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THE
HERMETIC
ALCHEMICAL
WRITINGS
AND
OF
'
By
IN
T\\
uj-uTfto.
VOL.
I.
HERMETIC CHEMISTRY.
iLonlion
E.C.
TABLE OF CONTENTS
VOLUME
PAGE.
ix.
PART
I.
HERMETIC CHEMISTRY.
The Ccelum Philosophorum,
or
Book
should be
formed thereof.
Canons according
to the
and
Canon
The
Sixth
Canon
con-
...
The
all
The
Canon
Luna and the
Fifth
concerning
its
properties.
Certain treatises and appendices arising out of the Seven Canons. God and Nature do
nothing in vain. Note on Mercurius Vivus. \Vhat is to be thought concerning the congela.
things
may
be seen in
Preface.
Chapter
I.
...
...
in
the
written
life
of our
...
...
Chapter
...
II.
ig
concerning the definition of the Subject and Matter of the Tincture of the Philosophers.
concerning the Process of the Ancients for the Tincture of the Philosophers,
Chapter III.
and a more compendious method by Paracelsus. Chapter IV. concerning the Process for the
;
Chapter VII.
concerning the
concerning the
concerning the
Renovation of Men.
dation.
First Gradation.
31
vi.
The Hermetic
36
Lion.
...
41
Concerning the First or Royal Cement. Concerning the Second Cement. Concerning
the Third Cement. The Fourth Cement. The Fifth Cement. The Sixth Cement.
Conclusion-
calls his
Monarchia
...
Paracelsus, which
...
48
...
72
Genealogy of Minerals
89
...
...
,.
Chapter VI.
Animals.
Chapter IX.
concerning those who have sought the Stone in Minerals.
Chapter X. concerning those who have sought the Stone, and also Particulars, in Minerals.
concerning the true and perfect special Arcanum of Arsenic for the White
Chapter XI.
in
Chapter XII.
Tincture.
Red Tincture
to be extracted from
Chapter XIII.
it.
XVI.
Matter
for
Philosophic Stone.
the
Chapter
XX.
Chapter XIX.
concerning the Secret
concerning the Ferment of the Philosophers, and
the Weight.
The
...
...
...
First Treatise.
Chapter IV.
concerning the Spirit or
Chapter V.
concerning the Spirit of Venus. Chapter VI. concerning
Chapter VIII.
Chapter VII.: concerning the Spirit of Jupiter.
conthe Spirit of Mars.
concerning the gross Spirit of Mercury.
cerning the Spirit of Saturn. Chapter IX.
The
Second Treatise. Concernirj the Philosophers' Mercury-, and the Medium of Tinctures.
III.
Tincture of Luna.
Chapter
I.
Chapter VII.
Chapter VI.
concerning the
Red
Colour.
Chapter VIII.
concerning Increase
and Multiplication.
Conclusion.
Chapter
I.
called the
Chapter
III.
Chapter
concerning the
and the Trees of Minerals. Chapter IV. concerning the Fruits and the
Chapter V. concerning the Death of the Elements, especially of
Water. Chapter VI. concerning the Death of the Tree of Minerals.
Chapter VII.
concerning the variation of the Primal Matter of Minerals, in proportion to the di6ferent
Species and Individuals thereof: also concerning the various colours, etc. Chapter VIII.
concerning the Natural Dispenser of Minerals, and his Ministers.
Chapter IX. concerning
Field, the Roots,
Harvest of Minerals.
Table of Contents.
\ii.
PAGE.
Alchemy and in Medicine. Chapter X. concerning
concei-ning Salt Nitre.
Chapter XII.
Chapter XI.
concerning Dry Salt.
Mumia.
concerning
Chapter XIII. concerning the 111 Effects of Nutrimental Salt. Chapter XIV.
Chapter XV. concerning the Species of Vitriol and the Tests of it. Chapter XVI.
Vitriol.
the Virtues and Properties of Salts in
Chapter XIX.
Bodies.
Medicine.
in
Conclusion.
...
114
120
Growth
of Natural Things...
128
130
the
..
135
...
138
146
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
51
160
...
171
195
197
Concerning Monstrous Signs in Men. Concerning the Astral Signs in the Physiognomy
of Man. Concerning the Astral Signs of Chiromancy. Concerning Mineral Signs. Concerning certain particular Signs of Natural and Supernatural Things
...
199
...
...
...
201
...
210
226
its
231
viii.
APPEN DICES.
Appendix
I.
...
...
...
...
...
237
Concerning Silver. Concerning Jove. Concerning Saturn. Concerning Iron and Steel.
Concerning Venus. Note. -Of Mixed Metals. Concerning Spurious Metals. Concerning
Concerning Granates.
Concerning Cobalt.
Note concerning Gems. Concerning
Zinc.
Note concerning
Quicksilver.
Recapitulation concerning
Cachiiniae, that
Of
Generation.
the
is,
the
Generation of Marcasites.
Schedule by Paracelsus.
Appendix
II.
Salt
257
Correction and Addition on the Subject of a second time correcting and reducing
Dry
Salt.
Appendix
III.
concerning Sulphur
...
...
...
...
...
265
...
278
...
283
Sulphur.
Alchemy.
Appendix IV.
A
...
..,
..
Appendix V.
De Transmutationibus Metallorum
...
...
Concerning the Visible and Local Instruments and first of all concerning the Spagj-ric
The Phcenix of the Philosophers. A Very Brief Process for attaining the Stone.
:
Uterus.
Appendix VI.
the
Appendix VII.
the
Secret.
of
Paracelsus.
...
...
...
Short
...
...
...
288
...
...
...
306
A Cement of
Method of calcining
For Multiplication.
...
Manual of Paracelsus
Manuscript
Vatican
Catechism of Alchemy
Red
Mercurj'.
Luna and
Corporal Mercury-.
Sol.
Mercury of
The Gradation
all
Mercurj* of Saturn.
Fixation of Arsenic.
Coagulation of Mercury.
Process of Sulphur.
To make
Precious Stones.
Luna into Sol. Fixation of Sulphur. How e\'ery Stone can be transmuted into a clear one.
The Adepts' Fire. Sol produced with Pars cum Parte. Concerning Cements. Method of
making Luna. Water of Luna. True Albatio. Rubification of Mercury. Oil of Mercury
and the Sun.
Fixation of Orpiment.
Spirits of Water.
Quintessence of Luna, etc
Augmentation for Sol. Fixed Luna. Secret Philosophical Water. The Hermetic Bird.
Attinkar of Venus. Cement Regal.
Philosophic Water.
THERE
are
many
little
knowledge
is
manner of a Frenchman.*
and phantasmal.
thin
Paracelsus
wisdom of a
'*
of the
he
is
somehow supposed
to be standing evidence
Thus
there
all
a very
is
schools have
derived from a species of mystical tradition, and this represents one side of
it
not obtained at
is
first
It
is
hand.
however,
it
may
destroyed
X.
obtains
among
though
at the
same time
true that he
is
it
other,
any
derived from
is
writings.*
This judgment as
its
it is
How it
about
if
that Paracelsus
was a
knew anything
the criticism
It is
it.
than the
physics enabled
at least for
less
solid
perhaps
little,
it
would be
replied
be interpreted, and that the key to their meaning would lay open for those
who
possess
significance
make
abundant
an
it
only a bizarre
is
choice here.
treasure of sapience
It is
It
and
is
it
who
literal
unnecessary to
are
interested
in
in
way
proposed, also, by
is
which the
to
veil.
life
may
be useful at the
beginning of an inquiry.
There
however,
are,
many
debateable points
in
life
of
What
to
life,
his travels
his death,
all
considerable uncertainty, and they are at this day not likely to be set-
there
is
tled.
one of
to
a doubtful right.
in
Eremite
monastic
state,
or Notre
Dame
is
M. Louis
accuracy,
not
Work, he goes on
who
suggests the
in his
He
appears tc
writings he indifferently
that astrology and magic are collaterally a help to the seeker after the Great
to affirm that the writings of Paracelsus are filled with foolish invocations to the invisible
world,
is
subsequently states,
which, so
far as
it is
who
among
alchemists, which
is
and adds
possible to judge,
is
not true at
all.
0pm,
Preface
to
Translation.
the Etiglish
xi.
was a physician of
who
repute,
is
is
is
His father
dignity
is
identified as the
of Einsiedeln.
Paracelsus
"
is
it
was a natural
He
is
his
childhood, but
son.
there
is
women
and can be
traced indirectly, but with sufficient distinctness, in his writings.* About 1502
the family removed to Carinthia, and there the father continued to practise
medicme
till
received the
his death in
first
some
From him
1534.
Paracelsus
supposed to have
is
To
the
to
It
is
was from
the
same source
enunciated everywhere
that
in
his
writings, namely, that salt, sulphur, and mercury are the three elementary
constituents of
substances.
all
first
So
Haute
t
free
is,
The
his sex
la.
.l/o^/V. c. 11.
Contemporary with
with success.
They were
Basilitis
the
first
who
In practical chemistry- they followed the traditions of Geber, and their alchemical experiments
are the most plain and explicit in the whole range of Hermetic literature.
describing minutely the particulars of ever^* process.
Their
lives are
They worked
almost unknown.
principally in
They
metals,
century by conjecture, from the fact that they do not cite any philosophers subsequent to that period. They
speak of Geber, Dastin, Morien, and Arnold, but not of more modern authorities, while, on the other hand, their
references to aquafortis and aqua regia, which were discovered in the fourteenth centurj', prevent us from assigning
their labours to an anterior epoch.
The two Isaacs were p.-lrticularly skilful in the manufacture of enamels and
fifteenth
gem stones. They taught that the Grand Magisteriunt could convert a million times its own weight into gold,
and declared that any person t-iking weekly a small portion of the philosophical stone will be ever preser%ed in perfect
health, and his life will be prolonged to the ver>' last hour which God has assigned to him. irr-M of AUkemyiticAl
artificial
Phiiasofiftirs.
xii.
tuition of the
is
and had
From
illustrious,
who
remembered
is
less
at
all, is
best
known by
his
treatises
still
his researches in
he
fled,
and commenced
father
tence,
his
nomadic
begun
life,
at the
Though
period, by
by necromantic
even said,
Hungary,
if
it
is
it
practices.
Netherlands, Denmark,
France, the
Italy,
his
of subsis-
he
it,
is
Constantinople.
something
to learn,
he
less
nomadic legend
and so
Egypt.
in the lives
However
fire.
no other
also,
It
is
in
all
probability,
is
his
may
Danube
this
whom
It is
purely fabulous,
is
to
had apparently
into Italy,
where he appears as an
army surgeon, and where also his wonderful ctu-es began. He is said to have
re-entered Germany in 1526, at the age of thirty-two, and if this be accepted
the date 1516, when he is supposed to have been at work with Sigismund
Fugger,
will
It is
succeeding his return that most of his biographers assign his induction into a
professorship of physics, medicine, and surgery, at the university he entered
Trithemius was a
knowledge.
He
monk
was received
who began
exhausted the po^ihilitics of his teachers, he betook himself to Louvain. thence to Heidelberg, and subsequently to
Mayence. He became familiar with oriental languages, pagan and Christian philosophy, astronomy, and alchemy.
He was
a theologian, a poet, an astronomer, and a necromancer. He took mon.aslic vows in 1482, and in the year
became the abbot of a convent at Spanheim, which he transformed speedily into a sanctuary of art and the
sciences. He subsenuently was made superior of an abbey at Wurzbourg, .ind there it would appear he remained till his
death in the ycir 1516. His works are chiedy historical, but, as above indicated, there are some upon secret writing
which are exceedingly curious, and one, Ckrvnologia Mystica, is of a magical character.
following he
t Agrippa,
who seems
in 1535.
to
have divided with r.tracelsus the reputation of the Trismegi^tus of his time, was horn
in
Preface
to the
English Translation.
as a youth.
at the instance of
"There,
xiii.
it
was
offered
in his lectures,
him
he pro-
fessed internal medicine, denounced the antiquated systems of Galen and other
and began
authorities,
his instruction
in
He
nitre.
arrogance and his innovations, but the value of his mineral medicines was
his
He began by uncovering
medicine.
The
after
'
came
forced to
of
He
the place.
In 1528 he proceeded to
life.
in
flee
Colmar
1530 he
in
found
is
his
at
whom
Nuremburg,
he was de-
ten years succeeding this date there are no certain records of his
commonly lodged
he
at inns
is
The testimony
and
of Oporinus on this
it
In 1541 Paracelsus
later defenders.
performing cures
his
point
still
For the
movements
was
there, according to
By an
on a bench
at the kitchen
in
fire
alternative statement
a Strasburg hostelry.
One
it
occurred
writer supposes
the event to have been accelerated by a scuffle with assassins in the pay of
the orthodox medical faculty.
and there
is
* Paracelsus,
who was
the
first
abounding
in
life,
after death.
To
complicated and often inoperative preparations, he substituted the simple medicaments furnished by
first
to
this science to
human
pathologj'. Louis Figuier, L'Alckhnii: et ics AUhimistes, troisiime iditicn, pp. 99, 100.
t Marvellous Paracelsus, always drunk and always lucid, like the heroes of RabelaLs. Dogrne
lie
ph^-",io1og>'
la
and
Haute Ma^ie,
Introduction.
X
was
He
Duke
Ernst of Bavaria,
who was
finally
landed
in
In that place
XIV.
It is
in
medicine and
a literature which,
in extent, at least, is
formidable
The
was
monarch,
German
the
Hermes,
in the first
He was termed
The
fame.
many
were
due
and as a consequence of
his celebrity
treatises
fictitious
in
seems
it
in
sift
to
have become evident, from the experience of his followers, that his prescriptions in
many
will scarcely
It
letter of his
still
more
in
The
need of interpretation.
very curious influence exercised by Paracelsus for something like two hundred
years over certain sections of restless experiment and speculation
unwritten, and
would be interesting
it
and
will
to trace here,
task so ambitious
were
it
possible within
in
is,
still
is
The
is,
it
in
the
translations
which follow arc concerned only with the Hermetic writings of Paracelsus, to
the exclusion of manj' formidable treatises on surgical science, and on the
have comprised
"f hey
in
It
the
is
of the
to the
development of
* More especially, dear friends, have we to complain of the devilish cunning way in which the works of
Theophrastus have hitherto hcen suppressed, only a few of which (and those to be reckoned the very worst) having
appeared in print. For although they have been collected together from all countries in which Theophrastus has lived
and
travelled
the books he has written in Astronomy, Philosophy, Chemistry, Cabala, and Theology, numbering some
thousand volumes yet the same has only been done from avarice to get riches. For, having been trafficked in and
sold for great sums, they have become scattered among the courts of princes and nobles, while Christendom at large,
Theophrastus wrote, has no part in them. Particularly his theological v.'orks (because they
do not suit children of this world belly-servers, deceived by the devil) have hitherto been
totally suppressed.
But, at the Last Day, I, together with all true Sons of the Doctrine, shall demand an
account of them for having
shut Truth away in boxes, walls, and vaults, and behind locks and bolts.
Now,
these precious and revered writings were ordered by God in our latter times, through Theophrastus, for the use and
weal of the whole of Christendom. As regards our dear, highly favoured .Monarch and Preceptor,
we, for
cur part, will not suppress bis Life, his well-merited praise,
gi\en him by God, the Angels, and the whole
Firmament, but will heartily defend his honour and te.iching to the very end of our life. lienedictus Figulus. A Gplden
for
benefit
t>/
Xaiiires Man'c's.
Pre/ace
Nature.
Thus
the English
to
included the
it
w.
Translation.
first
also
the
evolution
natural
It
included
whether
us,
Finally,
it
in the
in
the
in
the
and
art of
products of Nature.
Thus
skill
the Hermetic and Alchemical writings of Paracelsus have a wider scope than
might
from the
at first be inferred
first
and
time, a complete
The purpose
title.
of this translation
is
It
Paracelsus
known
is
or
does not attempt to distinguish between the works which have been falsely
attributed to
him
of criticism, for those which have been indicated by the old author of the
present state, and he will possibly reject altogether the treatise " Con-
is
the
Geneva
folio, in
many
difficulties
and have
which has been adopted for
text
German
in
with which
it
employ-
The
their master.
is
it
some of
The
bizuT-re
appears to represent
in
to state that a
There
is
no doubt that
it
would be an
Should
it
is
this translation be
regarded as
final by students, or at
and complete comprehension of the
sage of Hohenheim, and should the encouragement which is indispensable to
two volumes of
will
contain
all
it is
proposed, after
for
to the
dawn
of the Reformation.
It is
x\
i.
anticipated
fix
for the
time the
first
objects of
true
The
connection therewith.
this inquiry
has been alone attempted here, and the simple provision of a text,
as intelligible
as
the
circumstances
The
editor
lation,
and
is
will
has been
allow,
truly
no
light
task with
the
collaboration
of
other
it
has accomplished
and
specialists,
in
less
body of
and
The work,
collation.
literature, entire
as
it
stands,
Paracelsus,
Magnum Opus
and
physics of the
(b)
to the
treatment of diseases
(e)
An
exhaustive collection of
present edition
is
practically inclusive
modern student.
it
is
works of Paracelsus.
of everything
thought,
is
al<
hemical
Thus, the
PART
I.
Hermetic Chemistry.
PHILIPPUS THEOPHRASTUS
By
PARACELSUS.
the seven
coiitaining a
and Appendices.
TH E PREFACE
OF Theophrastus
YOU who
are skilled
in
.Alchemy, and as
.\lchemy
in
different
equally, too,
you
who
willingly
until
you have attained your rewards, and the falfilment of the promises made
tc
you
undergo
toil
experience teaches this every day, that out of thousands of 3'ou not
no
say,
but
Is this
a failure of Nature or of
-Art ?
I,
is
it
operator.
Since, therefore, the characters of the signs, of the
stars
and planets of
heaven, together with the other names, inverted words, receipts, materials,
and instruments are thoroughly well known to such as are acquainted with
this art,
it
to recur to these
same
subjects in
the present book, although the use of such signs, names, and characters at
But herein
is
will
be noticed another
way
of the metals.
in
many
will
series
pompous parade of
Canons everj'thing
Tlic
Hermetk and
from the
differ
writing-s
philosophers,
and
natural
proof and
full
experimentation.
Moreover,
known and
this Art
in
nothing
Alchemy, whereby
labour in vain,
ver\-
more
is
many persons
and cause of
skill in
4)6 little
difficultj" in
it
is
whence
it
ensues that,
If the
true process shall have been found, the substance itself while transmuting
approaches
easy, but
found
Sometimes
eccentricit},-,
dail}'
it is
it
bj- verj-
perfection.
The
straight road
is
few.
may happen
He
need do nought
in
in
by his
thing into nothing, and again bring back something out of nothing.
Yet
this
is
own
which
is
metals
is
By
^^i_
On
the element of
fire all
that
is
imperfect
the other hand, the perfect metals, Sol and Luna, are not
consumed
in that
same
fire.
fire
this
should be noted
this
learnt
that these
An
single reading.
inferior intelligence
Seven Canons
glance or a
first
abstruse subjects.
by fire, which manifests them pure, oa]:ed, dean, and simple. In the
no proWng of a substance possible. For fire tests e%-erything, and when the impnre
matter is separated the three pure substances are displaj-ed. /)* Origin* Me*bcrum.ex Tnhttt Pri^JS SMitfamiisParamitam, Lib, I., c I.
Fire separates that iriiich is constant or fiied from that which Ls fugitive or volatile.
Fire is the father or actiw principle of separation." Third Fragment
Dt Merits Mttallicii, Lib. IL, Tract 1.
"
The
on Tartar,"
fixnn the
fire,
there
is
Fragmmta Medico,
I.
ALL
One
of them
all
is
corporeal
spirit,
and so
all
is
be found for
therewith,
it
its
origin.
And
since
it
may be
no heat
fire
is
designated
All lique-
a living and
when
it,
No name
still
less
can
so strong as to be equalised
of Gehenna.
liquefaction of this
made by
fire,
or
their
of action.!
By tlic mediation of Vulcan, or fire, any metal can b generated from Mercur>".^ -^t ihe same lime. Mercury is
imperfect as a metal ; it is semi-generated and wanting in coagulation, which is the end of all metals. Up to the halfway point of their generation all metals are Mercury. Cold, for example, is Mercury; but it loses the Mercurial
nature by coagulation, and although the properties of Mercury are present in it, they are dead, for their vitality is
The essences and arcanas which arc
destroyed by coagulation. >< Mtntis Meln/licis, Lib. III., Tract II., c 2.
There are two genera of
latent in all the six metals are to be found in the substance of Mercurj-. WW., c 3.
Mercury, the fixed Mercury of earth and another kind which descends from the daily constellation. /*/</., Lib. I.,
As there is a red and white Sulphur of M.ircasites, a yellow, red, and black Sulphur of Talc, a
Tract II., c 4.
marble, amcth>-st, etc., so is
purple and black Sulphur of the Cachimia;, a Sulphur of Cinnabar, and, in like manner, of
Mercurj- is not Quicksilver, for Mercury is
there a special Mercurj- of Copper, Plumbago, Zinc, Arsenic, acIiiJ.
De Ifvdrofisi.
dead, while Quicksilver is li^ng.
the virtue. .\nd this is the principle of the
t Nothing of true value b located in the body of a substance, but in
entire lolbs. in potency.
Quintessence, which reduces, say, sclbs. into a single ounce, and that ounce far exceeds the
Invisiiilmm, Lib. IV.
the less there is of body, the more in proportion is the virtue. Z>^ Oritint iUriorum
Hence
manifest (that
is
to say, the
is
six
corporeal metals are spiritually concealed, but one more deeply and more
Jupiter has nothing of a Quintessence in his com-
liquefaction
is
manner, he
On
this
account his
fire,
and, in like
is
liquefactions of
all
more
nature, the
easily he
is
has
lilce
he
easier
is
He
cold.
affinity
is
to
with the
some other
The remote body does not press upon the other. At the same time,
it may be very powerful.
Hence it happens that men
remote.
it is
by moderate
coagxilated
is
their glory.
far distant
those of an inferior order, because they are remote, and none of the living
knows
For
this
cause an infernal
are
on that account held more cheaply and occupy a lower place, since
spirit is
accounted as nothing.
its
is
The more remote, therefore, Jupiter is found to be from Mars and \'enus,
and the nearer Sol and Luna, the more " goldness " or ^' silveriness," if I
may so say, it contains in its body, and the greater, stronger, more visible,
more
true
is
found than
of the less
is,
tangible,
it
present
is
is
absent.
clear the
is
occult.
This, therefore,
This
is
Let Saturn and Luna be imposed on him, and of the rest Luna
little silver.
will be
in
augmented.*
Tin, or Jupiter,
of white Sulphur.
Mercury, and
its
is
It
pure Mercury coagulated with a small qu.ituity of Salt, but combined with a larger proportion
Its sublimation is also by
its colours, white, yellow, or red, from its Mercury.
derives
resolution
by
Salt,
and
it is
De Eiemcnto
c. 6.
The si.\ occult metals have expelled the seventh from them, and have
made it corporeal, leaving it little efficacy, and imposing on it great hardness
and weight.
all their
own
strength
On
they have
contrary,
retained
in
It is
the
difficult
and laborious
common man.
for a prince or a
dominion with strong and pugnacious hand, and seizes on the position of
He
king.
metiiod Mars
may
and unexpectedly.
be able to
It
The other
of
all
six metals
understand
thing
may
that
this,
It
may
be necessary,
in
order to
a manifest
by means of
fire.
Whatever
is
from one form into another, namely, into lime, soot, ashes, glass, colours,
This last can again be reduced to many new metallic
stones, and earth.
fire
Ifa metal,
bodies.
by old
rust,
it
can again
fire.f
Of
as
his
their
own
The other
me
six
have cast
me
out
They have
They have also added a corruptible body as a place of abode,
may be what they neither are nor desire to become. My six brothers
thrust
examiner.
forth
spiritual place.
so that
penetrate
my body
copper proceeds
Mercur>-.
is
it
am
is
It
in the fire
they
Sol and
Luna
fire,
put
salt,
lastly,
more Salt than the composition of Sulphur requires, the metal can in no wise be made, for it
depends upon an equal weight of each. For fluxibility proceeds from Mercury- and coagulation from Salt. Accordingly,
De Etttittnto Agucr, Lib. IV., Tract III., c. 4.
if there be too much Salt it becomes too hard.
t Venus is the first metal generated by the Archeus of Nature from the three prime principles after the marcasites
and cachimia: have been separated from these. It is formed of the gross redness which is purged off from the primal
Sulphur, of the light red expelled in like manner from the Mercury, and of the deep yellow separated in the
Sulphur.
When
there
is
by
this
c. 3.
excepted.
Whatever
and by means of us
thereto,
what
I
am
am
if it
is
able to effect.
It
would be more
Deserting
is in
me becomes conformed
This
is
is
in
a water by
all
profitable
would be of
It
of cold
received into
is
it
lies
little
the
me and can
means of which
make
six metals congeal into the essence of the seventh, and this
it
The stone
be done by me.
promote Sol
to
is
with Luna.*
Two
is
when
purified
is
common
one the
liquefied therein.
is
with Saturn.
affinity
also called
It
affinity
it
augments Luna.
The endeavour
to
what
what
is
It
is
is
it
Nevertheless,
proceeds.
What
itself
Luna ?
is
among
It is
Whoever
make Luna.
perfect into
is
it is
well to
is
know
not able to
It will
be asked.
For
this
And
seventh always
the
six spiritual
So also no
itself.
corporeal metal can have place or essence without those six spiritual ones.
The seven corporeal metals mix easily by means of liquefaction, but this
mixture is not useful for making Sol or Luna.
For in that mixture each metal
remains
in its
own
or
fire,
flies
from
it.
For example,
any way you can, Mercury, Jupiter, Saturn, Mars, Venus, Sol,
and Luna. It will not thence result that Sol and Luna will so change the
other five that, by the agency of Sol and Luna, these will become Sol and
mix,
in
For though
Luna.
remains
in
its
passed on
be
Lead
is
be
all
nature
whatever
corporeal
them
existing.
For
first
all
but, at the
same
This
is.
is
the
But concerning
is
Thus, as copper
is
nevertheless each
by no means a
it
mixture.
metallic nature in
mixture and
only Mercur>'.
The same
is
to
is
all
three principles
redness, which contains a precipitate out of Mercury
whiteness, from the calcination of Mercury
and a certain yellowness, derived from Merctu^*. Thus the grossness and the colours are alike due to Mercury, and
Lead is, in fact, a black Mercury. -- Ibiti., c. 5.
;
Though
times
in
of
is
metals,
the
namely,
into
perfect, that
true,
then,
is
no
separation
or
mortified a hundred
Luna
and from
a better
is,
said
as frequently
may
.'\nd this is
to say,
that
most
most
known
be
spirits
should
it
it
into
above, that
the
six
most
It is
metals always
in its esse.
origin
question
and
is
arise
If
it
be true that
six,
virtues,
posited in one corporeal metal, which are compared to the seven planets and
the
and from
^"d K.
its
So Luna has from Jupiter, with -h. (Sagittarius) and Taurus, its white colour
Luna has from Mars, with Cancer
and its great firmness in fire.
% "^^ tt
and Aries, its hardness and its clear sound.
$ szs, and 0''. Luna has from
Venus, with Gemini and Libra, its measure of coagulation and its malleability.
From Saturn, with Virgo and ?: (Scorpio), its homogene?, n, and Libra.
From Sol, with Leo and Virgo, its
ous body, with gravity,
b. TIJ, and ?(,
spotless purity and great constancy against the power of fire.
, Q, and Tlj.
f?
"--.
Such is the knowledge of the natural exaltation and of the course of the spirit
and body of Luna, with its composite nature and wisdom briefiy summarised.
Furthermore, it should be pointed out what kind of a body such metallic
spirits acquire in their primitive
pearance, liquefies
it,
corrupts
it,
and altogether
mortifies
it
with
For
influx.
it
is
fire.
in
ap-
Then
corruption of elementary
fire,
When the three prime principles have been purged of their superfluities, and from the said superfluities the
imperfect metals have been generated, there remains nothing gross or crude, either in coloiu' or substance, but only a
This is the most pure quality of Mcrcurj', Salt, and Sulphur, most clear
ver>- subtle nature of a white and purple hue.
lo
Tlie
The
its Properties.
which
in itself
is
contains in itself the congelations of the other six metals, out of which
made
elementary
or
fire,
is
compact body.
Mercury
when
for Sol,
to coagulate
easily
is
it.
of this
is
But
an embrace.
in
the heat
and
whose nature
is
it
proceeds from
Its liquefaction
to
it
embraces
Jupiter,
in itself
In
these five metals the cold abodes with their regimens are especially found.
Hence
fire,
it
difficulty
For Mercury
cannot assist with his natural heat or liquefaction, or defend himself against
Mercury
Sol
retain
in
a state of liquefaction.
Mercury
Hence
always to flow.
can
it
happens that
To
liquid.
render fluid
is
nature
is
is
has no
itself
not sufficient to
to
obey the
office of itself
five
save
not to
life,
compared
is
For
to death.
example, the six cold metals, Jupiter, Venus, Saturn, Mars, Venus, Luna,
they are to be liquefied must be brought to that condition by the heat of
Snow
or
ice,
which are
As soon
seizing upon
harden.
cold,
But
it,
renders
it
fire is
cold
may remain
fluid
and
if
fire.
in
will
cold,
it
or solid, but
Whoever answers
it
has
its
life
pray
that
from
the promulgator of
away by
firmly on to his
Mercury,
the vulgar.
in fact,
and excellent in form, substance, essence, and colour. These two essences, namely, the white and the purple, are
scp.ir.ited by the Archeus, and out of the first, fixed and coagulated, is formed silver, while from the purple there is
generated gold, which is the most noble Sulphur, Salt, and Mercury, separated from all other colours, and consisting
Its clayey or yellow appearance is accounted for by the subtlety and clearness of the metal, because
of purple alone.
all the dull colours are removed.
In Silver the most prevalent colours are green and blue, which :u-e respectively
derived from the Mercury and the Salt, the Sulphur contributing nothing in the matter of colouring, On" the other
hand, in gold the purple colour is derived from Salt, the pellucid redness from Sulphur, and the yellow from Merciuy.
Hid.,
c.
8.
of
is
itself pure,
colour of sulphur
The
five cold
in that
terrestrial fire,
to
fire
fire
nor
is
even corrupted,
is
is
increased,
itself
not burned
is
effected
due proportion.
in
according to
one
Is life,
metals are Jupiter, Mars, Saturn, Venus, and Luna, which assign
colour
because heat
lives is fire,
of Sol
fire
in
but rather
in
its
fire,
and
the element of
by the firmness of
it
if
Sol.
fire
For
be added
operations.
The
which flows to us on the earth from the Sun is not such a fire as
heaven, neither is it like that which exists upon the earth, but that
celestial fire
there
is in
celestial fire
with us
is
it
is
Gold
is in
fold
is
This only
liquefied, like
the
its
Essence three-
it
in
is
Celestial
Elementary
Metallic
\
-
C.\nons.
Dissolved
Fluid
Cor/'oreal.
PART
II.
THE
eternal position of
all
there
What
no hope.
is
Vain.
in
It
works
It
where otherwise
deemed impossible.
essentially
is
fashion.
Whatever
properties and
power of
light,
life.
life,
and the
Whatever, on
the other hand, tinges with blackness, or produces black, has a nature in
common
The
death.
earth with
lives.
If
its
frigidity
of hardness.
you
is
is
always dead
who
but he
Burn
Recipe.
Mix and
To
nitre, four
is
it
it
it
is
There
and Luna
and much more concise, whereby, with
existing therein.
expenditure of
tartar,
far different
easy
a moiety of sulphur
to sublimate
less
one ounce.
dissipation of Sol
and
ounces
liquefy.
What
and
Salt
verbena.*
fat
toil, it is
it,
in
in\
olves a
another method,
is
waste of Mercury
little
and by
into Luna,
Alchemy, since
et
make any
Eel.
it
is
so simple and
65.
It
is
Do
you
will
Wait
13
then
this,
awhile,
will turn
described to j-ou
is
in
few words,
and keep these words well digested, so that out of Saturn, Mercury, and
may make
Jupiter 3'ou
There
is
is not,,
in
eflfective
about
The method of
itself.
no more need of
is
snow.
last year's
we say about
shall
waters,
wax, lutum
pounded
sapiential,
fel vitri,
many
other
digestions,
jars,
limes,
oils,
and instruments
ovorum, crocus of
elixir,
lazurium, gold-
things.
probations,
solutions,
concerning
preparations,
cementings,
putrefactions,
reverberations,
filtrations,
and
pitch.
like,
effect
may
Sol and
five metals,
What,
is
then,
in
Luna could be
But
Luna
is
it
to
with the
ask.
if
So, then,
be learnt.
no
since even
this short
difficultj',
and yet wherebj- Sol and Luna can be made ? Our answer is, this has been
It would be lost labour
fully and openly explained in the Seven Canons.
should one seek further to instruct one
would be impossible
The
with
.\rt
its life
is
who does
this
in
an open sense.
it all
of Saturn,
may
be the smallest.
It
Then
all
Let
all
those planets
remain dead with their old corruptible bodies, having meanwhile obtained
That body
body and
life,
is
and
as before.
Take
From
this
it
life
14
Keep
If
entire.
well.
better that
It is
How
It is
it.
it
it,
conjure
appears in the
air,
speculum or crystal
as vision
object
is.
it
The
crystal
is
in
a figure of the
air.
it.
know
Whatever
is
ali,
is
is
To
it
in
seen.
is
error,
is
it is
the cause of
its
by
nature
its
being
is
in the
warm and
highest degree
in
If
it
moist, which
were of a moist
and cold nature it would have the appearance of frozen water, and be always
hard and solid, so that it would be necessary to liquefy it by the heat of fire,
But it does not require this, since it has
as in the case of the other metals.
liquidity and flux from its own heat naturally inborn in it, which keeps it in a
and renders
it
"quick," so that
And this is
many of them
spirits of the
fire,
it
can neither
die,
may put forth its powers and virtues in the endeavour to get the
One seizes on the virtue,
the way of liquefying and transmuting.
so that each
mastery
in
and form of another, and assigns some other nature and form to this one.
So then the spirits or vapours of the metals are stirred up by the heat to
operate mutually one upon the other, and transmute from one virtue to
life,
heat
But what must be done besides to Mercury in order that its moisture and
may be tak^n away, and in their place such an extreme cold introduced as
Do what
and altogether mortify the Mercury?
shut
up in a
Mercury
closely
Take
pure
follows in the sentence subjoined
of
which
place
Fill a jar with fragments of lead, in the midst
silver pixis.
to congeal,
consolidate,
Let
the pixis.
takes
it
is,
This
a cold nature),
Note also that the coldness (which Mercury needs in its consolidation and
mortification) is not perceptible by the external sense, as the cold of snow or
of ice
Just
is,
in
fluidity.
the
same way
It is
is it
is
a certain
amount
in the
of apparent heat.
is
the cause of
same way
its
as one of our
qualities.
perceptible.
is
Whence
the
Sophists (a race which has more talk than true wisdom) falsely assert that
Mercury
is
congeal
by means of heat
it
own
Luna from
Sol and
its
this,
go on and advise us to
it more fluid, as they
metals
Sol.
is
What
There
is
Afterwards, lay on
ashes.
up
finally
to Saturn.
The hope of
T ^l^Ji*^
The Method of Seeking Minerals.
I
it is
more
to be
is
most uncertain,
mode
of getting
Such a desire or
for roses
this
is
first
in
appetite ought no
young
However, since
the
for the
life,
to
matrimony.
avarice or their
God dowers men not only with gold or silver, but also with poverty, squalor,
He has given to some a singular knowledge of metals and
and misery.
minerals, whereby they have obtained an easier and shorter method of
fabricating gold and silver, without digging and smelting them, than they were
commonly accustomed to, by extracting them from their primitive bodies.
And
arts
(that
to
is
say,
all
viz.,
made
Venus with
metals generally
them
separately, Sol
five
easily
difficulty.
remember
!),
will
In such matters
it
is
quite superfluous to
their aspects,
prosperous or unlucky condition of this or thai planet, for these matters can
less
in
operate
when you
please.
consumed by
rust,
For there
found
is
in
many of these
money of
but this
is
known
to few.
stone
metallic, but
through the
What Alchemy
Alchemy
is
endeavour
According to
up more
way and
Art,
purpose,
kinds of the
this,
himself a better
a thing
to transmute the
is.
own mental
and therein
It is
subtle
one to another.*
and
intention,
metals from
man who
follows
off,
liquefied into
its
seat and
its
rest in
Further
with be set
it is
to be
down have
and
incorruptibility,
shall forth-
power of withstanding
earth, t
They have,
and with
are found by
by which the sun is separated from the moon, day from night,
Therefore learn Alchemy, which is otherwise
what is refuse. ZJ; Cotica.
This teaches you to discern between the true and the false. Such a Light of Nature is it that it is
called Sp.->gyri.t.
From this light of Nature we ought to know and speak, not from
-a mode of proof in all things, and w.ilks in light.
mere phantasy, whence nothing b begotten save the four humours and their compounds, augmentation, stagnation, and
decrease, with other trifles of this kind. These proceed, not from the clear intellect, that full treasure-house of a good
Alchemy
is,
They
is
useful from
man, but rather are based on a fictitious and insecure foundation. /'rffw//r;</w. Lib. L, c. 3.
called Ares, has
\ ^Vhen the occult dispenser of Nature in the prime principles, that is to say, the potency
produced the gross and rough genera of stones, and no further grossness remains, a diaphanous and subtle substance
remains, out of which the Archeus of Nature generates the precious stones or gems. Z),- KUminto Aqua-, Lib. IV.,
Tract IV.,
c. 10.
/q
in
common
17
to
it is
take false views of things) believe that they were produced in the same place
where they are found, and that they were afterwards polished, carried around,
and sold, and accounted to be great riches, on account of their colours,
The Emerald.
eyes and
him who
This
it,
it is
It
defends chastity
and
is
It
be violated by
this
effectual in impressing
on those
who
It
if
The Adamant.
of the joy which
them follows
is
memory.
the
carries
brief description of
carry
It is
It is
it.
of an
the hardest of
all
/:4A^![yunA4^t<,'^'uL'-
in fishes,
it is
The Jacinth
Is
There
is
a flower of the
is
II
The Carbuncle. A solar stone, shining by its own nature like the sun. ft
The Coral Is a white or red stone, not transparent. It grows in the
out of the nature of the water and the air, into the form of wood or a
sea,
shrub
it
hardens
The body
coagulated with
of the Emerald
spirit
and
in the air,
is
is
of Salt. Ibid.,
It receives
fire. J f
its
colour,
c. 12.
has
its
.-\1I
1;
The
Jacinth, or Hyacinth,
Dt EUmrnto
is
gem
In the matter of
of the
same genus
is
c. 11.
is
It is formed
generated from^Ierciuy (the prime principle).
Hence white Sapphires frequently occur because a
over white Sulphur and white Salt from a pallid petrine Mercury.
hue.
In like
clay-like
Ibid,, c. 15.
similar
of Sulphur,
and
their
body
is
of
petrine Mercury.
demonstrates.
Ibid., c. 11.
There are two species of red Corals-onc a dull red, which varies between sub-purnlc and semi-black the other a
resplendent and brilliartt red.
As the colours differ, so also do the virtues. There is also a whitish species which is
almost destitute of efficac)'. In a word, as the Coral diminishes in redness, so it weakens in its qualities. ^o-foniM
tt
Thtophrasti;
De
Corallis.
The Chalcedony
Is
a stone
made up
middle place between obscurity and transparency, mixed also with cloudiness,
and
liver coloured.
It is
the lowest of
all
like
gold by day.
The Crystal
Is
It is
ice.
sub-
As a pledge and
anyone
If
intelligently
of
common
stones, that
is,
the stones.
It
oil,
For then
it is
But
and stone.
this is least
it
is,
in the stones,
be recog-
forcibly
it
were, stones
good,
our view, be
it
the depths.
in
great or small,
flint
And
is
For there
gated and weighed with a true balance, according to its nature and properties.
Very often a common stone, thrown away and despised, is worth more than a
cow.
Regard must not always be had to the place of digging from which
came forth for here the influence of the sky prevails. Everywhere
this stone
there
is
or silver, and
this
vou
will
much gold
mark.
is
extracted
from
Salt.
C/iiJUrfio
Magna; De Tmnoribus,
etc.,
Morhi
Gallici,
Lib. III., c. 6.
t
{
The Topaz is an extract from the minera of Mars, and is a transplanted Iron. Ibid.
The Amethyst is an extract of Salt, while Marble .ind Chalcedony .ire extracted from
the
By ph.
THEOPHRASTUS BOMBAST,
IN
THE AGE OF
of hohenheim,
PREFACE.
SINCE you, O Sophist, everywhere abuse me with such fatuous and mendacious words, on the ground that being sprung from rude Helvetia
understand and
physician
know nothing
still
can
district to
another
therefore
have pro-
what good
what my
you and
me
who
like,
art
and experience
in
Phil-
facts,
Sophist, which shall one day be put upon the neck of yourself and your
colleagues.
From
For
Monarchy of
all
purpose
20
all
proceeding as
away or be changed
tency, pass
and a half
it
among
their followers.
My
theory,
its
consis-
it
will
its
millennium
the
same time
The
practice at
following upon the theory will be proved by wonderful and incredible signs, so
common
how firm and immovable is that
understand
of the Sophists
am
its
In that
esteemed by you a mendicant and vagabond sophist, the Danube and the
Rhine
will
many
princes,
me have
hold
my
tongue.
often displeased
Those calumnies
courts and
many
Forum
have a
Julii, at
inn,
a treasure which neither you, Leo of Rome, nor you, Charles the
German, could purchase with all your substance. Although the signed star
has been applied to the arcanum of your names, it is known to none but the
sons of the divine Spagyric Art. So then, you wormy and lousy Sophist, since
you deem the monarch of arcana a mere ignorant, fatuous, and prodigal quack,
now, in this mid age, I determine in my present treatise to disclose the
honourable course of procedure in these matters, the virtues and preparation
of the celebrated Tincture of the Philosophers for the use and honour of all
an
who
reduced to poverty.
clearly
By
and compensated
this
all
who
arcanum the
last
by the
age
gift
shall
may be
be illuminated
of the spirit of truth, so that since the beginning of the world no similar
germination of the intelligence and of wisdom shall ever have been heard
of.
In
the
meantime, vice
will
not
be
able
to
suppress
many though
the
good,
IPHILIPPUS
I.
that,
by Divine grace,
many ways have been sought to the Tincture of the Philosophers, which
finally all came to the same scope and end.
Hermes Trismegistus, the
Egyptian, approached this task in his own method. Orus, the Greek, observed
J
same
the
process.
Hali,
firm
own method
long life, so much
at one
and also
at a
Monarch of
Now
the Arcana,
at this time,
am endowed
all
arrived
this
I,
that
Each one of
nevertheless, they
at
Valley of Misery.
But
his order.
in
may
be forced to
whosoever he
be.
however
spagj-rists, of
Alchemists
labours,
German, or whatsoever or
you philosophers, astronomers, and
corporeal regeneration.
this
will
lie
will
to you,
all
mysteries
Art or
all
in
works.
Medicine, there
Nature indeed
of everything
light
we
is
fire,
the true
The Arcanum
is
their
is
own
my
standpoint,
many
light _of__
With
in this light.
all
own
fancies
danger of
rustics
this
those
their
have been
not the \irtue (vir/us) but the essence {vis) and the potency i^tenfia), and
scribed
means thereof
who walk
The
of a substance
false.
who
On
since, experimentally,
is
may
will teach,
foolishness.
is
Many
name
things are elsewhere set forth concerning the Quintcss^ce, but what
is
it is
is
de-
more correctly
22
ennobled
of these
but,
many
nobles have been changed into clowns, and since they carried
golden mountains
First of
then, there
all,
in their
must be
learnt
digestions,
fire.
distillations, sublimations,
is
Alchemy and
profit in
But so long
Thus
and tongs.
at
Medicine.
in
as, relying
fictitious
books, you are fitted and predestinated for no one of these things.
CHAPTER
H.
kept
in
a specially occult
up
for,
way by
needful that
it is
me
in
open
always been
a Spagyrical sense)
is
a certain thing
which, by the art of Vulcan,* passes out of three essences into one essence, or
But, that I may give it its proper name, according to the use
it may remain.
of the ancients, though
it is
called
still it is
known by
This, by the aid of Nature and the skill of the Artist himself, can be
transmuted into a White Eagle, so that out of one two are produced and
few.
beyond
much
two when kept in one. Now, if you do not understand the use of
the Cabalists and the old astronomers, you are not born by God for the
as do these
Spagyric
art,
to
open
then,
is
a very great pearl and a most precious treasure, and the noblest thing next to
the manifestation of the Most High and the consideration of men which can
exist
upon
earth.
This
is
the Lili of
Alchemy and
sophers have so diligently sought after, but, through the failure of entire
knowledge and complete preparation, they have not progressed to the perfect
end thereof.
By means
of their investigations
Tlie office of Vulcan is llic separation of the good from the bad.
So the .Ajt of Vulcan, which is .Vlchemy, is like
unto death, by whicli the eternal and the temporal arc divided one from another. So also this art might be called the
Vulcan is an .tslral and not a corporal fabricator. death of things. ZJir Morlns Mel.iUkis, Lib. I., Tr.ict III., c. i.
The artist working in metals and other miner.lls tr.ansforms them into other colotirs, and
DeCadutoMntricis^ P.tr. VI.
is,
Ibid.,
.tlso
c. 5.
us
Where
elements. i.i4. Meteorum, c. 4.
The Igneous Vulcan is nothing else
absent.
The Tincture of
the Philosophers.
initial
which
my
23
left for
I,
by right after
my
long
experiences, correct the Spagyrists, and separate the false or the erroneous from
the true, since, by long investigations,
my own,
good Alchemists,
exceeded
in fidelity
have
down
tions
laid
to
which
Age
at last the
made
first
should be
indeed,
If,
all
approach
age,
its
wish to add
my own
in
the meantime,
inven-
adhesion,
its
shall
have
leaders.
CHAPTER
III.
The
distilled
elevated.
therefrom the
moist
spirits,
until at
drew
them off from it frequently by distillation until the dry spirits were
Then afterwards they united the moisture that had been drawn off and the
dry spirits by means of a pelican, three or four times, until the whole Lili
remained dry at the bottom. Although early experience gave this process
before fixation, none the less our ancestors often attained a perfect realisation
They would, howeverj have had a shorter way
of their wish by this method.
of arriving at the treasure of the Red Lion if they had learnt the agreement of
Astronomy with Alchemy, as I have demonstrated it in the Apocalypse of
Hermes.* But since every day (as Christ says for the consolation of the
all
elevated.
Hcrmn,
The Book of
the Kevclation of
first
"
pretation
by Paracelsus.
As the
collection of Figulus is
now
so readily accessible,
it
b somewhat
superfluous to re-
on the subject of Alchemy aiid the Universal Medicine, it is appended at this point. It should be premised that
Benedictus Figulus complains bitterly of the mutilation and perversion to which the works of Paracelsus were subjected,
and the Rcvtlatwn of Hermes seems in many parts to betray another hand, especially in its quotation of authorities
who
24
has
faithful)
own
its
For
and
ditions,
all
last
those
but
this,
who
its
made
clear
know
this
will, in
my
Paracelsus.
my
by
work with
its
greatest gift for a philosopher, and never understood by the sophists up to this
When,
time.
therefore, the
wards,
Middle Age,
in the
this
they
named
it
earliest
made two
the
namely,
Lili,
two names of
as being the
Tincture.
experience of the
But when
after-
came upon
first
this'
this simple,
and
subject of the
matter at
its
proper
period just like the seed in the earth, since before this corruption nothing could
be born from
fire,
it,
it.
the dry were also equally sublimated, so that, in this way, just as the rustic
sought this
moist spirits from the matter, until at length, by the violence of the
off the
Heavens
itself,
held to be the
fifth
great labour, and have found that that which preserves the
Four Elements.
it
were
And just
like the
Heavens
substance (for they are indestructible, stable, and suffer no foreign admixture), so also this
One
Thing (compared to the forces of our body) is an indestructible essence, drying up all the superfluities of otu" bodies,
and has been philosophically called by the above-mentioned name. It is neither hot and dry like fire, nor cold and
moist like water, nor warm and moist like air, nor dry and cold like earth. But it is a skilful, perfect equation of all
the Elements, a right commingling of natural forces, a most particular union of spiritual virtues, an indissoluble
uniting of body and soul.
It is the purest and noblest substance of an indestructible body, which cannot be destroyed
nor harmed by the Elements, and is produced by Art. With this, Aristotle prepared an apple, prolonging life by its
scent, when he, fifteen days before his death, could neither eat nor drink on account of old age.
This spiritual
Essence, or One Thing, was revealed from above to Adam, and was greatly desired by the Holy Fathers ; this also
Hermes and Aristotle call the Truth without Lies, the most sure of all things certain, the Secret of all Secrets. It is
the Last and the Highest Thing to be sought under the Heavens, a wondrous closing and finish of philosophical
work, by which are discovered the dews of Heaven and the fastnesses of Eai-th. What the mouth of man cannot utter
is all found hi this spirit.
As Morienus says: " He who has this has all things, and wants no otlier aid. For in it are
all temporal liappiness, bodily health, and earthly fortune.
It is the spirit of the fifth substance, a Fount of all Joys
(beneath the rays of the moon), the Supporter of Heaven and Earth, the Mover of Sea and Wind, the Oulpourer of
Rain, upholding the strenglli of all things, an excellent spirit above Heavenly and other spirits, giving Health, Joy,
Peace, Love driving away Hatred and Sorrow, bringing in Joy, expelling all Evil, quickly healing all Diseases, destroying Poverty and miserj-, leading to all good things, preventing all evil words and thoughts, giving man his heart's
;
honour and long life, but to the wicked who misuse it, Eternal Punishment." This
comprehend without the interposition of the Holy Ghost, or without the
instfuciron oT those who know it. The same is of a mysterious nature, wondrous strength, boundless power. The
Saints, from the beginning of the world, have desired to behold its face.
By Avicenna this Spirit is named the Soul of the
World. For, as the Soul moves all the limbs of the body, so also does jh i!?_Sfarit muvfe alJiiodifia^ And as the Soul is In all
the limbs of the Body, so also is this Spirit in all elementary created things. It is sought by many and found by few.
It is beheld from afar and found near
for it exists in cverj' thing, in every place, and at all times.
It has the powers
of all creatures its action is found in all elements, and the qualities of .-ill things are therein, even in the highest perfection.
By virtue of this essence did Adam and the Patriarchs preserve their health and live to an extreme age, some
of them also flourishing in great riclics. When the philosophers had disco\'ered it, wiih great diligence and labour, they
straightway concealed it under a strange tongue, and in parables, lest the same should become known to the unworthy,
and the pearls be cast before swine. For if cveiyone knew it, all work and industry would cease
man would desire
nothing but this one thing, people would live wickedly, and the world be ruined, seeing that they would provoke God
by reason of their avarice and superfluity. For eye hath'not seen, nor ear heard, nor hath the heart of man understood
what Heaven hath naturally incorporated with this Spirit. Therefore have I briefly enumerated some of the qualities
desire, bringing to the pious earthly
is
that the pious may reverently praise Him in His gifts (which gift of God shall
and 1 will herewith shew what powers and virtues it possesses in each thing, also its outward
appearance, that it may be more readily recognised. In its first state, it appears a.s an impure e.arlhly body, full of imperfections.
It then has an earthly nature, healing all sickness and wounds in the bouels of man, producing good and
consuming proud flesh, expelling all stench, and healing generally, inwardly and outwardly. In its second nature, it
come
Honour of God,
to them),
The Tincture of
the Philosophers,
25
does at the proper time of year, they might come to maturity as one after another
is
wont
to ascend
and
away.
to fall
comes summer,
spirits,
for ripening.
CHAPTER
IV.
CO.N'CERXING
The ancient Spag)-rists would not have required such lengthened labour
and such wearisome repetition if they had learnt and practised their work in
my school. They would have obtained their wish just as well, with far less
expense and labour. But at this time, when Theophrastus Paracelsus has
arrived as the Monarch of Arcana, the opportunity is at hand for finding out
Wherelore I
those things which were occult to all Spag\'rists before me.
the rose-coloured blood from the Lion and the gluten from the
Take only
say,
When
Eagle.
these, coagulate
them according
to the old
appears as a watery body, somewhat more beautiful than before, because (although still having its corruptions) its
Virtue is greater. It is much nearer the truth, and more effective in works. In this form it cures cold and hot fcvcr^,
.-uid is a specific against poisons, which it drives from heart and lungs, healing the same when injured or wounded, puriBut in its third nature it appears as
fying the blood, and, taken three limes a day, is of great comfort in all diseases.
an aerial body, of an oily nature, almost freed from all imperfections, in which form it does many wondrous works, producing beauty and strength of body, and (a small quantity being taken in the food) preventing melancholy and heating
of the gall, increasing the quantity of the blood and seed, so that frequent bleeding becomes necessary-. It expands the
blood vessels, cures withered Hmbs, restores strength to the sight, in growing persons removes what b superfluous and
makes good defects in the Umbs. In its fourth nature it appears in a fiery form (not quite freed from all imperfections, still
it has many virtues, making the old young and reviving those at the
an one there be given, in wine, a barleycorn's weight of this fire, so that it reach the
stomach, it goes to his heart, renewing him at once, dri\-ing away all prenous moisture and poison, and restoring the
natural heat of the liver. Given in small doses to old people, it removes the diseases of age, giN-ing the old young hearts
and bodies. Hence it is called the Elixir of Life. In its fifth and last nature, it appears in a glorified and illuminated
form, without defects, shining like gold and silver, wherein it possesses all preWous powers and virtues in a higher and
somewhat
point of death.
For
if
Here
to such
its
fruit.
lamp, the
oil
of which
is
When
spirit,
continues to
bum
for ever
converts cr^'stals into the most precious stones of all colours, equal to those from the mines, and
does majTi other incredible wonders which may not be revealed to the unworthy. For it heals all dead and living bodicA
u-ithout other medicine. -^ Here Christ is my witness that I lie not, for all heavenly influences are united and combined
without diminution.
It
This essence also reveals all treasures in earth and sea, converts all meullic bodies into gold, and there i.s
This spirit is the secret, hidden from the beginning, yet granted by God to a few
it under Heaven.
holy men for the revealing of these riches to His Glorydwelling in fier>- form in the air, and leading earth with itself
to heaven, while from its body there flow whole river* of liiing water. This spirit flies through the midst of the
therein.
a morning mist, leads its buniing fire into the w.-itcr, and has its shining realm in the heavens. And
may be regarded as false by the reader, yet to the initiated they are true and possible, when the
hidden sense is properly understood. For Gdd is wonderful in His works, and His wisdom is without end. This spirit
in its fiery form Ls called a Sandaraca, in the aerial a Kybrick, in the watery an .lUoth, in the earthly Alcohoph and
Aliocosoph. Hence they are deceived by these names who, seeking without instruction, think to find this Spirit of Life
Heavens
like
our Art.
its virtue,
is
For although
this spirit
For
it
away
mists, gives
26
of Paracelsus,
process, and you will have the Tincture of the Philosophers, which an infinite
after
is
in
itself,
Whether you
far
it
from without
it
was
it
before.
despise
me
come
now
Preserve
and a doctor.
is
externally
But
who by
vile,
excites another
something
body which
you look
If
it is
God above
a wonderful thing of
will or not,
light of Aristotle, or
this,
the art of
from which he
If
you,
from
us,
like
in
or from
forth,
to
as though
leper, brightens the eyes, banishes sorrow, heals the sick, reveals all
all
all
diseases.
Through this spirit have the philosophers invented the Seven Liberal Arts, and thereby gained their riches. Through
the same Moses made the golden vessels in the Ark, and King Solomon did many beautiful works to the honour of God.
Therewith Moses built the Tabernacle, Noah the Ark, Solomon the Temple. By this ^zra restored the Law, and
Miriam, Moses' sister, was hospitable Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, and other righteous men, have had lifelong abund;
and
all
of all things.
Yea, there
is
O unspeakable
For the destructible things of Nature are restored by virtue of the
said spirit.
O mysterj- of mysteries, most secret of all secret things, and healing and medicine of all things Thou
last discovery- in earthly natures, last best gift to Patriarchs and Sages, greatly desired by the whole world
Oh, what
a wondrous and laudable spirit is purity, in which stand all joy, riches, fruitfulness of life, and art of all arts, a power
which to its initiates grants all material joys
O desirable knowledge, lovely above all things beneath the circle of the
united and comprised in the virtue and power of this
to mortal
man
One
is
immortal.
Amen.
The Tincture of
the Philosophers.
27
afterwards corrupts according to his need, and prepares thence another thing.
Luna
Sol out of
Carinthia,
in
made, which
effects
is
perfectly well
known
his
in
light.
your Eagle
to the
East, and
in the
You
in the
Hungary and
in trinity
Istria
But
produce.
if
gain
that
will
more than
Venus
and in Hungary,
is
so
Cyprus
in
shall
you
your desire, concerning which we must not dilate more profusely than
all
we have done
may by
to anyone,
There are
at present.
the Lord
God
be
still
made manifest
the
still,
rumour of
this
Art does not on that account at once break forth, but the Almighty gives
therewith the understanding
coming of
the
that
how
You
of Sulphur
fire
is
may
and gems
is
no
in
shall be omitted
in
it
even to
But
about
like arts
and other
it
to conceal these
my
by
me
Secret of Secrets, in
As
my book
gradation of metals
this
have written
sufficiently
will
CHAPTER
now
perfectly conclude
it.
V.
it
it
me
make
to
this clearer to
who
in
the
same way
shall
F^or
become heated
in the
swan
and
Philosophic Egg,
;
it
it is
It will
right
and also
soon after
and becoming
be very
have learnt
fire,
it,
fire,
the colours,
all
and dried
difficult for
in the
School of
change your
your Lili shall have
to
at last, passing
it
ty
28
any blood.
and
food
it
shall be
in
mouth
the
first
It
of a perfidious bird.
will lead
you
knowledge.
to its perfect
down more
fully or
more
its
to put
even as
;
I,
made manifest
will
end or
to
its
When
aim.
at length
slip-
you
is
which cannot be
difficult
this Art.
advanced
as can be seen in this place from the unity, or the union, of our duality.
