l i ty and pur ity, and is a Stone, Cr ys tal l i ne, W h i t e a s S n o w , ri si n g fr om the bottom of the vessel sticking t o t h e si d e s o f i t, the r emai- nder of it r esting in the bottom o f t h e ve sse l b e l -o w th is Chr istalline Stone separ ated fr om i ts r e s i d e n ce g a th e re d a p ar t and sublimed without the said r esi denc e f o r i f yo u try to su b lim e it with its r esidence you shalL nev er m a k e se p a ra ti o n o f th em, and so your labour will be lost. Su b l i me i t th e n w i th out its r esidence, and it is the W hi te Foliated Earth of the White Sulphur not burnirg, congealing, and a f t e r p e rfe ctl y fi xi n g M ERCURY, cleansing all foul Bodies and p e r f e cti n g th e i mp e rfe ct, r educing them to tr ue LUNA. T hi s S u l p h u r so su b l imed, no whiteness in the wor ld exceeds i t , fo r i t i s d i ve ste d of all cor r uptible things, and is a new nature, a Quintessence arising from the pure parts of the four E l e me n ts. T ti s th e S UI,PHUR of Natur e, Ar senic, not bur ning, t h e In co mp a ra b l e T re a sur e, the joy of Philosopher s, and the so mu ch d e si re d by them, the W hite, Clear and Folia te E a r t h, th e B i rd o f H e rmes, the Daughter of Hippocr ates, subl i m ed A 1 u m, a n d S a l A rmo n i a c, the Daughter of the gr eat Secr et, and t h e ne w Wh i -te B l a ck B i r d whose Feather s exceed Cr ystalline Br i ghtn e s s , w h i te a s S n o w , of gr eat splendour and most gr eat sati s fy ing Odour of sovereign Purity, of clean subtirity and agilty. T hi s P h i l o so p h i ca ] white Black Bir d is of vener able vir tue, f o r i t i s th e su b sta n ce of the pur est substance in the wor l d D e l i gh t

p e n e tra ti n g

20.

w h i c h i s th e si mp l e soul of the stone, clean, noble, separ ated f r o m a l l co rp o re a l th i clcness and. by gr eat subtiLity divested o f al -l b o d i l y g ro ssn e ss. This W hite Incombustible SULPHU R it i s co n ve n i e n t to ca l ci ne the space of its dr y decoction, s o l o n g ti l ] i t b e co me s most subtile powd.er , impalpable , d.epr i v ed. o f a l -l su l p h u re o u s h u midity. Then Let it be incer ated with W h i t e 0 i 1 o f P h i l o so p h er s by little and little till it suddenl y f l - o w l i ke w a x, a n d w i thout cer ation being finished, which i s n o t h in g b u t re d u cti o n , to fusion or m elting the thing woul d not melt. T h e n i s o u r Gl or ious W hite Stone of Philosopher s fini s hed., f u s i bl e a n d me rti rg , white as snow, of new ( ver d.ur e) gr eennes s , perservering in the Fire, retaining and congealing MERCURy after f i x i n g i t, ti n g i n g a n d tr ansm iting all im per fect bodies of M etal - s i n t o L U N A , o f w h i ch cast one par t upon one thousand par ts of M ER C U Ro Yr o th e r i mp e r fect M etal, it shall change it into better s i l v e r, fi n e rr p u re r and. whiter than that of the M ines. T he m a n ne r o f F ro j e cti o n and Multiplication of the white and R ed s t o n e a re b o th o n e , b u t the multiplication m ay be done in tw o manners r orte by projecting one part upon one hundred parts more into pure LUNA or pure GOID. There are other ways more profitable a n d se cre t to mu l -ti p Iy the M edicine in pr ojection, wher ein r am a t p r e se n t si l e n t, b u t by multiplication the Stone is augm ented. w i t h ou t e n d , to w i t, b v Digesti- on, animation and r m bibition w i th M e r c u ri a l 0 i 1 , w h i ch o il- is ar - so nam ed.of the natur e of Metal s , a n d th i s mu l ti p l i ca ti o n is only done by r mbibing and r efr eshi ng t h e s to n e w i th th e sa i d Mer cur ial- oil per m anent, by dissolv i ng a n d c o n g e a l i n g so o fte n as one wir I, for the mor e the stone i s d i g e ste d th e g re a te r i s its per fection, and the m or e it wil l t r a n smu te , fo r i t w i l l be m or e subtile. And her ein is accom pr i s h e d th e Wh i te C e l e 'stial Rose, of good. odour , em br aced by al l t h e P h i l o so p h e rs. w h e n th e w h i te sto n e is accom plished., vou must dissolve one p a r t o f i t, a n d so ca l cine it ( as some will have it) by long