Let
then at length be so
with
for this
it,
It is
clearly than
to
fly
here be set
knock,
by Nature.
preparations to lead
it
thither
where
it
But
was ordained
Let this have been sufficiently said by me, concerning the process
my
Magistery
in
it
and
this is offered to
two ways.
mutation of metals.
to our use
Since, then,
I,
it is
in
our hands,
us by the Spagyric
can be applied for
it
me
better
and more
CHAPTER
perfectly.
VI.
If the
of
it
will
is
Sol.
Then,
pound
at length,
the metals.
This work
is
a wonderful one
in the light
same
For
fatuous.
truly,
when
the rustics in Hungar}' cast iron at the proper season into a certain fountain,
commonly
called
Zifterhrunnen,
returns to
iron.
it
it
is
consumed
Similarly, in
the mountain
Venus
Nature.
and when
this is
in
commonly
which iron
called Kuttcnberg,
is
forthwith turned
These things,
into rust,
The
of the Philosophers.
Tiyicttire
29
than to sophists, namely, those which turn one appearance of a metal into
And
another.
these things,
of the ignorant, and partly, too, on account of the just envj' of the artificers,
to
in all
artists
this
of a perfect preparation to
its
end.
it
many
it
by means
inferior metal
difficulties
change of Jove into Luna, or Venus into Sol. Perhaps on account of their
sins God willed that the Magnalia of Nature should be hidden from many men.
For sometimes, when this Tincture has been prepared by artists, and they were
not able to reduce their projection to
their carelessness
work
feathers thereupon
fell off,
and, as
its effects, it
happened
that,
by
this
way transmutation, through its abuse from the carelessness of the artists,
came into Medicine and Alchemy.
For when they were unable to use the
Tincture according to their desire, they converted the same to the renovation of
men, as
shall be
in the
CHAPTER
following chapter.
VII.
Some
first
it
lives
were established
on
in safety
comes
its
from
all
all
diseases,
invisible fire.
The dose
means thereof
sickness, colic,
it still
is
it
its
effect
is
called, just
like
most powerful.
an
By
scab,
although, indeed,
appears as though
primal youth.
consumes
And
infirmities.
Of
this
fact
Germany, France,
Italy,
How
is
30
Philosophers, by
which
and
diseases,
resisting
effectually,
and
so,
they
have
attained
sound
removed from
all
else
sophists since
is
it
attained
end
this
it
and transmuted
perfected.
What
in the
long
entirely
of the Philosophers.
all
it
most
The Tincture
superfluity
is
it
ought
This, therefore,
is
the most
is
opposed to
it.
To
is
once made
removes nothing as
for
life
and
new essence
itself drives
out
all
and
that
in secret
WE
now purpose
to
gold,
silver,
in
however,
conjunction,
their
in
We
tests.
others
may
will set
down, then,
oils,
and the
triple
fourteen gradations.
and
Some
differentiation.
rest liquids.
oils,
be brought
Many
willingly forget,
These we arrange
in
that
to
into
in this place,
we
so
may
to
Many
That
is
a like order, as
in
to say,
we
put,
first
of
is
all,
lastly liquids.
Vitriol,
Nitre,
of Cinnabar, a
Flos Aeris,
of
of Arsenic, one-
eighth of a pound.
Let
and
all
method
fire
is used by Paracelsus
Care must be taken to
which purify
then put
it
in digestion
for a
Afterwards take out the residuum by fulmination, and thus you will
month.
From
in
more than one sense here it is the process by which one substance is
between this and the grades of metals, etc. Thus, in gold
;
distingtiish
in silver thirty-two
grades of softness
in
in iron fortj'-six
Mercury eighty-three
grades of hardness
in
properties or branches.
Alchemy as
it
Preface.
in
Medicine.
It is
the gross and rough, not from the subtle nature of the said Mercttry. i?*
EUmento Aqua.
Tract V.,
c. 5.
32
find
it
transmuted.
is still
be precipitated
in the aquafortis
and fulminated as above, and thus the remainder of the silver can be obtained.
Care should be taken that the aforesaid simples be prepared and separated,
of
first
all,
in
because
purgation,
this
work
of
gradation
it
is
pounded together, and the water distilled from them which water preserve.
Do the same with an equal weight of Antimony and Arsenic' Mix together
the three waters, and add of Salt Nitre, Alum, and \'itriol each one pound.
Afterwards pour this on its
Distil all again, after the manner of Aquafortis.
Caf'ut Mottuuxi, which has been finely powdered. Again distil it to its ultimate
;
spirit,
and
clarify
it,
its
in
it,
all
in
all
metals
powerfully,
In the case of
just as
distillations tinge so
to be
third gradation,
which
is
reckoned as
among
last
and .Vntimony, each half a pound, of Saltpetre two pounds, and of Sulphur
Let these be pounded together, mixed, and distilled to strong
half a pound.
water with a very powerful
fire.
whole of
Let
when
it
has been
these be distilled
for the
and of Antimony,
Distil these
from their
clarified,
all
At length,
fire.
let it
be digested therein.
to Sol than
You
will
afterwards
to
the Art.
after
the
of Antimony, in which
is
Let the
fire
when
as blood.
of
Take
^t,
Luna
all
ascend as thick
will
into Sol,
latter
Colcothar.
a second time,
Distil
constant colour.
Put
remains, separate
it
Luna, and
in
in aquafortis,
and afterwards
let it
remain
rectify
and a
purity
to
Reduce what
digestion.
in
means of Saturn.
gradation,
sixth
way
following
into an
and
To
oil.
let it
be treated just as
it
Remove
let it
Distil
the
oils,
is
made
if
distilled
was
for the
compound.
much
longer, so
Let
the liquids,
it
be digested
After this
the better.
whatever
Distil
oils.
again as before.
Afterwards pour
it
Luna be digested
red,
and
will
in
and
a
in
off
rectify
in
there
let
Crocus of Mars,
plates of
the
in
When
colours are
let
among
order
cucurbite,
powder.
in
four pounds.
oil)
third
it
the
Lastly,
as required.
at length reduced
by a
process of fulminaticMi.
The Seventh
Grad.\tion.
fire,
two
different forms,
in
in
it
of a
pound of lamen.
Distil the
of the Caput
Alum; a quarter
of a
pound of
and two ounces each of fixed Antimony and fixed Red Arsenic.
Live Sulphur
is
Dt Prrfarationiius,
Lib.
1.,
Tract
it
being
in
a dissolved or
Pound
fluid
state.
34
wards
them stand
lot
let
then
let
them remain
Afterinto the
moderate digestion
in
perfect.
in
until
and fulminated.
Sol,
in
in
Pour
again on
this
its
in
pour
it
from
it.
on again,
and pour
distil
it
is
Although the
quantity,
largest
oil
may
its
being
be small
in
it
amount of metal
liquid
produced
in
proportion to
its
own
quantity.
Take
manner
and
in
it
is
to be
dissolve as
understood
much
Steel as possible.
Let these remain in digestion for a month, and from them will be formed a
compound
in
of one colour.
which metallic
filings
Let this
compound
must remain
Then let both be fulminated together that is to say, the liquid and the
metal by means of Saturn. Then will be found this transmutation, which
must be separated and prepared in the usual way.
ated.
eleventh gradation
is
made by
the
first
aqueous
liquid according to
Take four pounds of the most highly purified Saltpetre, and repurge this
Add two pounds of Common Salt dulv
from its phlegma by combustion.
prepared.
Mix these together, and distil with an alembic six or nine times,
until the Salts altogether
35
this
Water
two
ounces each of Flowers of Antimony, Flos Aeris, Flos Martis, and Flower of
Sulphur, with two ounces and a half respectively of Sal
Mix
Ammoniac and
of
Alum.
all
After this
days.
let
digestion,
by
fulminated
Saturn,
Twelfth Gradation.
By means
produced
is
manner
Take three pounds of the most highly corrected Vinttm Ardetis ; one
pound of the Water of Saltpetre half a pound of the Water of Common Salt
and three quarters of a pound respectively of Vitriol, Alumen Plumosum, and
Let these be combined to form a mixture, and distil this six
Alumen Aochi.
Mortmim. In this water let metals be digested, when
Caput
times from the
in
the following
they
be
will
fixed
we have
and transmuted, as
concerning
above
said
the others.
The Thirteenth
By
Grad.vtion.
is
produced
in
the
following manner
Take one pound of Isteris of Blood. Distil it thirteen times from its
dregs, and place in it two ounces each of Flos Aeris and of Sulphur. Let them
as
and fulminated
well
Afterwards put
Know
Saturn.
as that of metals,
is
in
Afterwards
let
coagulated according to
them be coagu-
common
the
Mercurj',
conditions
of
made
for
Transmutation.
is
the
below
Water
of Mercun,-, which
is
Take one pound of Mercury sublimated twenty times with Sal Ammoniac,
and one ounce respectively of the Flowers of Venus, Mars, Sulphur, and
Antimony. Grind and mix all together, and then let them be resolved into a
water.
it,
wonderful manner.
D2
NATURE
it,
kinds of
in
many
districts of
The
Europe.
best
which has been offered to me, which also has been found genuine
experimentation,
in
the
eastern part
Star,
now
is
in
is
of the
its
efflorescence.
first
hid
about
it
in
its
it is
is in
Southern
in the
first
all
other,
The bowels
found red
It is
The
Much
it
So
knowledge of
it
it
it,
all
the
gone very wide of the mark. They believed that Mercury and Sulphur were
the mother of all metals, never even dreaming of making mention meanwhile
of a third
and yet when the water is separated from it by Spagyric Art the
;
truth
But
plainly revealed,
is
if,
though
it
was unknown
to
Galen or to Avicenna.
we had
for the
the beginning
in
all
scarcely suffice me, and, in order to explain these things, not even the skins of
Now,
Mercury,
assert that in this mineral are found three principles, which are
Sulphur,
Spagyric science
naturall)-
proper juice
coagulate
it.
when
it is
pear from a
tree.
The
tree
is
March
then
and so on
minerals.
in
it
due order,
will
until in
the Alchemists
first
of
who
autumn
in like
all
If the Celestial
when
the pear
manner,
its
in
grows
ripe.
So
is it
with the
Let
its
beginning,
its
middle, and
its
end.
In the
Balm
37
By means
thereof.
and dissolve
nitre,
and
common
Aqua
in
it
Regis, which
ammoniac.
sal
it
in
Then
in
purify
it
Cook
is
Another formula
is
vitriol,
saltpetre,
it
carefully,
vitriol,
alum, and
salt.
Distil this in
separate
Pour
an alembic.
Let
it
putrefy for a
it
month
in
If
horse-dung
in
puts forth
it
then
sign,*
its
So the water and the air will again ascend first, and afterwards the
fire, which expert artists recognise.
The earth will remain in the
bottom of the vessel. This collect there.
It is what many seek after and
ashes.
element of
few
find.
When
nights.
in
rules of Art,
of the
degree for
first
in itself the
Astrum of
fire
and earth. t
salt, like
a thin
Mix
this
elements that have been preserved, the water and the earth.
on the ashes for eight days and eight nights, and you
many
been neglected by
will
Digest
Again place
find that
will
it
which has
in
alkali,
Artists.
days and
nights,
material enclosed.
from which
five
these have elapsed you must apply the second degree for the
fire
fire
and
salt to
Then a new
you see
its tincture,
water, the
The Sign
air,
is
of his handicraft,
t
The
that
and the
is
in the pelican
his skill
its
and
.\strum,
Separate
earth.
whereby
its
which also
it
from
its
is
found
[atj first,
when
by an operation.
left
course,
its
order,
an Astrum in the water, even as in the earth, and in like manner with air and fire. Consequently, the
upper Astrum has the .\stra of the elements for its medium, and operates through them, by an irresistible attraction.
So
also there
is
Through this operation of the superior and inferior .\stra, all things are fecundated, and led on to their end. fx/Z/Vn/w
Totius Astronomic.
Without the .\stra the elements cannot flourish. ... In the Astrum of the earth all the
The motion of the earth
celestial operations thrive.
The Astrum itself is hidden, the bodies are manifest. .
is brought about by the Astrttm of the earth.
There are four .-Vstra in man (corresponding to those of the foiu:
.
elements), for he
is
-De
CaJucts, Par.
11.
38
Thus you
will
and then
it,
Aqua
vessel,
coagulated.
Place
Thus
Keep
you perceive no
Thus
it
Then put
degree.
in its
it
own
the
will
will
this in its
in
still
times.
may
it
this
until
Regia.
Sweeten
an alembic
in
distil
degree.
in its
place.
Take the
vitriol of
When
air
reserved.
the putrefaction
you
finished,
is
will
Separate, and you will soon see two colours, namely, white and red.
is
The
reddens
all
Work upon
operation until
it
by means of a
this tincture
Treat
all
retort,
The red
so povv-erful that
is
is
it
wonderful.
and you
will perceive
it
Go
on,
Rectify until you find the true, clear Green Lion, which you will recognise by
You
great weight.
its
see that
will
You
it
is
This
how
to find
it
and use
it
Roman
for a tincture
is
is
the
will see
This
Happy
Leo.
who
he
It is
given
in
if it
of Gold.
Where your
philosophers ?
at
least
wandered out of
^
Aitrum PotabiUy
PotibiU
is
doctors
Is
their course,
that
is,
is
Where
your treasure?
your
are
who
decocters of woods,
?
in
Have your
stars
Potable Gold, Oil of Gold, and Quintessence of Gold, are distinguished thus.
gold rendered potable by interniLvture with other substances, and with liquids.
Oil of
Gold
is
Auruvt
an
oil
ex-
essence,
oil,
l^ermium,
and liquor \.h^reoi.De Mordh Tiirtareh, Cuprine Vitriol is Vitriol cooked vj\l\i Coppur. Dg Morbi*
Chalcanthum is present in Venus, and Venus can by separation be reduced into Chalcanthum.
P.-ir. 6.
Chirurgm Magna.
all things a Balsam created by God, without which putrefaction would imwhich are anointed with Balsam we see that corruption is arrested, and thus in
the physical body we infer that there is a certain natural and congenital Balsam, in the absence of which the living and
complete man would not be safe from putrefaction. Nothing removes this Balsam but death. But this kind differs
from what is more commonly called Balsam, in that the one is conservative of the living, and the other of the dead.
Chirurgia Magna, Pt. II., Tract II., c. 3.
The confection of Balsam requires special knowledge of chemistry, and it
t
There
is,
mediately supervene.
was
first
Thus,
in corpses
Pt.
I.,
Tract
II., c. 4.
39
Avicenna
sits in
him about
who
who
impostors
my
After
my
death,
and
is
a son of
God
Come,
himself!
O,
the rest.
all
and
who
is
and
then,
to the light,
and
expose your dirty drugs, wherewith up to this time you have compassed the
shall
death of princes, and the most invincible magnates of the Christian world.
Woe
for
your necks
in
Mine, too,
be mine.
Of her
know
which
is
proved the
But
full
The
same
light
adepts
am
born
her
in
her
that the
Not that
do
them,
this for
in astral
if
it
in that universe.
my
disciples to the
know
will
praise myself:
willingly
monarchy
follow.
have beheld
in
know
in the figure
light of
judgment
the day of
will
become
water.
Take, then, of
parts by weight
which
Put these together into a pelican, congelate, and dissolve them three
part.
Thus you
times.
described
its
will
weight
So, now, he
also tinge his
is
given
in
the
We
book on Transmutations.*
If
in
the
length upon them in the book on the Nature of Things and in the Archidoxies.
So, too, the
first
entity of metals
It
is
concerning
weight
is
The Nature
and
terrestrial
which reference
is
made
discussed in the
Aurora o/tfu
made
Philoiophtrs.
No detached
here.
The
It
to us.
40
This work,
months
the
may go on by
substance, exalt
it,
putrefy
it,
ferment
But
it
it,
coagulate
it
fix
this alchemical
into a stone,
and produce
fly
carry the body of the phoenix to the nest of the parent, where
it
is
nourished
by the element of fire, and the young ones dig out its eyes from whence there
emerges a whiteness, divided in its sphere, into a sphere and life out of its own
:
heart,
by the balsam of
its
cabalists.
*
Know
man.
is
Liher Azoth^
S. V.,
is,
the
first
Practica Linea
Vitre.
CONCERNING THE
as
JUST
we have given
THEOPHRASTUS.
same way also we will fulfil our task with reference to cements. We
will make mention of six cements, under which, indeed, all the kinds of
cements will be comprised, with which we shall deal singly in serial order
according to the recipps and modes of operation. The consideration has to
be made general in all respects, so that all the cements may be reduced to one
mode of fixation and colouring.
These two conditions should not be
the
separated,
cineration, coloration,
conditioned.
how
muted
least
teaches
is,
it
Sol.
how
may
metals
work of transmutation
but
into Sol,
But
this at
in
which masters
fulfil
all
is
not,
* From
how
all
thai has
indefatigable
was
come down
so.
Some have
method
first
of
to be reduced
for preserving
devoid of a perfect instruction in the preparation of medicines, they did not hesitate to have recourse to the .\Ichemists,
and thus, by the combined labours of both parties, there at length arose a genuine science of pharmacy, which then,
But
by means of various chcmicil experiments devoted to medicine, was m.irvellously propagated and increased.
that which they call the Tincture excelled all. Yet, at the same time, it had fallen into a certain discredit, owing to
the gold-makers,
who thought
it
The
compounded the Tincture, whereby they transmuted the coloinrs of metals and purged away their dross, as might have
been expected, next began to think of making use of it for the purpose of Medicine ; and seeing that the flowers of the
metals were endowed with greater \-irtues than the metals themselves, they attempted to utilize these in the interests
of the ph>-sician. Accordingly, whether from the benignant disposition of Heaven or through the fertility of their
minds, those Tinctiu-es were discovered and improved, the
efficaci'
of which
Magnn^ Tract
III., c. I.
is
but
42
to their flowers
\ species
some
In like manner,
not necessary.
is
some
colour according to the red Sol, others according to the clayey Sol
in flux,
some
should be paid to
half cement.
in
fire,
In like
cements
all
and wherein they gain their power of operation. Fire contains within itself
the whole of Alchemy by its native power to tinge, graduate, and fix, which
as
is,
it
it
it.*
Every elaborator of
method
is
even of greater
So, then,
wliereby
all
Cement.
let
moment than
the
for
Paying
little
heed to
we
will omit.
Thus
Take Flower of Brass, Antimony, Brick Tiles, Common Salt, of each half a
Having pounded all these very small and mixed them together, let
them be imbibed with wine and dried. Repeat this process twenty-four times.
With this powder let plates of Luna be cemented, in a moderate degree of fire,
Then at length take Regulus, plated and crude from the
for four hours.
former process, and cement it with the same materials and an equal degree of
pound.
fire,
it
five times.
it
The instruments,
etc.,
kind of cement.
Note, too, that the flowers of brass should be extracted from copper by
means of
For herein
vitriol.
many
is
what
is
impure
it
good house
exist in Luna,
removes, and
it
is
it
which otherwise
all
fly
c. i.
when
reasons.
ZJtr Mofbu
Alchemy.
tciches
how
to
c. i.
extract, coagulate,
and
Whatsoever man does the planets do
Accordingly, as the Alchemist seeks saltpetre in nitre, mercury ia diuig,
also, but in an alchemistic sense and process.
sulphur in fire, so he also seeks the firmament, which is invisible Vulcan. When be has collected these substances and
h.is united them, detonation follows, of that kind which in heaven is called a thunderbolt, but the .\lchemist terms it
Bombard. For he has the power of pnxiucing thunder, as in magic, which is the philosophy of Alchemy. There
are foolish people who confound it with (what is now understood as) Nigromancy, yet there is a sense in which it is
separate every substance in
its
because
s. V.
its initiates
Paralysis,
Nigromancy
is its
true
.l/or/^/j
Ta>iarfis,
name from
It
c. 16.
all
These four
metal
fixes
and be put
applied
is
and
after
is
it
from
it
its
To
that
fire
and
fulminated
43
blackness.
but
the
it is
cement no other
discloses and exhibits gold.
it
this
The
first is
that Sol
to
we
to be
cemented
in
set
The second
down
in
order that
in colour,
and
aqua
in the
The
cement defective
in this
is
only for
it
may
be able to retain
the cement, or
flies off in
its
in
in the fourth
degree without
its
is
that a
remain
Wherefore
own
its
has
it
volatile body,
fortis.
object
it is
in
it is
down
to put
sometimes found
is
it
is
know how
its
found which
to bring
is
defective
to its perfection
it
bulk,
specimens.
third
is
ance of Luna,
may
be cemented, so that
may
it
retain the
colour thence
it,
it is
when
exists, for
may,
also,
proves
its
higher quality by
By means
its
colour,
it,
in
by
fire
Antimony
it
oil
is
When
this
it
So
have the very best and most abundant cement for rendering Sol
free
let
you
and Flower of
fied
reddened.
sometimes defective,
all
is
in
its
it
in all
cements,
and quartations.
Sol,
So far we have set down the two fixations or cementations for Luna and
which ought to be adopted when these metals are to be multiplied. But
44
them
in
fit
colouring cement.
in a
is
metal has not been prepared and smeared over for this tincture
take
it,
For where a
it is
not able to
Quicksilver," which
cement
is
common
made
to be
comprised under
is
among metallic
thus
this
cement,
is
not
pound
Saltpetre, one
and Salt of Tartar, half a pound each. Having mixed all these
together, put them in a dish, placed layer by layer with plates or filings of the
Salt
Let them be closely shut up and cemented for twelve hours with a
most powerful fire, which had been originally for the first two hours only a gentle
metals.
When
one.
this
let all
cementings of
ill
means of the
And
it.
here
mark
the
which
is
When
With regard
given
to this
cement
in
The following
before.
Metal
of the jar,
may
turn out
it
is
is
it
Take
the method.
Jupiter, or Saturn.
The metal
remains on the
it
this
to the
by cementation.
it
it
surface
tincture,
in the vessel
or the cineritium.
on the cineritium.
to
all
this kind
loppas.
is
fire
filings of
will
be better than
The cement will be more useful, if besides the above there be taken
Antimony and Salt each one pound filings of Mars, Venus, and Saturn,
half a pound each.
Treat them as before mentioned.
Addition.
of
is
within
it
by means of liquefaction.
may
in
we
Quicksilver
.\lthough of
is
own
will here
nature, or
comprise
weakness occasioned by
its
it is
may
tv.'o
all mct.ils it is
\\
Transmutation of
process of liquefaction.
be fixed in their
Therefore
in the
it
is
and
is
opposed
is
to ductility.
i)e
It is not ductile,
The former
it
atid Cements.
remembered
there
that
are
into Sol, or
more
far
excellent
metals themselves.
fixations of minerals
when they
metal.
must be
It
minerals than
spirits in
colours of the matter, which properties have not yet been destroyed by
we
fully point
a metal in
Take
its
out
own
The following
other books.
in
mineral
let
is
them be kindled
in
closely, lute
them,
twenty-four hours.
for
same
vi-ith
in many waj's
we make no mention
kind, with
For the
here.
The following
to
Cover them
of liquefaction
fire
own
spirits existing
is
as
fire,
and
in
the
assist
tlie
some other
45
Crocus of the flowers of Mars and flowers of the Crocus of V^enus, each
one pound.
\'itriol
one pound.
Of
and cemented
humidit)',
two pounds.
the mineral,
When
this is
You
and fulminated
in
Saturn.
kind,
aptitude existing in
Let
all
Prepared
Afterwards
done there
common
salt,
be liquefied, deprived of
will
them be
let
be found
liquefied
in the vat
into
easily
transmuted
than another.
fifth
that
common one
may
diff'er
So, too,
it
It
from the
common
Mercurj',
must be remarked
common Mercury
the corporal
they
does.
etc.
first
of
all
coagulated
in
order that
together with their tincture and colouring, as the best metals should.
The coagulation
of Mercury*
is
as follows
a thick mass.
' Mercun'
is
is
performed thus
When
it
let
Then
the water be
the
Mercurv
Into this
warmed
will
Take Aquafortis,
it
weakened
little
and afterwards
stirred to
coagulated by Lead, for no metal has greater aflRnity for Mercury than lead possesses. Coagulation
Take Jii. of fine lead. Melt it in a vessel of clay remove it from the fire, and let it cool somewhat.
:
it
Lib.
VIL
Tlic HerDietic
46
Paracelsus.
Take
metal.
it
following: Borax,
Let them be
well
in
Afterwards
in urine.
let
can
method of Cinnabar, so
following
two ounces
of each
Common
Calcined
first six
now
Cinnabar
described,
and Borax,
that
Salt,
it
shall
still
be one body.
Then add
in
a crucible
Let them be
them be slowly heated for
treated with a greater fire, and at last
afterwards
let
cement you
You
will
then have
the
the w,iy
in
still
its
fifth
transmutation as aforesaid.
In this
what way Part with Part comes to be cethe tincture, and receives it sooner than by
other like operations of the Artists, because Sol is fixed and graduated by the
It should be understood, too, that these should be cemented and
cement.
raised
to the highest degree, prepared, subtilised, and re-purified
afterboth
plates
in
equal weight, then
wards liquefied at the same time, and made into
Cinnabar,
stratified in a crucible closely shut, with the following powder
Flower of Brass, Bloodstone, half a dram each Sal Ammoniac, Calamine,
Sulphur, Common Salt, Vitriol, Alum, and Crocus of Mars, two ounces each.
After having been well ground and mixed into one body, let them be
It
mented so that
to be said in
receives
it
more of
exposed to a gentle
it
fire,
liquefy
for
twelve hours
urine,
and
fire
at length use
six
hours to
Lastly, liquefy by a
transmutation.
In this
47
Conclusion.
we have
our
own enumeration,
putting
down
in this
useful.
By
CHAPTER
MONARCHIA.'^'
1.
ADAM
was
the
the world's
natural
arts
in
two
hieroglyphical
characters,
made
the
in
in
came
it
prediction,
tliis
cause, too,
this
tables of stone,
acquainted with
From
by water.
destruction
Thence he predicted
about that
knowledge of
all
all
first
so
that
time of danger.
might be
it
Noah
Subsequently,
found one of these tables under Mount Araroth, after the Deluge.
In this
were described the courses of the upper firmament and of the lower
At length this universal knowledge was
globe, and also of the planets.
table
in
man became an
its
By means
land of Canaan into Egypt, whereupon the Egyptians rose to so great a height
*
folio
this
in Latin
by the
celsus, but
is
editor,
it
Gerard Dome.
was
iirst
though no doubt
in
the
main
it
hut
is
is
The
The
remains of Para-
by some regarded
a genuine work of the Sage of Hohcnheim, yet in some
not altogether free from the suspicion of h.-iving elaborated his original.
as an inst.-\nce in point
respects
It
nations.
.\urora
is
does seem to approximate somewhat closely to previous schools of Alchemy, which can scu-cely be regarded
interior
nition
man
followed from the second creation, after the expulsion from Paradise.
out of Paradise.
Man
w.xs
to
made complete
develop
in
in
him.
He
received
it
the order of the body, but not in the order of the arts.
Pe
The Aurora of
patriarch Jacob painted, as
it
the Philosophers.
and
this
Hebrews, Persians,
49
and Egpytians, they held these arts to be the highest philosophy, to be learnt
by their chief nobles and priests.
So it was in the time of Moses, when both
among
cost
judgment of what
of leprosy.
in
it
Magi the
the knowledge
the
in all the
with Daniel,
who
wisdom and
in his
youthful
_Mene, Tecclphares."
cabalistic Art.
to,
and
in
constant
Samuel, that the Berelists did not follow the devil's part, but became, by
Divine permission, partakers of visions and veritable apparitions, whereof
more
shall treat
at large in the
was
God
Book
of Supercelestial Things.*
to those priests
who walk
in the
This
we
gift is
Divine precepts.
It
custom among the Persians never to admit any one as king unless he
reality as well as
in
Men and
for they
in
name.
This
is
clear
Persian
fruitful
them.
For
this
reason
all
Hermes was so
truly
things.
CHAPTER
Wherein
is
Declared
th.\t
II.
When
a son of
Noah possessed
us.
broke into Chaldaea and Persia, and thence spread into Egypt. The
Art having been found out by the superstitious and idolatrous Greeks, some
this .Art
of
No work
reference
is
made
rest
title is
extant
among the
writings of Paracelsus.
The subjecu
to
l:Rh
50
Egyptians, so that they might draw the same wisdom from their schools.
own
of the law of
peculiar
arts.
This
is
fabulous conceptions, and from their errors respecting the doctrine of Moses.
It
skill
enigmatical
in
figures
many
and abstruse
Homer
terms.
it,
with
histories
and
marvellous poetical
in his
present day.
CHAPTER
What was
The Chaldeans,
T.vught
in
HI.
all
of them the
men
in
It
wisdom
Though
there were
many
among
the Arabians
and among
the
Before
from divine
There
.ill
things
virtue.
it is
There
Magus
there
is
the
nccessarj* to
is
kinds of Magi.
Magus of
So
also there
II., c. 6.
is
what
one whose
is
faith
called a wise
51
priestcraft
many
Anaxagoras had received a great many as well, is clear from his discussions
on the subject of Sol and its Stone, which he left behind him after his death.
Yet he differed in many respects from the Egyptians. Even they would not be
that
men
called wise
of philosophy
Magi
or
knew very little or nothing at all and therefore we shall leave this philosophical wisdom of the Greeks as being a mere speculation, utterly distinct
;
CHAPTER
What
Many
M.\gi
own age
our
cabala*
IV.
but
it
Magic, indeed,
an art and
is
Bacon and
distinct
facultj-
not
God
from Him
to
for
of the secret
Many even
.Agrippa, for
way
make use
so.
their
But the
men, to shew them how they may act with Him, and prophesy
natural secrets.
It
is full
Magic
is
knowing
full
of
come as
the inner
what is
what are their occult virtues for what they were originally designed, and with what properties they are endovi'ed.
These and the like
subjects are the bonds wherewith things celestial are bound up with things of
the earth, as may sometimes be seen in their operation even with the bodily
eyes.
Such a conjunction of celestial influences, whereby the heavenly
virtues acted upon inferior bodies, was formerly called by the Magi a Gamahea,t
constitution of
latent within
Lcam,
all
them
therefore,
was
also,
but falsely, called Gabanala, by one whose knowledge of the subject was profound.
it
The
I., s. v.
art,
It
was of an unknown
it was corrupted.
It
whom
and exhibited the sign thereof appears to have been termed Gamaheu,
But the name was chiefly given to certain stones on which various and wonderful images and figures
of men and animals h.ive been found naturally depicted, being no work of man, but the result of the providence and
counsel of God. --/)* /w^_^/r^j, c. 7 and c. 33.
It is possible, magically, for a man to project his influence into
these stones and some other substances. /(^/tt/., c. 13.
But they also have their own inherent \irtue, which is indicated by the shape and the special nature of the impression.- Jbid.^ c. 7.
There was also an artiflcial Gamaheus
invented and prepared by the Magi, and this seems to have been more powerful.
De Carduo Angelico.
t
Gamahe>-,
etc.
E2
Tlie
52
or tKe -rtiarriage of the celestial powers and properties with elementary bodies.
.Herice ensued the excellent commixtures of
and
bodies, celestial
all
terrestrial,
namely, of the sun and planets, likewise vegetables, minerals, and animals.
The
light
of
it,
devil
in his
among
that people
its
God marked
all
speculations
Magic,
is
true,
For
this
Nothing
finger.
human
this
Greece
all
its
it
hieroglyph
or produced that lacks this magistery of the Divine Ternary, or that does
Creator Himself, as
St.
it.
The
Paul
testifies to
Romans.
the
By
soluble.
this, also,
we have
is
indis-
For the Ternary, with the magical Quaternary, produces a perfect Septenarj-,
endowed with man}- arcana and demonstrated by things which are known.
When
the Quaternary rests in the Ternary, then arises the Light of the
on the horizon of
Here also
bond.
their use,
and
acters,
eternity,
it
made
Ternary mount to
point which
the
is
not
reduction to unity.
clear on examination.
the
Herein
Denary
is
is
comprised
plainly manifest to
be
World
all
the occult
may have
This shall
CHAPTER
V.
The Magi
in their
wisdom asserted
that
all
one unified substance, which substance they affirm may, by purifications and
purgations, attain to so high a degree of subtlety, such divine nature and
occult property, as to
work wonderful
results.
is
at length,
was regarded by Paracelsus as himself in a special manner the true Quintessence. After God had created
and cverj- other created thing, and had disposed them according to His will, He proceeded,
the forming of man. He extracted the essence out of the four elements into one mass
He extracted also the
M.in
all
lastly, to
in itself the
The Aurora of
essence of
and
all celestial
Philosophers.
tlie
53
terrestrial creatures.
and the
When these were
and abstruse mysteries.
understood they saw with their own eyes, in the course
secret
to
strange
effects.
titles,
knowledge of
it
so that
its
CHAPTER
little
or no
VI.
prefixed
have called
Arnold, observing
difficulty is to find
this,
says
in
his
it
known
which
of divine secrets
LuUy's "Lunaria"
its
for they
\'ery
is
may
well
to such wise
this
men
same Stone.
be cited.
but
it
intention of those
philosophers that you should think they meant thereby any projection upon
made
matter by the
operation
name
afterwards to convert
in this
it
who
like
hidden similitude.
that he
In
it
with
fixatorj'
it
Now, although
the liquids of
is
This attracts to
essence of wisdom, art, and reason out of the stars, and this twofold essence
that
liquid
ot
and
From
the
in
to coagulate Mercury,*
some
and
resin, fat,
itself the
moisture
These, according to the light of Nature, are called the guintutit tiu\
Lib.
I., c. 1.
AU
proceed
created things proceed from the coagulated, and after coagulation must go on 10 resolution. From resolution
procreated things./),; Tartan (fragment).
All bodies of minerals are coagulated by salt. />f
all
2.
54
IVri/ifigs
of Paracelsus.
of the Mercur)- whicli rises with the substance in the process of coagulation,
lated
am
is
to their cost.
yet this
is
a false basis.
it
Alchemy,
true,
coagu-
on account of the
and they have called that liquid " Lac
tittinal,
gold.
in
it is
asserted concerning
it
idea.
rooted up this vegetable, from which they sought for a soul or quintessence,
But
tincture.
CHAPTER
VII.
Some
it
in the sun,
so that
out
of celandine,
might coagulate
it
Vegetables.
in
boiled
into a
to
it
hard mass,
which,
was accomplished.
who,
instead
of the above-
them up
Thus
in
cataputia, flammula,
some
and the
days, keeping
like,
and shut
them
in ashes.
comes about that the Mercury is turned into ashes, but deceptively
result.
These people were misled by the vain rumours of the
vulgar, who give it out that he who is able to coagulate Mercury without
metals has the entire Magistery, as we have said before.
Many, too, have
extracted salts, oils, and sulphurs artificially out of vegetables, but quite in
vain.
Out of such salts, oils, and sulphurs no coagulation of Mercury, or perfect projection, or tincture, can be made.
But when the philosophers compare
it
matter includes
hidden.
On
this
all
its
it
these
the case of natural trees, they also in their time produce various flowers.
too, the matter of the
its
flowers.
The comparison,
also, is apt,
if it
lie
towards heaven.
in the
production cf
They
say,
in
So,
therefore,
like
itself
CHAPTER
spirit,
55
its
as vegetables do.
VIII.
Animals.
in
They have also, by a name based only on resemblances, called this matter
Lac Virginis, and the Blessed Blood of Rosy Colour, which, nevertheless, suits
only the prophets and sons of God.
Hence the sophists* gathered that this
philosophical matter was in the blood of animals or of man.
Sometimes, too,
because they are nourished by vegetables, others have sought
salt of urine, in rebis
with
shells,
Some have
all
in
it
hairs, in
would be able
to fix
Mercury.
Some
of the Stone.
stones found in
little
in
sharp lixivium, with which they also mixed calcined q^^ shells as white as
snow.
To
purified in a
it
Balneum Maris
in view.
most
common
salt,
common
salt,
offensive liquid,
basilisk.
it,
it
in
until the
mixing with
tartar.
mutation of Mercurj-.
sal
arcanum of
mixed
galls of oxen,
the cementary powders, supposing that, bj- means of this Magisterj', they
would tinge their metals. This they called by the name of "a part with a
part," and thence came just nothing.
Others have attempted to transmute
up
in
it,
a vessel, and
shut them
less,
copper or of electrum.
of his stomach, will
They suppose
so that they
This one
is
Finally, they
burn this animal into a red powder, which they thought must be gold
they were deceived.
(? trouts),
but there
So acute
is
it
but
than this
if it
Those
In Lib.
fish
it
sometimes
produces in the
II.,
Tract
II.
first
in
them
in rivers
place a white-
56
and streams meet with certain small scales and sparks of gold, which they
eat.
seldom, however, that such deceivers are found, and then chiefly
It is
The matter
animals
this
announce
to
of the philosophers
Still,
all.
in
in
is
it
not to be sought
is
called their Stone animal, because in their final operations the virtue of this
most excellent
fiery
there
in their vessels.
and that
this
man
bloody drops of a red colour, by means of which he should redeem the world
from
In the
sin.
same way,
On
therefore, they
Concerning
animal.
this
"This mystery it
Hence it comes to pass
soul
speaks as follows to
King
Calid
1/
justified in
mystery Mercurius
Stone freed
these grounds,
lies
hid.
It
is
likewise
is
called
it
is
composed of body,
microcosm, because
their
God
it
spirit,
it
and
know.
to
blood a
its
soul.
For the
animal, as Plato
named
all
the
CHAPTER
IX.
and
mineral.
Hence
far
it is
salts,
its
the stone to be
it
in minerals.
Now,
and
this
is
distributed
Minerals.
in
who suppose
mineral sperm into various kinds, as, for instance, into sulphurs,
marcasites, etc.
although
in
In
some of
all
the species
named
it
Truly,
long
experience
permutations
in the
fire
shew
brought to perfection.
many and
various
And,
it
proceeds out of any of the minerals, although they say that their stone
universal.
is
like.
All these
Tlie
Aurora of
the Philosophers.
57
together witli other sophistical preparations of minerals, and the purgations and
fixations of spirits
and metals.
as of Geber, Albertus
tions,
cementations,
sublimations
rectifications,
distillations,
circulations,
profitless,
both
athanor,
in
sand, or what
ashes,
phial,
fixatory,
sublimation
and also
nol;
and the
Mercury by mineral
of
in
the
rest.
and
white
the
for
spirits,
concerning
the
the
red,
which subjects
all
that sophist,
for example,
his
sevenfold
Some
untrustworthy.
others
made by a
sepulchre,
have endeavoured to
all
which things
Mercury with
fix
the sulphurs of minerals and metals, but have been greatly deceived.
I
this -Art,
and by such
test
it
has shewn
itself to
fixations,
CHAPTER
Some
imperfect
when
but
X.
true
false.
respects
silver in all
be
It is
means of
.\nd
Particulars
oil
aquafortis.
metals to perfection
.a.lso
In this
way
vitriol
seven
times by calcination, solution, and coagulation, with the addition of two parts
of sal ammoniac, and by sublimation, so that
it
white water, to which they have added a third part of quicksilver, that
it
might
be had.
It
cesses, since
is
by
all
of them
he
is
stirred
up
58
more
lively,
Mercury
thence.
be very
the
then,
So,
perfection.
somewhat imperfect
is
up or compelled
This, however,
respect
this
in
it
Now
it,
therefore,
and that by
which
have just
the copper
it
who bought
Some
it.
spirit.
it
power which
that
So, then,
now spoken
give notice
grounded on a
is
is
false coiners
its
weight
at last they
who
have
because, however
tingeing
ignorant as to this
to the
it
its
vainly attempting to
or of giving
arsenic
of tartar and
it
is
nothing therein
is
oil
Whoever,
would make
There
all
to perfection will
and by
fix,
be sought from
to
it
is
Truly
and to bring
to perfection.
coagulated.
not
is
several times
silver.
impurity
na)',
difficult,
to g-reater
philosophers' matter
it is
prepared,
it
proves to be nothing
but whiteness.
Some, again, have gone further and dealt with common sulphur, which,
being so yellow, they have boiled
common
yet, still,
this they
From
it
it
have endeavoured to
fixation.
fix
Mercury and
It
to turn
it
fix
with the
oil
it
in
vinegar
into gold
common
transmuting Luna to
number
infinite
One
ilium, set
first distilled
and make
it
in vain.
shall not
make
may
is
much
still falls
or laterine
into the
upon
but
they have found to their loss that they could not do anything
an
of sulphur by cementation
Nevertheless, with
of a hepar, boiling
of them.
it
this,
oil.
became white.
olive
though white,
and
until
salt
in vinegar, lixivium,
in
able.
oil,
fire.
the
As
or
form of a
But
way
of
there
is
is
as follows
Take
Place these in a
Continue
till
ebullition
and evaporation
tig-
cea:;e,
59
special treatise.
common
fixation
few persons,
of
formulas
prescribed
the
in
books
like,
of
the
by sublimation, descension,
ammoniac, according
vitriol, sal
to the
sophists.
Luna and
similar
trifles.
Luna by
preparation
is
little
still
the progress of
in this art,
explained by arsenic,
means
of which
a second by
in
will
and
vitriol,
in
a third by antimony
by
imperfect metals.
CHAPTER XL
Concerning the true
Arsenic
nature of Sulphur.
may
It
may
is
is
it
of the
is
such that
it
trans-
But
this is
"The Sum
way
pointed
Albertus
of Perfection,"
Magnus, Aristotle the chemist in " The Book of the Perfect Magistery," Rhasis
and Polydorus for those writers, however many they be, are either themselves
;
in error,
or else they write falsely out of sheer envy, and put forth receipts
This
The
spirit
artifice relates
is
first is volatile,
crystalline
who practise
The third is a
only to those
and sweet.
it
all
metals.
But
spongy.
The second
this
spirit
natural
properties in arsenic with a view to the perfect projection of the wise men.*
who
and
crj-stalline
nature separated from the tingeing spirit for use in the cure of wounds, buboes,
Concerning the kinds of arsenic,
it is
to be noted that there are those which flow forth from their proper mineral
utilised
by chemists
iibus Rebiis,
c.
9.
Next there are arsenics out of metals after their kind. Then
White or crj-stalline arsenic is the best for medicine. Yellow and
6o
carbuncles, anthrax, and other similar ulcers which are not curable save by
As
gentle means.
for
that
in
tingeing
it,
it
will
spirit,
from the
the fixed
not
in
volatile,
to
your
\\\
This
separated from the other two as above, you must join to the
tingeing
spirit,
spirit of
Luna, and digest them together for the space of thirty-two days, or
until they
After
it
length
fit
is
spirit
appears
one part of
it
in a
Then
bright
is
it
at
From
it
thence
CHAPTER XIL
Gener.\l Instruction concerning the .Arcanum of Vitriol .\nd
is
among
the rest,
it.*
with wonderful
gifts.
:
production
is
"
For
green colour.
were,
it
would
it
it
at the
arcanum. Hence it
is
oil
is
this is so slowly
which
is
arises
is
who
accomplished
distil
it,
which
Thus after the aquosity has been removed in coction from vitriol,
of vitriol is the oil of vitriol.
The vitriol then comes over pure in the form of water. This
by the application of greater heat.
water is combined with the cafut mortuum left by the process, and on again sep.irating in a balneum maris, the phlegmatic p.irt passes off, and the oil, or the arcanum of vitriol, remains at the bottom of the vessel. - Ibid.
The arc-vnum
the spirit
is
elicited
wine digesting
a lemon colour
itself into
The greenness
is
An example
itself.
and
6i
in
of this
balsam, which
among
noblest
is
white
is
in-
and of the
CHAPTER
Speci.\l Instruction
by the
lost
oil
XIII.
Vitriol
itself
viscous
imperfections.
Therefore
its
puts off
all
it
its
be digested
in
in
warm
Let
it
.Afterwards
it.
is
Still
sufficiently fixed.
It
must,
in
manner
the following
defilement
From
extracted.
It
must be
rectified
is
and best
the true
defile
in
may
.addition,
that the matter shall not be exposed to the sun, for this
all
be kept covered up
let it
When all
rectified until
which
it
is
This
is
oil is
now
to be
spirit
may
escape, the
its
of this
oil
redness.
is
Marriage of the Soul, consummately prepared and washed by the blood of the
So long as the
excocled so that
When
the moisture
turns red.
t
it is
The
remedy.
Dt
evaporated from
Ptstilitaie^ Tract
diagnosis of
In .\lchemy
\-itriol is
it
has
it is
vitriol,
it
fire
But
if it
be
can be struck.
I.
concerned with
many
it is
it
In Medicine
additional purposes.
it
is
a paramount
of
\'itriol,
for
it is
worthless in
N-irtue exists in
When
tilized
it is
Amnttium, Methodus
II., c.
I.
this
like
golden
spirit
of vitriol
is
vola-
Dr Morbit
62
lamb, with
own
its
day.
Take, therefore,
its
own
this
The body
oil.
will receive
in
may
which are
a glass phial.
and embrace
Into
soul
its
it
of
oil
wondrous
pour gradually
is
is
most perfectly
When
it
blood,
its
affected with extreme desire for the soul, and the soul
the true
is
and predestined
to the last
its
This
purified body.
prolonged
life is
In this
and
splendid, shining,
perfection,
in
Now
Mercury,
let
in
oil,
and
weight and
let
this
Take
multiplication.
its
pour
the corporal
it
By
CHAPTER
in
infinite.
XIV.
is
Philosophers
call
it
Poets say that in this bath Vulcan washed Phcebus, and purified
him from all dirt and imperfection. It is produced from the purest and noblest
Mercury and Sulphur, under the genus of vitriol, in metallic form and brightness.
Some philosophers call it the White Lead of the Wise Men, or simply
the stilanx.
the Lead.
as you
Dissolve this in
will.
adding a
little
own
its
in
way
in this
it
will
it
fire.
Antimony a sublimation
sublimated substance
it
in
a phial that
the
for a
it
Let
it
tutia,
sublimated to
of this
Place
work be urged on at
midsummer. Then at length on
the
After
first
with a slow
fire
let
it
For with too great heat the glass vessels are broken,
be gradually increased.
Afterwards dissolve
lot
carefully
made, perfected
all
much
some calcined
it
is
it
kind, as
must be
It
may
this
it
and throw
aquafortis,
its
Let the
fire
to pieces.
let it
be again dissolved
in
away
is
seen.
the dregs.
Let
63
This again must be abstracted, and the sediment distilled with a very strong
in a
a very red
like the
oil,
Antimony
of the
How
w'lll
fire
ascend as
by
supreme
drop, with a most fragrant smell and a very sweet taste.* This
is
the
arcanum of the philosophers in Antimony, which they account most highly among
Then, lastly, let the oil of Sol be made in the following
the arcana of oils.
way
Take
spirit of
wine.
of times
let it
much
be dissolved again.
flow
it
in
rectified
Afterwards
let
down
ounce of
This
oil
even
if
this dissolved
embraces
in
it
gold
let
it
way you
In this
will
let it
go,
mystery and arcanum of Nature, to which scarcely any equal can be assigned
in
in
manner
in
due proportion
this operation is
By
to perfection.
hung on a
described,
fire
concluded
be regulated
in thirty-one days,
and brought
although,
if
the
this,
perfection of gold.
CHAPTER XV.
Concerning the Projection to be made by the Mystery
AND Arcanum of Antimony.
No
tincture itself
and with
may
fitting appliances.
perfect metal.
work
in
a defined proportion,
if
in projection.
This alone
much
is
worth noting,
too
much
error
is
of the subject,
easily
into a
vitriol,
sal
ammoniac, and
in this
man*
may be obtained from it a thick purple or reddish liquor. This is oil of antimony, and it has many virtues,
Ckirurj^ia Magnn, Lib. V,
Take three pounds of antimony and as much of sal gemma:. Distil them together in a
ner there
incurable vio-anii.Chirurgia
oil,
whii:h
lt.-Ls
incredible healing
power
in cases of
otherwise
64
crude Antimony.
operator; only
let
no
common
Animation
is
Produced
Then
and calcined
tartar,
as
much
made
and calcined
in
Venus be
in
their
own
it is
You
sulphur.
common
will
of arsenic
thick greenness
its
and from
In this
way
own impure
its
all
sulphur.
For whatever
is
away
therewith.
is
is
defiled
is
accomplished
by means of an impure
must
it
first
fall
purified, as
on gold, afterwards on
we have
silver, or
directed above.
From
CHAPTER
XVI.
rence of two minerals, such as Sulphur and Salt, into a mineral nature, so that
at
length
So
it
that
is
mineral burrows and caves of the earth, vegetables arc found which,
is
in
the
in
the
off
the
kind, so that they are afterwards compelled to derive their nourishment from
a perfect mineral.
metallic
From
this
this
into another.
But
certain
let
writers
have mentioned,
is
above
all
The matter
else difficult to
of this, as
discover and
The Aurora of
the Philosophers.
65
have
it
that
first
all
combination, so that
Wherever corporal
Salt
is
Salt,
and Salt
in
is
By
fire.
is
segregated from
and the clouds from the Mercury, while those purer parts are
preserved, which Nature again welds together into a pure geogamic body.
This operation
is
down through
Sulphur.
It is,
coagulated by
is
however,
fly
from the
is
is certain!)'
that
is it
Mercury and
reported by miners.
It is
tlie
never
union
hundred years
this
when fiowing
it
When
if this,
still
not,
Now
subterranean
its
spirit.
a pure Mercur)\
it
in
fire,
in
and
perfect metals,
is
is
It
subdued, as
all
Under
this
form of words our Mercury comes to be drawn from perfect bodies and from
the forces of the earthly planets.
terms:
Hamuel says
This
Moon
the
is
in Sol
and Luna.
Stone
is
From
this
it is
know
is
following
The Son of
We
in the
This
is
produces
that the
man
like.
or the
way
woman, without
Sol,
and
his wife,
Hence the
man and
the
was
fruitless
and
in
vain.
Such a sperm
is
animated
that the
Mercury,
66
which, bv the natural conjunction of both bodies, Sol and Luna, receives their
nature into
itself in
Then
union.
at length,
is fit
for
congress, ingress, and generation, by the masculine and feminine power and
Hence the philosophers have said that this same Mercury is composed
of body, spirit, and soul, and that it has assumed the nature and property of
Therefore, with their most powerful genius and intellect, they
all elements.
They even called it their Adam, who carasserted their Stone to be animal.
virtue.
ries his
own
invisible
Eve hidden
his body,
in
in
which they
were united bv the power of the Supreme God, the Maker of all creatures. For
this reason it may be said that the Mercury of the Philosophers is none other
than their most abstruse, compounded Mercury, and not the
men
seek.
two
and
body
fire,
so that
external perfections."
By
is in Mercury whatever
" VVe extract our Mercury
its
perfection,
internal imperfection
its
incorporated
conditions
natural
perfect
Mercury.
common
may
whereby
this
able
is
it
be protected by the
is
under-
stood the Adamic matter, the limbus of the microcosm,* and the homogeneous,
The sayings
in
is
orphan.
that
is,
therefore,
is
the
fiery
Our Mercury,
Sum-
we have
the highest
in
the Stone an
itself all
the
and virtues of the Sun, which also runs through all the
streets and houses of all the planets, and in its own rebirth has acquired the
to the marriage of which it is to be
force of things above and things below
compared, as is clear from the whiteness and the redness combined in it.
perfections, force,
CHAPTER
X\II.
What
is
that
its
Man
creatures.
it
himself was created from that which is termed limbus. This limbus contained the potency and nature of all
Hence, man himself is c.-illcd the microcosmus, or world in miniature. i>e Ccntriiiio'U Stu/li^rum.
Man
Allitum. Tract
II.
this
.
The Aurora of
Moreover,
sophic Stone.
the Philosophers.
Thomas Aquinas,
fire
Azoth therefore
From
to
Let the
of the philosophers.
in their
make
distillation, sublimation,
of,
fire,
common
but not
and black by
crocus-coloured
It
copulates by
itself, it
itself,
marries
itself,
is
alone.
some philosophers,
arcanum
it is
not so.
wrong
monks, such as
By
erroneous.
in their
graduated
it
it
be no contemptible
it
fire
volatile, so that
it
Lully,
made
is
And although
body into a
is
is
in itself.
ascends, and
it
It
Still,
red,
and conceives
itself
in
The
fire.
white and the red spring from one root without any intermediary.
dissolved by
descends.
and
fire
calcination,
fulfils all
solutions, sub-
like,
pre-
Rupescissa, Poly-
limations,
common
it
Albertus Magnus,
parations of Geber,
67
rest,
is
gold after this fashion into a subtle, spiritual, and elementary power, each by
itself,
in
one
but in vain.
rectification to
in
a certain sense, be
in this
way
can again be separated into another element, but these elements cannot after-
thejis
themselves
call
it.
man's disjunctions, as
own
and copulations of which she brings about without the aid of any operator or
manual
its
artifice,
man.
has
within
is
falsely
herself
place,
that
of
ever)-
but
it
fire
and
therefore,
is
in
is
not true,
the
proper separator,
who again
the secret
elements,
of the
The separation
impossible by
in
element,
joins
together
however misF2
68
leading
romance
writers
in
tineir
frivolous
and
about
recipes
false
this
volatile gold.
This
is
fire,
and when
it is
put their
grows
black.
name
The ascent and descent thereof they term distillation,
and descension.
The exsiccation they call coagulation and the
blackness by the
call the
make mention
mains liquid
In this
at the
while because
of ceration.
When
manner
is
it
the
it
is
it
becomes
fluid
and
soft in
present.
CHAPTER XVni.
Concerning Instruments and the Philosophic Vessel.
Sham
and worse is that which is said by Aristoteles the Alchemist (not the
famous Greek Academic Philosopher), giving it out that the matter is to be
decocted in a triple vessel. Worst of all is that which is said by another,
vessel,
vessel
in
its
;
in
its
first
separation and
first
degree requires a
its
all
the
is
our root for the white and the red, necessarily our vessel must be so fashioned
For invisible
that the matter in it may be governed by the heavenly bodies.
celestial influences
in
the very
first
degree
from heaven
to
earth,
is
perfectly well
his
known, because
it
death.
To
the
must be made
may
than
is fitting,
If
and urge
it
fire
(which
is,
spirit
and soul
desire, the
is
shivered into a thousand pieces, with imminent danger to the body and even
the
is
life
of the operator.
required
in
On
if it
effect
will
What
in
the
6g
first
is
and perfected
own
its
must
Enough has
primal quintessence.
it
earthly body.
It
it
may
when
the
fire
which
adheres
it
their operations
is
in
its
to
may be
and also that the sun and the other planets may exercise
lars
should be
It
is difficult.
own
solution,
first
its
itself.
it
In
all
these particu-
and of height.
The instruments
cucurbites,
CHAPTER
XIX.
is
and Azoc
Moreover, they
In vain
error.
the coal
Fire alone
suffice thee."
fire,
who
build their
is
and keep
fire
work and
the whole
it
fire
By
it.
placed
it
in
a bath,
first
the
daily.
saying that
it
of
all in
fire
in
in quicklime, in tartar,
Thomas
boiling water.
God and
What blasphemy
is
,\quinas speaks
Is
it
Others,
not a manifest
lie
falsely of
fiie.
that
but use
God
is
not
by those means which have been mentioned are utterly useless for our work
to be misled
fire,
for in this
fire
of themselves suffice.
70
Another
by
cites,
motion
"
Make
vaporous,
fire,
as
digesting,
and penetrating.
Now,
in truth,
what he says.
Salmanazar remarks:
"Ours
dew
we
its
is
has
fire
If
shall not
shew
these matters
.Ml
fail,
This
fire,
committed."
with
a corrosive
is
and of
fire
understand."
will
not
air,
exciting heat.
If
continual
continuous, but
cooking,
for
from the
its
it
reflections
its
namely, that
fire,
it
it
must urge
vessel,
to the
it
above our
fire
CHAPTER XX.
Concerning the Ferment of the Philosophers, and the Weight.
Philosophers have laboured greatly in the art of ferments and of ferment-
ations,
all
With
others.
reference thereto
some
have made a vow to God and to the philosophers that they would never
divulge
its
arcanum by
similitudes or by parables.
all
Book
of the
Seven Treatises," most clearly discloses the secret of ferments, saying that
they consist only of their
own
paste
and more
is
etc.,
which
it
He
key and the end of the work, concluding that the ferment
the
is
in
common
it
is
effects nothing.
Some
if
is
moon
this be
zealots of
It
is
sought
is
the
same
as that from
fer-
mentations of this kind do not succeed according to the wishes of the zealots
in the waj'
in
the
way
is
clear
of natural successes.
But, to
come
at length to the
weight
this
must be noted
in
two ways.
The Aurora of
The
the Philosophers.
The natural
first is
Of
and concordance.
earth by Nature
is
will
the
It is
is
same with
it
there be over
much
air present,
th^re be too
little,
fire
more or
and no
the water.
If
less
result
more or
less
If
is
burnt up
is
If
if
it
result in the
its
suffocated,
it
attains
Arnold says
this,
of this be taken
same way,
In the
be too slack,
it
if
if
the
In these
weight
Artificial
is
quite occult.
Between the
ponderations.
It
spirit,
comprised
is
thus
it
in
soul,
it
by reason of
Our matter
is
weight.
which a third part of the regimen has been entrusted, even to the ultimate
degree, so that
may
it
itself,
in
its
fire,
and through
and may
all,
weight,
phers,
it
should be
expecting
In these
which
shut up with
closelj'
is
thanks.
in
it
will
illuminate
fire.
all
its
its
proportionate
Sun
will rise
few words we
will
Now
may
have
we opened
to
for
is
PROLOGUE.
HAVING
of
first
Saviour,
we
how
teach
all
will enter
upon
change any
work
this
in
inferior metal
which we
better,
as
copper, copper into siher, and silver into gold, but also to heal
all
to
into
iron
into
infirmities
and
what is more still to preserve men to a long, healthy, and perfect age. This
Art was bestowed by the Lord our God, the supreme Creator, graven, as if in
a book, in the body of the metals from the beginning of Creation to this end,
that
we might
diligently learn
When,
from them.
therefore,
it
thereof, that
will
is,
He has
to teach every
means when he
Heaven or on earth
absolutely what he
For nothing
in
most
take
veritable Art.
Him
Him
things
all
who
its
ye shall learn
knows what
able
is
He who
imitate,
things."
all
created
we
veritable
the Master
He, therefore,
properties,
alone will
also alone
its
"Of Me
says,
is
same from
and Leader
all
We
all.
into this
attain to the
finger,
come
and
to
beginning
and
in this
work we may be
and charity
in
our
hearts.
But
if
any one
own mere private opinion, he will not onl)who shall cast in their lot with him,
trouble.
For man is assuredly born in ignorance,
and
will
so that he cannot
know
all
others
This treatise
is
The
edition
made use of
folio,
He who
is
it
learns
corresponds
A considerable
De Traminutaiionibus Metaiiorum,
portion
Frankfort, if 81.
is
like the
own
and the
simply upon
their
own
Even
opinions.
if,
and
their followers,
rest,
who
follow
Such teachers
who based
their
all
at
it
73
final
issue.
own fantasies,
By means of
which has moved and incited us to write a special book concerning Alchemy, basing it not on men, but on Nature herself, and upon those
This
it is
and powers which God, with His own finger, has impressed upon
metals.
The initiator of this impression was Mercurius Trismegistus. He is
virtues
the father of
all
God
is
and origin of
all
He
But he
God
who
all
to creatures or to visible
like
them.
all
art
The Holy
Spirit
is
are from
all
God
Man
Thus
are
all
arts
Nature within us, the same does the devil seek to corrupt,
and operations corrupted at this day.
Even so is Alchemy
Paragy.iitutn,
Tr.-ict
IV.
CHAPTER
I.
IN what
first
place,
and
First
is
it
and what
subject,
is its
its
peculiarities.
Art
is fire,
which always
one and the same property and mode of operation, nor can it receive
from anything else.* It possesses, therefore, a state and power, common
exists in
its life
to
which
all fires
lie
appointed by
is
all
Moon, which
can shine only as they borrow their light from the Sun, and are
in
When, however,
dead.
God
Himself, Wiio
Just so
It
No
fire.
Art,
God Himself
The fire in the furnace may
prehended
all
in the
world without
It is
it.
else.
It
abides by
first
of
all,
we have undertaken
CHAPTER
it
and have
simple
life
made
be com-
it
itself,
wherefore,
this
Arcanum of
the Great
anything
in
from no
light
it,
embracing
is it
rules
themselves
they are lighted up, as said above, they live and work
but
from
all
it,
clear.
II.
Having
per
se, it
first
now remains
which
fire
fire
lives
which
and subsists
is
the cause
of variety or diversity of creatures, so that not one can be found exactly like
be regarded as an element, and so there is a distinction between fire and the firm.iment, which
Fire is a matter which cooks and disintegrates, reducing into the ultimate matter, and, in this
an element.
For fire, like death, consumes and devours ever>'thing. Therefore, fire cannot be an
sense, fire and death are alike.
element, but it can be, and is, a visible and sensible death. The other death is invisible, and is seen by no man.
Fire is not to
latter is
Lib.
Mt'tt^i}ritiHt c.
t
The
i.
congeries <
Trnnsmutatimibus Melallnrum,
to
which
refiirence
Just so in the Spagyric art is this fire of athanor and the secret fire of the
philosophers, which heats the furnace, the sphere of the vessel, and the fire of the matter, just as the sun is seen to
operate in the whole world.
But that fire
/='rof-/,2 .\foJui Ph.irm.icandi, Lib. II., Tract i.
All arcana derive from the firmament.
variation in the reading at this point
which
is
an element
is
the firmament,
.-uid
Meuorum,
c. i.
This
every part.
in
like itself.
that
all
Jupiter, tin
of metals
the
75
Moon
In the
men and
it
the manifoldness of
is
fire.
For example, the Venter Equiuus produces one kind of creature through the
moderate heat generated by
another
ashes another
corruption
its
the
coals another,
simple
fire,
And
changed
ever}'
amongst
Where
fire.
it is
little
there
is
in its
this variety of
spirits of
if
where
is
still
more
so,
it is
Venus
introduced
why
is
this
is
transmu-
impressed by
produced
this
where
fire
among
much
For
form
reason
metal
this is the
individuals.
appears
all
its
creatures.
Hence
it
fire
may
alike that
whereas,
intervening, variety of
be easily gathered
why
why no one
is
so
like
another.*
CH.\PTER
III.
now come
spirit or tincture of
Sol took
its
The
fire,
That fire, then, is manifold which is varied according to the diversity of the subject whereinto it flows, and by
means whereof it is afterwards kindled in other subjects, as the fire of ashes, sand, the bath, filings, etc., has a mediated heat flowing from an immediate source into the subject-matter of the instrument, and from hence into the matter
underlying the
.\rt.
In that manifold
fire
there
is
diff'erence of position.
This
is
nothing in the'
any other thing, though both come under the same species,
nay, though both may be members in the same individual. One metal produces gold from that which generates silver
another brings forth the metal of Saturn, of Venus, or of Mars. Each one of these is varied according to the diflTcrcncc
of the place whence it proceeded and was created.
No two men, no two members of the same body, no two
leaves of the same tree, are foimd exactly alike and so of the rest.
Dissimilarity proceeds not from the first fire of
created things, but from the differing rule over the elements by means of the planets, and not by the sun. Evcrjmoment, by this disposition of things, the heat in the elements varies, and at the same time the form of decomposed
things from their compounds, though not from the simples.
Where the mixture of the elements is not so great, there
isjgenerated Sol where it is a little greater, and less pure, b generated Luna
from that which is still more imperfect,
Vcous and so of the rest, according to the mixture of the elements, the mineral of each metal is not like another, nor
do the spirits of them in all respects agree one with the other. If they were generated from the simple fire alone, wilhbut the intervention of the manifold, no distinction of forms could occur either in metals or in any other created things.
Why there are in use no more than seven metals, of which six are solid and the seventh fluid and thin, is explained in
adept philosophy but not in .'Mchemy. De Transmutationibus Metiiitontm, c. 2But this statement concerning
the seventh fluidic metal seems to be at variance with other teaching of Paraccbus, to which a congeries that has been
subject to editing must naturally defer.
nature of things can be seen which
is
76
which reason
for
metals.
It
far surpasses
it
all
in
the
fire,
nor does
therefrom,
fly
it
consumed by it, but rather by its agency it becomes clearer, purer, and
Nothing either hot or cold can injure it, or any other accident,
as they can injure the other spirits or tinctures of metals, and for this reason
that the body which it once assumes it defends from all accidents and diseases,
This body has not such
and enables it to sustain the fire without injury.
nor
is
more
beautiful.
power and
up within
it.
flies
from
from the
it
alone which
to the
it
spirit
but
when
in Sol
men when
who
uses
it,
it
will
off
the
effect in
Magna we have
In our Chirurgia
received therein.
it is
fly
receives
it
If,
it
shut
cannot
does not
it
but remains fixed and constant, this affords a most certain proof that
it
is
In like manner, the strength and virtue of other metals may be known
from true experience, not from the wisdom of men and of the world, which is
and all who build and rest their hope
foolishness with God, and with His truth
life.t
CHAPTER
IV.
remains to put forward something about the tincture of Luna, and of the
it
This, indeed,
It
is
manner,
is
spirit of Sol
but, nevertherless,
all
well
known
is
in like
Transmulat:ortihus Metailoruin,
to
all
body of Sol
c.
is
who
stand the
all
fire,
it
spirit,
excels in
order
it
in
It
does not
M.Dc
lo.
first
Shake
it.
Then again
distil
Thin plates of gold which have been purged by antimony are easily reduced to powder in this water. The
powder thus prepared must be washed with sweet distilled water until it no longer savours of salt. As the salt does-not
Take one sextarius
penetrate into its substance it is easily removed by ablution. To compose the Spirit of Wine
(about a pint) of generous wine let it be poured into a circulatorj' vessel of appropriate size, that is, of such capacity
Place it in a Balneum M.aris to the depth which the wine occupies, and decoct
that the wine can be shaken therein.
five times.
vessels, so that
Then
has passed aw.ay (which you will know by the usual signs), cease to urge the fire,
for the residue is a simple sublimate.
Pour the spirit of wine upon the abovtf-mentioned powder (which should be like
alcohol) to the height of a palm, enclose it in a glass, keep it for a month in a warm bath to digest, when the colour
spirit
will
by a slow
fire.
As soon
as
it
it
will
spirit.
white powder
will
Evaporate the
Having separated
spirits
according to
is
all
art,
done
is
it
consumed
may
it
below, for
preserves in the
it
Hence
or loss.
another body.
Will
do the same
will
beyond
its
a medicine
own
is,
it
will
in the
much
in
beat the
corruptible body by
more
perfectly
who waste
fixed,
subtle,
it
Wherefore
cures.
on vegetables,
air.
into
it
infirmities,
who
own
its
the
to accomplish results
down
it
this
life,
be able to effect
in
special grade.
so
if
more
of which
all
fire,
not that
the body
fire
Mercury, what
itself produces
far
is
is
it
other metals,
jj
If
it
Therefore
a great disgrace.
CHAPTER
V.
We
Now we
spirit,
On
is
more
it is
this
The
Mars, just as
it
remains
air also
it
it
own body,
that
in the fire
is
it is
account
follow.
which
is,
in
Nature conceded to
Venus,
It
it.
it
to say,
is
it.
wounds
in
it
produces
much
its
degree.
way
such a
This
spirit
is
On
by means of the
fire,
is
by
also drives
away
In the bodies of
as
men,
too,
Congeries
Luna
to say, Mercury*,
itself,
It
man
that no accident
is able to protect from all injury by fire or other accidents the body into which it
and to render it consistent, it is easy to gather from this, if it produces such an effect in
and \'olatiIe body like Mercury, how much more powerfully it will act when disengaged from its
enters, that
all
as to
Venus
also in
can affect them, nor can the air or the water injure them.
all
it
its
Since, then,
accomplishes as
preserves
to
in the fire.
if it
human
\ioAy.
lbid.
among
any way
it
from
it.
78
when
it is
venient results.*
It
it
is
not suitable,
it
produces incon-
is
more
who
desires to
may
It is
be taken without
any such fear of danger. Still, since the spirits of Sol and Luna are costly, so
that it is not every one who can use them for curative purposes, every one
must take according to his means whatever he can get and pay for.f Every
one
is
do what he
pelled to
Every one
can.
will easily
is
com-
has been said that metallic medicines far exceed vegetable and animal products
in their
So
far
we have
more
spirit of V^enus.J
CHAPTER
VI.
of the Spirit of
Mars,
this
But Mars
precede.
so that
it is
is
fire
True,
as they are.
it
is
air
this effect
itself,
But when
is
it is
on metals,
is, it
it
is
this is
Since, then,
produces a struggling
not adapted,
especially
when
it is
pro-
taken for
it
it
on the
eff"ect
CHAPTER
is
its
degree,
endowed with no
it
less
VII.
III
It
fire,
it
is
derived
expensive
a patient's resources, or too difficult in their preparation for the talent and skill of any particular physician. In that
case he may be compelled to do what he h,as learnt to do, that is, to treat such cases with vegetable and animal
for
preparations.
\
Ihid.
Under favourable
astrological circumstances,
it
surpasses any other met.tls in h.ardnc5s and dryness, destroying and decomposing them by
this in the case of the perfect no less than of the imperfect metals. 0^^nVj Parti-
many
I., c. Ii.
Planets.
tite
79
and fragfility, not malleable like Mars. It, therefore, heats other
and renders them capable of being broken with hamrrfers.
An
crepitation
metals,
example of
this
be brought to
same
If
it
effect
may be
its
produces
it
produces
it is
it
can scarcely
The
in all
In these
bodies.
when
seen
it
do the same
will
in
human
it
that they are completely cut off from their perfect workings,
that they are unable to
it
the virtue of
removing cancer,
lose them, so
fulfil
and
its
CHAPTER
Never-
and other
own nature, and which do not
to
fistulas,
it.
VIII.
The
spirit
of Saturn
is
dark, cold
effect of
away
takes
their malleability.!
pains, as Jupiter
It
Nevertheless,
it
effect
and Mars.
and similar
ulcers,
is
it
it
It
its
it
nature.
It
drives
same kind of diseases from man as it expels impurities from Luna. But if
it does not go out altogether at the same time,
it brings more harm than it
does good.
Conseqviently, whoever would use it must know what diseases it
cures, against what it should be taken, and what effects Nature has assigned
the
to
If this
it.
be well considered
can do no harm.
it
CHAPTER
IX.
The
spirit of
Mercury, which
wax
elementary spirit may
metal,
it
just
receives
all
Luna
and
in like
Hence
seals,
it
happens that
of whatever form.
it
admits every
So
this
and takes
it
as
is
in itself.
manner
it
it
For
this reason,
It
it
t It
if
if
Luna,
so far as relates to
its
corrupts and decomposes them, especially Luna, and only with great labour'can
dense
For
leaves
distorts
this spirit
is
I
I
80
T/ie
body,
For Sol
becomes
is
is
all
is
the abovementioned
and
tinctures,
at their
nevertheless
working.
But
by which the
itself
if
moderation be not
If
the
fire
ouijht to vivifv this tincture be too fierce, the operation will be fruitless
so
if it
be too weak.
mean
means it is
in this Art,
the
Therefore
it is
to be ruled,
and how
it
It is
has
is
The End
to a
the body of Mercury, save only that Sol fixes Mercury and
fixed.
subject to
observed
woman
it is
man.
it
spirit
its
its
transmutation. -Ibid.
and
know what
also by
them
wife
is
is
what
to their
apparent.
which
Witii
prepared for a
projected, after
we have written
making clear
treatise
first
IN their tinctures,
etc.,
medium
of tinctures, that
is,
we
made
tinctures
In this second
in
CHAPTER
I.
to
whence
it
it
own end
that
is,
mercury from
and
For there
as between a
man and
spirits of metals,
is
receive
shall
its
kill
fixed in the
it
They
his wife.
is
The
not fixed.
one, however,
we
fire,
but
appropriated to the
is
will illustrate
by an example,
thus
it
had
The dead
is
before conceived.!
soil, if it
plough (the wife remaining fixed and incorrupt during the process),
grades of
fire,
into
its
own
therefore,
it
it is
Cur,ttiont^ c. lo.
nature and substance, and this with the dead body of the metal
common
De Vlcerum
a supreme secret.
medium whereby
Now,
is
this
cannot be done
cannot be united to dead bodies so as to bring about their fixation, but only to extracted
is
On
an immortal
this account,
spirits, as lo
those
corporeal ones above-mentioned, which are subject to the metals just as common mercury is to all metallic spirits. The
crass spirit of mercury can no more generate this tincture in its substance than a concubine can bring forth legitimate
fect
In the same way must it be judged concerning the crass spirit of mercury, until the metallic and corporal
produced by means of the natural matter. Without this medium it will be impossible for anything good or perto be accomplished in tinctures of this kind. Moreover, if the fire be too intense it cannot generate
if too slack,
the
same
offspring
spirit is
result ensues.
De Transmutationibus MetaUimwt^
c.
lo.
82
CHAPTER
II.
much
of
it
suffocated, so that
But by
defect,
so that
it
is
it
cannot
able
to
fixed
it is
produce no
ascertained
how much
the artificer
would bring
as follows, namely
err,
live until
Wherefore
fruit.
it is
also destroyed
should
it
work
Take one
to
its
be clearly
if,
indeed,
legitimate end.
CHAPTER
III.
When
it is
whence
germ
is
under a
No
it
suffocated so that
tree, or
among
has occurred
it
it
cannot come to
thorns,
it
may
will
when seed
is
sown
fruit.
arise
as
fruit, just
this
you
save the matter from being dispersed, and prevent the phlegm, or the
CHAPTER
IV.
with natural heat, so that the outside shall not exceed the inside.
For
if
it
the
heat be excessive, no conjunction will take place, because by the intense heat
the
matter
On
this
is
air
it.
For
if
any way to do
injury,
In this
way
less to burn.
way upon
Concerning the
own humidity
its
so
None
and can
rest,
%'^
metals are of
spirits of
effect
otherwise. in the great world the seed cast into the earth
cannot grow of
unless
itself
place, therefore, is
first
For the
be dried or fixed.
will
it
the Playlets.
of
Spii-its
it
it
be carried on to
When
work
in just
its
CHAPTER
moved
dead, and
In the very
for this
fire
is
fire
Afterwards,
to blackness.
is
V.
in
when
is
by degrees
upon the
before.
When
gold.
is
this is perceived,
it is
it
woman,
fixed
is
man
ruling
it
the humidity has died out before the process of drj-ing, those colours disappear,
grow
at length begins to
first
taken not to hasten the matter unduly, according to the opinion of those
think that such a process
respects like
is in all
human
womb
the
be
of the earth.
in its nature,
is
born
is
their
life
short.
men and
who
is
what
it
It is
men
necessary for
is
production.
its
For
it
should
Both herbs
whence
Sol and
many
it
Luna
life
for
accidental diseases.
CHAPTER
VI.
In this
will
fore
on a plate of copper.
it
Stone.
must be
But if
left
it
from
If
it
smoke
may
it
it is
comes
believe
in its
it
to the
it
grade of a perfect
to be perfect.
due gradation.
In the
84
CHAPTER
VII.
When you
found, join
before,
and
it
it
common
mercury.
The longer
Proceed
it
in
all
did previously.
much
respects as
You can
it
remains
it
in
will
the
fire,
the
transmute an
Tre.\tise.
IN or
In
sufficient length,
and
in
third
this
we
This
we
shall
how
say
will
make
clear at
fire.
CHAPTER
I.
new
For
world.
in the
its
fire
manner
mound
little
who
be raised, sloping on
may
all
in
these
fill
coals,
must then be
that they
will
may meet
it
if
too
nature, so that
it
in
fire,
This
this place,
is
and
may
compared
be increased.
to the firmament.
we have
fire
With
too great,
is
In this
way you
life,
its
another
is
in the glass.
is
.After
to be placed
it
encloses.
II.
If the
CHAPTER
a walnut.
furnace
the best
furnace
size of
little, let
own
Then take
left
let
Let holes be
and
round
the bottom
.At
it.
say, in
not adhere to
in breadth,
earth,
we now propose
to describe
more
at length
how
the
86
TJie
man and
the
Philosophers'
Mercury,
its
its
Take
Dis-
is
husband loves
the manner.
supreme degree.
This
together.
his
the
fix
woman.
wife
pursues the quick mercury with the most supreme love, and their nature
moved with
the
is
so
her,
have no
man is
woman is
body
united to the
the
as
woman
concerned,
is
save as
fixes her
regards
woman
man in
in
is
such
an
extent
they
that
volatile in the
For
fire.
this
reason, the
in
maj'
with
to
their
Conceal both
quence.
woman
the
diflf'erence,
the
and he
as
far
us.
reduced to nothing.
CHAPTER
III.
When
in
you have placed the husband and the wife in the matrimonial bed,
order that he may operate upon her and impregnate her, and that the seed
of the
woman may
fruit,
it is
b)'
man
should perform
on the woman.
his operation
CHAPTER
IV.
As soon
woman
become pregnant
work and
will
Art.
know
for a certainty
this
whole
until not
one
is still left.
CHAPTER
V.
As soon
the
woman
appear, that
is
and extending
its
wings
until
it
shall
is
manifest,
it
may
be
known
tail
that
begins to
have conquered.
it
common mercury,
When, therefore, the
acting on the
CHAPTER
VI.
When
in the
difTerent colours,
in
the Glass.
it is
the peacock's
fire, until
and
fixed there,
Then
degree of perfection.
its
and tinges
it,
it
tail
glittering' as
is
quite
snow, and
at length
on a heated copper
then
87
plate.
If
off
remains firm
it
it is
That King has strength and power, not only for transmuting
all infirmities.
He is a King worthy to be praised,
perfection of Luna.
virtues,
men from an
infinite
will
number
stand
many
mineral ailments
Whoever
constantly
healthy
this
He
all tests.
of diseases, as fevers,
fixed,
long,
and
life.
CHAPTER VH.
Concerning the Red Colour.
After the
and
drj'
until
it
is
this
tint,
beings the
must be con-
more
is it
Then
born,
all
is
CHAPTER VHL
Concerning Increase and Multiplication.
The multiplying
in the
following manner.
Let
it
be dissolved
little
it
fire
in its
own
as before.
It
is
performed
act on
its
its
own
own
Wherefore
it is
Conclusion.
it as among
who by its aid
own wickedness and crimes. We,
it
who
possessed
fulfil
their
to this gift of
God,
that, imitating
88
IVriiiiigs
of
Pai'acelsiis.
these Fathers, you will treat and preserve this divine mystery in the most secret
manner
possible,
for
if
you tread
it
under
foot, or scatter
swine, be sure that you will hear pronounced against you the severe sentence
of God, the supreme avenger.
But to those who, by the special grace of God, abstain most from
this Art
vices,
others.
will be
Whoever
shall
whom
have found
this
Art
this secret
is in
and
no way discovered.
gift
most high God, the Father and Son, with the Holy
of God,
let
Spirit.
And from
all
let
this
gift to
that this
God
God's
may
ALTHOUGH
demand
order seems to
we should have
that
treated of the
still,
who
it
For, above
very beginning.
more
have thought
all else,
Alchemy
which
For these
it
is
not com-
It
is
are
first
rather tl\an
will
making such
at the truth.
No
the true path so long as he holds back from the goal through fear of
own
a false step, or
fails
Nature.
It will
natural methods.
to correct
So, then,
to the
it
in
is),
they make.
just as
is
blunders
who
is
mere demonstrations.
for initiates.
is
which
a subject
is
his
we
if
was thought
we may
fail
if
well to
recall those
genealogy of minerals, as
to
making
course of
who
to a safe anchorage.
It
seemed
opportune, nay, even necessary, to provide some such anchorage for this pur-
pose
in the
case of those
who
CHAPTER
I.
When
is
Geneva
folio,
and
is
translated from
another collection of the works of Paracelsus, namely, the Frankfort 8vo. of 158^.
A corresponding treatise, entitled />*Minerniibits, which is included in the Geneva edition, goes over much the same ground, and is, indeed, in parts identical
same
Uut
should he provided
accordingly,
about Minerals,
It will,
at the
lie
time,
it
found
In
go
matter
and,
thereof,
be described,
determined
from
first
you
this
end should
its
of
to lay before
all
We
may
observes
it
was
virtually blind.
is
is
therefore
issue
its
no knowledge, because
is
it
be noted down.
all
will easily
their origin.
of
did
less
the
If
first
much
consequence,
in
origin.
its
secretly introduced,
is
visible
Of
this
and he who
which we see that disease tending, as though towards a mark set up for it to
Now a thing cannot be better judged than by getting to know for
aim at.
what end
it
God
turns to
otherwise
its
will often
it
on account of
may accomplish
his
Whosoever,
abuse.
he works, so that he
lest
to
therefore, under-
by God,
and the
devil's
work
be done,
man who
does not
know how
to
out
of the
material
neighbour's benefit, and preserve that material for the purpose for which God
On this account God wills that everything He has created should
created it.
be possessed by one
to use
it
own
to apply
to learn
This
fire.
is,
as
it
manifest whatever
hidden
in
anything.
of everything
It is this
is
which makes
we understand
in the fire.
It at once makes
Sulphur,
since its
Water,
not
was
Mercurial
it clear that its first beginning
with
resins.
resolution is not accompanied with flame, as would be the case
have an
illustration in the
It is also proved not to be Salt, because the first sign of its resolution is not a
crumbling besides liquefaction and flame, as would be the case with earth
and stones. Every metal, it is true, contains within itself Sulphur and Salt,
call the
and perfection,
in its
II.
ter.
ultimate matter of anything that state in which the suhstancehas reached its highest grade of exaltation
example, gold, when it h.as Ueen separated from all superfluities, foreign matter, etc., and remains
as, for
pure virtue, without any admixture, h.as been educed into its ultimate mM^a.Chirurgiii Mugnn, Pt. II., Tract
into the ultimate matI'"or example, every body m.lde from the first matter is compelled to metamorphose
Thus the gre.at ultimate matter h.as it* beginning in the end of the increase of the first matter. - Ilfui., IV.rt III.,
c, II.
Lib. 111.
God
to create
Thus
and Mercury
Salt,
as
in her,
it
for
everj'thing as
it is,
water
is
not like
and
its
is
different
is
Everything
is
to be
wills that
own
is,
that
same source.
In the
as
it
wood and
way
the
And
shall be eternal.
like the
Who
so
makes
As, therefore,
mother,
mineral
all
In this
what He makes
were,
nature
way
to say, Mineral
is
all
of the rest.
in
are
it
it
were
it
91
same
in the
it
comes from
from water,
and the
earth,
Thus God
one mother.
is
is
will in the
that this
One
He
things.
artificer of all
then,
willed to be
all
the earth
more
The
fully.
CHAPTER
we
As,
it.
II.
The first principle with God was the ultimate matter which He Himself
made to be the primal, just as a fruit which produces another fruit. It has
seed
and
this
which seed
water.
It
is
under
its
it
This resolves
is, it
was made
so that
it,
it
this is in
water.
into
becomes
it
should
is
in
water
and what-
So
also for
wheat
its
It is
needful for
man
.and
its
own
kind.
to
b<:
their elements,
bom
wherein there
He
has
a second time from a virgin, not from a wife, by water and by the spirit. For the
The flesh wherein death abides profits nothing,
no death possible for ever.
is
it
II.,
2.
92
and root of
minerals
all
its
He
kind,
is
who
he
is
which
at length
man
and
for
its
disposes every-
ultimate matter,
that
is,
where Nature ends, there the Art of man begins, for Nature's ultimate matter
is man's primal matter.
After such a wonderful method has God created water
as the
first
most
fruit the
fire
weak
it
as a
God has
men
own
created wonderful
in his intellect
CHAPTER
if
and
his properties,
state of constitution.
HI.
nor
exist
it
were, a
field
in
and thence the trunk and the branches should be thrust forth over the
He separated it, therefore, from the other three, so that neither in the
fixed,
earth.
air,
trees,
in
by
itself
after such
it
though
it
from
own
its
its
it
should
centre there
it
should
so that
limits,
surface on
its
provided with
all
that
It is
it
find
no bottom
requires.
The generations
in
its
of minerals, then,
from the element of water are protruded into the earth, just as from the
element of earth
all fruits
Exactly so,
all
air,
marcasites, sulphurs, and every similar substance, pass from their mother, the
is
in
in the
their
air, in like
manner, those
which derive their origin from the water are altogether completed by Nature
in the earth,
The
were so
little
saw
93
their error
wood,
No
from water.
all
else
man who
asserted that
things which were produced on the earth had their origin from the
they are
in the air
though he saw
there,
earth.
mental experiment.
It
is
air,
because
he
is
is
Such
when, on
to chatter
CHAPTER
Concerning the Fruits
Just as
autumn on
all
air,
time of maturity.
own
.\xd
IV.
When
is
germinates they
first
the
generation, so
in their
own
rise to their
that
tree,
into the
is,
In like manner,
generated.
aqueous body,
far as
it fills
From
air.
property of
trees
all,
in the
its
species,
for the
aqueous
tree,
and by-and-by
in
in
is,
an
earth so
fills
the
fruits
We
up
is
Some
green and
happens
in the
it
that
tree,
produced
is
same way
produced
So
This tree
element of water.
of the visible
under a prickly
is
their fruits
naked, such as plums, cherries, pears, apples, grapes, etc., where there
So
also
of
inaptly
bitter,
first
some aqueous
trees
is
no
produce
what
known by
their
gold,
silver,
fruit lies
corals,
concealed within
it,
and as the
spirit is
metal
is
its
body, just
94
beneath
no moment
There
in the
a mineral body,
in
body of gold,
So the
incorporated.
be
two
pure
the
fruit,
may
spirit
are
fruits
first
wherewith
spirit
from
all
it is
is
inseparably
is
is
seen
man,
in
whom
to
been given two bodies, one corrupt, but the other incorrupt, which
man
of
is
its
especially
fruit.
it
itself is pure.
the
The
its
the
its
have
be
will
possession
other creatures.*
CHAPTER
V.
die, as
at its death, as
own
and
fruits.
it
men
Whatever
lost, just as
die,
born from
is
its
own
returns to
it
fruit,
it
in
As water
them.
again,
is
its
swallowed up
we
It is
no weightier
to-day than yesterday, not even by a single grain, and will after a thousand
still.
As
same degree,
it
is
in its
in
that great terminus and centre of water, the sea, wherein the rivers, and what-
it,
die
in the fire.
Rivers,
indeed, are not the element of water, but the fruit of that element, which
sea
and
from
and
in this
is
the
life
their death.
CHAPTER
VI.
salt,
alum,
vitriol,
it
its
a saline
has thrust
forth the trunk to the earth, this trunk spreads abroad in different branches,
* The
flesh
Adam
can
in
For nothing
can ascend into heaven which did not come forth out, of heaven. Now the Adamic flesh is earth. Thus it cannot enter
heaven, but is again converted into earth. It is mortal, subject to death, and nothing mortal can enter heaven. There
It admits not of purging or gloriis no fire which can purge it from its stains in such wise as to make it fit for heaven.
At the same time, man cannot enter heaven unless he be true man, clothed upon with flesh and blood. For it is
man is distinguished from the angels, for, otherwise, both are of the same essence. Herein
man hath more than the angels, in that he is endowed with flesh and blood, and for man was the Son of God born into
the world for him He died upon the cross, that so man might be redeemed and m.ade eligible for the kingdom of heaven.
fying.
But when God had thus shewn His love for man, his flesh still excluded him from heaven, whence He gave him another
flesh and blood which was built up of the Son, and then this creature, not of the Father, but the Son, enters heaven.
For the Adamic flesh is of the Father, and returns whence it came, though had Adam not sinned his body would have
remained immortal in Paradise.
But Christ, compassionating our calamity, gave us a new body.
Of the spirit who
whose substance
a water, nor an
as
oil,
wood growing
They
sprung therefrom.
95
is,
in fact,
it
is
formally neither
manner
is
many
Hungary, and even beyond.
The
branches of the different trees of the same kind are extended over the whole
sphere of the earth, just as the veins
human body
in the
But the
fruits
*There
the earth.
when
all
fruit is
its
offspring being
its
nature, a
water
new
and
is
left in
Afterwards, according to
the earth.
tree appears.
it
to
fall
and
soul,
first
Salt,
its
state of
and Mercur}'.
These minerals
containing in themselves
all
minerals,
metals, gems, salts, and other things of that kind, like different seeds in a bag.
These being poured into water. Nature then directs every seed
and
final fruit,
These and
incessantly disposing
like
them according
to its peculiar
and genera.
to their species
science,
and those
of the works of God, arises the most intimate knowledge of the Supreme
To
phers, no less than to their carnal eyes, the clear light appears.
occult
field
becomes manifest.
own
To them
in the philosophic
who have
the
God and
of
the
name
CHAPTER VH.
Concerning the \'ari.\tion of the Pri.mal M.atter of Minerals,
proportion to the different species and indivipuals thereof
also concerning the various colours, etc.
in
We
as
if
in
it is
in
its
mother, just
in one.
wherein is no death but life. This is the flesh whereof man has need, that he may
and in that blood, at the last day, shall he arise, and shall possess the kingdom of
heaven with Christ. Now, this flesh which has its life from the spirit w.-is first born, without the generation of m.alc
seed, from a daughter of .\braham. by promise, and became man by the Holy Ghost,
So, also, we who aspire to the
Thus man must to eternity be
kingdoai mtist be bom again out of a virgin and faith, incarnated by the Holy Spirit.
flesh and blood; thus is there adual fleshthat which is Adamic and is nothing, and that of the Holy Spirit which i
yvnXiCPkiloiopkia Sttgax. Lib. IL, c. 2.
* So high and so lofty is human wisdom that it hath in its power all the stars, the firmament itself, and universal
heaven.
And as the power thereof pervades all the earth, so also it extends over heaven. The Sun and Moon are its
subjects.
Even as the hand changes and compels the soil, so also the inner microcosmus compels the zenith to obedience. />< Pestr, Lib. II., c. a.
life cometh forth a living
become a new man/ and in [his
gives
flesh,
flesh
96
a different Salt
exists in
in
For a
gems
Sulphur
different
found
is
in lead, iron,
in stones, marcasites,
So, too,
gems, another
oj Paracelsus.
varieties of
]]')'itings
is it
in metals.
same
Gold
species.
some-
is
times found, one specimen heavier or more deeply coloured than another
and
so of the rest.
diversities of
lesser
from the subject always is comprised under the universality of one and the same
Sulphur, Salt, and Mercury, mysteriously comprehended in universal Nature. In
this respect Nature may be compared parabolically to a painter, who from some
The only
difference
He
imitates these.
Now,
things.
is,
all
infinite
number
represents the
same things
to the eye;
from
He,
eternity,
all
had predestinated
all
to
be thence produced,
Whoever,
should be.
as
He
therefore, wishes to
understand the bodies of natural things, let him learn from natural Sulphur that
which he may first of all have well understood, if he seeks natural colours as the
Nature
grows a vast
tree,
and flavours
in its fruits
in
its
leaves, such
marvellous, so rich, in her mysteries that you will have enough to last you
vour
life in this
all
If
all
God, then,
and
many
which
my Academia,
deceitful
I
learnt
there are
is in
us, or as
it
After
in us.
had read
all
many more
things which
will
surge up to
Economy of Minerals.
Tlie
own
revealed
when
There
time.
This, however,
know, that
live,
is
so to be.
it
me
after
who
but
97
will
come a
many
things.
will disclose
CHAPTER
VIII.
them
one
What
or liquefactor?
all
of
first
still
separator, preparer,
its
buyer unless
nor the
metals
those
she needs
her
mineral Sulphur,
is
and nature
of
not
these
is,
does
Among
is
someone
be
Nature
people.
who
He, too,
there
use.
for
own
all,
He
him.*
adapt
to
but
be
it
he,
no avail
need
is
the
falls,
a second,
first,
who
namely, the
who
fabricates
the properties and virtues, and operates on the previously existing matter, say,
for instance,
all
is
Mercury
When
and enclosed
earth
in
Sll
is
which
manner
The Sulphur submits its body to the other
it
what
they will, and lead to that end whereto is
two, that they
Mercury is added with the properties of
destined that which has to be done.
When all the decoctions of
its virtues, and this is decocted by the other two.
may do with
kind are
this
fulfilled, then, at
it,
and on
is
in
it
Alchemy and
in
By
first
condensing, afterwards
its
autumn
each
itself.
still
the
Medicine respectively, so
far as
would admonish
it is
my
necessarj- to learn
Archeus
Art:heus
is
the
Tr.act II.. c.
1.
11
98
to think
learning',
place
them so that
life
more
easily,
at least they
which are
principles of minerals,
first
up
to say, right
is
to the very
CHAPTER
Alchemy and
in
Medicine.
IN
man
in
will
IX.
God,
we
Salts,
should be led by
man
Now,
by Nature compacted.
is
since
is
it
something
man must
use ardent
like themselves,
it
the Mercury, and salted foods for keeping the Salt in a facultj' for building up
the body.
dead
power
Its
will still
for conservation
is
chieflysel'ii
flesh for
more preserve
hence
Coming,
living flesh.
li]
it is
Ihe
Marine
is
Spring Salt
Salt, the
only by Nature.
second
is
Spring
conducive to health
chiefly
is
This
and the
last
Salt,
in the
first
Ireeps
it
The
life.
first
of
Salt.
iSIineral Salt
This and the Marine Salt are not comprised under the nature
is
decocted
is first
it is
il
these
that
liiLl
of
salt.
all
There
are, therefore,
two
descriptions of Salt to be put forward by us, one from muria, the other from
wholly refined
which
is
and
There
them.
first,
if
is
tlie
in
Where
to every Salt.
no correction
digest
But,
salt.
common
is
an expulsive
Salt
force,
White
usnetum,
sal
vitriol,
all
rock
salt,
mountain
salt,
sea
salt,
spring salt
all
in like
wholly
.are
Now,
if all
These,
one essence they
is,
sulphur.
Ffagwenta
in
salt,
orpiment), antimony,
and
if
they subsist
called the balsam of Nature, the liquor of Mercury, or the balsam of Mercury.
there are the various species of sulphur, petroleum, cajabe. pitch, etc., which are also subject to the
if
the
their regular
in
Besides these, there are arsenic, realgar, ogertum, black auripigmcnt (that
mercury, asphalt.
in
unable to
or balsam of salt.
is
red vitriol, cuprine vitriol, rock alum, alumen plumosum, alumen scissum, alumen entali, alumen
gemm^,
a proper proportion
it
acting through
same
Finally,
processes, and
a single essence they are called the tincture of Nature, liquor of ifulphur, or balsam of
Meiiica, No.
3,
99
and
powers of expulsion.
in their
The blood
If
in
is
own
its
nature
salt,
and
it
may
lies
in the
The
is,
the salt
Now,
excrements.
the
salt
which
natural
this
the
power there
is in
and expelling
all
when he wishes
to
kind
The operations
made when
that
associated with
salt,
Salt.
is
is
know
urine
to
members be deprived
Moreover, there
CHAPTER
X.
Concerning Muri.\.
I
just
more
in
it
all
into
it.
people.
much.
for
It
tibia,
If after
in
who
this
Its
does
has
curing
in
well, in
heat should be so
The proof
when thrown
swim on
People
a time
is
It
Although
month.
First of all,
superfluous moisture.
effect in a
all
its
is
surface
it,
as
it
up too
dries
would be best
it
to live
those places where the decoctions of Murise and Salt are made.
CHAPTER
Concerning Dry
There are various species of dry
Salts,
XI.
S.\lt.
such as the
common
sort used
with food, that from gems, stones, and earths, and that which comes through
the cones of congelated bodies.
it
been produced,
wounds
drives
if
If
any one
the
worms have
already
By
loo
TJie
and the
like, if
in
The power
baths.
in
of Muria
is
much
is
useful
The same
it.
if
these Salts
Muria very little less strong than the natural in external surgical
The aforesaid Salts will never be
cases, but much weaker in internal cures.
found in any other things, even though the alcali be decocted from them.
artificial
This Salt
is
human
made from
is
the
knew how
Drinkable
they only
For
dissolved into an
is
if
is
body, or by the preceding, even the dry and specially nutritive ones.
is
it
to prepare
it
Gold.
Before
it
arrives at
it is
an
chemically.
It
concerning pure Salt, congelated by Nature alone either into cones or into the
salt of
is
of silver, and renders the metal malleable without the customary burnings.
It
CHAPTER
Concerning
There
XII.
S.\lt
is
Nitre.
is
called nitre. t
It is
composed
naturally of the natural salt of animals' bodies, and the salt of nutriment in
The two
due course.
that from
tion
One
salt
is
them
results
brought about by
constituents are
salt
decoction from
again decocted
its
clearly in the
is
closely united, so
earth.
it
It
shews
itself
very
be thoroughly separated
from the superfluous nutrimental Salt not yet digested by the animal decoction
Every urine
I.,
Tract III.,
is
c. r,
^K(//(-/(J
/^^
Ttir/urer, Lib.
exprsiiio,
For the earth whereon they make water is aftert Nitre fornis in the pens and stables where cattle make water.
wards cooked and the salt nitre obtained from it. For all urine is salt. Df Tar.firt}, Lib. I., Tract III., a/ino!ationes
tH c 2.
Nitre is excrement and the dead body of esile and nutrimental matter.
And this dead body is that out of
which putrefaction grows. Fragmenta Medka, De Tararo Kitreo,
It is an essential spirit and excrement of all
salts,
I.
In Alchemj-
it is
would be
recount
idle to
how
when
result,
which
In the
is
from
again
there
is
use
its
is
it
this
coagulated
way
I'
experiment
first
it
very frequent.
is
terrestrial lightning.
iO[
it
which afterwards
the form of cones
in
changed
its
name
of
particularly useful as an
is
nor
is it
remedy, unless the two are mixed with Salt of Copper, or else the
employment
and formed
into one
CHAPTER
for
XIII.
body
way.
in this special
S.\lt.
used with food which has not been digested by the stomach,
which also on being expelled has passed down into the intestine, unless
makes a thorough
nature causes
Its corrosive
and suffering
shewn by anatomy.
If,
it
bowels which
in the
sometimes to per-
it
however,
it
remains un-
many
other
It
only in this particular part of the body but in others also, especially the urinary
organs.
and
We
their faults.
character,
and
.\lchemy and
is
in
now
named
Vitriol.
It
excels
all
is
more mineral
others by
its utility,
in its
both
in
Medicine.
CHAPTER
XIV.
Concerning Vitriol.*
Nature produces from the bowels of the earth a certain kind of
X'itriol,
full
salt,
named
by any.
In
it
* An important \-ariation of this and the following chapters on Wtriol occurs in the Geneva folio.
Concerning the
LSE OF VITRIOLATED OIL IN Alchemv; and in like manner concerning its crude form. Byway of saying something about
the hidden alchemical powers in Vitriol, 1 would first of all submit to you, concerning cru de vitriol, that ea ch separate
kind of crude vi ir ol m n k-ps copper out of iron. It is not the .\lchemist who does this, but Nature or Vitriol by the operation
i
of the .\lchemist.
man.
it is
It is really
own
very
much
the
same
as
if
God,
102'
worms, the falling sickness, and many other diseases which are very difficult to treat, and arising from obstructions, as we shall describe at greater length
below.
In both faculties, that is to say, in Medicine and in Alchemy, it produces marvellous effects, varying according to the method of its preparation.
fevers,
As from one log of wood different images are carved, so from this body various
most excellent medicines are prepared, not only for internal disorders but also
In a word, whatever other
for surgical cases, such as ringworm and leprosy.
remedies are not able to effect against diseases, on account of their own weakness, this it does from the very foundation by removing the cause of the disease.
Some of its powers it puts forth in a crude state, others when it is reduced to
water, others
when
is
it
a white
oil.
which
receives.
it
It
when
calcined, others
oil
others, again,
reduced to a green
is
it
it
possesses
when
in
oil,
the form of
There
of.
is
no need
all
the
all
he
feet,
will find
in this
treasure of Nature than India, Egypt, Barbary, and Greece could bring him.
CHAPTER XV.
Concerning the Species of Vitriol and the Tests of
The
The tests
extracted.
is
First,
if it
it is
of
it is
But
considered.
taken internally
in a
this
is
crude form
the highest of
it
it
man.
how
in
that in
tion
all
we
parts of the
simply fatuous.
I will
it
does
Secondly,
kinds.
worms
better
is
it
itself,
so
German n.ation you may know how to make copper out of iron.
From this power of transmuta.
many other transmutations are possible, though they are at present unknown to us.
It
many arts are still occult, and that these are not revealed by God because we are not worthy of
knowing them.
God
is
more deeply
all
llis
it
its
when
it.
Of course
pan or pot
armoniac.
.is
is
The
copper,
is
not of the
tin, etc.,
is
one pound
add
Take raspings
vitriol,
who
is
come.
For
or filings of iron,
in
all
Having continued the decoction for ten or twelve hours, then separate as much of the
and wash it carefully so that it may be quite clean. Receive the quicksilver in a bag
made of soft leather or cotton and squeeze it out. Then you will see an amalgam left. Let that amalgam expend
Of this copper take half an ounce and the same quantity of silver. Let
itself, and you will find pure and good copper.
them pass into .a state of flux or liquefaction, and the silver will forthwith ascend to the sixteenth degree. And this is the
method of proving that such copper is made from iron. It is not, however, true that the grades .are fixed. Put whoever
can work well with regale will be abundantly rcw.arded. Everything in this operation depends on skill in working. This
By the above-mentioned process you can always m.ake copper out of iron. I mention
is where most operators fail.
The nature of vitriol is such that if its colcothar be calthis to confirm the transmutation of one body into another.
cined it is at once, even with slight liiiuefaction, turned into copper.
A remarkable cuprine nature is in it, and there
is also an equally remarkable vitriolic nature in copper.
If the copper be dissolved in aqua fortis and granulated, all
the copper becomes vitriol.
There is no more copper left.
So, also, copper is made out of vitriol, and no more vitriol
passes
away
to
quicksilver as
tlie
quicksilver.
is left
from the
iron,
considered to be as a medicine.
The more
copper.
should
water quicksilver
perfectly
is
made
Hungary,
its
or
reduced
the
to
and
is
to
is
the
this,
the greatest
itself.
permanent
when
This
its
is
We
altogether coerulean
while
rust,
most
is
That which
does
it
comparatively weak
colour
is
oil.
That which
gall nuts
is
at
fire
to
in
Medicine, but of
speak of
its
colours.
it
immediately
means of
by
copper,
into
is
is
rust
this
under the same colour has red and j^low spots mixed together.
is
better
affinity
Vitriol,
is
fourth test
exhibits copper of
torrent,
turned
best
whole substance
consumed and
and bellows.
fire,
rather
it
in like
nay,
when
it
once
third test is
103
oil
from
all
That which
dark yellow
inclines to a red or
The
it.
last test is
when with
it
preference
to the tests.
CHAPTER
XVI.
in Medicine.
in
the inordinate use of food or drink, exhibit crude Vitriol to the extent of six
To weak
patients
it
should be
It
purges
remains, unless
and copper
is
it
be reconverted into
remarkable.
'i
you.
You
only
sell th'is
treasure
I04
called
up and down.
it
Neither
or Grilla.
Grillus,
its
account
call
it,
much
it is
its
is
of
worms.
all
its oil
may
Its
an
internally, unless as
red
but
nor
purgation by Vitriol
from
it is
same
In arcana
nor colocynth,
hellebore,
first
grade of malignity
Its
medicinal
virtues are contained in other medical books, as, for instance, in the treatise
De
entitled
and
Here
Naturalibus Rebus.
to bring to
mutation.
Sometimes medical
purpose.
Let us see,
Although, then,
into gold,
God
in the
only
way
to
treat
of trans-
Alchemy
in
beyond the
not so
it is
does
Vitriol
we
intended
topics
what
then,
we had
it
difficult
work
to transmute iron
that the greater ones should remain occult until the Elias of the Art ar rives.
All arts
arts.
of iron
filing,
is
Throw
together,
wooden spoon.
twelve hours
Boil
in
other
understood
and
fresh,
stir
in
an ounce
constantly with a
and also
Vitriol.
After
let
Mercury from the other part of the Iron which has not
been transmuted and when the Mercury has been pressed out by a leather,
there will remain a paste of amalgam, and when this is reduced by fire it
Half an ounce of this is at once mixed with an
exhibits the purest copper.
equal part of silver, six degrees being held back, though not fixed but ready
to
be
moderate gain
dissolved by
to copper.
for food
and clothing.
Vitriol
is
also
may have
made from \'enus,
tests),
which
is
vitriol
of
In Vitriol so great
an inexperienced person could scarcely believe, though he can who understands its arcana. As often as Oil of Vitriol is mixed with Oil of Mercury,
Having
like
to a stone of
wonderful
a sapphire.
now
pass on to Sulphur.
tint
CHAPTER
105
XVII.
though
useful in neither.
arcanum
Its
alone,
we
art.
It
has as
many
in their rinds,
which
in their nucleus,
are
is
seen in
is
different virtues as
Sulphur
it
impurities, operates
in
in
crude form
its
it
in itself.
has
As
lay concealed
is
it
is
of
specific origin, as
its
Sulphur,
in
it is
concealed,
lies
is
The
etc.
external
There
our mineral.
is
also a third -kind, extracted from the nuclei of minerals or of metals, which
cannot have a better name in the art than " animated " and " Spagyric." It
is
the
first
Sulphur, which
we have
it
were, the
is
where
assumes a metallic
it
bryonated
pure from
all superfluities, is
is
made
is
volatile
the other
embryonated Sulphur
it is
it
nay,
fixes the
it
or volatile.
The
or a disease.
which
fire
extraction of the
its
is
fortis,
wood
is
Animated Sulphur.
-this embrj'onated
But sometimes
The second
or mineral appearance, but it is now em-
all
gold
But gold
This,
itself a
its
when
is
cements, and
prepara-
set aside
according to
its
fire in
in
it
true
it is
to
it
it is
shall
have previously
It
in
hand
to
these things,
let
him
first
of
remember and
to turn his
carefully note to
separate Sulphur of this kind from gold with the greatest activity, and cleverly
withal, so that nothing shall perish with the gold.
this,
God,
but
it
must be
silent.
If
it
to
make
all
rich alike
will of
by a very
io6
fulfil
away
putting pride and self-sufficiency in their place, together with petulance and
incontinence, one
come
The
lo mineral Sulphur.
They ha\e
arranges
all
He
things.
is
summoned
has
joined to linseed
is
woman
in
will not
floating
on the surface.
The white
liquid sinks
to
in this
and make a
know that nothing
matter is weak and use-
but to no purpose.
the other
whereby
oil,
with-
least, is
farther,
jacinth.
The same
colour
is
placed
it
it
and
a
in
is,
in
light.
is
inserted.
Luna.
it
and
like
It
If
is
also a
this be placed
of Sol, though
it
therein,
it
it
grows
for other
has arrived at
its
fection.
It is
tion
is
concerned.
so
much
it,
not of virtue.
most
of
all
because there
oil
They have
metals.
difficult
This
but
This,
it
is
is
from the
down
here the
however,
is
to set
intensely that
its
own body
Luna,
that
With
is
it
it
antimony and
fixed in
to say,
to such
in
every quartation.
will
it
still
with
[it
is
natural
too, exalts
an equal weight of
its
and beyond, so
remains constant and
thirty-six,
not
onlj- in
it is
a tincture of colour
is
this
fixes copper, so
fixed with
with the
its
own
own
it
[sulphur], so that
The Sulphur
ignition of
does not
it
own body
its
ashes.
its
of Mercur}- renders
fix it.
is
107
malleable, so that
The Sulphur
it
spirit.
bears the
sulphurs transmutations of
their
own.
But
this experi-
ment does not turn out as desired. It should be remarked, meanwhile, that
Sulphur demands a ver)- expert operator, not a mere boaster or charlatan.
CHAPTER
XVIII.
it
Some old
chemists,
in
that
is,
arsenic the
white Tincture of Venus, and the red tincture in the calamine stone, believing,
white and
electrum were
red
ancients passed into oblivion, there has forthwith followed the ruin of those
In this case, also, the
Geneva
in
folio offers
Arsenic A
it
stands above.
forth
by our
Concerning
ancestors, namely,
electrum. Electrum is a metal proceeding from another metat, and unlike the metal from which it descends.
For
^example; Copper turns tOJKhitcjnetaL
hen it s redne&s is removed it Is called electrum. In like manner, from
copper, by means of cadmia, is made orichalcum, and this is called red electrum. These different kinds of electrum
and
artists
reckoned as
was
silver,
io8
who changed
that
destruction ot
is
the copper in
its
own
Would
it
and labour
to a
its
own
all
is
true
and that
this
It
means only
It
is
produced by
it
generally
is,
from
made with
but
it
his
is
its
ore.
It is
nearly
many
investigations shall be
good hope.
and
his operations
persistent
it
may
be, or
may
be rendere
I,
better,
foundation to know electrum and other substances when they see them. Then they understand of them*
Nevertheless it often happens that arsenic is auriferous in its
Now, if an operator is skilled in separating gold from arsenic, whether by a cement or
nature, and contains gold in it.
by some method of projection, or by another process, so that he can reduce that gold to some metal, such as silver,
copper, or lead, without doubt he will find it to be gold, and of e.\cellent quality too. To follow this up so that .t
but the gold is in the arsenic, and the
tincture shall be produced, or it shall issue forth from a tincture, is nothing
to
them
for a
whole matter
depurgation, separation, and kindred processes, according as anyone has experience therein.
lies in
importance
I
is
sh.ill
at least, nothing
has
it
not, let
him altogether
abstain.
be properly made.
which
it
is
lawful
No
If he
due order and a genuine
You should follow the guidance of your own judgment. The man who
is
if
other substances.
or what
its
in
it is
then, have
far,
Let everybody
advisable to write.
109
first
of
all
Otherwise error
is
diligently
know
examine
is
CHAPTER
XIX.
CoxcERNiNG Quicksilver.
Having
means
and
solid substance
It
who
it
test.
known
can only be
make
to
of .\lchemy,
all
metals.
matter
last
It
brought to a
and even
tin, lead,
heaviest of
is
iron.
In a
word,
It is
of a wonderful nature,
shews
it
and
it
called
it is
It is
This
to Quicksilver.
it
itself to
arcanum
be the
first
medicine.
in
The
and Mercury.
first
it
fire,
and
in
others by flux.
CHAPTER XX.
Concerning Cachimi.b and Imperfect Bodies.
There
is
imperfect
antimoniacs,
arsenicals,
metallic bodies, to
is
is
it
auripigmenls,
various talcics,
which they
fly,
cobleta,
as
it
first
three
is
all genera, whether you have regard to colour, brilliancy, form, or any other
For they are nothing else than the superfluity of metals, that is, matter abundant in metals, being
something which metals are unable to bear or contain within them, or convert into their own form. First of all, when
property.
follows.
Out of these,
firstly,
produced which is unfit to become a metal, and yet in that matter it so resides that at first out of Ares
there grows that matter of the metals.
And it is the first matter, consisting of three things, the spirit of salt, the spirit
of mercur>*, and the spirit of sulphur, but in such a manner that these three are one. Of these all metals and minerals
consist.
These things being so ordered, .\rcheus (the occult virtue of Nature) institutes the first operation of metals,
so as to produce them and distinguish them into their forms and natures.
But before he deals with the metals
marcasite
is
mercury,
sulphur,
Tract III.,
c.
i.
salt,
settles
in
its
own
place.
Of
these three
all
different
if
set free
killed
chiefl)'
Some
house and
in his
Others
belonging to
There are
this foe.
this
as
Salt,
in
all
talc.
many
An
purposes.
imperfect metal
is
made from
flux,
is
cobleta.
of a blacker
ultimate matter has not yet been discovered, nor the process of
There
no doubt
is
the case in iron and steel, but these cannot be perfectly welded
method of separation
zinchinum
Its
it.
separation.
is
it
its
barely
it
There
discovered.
is
is
is
is
some
until
peculiar kind in
to
much
in
not malleable.
It differs
to be admired
and are
The
among
is
it
hammer
but
on account of
Many
Alchemy.
still
known
They con-
Some granates
sist
clear as crystal,
much
minerals.
called granates,
bear the
preparation
its
It
itself.
In
and there
is
CHAPTER
in
them.*
XXI.
densest of
and
(though
all
white, yellow, and rod inhere therem). Mercury a similar one, and Salt one
As
in the
The
salt,
will
superfluity
is
Sotne^
In marcasites sulphur and mercurj' prevail, as two very light things which
very hcav>-.
salt.
abounding
in the first
it,
so that
it
may
is
c. 2.
fire.
Tluis marcasite
is
the
superfluity
multiplicity of these genera, which are all derived from one matter,
is
The
there
is
owing
to the unequal
manner
in
which the
all
By corruption
others fusible.
easily reduced to
is
it
1 1
spirit, to
its
Tin
made up of white fixed Sulphur and fixed Salt but of Mercurj- not fixed.
And because it is fixed in body, not in Mercury, it easily loses its metallic
fusion, the spirit passing away by the fire
and when this is absent it is no
is
found
and
all,
and
tin
marries
it
itself
Gold
special use.
its
Iron
lead.
that
coagulated
is
is,
dregs and
all its
This Sulphur
and
and
if
is
root,
is
made
This
too, is
fluity,
transmuted
separately
into
^jAs
"y/^ brightness,
and
that
vitriolic
it
purified
from
which
Its
Mercury,
part,
into
Lastly, Salt
is
is
to be produced,
its
supreme
crystalline
and these
as a
it,
now
and transparency.
is
nourished
extreme
brought to
is
tree
all
tree
its
the true
is
When
not,
and
gold
is
generated.
is
and of the
universal test.
is its
mercurial
its
it
all terrestrial
perspicuity,
is
for
cow
in its
in
Nature
The cause of
this is
is
and eating-house.
Directly one of these leaves his feeding-place he grows
lean, and so is it with gold it is diminished by eight degrees.
And as some
;
twenty-six
is
reduced
in .\rt to ten.
The
it
so that Nature's
sum
total of
the stars or of the elements sometimes hinder the generation of gold, so that
it
less
tractable in
its
nature.
But
it
is
it
too pale.
much
is
rendered red.
Too great
grows yellow, -^
In Nature, just
as in the
but these
it
it
especialh- in-
In Sulphur nothing should be looked for but a body, in Salt confirmation, but
1 1
Mercury
in
anywhere
spirit
all
else as
it
does therein
has departed,
in
exist
we
which, however,
try to
fire
Natural objects
because the
esse,
in
which
its
we
(as
its
attracts the
found.
it
weight.
is
it
in.,
tree,
spreading forth
first
from
when
is
the extremities of the twigs, but sometimes a hundred paces farther off in the
tree, occasionally in its verj' midst, or
earth.
by
its
It will
superfluity
it
By the preponderance
Salt,
its
can be separated
duced.
Silver
in
is
difl"er
it
when
however, the
produced,
If,
of Sulphur everything
On
is,
is
is
the
burnt up,
produced by the
This
into a metal.
the scoria
and
if
be
it
will afford
no
steel
scoriffi at all.
and
iron,
and
the same way, so that two different metals are thence pro-
Salt,
prepared and fixed to the highest degree of purity and transparency, next after
gold, in ashes, not in antlTiiony, or in royal cement, or in quartation.
The
dif-
ference of fixation between gold and silver can easily be learnt by considering
that gold
is
masculine, and has the male virtues very strongly fixed, while
The
namely gold, silver, tin, lead, iron, steel, and copper. The last contains within
itself the male and female, when both are welded for use, and are not separated
by Nature, as steel and iron are so that they are held as one, and since they
;
possess the same malleability and power of being wrought, they are not com-
this is
done chemically
should be remarked, too, that metals are not always found with their mascu-
iron,
and
silver in
steel,
each by
itself.
is
steel
tin
and
lead, the
one not
Sometimes two
adulterated metals are found, as gold and silver naturally mixed with others,
meet
in
trunk of one
fruits
engrafted on the
tree.