2t.

not to Then im bibe it with the Red ( R ed b e to u ch e d , co l o u re d Citr ine. 0 i 1 ) ti J.l i t b e co me R ed as Cor al- , as Raym ondsaith in his C .odi c i t i n h i s C h a p te r o n C a l cination of the Ear thl "For get not to C al c i ne i t i n i ts ki n d l e d F i -re. . it b e come like T he Ma tte r o f th e E ar th for eknown of thy Stone, with r ei ter ated d i s s o l u ti o n , d i sti l l a ti o n of W ater , and cal- cination of the Body till th e E a rth re ma i n W hite, void of all humidity and afte r a l o n g e r a n d stro n g e r continuation of the Fir e and im bibition of t h e Wa te r ti l I i t b e come like a Hyacinth in powder , im pal pabl e t o t h e to u ch , th e si g n of which is manifestly shovr n. A s to i ts l a st C a l cination it r emains depr ived of al- l h um i di ty , s p o k e n o f i n th e se co nd pr inciple pr ocess in the Second R egi m en w h i ch i s to ta ke th e Stone Red, of which saith Geber it is not w i - t h o u t th e a d d i ti o n of a thing tinging ( or Fer m ent) it, w hi c h N a t ure w e l l kn o w s, to wit, without it be imbibed and tinge d w i th t h i s C e l e sti a l Wa te r or OiL, of which says the LiJ- y of the Phi l os o p he rs, " 0 h C e l e sti a l Natur e, how dost thou tur n our Bodi es i n t o sp i ri ts, Oh Ma rvellous pui.ssent who is above all, and s ur mounts all, and is the Vinegar whi-ch turns the SOL into true S p i r i t a n d L u n a a l so , without which neither Black nor W hi te nor R e d ca n e ve r b e p ro d u c ed in our wor k. For without this N atur e t e ( NOT E .0 f th e V i n e g a r which conver ts SOL and LUNA into Spi r i tu a l F e rme n t w i th o u t w hich the Stone is not am ended.) is jo i ned t o ou r B o d y, w h i ch co nver ts it into Spir it as Spir itual F i r e, t i n g i n g i t w i th ve n e rable Tinctur e that can never be blott ed out.' T h i s Wa te r H e rme s h ath called the W ater of W ater s, Alphi di us Water of the Indian Babylonian and Egyptian Philosophers. Thi-s W a t e r w h e re b y B o d i e s ar e tur ned into Spir its and their Fi r s t N a t ure a n d Ma tte r o f our Stone, ar e never amended without i t, b u t a d d to th e Wh i te the W hite W ater , let then the Red Stone b e mo i ste n e d w i th th e Red water to that end by long decoc ti on

d e c octi o n ti l l

im palpable Ashes, so soft

22.

a s b y l o n g imbibition, and by continual moisteni ng, i t be ma d e a s R e d a s Blood, the Hyeinth scar r et or Ruby, s hi ni ng a s a L i g h t i n a d a rk place as a kindled Light. An d l a stl y, th a t o u r Stone be ador ned with a Red Diadem , of w h i c h sa i th D i o me d e s, "Honour our King com ing fr om the Fir e w i th h i s Wi fe a n d ta ke h e e d of bur ning them by too gr eat heat, bak e a n d d e co ct th e m sw e e tly that to the end they m ay be made Bl ac k , t h e n a n d a fte rw a rd s Citr ine and Yellow, then Red, and last of al l T i n gi n g V e n o m. F o r these ar e to be made by the division of the s a i d Wa te r, a s sa i d E gistue, ' .I com m and that you put not al l t h e Wa te r to g e th e r b u t by littl_e and little, and bake gentl y till th e w o rk b e a cco m plished.. An d so i t w i l l a p p e ar that the Stone will r emain Red of a tr ue I l l u mi n a te d R e d n e ss, c lear lively, melting like wax, by the T i ncture whereof Vulgar or Argent Vive and all other imperfect Metals may be presently turned into true so], much better than t h e Mi n e s p ro d u ce , w h er ein is accomplished our pr ecious stone, which is infinite Treasure to the Glory of God who lives and R e i g n s p e rp e tu a ffy.

o r ba th i n g ,

Finis.