Conclusion.
fitting treatise
necessary
in
order that
it
might
be
understood what
is
all
ought
those
in all
who
is
meant by the
The opinion
So, then,
it
was necessary
to
Miner.'.ls.
IF so
is
great efficacy
many
forward so
in
we
For
to subscribe thereto.
if
will
own
compounded, mixed together, and united in the fire, you must certainly hold
body were conjoined and linked together all the virtues of the
that in one
seven metals.
It
call this
body electrum.
Its efficacy,
In those solid
the
all,
to
in
Gold, indeed,
we
if
in all its
is
the
removed from the human frame. Nor are we unaware that exterior ulcers and
The other metals, too, have each
are cured by copper and mercury.
their own excellences, and these not by any means to be despised but we will
pass over these for the moment, since you will hear of them when we come to
But metals cannot be used in
treat concerning the Life of the Metals. t
medicine without injury, unless they be first comminuted, altered, and, after
wounds
being deprived of their metallic nature, transmuted into another essence. You
little
result
them
in
it is
in
which we
proportion as
A considerable portion
will
instruct you.
it
is
it
first
even though
it
be pre-
revealed by practice.
If
we consented
to pass
of this tract belongs more properly to the section concerned with Hermetic Medicine, but
in
it
inserted at this point for the further illustration of the subject of electrum,
is, if
that
our method
The work
D^- Compositione
Metatlorum
is
which
is
book of the Archidoxis Mn^icir^ as they are found in the Geneva folio.
\ %o^Ax as\\i^ Archidoxis Magkcp are concerned, this promise is net fulfilled.
Possibly Paracelsus intended to
carry his subject further than the seventh book, which is devoted to the sigils of the planets, and has nothing of a
chemical nature. But possibly, also, a reference is intended to the first book Concerning the Nature of Things.
to
we should
praises in silence,
its
but since
its
pronounce an eulogium on
moment any
virtues
its
and
We
efficacy.
made
consider that
^^If
in
it,
because
it
will
in
so
is
much
sympathy towards man through the force, efficacy, and influence of the planets
and the stars of Olympus, that for very pity, and as though in difficulty,
directly
it is
taken
in
hand
it
For
remain
in
our age
many
made
There
still
were hidden
for
When
in the earth.
they were
it
Nature and such a great treasure of His own should be hid any longer, but
what had been hidden by the more than Cimmerian darkness of the
We do not
sophists should now, after a long season, come to light again.
that
assume
receive
would be hurt
crowd of
the
this
ribald genius
of the
we can
that
fools
idiotic laughter.
The
sophists
so to avoid such
Not, however,
altogether pass
since they came under our own eyes we shall be able to speak the
more freely concerning them, without any suspicion that we are romancing or
making up a story. We have seen rings, for instance, which removed all fear
These
of paralysis or spasm from those who wore them on their fingers.
electrum
if
an epileptic patient
put such a ring on the third finger, even though he be so overcome by the
violence of the
self
and gets
paroxysm as
to be prostrated
up.
experience.
man
in
If the
whom
any ailment
is
latent
it
would presently
break forth
in
bursting out
in
a sweat, and as
forth spots
in
and become
if
depraved in appearance, as
we
ii6
Lastly,
electrum,
since
it is
in
favour of
There
evil spirits.
is
latent in
us the
make a
The
proclaim me
handle of
this,
who
Sophists,
will suffice to
it
my
are
Spain when
was
at the
few words.
in
deadliest enemies,
But
Arch-Necromancer.
in
to
summon, and
many
desired.
in the
midst
many
this bell
and
In
spirits.
spirits
was so powerful
bell
he used to
bell
different spectres
saw
He had
and even of
that he produced
cattle,
whatever he
names and
this
over
was
and of
this
began
me
to speculate
in
electrum of ours.
You
my mind ideas
into
in silence here.
words
to impart to
At length
characters.
circumstance
man
will therefore
which
have no
as this.
it
put into
was composed
difficulty in believing
At
its
stroke
the
all
adulterers and adulteresses in the king's palace were so excited and alarmed
that suddenly, as
if
Think not
river.
struck with lightning, they rushed over the bridge into the
this story a
mere
fable
you know
man
can
can do
eff"ect
this, since
he
call
another visible
when
commands both
it
will easily
invisible
in
come round
man
is
man
For
to
if,
as
him by
be that an invisible
man
The
Nor
in the light
to our opinion
if
3-ou
of a subject.
settle
it
inferior
always
the senses and thoughts of the exterior, visible man, and discloses or reveals
by
celestial
make
itself,
will subjoin, if
as
shewn
is
in
so constellated
may be
impression as to
good aspect of
Magica*
amalgam
gold and mercun,-, making a conjunction of Sol and Mercury, but with a pre-
ponderance of
Let him mix and blend them, and soon, with little labour,
become fixed.
With these, if you will, you can make a
Sol.
two metals
the
will
on Merciiriusvivus.
\\nzX.\>.x<i
viviis
There
will
is.
indeed,
For
if
gold be placed
above mercur\', so that the white fume of the mercury touch and penetrate
the body of the gold, the gold will be rendered fragile, and will melt with the
greatest ease like wax.
The process
is
the
same with
silver.
is
Moreover,
the
altogether certain, and experimentally proved, that the mutations of time have singular force and
it is
when certain metals are melted and elaborated together. Further, no one can
prove that the metals are devoid of life. Their oils, sulphurs, salts, and quintessences, which are the best reserv atives,
have enormous power in nourishing and sustaining human life, and herein altogether surpass in strength all other
How, if they were devoid of life, could they awaken in
simples, as, indeed, is entirely the case \s-ith all our remedies.
this is especially the case
and
operation,
and half-dead members and bodies of men a fresh and vital strength, and at the verj- outset restore
I therefore boldly assert that metals and stones, equally with roots, herbs, and fruits, have a life of
The
their own, with this distinction, however, inasmuch as metals are prepared and elaborated according to time.
gr.-isped by the
efficac>' of time is well-known, but we will speak only of those things which are difTicult, and not to be
Further, even signs, characters", and letters have their virtues
senses, but, indeed, are almost contrary to their evidence.
and efficacies. Now, if the nature and property of the metal, as also the influence and operation of the heaven and of
the diseased
them
iLs
own
force
and operation
Christ, the
signs,
and
letters,
harmonise and agree, why should not a sign or seal composed after this
And why, then, should not such and such a medicine, seasonably applied,
And
who
Objectors
may
compare in efficac>' with the cross. But how is it that the serpent in
Hcltia, .Mgovia, or Suavia, understands the Greek phrase Osy, Osyn, Os; although in none of these countries is Greek
so common that venomous reptiles can acquire it ? How Ls it that, the moment they hear the words, they draw in their
By this
.
tails, stop up their ears, and, contrary' to their nature, lie motionless, without doing harm to any man ?
siijns
and signs have a recondite and latent force, not in the least opposed to Nature, nor
anything to do with superstition. It is found that these words have the same effect when they are written on paper, and
does
not uttered. So, also, let it not be considered incredible that a man should be cured by medicine, even when he
not take it internally, but carries it suspended like a seal from his neck. That even in dead things there Ls a certain
(.Tce, I prove by the example of the kingfisher, for if. when it is dead, you remove its skin, and hang it up. you will sec
it is
shewn
I'lat.
although
Magutr,
Lib.
it
I.
is drj-. it will
For
it is
annually cast
iLs
old feathers
and produce
if
manner, according to a favourable hour and time, as regards their course, there reside great force
transient and
c-in deny that the superior stars and influences of heaven have verj- great weight in
mortal affairs
If the superior stars and planets are able to control, rule, and sway according to their will the animal
man. although he be made according to the image of God, and be endowed with life and reason, how much more ought
they to rule an inferior thing, that is to say, metals, stones, ,and im-iges. upon which they impress themselves, or which
they so occupy, with all their \-irtue and efficacy, after the manner of an influence, .as though they were substantially
present, even .as they are in the firmament ? It is possible to man himself to bring these into a certain medium, wherein
virtue.
For none
know
Lib. VII
to
ii8
and Elyxeria
that
they
may
Many
quickly liquefy.
tinctures
[s-c)
The same
all
is
poses them to
own
its
it
with
its
fume penetrates
Metals
nature.
will
We
most extreme heat resides in Mercury, and that it cannot be coagulated except by extreme cold, which is seen to exhale copiously trom metals
Nothing
in the fire.
and unable
to bear the
vehemence of the
spirit
spirit is
it is
not
difficult for
How many
metals
We
Such a metal
is
arsenic,
in
a state o{
fire.
Just as
Mercury
of extreme cold
is
Mercury
so
what
it is
So
easy for a
is
which
flux.
is
a metallic
it
with Mercury
spirit to
spirit,
in
penetrate walls,
to penetrate metals.
all.
But
shall
o\\
the
to
it is
melted
much wax
or as
Timf.
The
if it
snow and
it
ice
It is literally
as follows
; If you seek
Nor
though
it
were gold,
silver,
to
entitled,
Afterwards by digestion
We
have mentioned
this
of small moment so that you may be able to arrive at the end of your
Scheme of the Transmutation of Metals. To transmute Sol into
is it
Luna. Venus, Mars, Jupiter, Saturn, or Mercur>-, begin with Luna occupying the sixth grade of Cancer, Taurus, Aries,
Pisces, Aquarius, or Virgo, as the case may be, and always in the hour of that planet into which you wish to convert
gold or any of the other metals, namely, Luna, Venus, Mars, Jupiter, Saturn, Mercury. To transmute Saturn into Sol,
Luna, Mars, Venus, Jupiter, or Mercury, begin with Luna occupying the twentieth grade of Leo, Scorpio. Cancer,
Taurus. Pisces, or Virgo, as the case may be, in the hour of Sol, Luna, Mars, Venus, Jupiter, or Mercurj*. according lo
To transmute Mercurj- into Sol, Luna, Venus, Mars, Jupiter, or
the metal into which you would convert Saturn.
S.-xturn, begin with the Moon in the first grade of Leo, Virgo, Cancer, Taurus, Pisces, or Aquarius, as the case may be,
in the hour of Sol, Luna, Venus, Mars, Jupiter, or Saturn, according to the metal into which you would convert Mercurj*.
To transmute Luna into Sol. Venus, Mars, Jupiter, Saturn, or Mercur>-, begin with the Moon in the twelfth
grade of Leo, Libra, Scorpio, Sagittarius. Aries, or Gemini, as the case may be, and in the hour of Sol, Venus, JLirs,
To transmute Venus into
Jupiter, Saturn, or Mercury, .^ccording to the metal into which you would convert Luna.
Sol, Luna, Mars, Jupiter, Saturn, or Mercury, begin with the Moon in the ninth grade of Leo, Cancer, Capricorn,
Aquarius, Pisces, or Sagittarius, as thfi case may be, and in the hour of Sol, Luna, ^L^rs, Jiipitfr,Saturn, or Mercury,
according to the metal into which you would convert Venus. To convert Mars into Sol, Luna, Venus, Jupiter. Saturn,
or Mercurj', begin with the Moon in the eighty-first grade of Leo, Cancer, Taurus, Sagittarius, Scorpio, or Virgo, as
the case may be, and in the hour of Sol. Luna, Venus, Jupiter, Saturn, or Mcrcuiy, according to the metal into which
To transmute Jupiter into Sol, Luna, Venus, l\Lirs, S-aturn, or Mercur>', begin with the
you would convert Mars.
Moon in the third grade of Leo, Cancer, Libra, Virgo, Aquarius, or Pisces, as the case may be, and in the hour of So!,
Luna, Venus, Mars, Saturn, or Mercury, according to the metal into which you would convert Jupiter. For example
If you w'ish to change gold into silver, make a beginning in the hour of the Moon, when the Moon occupies the sixth
And so, likewise, understand the rest of this scheme for the conversion of metals. For all terrestrial
grade of Cancer.
affairs, occupations, and matters of business, are most conveniently and happily executed in harmony with the motions
of the heavens and the planets. iFor all men. by the dis pensations of Almighty God, are ruled and led by the power
and operation of the firmament, both as to health and disease. So is it TTecessaiy before all things to have regard to
this operation in 'tne healing art.
Simples verj* frequently push forth their virtues according to a certain rule of
:
time.
fact in
of the Philosophers.
way you
In this
.-Vristotle,
or seen by them.
yet
this,
now
It will
know
get to
may
it.
fitly
know
is
But
value.
God
it
does not
fall
We
'
would
It
no
It is
infinitely prefer
a turnip.
the outset.
books
well assured
and
its price
which
in their
am
We
Mercury
hands of
into the
the
is
this
at
Although
it
This
will
would have
it
work
of our electrum, as
we promised
according to the revolution of the heaven and the conjunctions of the planets.
'X
We will proceed
way.
in this
These
require.
Mercurius vints.
Take
the conjunction
in
escape, or,
if
work
in
is
going to take
just
fire,
pour
you must
when
First,
it
shall
hand
Then
have fused,
lest the
Let this be
pour
in
the
coagulated.
Then
when
Mercurj- or Saturn
is
may
not be ignorant of
want be ready
to hand as I be<"ore
admonished you. You must take care, before the actual moment of conjunction,
to melt in one vessel fine English tin, and in the other lead with Mercury. At
the
moment
little,
by.
of conjunction
and pour
body you
When
it
will
all
move
will
When
fire,
have three metals softer and more easily melting over the
let it
Then
Sol,
notice
when
singlj' first
So
will
now been
is
Have
;
all
fire.
place
a con-
with
instruments
In a
there
first
like
all
said.
BOOK THE
FIRST.
THE
generation of
natural things
all
is
twofold*
is
to say,
is
it
and transmutes
and
their force
all
initiative to generation.
But putrefaction
For a constant moist heat produces putrefaction
first
efficacy, into
something
all
things
all
For putrefaction
first
For as putrefaction
else.
all
also,
in the
without
bowels
the
belly,
essence to another, from one colour to another, from one odour to another,
from
daily
many good
experience that
many
For
it is
unwholesome,
poisonous, and hurtful, which after their putrefaction become good, lose
of
set
all
forth
great effects, as we have a good example in the sacred gospel, where Christ
says, " Unless a grain of wheat be cast forth into a field and putrefy, it cannot
bear
fruit
a hundred fold."
by
multiplied
putrefaction
first
is
all
regeneration and a
generation,
*
There
then,
it
so
may
be
they
produce
it
that
known
that
many
excellent
things are
fruit.
the change
essence of
Since,
Hence
For
and death of all things, and the destruction of the
natural objects, from whence there issues forth for us
putrefaction
is
new
birth ten
putrefaction
in the
the
first
step
commencement of
we should thoroughlj-
and
is also twofold, as, for example, that of wood and other things talce-s
But the worms which destroy wood are the product of a monstrous spefm.
Hence there
arc two generations - nattiral and monstrous. Every sperm in living things has within it another sperm which is monstrous, ,-ind can promote its likeness.
There is also a monstrous sperm in all minerals. Parngraf>hortitit Lib. II..
is
Par. IV.
the
its
We
another.
grade and
first
the beginning
of
moist and
is
putrefaction,
eventually turns
to
Vou
be.
warm
in
whatever
it
wherein
is
eggs,
all
putrefaction
in
matter,
living
an example
see
constitutes
which procreates
Wherefore by and
things
process.
this
one produces
quickened
is
can bring the &%% to maturity under his own arm and
procreate the chicken as w-ell as the hen. And here something more is to be
If the living bird be burned to dust and ashes in a sealed cucurbite
noticed.
Any man,
too,
and then,
fire,
still
phlegm, then that phlegm can again be brought to maturity, and so, renovated
and restored, can become a living bird, provided the phlegm be once more
enclosed in
and
By
its
jar or receptacle.
which
clarification,
This
to revive the
is
dead by regeneration
is
live, to
be renovated
This
is
this result
and impiety.
a
woman,
shuts
it
up
If
man have
it
man
whatever seed
is
is,
such
sown, such a
still
light of
fruit is
womb, and
born from
it.
For always,
it.
If this
were not so
is
is
produced from
its
it.
From
it
Whatever
comes
a W'Oman and a
man an
irrational
Neither on this
contrary to Nature
ation
is
if
Imagin-
122
woman
is
so active that in conceiving seed into her body she can transmute
ways
womb
much
Wherefore an infant
in
Thus
are.
it
during
is,
its
formation, as
in the
man
other horrible monsters, as the imagination of the mother was strongly directed
But as you have already heard that many and various things are generated and quickened out of putrefaction, so you should know that from different
who have
in
in
is
in
many worms,
and other creatures, all of which are proFor many monsters are produced amongst animals.
There are those monsters, too, which are not produced by putrefaction, but are
made by art in the glass, as has been said, since they often appear in very wonder-
such as canker-worms,
in locusts,
ful
feet,
or
many
tails,
or birds' wings, and other unwonted shapes, the like of which one had never
before seen.
It is
born from parents unlike themselves, that are called monsters, but those which
Thus you see with regard to the basilisk, which
arc produced in other ways.
is
a monster above
since a
man can
sesses a poison
all
others,
to be
is
more
virulent than
for
it,
which nothing
others, with
all
more dreaded,
it
pos-
else in the
carries in
it
Here, as elsewhere throughout his writings, Paracelsus lays special stress on the power exercised by the imaginIt is the principle of
is necessary that you should know what can be accomplished by a strong imagination.
The imagination of man is an expulsive virtue. A'c Pate. s. v. AddUatiienta
magical action. /.^^ Hesie, Lib. I.
ation. It
all
m Lib.
I.
The imagination
De Pyromanticn
Pesie.
is
moon
the
of the microcosm.
De
PtstititaU^'Yx^^K II.,
all
And
c.
2,
this im-
star.
This same
is such that it
Whatsoever there is in us of immoderate and inhuman, all that is an
overcomes and moderates.
im.tginativc nature, which can impress itself on heaven, and, this done, hea\en has, on the other hand, the power of
So, also, a strong imagination is the source cf
refunding that impression./?^ Festt, Additameitta in Lib. I., Prol.
agination
heaven
it
evil
II., c. s.
Any
imagination of a pregnant
woman can
be and
is
often impressed
Ibid.
its
and
it is
123
who
a menstruous woman,
from her very glance the mirror becomes spotted and stained.
wound
looks at a
it
in
way
So, too,
that
she
if
its
By her breath, too, as well as by her look, she affects many objects, rendering them corrupted and weak, and also by her touch. You see that if she
cure.
it
Generous wine
musk, and other strongly
smelling substances being carried and handled by such a woman lose their odour.
manner, amber,
In like
many gems
But
civet,
about the
how it carries its poison in its eye. You must know that it gets
power and that poison from unclean women, as has been said above. For
the basilisk is produced and grows from the chief impurity of a woman,
basilisk
that
semen
if it
be placed in a glass receptacle and allowed to putrefy in horse dung, from that
putrefaction a basilisk
as to wish to produce
is
it,
produced.
even to take
and
at
once
unless he had
kill it,
first
nature,
themselves, rarely
like
all
bj'
their engrafted
seldom
live long.
all
men.
It
They
should be known,
Him, and
none of them can be saved when.4.bey do not bear the likeness of God. One
can only conjecture that they are shapen by the Devil, and born for the service
forsooth, that
God
of this kind.
since from
his
his
own
any member, or
and thoughts
less
in
conception.
All
men,
For that
A special
follows.
all
brands their cheeks, cuts off their fwgers, hands, or head, so the Devil,
marks
Devil,
displease
is
a presage of the
craft.*
treatise on this subject and cggnalc matters is found cliiewhere in the Geneva folio.
It is, briefly, as
There are man>- monsters in the s*a which are not products of the original creation, but ar bom from the
124
For there
man should
womb.
it is
perfectly possible.
this is in
man
In order to accomplish
it,
cucurbite with the highest putrefaction of the venter eqidmts for forty days, or
until
it
begins at last to
it
live,
some degree
will be in
If
now,
human
like a
after this,
it
easily be seen.
and fed cautiously and prudently with the arcanum of human blood, and kept
for forty
weeks
in the
it
becomes,
the
all
God has
an arcanum above
all
It is
sperm of fishes of unlike species coming together contrary to the genuine, order of Nature.
Thus monsters are sometimes found in the sea exhibiting the form of man, which yet have not been generated tx sodomia from men, but arise
by the conjunction of diverse fishes.
Even among men monsters are sometimes found that remind us partly of
a luiman being, and partly of an animal.
This is a repellent subject, but requires to be fully expl:iined, that the fir-^t
birth may be correctly understood.
The same also takes place in the^eaJ There is, for example, the syren, of which
the upper parts are those of a woman and the lower those of a fish. This does not form part of the original creation, hut
is a hybrid offspring from the union of two fishes of the same kind, but of different forms.
Other marine animals are
also found, which, without corresponding ex.ictly to man. yet resemble him more than any other animnl.
However, like
the rest of the brutes, they lack mind or soul. They have the same relations to man as the ape. and are nothing but the
apes of the sea. As often as they unite, marine monsters of this kind are produced. Another such monstrous generation is
themonacluisor monk-like fish. Uut there are mnny genera of fishes, and many modes of generation, which do not always
result from the sperm fauiilinr or customarj- to them, but happen in various other ways.
For example, certain monsters
are drowned in the sea, and are devoured by the fishes.
Now, if a sperm, constituted in exaltation, were to perish by
immersion, and, having been consumed by a fish, were again exalted within it. a certain operation would undoubtedly
follow from the nature of the fish and the sperm, whence it may he gathered that the majority of marine animals which
recall the human form are in this manner produced.
Yet, having the nature of a fish, they live in the waters and rejoice
therein.
The maiinc dog, the marine spider, and the marine man are of this class. If they are generated in any other
way, it must he set down to sodomia. liut there may be a third cause, namely, when spermatica of this kind acquire digestion, and by reason of this conjunction a birth takes place.
Monsters are likewise generated in the .-lir, from the
droppings of the stars from above.
For a sperm falls from the stars. The winds also in their courses bring many strange
things from other rei;ions to which they are indigenous. The sperm of spiders, toads, and other creatures floalinjiin the
air are resolved, and hence other living things are produced.
In this way grasshoppers and other monsters are begotten, their generation being of one only and not of two.
Such births are more venomous and impure than are other
worms. Therefore, houses ought to be scrupulously cleaned, or else so constructed as not to favour the accumulation of
much filth.
For the air is efficacious against seeds dispersed in this manner.
The earth is, however, the most fniitfu
matrix of monstrous growths. There the animals both of land and sea congregate.
The basilisk is generated from the
sperm of a to.id and a cock. The sperm of the cock uniting with that of the hen produces an egg. But if the cock emit
his sperm without the hen doing likewise, the egg will be imperfect, and something will be generated unnaturallyThere is another kind of basilisk, produced by the union, soa.otuiilcc. of a cock and a toad. After the same manner,
lizards unite with geckoes, and the copulation produces a peculiar worm, partaking of the nature of each, and known as
.
a dr.igon.
The
asp
whoever
while moving alive
learn that
generated.
is
body alone
From
all that
down wc may
a basilisk, a dragon, and an asp, not, indeed, generated as yet, but meanuntil he dies.
Vou can now understand the abominable manner wherein unnatural monsters are
For if a man lives in sperm, his very sperms turn into worms, .md remain worms, and in the day of the
lives for his
is
resurrection shall they be buried in the deepest parts of the earth, over which shall walk those
who have
risen.
De
125
when there shall be nothing hidden, but all things shall be made manifest.
And although up to this time it has not been known to men, it was, nevertheless, known to the wood-sprites and nymphs and giants long ago, because they
themselves were sprung from this source
since from such homunculi when
they come to manhood are produced giants, pigmies, and other marvellous
people, who are the instruments of great things, who get great victories over
their enemies, and know all secret and hidden matters.*
As by Art they
times,
acquire their
by
life,
.\rt
is
-Art
incorporated
is
in
no need for them to learn, but others are compelled to learn from them,
live
by
it,
and are called the children of the wood-sprites and the nymphs, because
virtue they are not like
Here, too,
men, but
would he necessary
it
we have
of Metals, we will
point out what we
,_-
like spirits.
to
but since
treat the
matter very
briefly here,
Know,
there omitted.
then, that
and only
all
In this way,
Hermes
The Generation
in
a short space
in their
..
Salt,
but with
all
the
in like
should be
may
soul,
and body,
known that they signify nothing else than the three principles,
spirit,
is
between the
spirit
which indeed
all
is
Mercurj',
is
the body.
it
For
The metal
is
the soul,
Sulphur.
It
unites those
be generated, or,
the Art
bom
Elsewhere
produced,
as, for
spirit,
from
Albeit these
sj-Iphs,
.ire rare,
and origin of metals, that our metals are nothing else than the most potent
oil, and fatness of stones, which, while still combined
126
make them.
contains in itself
also, in
an occult manner,
is
it
it
all
renders up from
contains in itself
it
itself in
it
were,
the
fire
all
itself.
to the earth
For
all
fire it
the mother of
Mother of Metals.
to be called the
and so
Is
man
first
womb
to the
anew at the last day, so also all metals can return to quick mercury, can become Mercury, and be regenerated and clarified by fire, if they remain for forty
weeks in perpetual heat, like a child in its mother's womb. Now, they are
however,
born,
if,
Luna
is
metals,
regenerated,
Luna.
common
not as
it
which
but as metals
afterwards tinge
will
to Sol,
and
in like
tinge
manner
for
metals to
all
must be
it
understood of
the only
ception
on and prepares
things,
all
it
spirit
and the
bodj-,
incorporate and unite them, so that a most noble body shall be produced.
it
common
not
is
metals
spirit
it is
is
is
fire,
since
it
itself
is
itself.
This
is
is
entirely
Hold
commendation as a treasure
this in
is
It
we
in the
for
into fixed
making you
and approved
rich
and you
transmutation of metals.
Con-
known
stated at the beginning concerning the metals, namely, that they are
produced,
Salt,
in
extracted by the
than
cannot,
and,
fire,
Yet
the ruby
to be
therefore, be
truth,
in like
though
Salt, yet
still
with
The generation
of
gems takes
of the earth, from the clear and crystalline Mercury, Sulphur, and Salt, also
and are altogether wanting in perfection. For this reason they are to
and thence, also, must be separated and extr.icted by pounding and liquefaction.
When this h.is been effected they are no longer stones, but prepared and complete metals, agreeing with the celestial
stars
which stones, indeed, are secreted from the terrestrial stars. Furthermore, if anyone desire to investigate and to
know minerals and metals, he should clearly realise that they are not always to be sought in the common and familiar
minerae, nor in the depths of mountains, because they are vei-y often found more easily, and in greater abundance, upon
For this reason, any stone that may offer itself to the eye, whether
the surface of the earth than in its bowels.
great or small, rock or flint, should be diligently examined as to its property and nature, for verj' often a small and
d^pised pebble is of greater value than a cow. So, also, there is common dust and sand which are abounding fin Sol
in the stone, are not good, not pure, not clean,
known
in stones,
.tild
Lunn.
Chirttrgia Minor,
De
Cortrijciurii, Tract
\\.~ rttuclraii'.
own
distinct colours.*
127
For
all
same source
into stones, t
This
is
The
Salt.
stones are produced by the mucilage of water, as also pebbles and sand
is
in the
same kind
itself.
If,
and coagulated
as
would of
now,
in
itself
a
be
tliis
manner
iLs nature than are other stones, and out of this the
such a manner that hardness and very great transparenc>' are first prepared.
Hence the gems are afterwards developed, each according to its own form and essence. \'erj' great subtlety and artifice
are employed over this generation.
De EUmento Aqucr. Tract IV.. c. lo.
gems
c. 5.
after
is sulphtir,
as that of metals
is
mercury'.
The hardness
is
from
s.-ilt.
and the
BOOK
II.
clear
is
the rain
Nature,
who
all
will
by a prudent and
over to him as
God
if
fowls of the
man ought
own
make
in
it
all
increase and
grow ?
The
them
for
the
to rejoice because
nil
possible to
same power
this
all
God has
the earth,
and upon
Wherefore
endowed him, so
be subiect to Him,
all
especially
move
air,
subjected
is
fruit is
that
natural things
-h
all
Him and
to
together with
all
Since, then,
we
it.
live,
and
by daily experience, that the oftener and the more plentifully the rain moistens
the earth, and the sun dries
fruits of the earth
come
it
forth
again with
and
ripen,
its
while
all
fruits increase
sun
other than
humidity
W'herefore
say that
What
it is
in all
it
will
take place in
many
effect.
of distillation,
For what
glow
of the
flowers,
and grow,
let
Now,
if
fruits,
by means of
So,
too,
can
all
29
silver,
natural causes.
long as there
.As
and, what
moisture
is
more,
is
in the
itself, nails,
to the
in the
man
case of a
buried
the earth
in
It
virtue, both in
and
increase perpet-
each of which
in
they remain good and effective, such, for example, as metals, marchasites,
cachymiae,
talcs,
antimony,
granites,
So also
it
if
only
it
human
will
it
grow
The process
marvels.
regis so that
good and
is
as follows
aqua
fresh
more ascends.
Do
distillation as before.
in
is very-
it
which place
this until
distilled
may have
in
Know
cucurbite,
This
will
it
fire
Thus
is
there
call the
be dry.
glass.
If
Golden
If
Repeat
filled
years.
grow
produced
in
is filled
stone can be made, such as the .Archeus of the waters could scarcely
flint in
nothing
many
of
exceeds four
until
glass and
flint
is
full
means of aqua
rise in the
do what
may again
In this
This
to be used.
Alchemy you
of
art
a cucurbite, pouring in
in
>
many wonderful
all
grow and
a cucurbite with
Extract
it
corals,
regis
fingers across.
in the
it
pearls,
It is
gems,
bismuths,
make
in
Though
this
may be
of no profit to you,
still
it
is
a very wonderful
thing.
III.
may
IN sary that
first
of
all its
it
may not
enemy
of
all
be hurt or corrupted by
A good
suffer loss.
it,
he
loss
Surely, no one.
if
is
it is
neces-
may be shielded
it
substance,
in its
deal depends
that
for
upon
this,
who can
and
it is
just as necessary to
good.
it
away, so there
is
one stone over against another, one mineral over against another, one poison
over against another, one metal over against another and the same in many
other matters,
of which
all
it is
it
ought
to be
in
the
flowers and
earth
all fruits
in
the earth.
fruitful
All roots,
and uncorrupted.
especially,
In
in
like
water.
new
So
also
many
other
and blood, which very soon putrefy and become rancid, can
and not only so, but by the co-optation of
be kept in cold spring water
renewed and fresh spring water they can be transmuted into a quintessence.
So
also flesh
for ever
(so to say)
preserves
it
kinds of flesh and blood, and especially the body of man, from
all oilier
many
common mumia
decay and
diseases which
But
does.*
separated from
aforesaid,
as
its
all
arise
may be
in
ill
blood,
other
And
131
and
this
itself,
preserved of
in order,
process
and
also,
itself
from
to protect
is
Draw
this
off"
which, indeed,
is
it
many
after
But
a great marvel.
if
first
day
this
best and
pour on a
on the
most excellent balsam, which produces the same effect. Now this blood is the
Balsam of Balsams, and is called the Arcanum of Blood. It is of such great
and wonderful virtue as would be incredible were we to mention it. Therefore
you
will
keep
this occult, as a
may be
and
salts,
metals,
shew
what are
is
The
all
strong waters
their hostility
in
all
aqua; regia,
this circumstance,
that
all
their
principal
corrosives
they mortify
all
Crude
and reduce them to nothing.
smoke for by its smoke it takes away the
sulphur shews
its hostility
by
its
it
takes
it
white.
a't\^Sy
From white
their whiteness
metals, as
and reddens
them, or induces
in
substitutes another.
Quicksilver, on the other hand, exercises a hostile force upon the metals
with which
it
is
conjoined, in that
it
it
of Mercury,
According to
one explanation
.ill
Lib. IV.
Mumia
II., c. 2.
is
The
man
himself.
Mumia
is
forth in potencies
soot
will find
this is
of
life,
will be
found
in the
second footnote on
p.
This process
Paramirum
K2
132
for
steel,
common mercury
if
mercurial
with
anointed
and cut
This
off.
oil,
indeed
is
touches
can
it
or
rod,
steel
rod
the
if
broken
be
afterwards
kept
be
glass
like
strictly
In the same way, too, the magnet should be guarded and kept
occult.
it
exerts hostility on
common mercury
which
it
touches, or which
as on Mars.
is
oil,
or
only placed in Mercury, never afterwards attracts iron.* Let no one be surprised
at this
of iron
there
is
it,
in itself.
spirit
spirit of iron in
magnet attracts the body of Mars to itself and this happens not only in
the magnet but in all other natural things, so that the foreign spirit which is
in an alien body, which is not of its own nature, always attracts a body
the
agreeing with
but of
own
its
This should be
nature.
known
all
animals.
After this
known
should be
it
breaks up
It
and
erate, unmalleable,
is
the
all
the principal
members
enemy
of gold, renders
an enemy of
hard and
unfit, if
it
congenital
its
it
all
as you see in
of Sol, from
it
is
amongst each
other,
it
in fire
or
'flux.
Since, therefore,
learn,
all
guard
loss
and virtue,
ought to be known concerning gold that it cannot be better and more
beautifully preserved than in boys' urine, in which has been dissolved sal amtheir nature
then,
it
moniac, or
in the
water of
sal
ammoniac
alone.
and most
is
renewed,
if
salt.
it is
In this
This protects
all
boiled thus.
iron
and
So,
it is
botin.
till
D(
flux,
it
iron
the
gem
and
though
steel the
from rust
if
if tliey
are
iron be liquefied
of salt, so
X)e
if the m.ignet be steeped in garlic it will be deprived of its attractive virtue.
Should anyone make use of a magnet while he is wearing a sapphire, it will effect
be removed. The same quality seems to reside in carabe, coagulate of gum, resin, and there-
affirmed that
Morbis Amentium,
nothing
never rusts.
steel
Of
or acetum in
silver,
it
also,
it
is
In like manner,
only
if
common water
be boiled in
if it
acquires
it
c.
5.
c. 2.
is its
it
green colour.
Lead cannot be conserved better than
such
77iings.
in
it
become of a
damp
nature.
33
is
place,
better
filings
of iron or steel.
If
the
around them.
row
at the top
drops of olive
oil will float
added, so that
all
filled to
way,
water or
liquid,
The
be covered.
No
the top
may
if
it
water a
be covered w
ith
oils
from blending.
For the conservation and preservation of cloth and garments from moth, so
that they may not eat them or settle in them, nothing is better than mastix,
camphor, ambergris, or musk but the best is civet, which not only preserves
:
flight
moths,
and bugs.
All timbers
can be conserved, as
in
never decay, whether they be in water, under water, or out of the water,
in the
ground, under the ground, or out of the ground, whether exposed to rain or
wind, air, snow, or ice, in summer or winter, and moreover, preventing them from
them when
in
felled.
making which
in
is
it
is
The method
putrefactions,
it.
It is
of conservation
and so remarkable
as follows
a cucurbite.
is
all
Over
Let
it
common
oil
of
yellow
completely
drj-.
nl.-iccd in
marble or
T^^^ Hertnetic
134
it
may
This
oil.
is
may be
if
Paracelsus.
Many
obliterated.
decay
so that
it
For
afterwards
it
can never be
in this oil
masts of ships,
it
oil,
in
water and
rain,
and would
similar things.
The conservation
This
if
courses.
them,
is
women
becomes
thick, beer
known
before anything
sulphur and
is
in
of sulphur, by
oil
is
particular.
it
said specially
Moreover, the
means
of which
all
is
in
The means
it
monthly
if
and hydromel
to
we wish to keep
know their chief
its acidity,
If
are put
oil
of conserving beer
by
is
oil
of garyophyllon,
in,
if
a few drops of
Better
as the
oil
The
oil
preservative of vinegar
the
all
it,
is oil
oil
The preservative
touches
the
is
of almonds.
protects
is
still
of cheese
is
no
worm
is
produced
in
If
it,
it
and
or perforata,
which
enemy.
fall
preservative, only
bread.
into
it,
If
it
the whole
honey
is
its
made
BOOK
IV.
NONE
gives
air
and substantial
to all corporeal
life
But as to what
known
that the
invisible
there
now
said,
spirit
acts, as
we
should
know
So
Absolutely nothing.
for.
is
It
under
For
own
spirit,
is
which
For
body
is
death,
must be
is
bound up with
for
its
it
own body
is
alive,
Hence
it is
but
in the
spirit,
metallic,
veil or
and
the
spirits
of potables,
There are
of salts,
Dc-
EnU
it,
place
and
celestial
infernal spirits,
arsenical
is lire.
own
whence it
and
lower
of the higher
its
body
the
in
and
spirits, spirits
of the
various ways,
life
the spirit
in
The
contains after
it
human and
spirit
things,
all
also keeps
firmament.
which,
life,
it
it is
its
account
this
virtue
On
spiritual thing.*
For what
itself.
an
essence,
spiritual
a spirit and
itself
should be
it
life.
all
is,
spiritual thing.
here
and a
is
lives
is
is
as just
life
of things
life
Aitrorum,
c. 6.
There
is
salt,
a twofold
life
and balsam
man
there
is
the
life
of the soul,
which proceeds from the nature of God but I speak here as a physician, and not as a theologian. There is also a life
of the anim.-il kind, which is of air and fire, and the same is domiciled in the IxKly, which is c-irth and water. So
is man dowered with an animal and a sidereal life./?* Festilitate^ Tract I.
In another sense the life of man is said
I
be triplex necroconiic. c.tg.lstric, .ind salnitric. But this has reference to the animal life only ~Lib,r Azoth,
Tluil
which sustains the body is the life, but the life iLself is from God. and not from man.
This life consists in four
things - humours, complexions. nattH-al species, and gifts or %'irtues. - De C^riterationc Hoinhtis.
;
136
of
corporeal things.
all
Now we
go on
will
to its species,
and here
will
of each natural
life
thing.
The
then, of
life,
men
all
is
am
many
imable to name
more
we
clearly,
air,
and a
although
Since, however,
distinctive titles.
an included
fire,
it
spirit
could
it
will
names.
The
of metals
life
This
sulphur.
Is
a latent
is
shewn from
on account of
The
life
of mercury
to say, within
aptly to be
it
is
we
all
causes cold
it
but
worn both
is it
The
of
life
is
in this
is
it
in
it is
still,
in the
cold
vi-inter
As
it
is
with mercury.
of sulphur
That
respect
frigidity.
in
life
and
if
The
skins, so
wherefore
the metals,
all
naked body,
came about
within,
is
hidden fatness.
compared
its
fluid state, as
So
is
fatness
their fluxion,
its evil
is
all salts is
Whilst
odour
it
ma_\-
be said to
it
flames
li\e.
spirit
of atjua fortis
for
when
is
called
dead earth.
The
gems and corjits is mere colour, which can be taken from them
The life of pearls is their brightness, which they lose in
their calcination.
The life of the magnet is the spirit of iron, which can be
extracted and taken away by rectified viiium ardens Itself, or by spirit of winel?
The life of flints is a mucilaginous matter. The life of marcasites, cachyby
life
of
spirits of wine.
inia;, talc,
the
power
to
tinge.
s;ih.
The
I.
all
his
is
a metallic spirit
arsenicals, auripigment,
and bU>od uf mall nre preserved and susLiincd by .1 cert.'iin Iwlsam. Now. this haliiam i:. the hody of
is man preserved as by a balsam.
Dc Morbis Ta^tartts. c. at.
The balsam of man exists
memliers, and is specialised therein-in the blood, in the marrow, in the bones, the arteries, etc.
tlesh
alike in
life is
Of
/liriirxi'i '"^^^ff'ttf,
Lib. V.
The
life
is
their strong-
and
to say, of the
is
When
foetid smell.
life
The
taken
If
itself.
like, is
odour
137
life
away
is
bj- distillation,
The
They
glittering fatness.
and
furnish this,
The
else
gum, is a mucilaginous,
varnish
when they no longer
life
all
give excellent
life
is
if
nothing
they are
The
is
of
life
wood
a certain
is
that
deprived of resin
is
The
of bones
life
is
the liquid of
of water
is
life
it,
When
ice,
of
life
fire is air,
then
them from
ill
is
odour and
flowing.
its
The
mumia.
spirit
is
Any wood
resin.
it
is
it is
this to
is
dead, and
all
The
be known.
makes the
fire
it.
blaze
more strongly
and with greater impetuosity-. Some air proceeds from all fire, sufficient to
extinguish a candle or to lift a light feather, as is evident to the ej-es. .All live
fire, therefore, if it be shut op or deprived of the power to send forth its air,
must be suffocated.
The
however,
air lives of
is
itself,
of itself dead
and gives
but
its
life
to
own element
all
other things.
is its
invisible
The
earth,
and occult
life.
BOOK
V.
T
^
HE
death of
natural things
all
known
retain
many
that
little
but
see that
efficacy,
and
is
it
well that
is
my mere
I
is
We
who
this
still
living,
how
prepared (that
is,
and turned
speak or write of
small
For look
is
their virtue,
But
if,
of this
at
Mercury,
how
lightly
evil
than
by the industry of a
oil),
and prudently
precipitated, sublimated,
Venus be sublimated,
c:ilcined.
For
it.
fully
ihc mother of tinctures, for tinctures proceed from the mortification of the body, in
faithful
even as in a seed there are green, yellow, black, blue, and purple colours, which are, neverthethe seed has perished in the earth, and till the sun has prepared and produced them, so that what
The cause
wa-i
them.
Mercury be coagulated,
the
if
in
Death
many examples of
may
are
and
nrc contained,
life
is,
virtue,
virtues,
mines, that
resolved,
should be
opinion,
could recount
it
own
thej'
assertion
For
their
experience,
quiet
different nature.*
but that
this,
life
when
in
power and
new and
things which in
is
is
now
139
physician, ought to seek into these three things during his whole
his death
up to
assuredly
they
will
for
and even
life,
them.
labour, study,
his
all
in
Most
and
expense.
But
come
us
let
of each
fication
First of
mortified.
and
what
to particulars,
natural thing,
all,
and
and the
spirit,
born
its
and
is,
to his mother's
womb.
the earth, the earth, too, will be his mother, into which he
in
is
it
what way it is
the death of man, it should be
death
and morti-
flesh,
For, as
we
said, these
to regeneration.
is
structure,
in
many
salt,
quick mercur}-.
plates,
and
Calcination by salt
stratified
the metal
and precipitated
about thus
when
when
is
salt.
\.\\q
produced
fiiligo 7nercurii
is
the metal
is
Calcination by
therein.
is
and
formed into very thin
Calcination by sulphur is when
the metal
plates, stratified
is
formed into
is
For one
is
fiiligo meicttrii is
let
brought
an earthen vessel, narrow at the top but broad below, and afterwards set on
a moderate coal fire, w-hich should be blown a little until the mercury begins
to
made
when
it
as friable
the metal
is
let
know
small particles,
cleft into
Afterwards
will
is
vessel.
Then let
Thus the common
as a lump of coal.
many
cinnabar
is
is
and
all
mortified copper
lazurius
is
For instance,
mortified mercury;
mortified lead
and whitenings of
all
it
all
should be
known
which are to be
that
all vitriol,
mortified silver.
So, also,
all
Sol,
from which
is
its
dead,
140
because
it
is
silver.
But now
the metals
that
it
is
let
brought about.
First of
all, it
vinegar
made from
steel,
wine.
This
the mortification of
in
means
should be
is
There
however,
is,
another way of making the Crocus of Mars which partly surpasses the former,
and
is
plates
of steel
less
fortis,
oil
salt nitre,
and reduce
it
to a crocus
it
be well to
make a
The
water of
vitriol is
salt or of saltpetre,
it
to vitriol, verdigris,
and most
reliable
off this
in
vitriol.
of
method
an excellent medicinal
or burnt
Wash
rest.
better
best, easiest,
as follows
petre,
is
compared with
Alchemy and not in
ways and there are various proand more useful than another.
reducing copper to
is
to be
is
first
steel
Such
all
it
if
sublimated mercury,
Wherefore
that
The
Afterwards
ammoniac, water of
medicine
plates.
In the
the
reverberate.
from the
much
is
Proceed thus
to
it
is
made by aqua
:
the
off,
until
surface.
and you
salt-
the water
will
Then
have
no more beautiful,
fortis,
or aqua regis,
with one of the aforesaid waters, and as soon as the greenness has been ex-
and the plates have been dried, let the greenness be taken off with a
hare's foot, or by some other means at pleasure, as white lead is scraped off
Let them be again smeared as before, until the plates are
leaden plates.
enlirel)' consumed, and thence is produced a very beautiful vitriol, such as
tracted,
you cannot
Water
fail
to admire.
of saltpetre
is
made thus
it.
tX
Concerning
by
Afterwards dissolve
it
water of saltpetre.
Water
ammoniac and
resolve
In order to
make
of sal
ammoniac
141
This
is
as follows
water of
Calcine sal
ammoniac.
sal
verdigris from
We
made
is
a case on marble.
Thijigs.
itself in
in
it
Nature of
tlie
two
with'a two-
only,
The
Take plates of
copper, and smear them with the following compound
Take equal
quantities of honey and vinegar, with a sufficient quantity of salt to make the
three together the consistence of thick paste.
Mix thoroughly, and afterwards put in a reverberatorj-, or in a potter's furnace, for the same time as the
fold
for
potter bakes his vessels, and you will see a black substance adhering to the
Do
not let this circumstance cause you any anxiety or detain you at
you suspend or expose those plates in the open air, in a few days
the substance will turn green, and will become excellent verdigris, which maj' be
plates.
all
for
if
called the
this
air,
is
highly esteemed by
air
all
physicians.
becomes green
it
known
should be
own
fire
and
colour which
it
had assumed
And
in the
For here
a beautiful green.
first
The changes
in the fire.
it
comes
loses
its
of these colours
duced, though, for the most part, they flow from the blackness of dead earth.
You who
are skilled in .Alchemy see that everj- dead earth, flux of powder, or
fire,
more varied are the colours displayed in the air. Sometimes they
makes them sometimes only yellow, white, green,
cerulean
sometimes mingled, as in the rainbow or the peacock's tail. All
these colours display' themselves after death, and as a consequence of death.
For in the death of all natural things new colours appear, and they are
changed from their first colour into another, each according to its own nature
and properties.
Moreover, we will sa)' about verdigris that which we
in
it
the
dedicate to Alchemy.
The process
of
preparation
its
them out
fire,
tile
is
as follows
tile
Form
break the
air,
Then take
adheres to them, for a few days, and the matter on the plates will be converted into most beautiful verdigris, which in
all
strong waters,
in
waters of
gradations, in cements and colourings of gold, tinges gold and silver with a
deep colour.
But in order that copper
may become
a:s
ustum, which
let
is
copper be formed
142
smeared with
into plates,
put on a large
with a strong
fire,
salt
placed
tile,
in
may not
melt.
glowing, be extinguished in vinegar wherein sal ammoniac has been dissolved half an ounce in a pound of vinegar.
Let the plates be again heated,
still
them
off
in
Then
by
distillation, or let
evaporate
it
let
knock
this until
in
else
Keep doing
coagulate into a
let it
brought about by
sublimated
it
and
vitriol
When
salt.
becomes as hard as
crystal
it is
tlien
In order that
calcine
extracted from
it
five times,
Sweeten
red colour.
the
in
fire
this precipitate as
burns
more
it
much
as possible
and
finally distil
until
it
tate of Mercury.
by
If,
distilling
it
until the
it
altogether sweet,
is
arcanum
for all
wounds and
that
despondent alchemists.
For
toil
and returns
to
for these
sufficient
gain from
You
any kind.
ulcers
it
it
it is
gold
may
and the
and
it,
moreover,
an augmentation of
is
This
Gallic disease,
Sol,
it
the
brightens up
is
insomuch
it
Although,
compensates
it,
and
to
there is nothing in medicine to compare with precipitated mercury for the cure of icteritia.
Annotationes in Lib. de Icteritiis,
The medical preparation of the precipitate of mercurj-as
a healing unguent has been boastfully claimed to their own credit by many persons, though they are all filched from
the writings of the ancient artists and Spag>Tists. Vigo was not free from the disgrace of this falsehood.
PrecipiIt is also st-ited that
Fragnunta Medicals,
tated mercury
is
v.
certainly an ancient remedy, but has Iain hidden for a long time by the perfidy of physici.ans.
cavernous ulcers (except those of the eating and spreading kind) are completely cured by
its
use.
But
All
e.xperience
oil of argent vive, when outwardly applied, has much greater efficacy. Z>r Tuiorilyus,etc., Morbi
The bloodlike redness of the precipitate of mercury h.is caused it to be ignorantly confused with the
X.
ruddy powder into which the sweet balsam of mercury is reduced when it is prepared without sublimation or calcination by
Precipitated mercury of the metals is the reduction of the metals into their first
means ofthe water of eggs. /W</.
matter, which afterwards is deposited below. - C/ti>-ur^t\i .\JiigKii, Dt- hii/Oitnmis in XorX^ Gallico, Lib. IL
But
it.
in
may
be calcined,
143
must be abstracted by
must be done in sharp aqua
and the precipitation is made. But in order that Mercury may be
reduced to cinnabar,'" you must first of all mortify it, and liquefy it, with salt
and yellow sulphur. Reduce it to a white powder, then put it in a cucurbite
place an aludel above, and sublimate with great fluxion, as is customary. Thus
fortis,
this
which
distillation,
The
is
it,
as hard as haematite.
it
The preparation
of
may
that no spirits
behind the
fire.
is
as follows
have
is like
warm
escape.
sufficient
lead.
must
It
jar, stirring
is
at
first
it
But
vinegar.
in the
if
we wish
to
tin
make
or lead, or for
laterallj' in
grows
it
well as
use.
Alchemy.
It
The
made up only
is
other,
which dealers
sell in
will
way you
In this
a glazed
This minium
red.
once the best and the most valuable, and should be used
in
The other
and replace
cerussa.
Medicine as
in
the shops,
is
of no
it
Such minium
is
useful
only for pictures, but neither for Medicine nor for .Alchemy.
In order to reduce lead to a yellow colour a process
fire,
Afterwards
The
careful
into plates,
in
it
sal
in
it, is
way you
will
stirred
Otherwise
some
In
it
lest
test
the heat
ammoniac and
must be
it
In this
required not
is
all
in
similar substance,
boiled.
Afterwards dissolve
will
"
wipe
off
mercurj',
/^;rf..
Morbi
Lib. IIL. c. 7.
Galtici^ Lib.
was
I., c. 8.
from
Cinnabar i
different
44
Till
We
do not deem
gold so that
quintessence,
it
may be reduced
it
crocus,
resin,
to its arcana,
vitriol,
as,
and sulphur.
we have
other
in
we
omitted there
impart
will
proceed thus
Crocus of
the
Sol,
here.
of
resin
from
the
in the
Take two or
of Sol* and
vitriol
among
least
every physician.
Sol.
In order to
such secrets,
extract vitriol
three
form into plates and suspend above boys' urine, mixed with grape-berries,
in
Bury
heap
Remove
metals
is
it,
and you
let
it
will find a
of Sol,
vitriol
and
wine-press,
the
Then open
a glowing
this in
Venus and
verdigris from the plates of copper, the cerussa from the plates of Saturn,
enough of
some
continually with
with other
it
vitriol.
is
However, we
latent.
have
will
in
So
rises
it
up
also proceed
evaporate
that
rain
damp
two arcana,
In these
place.
them
indicated
sufficiently
taken away,
is
vitriol
Then
that
sort of spatula.
the
in
book on
Metallic
we
Diseases and
elsewhere.
The
following
and reducing
way
abstract from
it
to a fixed substance.
colour, with
it
bj'
Then
antimony.
it
will
become, at
in
its
combustible and
accomplished
to a fine
bottom, and
is
is
is
distillation continually
and there
is
no more smell of
first
thirdly, red
and cognate substances. But note here that what is usually called
For copper is vitriol.
If, therefore, the acidity be extracted
It is the same with all the other vitriolates of metals. ...
In all
who
uses
it
.-icids.
digests copper.
After-
of a black
in the
powder, and
a threefold distillation.
at the
sulphur.
This
away
foetid fatness,
know
vitriol.
D^
Mi^rhis Tarta*-eh.
c. i6.
When
as cinnabar.
you have
body
it
tinges into
The
and
The
all
salts,
distillation of their
earth, or caput
for
it
is
into
Of so great
health.
virtue
and whatever
of a salt nature,
is
is
the
if
mortuum.
gems and
mortification of
corals
is
The
for
fixed sulphur.
mortification of
removal and
it
rejoice
its
this reverberated
is
in that
it
the
145
mortification of pearls
that they be calcined and resolved in sharp vinegar in the form of milk.
The
The
The
common
mortification
Then
vitriol.
is
it
attracts
is
life,
oil
of mercury
iron.
calcination.
talc, cobalt,
sublimation, that
their
no
which
granites,
zinc,
is,
is
salt.
and stones
be smeared with
it
of marcasites, cachymiae,
and antimony,
that
is
Afterwards
mercury.
mortification of flints
zwitter, vismut,
wherein
magnet
mortification of the
or touched by
may
be removed from
it,
and you
will
no virtue.
fixed.
The
The
is
a coagulation of the
air.
is
good
odour.
The
is
The
reduced to
The
shall
oil
turpentine, and
gum
is
their
being
or varnish.
is
in
and water
Thus you
all
we
will set
it
its
natural things
nature, as also
fire
how
what
down
in
force
and
eff'ectiveness.
how death
is
latent in
Whatever else
is
necessary to say
T
on
HE
resuscitation
important
in
human and
natural.
my
to
judged), as
if I
my
fixed opinion, as
so that
may
no other
in
whom
and mis-
lies
am
constantly
that
From
violent or spontaneous.
least
would, however,
this point
the
ill
not
is
Do
point, the
to say,
is
and restoration
Nature according to
its
own
its
own
is
great.
It is
indeed
predestination,
God
it
cannot restore.
and still greater things, would be possible, since Scripture says, for Christ
Himself has said " If ye have faith as a grain of mustard-seed, and say to
Depart and place yourself yonder, it would do so and place
this mountain
and all things shall be possible, and nothing impossible,
itself there
to you."
But
let
What
is
the difference
nature
has
The matter
its
is
to be understood thus.
Whatever
is
between
resuscitation
dies by
its
own
Nature of
Co}iter?iiug the
dispensation of
and
God
But
arranges.
this, too,
T/thigs.
happens from
no resuscitation, nor
is
147
is
different diseases
which can be used against predestination and the cognate end of life. But
what is mortified can be resuscitated and revivified, as may be proved by many
arguments which we
down
will set
at the
end of
book.
this
names
Examine
widely as possible.
for
What
one thing.
the case of a
In very
good or use
further
deed these
differ as
died by a natural
there in him
is
is
be thought
it
None.
human
conserves other
when
is
itself
in
a balsam
also, indeed, as
is
tliat
dead, and
is
is
but
life,
has
itself.
which
it
dead
is
consumed with
latent,
is
not the
bodies.
death
life
is
and there
is
the greatest
br.QugJit
back
a metal, but not so the other. One is" volatile, the other is fixed. One is
dead, the other is mortified. The ash is volatile and cannot be brought back to
to be
and
dryness than
fatter
its
in
cause,
its
know
own
metal.
If
is
this
is
and can
and more
less fatness
fixed
is
The
fluxion.
and
lime
is
its fluxion,
and more especially does it retain the salt which of its own special nature is
capable of flux, and also makes all metals pass into flux, thereby reducing
them. Hence it follows with the ashes of metals that they cannot be brought
back
little
metals.
into
volatile.
This
is
The
salt
must be extracted
depends upon
it.
Among sham
is
prevalent.
In place of Sol Potabilis, the Quintessence of gold, the Tincture of gold, and
so on, they have palmed off on men a leprous Calx of Sol, not considering the
the bowels,
diseases,
and
at
last
e\en death.
1,2
4^
llic
And
as with
arcanum or medicament
metallic
Wherefore the
it
body unless
into the
first
becoming
Aurum
by
this;
is
wine, so
Just as you
Mars,
Luna, \'enus.
potable
been
first
Potabile
spirit of
and inseparable.
volatile
have
metallic condition.
its
it
But
continue
to return to
adequate
reasons that
mortified things
who
of lions,
are
born
all
and are
dead,
for
up
life
same thing
see the
putrefaction, like
in
flies,
could be discerned
in
the
and
warm
which,
if
left,
whole serpent
If
produced from
if
these
life
little
former
life,
this
Now,
You
fishes.
horrible
is
So you
of
the
spawn
by
if
But
dead.
person
and are
life
vitalised
all
to
vitalised
Unless
and
You
rule.
first
compelled
resuscitated
awakened by a shout.
same way
would necessarily wake but this is not
So the
and
not dead
are
in
If
putrefied
in
the
worms
pieces,
and
venter equimis,
the
be cut
it
in
in
as
they ought
be
to
one.
be produced from the one, any single serpent being as big as the original
And
with
the
aid
of nigromancy,
Hermes and
By
this
Virgil endeavoured to
renovate and resuscitate themselves after death, and to be born again as infants,
but the experiment did not turn out according to their intention and
was
it
unsuccessful.
Let us, however, pass by these examples, and come to the practical
method of resuscitation and restoration. It is advisable to begin with metals,
because metallic bodies more frequently resemble human bodies. Know, then,
one brings back
that the resuscitation and renovation of metals are twofold
calcined metals by a process of reduction to their original metallic body
the
:
their
first
is
matter.
The former
is
a reduction to
Calcine a metal by
means
Concerning
and
calx.
before.
or
Mctcuriits
elevated,
Repeat
that
vh'its,
some
two are
may
is
it
then done.
is,
pound
such time as
in digestion for
into
ice,
for
When
and sublimate as
them stand
let
wax
149
candle, like
Nature of Things.
the
its
This
matter.
first
the
called
is
have found
So
it.
is
The
or
resuscitation
Mercury
of calcined
restoration
produced by
is
distillation in retorts.
may
up with
raises
should
it
first
resolve from
itself in
it
of
and
water,
if
way
all
it
more
or
nine
times,
The
resuscitation, restoration,
;
exceedingly
it
for in this
away from
Sublimate
never be revivified.
in
be
will
it
efFectuall)'.
Mercurv.
it
If,
vitriol,
be repeated seven
this
it
boiling
all
it,
therefore,
it
be sublimated
it
may be
is
effected as
follows
At
its orifice
Distil
little
fire,
holes,
and
so that
it
let
be
it
may
fall
industry.
The following
been
of
first
liquid,
and
liquefied
all
oil
is
the
method of
its
of
its tree,
over a gentle
the
fire.
revival
it
in
matter, and so you will have the three principles together from which
are born and generated, namely, phlegma,
fat,
and ash.
all
things
The phlegma
is
150
is
Sulphur, and
ash
all
it,
will see
Salt.
is
burnt
is
Sulphur;
If
it
which, indeed,
This
is
in
respectively.
you
ash
tlie
is Salt.
them
place
fire is
is in its
nature
wood, and
little
soil,
and restored
was from the beginning wood, but mortified, destroyed, and reduced
to coals, to ashes
to nothingness
and yet from that nothingness it is made
something, and is reborn.
Truly in the light of Nature this is a great
mystery, that a thing which had altogether lost its form, and had been
reduced to nothingness, recovers that form and becomes something from
nothing something which afterwards is much nobler in its virtue and its
wood.
is
really
is
It
efficacy than
it
had been at
first.
we may speak
that
taken from
it
specifically here
make
to each thing
and separated
;
so
these things
things.
we
in
this
may
mortification.
more
resuscitation
It
is
book, and
difficult to
in
explain this
the following
book
COxN'CERXIXG
BOOK
VII.
11" wc
and
just
brought about.
it is
own
form, and
is
is
and, thirdly,
b\'
in
natural objects,
all
and before
else,
all
in
it
so changed that
it
bears no resemblance to
its
is
we should
its
anterior shape,
but assumes another guise, another essence, another colour, another virtue,
as
if
if
wood becomes coal if clay becomes stone and slate hide, glue
All these are transmutations of natural
and many such things.
objects.
After this it is most necessary to know the steps to transmutation,
For although some
how many there are. There are not more than seven.
stone or
rag, paper
persons reckon a greater number, there are, of a truth, only seven principal
steps
They
seven.
may
be included
among
If
many
The
first
step, then,
is
will arrive at so
Among
as relates to Calcination.
is
difference so far
for
is little
a
^
and
naked
One
of the
all
fi^e,
strong, and
is
calcined
exposed to the
is
AWhemy
to
air.
B)-
minerals,
;
and
stones,
this is
means of
done
this
all
What
or cemented.
The.
5 2
y
tenacious, soft, and fat earth
we
to lime, as
many
and
Under
body, so,
is
is
in
process of Sublimation,
For
found
in
P"or,
distillation,
in
and
and
as from
all
phleg-
separated from
is
many excellent
and many things are
Sublimation
minerals,
in
which
all
'M^
it is
in the
the spiritual
but
is
natural objects.
Fixation!
see in the kiln of the lime burner and the potter respectively.
Sublimation*
of
is
let
fixed
following
and wonderful
virtues
its
and become
way
own
Let
dregs.
it
per-
sublimates no
longer, but
into a stone,
which
is
But
this consider a
many
it
to sophists.
corrosives
it
is
brought to a state of
an
oil
in
the cold, or in
stone in the
This
fire.
is
The
third step
is
when you
Solution, however,
fire,
corrosives,
be
it
is
twofold
fire.
oil,
The
resolves into an
it
a liquid, or water
is
in
Distillation,
and assumes
in
salt
;
all
and
Sublimation or Distillation.
is
salts,
often acquires
which
and
Whatever
after Sublimation
salt,
niaj-
damp
For
which
And everything
fire
changed
IJy sublimation the lower minerals are separated from those elements uhigh are the source of their poverty and
many other virtues. For example, the sublimation of quicksilver has
For in the air penneated by mercury- all the virhas a recreative effect.
In like m.-uincr, the sublimation of arseni(j^ rele.Tses a fervid spirit into the attnospherc
which cures quart.-m fever .ind other .icutc disexses. iJ^ Mortis .'Hctalitcis. Tract III., c. 5.
materially performed, but after a mode which
t Exaltation, conjunction, opposition, and kindred processes are not
Paramiriim. Tract III., c. 6.
is altogether spiritual.
this operation, that
even the
bodies
and sulphurous
all fat
fire
153
air
chamber
ever
is
not
fire.
dissolved in
Thus, and
Putrefaction*
stand
first,
which
lies
its
no other way,
in
So what-
and
cold, but
Solution to be understood.
is
is
Now
Circulation.
and by
fire,
dissolves,
fire.
Putrefaction
and
is
only that would be contrary to the just order and to the mystery
known
is
to very few.
in turn,
rounds of a ladder.
Vox
if
one of
is
new
nature,
it
away
all
all
void.
and transmutes
all
it,
Putrefaction takes
life.
toil
our
all
All living
fruit.
salt,
renders them soft and sweet, transmutes their colours, separates the pure from
the impure,
Distillation
Under
the
is
are understood
it
By
Fixation.
fifth
extracted from
substances the
all fat
and
oils
all liquids,
and
in all
by Cohobation, especiallv
this is fixed
Putrefaction
generation.
it is
is
Alum,
called colcotar.
Modus Pharmacandt^
Df Modo Pharmacandi,
if
Tract
Tract III.
I.
at
in
a substance
is
is
putrefaction.
Z>^ Pestiiitaic,
Tract
it
to
purge
itself,
Ibid.
is
was
is
When
water,
new
is
qualitative
and digestions of
All putrefaction
is
what
is
it has become
essence. />* Tartaro. Lib. 11., Tract
the earth and the digestion which t.ikes place in the body of man, there is
so that
in
By
I.
own
Putrefaction
Digestion
its
colours, co'rruptions.
essentially
is
oil
phlegmatic
oil
itself.
natural objects.
all
it
its
essence, as
this difference, that the earth separates nothing, in the sense that
it
created.
In so far as
its
TJie
154
called Zuccari.
month
This, too,
men
is
if it
be putrefied for a
it
is
of great power
in
we
of a metallic temperament, as
more
write
at length in
fire in
our books on
Metallic Diseases.*
salt nitre
with
own
its
Moreover,
in
is
of vitriol or vinegar, or
oil
Many
it
Many aromatic
And
things
in their
Coagulation
is
There
Each of
fire.
these, again,
is,
;
by
air,
or without
Another
fire.
and
is
fixed
is
produced by the
becomes permanent.
mineral
fire
that
is,
fire
and
it
work of Nature
One, indeed,
is
and graduated
is
of the alchemist,
fire
coagulates, that
as the alchemist
it
coagulated by the
is
and whate\er
natural
all
was
.Archeus of
For
things.
originally
this
corporeal
clioseii wliich
Its
the
whereto,
.is
alum,
in
fire,
be
If these two be separated one from another, the quality withdraws into one place, and the element,
manner, into another. Now, the element of alum is most akin to the element of water. For the element of water
iti its Hylc, as alum after its e.vcoction, and when
it has been separated from its coagulates, it passes into
pure and proper clement, despoiled, however, of its medicinal arcana. But alum docs not suffer this privation. For
in like
also consists
Whence
fire.
till it is
must he separated
symptoms of
There are many such
the elementary disease again present themselves, they must be ag.ain extinguished as before.
arcana, which I leave to the experience of the school of Vulcan, as it is impossible to enumerate them in this place. /'^
ilorbU MelallkU. Lib. II.. Tract IV., c. 6.
rectified therein
The dose
is
is
its
*'
The Coagu-.
ice.
fire
coagulated into a body and corporal material, but cannot again be resDl\ed
produced only
.siinullaneously exist.
it
another of
is
indeed,
air,
The Coagulations by
fire.
same way
the
mucilaginous,
is
Another Coagulation
much
in
coagulated by such a
But
one of the
in
and graduates
matter was
all
artificial
and permanent.
'-
is
common
excrementitious things
one scruple.
If the
^^
f\^
-"^
,S
And
into water.
155
know
also
water unless
it
originally
is
is
mineral
all
substances.*
Tincture
work
of our
all
transmutes them into their noblest essence and highest state of health, and
changes them
to
another colour.
Tincture, thcrcjorc,
is
which
bodies, metallic
more noble
essence,
it
with another
human
minerals,
word, of
all
For
a state of fluxion.
or material which
is
if
the tincture
is
salts-,
all
substances
fat
in a.
lire,
to tinge,
it is
ta
and
in
a state of flux
For
for
would be just as
though one were to cast saffron, or some other colour, into coagulated water
or ice it would not tint the ice so quickly with its colour as if one were to put
it into other water.
And, although it might tinge the ice, it would at the
it
same time reduce it into water. Wherefore, metals also, which we wish to
tinge, must be liquefied by fire, and freed from their coagulation.
And here
it
should be known that the more hotly they are liquefied the more rapidljthe tincture rinis through them, just as fermentation penetrates the whole
mass and imparts acidity to it, and the better it is covered up. and the warmer
the mass is kept, the more perfectly it ferments, and the better bread it gives:
for fermentation is a Tincture of the farinaceous
* .Ml created things proceed from a coagulate, aiid afteru-ards this coagulate must pass into a liquid.
From a liquid,
a defined shape.
Ftirther, the
For example salt, when it is dissolved
>olid can never be so perfectly liquefied as not to strive to return to its solidity.
It is the same with all other substances.
Moreover, no solid is so comin water, seeks to revert into its original state.
pletely dis.solved but that it will actually return into its original shape, by means of the nature it retains.
tJnderstand
that any solid proceeds from one of the three principles sulphur, mercury, and salt - whichsoever it may be. Sulphur
This is also the case with salt and
is never liquefied so completely as not to leave some solidity adhering to it.
mercury. Grc.it attention must be paid to this solidification and dissolution. The one frequently prevails over the
then, all procreated things proceed, whether these be liquids or
solids possessing
other.
Understand, therefore, of
is
all
fruits,
l,nt
that from
and
all
of which mention is
and were again solidified. The result is that here a certain kind of generation
^v takes place, and if it be not followed again by a second digestion, as in the digestion which ensued after the first
dissolution into fruits, th.tt which finally remains becomes the principle of t.lrtar. ~At'ud F ragnirtttuni tii' Tartaiv,
The brutes themselves have an innate knowledge, good and l>ad. None the less has man. also, his tinctured
knowledge, which is bad and good, being tinctured from the stoTN as regards his earthy nature and condition.
In consequence of this n.lture a most supreme and exhaustive investigation of philosophy is permissible. The right and projter
understanding of the animal condition of human nature is cont.iineU in an understanding of the tincture of the
anim.1l man.
Man has two tinctures, one. as regards his inferior being, frof^ the stsr^.. and ihe other, supernatural,
is
not a solid.
For
fruits
from
Uut
GaA.De
th.-tt
res:Uil,ile, Tract
liquid,
I.
56
some dregs
It is
are of a
more
fixed substance
than their liquid, of a sharper also and more penetrating nature, as you see
in
vimnn
the case of
which
ardens,
made from
is
is distilled
and as sulphur
is
if
that
would consume
it
all
if
of
that
is,
fluxible,
in
the case of
metals, which
must
Luna and
first
of
it
all
tillation
Tincture
the
is
metal asy
Sol.*
all
will presently
tion.
dis-
and incombustible,
it
float like
oil
little
commonly
is
fier^'
and
lastly,
evolved,
fixed,
colour.
supreme
state of health,
and
diseases
may
powers and colours may be restored, and they themselves invigorated and
we
give
in
many
xitriol,
other books, so
it
and the
like,
But concerning Tinctures nothing more need be written, seeing that every
extracted colour
may
manent colour things which do not enter the fire, or keep their colours fixed
in the fire.
All these things are in the hand and power of the dyer or the
painter, who prepares them according to his own pleasure.!
It is especially necessary, too, in this book to know the degrees of fire,
which can be graduated and intensified in many ways, and each degree has its
own peculiar operation, while no one gives the same result as another, as
every skilful alchemist finds from his daily experience and the practice of his
art.
One
is
fire
all
bodies.
tlie body itself, which. ifsepar.ited from the body, so th.lt a white Lotly
For colour and body are two different things, and for this reason admit of separation.
hat is to say, the pure (the colour) is sep-tr-ited from the impure (the body).
Unless this be done, all the labour will
itai
iVrn
out useless. When, accordingly, this separation is accomplished, we must injnicdiately h.xsten to the clarification
f the colour, and to the highest grade of e.\alt.ation.
But the grade to which the tincture can be exalted is five limes
double, that is. five times into five times twenty-four, for it cannot become more sublimated. C/i/r;y/Vi il/agttn.
* 1 call
c. j.
Just as you sec fire completely consume firewood and similar bodies,
have no figure of man, so we must believe that tinctures operate. Thus, as antimony purges away
all the dross of gold, perfects it, and raises it to the highest grade by cement.ation, in like manner it becomes manifest
that the tinctures themselves have obtained a nature similar to cement, inasmuch .as they perform operations completely similar to those of the latter and of fire.
The ancient artists marvellously wearied themselves at conjoining
t
which, as gold,
etc.,
tinctures with
fire,
medicine
in their
all in vain.
/^rV/..
c. 8.
the
is
is
fire
the coal
157
volatile bodies.
all
their
graduates more highly Sol and Luna, takes the whiteness from Venus,
scoriae,
which many
yet another
another, ashes
in
shewn by a
is
and
effect,
fire,
fire
Of so wonderful a
and
all fat
another
way
operation
its
By
virtue
this
fluxible things
that by
fire,
all
means of
it
metals
in
concerning which
table.
and
place,
which
in
on a
In
roris, in
also
produces heat,
in
distillations,
way
alkali) of iron
{i.e.,
fire.
fire, I will,
Before
of various
secondly, of stones
The transmutation of
hindrances and
difficulties.
God, as many
Vet
But
falsely say.
it
in
have already,
in the
of the Tinctures,
thirdly,
metals, then,
difficulty,
is
all,
the great
is
five
But since we
it is
in
of Metals.
if
Mars
into
Venus.
are cemented
with calcined
vitriol
thirdly,
if
in
diflFerent
as,
ways
oil of vitriol.
In these three ways iron is transmuted into the
and heavy copper, which, indeed, flows very well, and has its
own weight as well as any native copper. Iron filing can also be reduced and
transmuted as if into lead, so that it becomes entirely soft, like native lead,
Therefore proceed thus Take some iron filing,
but it does not flow easily.
tinguished with
best, natural,
in
it
a blast furnace,
stand as
if
in
make a strong
fire,
Mix them
much as
;
not so
place
them
to melt the
158
fire
cool of
and you
itself,
melt.
will find
But
in
Of
Then granulate.
as Luna.
same quantity
this,
all,
first
First of
it
will
On
This
skill required.
is
it is
much
is
any great
in vitriol,
or stratify
the process
Then you
lastly, liquefy.
will see as
ductile
copper.
If,
now, such copper, or any other copper, be made into plates and
amber or red
you wish
If
to
lastly,
if,
be cast,
lastly,
cast, as above.
transmuted
init,
brief a
summary
know concerning
means
in
of
but
in the coals to
it
still
Mars, which
much
as
you can
it
is
made
can take.
Moreover,
is
of
alike.
Any
and
may
it
It
:
be at a high temperature,
in
the
oil
Thus you
will
make
can be transmuted
it
of the crocus of
may imbibe
magnet so powerful
i^\>
that with
as
it
in the
situated in the
in
common magnet
its
some transmutations
So all
becomes
of sulphur.
and
it
tin.
in
gems
into
blackness and darkness are taken away from the lead, and
mutation of
changed
it is
stratify
it
stratified
transmutations of gems,
two grades of
tincture
it
and coagulation.
an ^^^ can be tinged with saffron, and afterwards coagulated into a beautiful
yellow amber, with the dye of a pine into black amber, with verdigris into
green amber,
like the
like-
ness of an emerald, with lazuleum into a cerulean amber like sapphire, with
Brazilian
wood
into a red
amber
like the
made
to resemble alabaster
liquids,
so
all
other
fixed colours,
Concerning
Similarly pearls, too, can be
means of
that by
Nature of Thhigs.
the
their brightness
made
159
appearance so
Proceed thus
Purify as
much
some
fair
white
or pearl shell,
talc,
pound
it
in
marble very
fine,
so that
it
warm
he dried
hepar.
sun or behind a
in the
from
Lastly,
this
white of eggs
in
earth.
Proceed thus
of.
Afterwards dry
it
you
like potter's
will
lastly,
dry them thoroughly, and anoint them externally, as you did the pearls, with
Dry them
white of ^%%-
become
in virtue.
should also be
known
wood,
gem,
is
if
at a particular time
in
will tell
on.
vou
First,
manner calculated
fire,
to cause woiltler.
So, too,
called stone
coal.
In the
is
is
made from
hides, paper
silk
produced out of linen with a very sharp lixivium made from lime and the
ashes of woad.
this lixivium,
If
the
downy
woven
finis.
like cotton.
.\ny
oil
or spermatic
All these are
the
IN elements,
first
four
when the first matter of the world was one chaos. From that
chaos God built the Greater World, separated into four distinct
elements, Fire, Air, Water, Earth.
Fire was the warm part, Air only the
cold, Water the moist, and, lastly, Earth was but the dry part of the Greater
World.
Now,
that
in
all
Eighth Book as
this
possible,
briefly as
we have
and
fully
of the Elements.
things,*
been mingled
And here
is
singly,
in
and by
when two,
stantially
itself,
three,
four,
is
or more have
it
known
instituted.
conceals
Alchemy
proceed from
it,
all
namely, gold,
is
If this,
evident.
by alchemical
or
five,
By way
still
art,
be
copper,
in
made
is
all
But
is
in
is,
it is
nothing else but the segregation of one thing from another, whether two,
I
mean the segregation of three
more have been mixed
and the extraction of the pure from the
impure, or of the pure and noble spirit and quintessence from the dense and
three,
four,
or
Sep.iration
is
grounded
in heat, as in
in
there can be no metal, and unless there he separation in the smaller world, that
is,
in
there can be neither health nor disease, but an equable and perpetual disposition of all things. Chiritrgia
2.
is
man.
Magna^
i6i
three, four, or
or the dissolution and liberation of things linked and bound together, which
are by nature adverse, and perpetually act contrariwise one to the other, and
go on doing so
until they
known
to us
but those
among
all
down and
species.
The
is
Separation of which
first
since he
Macrocosm, the
like
an eagle
down
in the earth,
From
Hence we have
more
It
becomes
a putrid corpse,
spectres, visions,
But
at length in the
is
seen even
was elaborated by
treated of
consumed.
is,
after death.
is
is
After this separation has been made, then, by the death of the man, the
three substances separate one from the other, that
soul,
and the
spirit,
each wending
its
way
to its
own
is
There are two kinds of death-one from the Vliadus, and one from the Ens.
Vliadus medicine
may
7ar/aro. comment,
With
it is
that
/?'
in Lib. II.
t It has, therefore,
seemed good to
me
that
man
should
first
of
all
mere
mere mortality. Afterwards we must become
acquainted with the soul, which is by no means mortal, but is the eternal man. Vou must further know that the soul is
flesh and blood, and that it consists of flesh and blood, but that there is a twpfold flesh, namely, mortal and etcrn^.
The mortal takes its essence from mortal ttSh the eternal is perfect flesh and blood unto life eternal. Therefore if
man considers within himself who and what he is. .ind what will be his future condition, he will thence readily understand that in this body, incarnate from the Holy Spirit, he shall sec God, his Redeemer, and that whatsoever God
our Redeemer operates in us. He doesTliroiigli ilie man of new generation, because that is not of a mortal but an
dition, so that
it
mortality,
attempt to do battle
Is
clearly intelligible
what
is
eternal body.
other Ixxly
is
this
body
is
whose flesh and blood we are. etc. Philoiophia Sagax, Lib. IL, c 2.
work on the cabala which has been preserved in the name of P.aracelsus, is a short treatise, which forms
a detached portion of the book entitled De Peitiiitate.
It is not cabalistical in the sense which properly attaches to
that term, nor does it exhibit any special acquaintance with that section of Jewish traditional literature to which it L.
referred in name.
In its general outline it seems to l)e fairly in harmony with the great body of cabalUiical cosmogony.
whom we
t
derive,
The
sole
62
which
it first
the elements
of
all
forth
now been
has
body
the
first
What
came
Microcosm
should also be understood of the greater world, which the mighty ocean has
separated into three parts, so that the universal world
three portions, Europe, Asia, and Africa.
is
This separation
is
figuration of the three principles, because they, too, can be separated from
and
Salt.
Of
From
this
mountains, that
up and composed.
instituted
is
these,
in
come
from their
metals
By
and minerals.
is
separation which
You
known
should be
is built
many come
forth
the
mar-
lazulum, auriplgment,
tripolis,
oils,
the
Vegetables
in
Mercury, Sulphur,
Animals
In
their separation
give water,
Whoever,
and
resins,
gums,
blood,
flesh,
fat,
bones,
skin,
must be a
it is
juices,
etc.
oils,
Salt, etc.
skilled
briefly as follows.
Earth, water,
for
all
air.
and
fire
have
their origin
fire, air,
Besides
natural objects.
to
know what
is
or
is
this,
not
water, earth.
This mother was water. When the whole world was formed the Spirit of God was home over the waters,
by the word Fiat water was first created, and thence all other creatures, animate and inanimate. These three are called,
These, therefore, are the true principle, these the true matter, out of which all animals and
truly, sulphur, mercurj-, salt.
one mother.
for
man
autumn.
This
Thus
for perfect generation in all things there are three things required
man
NoWj
and
S alt ha s
Moon, and is thereby governed. It is also a subject of water, in which it isdi^solved and liquefied. It is of autumn
and winter.
But t he Sun is king a nd lo rd of sulphur which ft fervid, igneous, and dissolved in fire. Now, the^Sun is
lint all tilings are nothing else save sulphur, mercury, and salt, which, further, are the
ilie ruler of spring and autumn.
most certain mark of ever>- true physician. S.ilt is the body of autumn and winter, and sulphur of spring and summer.
sulphur gives body, increase, and digestion. These two are father and
Salt gives form and colour to all creatures
mother, from which mediating stars all creatures are produced. But mercury' ncedsdaily nourishment, and also continu.tl
augmentation from sulphur and salt. Know also that God has put much sulphur and salt into earth and water, and everj*
creature, animate and inanimate, in water and earth, have their proper sulphur and salt, whence they receive nourishment
and savour. Salt gives savour and form, sulphur odour and the power of putrefaction. The Sun and Moon assiduously
labour to generate these three things copiously, and alS) to mature the same. The Sun and Moon are the parents of ail
The seed is brought by the parents, and the fcctus, which is mercurj-,
creatures, while sulphur and salt are the seed.
is born.
The manner of the nativity of cver^'thing has its analogies in the great world. When the death of winter ha<
p.xssed, all things that are capable of receiving life are set in motion by the amenity of May, and all creatures are transNow, every individual being has
ported with singular delight, even as a pregnant woman who desires to bring forth.
So are there
assigned to it its own May for its conception and birth, its respective autumn, and its peculiar harvest.
various springs, summers, and autumns, according to the infinite varieties of creatures. The doctrine of the three prime
principles recurs continually in the writings of Paracelsus, and is elsewhere treated at considerable length in the text of
this translation.
At the same time, the obscurity which involves the subject seems to warrant the citation of passages
such as the above, not exactly to cast light upon the question, but to exhibit the primeval mystery of Paracelsican
is
himself.
the
philosophy with
all its
available variations.
sulpliur, mercurj-,
salt
fixed
is
every object
its
ness, sweetness,
Moreover,
its
it
is
and what
163
volatile,
He must
into
necessary to
is
know
sublimation,
beration,
water and
distillation,
coagulation,
reduction,
oil
By
colour, odour,
and whatever
a word, there
is in
By sublimation
and so on.
is
otherwise combustible.
inflammability,
colour, odour,
in
By
reverberation are
wateriness,
fat,
fluxible or inconstant,
is
and the corporeal, the pure from the impure, the Sulphur
and the
Salt, the
fat
By
rest.
is
reduction, the
its
not
fat.
tion
its
fluxible
is
is
moisture and
all
from the
is
dense body.
whatever,
By
is
separated
By
By
lavation.
corporeal substances.
pulverisation,
all
By coagulation
By pulverisa-
are separated one from the other dust and sand, ashes and lime, the
All
unequal weight are separated by the process of jaculation, just as the chaff
By washing
its
and animal portion from the mineral, Sulphur from Mercury and
Salt, Salt
from
Mercury.
come down
separation of metals
will treat of that
is
let
to special details.
rightly the
first
of
work of
all.
It
For
we
first.
many
gemmze,
saltpetre, etc.
a furnace.
Then
ash.
let
them
liquefy in
reverberatorv, until
all
is
will
become
by means of a
M2
In
164
Tlie
this
from
all
copper and
be found
apparent
silver,
is
and
dirt
its
one
metal, as
is
ores
very
one mineral
in
Mineral
scoria.
ore
kind
of this
often the
and
silver, tin
metals
it
example,
may
silver, etc.,
will
tin,
W\
the imperfect
lead,
much
as of the regulus), and then only fine silver and gold remain in the vat.
attained, too,
similar result
is
the lumps.
By
That which
lighter
be
if
in
sometimes
for
circumstance
this
in
will
case
that
if
is
liquefied
is
the
to
mounts above.
Two
water, and one can be extracted from the other, and extended and resolved.
But
if
sand or
that resolution, as
in
calx,
salt
according to the
Besides
this,
following process.
to a state of flux.
When this
has been
done, throw in for every pound of the metal one ounce of the most perfectly
sublimated and refined sulphur. It will there be burnt, and in the course of that
operation
it
will
it
will
attract to itself,
in this
lightest, whilst
way
until cool.
mingled.
fore, is
In the
.Sulphur, there-
and
silver,
if
they are to be
separated from their minerals, since they can neither be treated in the
fire
Menurius
vivns.
nor
means
separated from the calx of the gold or silver by the grade of distillation.
In this way, other metals, too, as gold, silver, copper, iron, tin, lead, and
muted metals
of this kind
their extraneous
there are,
is
more or
In this scale the principal is fine gold, then fine silver, the third lead, the
Concertiing
fourth
the
the
tin,
first is
fifth
Nature of Things.
tlie
165
part with part, then lead ashes, next laton, afterwards casting brass.
Mercury, for
part,
its
strip
it is
to be inserted, by
is
pass over.
like lime,
it
it
from another
all
without any
we have
said.
fire
leaf,
same
In the
tin, too,
steel
amalgam
covered with
tin,
and
of Mercurius vivus, as
The separation
corrosives,
is
of metals in aqua
aqua
fortis,
manner
regis,
mmute
common
quantity of
be macerated until
silver,
Let
portions.
it
the metal
in
it,
all
But
if
By
this
you wish
down
bottom
to the
and
to bring
it
The separation
will
in the
following
put
necessary.
in the
it
way
way
silver, will
form of black
be separated.
and
to drive
its
and
is
silver,
be
In this
it
grains
in the
If
accomplished
it.
most
sufficient
is
sand.
plates, or
all
mixed
is
If this
will
go to the bottom
be resolved and converted
abstracted through a glass funnel from the silver calx into a separate glass
vessel,
common
rain or
66
will
it
The separation
for
fine
is
this
gold alone.
fine
If
it
Moreover,
also,
little
and
tin
lead,
consumed by
affected or
these mixtures,
any metal
fixed
the less
is
is
it
fine
gold
most
the
is
fixed
and perfect of
from the
the cement.
It
But
is
The more
degree of reverberation.
the
all
such as
fixation,
om
if
say, be
if
if
is
iron, or tin
iron,
and so
is
and so on
in
order with
the others.
we have explained
far
it
was
to be
done, using the greatest brevity consistent with accuracy, and following the
Now, next
we
order,
in
it
will
be
are generated, such as are the three principles. Mercury, Sulphur, and Salt,
and the
lazurium,
is
found the
first
is
In
like.
these the
essence of gold
first
the
tin.
the
first
first
essence of iron.
essence of copper.
found the
first
essence of
Concerning
mother.
Whoever,
this
first
It
is
to separate
it,
is
is
found by the
etc., the
first
In cobalt, zinctum,
found.
atramentum, verdigris,
In zinctum, bismuth,
etc.,
the
first
etc.,
essence of
In cinnabar
essence of lead.
is
silver.
essence,
it
should be
sometimes assimilated
therefore,
is
In zinctum, vitriol,
spirit, still
its
minium,
In antimony,
is,
degree of sublimation.
etc.,
to
known
lies
that
hidden
it
in
is
a fugitive
the w
omb
of
If
and
all
in
the
alchemy
first
many
will avail
it
essence
doxis,
it
How
167
is
him nothing,
from
to be separated
in
of sublimation, as the fixed from the non-fixed, spiritual and volatile bodies
from the
fixed,
and so throughout
With
of metals.
all
all
the divisions, as
is
is
all
The separation
combustible, such as
is
also arranged in
grow
things which
those
of
many ways.
By
distillation
is
When
first
oil,
made according
result,
to Spag^ric
use.
extent
among
insolence,
ph3^sicians,
and
do not wonder,
indeed,
If
now
no doubt that
is
gait,
dressed
fingers, or silvered
all
to ease
meantime,
In the
in pre-
would
I
extol
to
and
silk,
loins,
their
hands.
empty
etc.,
and external
all
all
talk,
but
find
fierj-
These do not
furnaces.
among
kill
their
the coals,
the lute,
Like blacksmiths and coal merchants, they are sooty and dirty, and do not
look proudly with sleek countenance.
chatter and vaunt their
own
glorify the
workman, not
very
little
therefore,
the
sick folks.
Passing by
alchemical knowledge.
Of
fire
how
all
these
Reverberation,
separations
are
and
Distillation,
all
these vanities,
Resolution, Putrefac-
But
do not
medicines.
like.
made according
to
Spagyric and
68
Alchemical Art by the help of distinct degrees has before been said generally,
and
to repeat the
and
method,
Herbs require
is
made
The
made
the second.
like,
in
require the
fire
is
degrees of
Balneum Maria.
of
fire is distillation
in free fire,
as also distillation
first
Leaves,
fire.
leaves
fruits another,
the
Herbs, flowers,
fruits, etc.,
need
etc.,
like
another,
degree of
fortis
seeds
woods,
trees, fruits,
stems another,
grade of
first
water.
in
The third is
made by aqua
and the
cannot be
all
is
another,
and
stalks,
this
in
in ashes.
seeds,
flowers
process,
trees,
And
etc.
the distillation
generally
that
to specialities
distillation.
have to be considered.
This
is
one
roots another,
woods another,
fire
be
it
another,
process
To go on
known that
vain.
is
let
So much has
still.
As regards
same process must be followed as we
have spoken of
in
the separation
still
like
waters and
oils,
by
known
some
that
manner, just as
oils, in like
here
Of
this
This also
like.
is
it
squeezed
oils, if
And
liquids, are
means of
but are
distillation,
Liquids,
fire,
oils
of
be noted, that
all
he called a sulphur
and
if
gum,
the species
left
in
the
still
reduced to ashes, alkali could be extracted and separated from them with
simple
warm water
anj-thing
alone.
is left is
called
it.
is
is
l\nn-.
flesh,
separation or anatomy
separated by Spagyric
The
phlegmatic moisture.
first
For when
draws
animals by
forth
itself,
.Art.
<\i
down
in
the
book on Conservations,* an
iiefiiiit.
Hook
III.
Mumia* comes
excellent
and a
forth,
human
in
tliat
is
flesh,
169
produced, allaying
with
all
The
is
.Art,
the
if
members
is
It
it.
further
For
bones by Spagyric
is
This, therefore,
third separation
It
feet, if
kinds of leprosy.
specific,
while warm.
it
if
and according
human
to
if,
and
if,
be again united
which you
setting
arcanum and
specific,
with
will
after binding
in the
them up only
thrice,
it
specific in the
The same
form of a piaster.
wounds
of
the skull, or any contusion of the bones, in the shortest possible time.
The
and tendons.
intestines,
is
For the
resin is extracted
gums from
the skin,
it
comes out as a
and transparent
clear
this paste
When
paste.
human body
wound
specific
the lips brought together, just as two sheets of paper are stuck together with
paste,
if
roughness of the
off or
wound two
substance.
is
nails, if
it
In
this
Mumia is that which cures all wounds, that is, sweet mercury'. For mcrcurj* is extracted hoth in a sweet and
The former is adapted to wounds and the latter to ulcers. Mumia is the liquor diffused through the whole
bitter form.
etc.,
is
the
its
required.
bone
Hence
It is
;
it
divided
mumia, which
is
nature of
to their nature
wounds of the
the
and
flesh.
in virtue
.
The
by the mistakes of ignorant physicians, impedes the cure of wounds.
.
by so much is the mumia of the organism enhanced in power ant' cflicacy. The mediwotinds perform this operation by attracting the mumia to the place where its office is required.
often occasioned
follows
.-is
in the arteries
I.,
is,
c. I.
70
Here
it is
down
we have
that which
not mentioned
elsewhere.
But
all
final
of
the end of
last, at
at
God
come
shall
in
Him
shall
be
borne, not swords, chains, diadems, sceptres, and treasures, or other royal
jewels, with which princes, kings,
His Cross, and crown of thorns, and nails piercing His hands and
but
and the spear with which His side was wounded, and the reed and
sponge on which they stretched out that which they gave Him to drink, and
the rods with which He was scourged and beaten.
No crowd of horsemen
feet,
Him
be blown by the angels towards the four parts of the earth, and at their
tremendous sound
all
who
are
among
For a voice
rise again.
and come
judgment!
to
"
Hereupon the Twelve Apostles shall sit down on thrones prepared from the
and shall judge the twelve families of Israel. In that place the Holy
Angels shall separate the bad from the good, the cursed from the blessed, the
goats from the sheep. Then the cursed shall be thrown down like stones and
Then from the tribunal of
but the blessed shall fly like eagles.
like lead
clouds,
God
on the
left
hand, "
Go away,
fire,
devils.
For
Kingdom
My
of
Father,
was hungry
I was a
I
was thirsty and you gave me to drink
and you gave Me food
I was sick
I was naked and you clothed iSIe
stranger ancf }ou received Me
So will 1 receive
I was in prison and you came to Me.
and you visited Me
beginning been prepared for you and for
all
the angels.
For
you also
saints.
My
into
You
When
pitied
all
shall
Me
and so
will pity
you
first
yet never
all
consumed.
On
the
contrary,
all
sacramental creatures
glorified,
and
in
of the
"
!
eternity,
many mansions
eternal joy
they shall
is,
they shall be
.Amen.
book, our
IN signature of
what signator
of
first
first
exists,
Be
things signed
first
with the
it
known,
man
The
is
all,
how
exist,
man
Stars.
signs
Moreover,
Ni
The
In tfns
their
faculties.
and put
fortli
true
Now,
man
is
it is
above
all
explain
all
When
the signator.
to the others,
tbi
we may
order that
in
as possible,
we
folio,
/V datura Rermu.
known
that
Nature oj Things.
ercised
those
briefly
rightly attain
it is
from which the translation has been made, gives nine as above.
more
For instance,
and as
This science
is
its
influence
is
called
Xigromancy.
cvcrj-whcrc and by
a natural one,
which
is
all
upon the
crj'slal in
is
It
is
ex-
rejected
IJut
this,
because
tlic
constellation impresses
recorded in m.igic.
As
is
made.
upon the
are
cr>-stal,
known
to the constellations,
it
may perform their operation according to our imagination,.Xor be is wise who rules the stars he is wise, I say,
who can bring their virtues under his rule, for in this manner arc constituted visions in glasses, mirrors, waters, and the
Explicatio Totius AstroHoniitr.
rest, according to the quality of the power, and of the union made in conception.
they
1/2
Jews wear a yellow sign on their cloak or on their coat. What is this but a
sign by whicli anybody who meets him may understand that he is a Jew ? So,
too, the lictor
is
known by
magistracy decks its ministers with its own proper colours and adornments.
The mechanic marks his work with its peculiar sign, so that everyone may
understand
it.
the insignia of his master or his city on his garment, except that
clear he
it
may
be
is
So, too, the soldier carries a sign or symbol, black, white, green, bkie, or
red, that
one
is
he
may be
Hence
that one
is
an
it
is
known
Italian,
that
another a
of
by which
it
may
be
belongs, where
it
" Nowhere is
The same is to be understood
proverb
that
coin
is
Here comes
money more acceptable than where it
circulates
passed.
is
the
in
is
it
German
struck."
b)-
jurors and those appointed for the purpose, after due inspection has been
previously made.
An
instance of this
it
may
Why
may
that there
is
be
is
found
known
trials.
In the
that
a seal
is
marked with
in the cloths
is
it
authority
The
seal
in
letters,
designated, just as books which, though lettered outside with only one word,
in
that
way
Such, too,
are
all
is
who
In the
same way,
too, the
alchemist
all
the
among
If tiiat
so man)'
oils,
own
phlegmata,
he wants.
\\'itlunit
tliis
safeguard
it is
Thus
also
Nature of Things.
Concerni7io the
173
known by
at
once
in
order that
the
first
mastered these,
the
in
rest,
and that the meaning of each might be plainer and more evident.
to the light
Men.
in
womb
member
a distorted foot,
is
to be regarded as
in
signs
Of monstrous
of which are
all
Hence has
more wicked"; and again
in the parents.
distorted, the
are
So also
One man
of
and
vices,
rarely denote
anything good.
parents
hands,
eyes, or tongues.
ears,
it,
for the
most
The
gamblers.
if
If there
vice.
Loss of fingers
loss of a
and calumniators.
woman, or
of cheating
tells
That of two
of an eye indicates that people engage in
The loss
The cutting
or deniers of the Christian religion, by a cross burnt into the heel of their feet,
But
let
us
dismiss
these
It
should be
known
that
all
monstrous
signs are not produced only by the progenitor, but frequently also from the
stars of the
Estimation, or
Imagination,
perpetually at
rise
and
set
all
just as in the
who
are pregnant,
The
primarj'
aroused.
If
is
is
in the
alarm,
terror, or
the pregnant
its
many
womb
woman
174
until there
comes a
seal or
Whence
those
signs and birthmarks derived from the lower stars are called "impressions."
tried to
form from
them a solid judgment, without being able to do so. For these things adhere
to, and are impressed on, the foetus in proportion as the stars of the mother
press frequently or with violence on the foetus, or the desire of the mother is
and
unable to get
is
it,
it
perish.
that
If the
not satisfied.
is
it
we must
it.
child
throughout
so
explains other
The
science of
about everything.
from the
evil
Now
It
anyone
if
is
stars,
men
themselves.
at this point
"The
signs of
noted at the outset, that the stars compel one and do not compel anothe
who
Vs
who
is
governed
and
also""
is
not
Nay, the stars are subject to the wise man, and are forced
subject to them.
to
is
it
the stars.
b}-
The
stars.
stars
so that where they lead he must follow, just as a thief does the gallows, a
What
other reason
fishes,
is
own powers,
called animal
theless, he
dominating
created
right
all
God
in
man
is
does not
or
Thus man
know
last,
when
was afterwards
servile,
its
or reflect that he
received from
man
lost
all
by the
Fall.
Vet, the
It is right,
is
his parent,
still
And although he
is
the son of
Concernmg
Nature of Things.
the
tlie
75
same way
to
him as
to the miner,
to the
of his
spend
to
At length he holds
life.
your
all
life
much reward
shall be
my garments may
his
all
shall not be
way he can
In this
shine,
oppressed by the
life
where
away
now
man
perceived that
and can
from a malignant planet and subject himself to another better one,
from slavery pass by virtue to freedom, and rescue himself from the prison of
rules the stars,
free himself
an
evil planet,
man who
is
or Mercury, can withdraw himself from that benignant planet and subject
and being
other respects a
man
Such, too,
all
goods
his
when
all is
is
who must
of no esteem,
is
man
This
like
life,
becomes a
soldier, or in
afterwards spend
his life in
all
in
company,
until at last,
poverty he deservedly rouses laughter and contempt in all, so that you hear
" Look at yonder worthless man, who,
even from the boys in the streets
:
that he cannot
preferred to be a'
now even
aspire to
his
dominion."
It
is
to this that a
them.
stars,
fair fortune.
Now
to drink water,
he has to
and whilst
live frugally
sordidly.
In place of
income
is
wine he has
diminished."
must such a man thus address himself ' What have I done ? How
thrown myself headlong down by wasting prodigally the substance I
How
often
have
and
have
Who
lost, quite
will
another
my own
restore
mode
loss,
of
it
life
to
me?
If
could onlv
and compensate
for
my
evil
deeds
/
I
76
But
own
He who
He who
loss.
He who
again.
gallows
If
it
why should
my
shall not be in
deserted,
man who
is
restored
second or
my
third."
has to spend
who
in
misery
All this
is
will
This
like
his life in
first
My
"
it
my
If in
the
a second time.
tries to steal
restore
dice will
is
is
it
why
the reason
is
Who,
dishonour.
he
would
then,
For by bringing
prison?
star,
his
anyone can
to
bear his
Look
free himself.
fowler, relying on
has no need to pursue birds, for the birds will follow him, and though their
nature rebel they will
fly
own
their
his
wisdom, the
exerting his
wisdom by means of
And
impulse of Nature.
manner, to
In like
swim of
The hunter
fishes will
God
should
And although the higher stars do give the insign man and other earthly bodies for the manner of
their birth,
it
were,
yet that
office, in
which there
is
is
signs.
But
know
to return to our
power and
effect.
Some
in
up to mid-age.
That signature
peculiar force.
It is
predestined, and
is
not without
whatever the lower star of the microcosm signs from birth has
in
men
its
its
life.
birth
own
But
origin from
the father and the mother, as often as the mother affects by her imagination or
Concerning
means of
their
We
or uterine marks.
own
close contact.
177
it is
alone,
Nature of Things.
signs by
i/ie
those signs of
flat
fine,
ears, a
or
in the
Of
red, etc.
down
hair thick
these signs,
if
one
or more appear in a man, be sure that he will not lack the qualities signified
thereb)'.
man by outward
in
to the rules of
physiognomy,
signs.
let
us repeat a
and loving
mind
free
fear,
virtue.
Grey eyes are the sign of a crafty man, ambiguous and inconsistent.
Weak
Bright eyes, which turn up, down, and to both sides, denote a false,
on.
clever
faithless,
and the
Small
like.
eyes,
impending blindness
and
whose departure from
bellicose, crafty,
adroit,
life is,
factious,
for the
most
if
man.
sight, a timid
thither,
and care-
move
readily, point
his foes.
who
is
man who
178
is
a good sign.
still
flat
It
denotes a strenuous,
just.
lustful,
false,
untruthful, in-
constant.
A.
An oblong
shews an
irritable
is
speech
cleft
man who
A
and
large,
insipid, fatuous,
shameless,
small
Concerning the hair of the head or beard, the signs are not very
plain,
as
is
it
black, yellow,
is
red, or
who
persons,
Hence
it
many
that
is
woefully deceived
the stars
and
scales, a bird
If the
neck
is
by
feathers,
from their
and so on.
it
denotes
Broad shoulders and back shew a man who is strong for carrying and
moving things. Muscular arms also shew a man who is strong and robust
in
laborious,
man
mercenary
soft
hands,
the
contrary.
moment, so as
man cannot
be so easily
known
to
an erroneous judgment,
79
This
is
The
signator's business
brows, frequent agitation of the mouth, strong and deliberate step, and light
spirits, indicate of
necessity a generous,
command
active
own
and the
man, or
such as any
soldier,
activity,
folly, truth,
falsehood, fortune,
rest.
it
all
Now, Chiromancy
is
only inspects the hands of men, and from their lines and wrinkles
and
is
it
also considers
all
herbs, woods,
makes
its
earths,
flints,
rivers
this
to the planets
and the
it
?
Now, if there were seven fingers on
might be possible to assign a finger to each of the planets.
man
some
But
accident.
still
and, moreover, the persons were not born in this way, so this matter has no
relevance here.
fingers either
Besides,
if it
with seven
It
two ought
birth, not
So
This,
to retire.
however, could not be done, because the planets had neither dice nor
firmament
in the
so one wonders
who took
it
upon him
here,
better, then,
lots
up
by name, giving the thumb to Venus, the index finger to Jupiter, the middle
It is
Xo man
is it
is
E\-cr>- peculiarity
who
is
it
deals also
wth
it
its speci.al
of those lines which are called tinea archilectce. indicate that the person will be likely to die of the colic
ancorn
in the
is
meaning.
ignorant of chiromancy, because, for example, the presence upon the hand
is
found
acorus
{i.f.,
colic.
but then
So
is
a medicine of
apoplexy.
II.. I'rr/.
X2
i8o
and the
Mercury.
Moon weakened
if
we
with him
strife
is
this.
if
the
is
the
chiromancy.
in
It
It is
just as
mountain
obstacle, or covered by a
inundation.
if
on
falling
or destroyed by an
it,
it.
lines
of the hand.
new
or
lines of the
some
Would
kill th.^t
his brain, or
error which
finger to
little
keep up continual
allotter, or
first
Moon
new
flesh
and the
lines
tree
And now
mancy, and
is
enlarged
in a
that, so far as
in size.
let
relates to hands,
make no change
chiromancy
therein, but
But
in
acquiesce
this practical
And
first
it
herbs, of what-
all
same chiromancy.
some than in others,
Someone
its
reckoning from
the root, which
is
arguing
in
root can be
May
herb
through
their age.
adheres to
If their lines
this is
is
autumn,
to
root.
its
the
first
To
And
is
is
the
its
this
is
it
Then
It is
exists in
exalted right up
But as long
spirit is
is
renewed, unless
it
is,
virtue goes
no herb as long as
months old, that
five
essence and
most
after
this
assert that
at the
root.
is
in the root,
taken away,
no renovation.
spirit is
taken
its
whom
What we
i8i
we
here omit
will give in
the Herbar)'.*
and
fails in his
But
in
their faculties.
know
order to
their force
is
with herbs.
is it
vv'hat is
is
Now
said.
we have
not characters,
letters,
The
only lines and veins and wrinkles, as a means of reckoning the age.
older anything
virtue
is
more
in
less active.
and the
month or one year is more easily cured than one of two, three, four, five
months or 3-ears, so a herb of one year more quickly cures its disease than one
of two or three years.
And on this account for old ills young herbs and those
which have fewer years should be given, but for recent ailments old herbs and
For
the reason
why many
medicines
They are in the body and they fill the limbs, but only
the shoes.
Hence the diseases are often doubled.
are inoperative.
sticks to
if
This
fall
Now
here
"
is
The very
the)'
have
lost
first
more patients
know
the medicine must always be younger than the disease, in order that
it,
and be stronger
expelling
in
it.
If
guished by water.
If
more
severe.
cannot
weaker
is
Thus,
be
if
that
it
may
fire will
more
he extin-
the disease be
is
the medicine be
Steel
mud
as
must be steel.
The more powerful conquers, the
part of
my
conquered by
subdued.
Although, therefore,
it
bj-
was no
still,
for the
their indica-
fire
differs
its
silver.
So the mineral
differs
The Hfrharius Theofifirasti, concerning ihe virtues of her>>s, roots, and seeds, etc., will be found in the second
volume of the Geneva folio. It is an incomplete treatise which discusses the virtues of black hellebore, persicaria,
The portions of this treatise to which reference is made
common salt, carduus angelictis, corals, and the magnet.
.ibove. and asain upon p. i2o, arc .ipparcntly in the missing fragment*.
82
And
So
iron.
then, that
earth,
b_v
means of chiromancy
all
lie
That
is
the chiromancy of
mines, veins, and lodes, by which not only those things which are hidden
within are brought forth, but also the exact depth and richness of the mine
manifest.'
Now,
this
in
Whence
increase.
placed outside
its
multiplied,
its
predestined time.
of
all
grow
in
that any
but
less,
is
minerals, vegetables, and animals, which are the three chief genera
terrestrial things.
all
matrix
itself dies.
which
clear,
is
is,
age of
too,
this,
matrix, cannot
is
it
That
will
it
which they
may
Hence
it
follows that
all
is
the eod of
in
feel neither
perish.
be destroyed.
air,
by
nor do they gather rust and corruption, nor perish, so long as they remain
it
in their
hundred years
in
Men of abnormal height, who, however, are nalur-ally begotten, are distinguished by Paracelsus from another
genus of giants who belong to a wholly different order of existence. Concerning the generation of giants and dwarfs,
it is to be understood that giants are born of sylphs and dwarfs of pigmies.
These beget various monsters, and it
should be noted that both gi.ints and dwarfs are possessed of remarkable strength. They are not a tusus notHrtt, but
arc the product of a singular counsel
They deserve
in a singular
In
of our
purpose,
present
then,
pass on to
chiromancy of mines.
may
very brief
When
to be.
the tracts
of the
bad
known
be
183
is
it
sign.
mines are found with a very deep descent, they for the most part vanish
more and more, so that they cannot be worked without great expenditure of
toil.
But where those veins are increased by other accessory ones, or in any
other
way
that
off,
is
mines are good not only on the surface, but that they increase
in
depth and
are multiplied, so that they are rendered rich mines, and yield most ample
treasure.
It
is
whose course
those mines
is
metallurgists
praise
west.
many
in the
us that very often veins which stretch from west to east, or from south to
north, or, contrariwise, from north to south,
No
others.
is
good
soil,
is
is
manner,
if
there any
When
briefly.
In like
fat,
in
this point.
to those signs
abound
which
is
this is
dug out
a vein
is
now
is
a very
not far
off.
is
and of a white, black, clayey, red, green, or blue colour, then that, too,
a favourable sign of
Then
there.
the
digging.
green earth or chrysocolla, copper green, lazurium, cinnabar, sandarach, aurito believe about Hint. Wherefore God halli produce'l
them what great things God works in those creatures. Gnomes
They are about half the size of man, or a little t.illcr.
(i.r., pigmies) are like unto men, but of stunted stature.
If the gnomes have once bound themselvc>
The devil at times enters into gnomes and ministers unto them
to our service, ihcy abide by their bargain, but they require to be served in turn, and those things ought to be given to
them which they request. If the pacts into which we enter with them are fullillcd on our part, they remain sure,
constant, and faithful in their office, especially in obtaining money. For the gnomes abound in money, which they coin
them
that
man may
man
to
themselves.
sum
of money, he obtains
it
and
this as follows
h.as it.
The
spirit
has whatsoever
money
it
to
wishes, for
many men
if
The lot of man is very hard. To hope or to wish will profit him nothing, and he
but the gnomes have wh.ilever they seek without .any labour in getting or preparing
it
Concerning their d.iy and night, their sleeping and waking hours, the case is ex.actly the same with them
as with men.
Moreover, they have a sun and a firmament no less than we have, that is, the gnomes have the earth
persuade them to go away again.
must work
for all
he wants
which is their chaos. This is to them only as our atmosphere ; it is not as earth to them in our sense. Hence it follows
that they see through the earth just as do we through the air, and the sun shines for them through the earth as it doc>
for us through the air.
For they have the sun. the moon, and the whole firmament before their eyes. c\cn as have wc
men.
The gnomes dwell in the mountain chaos in which they construct their dwellings. Hence it is that very
often arches, caves, and other simitar constructions .-ire found in the earth, about a cubit in height, the work of these
.
to
184
Till'
silver, etc.
mark copper
silver,
metal.
two together
in
combination.
same way,
In the
auripigment, red sulphur, or litharge of gold, for the most part portend gold.
So,
too,
auripigment, are found mixed and combined, excellent and rich minerals are
When
generally indicated.
it
That
a good sign
is
If,
it is
it
appears.
come
carefully
Here, too,
it
should be remarked,
essence.
like
in face
when
some
still in
in that
too,
it
Add
sign.
It is
you see
better
fruit.
So, too,
and
just as
excellent metals,
vice versa.
In addition to this,
it
known
should be
that
is
its
Now
let
fire,
It
is.
just as
ore, but
still
or, contrariwise,
And
is
woman.
gunpowder, scattered
borne along
from
its
same way,
exists in
vilest
its
fire.
own
to east,
track,
in
In the
some-
from south to
185
as certain gifts of
He
should not
it
Here
same way,
men themselves, if they bury treasure, mark the place by the addition of some
sure signs. They bury them at landmarks, or statues, or fountains, or some
other object, so that, if need be, they themselves can find them again and dig
them up. The old Chaldeans and Greeks, if in time of- war they feared siege
and exile, buried their treasures, and only marked the place by proposing to
themselves a certain fixed day, hour, and minute of the year.
They waited
until the sun or the moon cast a shadow there, and in that spot they hid or
His marvellous predestination ought to be recognised.
From
were
Just in the
many
infallible
cabalistical signs
You must
ing
many
miners.*
times.
In like
of the devil,
first
yourselves be beguiled
let
These are vain and misleadof them are the divining rods, which have deceived
arts.
No
gives these signs merely from fraud, and with intent to trick you.
is
ever built where the devil does not have his chapel
Good seed
altar.
devil
temple
no chapel where he
is
it.
this
is
the
way.
longer living
in
when produced by a
in the first
but
in the
different
method.
By us
second generation.
We
They have
are
now no
Christians then,
as the ancients used them in the Old Testament, for these people were living
in the first generation.
live
under the
New
Testament.
all
first
generation, accomplished by
these things,
is,
we should
seek
it
we
New
in faith
Christians,
means of ceremonies
who belong
to the second
In these
three primary points consists the whole foundation of magical and cabalistical
Elsewhcr.'Panicelsus says that
Mrriorriirt hn'ssihifium. Lib.
I.
it
is
faith
hand.--/?^ Origins
86
science, by
shall be impossible.
all
how
0/ Paracelsus,
Writi7igs
forbear to repeat
it
See
here.
wonderfully, in His love for us, Christ, the Son of God, works in us,
faithful Christians,
We
with us.
members
He associates
He is our head,
handed down in the
of Christ, since
He
that
in
is,
good
silver or
silver,
or silver
is
free
and
in
purified
Philosophic Tincture
is
it is
from
all
* Natural sleep
;
Is
thrown
all
these
it
lies
is
hid in
night to spirits
rendered astral
fire,
fine
morsel of
little
if it
is,
all
its first
essence, has
own
moon
The
its
Now
wasted energies.
sleep of the
body
peculiar
its
copper
day pertains
the
to bodies,
is
two cannot operate together, being contraries, and mutually incompatible tilings. Whatsoever is done by the body during
sleep is really performed by the spirit.
For some speak and give answers in their sleep some arise and walk therein,
but all tliis is done by the spirit governing the body. Hence it happens that if such a man be called by his name, he
wakes up because the spirit in him is terrified by being called by the name of the man, for spirits are no less terrified by
The voice of a man than are men by the voice of a spirit. The man in baptism receives a name, but not so the spirit.
;
Therefore the
rooms, and
spirit
is
terrified
when
the
man
is
Hence
called.
who
sleep-walkers should by no
great importance that such persons should be addressed by name, for thus
who
all
waking
away and
dispelled.
be invoked or shouted
/.*.,
all
left
spirits,
nocturnal divining
But
at.
means be
divinatory
it
alone in their
because
it is
of
and all
should be noted, that all men.
because they
may
spirits,
be in
comnnmion
whose voice is not heard, for, although the spirit voice may be much clearer than that of humanity, it is
not audible commonly by humanity, for the material ear can be, and is, closed by the power of such an inielligence. as is
well known to those who divine by nigromancy by means of the spirits of the air, who are intermediate spirits, neither
precisely good nor e\il.
No man holding such a conversation should be disturbed, so long as his accents are cheerful,
but if he answers with trembling, fear, and consternation, tins is a sign of a bad apparition, and such a person ought to
be awakened by shouting. Such conversations are not, however, always conducted with the bodily organs of voice on
the part of the sleeper, but also with those of the spirit, in which case there is no audible sound, and this last kind of
speech is not only more fre<]ucnt but of greater importance. It was profoundly investigated by the ancient Magi, who
by this means could exti-act from tlie spirits of the departed a knowledge of those secrets which they had concealed
from the whole world while they yet lived in the body.
In this way they became acquainted with the mysteries of
Alchemy, .^Ironomy, Astrology, Medicine, Theology', etc., namely, by direct conniiunication of their spirits with the
spirits of^efoSc who had professed these sciences on earth.
In order to acquire the arcane meihcd of communication
with sui^lniclligences, the first requisite is lo implore by faith the mercy of God in the matter tlien we must, also with
faith, ijiake an image of that man with whom we desire to comnuinicate.
On the body of such image the name of the
man must be written, and also the question to be asked. Put this image at night under your head and sleep upon it.
That man himself will then appear to you spiritually, and will answer your questions, teaching you whatever he can.
There is, however, a more certain and better manner. This dispenses with the image, and has recourse only to faith
and imagination. No danger attaches to this experiment, but it requires great confidence in the validity of the
operation.
I have several times had practical evidence of its truth.
Ol Phihsophia, Tract V.
with a
spirit
work of Paracelsus, entitled De Ca'Uti Doiiiini^ exists in the Harleian collection among the MSS. of the British
Museum. It is numbered 508, and is a large volume, very legiljly written. No printed copy is known to the present
t
editor.
the
Venus
come
they have
Mars
tin
to their perfection,
187
lead
As soon, however,
as
fixed metallic
body, their stars withdraw from every one of these, and leave their body
Hence it follows that all the bodies alike are dead and inefficacious,
and that the unconquered star of the metals subdues all of them, converts
them into its own nature, and so makes them all astral. For this reason, our
gold and silver, which are tinged and prepared with our tincture, are much
dead.
for the
that gold itself which Nature generates in mines, and afterwards segregates
is
way you may judge of other metals. I assert, therefore, that every alchemist
who has the star of gold, turns all red metals into gold by tingeing them. So by
the star of silver,
all
How all
by the star of
and
it is
no
book
to the
So
powder
its
of the ruby.
all
itself
is
of a sub-
consistency, of
recalling
The white
tincture,
is
own
its
The
a claylike colour.
granatum, fusible as
heavier than
its
own
metal.
whiteflowing as
is
star
resin,
metal.
of
re'sin,
iron
is
brittle as glass,
The
suff"used with
star of lead
is like
much
parent, fluid as resin, brittle as glass, equal to gold in weight, heavier than
other lead.
in
a deep
The
frost,
star of quicksilver
within the
will
this
snow
fire, volatile,
From
is
know
flies
warm
before
fire.
understand that for the preparation of either tincture, the red or the
white, you
must take
will
If
a mistake
is
made
be thrown awav.
first
88
Moreover,
some
forth
it
each of them
When
this appears,
it
the
puts
a brightness above
is
is
fire
these are,
For instance,
fire,
in
Among
can be recognised.
and other
accessory metals, have disappeared in the fumes, and so the gold and silver
are thoroughly purified.