2) .

PARABLE OF THE FOUNTAIN

GOUNT B. TREVISAN
B.M. Sloane M S 3641
l{hen Heaven had so much blessed me to impart To me ye wondrous Mi-racle of Art was given me to converse with none Command Bu t ye cL e a r co -p a rtn e r s of ye Stone. F o r me n p o sse sse d o f Sciences Divine Should, like ye radiant Galary, combi-:ne And mix their lights to make ye Paths of Heaven shine So I , o b e d i e n t to ye g r eat comm and,
Resolved To golden to search and travel ye Land of name every fame, l,and I came

The Globe had ever Ganges in is And Appel-eia

shown, At length

ye Citys

W h e re d w e l t a ma n , a l a s that hets no mor e Rendered immortal than he was before. A man I say whom Fate had chosen forth T o C ro w n h i m K i n g o f all ye M yster ies, ye Ear th With all her wise Inhabitants can see On this side Heaven and Eternity. This King had made his proclamation, he 0 f a l l th e H e rme ti ca l FYater nity,
Ca n best Th is explain that d e e p p h ilo s o p h y hi.s Reward shall be a re p u re a n d p re c io u s g o ld

In di.sputation, An d Goldts

B ook, whose leaves

ye Cover doe s y e T , e a v e s e n f o ld . 1.

M y co u ra g e h e re b e g a n to fail,

but I that they

S o o n re su me d i t a n d re solved to tr y The powers of Fortune, lcrowing well Can never bear bright Victory away,

T h a t sh u n ye mi g h ty contest of ye day So h e a d vi se d , a n d h i s advise I took W h o h a d p ro p o se d ye P r emi- umof ye Book. A n d I d i sp u te d ti l l I won ye Pr ize, The fatal Gold Almost as much Then I retired S o m e re cre a ti o n so dazL:ing martal eyes as he that centers in ye skys endeavouring to find to re l - ieve my mind

F a t i gu e d w i th stu d y,'w alking in ye FieLds T o se e ye p ro d u ct 1 o ve1y Natur e yields I chanced upon a Fountain did abound W i t h l i mp i d Wa te r, T 0 was envir oned r ound With curious Stone, and on ye top I found Ttwas covered with an Oaken Trunk for fear Be a sts sh o u l d d e fi l e it, or ye Fowls or th air Should bath themselves or wash their Feathers ther e. Upon ye bank I sat contemplating The admirable Beauty of ye Spring And found it closed above when lo there came A man whom I saluted by the name 0 f V e n e ra b l e P ri e st-P ray tell m e why Fountain, which I here espy The littIe I s so sh u t u p a n d stro ngly for tified Over and under and on every side 2.

H e a n sw e re d th u s, T ri -s ter r ible said he And strange ye Virtue of ye Spring you see 0f all that burst from underneath ye ground Its parallel i-s never to be found.

S o it b e l o n g e th to ye King alone Who icrows it well, andts by ye Fountai.:r lc:Iown. In passing by, it always draws the King Who notwithstanding never draws ye Spring. Two hundred T o sp e n d i n Which makes t h e sto u te st eighty and two days he hath ye i n cl o sur e of ye Bath him young again, and stronger H e ro o f ye Race of Man.

tharr

T h e re fo re h e ca u se d i t car efully to be W i t h a Wh i te S to n e sur r ounded, as you see Wherein ye Water of ye Spring does shine Like Silver bright, or thr heaven Crystalline And that it might be stronger to defy The force of an invading Enemy, Around ye top he placed an aged Oak W h i ch h a d b e e n w i th an ar tificial
Cle ft in ye middle, an d t h e re b y is in c lo s e d

str oke
h e ma d e shade waI1 such a ll

Fe n ced from ye S un, a mo s t d e lig h t f u l Th e n as you see it First with hard Stone and a transparant Oak , b e c a u s e it s and in f la me d an d p e n e t ra t e s