Iron,
signs in the
whether
fire,
it
it
fire, it
will be
own
exhibits its
has most.
If
it
smokes before
salt,
a sign that
If,
and the
it is
But
like.
a sign that
if
it
is
a sign that a
hidden within
little, lies
it
is
it
it
and of which of
it
it.
little
This you
in their first
These send
forth only
smoke nor
blaze
in the fire
that
is,
all
consistency.
We
must
novi', in
which nothing up to
In
this
treatise
skill in
will
tures,
words
First of
all,
know
genuine names to
all
entirely understood.
So
it
All of these
was
that after
Adam
the
how
to give true ai
Creation
he gave
its
ow^
air,
and of the
fire.
ratified
is
Adam
is
the
first
signator.
it
189
cannot be denied that genuine names flow forth from the Hebrew
condition.
virtue,
So when we
belong.
is
Hence
hurting no one.
in its
remarkable beyond
is
nature
life
else
all
is
a dog, beeause he
knows no moderation
In the
is of more use
same way many herbs and
sanguinary herb
bleeding.
The
thus
is
all
it
is
versatile
is
And
and
anybody
else
than to himself.
it
So
The
so called because
is
cures
it
of which were
all
a bear, because
named because
anyone
to
on
never tired of
is
easily offending
is
called a pig
is
a fox, because he
and not
all,
is
a cow, because he
is
horse
he
it
which he
animal
nature and
indicates a strong
its
indicate by their
name
Hebrew tongue
named on account
of their
virtue
inborn virtue and faculty, but also from their figure, form, and appearance,
as the
Morsus
Diaboli, Pentaphyllum,
Hepatica, Buglosum,
Calcatrippa
Dentaria,
Syderica,
(consolida
regalis),
Prunella,
Petfoliata,
Perforata,
Heliotrope,
and many others which need not be recounted here, but separately
in
the
Herbary.
The same
is
slaughtered animal
For
if
which
lie
its
circulation,
hid in
are recognised.
From
it is fit
the liver of a
the liver be not clear and of a red colour, but livid and yellow, rough
and perforated,
account,
it
its flesh is
by natural signs.
is
unwholesome.
The
this reason,
It is
For
men
is
ill-affected liver
is
and hence
it
flows
coagulated into
flesh.
in the liver,
liver,
flesh
can be
go
yellow or
livid.
is
If
disease.
But, moreover, there are other signs which are worthy of our wonder,
when,
for
is
had or
it
can be told
how many
will have.
The same signator signs the horns of the stag with branches by which its
known. As many branches as the horns have, so many years old is the'
Since there is an addition of a new branch to the horn every year, the
stag.
age of the stag can be set down as twenty or thirty years.
So, too, the signator marks the horns of the cow with circles from -which
it is knov.'n how many calves she has borne.
Everj- circle indicates one calf.
The same signator thrusts out the first teeth of the horse so that for the
first seven years its age can be certainly known from its teeth.
When the
horse is first born it has fourteen teeth, of which it sheds two every year, so in
seven years all of them fall out.
For this reason a horse more than seven
age
is
years, old
is
If the
tongue
is foul,
so
is
wind
own
its
circle of the
greenness or blackness,
this is a sign
moon
special interpretation.
rain.
good
sign, especially
Brightness and
on the ocean.
So
far
we have
is
Now
many
here
arts,
it is
With regard
to
most necessary
such as geomancy,
to
Hence proceed
follows
him even as a
flower of the
Man
marked like a
and all growing
things are distinguished each from each. And since there is nothing hidden in man but must be revealed, this must be
made known by three dificrent methods cither by the signs of Nature, or the proper mark, or by the judgment of
God. Omitting the two latter, I will spe.tk of the first, that is to say, the signs which are exhibited by Nature. It is
treats
flower of the
field,
field,
so that one person can be discerned from another, after the same
all.
way
also
that flowers
is
a supernatural manner.*
on the
bring forth
own
particular stars,
stars of
geomancy
marks
change the
its
The
191
whole world
in
having remarkable powers and potencies, which they receive from the seven
planets, just as the shield or target receives the pellet or the dart
from a
But to know how these signs and images of the gamahei may be
distinguished one from the other, and what they signify in magic, requires
slinger.
But
this
by the other.
is it here also.
One remains master the other becomes a
when one is keeping a house another comes upon him, thrusts
him out by force, and makes himself master, arranging all things by his will
Or
slave.
as
is
other, one planet the other, one ascendant the other, one Influence another,
known
to all
tli.-it
lime, manifests
it
if .1 seed be cast into the earth and concealed therein, the latent nature of that seed, at the proper
above the earth, and anyone may see clearly what manner of seed has Iain in that place. It is the
and seed of man out of that seed Nature produces a body so that anyone can see what kind
And, although there be a great difference between herbs or trees and men, yet art in man
We men in this world explore all things which He hidden in the
sufficiently demonstrates and proves those things.
mountains by means of traces and external signs. For we investigate the properties of all herbs and stones by their
signed sign {jsignum xignatitin). Similarly, nothing can He hidden in man which is not outwardly marked on him,
((-tfr)
own knowledge, so, also, the astronomer explores from the signed Ux sigimio). So now
by which the nature of man and of ever>*ihing that grows is revealed
Chiromancy, which
concerns the extremities, as, for example, the hands, the feet, the veins, the lines, and the wrinkles; Physiognomy,
which regards the constitution of the face and the parts belonging to the head
Proportion, which considers the
condition of the whole body. These three should be combined according to these three every created tiling can be
recognised by the physician, that is to s,iy, the remedy by the astronomer, that is, the man and by the metallurgist,
Such is the condition of the mother which manifests that which is latent in anything. He who is
that is, the myal.
incapable of understanding these three things can be in no sense a natural philosopher, astronomer, or doctor, or kno\v
anything of the arcana and mysteries of Nature. The foundation is in this, that all things have seed, and in seed all
things are contained, for Nature first fabricates the form, and afterwards she produces and manifests the essence of the
for,
thing.
in
a treatise
The
four arts of
192
0/ Paracelsus,
lVriti7igs
As water extinguishes
so one planet strikes out the property of the other and brings in
And
so
some
that
is it
all
map
everything which
is
pla-rfets
and majesty,
the domination,
all
paraphernalia of
this,
me add
the planet
the riches,
all
of the planets,
or subject to them.
an example.
To
the
planet Sol there belong the crown, the sceptre, the throne,
To
own.
with their signs, which are manifold, and not only characters, as
think, but
is,
its
fire,
all
world.
Luna
are subject
all
and
To
To
all
literary
men,
all
mechanical
in-
art.
all
Levitical order, all ministers of. the church, the decorations of temples, orna-
To
the planet
Venus are
subject
all
is
as follows
But the
spirits
points until a
required to
etc.
judgment
make
is
made concerning
the proposed
and valid.
For example, suppose I ask who is standing at the
what kind of tunic dqes he wear? Take the seven colours, to each of which attribute a geomantic sign,
and consult that figure. Then, whatever sign falb indicates tl:e colour. J^ow, if I knew what colour it were, but you did
not know, I -might so direct your hand, forming certain points in one line that, by obliterating or wiping off, there would
remain the colour red, and supposing the tunic itself was red, then you would reply rightly It is a red tunic. But I knew
that before,' and directed your hand to those points. The spirits do likewise with all the figures and, since they know
Every rhombus is described by guiding
all things, it is easy for them to describe the figures and to guide your hand.
the hand. lathis manner Geomancy is constituted. Moreover, many superstitions are added thereto by men to augment
it, as, for example, that it should be performed when the sky is clear and serene, or in the quiet and silence of night.
Again, that you should say such and such a prayer at the
Also, that you should not isperale for your own purposes.
beginning, and commence undergood auspices, etc. All these are human superstitions for, not knowing the foundation
Geomantia, as it 'as called at
on which the art depend-i, they increase it, but it is as much an art as a superstition.
For the natural has its art, namely,
first, is so constituted that the ascendant is twofold natural and of spirits.
Astronomy. The spirit has its Pyromancy. Accordingly, if a nativity be constituted out of thesta/sit is astrc^aomically
But Pyromancy consists in the spirit being connected
erected.
If it be made according to spirits it is Pyromancy.
And as the art comes forward
with the ascendant, and it leads the infant for example, into whoredom, thefts, lies.
If their direction be right, the figure also is correct
door, and
spirits
if
event will take place, not because Nature herself will ^accgmplish such things, but
will
Hence
it
comes
who
pyromantic
all
The
tlie
process
Pyromancy
is
as follows
is
:
is
Take a basin
full
of water, which
To
those
all
193
who work
in
all
by them.
Pyromancy puts
firmament by
among
in
forth
its
stars,
fire
in
common
fire
by
in mines by coruscations
in the
and so forth
comets, thunder and lightning, nostoch, and the like
flames, crackling,
sparks,
the form of
fire.
Hydromancy gives
its
new
floods,
washing away of
territory-.
visions,
In
in the
Chaomancy
the wind
stalks.
upper
is
If
air,
and destruction of
all
dis-
the stars of
their roots,
fall
down from
the
Manna
Lemurs,
So also Tereniobin, Tronosia, and
Now,
These four
gi\-e
Near the
figxu-es, rules
the spirit moves the bubbles, originates the shaking, the rest, the calm, according to the necessity of
may result a figure which indicates what is desired. Those, therefore, who have well-disposed
few things are forbidden, make good- sorcerers in the art. On the other hand, a^bad sorcerer has a mute
and mendacious spirit. .A.mong spirits one may be more mute and lying than another. WTien, therefore, one sorcerer
i^ said to be more certain than another, it does not follow that he has greater skill, for he may possess a more reliable
Now, the spirits delight by means of vexing and deluding men to cause them to hate one another, and this,
spirit.
the sign, so that there
spirits, to
whom
Were the foundation of this art more closely investigated by men, it would be seen that
is their first object.
Vet, t%'cn if men arrived at perfection in this art, what solid advantage would it
was a hoax of the spirits.
confer on them but'a futile prediction and a pretext for wasting lime. Suppose I desire to marry, and consul t'an 'omen as
But i
it is just as likely to speak falsely as truly.
to the result, even if I get an answer I shall be uncertain of its truth
the prediction be fulfilled, it may be by the devil's arrangement. In any case, how will it help me? If I escape this evil, it
Consequently, no faith can be placed in these arts.
In addition to the methods
v/ill take shape in another way.
which have been already mentioned there Is Necromancy, which is the art of the air. And although others define differently what is meant by Xecra. this is genuine iliat it is the art of shades, for shades only arc in the air, and these things
.
Some people, at night, see figures in the air, as in heaven sometimes figures appear
are known by the shades. .
which have acertain signification. This is Necromancy. Men appear walking in the air, the clash of arms is heard, etc.
Wondrous shades .ire likewise occasionally visible in water. The cause of all these things is, that the spirits display what
they wish according to their own pleasure. A part of their deception is to make men f:mc>- that the spirits must be propitiated by prayers, or compelled by force and conjuration to produce prodigies. New, all these things are sheer superstition.
It is also thought that men can compel spirits, through God, to do this or that ; but it is highly displeasing to God that
we should be occupied with such triflings, and the spirits are rejoicing meanwhile th.T,t, in opposition to God, we have
become their accomplices. The prayers, conjurations, fasts, and other ceremonies arc nothing huta cloak to superstition.
The pronunciation of various words is committed to mcmor>', but these are not the real names of the spirits, and they
are altogether unimportant. For although each spirit h.is his own peculiar name, yet they salute one another by difi'crent
indeed,
it
'
names
at different times,
or image
is to
be considered such.
He who
is
Now,
many
is
seen in a figure
Did God permit it, these beings would be always in our midst, enticing us to desert God, and oKoic our mind to them.
But if we CTrcfully regard what they have performed during a given year w:e shall see that it has been mere trifling,
devoid of use and profit, destructive to body and soul, health and prop<;rty, praise and honour, in a word, disgraceful
allurements, frauds, and devices, sprung from the root of
lies itself
194
When
immediately to happen.
the stars of
dead give forth miracles and signs, the deceased bleed, dead things are seen,
voices are heard from graves, tumults and tremblings arise in the charnel-house,
and the dead appear
in the
striking,
pounding,
is
him
it
living,
Evestrum
different appearances.
for
falling,
throwing,
All
we
may be
We
are for-
bidden to reveal them, since they belong only to the ancient school and to the
Divine power.
So now we bring
this
you have earnestly and courteously requested that I should at length come to you, if it were
it is not meet for me to conceal from you, that this course is. by reason of various
hindrances, impossible. But with regard lo the second request you have made 10 me, that I should furnish you with
an excellent and clear instruction concerning certain matters, I neither can nor will refuse you, but am compelled to
moreover, I know that you hear and behold with
for I am well acquainted with your disposition
gratify you therein
I know, also, that you have devoted a great portion of your
delight anything that is fresh or marvellous in this art.
life to the arts, which have formed the chief element of your curriculum. Since, therefore, you have displayed, not only
latest letters of all,
consistent with
my
convenience,
am
am
in case
to
IS
much
is,
before sophists, contemners of natural blessings, arts, and secrets, which persons
less to
it is
full
of
many
And, although
I shall
this
book be
ver>' small,
and theory, but practically from the light of Nature and experience itself, nor will I burden you and render it tedious
by much speech. Wherefore, dearest friend and most intimate brother, >ince 1 have addressed this book out of love to
you alone, and to no one else, I request you to keep the book as a precious and secret thing, and not lo part with it
After death, in similar fashion, command your children and heirs to preserve it also in secrecy,
until your dying day.
furthermore, it is my special request that it should remain only in your family, and at no time become so public as to
fall into the liands of sophists and mockers, who despise all things which do not agree with them, and co\er them with
c.Mumny who also are pleased only with that which is their own, as is the c.ise with all fools who are pleased only
and do hate all wisdom, regarding that as of small account
with their own trumpets, but not with th.-xt of another
and even as folly, which is greater than theirs, that is to say, what is in their own head, because it does them no good,
nor do they know the use of it. One workman cannot use the tools of another, and so in the same way a fool can use
;
no better instrument than his own key, nor is any sound sweeter to his ear than the tinkling of his own bells.
Wherefore, dearest friend, be faithfully admonished, as I have entreated you do that which I expect of you, so sh.-UI
you do well and rightly. Farewell, under the care of God. Given at VilliUns, in the year 1537.
;
TO
Mercury, such,
in fact,
as
was
Such Mercury
is
is
in the centre
damp and
that
is,
of unspeakable
running
all
metals.
secrets.
Take three pounds of Mercury sublimated seven times by Vitriol, SaltNitre, and Alum
one pound and a half of Sal ammoniac, clear and white,
;
and sublimate
in
a sublimatory by
means of sand
has cooled, remove the sublimate with a feather, and sublimate with the rest
Repeat
as before.
it
will
no longer sublimate,
in
will scarcely
times, until
it
marble
damp
place,
from
all its
rectify
in
and put
and a half
in
in
it
it is
and dissolve
it
Grind
into a beautiful
all
it
oil,
in ashes.
waters.
Take
very small on
which
j-ou
must
Carefully pre-
eight ounces of
weight.
Place this
in
Then you
will see
Having made a
solu-
tion of the
The Herinetic
196
it
is, if it
constitutes a
good medicament
laxative part.
no necessity
Mercury of Gold
For
in
for purging.
Gold, however,
is
is
to be revealed to
This
Is
unworthy persons.
is
Take
it
away
the plague are divided into those used for the accidentia
preventives.
For
this
wound
It
reason there
is
is
all
Internal
dt.
Mumia
Psite.
is
tban
is
internal
Otherwise, there
is
Mumia
No
no more sublime
THE
is
an
oiliness extracted
endowed with verj- many virtues for the health of man.'" Another
is drawn from metals before they have undergone the fire, as
from the golden and silver marchasites and others, which take rank and excellence according to the nobility of the mineral.
So also is it drawn from the
mineral of marchasite and cobalt, according to the nature and property of
selves,
sulphur
each.
of extraction
Acetum
to take
is
carefully dis-
Vou
The
you
separated lixivium.
will then
will rightly
have the
verj- truest
Sulphur of
made by means
we make a
clavcllated
corrosive substance, and also on account of the lime of which such lixivia are
The Sulphur thus extracted can be washed with sweet water and
The subsequent digestion requires a double space of time. The
lixivium also ought to be rectified from all earthy deposit by means of sublim.ation, so that such sulphurs may not be incorporated with it and become
composed.
precipitated.
So
It is
far
materials.
But
nov-,
their sulphur.
There
water of
by
salt or
and causes
it
it is
is
no more
its oil,
prepared
and, indeed,
th.tt
/>^
in the
way
in
my
Itydrop'-iu
198
treatise
on Alchemy.
A /chemical
most excellent
Writings 0/ Paracelsus.
all
and a crocus
it
from
its
It
resolves
some
other,
THE
The
and of Chalybs.
of four kinds
is
best
is
that of Chalybs.
It is
extracted by rever-
manner,
made by the
filed
iron
consumed by
is
The consumption
rust.
In
of the rust
is
Take
ground
and skim
it
away from
its
Salt.
When
in
it,
which
boil
it,
it
carefully.
with two or three ounces of bruised Sal Ammoniac, and then carefully skim
again.
pulverised.
continually stirring
filings,
it
and
reverberate
it
boil
changes from
when
until
can be
it
over a powerful
own
its
From
this
fire,
colour to
you can
with spirits of wine or distilled acetum, draw off the Tincture, and
it
is
produce wondrous
will
be able to
effects,
For making the crocus of \'enus, take one or two pounds of copper-rust
carefully alcoholised, pour on
sublimate
it
in
ashes until
it
and
stir
it
well
it
is dr}-.
all acridity,
and then
dried.
You
will
then
if
you
in
the
oil
great
wine
This
is
or malleability,
warm
is
destroyed.
When
salt,
whereby
and, this being again separated, the Crocus will remain at the bottom.
changed
elevation,
five
different
grades of
fire.
by means of
With
this
vou
200
effects.
But there
is
The
wounds can be stopped by means of the most skilfully reverberaied Crocus of Mars.
Moreover, the Crocus and Flower of Mercury may be successfully made use of
The Crocus of Iron, if it be reduced by the
for the cure of yAc^xi,. Chirurgia Magna, Pars. III., Lib. V.
reverberatorj'intoalcool, is supposed to cure the same ulcers that are successfully treated by the Oil of Iron, provided they
flow of blood from
II., c. lo.
By
to flow, and have readied their proper maturity. Z>tf Tutnoi-ibus ei Pitsiulis MorbiGallici^ Lib. X.
and mechanics certain arcana are discovered in the things which they daily use. Thus workers in brass have
stopped the flow of blood with burnt brass, and have dried flowing wounds. Workers in iron have used their burnt
Potters also have made some discoveries with what they call silver
iron, which is called Crocus of Iron, for wounds.
Many are the inventions of the vulgar which have been called experiments many more, which
or golden litharge.
need not be described here, such as minium, ceruse, and the like, have resulted from the various attempts of the
Chhntrgia Vulnrum, c. g.
The Crocus or Flower of Copper, which is usefully
alchemists upon various substances.
applied to the cure of corrosive ulcers, is usually prepared in two ways, one oJ which is that the greenness is abstracted
by means of distilled Botin, and the said Botin is then again extracted. Notwithstanding, the strength of Venus is
But I regard that as vitriol which is extracted from the body of Venus. De
feeble unless vitriol be added to it.
have ceased
artificers
Turner, et Clcer.
Morhi
G.iHici, Lib.
X.
BOOK THE
CON'CERXIXG THE
FIRST.
ELEMENT OF AlR.
TEXT
N
which
What
the stem.
into itself again.
Thus, that
is
But
is
It
I.
nothing,
was eren
it
was
again attracts to
what
was
it
are the
And
liiaster.
is
whatever
after,
this
but
its
same
end
the
is
The
it
which
is
The philosophy
like.
For
Of
its
origin
but
nothing
this family
same as
in
or the
four elements
and so
time.
is
in essence,
perishes at the
elements.
produced after
same form
in the
still,
away, but
it
not so in form,
is
will
remain
like the
of Paracelsus concerning the generation of the four elements and concerning the three prime
pnnciples, Sulphur, Mercurj-, and Salt, appears to have been regarded by himself and
part of his doctrine and practice of alchemy.
To
include
it
by
his editors as
an essential
by no means
alchemy
insists
on
it.
He who
Magnum;
was enough
202
soul,
which
indeed
is
Such
not mortal.
is
of this world.
TEXT
Now,
also of
manent and
heaven and
transitory, blessed
own
will.
Divine
is
it
father of His
duced
who
is
things,
all
We
From
another
He formed
II.
which
that
had
and
nature,
never perceived
following
any
willed
possesses.
pear-tree,
fire
to
make
of water
is
rule,
differ,
snow.
thistle,
to the
is
it
in all
The earth
duces,
all
produced therefrom.
From
And
produced.
element
is
compound
^'-
element
an
.-^nd
water, earth.
who
III.
is
is
produced from
So then that
is
So
it.
an element
\\
the
is
iiich
pro-
air, fire,
the speech
is
inconsiderate of those
who
is
assert that an
understand
is
is
rest.
TEXT
water and
is
elements exist
we
it
fire is
are,
first
or that
pro-
that yet
wherein His
He
nature,
He
nature
that
it
thus
the earth
is
all
You can
warm and dry,
plexions
which
is
for
example, from
before
all
fire
that
which
in
is
fire
the
fire
warm and
four
com-
which
drj'.
is
It is
at this point,
been rendered.
So also from
of a similar nature.
Snow,
proceed.
aiitl
trealisc^^
203
is
it
sensible,
whether
clement, whether
element of
fire,
it
but
tangible,
be cold or
it
though
And such
be
it
all
in
The
warm.
fire is
and
things,
is
in
the
is
the
a firmament, and
The
another cold.
warm,
moist,
is
air
is
TEXT
Now,
in
to the elements,
four parts
.
IV.
the
understand
air,
which
this.
is
The
was
Iliaster
a heaven embracing
witli
regard
things
fire,
which
firmament producing day and night, cold and heat; earth, which affords
of
all
given forth
all
two
latter materially
two
classes.
The
is
fruits
One
is
and corporeally.
constituted of air
and
fire,
spiritually
if
and
invisibly
the
in air
Air and
fire
touch, and
of
Him
is
amongst
us.
Still
we must not
TEXT
way
for us.
V.
in
wh.at is
tlie
lies
extended
made of
nothing, that
is,
they are
made only by the Word of God. This nothing, whence is produced something, turns into substance and body,
which body of all the four elements is distinguished into three species, so that the creative Jiat resulted in a triple
At the same lime, there is such a distinction
body.
Thus the earth and the other elements are all threefold.
The air is one body, the earth is another, the
between the elements that the four things are not one body.
water a third. So also would be heaven if these four had a like body. But the earth has three bodies, and so also
have water, heaven, and air. and yet a piece of wood is one body, a metal another, a stone another, a sponge another.
So also the four elements of bodies .ire distinct and sep.irate.as though someone were to take lead and make of it minium,
So then, these three species are distributed into four elements, a peculiar body
ceruse, gl.-iss, and spirit of Satdrn.
being assigned to each. To pay more exact attention to these numbers, God Himself chose three, and constituted
For the origin of this number is unmedialely from God, the principle
all things"out of three, and separ.ited all three.
2o'4
God and
of
To
God.
On this
on
this
was
the world
is
it
seat Christ
hung from
the cross
Here, therefore,
the centre of
It
is
unfolded, that
itself
perishable.
house.
it
world
it
Of man
was produced.
TEXT
As
manner
to the
He
account.
of the
VI.
in
reduced
originally
to
it
He made up
This body
developing.
be permanent.
and
Now,
all creature^.
.ind is
the
three, c-ich in
its
word
also
was
place
On
threefold,
it is
to the
one comple,\ion
and not more, nor can it have any other element than that which it receives from its mother. For instance, every herb
has only one element-^that is, of the earth ; every stone has one element that is, of the water.
But in addition to
this it receives a complexion, frigid and humid, frigid and dry. warm and humid, warm and drj-.
Yet that is not a
effect that
is
is
is
false;
not slime,
it
is
quintessence.
Vet
it
number
matter
is
as
God
and
.as
all
is
heaven
Hence
bodies of Nature.
is, it
returns to the
in the
in itself
first
make
air,
is
and
The
separate by itself as to
its
offices are
He produced and
separated the
air.
all
away
the
fire,
was extraneous.
First of
all
afterwards took
that
205
From
water, earth.
fire,
He
these
in
due
succession.
TEXT VH.
The
four
fields, therefore,
having been
in this
way
and separated,
set apart
there remained also four storehouses for keeping the four elements, namely,
important.
was arranged
afterwards the
far
fire
in
the following
For
was continually produced something else.
instance, from the Iliaster of the earth beech wood was extracted and the wood
nothing being
of apples removed.
Each was disposed in its own place
corrupted or intermixed. In water gold was separated from the rest of the
In the fire, the
metals, and afterwards the others also were removed in turn.
that from the superfluity
cold withdrew from the heat, the light from the darkness.
was
heaven.
These four
elements, that
is,
Iliastri
and
fruits,
the air
was prepared
before
all else
fire.
and balsam. It is the same with those fruits which have water for their matrix. It is the same with heaven, of
which the fruits are the sun, etc. It is in like manner with snow and rain. The art, therefore, of Nature docs not,
then, teach us how to extract anything out of fruits except fire, s.alt, and balsam, which also are so separated from one
salt,
another by the force of fire that the fire, salt, and balsam become separate. Now, fire is also called sulphur
balm and liquor, mercury. It is necessary, however, that we should have a clear idea what an clement is. Now, man
has a large body, containing many substances. But that which is the man himself, namely, soul and spirit, is a small,
thing.
The reason why the body is called man b because the man remains hidden in the body. So also the eye is a
considerable part in man, but the force which sees is very small in respect of the eye.
In like manner, the earth is
called an element, whereas it is a rude body, and its true elem.ent is hidden therein, invisibly, like the spirit in man.
It is the same with the other elements, which are, indeed, corporal, but are yet spirits according to their nature and
fire, salt,
you hear that this or that proceeds from an clement, understand that it proceeds from
and not from its body. In man the tongue speaks and does not speak, for the spirit speaks in it,
whose intimate permixture and union with the body causes it to be thought that the body docs cvcr>-lhing
The odour of the box tree is the spirit of the box tree ; what there is else is its body. The soul of musk is in its odour.
In corals the colour is the spirit. Thus, all fruits, like their element, have spirit as well as body, and the true fruit is
not seen by the eyes. Vet there is a certain difference between the natural and the supernatural spirit, for the first is
corporeal and material, subsisting in a corporeal body, but the second is altof;ethcr destitute of a body. The body of the
But concerning heaven it is to be noted that
natural spirit is clothed by Nature with another body of its own element.
God has given it the name of firmament. The firmament is the heaven and its whole substance. The three other
elements .ire included in the firmament, as the egg in its shell. By the demonstration of the name which He has given
So
substance.
the element
to
it
God
often, then, as
itself,
teaches that
He
it
may
be as a sure
creatures of Nature are firmly contained. And, just as the yolk remains immovable in
up
or down, so
is it
with heaven.
For a
its
circle
shell,
wherein
all
the
egg be put
call ourselves
dwellers
2o6
Thus
it
was
everything that
Without these
born.
is
name
of
Iliastri
in
it
grow.
their
God made
that
wards sundered
TEXT
These
foitr
VIII.
own
that
So there are four elements, but only three primary ones three in
fire, three in the earth, and three in the water.
Every-
image.
the
three in the
air,
where there
is
one Sulphur
all,
in
one Salt
all,
in
Yet they
all.
And
over chaos.
a stone
is
Whate\-er
fire.
in
the like,
all
one Mercury
is,
is
is
spread
air
It is
itself.
made a
itself
just as
out
when
statue, out of
another a pitcher, out of a third some other kind of a vessel, and out of
the fourth a milestone
yet
all
all
Of these
God
in
and no more
the water.
we should go on
will
fire,
He
of nutriment
a third
deficiency.
So
their possibilities
He was satisfied
parts.
One portion
a quaternary.
to state
in
what they
excel.
tell
of
We
air,
TEXT
The element
of the air
IX.
was appointed
for
The
way.*
air
it
were, within
its
The
elements and
all
fall
when
shall
it
its
will
Moreover,
by them be so
utterly
is
consumed
that
the circle
circle,
but
all
and shuts
it
fields.
It
off
And just
marsh.
as there
what
is
outside
dam does
together, as a
it
who
an egg to one
in
looks at
again,
air,
like a skin
is
which
in
from
it
sky
inside, so the
is
The
it.
nothing
<iZg-,
207
is
is
the Elements.
is
^^^ from
stored up a
is
is
and puts forth the air which nourishes tKe four elements, and
same time sustains the life of man. Without it none could live.
Without this no element could advance, no wind could blow, no rain or snow
the
at
could
fall,
no water could
flourish,
from the
air,
and the
in
but
upon us
fire
this
same element,
may
it
without materiality or
is
of
so does the
means of
The
life.
first
attracted
That
TEXT
means
is
air,
air.
is
They
element brings
fire
From
and
down
it
flow,
its
it
not
fall
down.
visibility,
chaos, which
X.
inserts
between the
This
does by
it
pellicle
There
also a middle space extending from heaven to earth, in which are balanced
the
fire,
^Si&
by
as the chicken
and prevents
it
from tottering.
It is
This chaos
is
sustained in the
shell,
though
is invisible,
it
appears of a
And
shall
not
fall
from
its
is
As
the
in the
air.
position.
balanced
As a ship is borne up by the ocean, so is this globe by the air. It is one vast
and marvellous albumen which invisiblj- supports the globe of earth and
water.
It bears up even the firmament itself, which is placed in it as the seed
And as everj- morsel of flesh lies in
of the cucumber is placed in its mucilage.
its
own
generating seed
liquid, or the
in
what
is
clear
sperm,
in that
it is
In no other
it
lie
way
is
in this
are they
There
in
Otherwise,
in all its
2o8
TEXT
While discussing the powers of
pointed out that the air and
is
No
inherent in them.
what
is
its
XI.
this element,
in
below.
moreover, be
should,
it
If
is
above or
it
"up"
shell,
is
"down."
or
up and which
grow
things
veins of metal,
a threefold
in
it
is
height, whilst
lies in
the rotundity
is
line,
The cause
depth.
is
this
the globe and the sky, so he founded also the semicircle, the diameter and the
meridian
in fire
a threefold
line
all lines
and
For
circles.
all
in
rest.
is
all
geometry, where
this
this
line
beast.
nothing
falls
away or emerges, be
it v.-ater, fire,
earth, tree,
All
man,
TEXT
XII.
must be seen
how these flourish in the element of air. Mercury, Sulphur, and Salt are so
prepared as the element of air that they constitute the air, and make up that
Now,
element.
spirit of Salt
this pellicle
and
primal parts
in
and
it is
formed from
shell thus
changed
is
clarified
into
two
and
is
one
The Sulphur
subtle,
is
it.
element
is in
andthe mid
density, dryness,
.'Ml
this
and diaphanous.
it
may
space.
and
all
It is clear,
its
a chaos,
all
is
the circumference.
The
third
burnt
it
end of
is
it
it
was
before.
Siicli is
thus
air,
209
If
the
its
smoke.
It is, in fact,
the
So, then, nothing further arises from the element of air beyond
now
living, ascribe
the sky.
itself,
is
substantially
air.
air.
wood
That
coming
is
Many
wind
all
more
its
It
making out
its
fire,
it,
and what
where more
is
its
set
what
some
clearly about
to the air,
nothing.
forth from
to understand
motion
and the
air is
by
Whoever wishes
is,
let
him read
here
THE PHILOSOPHY OF
THE GENERATION OF THE ELEMENTS.
Kl.KMENT OF
TREATISE
WE
TEXT
I.
FiRE.
I.
element of
according to
air,
The
next to
We
the
is
it
fire.
tlie
air is first
sur-
fire.
Afterall, from the Iliaster were separated the air and the fire.
wards these two were sundered the one from the other, so that the air
First of
occupied the
first
were divided.
and
fire,
fire
came
place, as
darkness.
sustained
because
of
fire
it
in
the element of
not,
many have
its
fire
foolishly said.
constitution
They
is
warm and
It is
fire,
fire.
complexion,
in
Though
warmth
is
their impressions
that
still
it
all
impressions.
congelation.
down
fire.
This clement
subsists.
it, is
in
dry
fire
is
of
warm
it
It
contrary to
an clement because
air, is
who
It is
fire.
inferior.
Fire
is
God
It is
is
it
called
an element.
be the element of
The two
7.
earth, so
is it
material
fire is
called an
when
fire,
element when
it
is
but
fire,
is
it
elementary
like
because
It is
not
in that
fire
it
fire
That
remains
fire
with the
within
itsel/,
air,
as
Each has
is
the element
So
exists.
its
own
is
Tristo
in
in
it
can shew
its element in wood, can kindle and burn it, because it is of the
same nature as that by which the element of fire moistens the earth with rain.
As the element of fire moistens the earth, and it is its nature and property to
do so, it kindles wood also by a mirror in the sun.
The material fire is
brought to the globe just as rain to the earth. Both come from one element
divided as to their nature.
But the fire which is extracted from stones and
metals has penetrated thither from the sun by means of its own .'\res. As the
earth is nourished by the sun, so is the one element by another.
Of the three
So
primaries. Salt could not coagulate unless the element of fire were in it.
Mercury could not give a body unless it contained in itself the element of
water.
So neither is Sulphur without its terrestrial quality.
The air is
it
but
Therefore, of
TEXT
Having thus
water,
it
itself, like
it
it,
the other
II.
two elements,
as follows
is
fire
and
: Originally
them was made into the sun, the moon, and the other
Beyond these there is no element of fire. Whatever virtue they are
endowed with beyond this is only trifling. This is more fully shewn in the
Here it is sufficient to know that this element, the
treatise De Natura.
the distribution of
stars.
firmament, to wit,
is
What
the like
all
these things
This element of
fire
come from
night, day,
the element of
placed
is
in
in
the element of
sun moves
in the sky,
that
is,
in
the
lies still,
fire,
its
its tree.
another
seat or place.
air.
fire
For just as
flies,
one
it
air are
mingled
so has
air.
and the
it is
appointed that
swims
in the
water,
is in
this
its
mode, another
own
in that,
V2
And
as
manifold
phise
is
men by Nature
is
their nature
stituted bv fate.
and condition.
to
Pai'acelsus.
say that
all
On
this
these
all,
so
is it
like
stars
so
treatise
first
IN with
was stated
it
Iliaster
all
From
gether.
was furnished
all
mingled
to-
Herein shall be
to the
element of
fire.
element of
element, that
and besides
fire,
The
element.
first
this
is
red transparency
is
no white brightness at
was
also extracted
the
whole
and transferred
to the
all in
is, to the moon and the other stars, which were distributed into many
While the white brightness was conglob.ited into one form, the red
stars, that
parts.
was divided
brightness
many
into
is
it
Where
is.
in
two natures
fire
exist,
none
in the
in
sun.
Hence
cold
means of his
the ground a
over the
All the
it
stars.
thus
rays.
is
red.
sun
not,
there
is
Heat
a cold one.
.Ml fire
which
is
is
just as the
is
warm
in the stars
is
be
no white
All coldness
clear that
In the
it
warm and
tlie
is
night.
will
it
no
Moreover,
that globe
night and'darkness
element of
parts.
its
in the
universal
is
;
in
the
there
is
an
to the earth
by
cave, or as from
stalk rises above the earth, so heat goes forth from the sun
trlobe.
clarity
which
in the
Mi^fon's-
c.
32
2 14
'^f^^
Heat
Hence
it
is
the
of the
fruit
has no other
it
fruit.
follows that the sun has two operations, a greater and a lesser heat,
Hence it is granted
The matter stands thus For us Germans
to the stars to lose their coldness.
Then the autumn and
if the sun is supreme his heat is greatest with us.
In winter the cold comes on, not because the sun is
harvest are at hand.
low and depressed (for it is the same sun which can by his rays shed heat
All
ever^'where), but because his harvest is not then imminent as in June.
below
But
fruits are then in a state of repose, and have been harvested.
in this
way.
The sun
two modes.
us, in Ethiopia
the sun
is
warm
while with us he
with
but
his harvest-time,
us
cold,
is
the
for
reason
this
it
is
season.
fallow
pole,
because
makes more or less. Ever)'thing which has to produce fruit needs rest and
sleep
and unless the sun were lying fallow, its heat would be equally
intense with us in winter as it is in summer.
In the meantime, while the sun is lying fallow, the harvest and autumn
;
of the cold stars are substituted, so that during the whole year there shall be
sterility,
Moreover, on
subject
this
Dryness
must
it
Moisture
himself.
bri|fhtness.
This
in
is
is
all
Thus
the element of
the sun
is
cold
and
is
dissolved
this
So
quite foreign.
is
is
If
in the
must
coagulate so
By
a thing
tliat
their nature
heat
its
this to
it
In
what respect
of the sun.
is
But what
is
is
his
Such, too,
There
is
is
is
the
it
Thus
method
liquefies,
Nothing.
These
and the
like,
as metals and
Where
It
nature,
sun,
humid body on
to
is in
coldness some-
in
itself.
the cold.
is in
only as
is
no
Coldness never
heat coagulates
if
In one
fire is
is
is
What
There
in
is,
dryness and
that
in the sun.
is,
fire
Heat consumes
heat.
cold, that
remarked
he
heal, that
in
is
stars.
humiditv?
It
does not
its
original matter?
last.
What
Is it if,
And
so
indeed.
y'^
'
wards
so that
it
Xo
sooner
breaks forth,
dry remains
damp
again, that
The
heat
in
Wherever
is
it
what
wet, in cold
is
it is
wood
ashes.
is
it
After-
dries
It
fire.
so long as
is,
It
dry again.
it is
to drj'ness, but
wherever
It is
he withdrawn than
lias
no longer moistened.
it is
rain,
which
poured out,
it is
is
glass, glass
But
we
All
in
will, in
heat
the
first
may
lire
is
into
which
as follows
is
The whole
Magdalion.
white light
most subtle
warm
this
spirit of salt.
that there
is
other elements
is
consumed by
which
is
invisible.
is
is
Nile,
So man has
within bounds.
So dryness has
fire
and
It
its
it
his
is
perishes entirely in
its
the veritable
is
alike with
It
all
regulates
its
of the sun.
man
course by
arranged that the sun going round the globe rounds out
In this course
fire
ov.n forn>.
But the
death,
this
They are
and Tiber.
is
its circle
By
for
nothing but
falls
wind
wind.
motion
not of
for,
itself
grow warm.
upon
its
If
it
course
itself
generate any
warm by
it
its
would
be
is
roll
It
warm,
it
2i6
mode
its
of motion.
It
and
is fixed,
will
-first
onlj-
as
the year of
to
if
its
In like
For Magdalion
which
world
manner
will
renewed.
will be
first
say there
all
is
That
daughter.
we must speak
rest.
But
be fallow.
fire,
own
light, of
fixation,
if it
to say,
is
circumstances.
all
is
the
in
moon,
in
which exist
and the
planets,
For the moon has no fallow season, but simply dies and departs. The seed
is left there, from which the new moon is born.
And the generation is
only
of such a nature that it gains its power of increase from the sun.
Whatever
grows does so by force of the sun's heat, and without that heat nothing
grows at all. When, therefore, the Creator made the moon after such a
manner as that she should wane and wax, He did it for tiiis purpose, that
the moon, like seed, should be united with the sun, and should thence acquire
her power of increase. Thus it is that she increases and comes to fulness, and
then afterwards wanes.
For whatever increases, the same also decreases.
As man by disease wastes away and dies, so the decrease of the moon is her
sickness even to death, wherein she passes away, leaving onlv her seed behind.
The moon is, in fact, the phoenix of the firmament, from which, when it dies,
a new one constantly Issues forth.
So, in like manner, there are other stars,
and they are made up of the redness of Sulphur, Mercury, and Salt. And
there
is
\irtue from
its
Thus
own.
its
it is
origin in that
that the
moon
has such strong influence over the earth on account of her coldness and her
She
humidity.
of
but,
still
fire is
is
superior to
The other
fire.
all
ha\
c tlieir origin.
if
Now,
ones.
stars are
and
this
should exist by
forth
some
and the
itself
warm
many
cold natures.
come
to the earth
Therefore, in
cold produces
a healthy man.
warm
in
^:t'i
there were but one Magdalion, like the sun, possessing only a
is
the element
in
Thus,
in
is
divided into
many
is
winds,
warm
showers,
warm
tempests,
From
these
and the
rest,
On
without ardour.
what
is
Vet,
these
all
217
are cold
fire,
is
and giving
Concerning Winds.*
Through
continually
hx\\\v^
fore, the
lies therein,
Zedoch
in the
tlie
Two
midst.
in its rotundity,
in
is,
These stars are actual stars of the winds, because they blow
upon us annually, and have their own year, which is the year of the winds.
The other stars of the winds blow above and below us, not according to the
antarctic pole.
year, but
may
its
be.
The
tlicy
blow each
hail,
now been
frost,
^vithout coruscation.
tlicir
generations.
But we
is
to
one looks
to the east,
predestinated winds.
air.
may
IJut
In this circle stand the mother of the winds, and the places whence arise the
circle.
circle,
while they arc arriving at the rotundity of the terrestrial globe and dash upon
or again
may
towards those
who
live
below
it, it is
us, or
may
Thus the winds are impelled through the air beyond land and sea, and persist until they
worn out by reason of the distance, the way, or the violent motion, etc. Each of these four parts has a nature
peculiar and proper to itself, for the oriental part is warm and drj-, not being so on account of the sun, or because it
the depths of the globe.
arc
soutli-east
wind and
its satellites
is
nature
n.iti'.rc
of the thiee
in the south,
pri::>:iplc>, -^i
in the east,
warm and
dr>*
th.nt
and humid.
For as
is
the
by
2i8
lVriit7igs
of Paracelsus.
There are very many wliich surround the w hole Zedoch, like the Galaxy, and
Concerning the elementary n;iture of
is Deneas.
Antiquity has gi\en to
these stars it may be said that they are all humid.
over against the Galaxy
these four
names which we
retain,
All those stars which are situated at the north throughout the entire
Censeturis
is
humidity
is, its
coagulated, whence
is
it
It
is
appears dry.
Zephyrus comprises the western stars, all being humid and cold, but not
congelated.
So it is that by comparison with these Boreas is accounted dry,
on account of its congelation. The other stars in Zedoch, Eurus and Auster,
possesses until
it
Auster
comes
much
of
called humid,
is
humidity as
its
So Auster with
consumption.
its
to
and
is
That
case of Eurus.
in the
the
it,
sun
is
moisture for
sufficient
preits
and season.
and
if it
its
it
Borcis
is
is
affected
;
most healthful.
humid.
Above
all
things,
therefore,
it
is
These three princiijles are all of an igneous nature till they arrive at
Sulphur is a fiic which burns salt nitre burns also and it is in like
thfir operation, that is, at their ultimate matter.
manner with mercur>'. Now, fire cocks wind, and in the generation of v.-inds the stars are vials and cucurbttes, containing in themselves meteoric sulphur, mercury, and salt, which operate in these phials by means of our ethereal
From earthly
Vulcan. From these ethereal operations ethereal works are produced, such as the winds. .
examples we understand the operations of the firmament, not, indeed, according to one grade, for as the heaven is
three principles should be rightly recognised.
and as the heaven has more of clarity than has earth of grossncss,
operation.
That \\ hich is unseen by the eye is judged analogically by
But you must know that the hour and time of the generation of those winds must be
things which the eye beholds.
fundamentally understood by .astronomy and all its branches. If the winds blow, they advance to places suited for
them. Much concordance produces strong wind. To frequently concord and generate is frequently to excite winds.
Many species and a strong Vulcan generate mighty and violent winds, which root up trees and demolish houses. For
the wind is, according to its own nature, as corporeal, and substantial as stone or any matter hurled down from a
higher than the earth, so also
so
great height.
And
stronger
is it
intense
although a stone
is
is its
is
by God, diverse
is
in
Concerning the origin of winds it is then to be concluded that they are generated in windy stars above, and by
the operation of Vulcan they are matured at their proper time, w hen they dash forth into the centre of the globe, transforming all obstacles into their own nature and property. As Boreas coagulalcs, so the south wind dissolves, the
But if they
east preserves, the west putrefies. They perform their operation according to their implanted nature.
virtue.
blow
at those times
Among
when
Liher MeU-yrntn,
c. 5.
etc.
Wind
it
In this
way
tremblings of the earth are generated, although this is not the sole
all stones, all metals, and all things without exception.
how wind
to
method.
219
its
in
is
no
other nature and property except to produce winds, which are decocted from
is
the respective
Their wind
in
So
The
following-
a certain amount of
it
parent of
the
is
in
the
is
all
cold
The
like.
truth
that
is
all
The mode
in
which
all
is
the firmament.*
winds,
and
intermittent
all
hail
and the
temporary,
proceed
some
that
is
in
winds.
rain,
frigidity.
is
as follows
By
is
means of
manifold
in
the stars in the firmament and, generally, concerning the constitution of heaven,
discussed elsewhere at greater length by Paracelsus, and in connection with the four elements, as follows
Of
the
Man has need of these. But they are divided into four complexions,
has been said that they are four.
which arc by no means as the ancients have imagined them, as, for example, that the earth is cold and dr>*. This is
w ithout foundation certainly in some places it is cold and dr>*, but in others it is cold and wet, while in yet others it is
dements
it
warm and
Nevertheless,
dry.
it is
an element, that
is,
The
case
an element, inasmuch as it is
same with water. This is specified to
At the same time, that humidity is often dry
is
It is called
the
and warm, by reason of the virtue. The body itself, in its corporal nature, is humid. The earth is dry, so that its fruit
can be con-jcivcd in it ajid come forth from it. So. also, the heaven is not of one complexion, but of many complexions.
It is
not
fire,
now
fire,
but
cold,
is
understood as
now warm,
to one complexion.
etc.
fire,
Wc
is,
so
is
it.
and
all
20
Tilt
character.
have
stars
is
The
own
their
most perfect moderators of summer and of winter alike. A\'hen these winds
do not obviate such a result chaos is frozen just Hke water. The reason why
water is frozen is that the winds of Zedoch do not penetrate it. They penetrate
There is wo other use of
chaos, and therefore do not allow it to be frozen.
winds except to mitigate each season of the year, and
to
moderate
their
damage.
The common i-jature of all the stars comprised in the sky and
ment is that, every day, nay, every hour and moment, they exude.
the firnia-
For the
stars attract to themselves the heat of the sun, just as the fruits of the earth
That
of
e.-irth
and yet
Whatsoever
The
all
things.
can be called
it
The
all
case
Its colour,
these.
is
the
is
Earth, too,
same with
is
for
it
is
air. wliich is
So water has
its
ow n
in chaos,
upwards, the other downwards, and as fishes rest upon nothing, and. without feet, swim about in the water, so in like
manner, stars swim about in the heaven, that is, in the body of heaven, preserving that order which God has prescribed
them, some moving at a liigcr.soine at alower,level,at different distances apart, and with a quicker or slower motion. The
details of this question must be referred to astronomers, but this, at least, should be remembered, that he.avcn is a body
which, like water,
is
also dry.
It is
is
tiling, yet
it
is
;
it is
it
not effected
by hands or feet it is the miraculous work of God, and an element which contains and includes all the rest, and drives
them in a round or a circle. The stars were born from heaven, and stand therein as if they flew like a bird through the
Having been once formed,
air, according to the order and circle, even as God has destined and formed them to motion.
they henceforth remain for ever the same. The trees and fruits of the earth fall and are re-born. The stars can
Whatever else is formed in the elements is eaten away by mould,
perish once only, namely, at the end of the world.
moth, and death. It is only the st.ars of the celestial heaven which remain in immunity, and yet their fruits rise and fall,
But they have a unique and special colour, which is fiery. Thus, earth chiefly displays greenness,
as rain, snow, etc.
though it has .also other colours. The sun is peculiar in colour, .and if the same be igneous, it is not after the manner
Wc must repeat concerning fire that it has been enumerated as one of the
of wood, but of an element
;
The earth, indeed, exhibits itself as an element, water in like manner, and
But consider the fourth element. This cannot be fire, for it confers nothing elemental and no fruits upon
man, nor does it possess any affinity with man, or vice vcrsny but it has an altogether fatal power, whereby the soul is
It is, therefore, necessary- that heaven should be regarded as the fourth element, for this is
separated from the body.
akin to man, nor can man dispense therewith, where.is he can dispense with fire and can live without it. The possibility
of his dispensing with fire shews that it is not an element, but such rather is th.at heaven which brings forth day and
night, summer and winter, increasing all fruits, and helping the other elements. The Scripture states that God created
In heaven are the other elements, and even as the jar is m.ide ready before the wine is
tJic heaven and the earth first.
pressed out, so the clement of he.ivcn is in reality the first element, which we ha%e here named for the fourth. / ihcr
elements, but with manifest absurdity.
so also
air.
AU'tcoriiHiy c.
I.
frigfidit}'.
221
is
and
Elements.
th(^
That vapour
it
elementatcd bodies.
For as
man, by natural exercise and the process of excretion, purges the phlejjm
from his nostrils, so do the stars also and all the elements undergo these
Sulpluir,
Salt.
earth.
down
to the earth
down
all
frozen,
is
it
thus
falls
its
it
on the
glides
Through
the
This
drop by drop.
called dew.
is
falls
But by night
the sun.
before
in
consumed by
is
it
exists
dew on
down-
wards.
CoxcrRNiNG
Nebula
is
former only
water, and
dew.
Nebula
the
to
is
is
it
falls to
like
this
kind,
in this, that
When
stars.
Nnnui-.E.
smoke.
It
it
it is
rests
differing
from the
excreted by certain
certain part of the vapour passes into dew, the rest into nebula.
imperfect
earth
and vanishes.
But
its
if
it
is
If
it is
thin
it
falls
own, where
it
is
it
If,
however,
of a
and
Earth
is
snow,
But
sometimes
more subtle
if
is
it is
is
its fruits
TEXT
I.
Concerning Metals.*
^y^HE
metals which come from the upper regions derive their origin from
J^
suns,
They
metal
are only called seven because they produce seven metals, and one kind of
is
point out
are they
in error
in v/hat
the astronomers
From
they do say.
kinds of planets proceed the seven metals, and they are the same
three, just as in the element of water.
The only
difference
test of the
lower metals.
are strengthened
by
their
own
heat
till
The varying
The moon
is
chief
among
way
summer
is
is
are occasioned
first
the metals
Neither, again, do
There
respective stars.
summer
own
nor
In the first
that in the
is
In this
these seven
by mutations
fail.
Then
the
by another summer.
in
Were
the
would be no summer, for the sun, whether high or low, dispenses an even heal. Unless,
therefore, the summer stars were to arrive, perpetual winter would prevail.
The summer stars, however, derive their
increment from the sun. So, also, we must not assign a diverse origin to day and night. The day arises from the
light of the sun, but the night from the light of the moon.
The dep.^rture of the sun by no means causes night. It Is
the peculiar nature of certain stars to produce darkness, which is so gross tliat unless the moon interfered with her
presence, nothing whatever would be \isiblc. Such a course, therefore, has God imposed upon the stars, that, going
round the whole firmament, they retain their order and continual progress. For lest they should cease, or have a
general holiday, God ha,> ordained that when some are absent, others arc present to fulfil their operations. So the
nocturnal stars t.ike the place of the receding sun. The bodies of the three prime principles arc the cause of those
bodies whence day and night proceed. Tlic sun is a perspicuous and diaphanous salt, clarified and extracted from
these principles, being purified from all obscurity.
Its brilliancy has been extracted from the mass of the first
matter of heaven. And whereas that is a white brilliancy which has been digested into the sun, so has a red into the
moon and stars. The transparency and perspicuity of the white were extracted in sulphur, salt, and liquor, to make
the sun thereof. Afterwards the brilliance of the red was put into a body of sulphur. Thus salt is the body of the
sun, sulphur that of the moon, while liquor is the body of darkness. -Jpid., c. 3.
' Metallic natures also subsist in the element of fire, for as in hctvcn there arc stones, so also there arc metals, but
differentiated beyond all recognition from those of earth.
Fiery tlnniderbolts, with their corruscalions. are only
stars to fail, there
all iron or steel, fluxiblc as copper, mixed with colours, and formed like a thunderbolt.
Their fall
some miraculous conjunction of elements, which produces them in bodily form. Many marvellous
matters are carried up into the heaven and fall down to us. If it were possible for the stars of mercurj-, salt, and
solely
owing
to
sulphur to be joined in a like copulation, several impressions of this kind would fall hourly.
things is not favourable herein. e.\rept in the c.^'^e of ih? thunderbolt. ZJri' Mi-tccn's, I,ib. II.
of
same
ductility,
or
again, there
still
and nature of
same
such metals
lie
there
found amongst
stars,
some
And
fire,
a few
in
is
kidneys.
For
purges
itself
entirely.
is in
according to
fire, is
its
own
among
the seven
lie
all
come
and coagulates of
are,
and fewer
whether they
Their origin
Many
effluxes.
the
down from
like pulse, of
stars,
So,
is
all
shape
other.
which
in .Africa,
.All
fire,
and similar
in .Asia,
the
in
all
without
one as
is
Europe.
in
colour
in
is
metallic operation
them
or hardness in the
fliixibility,
22-^
itself up.
itself
It
purely and
in
com-
mixture with Sulphur, Salt, and Mercury, save that the igneous metals have
not a watery fixation, just as the aqueous metals have not a firmamental
fixation.
TEXT
When,
star
li.
then, the three primals have completed their effect in the metallic
as when,
in the star
Then
some
This
shaken
furnace.
is
In the
ever, that out of the seven kinds of the seven stars, each
The names of
many
liquids fall
down from
same way,
In the
too,
a state of coagulation.
If the
talcs,
it
does not
to the
fully
perfectly arise
Hence
it
greater praise.
and
same.
all
will
be
many
respects deserve
Tlic Hervietic
24
and Alchonical
TEXT
IV)
of Parace/sits.
ifiiis^s
III.
same way
In the
there are also other stars which cast forth from them-
For Sulphur,
Salt,
and
Mercury in the element of fire possess a powerful force for generating gems.
There are many stars which consist of ruby Sulphur, many of sapphire Salt,
and many which are powerful in emerald Mercury. There are also stars
which contain the primals of copper,
appear rainy.
this kind
From
If
Hence, many of
alum.
vitriol, salt, or
manifest themselves;
There, Salt
Mercury
In the emerald
copper.
It
colours of
has
its
is
spirit
is
the
of Mercury.
its
fire
and condition of the three primals which are found united in the ratio of
For instance, in copper there is redness. But these
colours in the metals.
three primals,
silver, if
body
In
produced
from
So, from
iron, a red
lead, the
like
colours,
manner,
also,
if
only the
lightly or
deeply impressed.
Mercury
marked by many
is
its
is
it
produces various
either
that
That which
ver)'
their
rare,
is
is
a golden stone
are generated
predominates,
from
is
carbuncle or jasper
Salt
in
Equally, too,
and so on.
stones
is
from
wliite
if
stars,
the
is
a stone
a mercurial stone.
own
a copper stone
is
a silver stone
metalliir
are ejected, just as metals are ejected, and so are found in the
ftiest
parts of
tlie tliree
principles from
colour.
generated thoy
fall.
Although
arise.
These are so high and
however, the green which is their
which impressions
so lofty that
We
see.
and unheard
of,
it
The generations of these stones take place .is follows. If the piinciples of thunderhohs arc present,
any number of thunderbolts may be generated, for with every pe.al there is a stone. The matter of such stones exists
first of all in an .tcrial condition, and is afterwards coagulated into an earthy one, so that the air can retain them no
Furthermore, the matter of these stones may collect into one place in the
longer, and they ultimately fall to the earth.
absence of any tempest, but it will remain aerial until it comes in cont.act with a contrary nature, when it will at once
Ivcgin to coagulate and to fall, even as a clot^d is precipitated downward in the form of ra\n.IHd,
"'Z
TEXT
225
IV.
Of crystals and beryls it should be known that they are generated from
snowy stars, which produce snow, in the following manner In the snowy
stars, the power of congelation is so strong that sometimes they are of a
that is, one and the same star contains within it both snow
double nature
and congelation, and so becomes twofold. Now, a star of this nature, which
has gained at the same time the power of congealing and also of producing
snow, easily generates the crj-stal, the citrine, and the beryl. For, if snow
falls, and frost accompanies it, and, moreover, a place be given to him on the
the
globe where Boreas predominates, while the sun or the solar nature does not
prevail strongly, then the water
Now,
is
which
falling,
is
in
water
this
if
is
in falling.
But,
if
is
when
not
it
itself
it
is
there, coagulates
it
into
nor
is
This,
ice.
is it
Other waters,
dissolved,
it
is
true,
is
that the
fall
this seizing
all
before they
proportion as the
The
it
in
massed
is
is
the
snowy
star,
wherein, also, the power of congelation subsists, so, that, wherever they meet
in
In
is
snows of
this
kind
arje
as crystals and the like, pure and dark together, for this reason, because S.S.
of Mercury and Salt have clarified and purified themselves.
crystals, beryls,
snowy.
and
citrines of this
The reason of
snow-water.
But
their
this
is,
down
sort, are
found
Very
in places
often, too,
in that
form.
They
them
THE PHILOSOPHY OF
THE GENERATION OF THE ELEMENTS.
TEXT
I.
TO
Se.
made on
if
matter was
its
first
Its three
out of the great Iliaster, from the two primal elements into another
in
first
it
is
From
the earth
should be
after\vards joined
known
that
all
the water.
But
man, but
cattle,
by means
of food and other necessaries, were collected into the element of earth, and
consisted of
all
trees,
alone,
and not
in
For
and
is,
all
this
is
peculiar to the
is
called,
power of nourish-
TEXT
Sulphur,
II.
elements existed.
Iliaster
was
Salt,
divided.
own
place.
in
vain
who endeavour
fifth
essence.
its
to separate the
From
end
it
such form as
in
fire,
from
silently
in
invisibly
is
and
it
should be included
it
should be procreated
the
And
seen.
is
as
will
was hidden
all
world
in the
the virtues of
and pleasure of
rises,
and
is
The seed
cultivator.
its
is
those
all
it.