Th e n with Wh en ttis It is

a hollow excited

n a t u re o s

t o o mu c h

most terrible

Even ye hardest

Adamanti.ne Gates,

A n d so w o u l d va n i sh q uite away, Alas we re u n d o n e i f i t should com e to pass, V' I e I a s ke d h i m w h e th e r h e had seen ye King W i t h i n ye sa i d i -n cl o sur e of ye Spr ing, H e an sw e re d , h e h a d seen him enter ing, wher e He from his entrance did no more appear Af t e r h i s ke e p e rs h a d encl- osed him ther e, day Until ye hundredth and ye thirtieth When he arose in a refulgent Ray H e a t ye Ga te , th a t i s his keeper - hath A solemn charge to daily warm ye Bath W i t h su ch a h e a t a n d in pr opor tion
As fire is hidden in ye s o u rc e no intermission of ye K in g -B e h o ld youe 1 1 s e e h i-m c lo a t h e d in g o ld

so

b e lo w, lcnow.

And day and night I asked ye colour Said he, at first

H i s se co n d g a rme n t i s of siLk, but bl- ack And a black doublet on his mouri-ning back The next he wears are White triumphant cloathes A shirt as White as are ye Mountain Snows H i s b l o o d w a s re d , h i s fl- esh, not so befor e W a s a s ve rmi L l i o n o r ye cr im son gor e. I further asked him whether he had seen The King have servants when he entered in. He answering smil-ed, but answered as a Fri-end. No Courtiers haer upon the King attend. H e l e a ve s h i s F o l l o w e rs as his ser vants all, They must not enter ye diaphanous wal1;

4.

And none approach An d office that

ye Fountain-head s u p p ly be done,

but he

Wh o does ye Heat contin u a l may eas i-ly E'rren by a simple

and most simple if for

one.

Then I demanded of him, Had any great And that They love for affection him? Again

ye King ye Spring

he answered me

and are bel-oved mutually.

T h e F o u n ta i n d o e s a ttract ye King, but he D r a ws n o t ye F o u n ta i n . Yet he loves no other , F o r to ye K i n g ye F o untainr s a M other . M y q u e sti o n th e n w a s; If ye M onar ch was D e sce n d e d o f so me A n c ient Royal Race? H e sa i d , h e w a s d e scended of ye Spr ing, Which without adding any other thing Had made him as he was, an honourable King. N e xt I e n q u i re d , w h a t Nobles did r esor t T o th e o th e r P re se n ce- chamber s of ye Cour t? He told me there were only six who had G r e a t e xp e cta ti o n s i f ye King wer e dead. When that should happen they would serve no more, But have ye Kingdom as he had before. T h ey n o w a re b u t a ssi stants of his Thr one, I n ho p e s o f th e R e ve rsion of ye Cr own.
The n I desired That to be in f o rme d , than other how o1d and far a re .

The Monarch was? he was ol-der than his M a turer

And I by him was told ye Spring, s u b je c t s

H o w co me s i t th e n to pass, said I, that they Kill- not ye King to bear ye Crown away S i n ce h e rs so mu ch i n year s? Thor hets so oLd Says he, he can endure both Heat and Cold And Wind and Rain and labour, None of them C a n vi o l -e n tl y se i ze ye Diadem. Nor could they all should they combine in one M u r de r ye Mo n a rch to possess his Thr one. T h e n w h a t su cce ssi o n can they hope, when he Cannot be murdered, and shall- never die? B u t yo u , i l v F ri e n d , said he, must lcnow that those S i x o f h i s su b j e cts from ye Fountain r ose A n d su ch e xi ste n ce a s they have they took O u t o f ye E ma n a ti o n s of ye Br ook, A s di d ye K i n g , S o th eyr r e attr acted all By it, as things by their ori.ginal. The Fountajn kil1s ye King and them, but then The Fountain brings ye King to l-ife again. H e so re vi ve d , a d i stri bution m akes, And whosoever of ye gift partakes T h o r n re re so l i ttl e is ye por tion, he I s i n p o sse ssi o n o f ye Royalty Equal to Kings in power and riches-then f asked my kind informant once again, I f t h e re w e re 'a n y ti me allotted they Sh o u l d i n ye d o u b tfu l l expectation stay. He smilled again, and told me how ye King
WithoUt hiS trai-n descends intn rre Snrinrr