III.
now
TEXT
according to
it
in
was
227
separated into
its
it is
own
is
here
that seed,
is
not remain joined in one, but each genus exists solely and separately, one in
wood, a second
Each of
a third in fungus.
in the herb,
separately, this into cedar, that into anthos, this, again, into balsam,
into botin.*
thorns
Of
and so with
the rest.
understood according to
But
in
distribution,
its
it
may
and that
lily
was
with
be rightly
in
the
of earth
was
third.
is
given
its
own
herb,
and
its
into a
own
third lavendula.
We
tree.
should
pay attention to what has been the distribution made by the Aniadus.
TEXT
.As to
why
fell
IV.
among
may
soil to
fig,
fig
and
in
and the
an appropriate climate.
If
now
the
and the fir, there exist two kinds of sulphur one passes away into coagulation, the other
and is not coagulated. From the sulphur which is su^eptible of coagulation, the wood of the
trees is prepared, and the some abounds in salt.
It is owing to this sulphur that wood bums, and it goes on burning so
long as there is sulphur in it. Whatsoever remains is s,ilt, and this is in the form of ashes. .\nd that truly is salt which
the sulphur in trees coagulates into wood, whence glass is made. For salt is fluid. And this glass is the ultimate matter
of any salt of wood whatsoever. But the other sulphur which is not susceptible of coagulation gives terebinth, resin of the
fir and pine, which inheres chiefly in the wood, and by reason of its subtlety penetrates through the pores outside the
bark, either by liquefaction or by a natural resolution. The sulphur which is in botin is more subtle than the sulphurs of
the fir or pine, while that of the pine is more subtle than that of the fir.
But all three are of one generation, proceeding
from the ^Vniadus. which is united through Mercurj-. The bark is nothing else but sulphur coagulated after the manner
of resin, and it is educed into this form by the .\niadus. For it is a hard congealed sulphur. And as there is no outside
in any body without hardness, so is the bark formed from the hardest parts of the sulphur which exists in a growing
thing.
The branches, the shoots, etc., as also the fruits, proceed, in like manner, from the .Aniadus, and derive their
special form and character therefrom.
This is to be understood also concerning other trees. De Ettmtnto Terra,
* In the botin, the pine,
is
sep.iratcd therefrom,
Tract
11..
Tex
I.
Q2
2 28
soil
emerge, but
it
its
fruit
in the earth,
lie
nevertheless, dried
is,
it
genus of
lilies,
or
own
its
varietj'
to
it
the cause
is
why
it
to
come
work
less
is
unless perchance
Thus
fertility.
in
V.
means of
In this
seed.
two wa3's
soil in
way
that
is
The
all
Here the
lily,
gifts of
itself.
The
fruits pro-
them
to say, either
soil,
all
If neitTier spelt
have to be sown.
itself.
is
This material
soil,
TEXT
is
is
of the
is
the
to a condition of vigour
the
soil
which
up by the
soil,
For the
nature.
For though
this treatise
duced.
same way
as
we understand
that Christ
TEXT
As
known
to the
trees
VI.
into
The other is
and formative power.
Paramirum.* But as to how much of an element
is
is
threefold
th.at is,
the seed
is
grow
Lib. II.,
c.
I.
therein.
is
united in
may
for
it,
itself,
afterwards,
From
has
It
its
which
skin,
its
has
It
whereof
the lesion
its
From
stalk.
for
Out of
ornament, as
is
its
growth,
is
that which
this,
has
It
its
hair,
like
disease.
which
its
Philosophise as
we
will
about
its
growing
twenty years.
decay
the element of
is
Whatever
its
it
years.
all
the
is left in
That
fire.
field
is,
fire
Thus a shoot or a
dies.
destroys wood,
it
there, as
it is
tree
death.
its
Its
leaves, grass.
Its
in the
Its leaves
head and
its
mind,
its
is
forms and directs them into their essence for which they were created.
for ten or
of
is
from
the bark.
is
this is
is
the root
first
followed by death.
man
in
tends towards
proceeds
this
fruits.
man.
the
it
before.
it is
in the
229
consumed
is
no more
left
happens to wood
on the
the
in
Thus are growing things consumed and eaten away so that no relic
remains, but all are removed like dust.
The very remnants are so dispersed
fire.
by a strong wind that not a fragment survives and remains at the expiration
of a year.
TEXT
VII.
earth, the
and colocynth
others strengthen
in
as cinnamon, carraways,
Now,
it
is
all
first
is
The
is
it
fig, etc.
a species of drink.
preparation, and
another growth,
mace
others
the leaves, as
others in the
man
It
like.
the
is
nutrimental virtues he
in
into the
others
fruits,
is
it,
forth,
Thus
the apple
In the nucleus
is
fruit
a species
own
brook-willow,
the
rhabarbarus,
or
230
hermodactylos.
liquorice root
ness,
and flowers.
everything by
fire
is
divided to
its
Such
is
In
gamandria
persica and
or in
its
or
it is
makes
either
down from
there are
many others,
same way the
In the
lily
These are
who
all
live
either
produced from
on the earth.
In this
As out of
Of
this
the avena
is
sulphur, but
Ttrra, Tract
III.,
etc.,
Text
it is
not edible.
The
esile
seed, however,
sulphur
is
is
collected
is
sulphurs
.ire
united, being the three principles duplicated according to nature and essence.
Thus
in
the mighty gifts are learnt, just as the virtues of the elements 'which have
flowed
it
So
way
mace
yet
and yet one does not on that account destroy the other.
And
own growth.
For
itself is
TEXT.
is its
element
and
forth stalks
origin, into
per
\s
down
this
of this seed
whilst
fruit
it is
is
is
its fruits,
latent in its
and
stalk
its
branches and
lies in
sustains
it
must be
From
soil.
Out
way.
the light,
soil into
in the earth.
in
the
fruits, in this
remains lying
it
of water
water, and
it is
laid
that
first
divisions
The element
se.
of various kinds.
what
Fruits.
I.
its
is
its
a body, which
growing things such as trees and fruits from the tree of the element
There is rio element but requires a body by which it may be
of water.
sustained.
The element
of
fire
of the earth, the earth bears up the fruits of water, the water those of the
air.
Thus, the
fruits of
the
falls
down from
its
And
distillation.
its
whole globe
All the
It
is
not on account of
all
is
Abrissach,
the pores of
way
In this
water and
fruits,
so
is
fall
down
fall
.-Ml
of water
its tree,
whole earth.
which
Now,
and
its
232
TEXT
But concerning'
truth
is,
and perishes.
Thus,
II.
its
and end of
its exit
all
seen.
the plains
One branch
born.
From
light.
to
one
which
is
new, not
is
it
produced
falls, is
and
old,
lies in
on
its circuit
towards
sides
all
many branches
root very
this
are
all
And
tree,
and
is
the seed,
its
itself, rises
and
fire
all
then,
So,
air.
the
tree
is
distributed by this triple line over the universal globe, tending towards the
light.
they reach the two external elements vi'here the line ends.
until
go on
in
its
own
to its
It
does not
body, or Yliadum.
that position, every tree would spring right up to the sky, extending itself
where
it is
is
grow
So,
occupying more of the earth than the height to which growing things
Chaos, therefore,
is
sustained
is
That which
twofold.
would extend
its
Yliadum above
fruits
all
which
it
is
it
lies
Yliadum,
in its
one root, so
is
the sea.
The
is
that
all
is,
goes on to
its
where its
But how far
must be sought from philosophj',
Yliadum
in
the sea,
where they
ail
meet.
is
is
not
Why
first
it
it
this
fire
it
sea itself
that
is,
is salt, is
flow
rise.
height ends.
is
For, as there
as
mid heaven.
to the
extends since
because
above
is
clissus.
it,
on account of
its
as will hereafter be
is
the
same
TEXT
Now,
their
since
well to
know
all
Nothing
sumption.
its
it is
III.
Yliadum,
It
is
is
free
from
away
is
consumed.
it
Putridity
it
is,
this con-
comes
is
to
a kind
appertains.
so that
it is
nature.
its
the
it
233
is
ruption.
If
it
comes
consumed of
is
through
guishes
is
is,
to the sea,
it
and some
some of
that
is
fruits
its
cerning this in
streams
But
stood
pass
arise.
in its
away
that they
death,
in
order that
It
must
itself,
others
all
this
casts out,
it
its
may
fruits
it
and
be under-
it
to their canopies.
all
is
bears within
it
it
This
its
What
it
itself,
own
its
fruits,
should be said
consumed, as
lastly
it
TEXT
By way
IV.
consider that the following are the fruits of the element of water
and stones.
minerals, gems,
There
Sweet water
is
manifold
in the
One matrix
matrix.
and alum.
vitriol,
The
of these has
salt,
many
metals,
And each
fruits
things which
of water are
lie in
bom
Each of
is
:*
we
will
Salts,
growths out
is
of
the stalk.
salt,
one of
these, again,
fruits of
is
salt salt,
of vitriol,
cachimise.
singly,
Archeiu,
who
it
into its
is
all
into
its
place.
manner the germs of sweet water and things which are of an acid
When he has divided these things and educed them into Nedeon, the operation of Nedeon goes on into
quality.
Vliadum. together with its maturation to which it is ordained. Z?^ EUmento Agtux. s. v. De G^ruribus Salium. c. t.
t Metals, minerals, and stones, while they are all generated out of water, do yet owe their development and perfection to the element of earth.
There is a twofold corruption of these substances one which results from a too
prolonged connection with the foreign element, and the proper corruption which takes place in their own element, even
germs of salt from
all
all
and
It is
more akin to mineral virtue than vitriol, because the salts are
But vitriol is the ultimate in the separation of minerals.
as possible by the separation of metals, of which Venus b the first.
Hence vitriol adheres
It is partly salt and partly mineral.
So in every vitriol there is copper, and by reason of this
But from
minerals,
all
minerals
followed as closely
lie
is
234
^'^''^
So
cachimiae.
in
manifold
is
is
As
cachimiae.
to their
and ingathering
suffice
it
proceeding from the element of water are divided into their branches and
trees.
So
has
salt
its
proceeds
its
its
fruits
in this
The same
and separation,
is
such
fruits consist of
all
and
in this
the
fruit,
one
condition.
its
its
own
If,
stalk,
and
fruit is
produced after
kind, then different things are found proceeding from the element of water
on
one stalk
salt,
is
all
tree,
separate, yet
all
line,
born one
is
Yliadum.
their division
and
own mode
its
own
fruit,
else.
As,
it.
Now,
if
these are
brought to their Yliadum, and await their autumn-tide, then at length the
which
fruit is
in
is
of venereal nature.
is
combined with
vitriol.
Indeed,
its
it is
wholly
vitriol.
vitriol in itself
remains a
salt,
APPENDICES.
APPENDIX
[In the
Geneva
which
folio of 1658,
is
it
also the
is
subjects.
a similar ground
to
the
Explicatio
translation.
It
is
much
after the
interpretation
same manner
at equal length,
and the
Aslronomice,
Totiits
but,
that the
latter
is
included in
Economy
of
it
in
an appendix the
treatise
SINCE
in
general,
all
minerals, and
that relates to
in
all else,
Now,
first
if
many
in
have never
fully
would
the ultimate matter be not understood, what, pray, will happen to the
Whoever can
matter?
end?
When
What
an astronomer
is
experience of light?
W'hat
is
a theologian
who
is
full
their letters
credit
this
proof positive
is
is,
a short space as to
in
my
ignorant of the
But,
in
possessing
my
how
will
they be
much
may have
predecessors had,
on what basis
is
more worthy of
who
may
plainly know-
238
what
is
the beginning.
It is
be familiar
first
lies
hid.
its
commencement, so
that
may
it
also
be more exactly understood for what purpose the matter has been framed.
Now,
if
man ought
use them,
What good
it is
purpose
its
it
is
rightly
otherwise
an axe to a person
over to one
who knows
all
who
about
is
it.
m)self received
that the last
What
it.
said in
my
be understood.
make
this
paragraph,
first
first,
should
until He sent the Holy Spirit, who, at His coming, revealed all
By
Him we understand Christ, though He came after Christ. So,
things.
from the same ultimate, that is, by the Holy Spirit, we now understand both
the Father and the Son.
understood
Now
Salt,
is
is,
is frail
And
here
steel,
lead,
emerald^ sapphire,
by Nature
it
all
balsam, mercury,
etc.
still
If,
is
it
flint,
it is
duelech,
Everything produced
in the air,
no
less
than
in
and Mercury.
When
all is
these are
dissolved.
Seeing, then, that the dissolution of substances reveals particularly what they
are,
and what
is in
them, you can gather that those things are three, namely.
now begin my
may know
will
all
On
be stated.
this basis
In the beginning
He
it
Furthermore,
how God
239
created Nature shall also
pleased
God
to
water whereinto
produced according to
in the
own
its
All these
Now,
is
a bird of the
air,
another a
fish
.And just as these differ one from the other, so do the natures of
water.
mother of
One
nature.
fulfilled in
should
of
all
who
willed that
it
all
first
God,
of
them.
is
not wood.
is
the
So also
is
wood
Water
Now,
water
is
flints,
a stone, another a
flint.
So
thing
He
is
is
has
able to
He
else
In like
a metal, another
is
is
manner on
earth, too,
artificer
is
One
this kind.
in
one
substances,
and Mercury.
an
first
Fire, Salt,
will
in
Nevertheless,
is all
we
things.
will, in the
all
things,
Such
whose works no
is
Then, when
one
we come
in
all
due
is,
The things whereof I write were supposed by the ancients to spring from the
earth.
Their meaning was good
but the position was incapable of
;
proof.
In this point
in
The principle, then, was first of all with God, that is, the ultimate matter.
He reduced this ultimate matter into primal matter. It is just in the same
way as the fruit, which is to produce other fruit, has seed. The seed is in the
primal matter.
So
in the
is
reduced to
240
nature, that
this
it
He
This water
That which
The same
manner.
like
in
own
its
He
metallic
That
itself.
b)'
That which
nature.
is
with
the case
is
water.
is in
is
species.
Moreover,
fruits
He
God
if
created time
also appointed
its
own
harvest for
water
too, the
The Archeus
an element,
is
is
autumn
the
primal
minerals.
all
of Nature
So, then, by
and potable.
Yet
is
man
of
offspring or fruit
its
The very
harder.
the
in
is soft,
is
fire
is
has
way beyond
origin
its
the capacity
to grasp.
minerals, this
So,
for the
he
is
that everything
That
autumn
autumn
special
is
Every one has his own special feelings and properties, not according to his
bodily organization, but according to his nature.
to their
In
Thus
all
metals according
all
and He separated
was something
sky, but
it
And
it.
the
is
and
in
the
air, in
it
it
does not
is
fall
ingenuity that
that
is
away from
it
its
centre
the
in
of greatest depth,
an
might be the
first
appointed station
are,
the
from these.
we
in
it
He founded
lies.
it
special, different
it
it
lies
fall
but
it
away from
the shell
and
in itself like
this
is
clear
miracle of God.
Now,
in this
all
Book about
Miner-als.
and forms.
grow out
go out of
water, there go
of the
sulphurs, etc.
matrix, that
is,
241
Moreover, as you
air,
it
it,
in
growing out
so,
forth
all
in the
is
operation, but
its
water,
the
is in
But they are brought to perfection above the earth, and pass on to
ultimate matter, which is entirely in the air.
earth.
their
manner
when the
In like
So, then,
is
root
how many
grow out
clearly erroneous
is
who advance
all
the
these minerals,
This idea
is
worth nothing.
Everything else
like.
grow
it
is
Otherwise,
fallacious.
water.
in the
in the
is
they live
in the earth,
in
the air
but this
is clearlj-
their
is in
same minerals,
In the
air.
in
its
own
in
is
special
When
them.
tree, that
is,
a root of
this-
kind
born,
is
also, the
Nature
first
is
fills
the air.
there
forth,
way
some
and condition.
sort of salt
is
many
that
When
so, also, in
is
is, it
this tree
is
now
in its
own
special kind,
protruded.
is
And, just
in the
same
fruit
many
In like
as
first
the water
it
its
manner,
and
after the
it
so, in this
Trees of
fruits.
this kind,
is
similar
therefore, should
who
first
pursues his
culture in the element of water will be taught and instructed, as the husbandK
242
man who
the soil
craft in
his
plies
how
taught
is
he should pursue
his
must be found.
fruits
method of generation, so
may hold good in this way There are
not nakedly, but under mixed conditions.
in
this
lastly,
So, in like manner, there are metals, also, and minerals lying hid in flesh and
skin, such as are the ore of iron, the ore of silver,
and so on.
On
and good.
useful
So
in
is
From
these nothing
may
may
its fruits
nakedly, as
is
to
be extracted.
all
is
These have
These are
all
lies,
which also depend upon the variety and division of water, climate, and
geographical positron. That which lies hid within has to be extracted from
the bark or shell, just as in the case of fruits.
kernel a body and the kernel
element
for,
itself
there
and so
makes
it
in
a body and a
is
And
spirit,
body.
spirit in the
Now,
it
is
That
the
is
is
same
two bodies.
In the second
is
to be
makes
incorporated the
sought
the body,
first
gold
itself,
fruit
So then the
may
is
developed
out of the element into a tree, afterwards into a bodj', and within the
shell that
which
body which
with
all
is
is
another.
man
is
should be created
in
His
own
its
is
own
carefully,
in
its
is
good, so
because
is it
corporality by a
in another,
perfects
first
growths.
similar process.
in
Just as
be
must be
not impure.
There
it
and a stone
He would
that
man
man.
to be passed
Indeed, water
is
own
Its
243
and consume
inasmuch as
consumes and
it
than he knows
is its
own
That death
is in
mortifies
own
its
fruits.
the great centre and terminus of water, the open sea,Jnto which
water flows.
all
Whatever passes hereinto dies and decays, passing away even as wood is consumed in the fire. And as, year by year, new fruits emerge from the earth,
while the old ones perish, so, every day new minerals are begotten, be they
These all come forth girt
metals, marcasites, gems, stones, salts, or springs.
about with death, as an infant who brings along with it death bound up with
life.
Bj- the same method of reasoning, metals, too, bring with their own heginning their
is,
own
in
The Rhine,
It is
The element
its fruits.
grow and
all
more
the
they are
life
in the
into
which
all
allotted to
is
fully
rivers are
is in
when
pointed out
is
it
separately
Nature
copper
is
be
brackish,
it
warm
or
cold
be
or
coral
it
be
marcasite
That
not water,
is
it is
gold, silver,
then
root
its
raises
up,
fixed in
is
Know,
branches.
its
When
this.
it
a spring, sweet or
it
she
be
oil,
therefore, that
its
bitumen, or mucilage.
still
its
is
it
own
not
body.
That liquid is the stock, and its branches are that same liquid, just as a tree
So, then, the mineral tree is
is wood, and its branches are like in kind.
formed into a body of
this kind,
so that one branch very often extends from another into a second or third,
One branch
itself to
turns to the
German
Alps,
another to Lungia,
sky
tion
all
which
is
in
.As
its
is
Hence
it
Such
fruits
its fruits
on the
244
and there
lated,
in
is
When
its fruit
according to
From
together
its
nature, a
And when,
fruits
which
it
if
many
is
Thus,
like itself.
sow them
the
bag
filled
species
is
its
if
its
own
fruit,
bringing
kinds to be sown.
all
own
a bag,
in
is it
with seeds of
brought to
its
all
it is
in
others.
than
less
more nor
all
neither
is
now made
while, lastly,
thence.
and
all
all
this
in
perishes like
It
itself.
marvellous plan, has gifted the four elements with these miracles of creation.
These are the elements from which issue forth fruits destined for the service of
man. Every different kind has been created by God. By such investigations
learn
all
his
Creator has done for his sakeTrue, the enemy has intruded and sown his tares
in this
philosophy.
Such
who
are
is
Lacking
all.
with
all
So
far,
compounded
of three parts.
kind of Sulphur
tin,
in
and so on.
another
gold, another
So, there
is
another
in
many
silver,
in the
another
in stones,
Salts.
another
conjoined
in
the matrix
in
iron,
another
in lead,
fountains,
many
is
amethyst, magnet,
flint, salts,
Sulphurs, but so
gems, another
in
one kind
light
as in a bag, being
many
all
the light
Its
good
way
etc.
and the
There
in salts,
Furthermore, there
rest.
is
And
one Salt
another
is
there are
in
metals,
in vitriol,
another
A
in
Such, too,
alum.
another
One
are
essence
more
an apple,
Gold
specially divided.
not one
is
Sulphurs of gold,
but
is
one
Icind in metals,
Add
only three.
still
There
manifold.
of gold,
Salts
is
is
245
There
is
in
still
as many
The same remark
there are, some more
Mercuries of gold.
As many sapphires as
more common, so many Sulphurs of sapphire, Salts of
sapphire, and Mercuries of sapphire are there.
The same is true of turquoise
others
in
one
closed hand, from which she puts forth every separate kind, the best
and
and
other gems.
all
Nature holds, as
were, as
it
comprising metals.
all
way
many
In this
created species as
Salt,
figures
painter.
In
this
alone
they
substantial
Then
is
mere shadows.
gives
colour,
all
gives
Mercury gives
and arcana.
virtues, powder,
So these
God
three ought to be combined, nor can one exist without the other.
life
to those
good
to
each
Mercury.
before
to
which
it
So, then,
all else
know
make
is
it
from these as
suitable.
him
foundation for
whoever wishes
wishes to learn
But
virtues,
who
will,
3'ou
should
know
and
to
whom God
that
;
yet
gives
it
it
it.
exists in flowers,
God
is
very
is
much
so sublime
to be ad-
His works, and from the contemplation of these one ought not to with-
must
desires
emerges a tree
and flowers.
This mystery of Nature, as
and great that no one can fully investigate
This
He who
who
little efibrt it is
in
Again, he
mired
appropriate to
know
is
see and
gives
has seemed
it
virtues let
with a
like that
Salt
so Nature
like another,
is
differ;
life,
On
grow
in the truest
sense to w^alk
in the
ways of God.
246
Moreover,
as well,
if
it
be
will
consonance with
in
my
and of
subject,
practical use
advise you in one course of the order observed in this book about
minerals.
is
different to that
human
man
not
their metallic
human
minister to
convenience.
form, but
in
may
are useful
be worn, or
health.
cornelian, etc.
some gems
So, also,
in
man may
be
employs for building houses or other receptacles necessary for human life.
Further still, another genus is composed of Salts, of more than one species,
which are neither metals, nor gems, nor stones, which also are useful for
Moreover,
others cold,
some
some
good
of which do
to the
warm and
Some
it externally.
There are so many different
sweet.
are
different
silver.
But
talc,
and clay-coloured.
it
is
genus given to
us,
and
itself.
It
silver.
for
Of
known.
Other colours arc also found, and forms such as are described in the
Moreover, after these there remains
another genus, beyond what is natural, which, by the will of Nature, becomes
an instrument of various forms and properties, as the eagle-stone and the
The origin of these from the element of the
buccinae, cockles, patellae, etc.
water, you can find in
too,
many
my
succeeding paragraph.
known
to
me,
From
and though
shall
only describe
in all
and on every
side, are
247
should, therefore, be
fully
in the
manifest
still it is
true that
this.
You
These three
in
Art, to
this
artifices in the
And
it
the
in
man
can bring to perfection any thing or any work by himself, without some one
No
to help him.
how
it
and prepare
it.
will fuse
This, again,
apply
to
it
do of
alone
who knows
Secondly, this
Such
purposes.
is
is
it
seller, and
man, as the
user.
who
to supply
will
what
is
God
ordained by
He
may
to
in
accomplishment.
find
and that
it
Nature, nevertheless,
lacking.
One
is
thing,
and bring
it
which
it
Hence
appointed.
is
follows that three things must be taken which reduce every mineral to
things.
This
is
This
is
is
First of
This
be begun.
is
Mercury.
there
Then
its
is
Salt,
there
is
is
doing
is
Lastly, there
Thus
Salt.
all
Sulphur.
is
brought about as
it
should be.
unification
it
its
appointed end.
all
it.
and to
it
things.
all
mineral.
this
who
the condition of
is
If
ready to
is
itself?
is
its
man
is
to conjoin
hand.
one
many
its
But
it
virtue,
blacksmiths, one
that the .Vrcheus should set in order those things which are to be conjoined,
what has
finds out
what
Everything
is
is
necessary for
it
appointed to
its
what has
to be joined, or a vine-
own
its
own
special purpose.
be necessary to form a
Now,
if
the Archeus
Tlie Hcrtnetic
248
Paracelsus.
granate, duelech, marble, sand, cachimia, or what not, then he takes and combtnes the three simples. Sulphur, Salt, and Mercury, which are of this nature,
and do serve
his purpose.
'
They
way
that Sulphur
prepare
may add
its
body,
in
it
become.
that those
may
is
When
In this
of Salt.
way all
is
coagulated
Now
autumn
is
ready and he
is
it is
hand who
at
that
ought to be or
it
decocted for
is
brought about by
the Salt
is,
is
and
necessary
plainly understood,
and
in
led
to be dealt with,
may
away
like
them,
who
things,
the deceits of
self-esteem,
may
but do not take their ease quite so much, hoping that they
be more rightly
bj'
their followers.
is
it
And
Let this
concerning minerals
next
first unifies,
are conjoined.
to
properties, so
its
means
They
search into
is
can subdue,
Of' this class
common
metals which
of the
To
these
belong zinc and cobalt (which are subdued and forged by force of fire), as
also certain granates (accustomed to be so called) of which there are many
kinds, themselves also metals.
known
many
to me, as are
this
marcasites,
diff'erent sorts of
iJfjA/lfW
bismuths, and other cachimia;, which produce metals, but of kinds not yet
Only the principal ones are known, which are more ready and con-
known.
tin, lead.
The
their properties
lo learn
save
metal has no
in
truth in
it.
It
art.
The
witTi
its
one
is
like
competent
the rest,
It is
is
not being /J y,
growth
of
peculiar
a
own body
neither
Nature, gifted
No
are
Neverthe-
rest
its
pro-
A
The custom
perties.
249
is
From
seven planets.
this
it
knowledge of metals,
full
is
Sol, silver is
Jupiter.
will
kind
If j-ou join
soon see how they square and agree with one another.
is
is
Compare
Mercury.
the complexion,
nature, working, quality, properties, and various virtues and essences', and see
how
They
One has
It
is
but these
"
mere dreams of
phj'sicians, with
no
stability or
known
to me,
and
number
selves
shall
still
be given
due course.
in
To
not judge
The chapter
number, so
think
it
remain.
six in
who do
stoles.
to
I
own long
is,
known and
discriminated
if
still
so that
Every
remain.
subjected to a sufficient
examination.
With regard
is
that
filth
(if
one
is
it
all
may
say so) as no other of the metals can be, with a higher and more exalted'
body.
and obtain
mountains,
This
is
is
the
this Sulphur,
it
first
such as
matter of gold.
it is
If
in the auriferous
effusive
is
produced, not that other Sulphur from which come iron, copper,
little bit
of their universality.
etc.
This
is
all
250
admixtures,
This
changed
is
The
from
purified
character, that
but
is
all its
salt, crystallized
is
the
is
and
into a mercurial
is
aluminous, and
vitriolic
it
it,
is
decocted
in the
way
we have
of which
already
spoken.
one
onl)-,
is
Its
grade
not
is
In
The
our Art, twenty-four degrees are found for establishing the best gold.
cause of this
Epicurus
become
is
that gold in
tree
its
like
is
a cow
in the kitchen.
fallen
as to be the
and diminished.
first
some being
worse.
in the kitchens,
falls
mum down
to ten degrees as a
For
too,
into this
it
is
minimum.
it is
This happens from some impediment which occurs from the stars or other
elements which aid
in
the decoction.
As one man
much body,
Too
Too much
of corn.
membered,
sometimes
too,
inuch Mercury
makes
it
errs as well as
(as
.And
men.
If this
assume
good of
its
its
is
done
Hut
if
way.
Yet
be graduated.
that
it
Indeed,
it
is
it
It
it
is
called,
removed and
by
the
may
in
excess
is
unfit
But what
is
not
is
too
unequal.
is
re-
Nature
may
is
must be
quarta.
it
to
complete grade,
its
removed
is
its
body
in regale,
colour and
its
antimony, and
weight.
This
2%\
manner already
in the
body that
tinge a sulphurous
But the
detailed.
other two, Mercury and Salt, are white, and of a golden nature.
These so
loses
it
colour
its
Mercury and
Salt.
is
When,
body
therefore, the
colour.
its
It
is
is
that the other tincture, the Alchemical to wit, should tinge the
Salt from whiteness to redness.
it
ought
and
in
And
to have.
it
fact
man
in
So
in
gold
himself.
that the white complexion also
is
also
is
Yellowness inheres
is
redness.
in
it
and that
it
Mercury and
Another
In this
shall be
made
of a
and that by a
white,
Nature,
tincture.
man
in his
indeed,
generation.
in
only Nature has gifted him with the astral mysteries of the
arts.
.Attention also
must be paid
in Salt
body
which
in
is
Nature takes
nothing save
relegate to astronomy.
In Sulphur there
a body,
now
is
what relates to the nature, force, and virtue, all this is due to Mercury.
Whatever property there is in Sulphur belongs to all alike. There is nothing
in it except body where Mercury is not present.
But know that
So in Salt.
balsam,
and
conserves
Mercury
so
Salt is a
that its virtues and properties
In
Thus,
this virtue is
it
found
Mercury.
in
heed of
its
medicine.
Salt,
still,
So when
medicine.
And although
In
.Art
like
the
separates,
manner,
it
it
if
But
all
its
whi6h contains
all
things.
For
the
outgrowths from the four elements of Nature, not only are those things
present which are of themselves seen and understood, but these also contain
within them the magnet which, in decoction and preparation, attracts to itself
the essences of the three primals, that
term
it,
is,
to call
it
the Quintessence,
as the ancients
the quart-essence.
252
consists of three
it is
much
When
Nature
its
The
at the extremity,
is
When
weight.
flower follows
the
Mercury.
its
This spreads
kind.
flower
is
of
in
But Mercury
is
itself,
then the
is
born
not always burst forth where the flower had stood, but this
the auriferous tree, that the fruit
open
ells
flourishes
in
sometimes
itself,
air,
the
flower
as the
immature, so there
This,
in its place.
first
The
And
fruit.
at the extremity.
itself,
in
several hundred
a medicine.
is
is
in
is
found
it
all
metals.
true,
is
does
the nature of
is
the distance of
at
There
amongst auriferous trees, the natures of which vary one from the other.
Hence they are found distributed in different ways, just as their own peculiar
mode of growth is assigned by God to other trees.
Besides, with regard to gold, this fact also deserves to be well weighed,
namely, that
it is
If
corrosive salts
The
earth,
fruitful
here also
these
chilled by
it
takes place
matters,
in
If this
As
the water.
takes place,
it
fall
The
gold, too,
is
up by a blazing sun, so
The
The
There
this kind.
with
its
Of
the degree.
nothing
is
in
existence which
is
tempests.
insinuate themselves into the workings, and send forth their tinctures.
effect
.All
.Art.
Concerning Silver.
Silver
is
fire
ence
is,
and rendered
Salt,
transparent,
Herein
Since gold
of silver
is
is
lies
male
it
is
female and
is
Here
gold
in
is
the differ-
is
male and
possessed of feminine
comprised
in its
primals, as
is
the
A
and
253
silver,
Concerning Jove.
OF
because Jupiter
this reason,
stance of Mercury.
ceases to be a metal
As soon as ever
this
known
that
is
it is
produced from
not fixed
and
for
is
loses all
It
should be
it
its
is
Afterwards
it
it is
Salt,
Concerning Saturn.
Saturn
most
is
On
metals.
account of
fluid Salt,
so that there
is
all
other
density
its
it
the metals.
all
nature, just as
all
If this
On
is
in itself.
is
Iron
They
together.
and
lead.
It is
Salt,
coagulated into a
silver, that is to
say,
in
This conjugation
grow
tin
Sulphur,
fluid
manner.
Concerning Venus.
Copper
If these
is
three
Now, copper
If these are
colours
mixed
be
with
own female
its
element, that
it
tion be
in fluxibility
and
malleability, as iron
its
own
and
They
steel differ.
nature,
scoriae.
another
is, its
is
produced.
is
The
itself to
differ
be
from one
If that
separa-
and properties.
Note.
namely,
gold,
in
silver,
number
tin,
lead,
iron, steel,
female copper,
and male
254
Thus
copper.
iron
and
number.
But
if
as
steel,
six,
venient.
be.
Of
You
IVIixed
Metals.
perceive,
said,
silver, iron
and
steel,
own
its
still
Such, too,
but
good
it is
in
separated one
is
result ensues
from them.
not
is
the cases of
in
own accord
one body
gold,
last
ought to
The)- do not
its
square into
own
body.
is
tree
and there
It
the
is
when
may
Only, therefore,
same
silver
metals, for the reason that they are the most subtle.
in
Nature.
Concerning Zinc.
Moreover, there
is
is
Many
metal of
itself is fluid,
because
it is
Such,
fully
say,
known.
it
is this
It
Its
metal that
its
It
in
the
fluid primals.
nor does
condition
me
ultimate matter, to
stands alone by
it.
It
It
The
does
zinc.
in
of growth.
at least,
it
is
not yet
itself.
Concerning Cobalt.
Moreover, another metal
is
It
is
fluid
like zinc,
with a peculiar black colour, beyond that of lead and iron, possessing no
brightness or metallic sparkle.
It
is
capable of
fit it
is little
in its constitution, as in
is
The ultimate
nor its method of
They
being wrought, but remain such as they are, until Art shall discover the
process for separating them.
255
Concerning Graxates.
Besides these, there
and marshes,
form of a seed
in the
and wrought by
Alchemy
is
it
copper or lead.
It is
fit it
known what
many mixtures
it is
found
is
like
but not so as to
itself,
is
It
in
streams
is
founded
making instruments.
for
properties
not likely to be
It is
made
clear at
penetrate
of
Unless
comprises.
it
It
all.
as they do
it
in
and gold.
is,
and
stances, so
it
.'\lchemy reduces
it
it
to malleability
silver,
made from
clear, that
it is
Its
it.
and,
The
has.
toil
nor
to other sub-
should be a metal as
nature
Possibly also
tin,
it
is
from
it
lead,
and
is
This, at
all
events,
Mercur)^ and
it
iron can be
is
it
it is
far
liammered
is
that
As water
So
is
neither
is
is
Salt,
It
is
it
has no
feet.
produced from
a
it is
It is
fluid,
Sulphur,
the heaviest of
all
the metals.
Note.
So
known
they are
is,
all
which are
marchasites.
perfect
is
not a metal.
qualities, of
which
is,
indeed,
to
this
For
multifold,
There
and imperfect
are,
;
white
and
red,
and of another
genus
than
To
256
many
auripigments, and
talcs,
which
with the
differ
we must
Concerning' these
down
set
that
in
Metals such
But because
first
first
they incorporate also a metallic foe, nothing can be extracted from them
without alchemy
talcs,
These are
am
acquainted with
all
of these.
same
the
is
entitled
relation to metals as
flesh, as the
some
it is
tumourous
fleshly excrescences
bear to natural
Of
and auripigment
arsenicalia,
these things
others are in
others
yet
is
of
two
metallic
which
and
brilliant.
destined to
is
become
At
conclusion
the
of the
man.
is
It
concerned with
is
there follows
in
the
prime prin-
the three
entitled an
are, then, in
se,
human
of anything else.
Salt,
called
it
made up
perfect Yliadus.
The other
are
either
bears with
and
all
species
com-
perfect.
is
APPENDIX
II.
explained in
is
.i
The
origin,
of no less
moment.
The
treatise
concerning the
first
De
is
been here
Naturalibtts
folio.]
UNDER
GOD
that he
is
unable
in
man
any way to
SALT.
to such a pitch of necessity
live
without
Man
The causes
This
of this compulsion
and want
salt,
is
I
also whatever
deprived thereof.
Now,
since
man
it
is
divided
into species, he
except in so far as
God
is
therefore
has endowed
him with a congenital balsam which also itself consists of three ingredients.
This is salt, preserving man from decay where salt is deficient, there that
part which is without salt decays.
For as the flesh of cattle which is salted
;
is
made
free
salt
created things,
all
it
is
salt,
as the conservative
from decaying.
God
man
it
is
As, therefore,
necessary that
S
258
0/ Paracelsus.
Hence,
i<ind.
also,
necessary that
is
it
all
gather their nutriment from those three things of which they consist.
do
not,
is
it
species.
In sulphur
mercury, and
So from
and die
in salt its
this liquid,
own
which
is
own
sulphur, in mercun,-
Nature contains
salt.
all
they
Herein there
If
their three
in
these things
its
own
in
one.
is
is
decocted.
Hence by
nourished
and conserved
salt,
it
that
sulphur, mercury
nutrimental
salt its
is
same way
the
in
nutri mental
parity of reasoning
is
is
clear that
man
Whatever burns
is
man may
two
Man
in
due
wondered
Now,
at, since in
all
it.
series.
is humid
Hereupon
salt.
is
salt.
order be
If this
be sustained
receive
sulphur, whatever
is
must
its
in his species.
is
neglected
be
anything.
fish,
it
be water or wine,
is
of his sulphur.
salt in himself.
he needs
;
and the
These
facts are
on account of his
is
Why
known, but nevertheless nature does crave for these things. And this is
men only but animals, too, become fatter, stronger, more
useful, and more healthy with salt than without it. If the due quantity of salt
little
in
is
dies.
Its
nature
The condition of man is similar. Without nutriments of this kind he cannot live. The appetite of the nature with which he
is born requires some satisfaction proportioned to his need.
It is reported,
indeed, that in certain newly-discovered islands men prepare no food cooked
aliments which
it
requires.
with
salt,
their
own
nature and that of their cattle needs the salt water of the sea, and
cooked
their food
mixed with
this.
cattle,
it is
its
necessity
and use
Such an ordinance
our food.
nutriments meet
namely, drink.
other creatures,
fire,
is
if I
that
salt
By
may
the reason
is
it
is
Now,
if
itself
begins,
my Theory
its
balsam
to be dissolved,
it
its
modes
which
in
this
If
may
in
which the
corruption,
then
salt
neither
If
aliment.
is
how
in
three
there accrue to
everything in creation
if
balsam
this dissolution
balsam
But
any cadaverousness, as
that.
way
in
the
is
is
so term
eat salt in
this
is
it
259
this
internal
and food
to say, salt
In
is,
against putridity.
or
is
these nature
B}-
have said of
That
that
we
is
Salt.
is
would point
nothing
so
is
men and
good as not
gifts
it
warding
for
some
to have
is
many
off
combined with
evil
way
it,
for
But since
diseases.
it
remains
good and
The nature and
evil may be conjoined, and the one separated from the other.
If salt can preserve the dead body or
condition of salt are verj' remarkable.
If by its power and efficacy
corpse, much more will it preserve the live flesh.
salt preserves the dead body from worms, much more the living body, and for
for us to recount the evil there
it
is
is
in salt,
so that in this
the
and young
alike.
Salt
salt.
mineral salts, with the appearance of a stone, of a different kind from other
The
metals or minerals.
minerals.
Tiie harder
it
is
best salt
divided into
many
ties distinct
is
is
the better.
kinds, so also
is it
As
from springs.
Then
how
it
grows.
is
salt.
.And as salt
is
to the
way
there
in
it is
which
clear enough.
Neither
to the
S2
is this
Book on
26o
Tlie
My
written about
v.-hite salt
it is
which
is
to enlarge
no need to speak of
Of rock
much
Whatever
sea-salt.
salt
All salt,
is in
liquid.
become
The
it is
kind
it
entire
is
languid, and
But
liquid.
One
twofold.
is
and
salt
which
is
is
man which
organised.
the food
is
its
When
salt
assimilation imperfect.
defective food
is
From
If these
in
incorporated
salt is not
occasions decay
salt
the blood.
proceeds an
united
or
Moreover, there
the food
\\ith
is
that
nutrimental
is, it
salt,
is
in the urine.
salt.
not be
in salt.
away
or
is
Natural salt
is
the sake
may
a solvent power
Urine
disit
attracted
wasted.
is
its
If an}'
not
is
is
it
Where
the
if
salt.
Moreover,
decocted
definite.
a corrective of foods.
For example
corrected.
decoction
is
is
known
should be
It
its
is
is
common
the
intention
is
is
united with
to be expelled.
however,
It
is
not to neglect the three species of salt and the operations of each, but
fore,
all salt
dries
salt is twofold,
Concerning the
one as a liquid
would have
is
in
a whole
its
It is
If the liquid
it
will
bear up
vessel or an
diseases
produced
are
into
it,
virtue
its
humours,
as follows
is
infesting
natural
the
is exhibited.
Of this class
humid tumours, and legs swollen by the influx of
To speak summarily,
humours.
naturally
the
liquid
itself
frigerated
tomary
touches,
it
in
is
like
the patient
that
whatev'er leprous
consumes.
it
warm
can
bath
it,
not
existing
effect in this
or hot springs.
in
sit
humour
produces such
It
If
he should wash
be
it
in
it
way
so
as
is
re-
cus-
like.
how long and to what extent the treatment should be continued. Thus those humours are absorbed, the feet cease
to swell and are reduced to their natural condition.
A sound and firm nature
consists in a dry body, not a fat, adipose, and humid one.
A dry and muscular
body is the best and healthiest.
Whatever bodies are not so constituted, but
are fat, humid, and flaccid, should all be washed in that bath
thus they will
be dried and become healthy. But if it happens that after a bath of such
kind in progress of time the superfluous humours again invade the body after
salt springs.
long
life is
life
this
rock
salt,
should be
common
known
Whatever be
gemmae,
that any kind of salt put into water and used for
it
washing
wounds, preserves them from putrefaction and from worms, and so effectually removes any worms which may have been produced, that none are
If wounds are kept pure and
ever generated again.
clean, they are
healed by the operation of Nature herself, even if they are very severe,
provided only they have not assumed a poisonous aspect,
for the
most
ulcers salt
is
part, not
a singular remedy.
is
Besides
therein, he
freed from
is
more powerful,
this, if salt
for
it is
all
in
which case,
So also
in virulent
sorts of scab.
In this
And here, too, should be noticed the possibility of correction by which dry salt
may be to a certain extent reduced to this form.
Salt is useful in many other cases than we have so far recapitulated in
external diseases of the body.
So many virtues be hid in the use of salt. In
.
conclusion,
it
in
Take common
salt
and the
sail of urine in
equal quantities.
Let them
262
them be resolved
This
liquid.
in
cell in
much slower
method
Thus you
Afterwards
salt.
operation.
in
differs little
it
mentioned.
first
let
will
is
the
It
ad-
is
no otheV substance.
The less salt there is in other things the fewer similar virtues can be found
and therefore every accessory preparation is useless. If alkalis be decocted
these are not a genus of salt, that is, they are not salt, but alkali.
There is a
difference between salt and alkali in that alkali is natural salt in bodies derived
from the three species. But salt is nutrimental, feeding and nourishing even,
Therefore, no addition can be made, or any other correction, save onlv
alkali.
The same
subject of calcination.
is
distilled into
an
into
But
oil.
spirit
is
This
gilding,
after the
all
sal stiriatus,
common mode.
and the
fire is
if
it
In
It is this.
is
salt of
gems, the
fact
for the
that these
is
in them
becomes very
easily as lead
salt
and the
The
Now,
salt nitre
salt of food.
If
man
is
is
superfluous by
is
salt
formed
means of
salt
deposited,
is
is.
mentioned,
in
if
silver,
wrought almost as
Now,
is,
afterward produced.
humours.
Alchemy
be reduced to a cement.
remains.
if
But
most of
is
it
the
are
gold
spirit resolves
if it
said on the
smiths
was
some
time,
in its
extract from the nitre, clarify by alchemical art, and separate that which
salt
from the
salt
may
its
conditions.
That they
clarify again,
is
not
and then
may
again be extracted from a certain part, and the rest mixed with the salt of the
nitre.
Now,
tion
is,
the reason
is
why
not digested
in
man
is
passed out
digested
so that afterwards
Xo
nitre.
reduced
nitre,
may
sa)',
it
Alchemy found
virtue from
it
it,
it
is
to the
form of a coagulated
salt,
and
it
salt
lying hid in
to distil sulphur
263
Salt.
They
art.
tried
Having accomplished
this
By means of
restrial lightning.
many
this salt
It
We
nature of
man
simply from
its
is
not to write on
best, therefore,
is
breaks
it
called ter-
in
it
demand a chapter
The
to themselves.
man
or brute,
is
contrived that
that
is
sufficiently
strong against
in
But these
it.
the Paramirum.
in the liquid
From
of the earth.
and
salt nitre.
It is
Salt nitre
be observed
in
man
is
adheres to rocks,
saltpetre,
how-
In the
it
and
to eat,' unless
salt
you wish
to
It
nitre
do not think
and saltpetre
make him
it
acquires another
spirit,
Otherwise,
a different nature
it is
and
condition.
if it
be not digested
it
is
it
is
well to
salt,
264
and
Alcketiiical Writhigs
of
in its transit
It
Paraceistis.
seems as though
it
it
It
it
can
acquires such a
all
the
this,
if
it
remains
in
the
stomach
it
all
must
take great care to observe whether that salt has proceeded from salted,
and
It
is
this
Salt
is
also happens sometimes that this salt enters the mesenteric veins,
whence
arise
many unusual
and
diseases, not
also occur in
What seemed
experience.
to
me
useful
have done
my
my
APPENDIX
III
De Natural
and may be compared with The Eeonomy of Minerals, c. 17. It
an addition of considerable importance to the Hermetic Chemistry of
[The treatise which follows constitutes the seventh chapter
ibus Rebus,
is
Paracelsus.]
CONCERNING SULPHUR.
GOD
It
will be
with
many unspeakable
which
in sulphur,
it
operations.
is
endowed
qualities,
its
its
Many
true power.
authors have
They
piled
up heaps of matter, but deduced nothing from the source as a good writer
a mere dead
letter.
what
sulphur, and
other respects.
comprised
is
Unless
what
If
God Himself
admire them.
it
in
God does
man
is
cannot sufficiently
When
every simpleton
is
made
who
in the artificers,
its
trifler
innate virtue.
poses
as
an
alchemist, this fact accounts for science not being brought out into open light.
And
the foundation
is
that so
contained
in
because,
repeat, such excellent virtues are latent therein, they are deservedly
the
subject of universal
wonder.
in
both
faculties, these
and
in
medicine and
in
Alchemy.
Sulphur confutes
266
One who
it
exists per
from
to the blush
sc,
but rather as
when
Ysopaic art
crude,
it is
in
separated into
it is
becomes
it
Aristotle
if
impurity that
its
and
in
is,
Alchemy and
remarkable for
its
its
first
according to
Hence
many.
it
its
nature.
These
how
will
far
go on
it is
will differentiate
may
it
be clearly
due order
its
When
So, then,
use
in
natures,
no physician
known what
in
many
and
Even
differing
It is
is
external purposes.
all
This
anciently-
kinds of sequestration.
in all
common
was
is its
use in
these points
when we
shall
medicine, in Alchemy,
be understood by everybody, so
it
As
metal
often as
without sulphur.
is
per
s.e,
You
removed.
is
concerning generation.
how-
not
shell,
because no
adduce
is
illustration to
this
explained in the
shew
that there
Hence
arise difterent
The sulphur
is
distinguished by the
name
it
tion.
its
etc.
Each
\itriol
One
in itself a
or of jaspis.
earth,
speak of
of these comprises an
embryonate sulphur of
Nor do
all
name according
names of sulphur,
metal or stone.
silver,
is
own genera-
different
from the
It
fair
quality,
Conceiyiing Sulphur.
bright,
in that
generation whereby
is
And
because
like nature,
267
as
is,
it
were, a
spirit,
a corporality, but a subtle and ephemeral one, which cannot sustain any
arises, in
sometimes made
in
produced
it is
in
fire.
it
in the
mutually from one another dead sulphur, of a weak character, and a precious
stone, latent in
But
art.
all
it,
was
this stone
we
and confirmed
in
alchemist, therefore,
Let the
in
finding out the embryo, lest by chance he light upon something else.
much
this there is
and
still
This
se.
Besides
now
describe,
will
arts.
it is
This
is
This sulphur
se.
And
true
is
own
its
a mineral /;-
how
false,
a body which
is
itself,
a thing growing by
special genus.
Let so
its origin.
is
its
ore,
its
zwitter.
That body
mineral sulphur.
is
Nature abounds
for
There
species.
is
Of this sulphur
Thus you see in
genus
all
is
many
is
So, there
For
In
is
this
sufficiently clear
know
like
it
which
is
is
Of
is
all
which the
sulphur
.And in truth,
is
dissolved from
nothing
it is
sulphur withdraws,
of gold,
this,
corporality,
From
its
not
different kinds
many
is
different
there are
triple
A Ichcmical
268
Of
sulphur.
these three,
will point
maker
Writings of Paracelsus.
how
out
respectively.
it
it
should be
is
known
derived, that
kernel.
in itself
is,
that
has different
it
from
its
generators.
Ti\xX,per se, is
simply the
differ.
ated sulphur
is
also a similar
in
The
is
its
emerald, or jacinth
so neither
copper,
Many
virtues are hidden in these sulphurs, each differing from the other.
all
another.
As
is
is it
silver, tin,
that which
is
generated, so also
is
all
namely, that
else,
more subtly
This, also,
in
one than
in
ad-
in
all
Nature.
It
member.
For
all
how
it
members
Thus the sulphur
the seven
firml}-
of gold
sulphur of
humours
in
thcni
own
is
beneficial to
of copper to the
of- iron to
But
be a flux of
its
if
all
there
.Although
Concerning Sulphur.
among
269
the ancient and rival physicians no recipes are found against sufFoc-
still
decline learning
all
to administer
them
to prepare these
when
necessity
how
to their patients
embryonated sulphurs
As
do.
able to do
is
what these
They
but
greater caution.
as a chestnut within
well
known.
thing which
In the
its
thorny bark.
same way,
also, all
this is extracted
you have no
less virtue
than
the stone
in
So
the sapphire
is
it is
itself,
When
not, indeed,
known
well
that in
sulphur,
is its
if,
indeed,
Laid on thus,
used as a plaster.
it
effects.
case not only with anthrax, but also with cancer and Persian
at the beginning,
if it
the
it
to
it
Of
all
is
some
an eschara above
same nature
in
constitution of eagle-stones
their embryonate.
is
The
gems
And
this is the
fire,
especially
that
gems you will have them also in sulphur, with the same mode of operation.
They are not, it is true, equally strong in the sulphur, but still they are there.
The application, separation, and gradation cause it to accomplish the same
result. The correction and gradation alone tend thereto, otherwise none of these
in
results could be
But
stood here.
is
As
brought about.
no longer useful
shell
in the
beginning,
in
took an illustration
a nut, so
is it
to be under-
still
its
it
shell.
formed from
When,
it,
therefore,
generated,
would be understood
thus,
if
talc, etc.,
it
all
the
rest.
is
should be
known
that
in cachimia;,
if
such as marchasites,
bodies and from the matters adhering to them, they produce a similar clear
operation, the operation itself and the virtue answer to that degree.
is
extracted, so are
all
is
more
As
this
to be said in
270
virtue
is this,
that
rivals those
it
the preparation.
its
world to-day,
was
\\\
But the
be corrupted in
it
phlegmatic cases,
in all
phthisis, peripneumonia,
especially in
if
in
among
its
princes, kings,
Then
the virtues in
it
things would
all
mere
trifling
masterv,
all
who by
their exactions
and
sit
at
their usuries
say
nod, threw
me're
The
arts
all
or of Magic,
who, swaying
in their
all
rights
What
all
by
shall
substituted.
Next
in order,
Know this,
that they
in vitriol
all
and
its
cog-
produce a wonder-
ful
from
etc.
salt,
from the
Here
will
gemmae, from
sal
down a
lay
is
as an opiate, as
is
from
vitriols,
all
sulphurs
narcotic, anodyne,
and
sleep-
it is
free
from
all
Such a sleep-producing
praise.
much poison
that, except
effects.
in the
is
so
and the more confidence should be placed in this present soporific, since we
know that there are many diseases which are not curable without anodynes,
and of which the whole remedy has been placed by God in these anodynes.
How it
is the reason why I write the more carefully about this sulphur.
This
is
concerning
this
of vitriol
is
it
is
described
same sulphur,
the best
known
it
in
may
Here, howe\er,
be mentioned that of
the productions
extract, because
it is
all
fixed of itself.
Then, too.
Concerning Sulphur.
it
them
to sleep for
from
eflfects
in
271
it,
sends
It
it.
some time, but they wake up by-and-bye without feeling any evil
Concerning^ this sulphur there cannot be two opinions
it.
ill
effect,
it
lulls all
in all
passions, soothes
all
fevers,
all
And
first
because
results
to prolong
only
fire,
which
in
and
live in health
degree
in this
is
all
make men
centuries, to
That
attention that
sulphur
many
for
resist disease,
sulphur.
life
is
It
which
those substances
wood.
is
vegetable, not
have to
be
fixed,
by
prepared
this
This
in all
in
in
and
fire.
in that
diseases.
if I
may
He
is
coin that
proper
because
and
namely, which
is
to that
if
is
mountebanks, with
it
be
is, it
is
reduced to
its
shall be so sub-
separated from
it,
say,
fire.
which
if
But
fire.
purses.
not an element of
volatility,
body
it
it
it is
the element of
effect,
so that
volatility,
tilised that
is
medicinal
is fire in its
of people's
it,
thus,
in the
that
if
this
is,
it is
fire,
fixed
at least,
but the
opposed
opposed to diseases.
Now,
is
were
banished,
there
is
triflers
and
no knowing
what position might have been reached, while these people would have avoided
any number of homicides of which they have been guilty by their rashness.
In the meantime, since they have no consciences, what can one do but let them
pose as sham physicians ? But whoever wishes to be a true physician must
hunt out the \irtues of the elements in natural things. There he will find,
There are, then, two kinds of
not only truth, but how to cure his patients.
embryonated sulphur, one fixed, but made volatile, the other pure fire. That is'
272
one
to say,
living
is
other
the
fire,
insensible
however, the
Each,
fire.
sensible as well as the insensible, has a like consummation, the one in wood,
The following
of separation from
is
its
"The
of in the book on
know something
Generation of Minerals."
of its virtues.
a remarkable medicine,
if it
This
it is
It
It
is
of
it
Roman
Jss.
myrrh,
standing.
It is
in childhood.
in
who
drink
be taken daily
it
it
It
it.
it all
out.
If
wine
not,
It is
Moreover,
is
like
In business
and commerce
it
of
in
is
and a curative
it
it is
a corrective
wholesome
for those
a crude state.
treated herewith
it,
then takes
it
a preservative
is
it
if
it
however, be used
abscesses
apoplexy,
calculus,
way
must
above
into a powder.
In this
all
be prepared
it
vitriol.
if
in
prevents the
it
If
it is
pleurisy,
purified sulphur as
vitriol (the
and a curative
in all fevers,
ji.
Of
Rec.
(half).
to
way
In this
oriental saffron,
mode
treated
faces.
its
the
is
however,
well,
in" its
described,. Ix.
Of
in the
It is
or of equal
efficacy with
so
wine, but
it,
when
here sound
it
is
etc.
pre-
praises.
its
If
one had time, a very few pages of this our writing would suffice to establish
this point in discussion
before swine
jot of their opinion, although they are not able to be of the slightest use to the
sick.
But
be used
better
it
in
turns out
at
length
it
it
that
The more
throws
carefully
off all
is
useless retires
its
it is
it
from
it
what remains
state
it
If
it
be used medicinally
must not
prepared, the
in
Moreover,
its
is,
is
fumes.
an elevated
it
should be
is
There
red in a greater or
Concerning Sulphur.
less degree, purple, black, white, ash-coloured
273
is
The more yellow sulphur is, and the more it inclines to gold colour, the
and more wholesome it is. The others contain a good deal of arsenic,
better
realgar,
etc.,
But so
medicine.
in
as concerns
far
alchemy, these others are better on account of the ingress which they have
through such
spirits of realgar.
Moreover,
it
is
this
In
these
cases
coloured
the
sulphurs are better than the yellow, on account of their subtle arsenical
spirits.
If
plumosum,
vitriol,
This treasure
so precious because
is
magnet
remain where
explained.
it
moves from
its
As the
origin.
it
Nature.
God has
The blindness
They think
useful.
is
it
suffices
if,
like apothecaries,
is
mere
is
trifling,
Vet,
if
not, as
granulated
it
is
we have
said,
it
This has
to such a condition
artists,
who have
the pre-
foot.
as
it
and
eminence.
it
lies in
may be
the fact that no one attempts their preparation, so that the useless
even
in the
form of fumes.
In this
way,
some grains
that
is,
Entire Metals.
certain arts
out of their bodies, so that they are no longer metals but a certain destroyed
its
former condition.
is
made up
On
this subject
of three constituents,
it
should be
salt,
sulphur,
Since these three, then, are the primal material of the metals,
follows from hence that these three can be destroyed and dissolved and so
subjected to art, that they can be reduced to another essence and transmuted.
We
will
still
itself,
further
as does
274
Whatever
way.
this very
forces
Sulphur
in
is
And
sulphurs.
Of these virtues
more excellent and
a metal.
it
is
know
that
all
the virtues of sulphur are present in this kind of sulphur, graduated to their
(if I
may
so say), and
metal.
virtues of silver,
Whatever
iron.
marked.
manner
In like
is
it
by magic, whereby he
this
It
same
these
all
is
what-
iron does,
ever the crocus of Mars does, whatever the topaz of iron does,
things the sulphur of iron does.
of the
silver the
set a
may understand
Thus
all
who
is
such so long as he
lives.
its
It is
will
it
be made clear that Nature has such resources as to heal even the lepers.
phj'sician
is
remedy
The
is
difficult
innermost shrines, at
all
who
are un-
Embryonated Sulphur.
The
too subtle,
it
if
is
will
Sometimes,
if it
be
so that by
we
may
be
it
be of such a kind as not to take away or change the power of the sulphur.