A l t h o'

l o ve s th e m too, but that it m ust not be, T h e y h a ve n o t ye t d e ser ved ye dignity. W h e n ye K i n g e n te rs h e is str ipped of those W h i ch h e b ro u g h t i n , his cor onati- on cloathes T h a t w e re a s ri ch a s eyes did er e behol- d W i t h g o l d e n l e a ve s a n d wefts of pur est gold Cham ber lain, T h i s h e b e sto w s o n h i s fir st W e ca l l h i m S a tu rn , w hich he does r etain
En ti rely The black 0f Jove, forty silk days, doublet s o me t ime s t wo mo re th e is account b e f o re . fee and he wh ic h done y e p ro p e r

it

Aug ment ye number of

ye S econd Cha mb e rla in , tw e n t y it to days,

Ke e ps ye possession H e by command resigns Lu n e ye third 0f

y e Mo o n face Ra c e , days. as white a n d b rig h t

P erson,

h a s y e f a ire s t

any daughter

of ye h e a v e n ly ye garment clad in of

And she enjoys As is

twenty a shirt S a lt ,

Then comes ye King As A riadne in

ye S nowr or flour a frosty off this

n ig h t . s h irt wh ic h is y e s h a re

Th e K ing puts 0f stern Wh o after forty

Gradivus,

G o d o f Wa r V e f ie rc e days so me t ime s d is d a in s

A Resignati-on, Two other

and by F o rc e re ma in s sway tht vizo r Imperial o n h is Rains p la c e

days to

Th e n Mars retiring, Who wears a yellow Bu t i-s not clear

to y e S u n g iv e s as ye Ce le s t ia l

face, L ig h t s .

7.

a fte r 4 0 d a ys a n d 40 nights, And then ye Sun sanguineous appears Se i z i n g ye sh i rt th a t cr imsons all ye spher es So f l a mi n g H e rcu l -e s o n Oeta stood, F i r e d w i th ye sh i rt d yed in ye Centaur s Blood.

TiII

I a s ke d th o e ve n t o f all- these things, says he, The fountain Gates you then shalI open-and see To all o f th e m, a n d a s befor e they sought

M d h a d h i s sh i rt, h i s doubl- et and his cloak. So no w h i s re d a n d b l oody Flesh they got T o e a t a mo n g th e mse l ves ye pr ecious Heir 0 f a l l , th e i r Wo rk, a nd Cr ovwrof their desir e. I asked again, must they so long remain A n d ca n n o so o n e r so m e r ewar d obtain F o r se rvi ce d o n e , u n l ess they all attend T i l l ye w h o l e C i rcl e of their Labour s end? The answer to my question wa,S r that when T h e Gl o ri -o u s Wh i te , ye snowy shir t was seen, 0 f y e si x C o u rti e rs, four might then possess T h e mse l ve s o f P o w e rs and Riches num ber less. But they would then but half ye Kingdom gain Wherefore they are contented to remain A l i t t1 e l o n g e r i .n su spence to see The fulL Event and End of destiny, Which in like manner should confer on them Their Kings bright Coronation diadem. f a ske d w h a t d o cto rs, or what Medicine W a s se n t ye K i n g , w h i l e he r emained within?
R

H e ma d e me a n sw e r-th a t they sent him none, No man came near him but that only one, H i s K e e p e r mi n d fu l l to per putuate A c on sta n t, va p o u ro u s, cir culating Heat. I a s ke d h i m, fs ye K e eper s labour gr eat? M o r e a t ye fi rst th a n in ye end, for then The Fountain is infl-amed. I asked again Whether it had been seen by many men
Th e World, Se If-evident Yet all said to he, ha s s e e n it , gaze thereon outward a n d it lie s

every

Mo rt a l-s e le s ; do lceow Husk does show do?

of them that

No more than what the Then more at Three large he,

I asked,

what may they sha11 remain d o e s c o n t a in

Those Si.x, said days he in to thr According

may purge ye King again, it

ye Fountain conte n t s

day In circling round ye p1ace. 0n ye first H e g i ve s h l s d o u b l -e t, next his shir t away, And on ye third his bloody f'lesh. Said I Tel-} me ye depth of ye whole Mystery. To which he made no more than this reply; I now am tired so long with answering thee. W h i ch I p e rce i vi n g h a d no mor e to s?Vr But, waiting on him as he went away

A thousand thanks I gave, a thousand more W e r e re a d y fro m my u n exhausted stor e. H e wa s a re ve re n d ma n, so wise that even T h e A stra l Orb s, a n d wheeling spher es of Heaven

9.

O b e ye d h i m; a l l

th i n g s

befor e him shook

An d tre mb l -i n g b o w e d a t his Majestic l_ook. N o w I w i th su d d e n d ro w syness oppr est B e s i d e ye F o u n ta i n d i d intend to r est, A n d s i tti n g o n i t, I c ould not for bear B u t I mu st o p e n a l l th r apar tments ther e f n y e me a n ti me I d i d s o often look O n my re w a rd , ye g o l d e n leaved Book,
Its Heaven-born as brofe, splendou r it did d id s o mu c h s u rp ris e

And overpower ye vigilenc e Tha t, It so augmented now that

o f my e y e s , drowslmess

my h e a d o p p re s s ,

T h a t my sa i d B o o k b y i nadver tence fell O u t of my h a n d s i n to ye little W elI, W h i c h mu ch a ffl -i cte d m e, because I thought T o k e e p ye P ri ze my d i sputation got. I l o oke d i n to i t, b u t alas, no m or e C o u l d I se e ye B o o k I had enjoyed befor e, Believing therefore that my Volumn fe11 I n t o ye ve ry b o tto m o f ye W ell I d i d a tte mp t ye w a te ry sour ce to dr ain, So t h a t th e n p a rts sh o uld with a tenth r emain. And when I went to draw it all I saw I t w as so vi sco u s th a t it scar ce would dr aw. While I was toiling thus industriously I s p ie d a T ri b e , w h o se com ing hinder ed me F r o m d ra i n i n g mo re , V e t er e I left it, I Shut all ye Fountai-n round, for fear that they
IU .

like

w i cke d th i e ve s should steal my Book away, But Fire was then enkindled round ye Spring T o wa rm ye B a th w h e re i n to wash ye King. I for my crime was hurried thence away F u l l fo rty d a ys I i n a Pr ison fay, W h e n th e y e xp i re d I w as r eLeast, and then Returned to see my Fountain once again; W h e re th e re a p p e a re d thiek foggy clouds, as I

Have often seen hung round a Winter sky Which lasted 1ong. But in ye end I found W i t h ou t mu ch l a b o u r a l l m y wishes cr owned. Bu t tri s n o l a b o u r, S ou will su:iely s?V,
If Let choosing your right, V ou n e v e r t u rn a s t ra y and y e c ro o k e d wa y . always in be to trace h e r wo n t e d Ra c e ,

In paths The steps

erroneous endeavours of Nature

Then you ye loveIy Queen shall in your arms embrace. Therefore concluding I pronounce that he W h o i n my B o o k ye se cret cannot see M u s t n e ve r h o p e to co mpass hJ.s desir e By manifold Experiments of Fi-re. My Pity and Compassion move my heart F o r th o se th a t w a n d e r in ye pr ecious Ar t. T h e r e fo re to th e m I h ave r evealed it all, And proved ye Operations natural-. For this my Parable ye whole work contains I n Pra cti ce , C o l o u rs, Days and Regimens, W a y s , d i sp o si ti o n s a n d continuance l_1.

Fate and Heaven conclude ye Mystic Dance. To end then this my Book, f pray that God Who in ye Heavens has fixed his grand aboad And who alone commandedme to write Woul-d thence impart an intellectual Light To searching T1ros, who have hearts upright And minds sincere, To them there sha1l remain Nothing too hard, provided they abstain From dreaming Fancys and ye subtletys Of cheating Sophists, who by surprise Like Mountebanks impose on rnrlgar eyes. The Way is natural and but only one Which f have in my speculation shown I bid you aI1 farewell in Christ, and be Mindful of those that sink in poverty, Whil-e Treasures unexhausted you possess Whom Ve peculiar Hand of Heaven does bless With riches equally and happiness. Fay then to God to send you down a Ray Out of ye Fountain of Eternal Day.

Till

FINTS.

L2.