For
if
alchemy they
They admit
alchemy, unless
is
it
strained, nor
ality.
Many
is it
taken
in
way
they will
in-
cements a
it is
own concordance,
will
all volatile
be extracted, according to
latent,
is
and afterwards be
its
discovered by fulmination.
gold that
separation on account of
it
its
con-
fixed.
If,
It
cannot otherwise be
is
re-
making
Concerning Sulphur.
sulphur.
There
It
it.
is,
produced
As
antimony, red
far as concerns
Whoever wishes
in
etc.,
in
it
none of a
is
no tincture
is
other bodies.
275
talc, gold,
marcasite,
him
take care to separate the sulphur so subtly that nothing shall depart from the
And
gold.
unless
away
take
his
in
their
place, therefore
order
in
will
am aware
that this discourse concerning the wonderful use of sulphur in alchemy will be
unacceptable to many.
It is
known
may hunt
God has
it
out and discover those facts in the secret things of Nature which
With
hidden.
and
but
the soul.
But concerning
mixes himself up
matters, but
all
i^n
in
keep
The
silence.
devil,
indeed,
it
which
This, however,
would be the
potency of
ver)-
superintending the
sulphur, and
how
art,
art,
it.
made experiment
when
lung
manifold.
milk,
as to
is
which
oil,
itself
since
this
but,
however,
begetting
art is the
man and
is
to be accomplished
the father
who
brings
it
all
But
differs in
Now,
liver or
art.
If this
Here
is
The woman by
done by
to be
this itself
something which
Now
shall
it is
prescription
its
The
making
the
is given by
and fat. It
This milk and that blood have not con-
no respect from
like blood.
for
in
common
this liver
milk, but
is
thick
remained distinct and separate, the white subsiding to the bottom and the red
ascending to the top.
Art,
it is
true,
But
am
has never been able to be done, either by the ancients or by those of more
T2
2/6
recent times.
tained in
say, therefore,
But concerning
some
for
be placed in
years
it
is
this
red
oil,
is
time,
it
namely,
a jacinth of
good quality
for
some time
And
this
shines
it
be placed
it
is
clear
if
for
a ruby which
becomes so
Any
or beryl
oil
con-
it.
in
in
crystal
in
this
If there
space of nine
make a
in
carbuncle of
the
But
oil.
colouring
it
my
by placing
experience
ways that have been mentioned; but the same oil tinges a
In the same way it colours
sapphire also a blue colour, mixed with green.
Over glass and similar substances it has no power. But it so
other gems.
only
in
exalts
the
gems
Concerning other
all silver, if it
left for
and deposits a calx of gold, which until the proper season is not fixed, but is
a volatile and immature substance. If, however, it reaches its proper limit,
by its own despatch it hastens on other things, about which I must not say
more here. So, then, remark concerning sulphur, that if it be duly graduated,
the more subtle, beautiful, high, and quick in operation it is, the higher and
Let
In this way metals and stones are formed.
greater will be the result.
him w-ho
For
it.
is
about to make the attempt not think, but be sure, that he can do
most perilous work of all in alchemy, needing for its
this is the
how
This
is
But that
this
should
in this
in
Alchemy.
This has not been successful, for a reason not to be mentioned here.
But whoever has the sulphur of gold can by means thereof graduate other gold
from 24 to 36 grains or more, so that gold cannot mount any higher, whilst
it
if
silver,
in
Concerning Sulplnir.
277
seem
to be equally pure
and choice
silver.
same way,
In the
by the sulphur of copper, the metal copper can be brought to such a state that
it
is
own
From
steel.
From
lead,
From
colour.
the sulphur of
made
is
is
tin,
is
per
If the
se.
its
which
fixed Saturn,
will
spirit.
This
metals.
made
fire
This
it
is
the
Mars
sulphur of gold
and
some other
this
is
is
its
applied to silver
own
it
special
colours
it,
metal.
you have learnt how many kinds there are, and what are the
nature, properties, and essence of sulphur.
Whoever wanted to say all that
So
far, then,
demands a
shout or
careful
one.
both
traffic in trifles,
it
to the test of
He who knows
in
who
skilled artist,
one
The
who
subject
does not
work
itself.
is
man
of no worth, unskilled
APPENDIX
IV
IN published
in
Basle,
embarrasses selection,
is
It is
and
will
it
Little
Book
con'cerni.ng
of alum, and
of sal ammoniac.
Bi.
well
In this
taken place
;
Let
water dissolve
there
gii.
let
it,
and you
things.
Pound
all
them very
dissolution
sweet condition.
until
has
For
finely,
finely
to the
this
no sharpness of the
the
.After
to a
vitriol,
pre-
little
weigh
of green vitriol,
lbs.
it
and
fortis
After
of crude sal
1.
through V.
lbs.
fire,
all
the aforesaid
the top exceedingly strong vinegar, together with salt water, so that aqueous
matter
it
in
two
fingers,
more or
less.
when placed therein. At the expiration of the time specified break the glass,
when the matter will be in the form of washed silver, or calx of silver which
The Mercuries of
is
Mercury, meanwhile,
small grains.
friable into
Nevertheless,
it is
Therefore
not visible.
is
pestle, for
Mer-
compelled by pounding.
279
the Metals.
live
Next cleanse the remaining matter with fresh and clear water dry it perfectly
and you will have Mercury of the Sun, when the gold will be no longer fixed
;
but voluble, and can be sent through the corium, whereby any impurity which
may chance
to
remain
is
separated.
it
becomes completely
in
it
may
be easily
Then
blue.
in
purified.
been afTused but not sweetened by washing, and dried gradually, pour vinegar
again upon the calx, and then separate until the whole becomes completely
blue.
Then take
gii.
|i.
When
all
Furthermore, cover
kindle a slow
fire,
in-
and increase
it
until the
may
be separated from
the impure.
it
to thin plates
and purged
to the
salt
utmost of
all
dross.
may
evaporate.
Place the said tigillum on the hottest part of a brick furnace for nine da3-s.
when
it
the tigillum.
to
the copper,
with salt
in
it
will
in
it
let
there be added
Leave
and a half of copper.
Let the measure of wine
the space of fifteen days.
a mortar as soon as
si.
28o
When
Wash this
removed there
remain an excellent,
will
whitish calx.
brilliant,
spring water.
in fresh
Take
of the Calx,
Jii.
of Sulphur,
sii.
of Gluten of Sulphur,
of Vitriol
of Arsenic
of
Mix each
of these,
when very
Let them
vinegar.
all
Alum
each 5ss.
r
J
finely
Then add
can be extracted.
Jii.
-\
fire,
Venus.
Sprinkle this
Vn.
and
subtle,
said water
and
is
so soluble that
is
it
will
is
such Mercury
is
on
Mercury of
flow together.
of
It
is
Venus
altogether thin
Wherefore the
it
will collect
the
be at a white heat.
This
only tepid.
Take
water
Mars
in
Afterwards wash
water becomes
red viscosity.
At length the
to
it
escape, and
let
a grey powder
the tigillum
will
have
live
for
Add
vitriol.
you
glow
be found.
But leave
Mercury, which
an hour.
thereto
it
is
for ten
Jupiter
is
will
in colour.
Take
filings
corresponding
apart.
cuticle.
Remove
this carefully
separate a similar cuticle a second time, and repeat this process till
enough of the white calx. This take, and subject to all the processes
which the Calx of Lead is subjected, but avoiding the addition of Succinum,
filings
there
to
it
crush
Jupiter.
adhere a whitish
It is
hours.
days
Mercury of Mars.
Mercury of
in
Bi.
is
The Mercuries of
or white
vitriol.
in
much Mercury
accomplished.
than
less
281
Metals.
tlie
work
will
be
Ivi.
Mercury of Saturn.
it
boil for
been
it is
in
first
purged of
all
mix
it
well with
common
and
salt,
it
the calx
five
Take
wooden
no saltness remains
till
When
receptacle,
will
Dry
it
In coction
in the lead.
it
Dissolve the
vitriol in
vinegar.
Leave
it
it
it
will receive
whatever
Put
it
it
obliquely in a
so place a wooden
may
Calx of lead
Again take
this
be
it
a small quantity of fresh matter, which will concrete in the form of flour at
the bottom.
make
Place
it
in
a small charcoal
fire
the
fire is
When
preserved
it,
and
the said
in
good
Therefore,
Mercury of Saturn which flows into that wooden receptacle should be well
washed and purified, so that if perchance crude Saturn flows down at the
same time, as often happens, the same may be separated. From ten pounds
of Saturn are made eight pounds, and often eight pounds and a half, of
Mercury.
Note.
otherwise
To
fire in
the
down
its
sides
\\.
of Salt Nitre,
sii-
and
ss.
Rock
Salt,
size
Take of Alum,
time.
of
fierce, for
same
water
at the
Eii.
it
the following
282
distil,
and
To
this
bottom.
same
time,
it
fire
If the
it
out from the rest, for another confection, and thus thou hast Mercury of
APPENDIX
V.
DE TRANSMUTATIONIBUS METALLORUM.
a Congeries Paracelsicce Chemicc de Transtnutaiionibus
the year
IN Metallorian1581appeared
in
octavo at Frankfort.
In the notes
to the
As
ical
treatise
While
many
of alchemy,
in
probability, an adaptation of
which
is
its
readings,
interpolations
Geneva
Perhaps, after
all,
folio
in
it is,
carefully supervised
of this point,
who
is likelj'
to
believe that in
ancient practical alchemy there are chemical secrets hidden which are
unknown
difficulty of distinguishing
few paragraphs
in the
and these
is
it
vi\)\z\\ it
it is
There are a
is
desirable to cite.
its
Congeries
differences,
makes
The
first
The Aurora of
as regards
its
the Philosophers
direction contained in the third treatise, Concerning the Spirits of the Planets,
is
The
284
editorial
it
is
every case,
in
Before
we come
to the matter,
first
we must
describe in order
local,
actual instrument
is
the
The
fire.
first local
in
in the
is
the
of athanor.
its
have said
spagyric generation.
He
We
instrument
name
the instru-
all
in this art.
its
restorer.
human philosophy
reaches
No
is
my
of
all
who
acknowledge that
will
is
kindled by the
fire,
will
fire
is
itself
but
who have no
will
it
readers.
it
other
is
think
least
fire
Just
in
the
same way
the
Who
ask you,
my
brethren
that
created universe has the similitude of a furnace, or, to speak more respectfully,
that
womb the
is
elements,
which the seeds of the sun and the moon, cast down by the
to say, in
the generation of
all
things ?
and
finally
digested for
clear,
will not
upon them
further.
let it
little
and
let
the rounded
two or three holes, with which two or three lateral or uterine furnaces or, if
you like, a single one shall correspond the breadth of the mouths should be
De
To
four fingers.
be
Transmutationibus Metallorum.
every furnace
the glass in
work of
its
all
fire
fitted,
egg
as the
in
but
may
let
fill
When
that shall destroy the whole work, and burn everything together.
to the
mouth
proper,
is
more
readily
controlled
if it
by registers (which
are
be too slack,
The
fire
The
at this stage.
fire,
prepa-
in
heat will
let
can be
governors).
called
the
it
is
the magistery.
larger,
little
small brick or
to
the hen, so
kindle the
a brazen vessel be
let
with water.
filled
285
in
the &g%.
and gives
life
illuminating
its
athanor, with
all
But
now
Just
in the
and
warming
animated Q%^.
like
"See," says
he,
"how
he contradicts himself!
with coals
now he
is
in
the
same way as
my
coals
simple
Do you
yourselves
what
see
of a blind
is
the
You
)-ou
have
Open
man
the
passing
meaning of
this
not
err,
my
fire
"
other calumniators in
err,
fire,
the sea-bath,
like
Have
little
in
not
often
almost
all
my
brothers,
Let them
small.
86
Tlie
does to
Nature.
We
are
all
to confess
and mine
it,
Be
it
your duty, as
it is
mine, not enviously to disclose those things of your brothers which have not
been duly done, before that, with a certain amount of modesty, you have
to the discipline of true philosophy,
name
be so
But
of philosophy.
is
!)
we
I, if
this philosophic
that
discipline (alas,
otherwise
worthy of the
should
it
among
and renown.
come about
This
is
still,
ill
are
all
conscience
likely that
If,
then,
we have done
we may mislead
we have
so,
common
preserve no
still
as
erred at
all,
it
error, but
wisest of
this.
and our
retract,
not ready to do
efforts.
us that
tells
who
and
foolish together,
what we parade
own
has
else.
medium.
this
it
we
if
Many
approaches wisdom.
in
Hence
toil.
punishment
is
for them,
vice vcrsd.
may
It
be entitled
name
of the phcenix to
whose
nest,
its
feathers
fly
which
is
in
whiteness
separated sphere.
in its
the balsam of
its
intestines.
since
it
treated,
Very
of
life
is
fire.
Its
produced a
its
heart and
lately,
when electrum
or mixture of
and there
was being
affinity therewith.
What
is
What,
too, is electrum
De
Transmutationibjts Metalloy-um.
Sol,
why
The
which
it
It
is
Whether each
not cinnabar?
will
be
The sulphur of
why
made by
Mercurj' of Luna,
philosophic
287
is
differ.
make
necessary to
the fifteenth
is
fifth
Philosophers, and
It is called
of the editor.
A Very
I
is
neither
taught
am
in different
ways by very
manj'.
me through
practice
in
and experience.
same
This, no less
'
it
is
process.
Afterwards
let it
ammoniac
be reverberated even to
until
it is
resolved.
Let
it
be calcined and dissolved again, and digested in a pelican for one month,
it
in
the
same
This
is
no longer burnt, or
condition.
in
any
but it takes away, as we have often said, all superfrom sensible and insensible things.
have here set down a very brief way and process, it requires
nothing or be altered
Although
long labour,
APPENDIX
VI.
IN
"amongst
observes that
the rare
in the first
transcription of
Baron Tschoudj-
work
his
it
The Burning
Paracelsus, contains
satisfactory
and
in that quality
is
although, as
Manual
manner
will
for
incomparable
the
that a person
of intelligence which
made
is
find
in this
be seen
interesting citation,
it."
is
still
fail
to
to
which
an unedited treasure,
to prefer before
all
who
desires
in the
to
make
Art of Alchemy
make
He
will
Though
it
may
his
they
in
alchemical theories.
its
if
The manuscript
of
treatise
shift
in
point out to
In the absence
seem
we
substitute
Vatican.
all
explicit a
reference
as
cabalists,
instructed
Star.
this
This
entitled
the
all
is
direct.
Whether
this merit
Arcanum,
it
is,
in
belongs to Paracelsus or
in the
absence of
the original text, which few persons have had the opportunity or disposition to
to consult.
The work
Hamburg,
in
17S5, and
regard to
its
period,
of Baron Tschoudy
later
it is
Masonry
was published
in
two volumes at
Having
and above
this,
The catechism
itself,
A
which
is
most
tlie
important section
of
289
Burning
the
Star,
teems with
analogies of this kind, wiiich, of course, are the creation of the editor, and
are suppressed in the translation which follows, in part because they exceed
the intention of the present work,
and
in
in
the
Vatican Library.
Q.
What
A.
It is
Q.
What
A.
God,
Q.
Q.
A.
A.
is
is
Who
is
also
its
beginning.
separated
Q.
A.
Q.
How
A.
Q.
A.
Q.
is
cold,
Nature differentiated?
is
it
it is
simply a volatile
and universal
fire,
which
vivifies all
the
things that
exist.
O.
What
A.
They should be
That
is
Q.
A.
The
philosophers
should
most
carefully
ascertain
whether their
designs are in harmony with Nature, and of a possible and attainable kind
they would accomplish by their
be followed
in
in
that
is
if
usually performed
every detail.
it.
its
must
inate
between
its
290
Q.
Where does
A.
A.
in his behalf,
Q.
What
A.
It is
stance
is
the most subtle and perfect decoction and digestion of the sub-
it is
Balm
the
of Sulphur, which
is
Q.
A.
what manner do
Q.
After
A.
By means
What do
A certain
Q.
A.
which
is
is
subsequently expelled
where
movement.
may
Where,
A.
which, after
it
and deposit
their seeds?
fire,
Q.
A.
Take any
level
table,
by an example.
and
it
will
over the
salt,
and
will contract
its
it
is
in
for
it is
In the
in the likeness
of
its
manner do
in
it
is
the seed
subject to
when a seed
an opposite case.
Q.
After what
A.
must be observed
two gross and heavy elements and two that are volatile in
Two. in like manner, are dry and two humid, one out of the four
character.
another
certain that
same way
channel, and
the
will
produced
one
existing substance
on
will
taking
all.
a saline flavour
a variety of modifications
salt,
which
assumed.
Q.
will pass
sub-
it is
an outward
in
291
own
its
species
itself,
is
in
the centre, even the centre of the Arc/icus, that servant of Nature,
where
coming
to the
to
mix
and
them
finally expel
exterior.
Q.
What
A.
The
itself
is
first
matter of
first
of a twofold nature
The
warm
How
A.
Mercury^
Q.
B}'
what
A.
By
first
air, in
O.
metals
dual
in
its
essence, or
is
in
all
is
an aerial
is
governed
is it
Q.
What
A.
The warmth of
is
otherwise,
termed
is
Can
A.
Its
body be converted
that,
into seed ?
namely, which
is
secreted in
the centre of the body in question, and ma\-, for example; be seen in a grain
of wheat.
Q.
Of what use
A.
It is
ariditj',
is
its
seed
and, in general,
all
it
acts as an
envelope.
Would
Q.
body
those artists
possible to perform
None
A.
it
who
it
were
is
.methods.
Q.
A.
there
is
though
is
entirely free
its
and
peeled off and purged out from the matter in order to discover
Q.
scorias
its
must be
seed.
by no means to be looked
the vulgar metals, because, these having issued already from the hands
A.
for in
What
impurities, for
from imperfections,
of the fashioner,
it is
is
VZ
292
Q.
A.
chiefly gold,
while ours, on the contrary, are absolutely living, and possess a soul.
Q.
What
A.
It is
is
the
of metals
life
fire,
when they
imbedded
are as yet
in
the mines.
live,
Q.
What
is
\.
Their
life
by
fire,
their
death?
Q.
After what
A.
When
from a
is
manner
in reality
fire
die, as
they
of fusion.
womb
of the earth
power or
virtue in the
centre of the earth, and have deposited their seed, the Archeus of Nature, in
them
superficially
by the warmjh
Q.
what does
whence
It
all
is
when
is distilled
it
through
principiated principle of
all
things spring
is
in
this state
first
matter
of the Philosophers.
What
Q.
first
then
is this
in the
It is this
is
made use
of as the
philosophic achievement
moment
it is
conceived, receives
Are
Q.
separately
is
Sun,
Venus, the
Mars,
Jupiter,
endowed with
One
A.
Saturn,
Moon,
the
etc.,
individual seed?
common
to
them
all
accounted for
by the locality from which they are derived, not to speak of the fact that Nature
completes her work with far greater rapidity in the procreation of silver than
in that
O.
A.
of which
when
it
there
is
this
is
sublimised
in
Q.
How
A.
It
which are
is
totally
and gold
Saturn engendered
occurs
the
itself;
been cleansed by
in
places,
their
sublimes with
proportion.
own
its
in the
when
is
produced as a
it
fills
the pores of
result.
A
Q.
How
A.
She
Venus brought
is
produced
is
in
293
forth ?
localities
but
itself is pure,
is
What power
Q.
possess
By
A.
whatsoever
that
Q.
What
The
is
it
is
A.
principles
continual progress
its
pure around
is
in the
is
first
matter of
first
itself all
it.
is
all
things
other words, Nature receives the matter from the elements, whence
in
sub-
it
Q.
A.
warm
vapour, which
is
useless except
Q.
How
is
A.
By
Nature,
is
it
be dissolved by a
vapour.
kingdom
distil
but because of
its fluidity,
it is
and the
facility witli
on account of
which
it
will
generation of
first
its
this
essence,
adhere to each
are
Q.
Why
A.
Because of
Q.
From
composed
The
k.
in
is
this
vapour compared
its
vihat species of
Mercury are we
reference
is
exclusively to the
common
it
own
seed.
Q.
?
The seed
A.
which
sulphur?
no sense to the
matter
to
internal heat.
is
into Mercury,
or
living female.
Q.
What
.A.
which they
will
fruit
may form
which
is
a germ, after
conformed
to their
nature.
Q.
What
A.
The
that which
is
is
artist
subtle from
gross.
Q.
To what,
A.
and nothing
is
therefore,
further.
is
294
Q.
A.
The seed
of minerals
is
and
life
it is
Q.
How
A.
its
it
How
A.
By
Q.
What is therefore
He finishes what
A.
warmth of
air,
What
A.
It
its
body.
performed by the
artist in the
mineral kingdom
Q.
by Nature or Art
useless, unless
is
receives
is
the
crudity of the
in the
all
bodies by
its
violence,
among
themselves
is
the highest of
is
all,
and then
lastly,
succeeded by
is
by
tiie
Moon.
It
to'
next by
Jj,ipiter,
must be observed
that the influential virtues of the planets do not ascend but descend, and ex-
Mars, which
muted
is
Mars can be
of a lower sphere.
second after the firmament, the other second above the earth, and Saturn
highest of
all,
while the
never ameliorated by
its
Moon
is
inferiors.
It
Q.
all
enters into
is
The Sun
lowest.
is
but
it
is
is
a large corres-
middle of which
in the
all,
is
the
Sun
When
we
and
silver,
and
silver?
A.
By no means
Philosophers are
full
of
hile
those of the
life.
among
Q.
What
A.
is
\\
the Philosophers?
left
imperfect in the
mineral kingdom, and the attainment of the treasure of the Philosophical Stone.
Q.
What
A.
The Stone
is
perfectly purified
this
is
Stone
and educed
humid
for health,
life
fixation,
which causes
it
in
to
the
radical.
In
K.
It
radical humidity.
A
What are
Q.
the
it
295
to
guard against
A.
and
work
failure in the
Cfitechism of Alchemy.
S/iorf
to
kernel,
which contains
the virtue of
all
compound.
O.
Why
A.
It is
does
tliis
powerfully
How
its qualities,
fortifies
Q.
it
it
me
the tincture ?
A.
Firstly, its truth is founded on the fact that the physical powder, being
composed of the same substance as the metals, namely, quicksilver, has the
faculty of combining with these in fusion, one nature easily embracing another
which
is
is
owing
powder, which
easily
like itself.
is
and
to that alone,
communicate
to
them
its
own
in itself
the physical
a pure
fire,
can
its
nature, after
it
which
is
the sole substance that transmutes them, the rest being nothing
silver,
Q.
What
is
in projection.
may
the
in
creation
attain to the
.Architect of the
how
the chaos
was
evolved.
Q.
What was
A.
It
enters into
all
all finish in
Give
A.
.\n
me an example
to illustrate
all
forms.
in the special
just stated.
productions of composite
is
whence
Moreover,
it
issues,
should
Q.
What
in the
In the first place he should observe the matter out of which the world
was made
he
began by extracting
2g6
oj Paracelsus.
He
generation of
served as the
it
will
the
in
all
and a separation of
light
The Philosopher
an undeviating
is
will equally
how
the sky
was studded with luminous bodies and how the necessity for the moon arose,
which was owing to the space intervening between the things above and the
;
things below
for the
moon
is
how
to the earth.
them
Q.
How many
A.
Properly there
is
is
rarefied,
and
is
upon the
fall
is
fixed stars,
and
it
is
is
celestial vt-aters.
Q.
Why
A.
Because
is
because God,
in
it
is
in
first
heaven
its
thing.
Q.
Why
A.
It
is
virtue of the
will
it
received,
and by
if
the
its
motion
be always equal.
Q.
Why
A.
more
It
?
is
profit
What
A.
It is
is
properly
air,
which
is
more
medium
of
light.
Q.
He
A.
placed
it
and moderated
to
this fire
What
is
He
to His design.
Q.
was destined
its
it
A
A.
into
It
vapour
now
this
vapour
is
297
exalts
it
matter
first
Q.
How
A.
By
Q.
How
A.
By
is
the
What
fire
same
action of the
which
aerial humidity,
Q.
fire
is
mastered the foundation and the order in the procedure of the Great .\rchitect
of the Universe in the construction of
He
A.
his
may be
all
was
become a
possible,
Creator.
actually
should, as far as
make
his
he should form
firmament for the separation of the waters which are above from the waters
which are below, and should successively accomplish, point by point, the entire
sequence of the creative
act.
is
in
is
all
that
search of nothing
What
Q.
the
work
Of a mercury which, as
A.
make
such,
is
in
performing
Why
Q.
use of
is
it
ex-
is
work ?
A.
which
is
Q.
known
artist
As you have
told
me
that
Mercury
is
A.
it,
so as to avoid misconception
In respect of
regard to
its
motion,
its
nature, our
it
is
drooping
fire
Mercury
is
it
me
a circumstantial
?
is
dual
fixed
and
volatile
in
is
its
first
office
it
stimu-
pre\ious
to
298
By
congelation.
and as
this
ascensional movement,
its
after congelation,
is
it is
rises,
it
seeking to be purified,
its first
origin.
How many
Q.
composite thing
.A.
other elements
in
of
species
the
Elementary, which
natural
true
is
each
the
in
is
resident
dissolvent,
bj- its
is
lastl)-,
the
or balm,
oil,
the .Alimentary,
drooping
internal
fire,
the subject.
Q.
A.
aspects
the
first
concealed seed
entitled the
is
the second
is
is
actually their
is
the Bath or
fourth aspect,
it
is
is
Common
called
because
it is
is
common
to
minerte, for
all
it is
called also
fire,
common
Q.
How many
A.
There
is
What
sophers
our work
Q.
in
fire,
is
with adherence to
precaution should
be taken
in
its
own
vase.
Great care, above all, must be observed upon this point, lest what
upon
the subject should be interpreted literalh- and in accordance with
they say
the mere sound of the words: For the letter killeth, but the spirit giveth life.
Q. What books should be read in order to have an acquaintance with
A.
our science
A.
studied;
.Among the
in
ancients,
all
the
all
into the
Promised Land.
Pathivay, or the
in the X'atican
his
Chemical
mysteries of
A
good fortune
to take a copy of
Mecum above
two
in
all,
recipes
false
in
and
more
futile
7 iirba
much
certain
that
Among
valueless.
is
fictions,
which seem
his
which
Philosoplioriivi,
is
have been
to
effcctuallj-
ignorant.
and
respect to
in
last,
they abound
much
Raymond
codicil.
the
it,
Secondly,
299
from the
a collection
is
is
is
entitled
The
Among moderns
most worthy
the
some
to be prized are
who wrote
false precepts
his
treatise.
Q.
.\.
spirit,
Explain
.A.
It
may
vital oil.
me
theory
this
in
a clearer manner.
great experiment
may
be undertaken
when
in the
actual process
is
the
medium
of
qualified to dissolve
it
into a celestial
excrements.
to
or
A.
external agent
mercury because
In
Q.
there no
it
A.
this
It is
in
gold
itself,
in
in
gold
make
it
is
is
found
in
in the first
is
is
but
equally
congelation of mercury,
common substance,
who become worthy of receiving it b)-
is
to be
found
in
and that
it.
all
metals having
300
Q.
What
A.
It
much more
extracted
is
more
perfect in gold,
easily
is
and
mav
it
be
other
itself,
less restricted in
their humidity.
me an example
Q.
Give
A.
to a fruit which,
and though
its tree,
it
having come
to a perfect
much
same
if
will
it
tree,
and similarly
fruit.
Q.
Is
it
if
work ?
So indispensable
A.
all
is
its
fail,
before
what
worthless.
is
in the
Q.
A.
them by
all
this
how can
A.
is
it
firstly,
elements, there
which
and
is
must
first
formed,
metals be
developed out of
this Vitriol
is
Thus
of Nature a
allied to
new vapour,
this)
cavernous places.
By
this
is
permeated
is
secondly,
b)-
is
it
is
produced,
fills
these
contains,
are produced the perfect metals, provided that the vapour and the locality are
pure.
If
The terms
concoction.
Q.
A.
bodies,
What is
A spirit
contained
in this
vapour?
fire,
Q.
What
A.
30
bj'
fairly
And one
Q.
was
that
all
is,
cannot, notwithstanding,
make use
of vulgar mercury in
the process ?
A.
plain,
devoid of
is
external agent.
Whence comes
Q.
agent
common mercury
that
it
is
without
external
its
Because
A.
in
spirit,
The
is
deprived of
its
commotion has
is
that
How many
A.
Three sorts
Q.
What
A.
rays to
all
is
Astral Gold,
astral gold ?
its
inferior beings.
It
is
that penetrate
all
it
by
its
recei\-es a
things sentient,
Q.
What do you
A.
This
is
refer to
all
that
is
gold.
Q.
Give
A.
It
me some
is
Of what
A.
It is
species of gold
is
unalterable in
itself.
gold.
it is
its
purification,
perfect equilibrium
when
it is
all
the
into the
Physical Stone, and four things are indispensable for the accomplishment of
the work, namely, composition, allocation, mixture, and union, which, once
What
A.
It is
in the radical
is
art, will
rises
out of
own
ashes.
exclusively the
fire
moisture, to which
termed mercurj-.
whence
it
fixity
and
sulphur permitting
it
to
be alterna-
302
What
Q.
gold
other
name
A.
They
recognize
without
true
also
term
and
it
existence in
its
all
and there
bodies,
their true
fire
they
is
Where must we
look for our living gold, our living sulphur, and our
fire ?
A.
Q.
A.
Q.
A.
is
terrestrial
inherent to
it
this
fixed nature
Q.
Mercury
which
What
unto
is like
itself to the
it
where
earth,
By
is
its
own
nature,
attracted by a
Q.
A.
should develop
matter which
A.
acts
own.
its
He
their
a humid vapour.
to
it
A.
Q.
united
it
better
exaltation,
is
it.
Q.
is
is
is
it
activity.
this of herself?
first
What
A.
Whence
know how
Q.
in
this operation
and
To
from a homogeneous
When
the practice
A.
with great care, but can only he accomplished after the preparation and sublimation of the
Q.
Mercury.
When
substance;
the process
tincture at the
Q.
What
same time
is
is
is
contained
augmented.
in
A.
It
Q.
What must
be done to apply
it
to the
is
Great
Work?
303
A.
It
A.
dissolve, putrefy,
place,
first
local inovement.
is
which, in the
what
its
good
is
Now,
seed, extracts
who
the Philosopher,
from
it
its
its
fruit,
solution,
is in
centre, consigns
in virtue.
or a seed,
and afterwards
a position to discern
it
when it has been well cured and prepared, and therein he rarefies it in such a
manner that its prolific virtue is increased and indefinitely multiplied.
what does the whole secret of the seed consist?
knowledge of its proper earth.
O. What do you understand by the seed in the work of the Philosophers ?
I understand the interior heat, or the specific spirit, which is enclosed
A.
in the humid radical, which, in other words, is the middle substance of living
silver, the proper sperm of metals, which contains its own seed.
Q. How do you set free the sulphur from its bonds?
O.
In
A.
In the true
A.
By
O.
What
A.
It is
Q.
What
putrefaction.
is
their proper
menstruum.
which he requires ?
.\.
He must
Q.
By what
must be
may
indication
When
he
finds
is in
the right
the
that
injected.
dissolvent
converted into one form and one matter at the period of dissolution.
Q.
How many
A.
The
How
is
solution
is
Q.
first
and
the third
is
Work?
and of living
silver
the second
first
By
Q.
How
A.
By extracting from
this operation
Q.
How
its
is
fire,
which
is
the
Burning Star.
>
performed?
the subject, in the
first
it
to liberate the
is
the indication.
304
When
A.
is
It
called their
is
Matter, a
A.
it
is,
is silver.
It is
in fact,
hardly be
it is
closely
bound up
with multiplication.
Q.
Wliat
A.
That
Q.
What
A.
of
all
It
fire
which
fire
is
Why
A.
Because
is it
fire ?
A.
It is
Q.
Who
A.
It is
Q.
What
A.
It is
world, because
in the
is
Mercury
also termed
in its
it is
the principle
it is
Q.
and corruption.
dissolution
Q.
Where
our work
in
used by Nature.
is
is
concealed
is it
of art.
in the subject
that
known
is
it
is
who
to the wise,
it
and purify
is
continually in motion
it.
fire ?
seeks only to
it
it is that, in
disintegrate and to educe things from potentiality into actuality
circulates
in
mines,
a vaporous
in
solid
places
a word, which coming upon
;
Q.
it
is
clothed.
On
Q.
How many
account of
its
extreme dryness
philosophical
There are
in all three
Q.
Explain to
me
A.
The
A.
fires
the
it
requires to be moistened.
do you enumerate
natural.
is
natural
fire is
and assuming
is
it
fire,
the unnatural
that form.
the masculine
fires.
is
This smoke
is
quickly dissipated,
unless
much
it
A
Q.
is
305
A.
allic
Where
It is
nature, where
it is
fore
everything contained
Q.
Is
A.
Yes
may be
is,
this subject ?
but Nature, at the same time, must be assisted, so that the work
means which
are familiar to
O.
Is this subject
A.
It is vile,
say that
it is
it is
O.
What
A.
It
Q.
What
Q.
How
By
O.
it is
useful in our
operation
is it
What
is
perform
extracted ?
Q.
What
then
salt, in
the
first
is
the
When
A.
Q.
At what hour
is
relaxed.
perfection.
work
follows?
A.
Q.
to be able to
in
A.
alone.
What
is
work
that done ?
is
sole
A.
O.
should anyone
most important
Q.
which
Mercury
fixed,
A.
'A.
is
The
.\.
is
saleable,
it is
exceedingly precious
and originally
me
Q.
Give
A.
Begin
Q.
A.
M}' friends,
Q.
What
is
A.
From
the
its
fullest
s/'cec/i.
will reply to
you.
?
moment
APPENDIX
[The manuscript
is
of
Paracelsus which
is
VII.
preserved
is
in the
title
chemistry and the other to medicine, which are respectively described as the
Frhimm and
The
first,
latter
its
contents
it
it
proper section
its
The
genuine character.
The
is
between the
for distinguishing
there were
name
of Paracelsus.
favour of
in
its
to
it
in
and its
the most sus-
treatise,
to
While
this, of
course,
an individual opinion,
is
it
is
wide acquaintance with the great masters of alchemy, and on the evidence of
other writings contained in the present volume which are less open to
question.
exclude
it
its
because
it
is
is
actual value,
appendix, where
it
may
it
work
But whatever
It
has been,
it
therefore,
is
worth.
it
to
is
not in
which few
reserved to
If
it
an
be really a
of Paracelsus, the veils of the great mj'stery have been folded very
thickly,
A Thesaurus
IS,
Author himself
Paracelsus.
Own
WITH MY
TAKE
Sol, which
have done
Hands.
quicklime
of
Mix
ilb.
together.
may
it
be
Hxivium.
Let
it
into water.
it
again
in
in the lixivium
dissolve
and
distil it
by the
Treat
filter.
it
again
with egg shell and quicklime, as above, and repeat this three or four times
lastly,
is
take
the lixivium
congealed.
dissolve
it
into
or four times.
by the
filter,
an
Mercury, sublimate
What
distilled
oil,
oil
it
boil until
it
or 16 hours; then
itself for 15
have
will
and make
Then take
of tartar.
the
it
Imbibe
it
and sublimate
oil,
it.
What
ascends,
Imbibe
yet again,
mercury, pound
an
oil in
Place
it
it
well,
a cold cellar.
in
and imbibe
When
horse-dung, that
dissolved, coagulate
it
all is
it
be
dissolve
oz.
the
it
into
of silver
foil.
and,
when
into Luna.
Into
In the place of
Then
may
Then take
nothing ascends.
until
it
a glass vessel.
in
Sol.
in the imbibition of
V2
3o8
The Lixivium
in
of Paracelsus.
IVritiiigs
made thus
Quicklime
Wood
Egg
of each a sufficient quantity
and
ashes
shell
thickness
the
boil to
you know
to be
sufficient.
Sulphur
lib.
Crocus of Mars
Colcothar
ilb.
ilb.
Place in a glazed vessel, and boil with the aforesaid lixivium until
Then
reddened.
distil,
till
one part of
of tartar, and
oil
let it fix
be well
it
white.
it
itself
so long as
the mercury.
it
congeal
It will
it if
it
Take
and
let it
Hamelius
result follows.
pounds there
first
oil,
place
on
it
is
Let
be very acid.
it
Concerning Mercury.
it
it.
and imbibe
of Luna.
tartar
it
with
oil
on a gentle
for 24 hours,
fire
with egg-shells.
Repeat
afterwards sublimate
and then
Dissolve
with
it
oil
Then take
of tartar, and
that mercury,
Boil
in
it
as
hours on a
fierce fire.
Dissolve this
much Luna
in
oil
of
luted,
Vou
will
coagulate.
quartal
borax, tartar,
quartal each
that
it
should
fix
it
oil,
of which
it is
said
into Sol.
Another.
We
ashes of a
stellio
if
you pour
into
mercury, which
is
their
it
Luna.
Take
and burn
it,
you
Manual of
309
Concerning Lizards.
As we have prescribed
common
cerning
in the
The
lizards.
we
case of steiliones, so do
virtue of these
noted.
in
may
long" as
alum, salt of
Take
and colcothar.
nitre,
water from
Distil the
be necessarj-.
.\n
We
some earth-worms.
a radish, and
leek,
Iron.
no way be better
in
it
with
the mercury from the colcothar and calcined tartar with the aforesaid
it
it
in
it
When
this stone,
it
is
whereupon
But
forever.
It will last
oil until
water.
vitriol,
it
it is
if
is
it
you desire
Coagulate
this
it
with
it
Luna and
fixed arsenic.
tuthia and
pound
Mix
it.
it
with
in
will
it
Repeat
this process
lb.
then scatter
shaken
Then
five
place
let
times
on a
it
Luna upon
it
Then
each day.
in
in fresh
spirit
Constantly shake
in
acetum upon
that
water,
it
lb.
each, of
and afterwards
it,
it
distil
5 lb. or 6
lb.
an hour.
and place
it,
salt,
set
this,
it
by means of a
is
filter,
and
let
to boil for
it
common
each, with
it
oeing
and keep
it.
thoroughly extracted.
it,
and
it
will
be
congealed.
The
F"ixation of Spirits.
Take of prepared common salt, sweet water, prepared salt of alcali, sal
ammoniac, oil of urine, and tartar, i lb. each, and of honey 5 lb. Place these
in
a glass vessel
in
horse-dung
them
let
white stone.
boil
spirits
gradually
in
succession.
it
is
Then you
Afterwards take
will find a clear
With
thus mercurj-
is
this
converted
3IO
The Fixation of
Imbibe the
extracted from
Take
with
spirit
it.
Keep
oil
Place
until
it
Afterwards put
consumed
until
Do
perfectly dried.
it
in
Afterwards put
into water.
the
distil
fire.
of tartar.
oil
oil
from
in a
it
distilled or
it
is
dung
in
it
is
on marble with
it
nothing
this until
oil
will
it
pound
the
in
it is
Spirits.
it
is
fire
congealed.
it is
fix
oil
vitriol.
must be
it
How
warm
poured on the
The
it
ammoniac.
sal
This water
becomes a powder.
it.
it
is
Afterwards
will be fixed.
Fix.\tion of Salts
Dissolve salt in
and
and
salt of alcali,
arsenic,
and they
will
melt together.
Concerning Lixivia.
Make
Shake
two days.
done
if
this, try
not, put
it
it
frequently,
whether
will
it
on again
until
and
it
stand the
it
it
on
it,
and
let it
stand for
Having
and good; but
does, well
If it
oil
it
over a slow
Do
will be fixed.
It
fire.
this for
lead.
from crude
it
tartar.
It
avails in
it
dried,
boil,
and
take the
Let
it
thus
it
repeat this as
pound
it,
it is
water of
sal
be fixed.
oil
the body
of tartar.
and place
it
quantum
Distil until
in the fire.
suff.
it is
Afterwards
Spirits.
spirit,
all
fire
fix spirits
with
vitriol.
oil
of sulphur or with
To Dissolve Tartar
Take marble and place upon
in
it
the tartar,
and
it
as long
will
soon
Manual of
//
Note concerning
If
be fixed.
will
Make
lute
in
.\ll
Minerals.
quartal.
lb.
Bruised Glass,
Good
and
lb.
fist.
Dry it and burn it for ten hours in a
Having done this, break and wash it, imbibe
.Afterwards
alcali,
it
must be fulminated
but note
for
it,
this, that
it
should be imbibed with the sand until no smoke ascends, and then fulminated.
first
evaporated
Saturn before
in
it is
placed in
the ashes.
Then
the sulphur
which
an
is
purged by
is
But
into
if
distilled
lead, as
a lixivium
is
and
is
converted
oil.*
left in
Then
fire.
the
money
in
a state of flux
in
Money.
is
is
in,
piece by piece,
Pour
in
a regulus,
then place
will
have
it
it
in
an open vessel.
Pour on
and put
lead,
it
to cool.
lute,
Thus you
coagulated.
To Redden Sulphur.
Let
it
lower vessel.
The sulphur
and
will adhere,
My own
will
let
water be placed
Crude Tartar,
lb.
Calcined Tartar,
dissolved.
From
When
in
it
lb.
be
i.
ij.
lb.
iij.
oz. of calx of
latter language.
may
be coloured red.
dissolved put in
the
Recipe.
in
and partly
in
Luna.
it
often in the
iI2
coagulate.
so,
time.
Take
In
Alchemy.
Oil of
Antimony,
Auripigment,
Crocus of Mars,
Salt of Nitre,
parts
iiij.
part
i.
part
i.
part
i.
is
imbibed.
^^ white
Take
or yellow arsenic,
of this
burnt salt
oil
Ix. d.
-^o
t'y
You
a state of fusion.
in
of
good
gold, or
more
^^ by the side of
....
and
sal
ammoniac
oi.,
lily.
and of
5ij-
A Cement
Common
Red
v/
3i.
Salt
Vitriol.
each of
Sal
Ammoniac
Flos Aeris.
Bi.
each of
Burnt Brass
Red Calamine Stone.
Let the powders be imbibed with urine, and
Luna be cemented
six hours.
Then
let
\.\\e.
stand
it
in
Let this process be repeated by cementing three times, and you will
test.
Ematite
Boil in a glass vessel
it
i.
may
be dissolved to water.
part of gold,
viii.
and dry
ii.
or
iii.
Ammoniac
i.
oz.
to a powder.
Coagulate
Place in
this
The more
dung
or a ccllarium, that
Then take
water to a powder.
of silver.
\ part each.
it is
I oz.
of this over
it
in Sol.
in
it
i2 or
6 or
S,
will be.
and
it
will
common
then be &'
graduated to
Manual of
313
Fixed Oil.
Take equal
of tartar.
oil
and
filter it,
Take equal
it
parts of both.
Common
Dissolve
Sulphur
in the
ij.
in
a cinder
fire.
Projection" of Luna.
From
same with
a bath.
...
Salt fused
Pour
The
the
in
Do
dung or
x. parts.
Crude Tartar
Common
in
it
Gold by Marcasites.
Solution" of
Take Antimony
Burn
be coagulated.
will
the fusorium
much
parts.
Pour them
extinguished
it is
Sol
in
strong
the separation of
in
i.
lb.
Saltpetre Alb.
in
nor
silver,
evaporated by
is
fire,
and
is
of a
red colour.
Water
[Also
if
giving
you wish
to give
weight to a
A Great
Ammoniac
may
be dissolved.
Distil
by a
filler.
gold cup.]
Secret.
silver or
2.\
-^
sij.
ozs.
Then
in
damp
place that
it
A Good Mode
.siv.
,..
Sublimate three or four times, and afterwards add the clear part of eggs,
cooked quant, siiff. Pound the whole together until it be dissolved
Afterwards distil in an alembic and congeal. If it be then dissolved in a bath, it
will
let
100 of
314
Common
Salt
Flour
Let them be pounded together and moistened, so as to be-
equal parts.
in
come a
mass.
tliick
Let
be dried by the
it
fire,
and fulminated.
Take
Salt of Nitre
Alum
Calcined
I
Take
each.
lb.
marcasite
in
Pour upon
dry
it,
with
reduce to a
From
it
less in quantity.
Take
the
in
it
and
it
When
wax.
more nor
aquafortis, neither
let
move and
wash it well,
Mix all,
fluid together,
afterwards by ash
is
made
Sol,
fire.
silver,
Luna.
strong.
and
it
in
divisible
when
struck,
it
is
If the
good.
above.
Note.
Take
of Cinnabar
i.
lb.
of Arsenical Sulphur
of Calcinated Tartar
equal quantities,
i.
of Alcohol of Soot
j
-I
viz.,
quartal.
11,
"
of Twice-prepared Salt
all.
Let them be mixed, pounded, and imbibed several times with water of eggs
or
albumen of
tartar.
in flux for
cineritium,
and you
*in
three hours.
a very strong
will
Then
fire.
kindle.
Proceed
World.
Of
zinc
Take aquafortis
next by means
;
in
which Luna
of the cineritium.
Zinc.
is
dissolved
in the glass.
alcali
forcibly dissolved.
Manual of
315
Take, pound
the
smoke
the
fire till
well,
and
by vicediam.
Then
ceases.
it
Afterwards burn
in
will be sublimated.
Another Method.
Take equal
Make
Let
it
fulminated.
in
Miner.als.
After this
it
Note.
i.
of Sulphur
lb.
said filings.
a wind furnace.
it
part
fz.
of light.
Let
Take of Alum
v.
lb.
of Saltpetre
,,,...,
of
Make
lb.
oz.
iij.
of Cinnabar
nil.
^
of \'erdigris
,,
each
,-
v itriol
ii.
oz.
aquafortis.
>
xv.
lb.
each
.-Mso
take
therein
days.
Vou
iii.
iij.
lb.
of this water.
Afterwards
oz.
of
good
let
gold.
it
Distil
and
3i6
Water
Fixing
Take of
Sal
Paracelsus.
Ammoniac
Alcali
>
Saltpetre
equal quantities.
This water
distil.
Mercury.
fixes
Digestion of Luna.
Dissolve four ounces of lead, and as
Then put
again.
viij.
You
will
inject four
little,
Pulverise
amalgam
ounces of
Place above
in the tigillum.
Then take
Dissolve as before.
of tartar.
oil
melts a
of
oil
pulverise.
with
Pulverise, imbibe
quicksilver.
it
it
Take
Ammoniac
Then
Sal
Let an
oil
be produced
Take
of
oil
oz.
oz.
ij.
the cellarium.
in
pyrethrum
in
Put them
pounded and
strained,
two parts
Also take again three parts of cinders, with one part of melted salt boiled
It produces the equivalent of one talent.
with one part 27 oz. of small nails.
maw
worms.
cantharides, putrefy
Extinguish twice or
thrice,
it.
will
it
in
dung, and
Fire.
distil
it.
Vitriol
Rom.
Saltpetre
Cinnabar
But
Distil as aquafortis.
divide
it
into
two
parts,
Having done
collect the
and
i.
the
in
it
it
Afterwards put
it
into a
Then
oz.
iij.
part dissolve
this, let
carefully.
lb. j.
lb. vj.
good
distil
Let
it
is
i.
saffron-coloured
oz. of
sublimated
it
by means of an
remains.
vessel of glass,
and place
this in cold,
damp
A
and
small, clear,
Manual of
Next, by means of a
crystalline stone.
may
vessel,
days
five
dung, and
in
3
filter
extract the
a well-closed glass
in
them be dissolved
let
into
water.
Take
put
this water,
in
it
Make a
it
for 30 da)s.
Let
before,
Then
Take
aforesaid.
dissolve
until
it
Take
more
dung
Luna
it
under dung as
dissolved in one
it.
at every trial.
And it will
One part
be
of
if
Put
in plates.
of sublimated mercury by
elixir
Put
by
in a vessel
it
in
itself
damp
in the
much
then
is
viij.
For Sol
it is
as you will.
\'itriol
Rom.
lb.
Saltpetre
lb.
i.
Cinnabar
lb.
water by means of a
off the
bottom.
under
in
this,
medicine.
In
off the
may
It
Having done
Burn
you
take
viij.
What you
water
filter,
be
i.
water.
Then draw
be like blood.
red.
falls will
a second prepared
descend to the
and
will
all
Take
mercury, as
is
it
before put
in the
that this
as before,
until
days as before.
one on a thousand.
named
for nine
it
all
means of an alembic
Leave
warm dung
Then know
it
itself,
another vessel.
vessel,
in
the aforesaid aqua fortis in such quantity that you can dissolve in
40 oz. of Luna
will
is
it
will
And
itself
a glass vessel
in
it
is
Distil,
some
it
Luna
place
Then you
day.
on cleansed marble.
manner
the
in
in
underneath, scarcely
fire
light
and pulverise
fire
very slow
Then draw
and
it
them
will
in
a well-closed glass
This medicine gives one part for every one thousand parts of quick mercury.
3i8
Make an amalgam
parts,
iii.
and of
Then wash very carefully with salt and acetum, until all
Pound the amalgam on a stone, and dry it. Steep it
blackness disappears.
in urine after wrapping in linen rag.
Take an alembic placed on ashes in a
furnace, and make a moderate fire of coals, so that you can touch the top of
Keep on thus decocting and pounding until it is
the urine with the hand.
thoroughly black, for this is a good sign. Then wash it in the water of common salt, thoroughly pure, until no blackness appears. Then once more
good Luna
i.
part.
Put
then
it
sublimation,
Luna with
Leave
it.
in
all
when
it
to cool,
it
Then
ammoniac
succession.
place
it
all
together
a vesica with
in
If
you wish
to multiply this elixir, place one part with loo parts of quick
and
it
becomes
quick mercury
it
friable
will
in
Luna.
it
If
become purest
fixes
Melt
a crucible.
Sol.
IS
Red Calcined
Tin,
oz.
iij.
each
Quick Sulphur
Citrine Arsenic
Red Animal
Oil,
and
lb.
j.
ij.
each
rectified
with distilled
each.
Let these ingredients be covered with wax, and, when they have been thus
treated twice, put the mixture to dissolve, until a pure red water
Then
let it
be distilled
silver aforesaid.
Then
in
an alembic
and with
Leave
it
it
to dissolve
this
as before, and
and
is
produced.
waxen with
to distil until
it
it
the
be clear and
A
red,
Manual of Paracelsus
and coagulates of
own accord
its
it,
and
will
it
Reduce
pour out
in the vessel
as above
it
If there
with the
fire
it
it
crystals.
Gr.\d.\tiox ok Lun.\.
Ammoniac, oz. i.
Alumen Jameni, oz.
Take
Sal
Flos
.<^ris, oz.
Vitriol
Rom.,
Tuchia, oz.
Then
fortis.
i.
ij.
oz. \
Saltpetre, oz.
i.
When
over a slow
The
Make an aqua
of coagulation.
it
wax.
like
319
Great.
the
i.
Dissolve
dram thereupon.
i.
Afterwards
granulate per sturbam in the aforesaid strong water, and thus, beyond any
doubt, you will have gold that will answer any test up to
xxiiij.
degrees.
Perpetl'.al W.\ter.
Take
Dissolve
it
weeks.
will
acquire
perpetual whiteness.
Another Mode.
Dissolve the calx of eggs with alumen jamenum, sugar, and
once
Distil
in
an alembic, and
it
common
salt.
Precious Water.
Take
Salt of Nitre
Sal
vj.
Ammoniac
ozs.
each
v. oz.
place
them
and
it
in
will
Then congeal
for
and heated.
It
will also
Luna.
it
is
perfectly fixed
dissolutions.
ammoniac.
in
Put this
and becomes
for
red,
sublimation
until
which
with
it
vitriol,
the
it
be as
fluid as
it
same
salt of nitre
quantity
be poured forth.
until
and
in
Then
the bath.
"
of
sal
dissolve
Continue
320
Corporal Mercuries.
Then take Luna, and dissolve
it in aqua fortis.
Sublimate the
that.
Join them together, and strain them as you know how.
Put it into a damp
arsenic from the body, and it will become a sort of mass.
Take
place,
and
it
will
Corporal Mercury.
Take any body you will and two parts of arsenic. Pulverise, and then
Place in hot water and it will come forth as mercury.
sublimate them.
Corporal Mf.rcury
Make
be reo'ulated
to
the Metals.
froai
of any metal one part and of purified white arsenic another part.
Take
first
of
a slow
all in
successively
smoke.
fire,
and you
and
layers,
in
made stronger
will find
until
them
let
it
begins
mercury.
S.\turn.
Put layer for layer of quicklime and metal, and place them in a sublimatory.
The mercury ascends, adfire, and sublimate as you know how.
Set on the
is
quickened.
Then wash
it
warm
with
it
it
until
it
Afterwards put
it.
in
Shake
it.
out,
it
sal
turns to a powder.
in
it
ammoniac.
and you
will
a glass vessel
Lute
it,
put
require.
be found at
will
otice.
the rest.
Mercury of all
Take some
Put them
sal
ammoniac,
in layers,
iiie
Place the
will find
Metals.
Do
Mercurius virus.
sublimated portion
in
Take
it
Bodies.
in
acetum,
in
parts of the calx of the body and one part of sal ammoniac.
dung
from
with
it,
Place these
in
is
made
is
fixed
it.
Corporal Mercury.
dissolve
sal
it
in
a tigillum.
When
it is
dissolved, scatter
becomes a powder.
it
in
it
A Manual
Then
the water.
in
of Paracelsus
Gieat.
321
and you
the
mercury
with
it
bottom.
Another Method.
Take a sufficient quantity of sulphur and linseed oil.
Boil the mixture
until it comes to the form of a vapour.
Put in it plates of Saturn, and it is
converted into Mercury
Take
aquafortis
in
three days.
with it sal ammoniac, alcali, and oil of tartar. Blend all together on marble and
pound thoroughly for three or four hours.
Then the body gains a soul.
Collect this soul carefully,
This
If
two days, and the soul does not shew any desire for the body, place all
Afterwards set
together in a glass vessel, and put it in dung for four weeks.
the glass vessel in a capella and abstract the water until all moisture has
disappeared. Strengthen the fire, and the blessed water ascends. Collect this
If they
carefully, and if any remains in the alembic, remove it with a feather.
glass
vessel
it
in
a
body is not totally abstracted, add more oil of tartar, put
with other simples, as before, pound it well, and set it in dung for eight days.
for
will
be extracted.
When
water over
put
it
in
it,
and
it
Afterwards
this
done
is
oil
equal parts.
set
in
horse dung or
in
a bath of
it
for four
with
oil
of vitriol.
in
it is
horse dung,
let
it
stand for
and place
weeks, that
pounded
calx of marble,
into Aloth.
oil
calx of Luna,
Mary
Then take
itself.
Pour warm
be again dissolved.
it
let it
let it
dissolved, stir
sal
in
it
ammoniac
a phial.
may
putrefy.
ammoniac and
salt
in
Set this
of
Open
alcali,
Corporal Mercury.
Take
vitriol, saltpetre,
and alum.
its
Make
salt
with
common
water.
salt.
Then
Reverberate
Repeat
this
322
Pour over
the better.
Leave
aquafortis.
it
to
it
Then
da)-.
that aquafortis.
in
force
it
Abstract the
phlegm through the alembic in the bath. Afterwards take good sal alcali,
reverberate it, and dissolve in oil. Then take good oil of tartar, and afterwards
Take equal
dissolved sal ammoniac, which has been six times sublimated.
Pound away the calx therewith, put in a cupel.
quantities of these three oils.
Pour the oils over to the height of a finger. Place in horse dung fifteen days.
Then set over cinders. Drive at first gently, afterwards violently. Then
there ascends a white powder, which proves from a marc to two ounces of
This makes living with brandy or sunst.
Luna.
Take
of
filings
of
Dissolve
in
Then
aquafortis.
Put
abstract thence into the third part of the water through the alembic.
in
Then
take so much of salt of tartar, and half as much of sublimated sal ammoniac,
and putrefy them in dung, whereupon the pebbles will become mercury. Dry
If it does not become Mercury, sublimate it,
it by means of fustian (?) cloth.
whereupon you will have Mercury out of Luna.
a cold place, where white pebbles collect
Freising.
Take
alumen.
it
salt of tartar
two parts of
two
parts,
common
one part,
salt
vitriol,
Then take of
the burnt
one
part each.
next put
glass
therein
Then sublimate
(?).
calx of the
moon, and
Dissolve
the salts.
all
Let
brandy.
little
it.
is
it
let
it
the quantity
water
all in
become dry as
produced.
Note.
Take
leaves of
takes place
it
when
Impaste
silver.
five
it
it
into
the leaves
this sulphur
Reverberate
it
become
in
more sulphur.
nine
and
This
with
wood
of oak or birch.
it
Stir
in
of the body.
it
forth,
black.
dissolve
it
and reverberate
Dissolve tartar
moon.
(?)
The Original
Then
thin,
mortar
has.
it
oil.
Pour
it
Manual of
323
Take
of
sal
Put
in the
stir
will
it
You
or leather.
Another Method.
Take
saltpetre
into a cucurbit.
like water.
Set
it
among warm
purified.
ashes,
Then mercury
be produced.
of silver will
CoRPOR.\L Mercury.
X'itriol also, if
it
Another Method.
With Mercury sublimate seven times, pound
metal
add
flour
and water.
Reduce
Mercury.
filings
will descend,
Take
It
or cinder of every
cal\
for
it
will turn
into living
it
spirits of aquafortis.
of Luna.
and of
two hours on a
wards remove the vinegar and
for
Luna
twentj- hours,
salt
with
warm
water.
in
Mercury.
Note.
Dissolve filings of
Luna
in aquafortis,
draw
as see above,
etc.,
in
-Another.
Take
Let
it
be placed
among the
amalgam of Luna
distilled
it
in
vinegar, wherein
sal
in
cinders,
and Mercury
there be distilled
will ascend.
let
all
With
bodies.
it
be
this there is
an
let
Take of
subli-
mated Mercury, which see, pound it with steel filings, out of sal ammoniac, put
it into a wet place, .'ind let it be dissolved into oil without water.
\V3
324
Praxis.
of Mercury of the sun one part, and of crude Mercury.
Take
a phial and
seal.
Give
from the
it,
first,
Take
bodies.
It
Put
fires,
into
it
increasing
of Mercury of
Luna two
parts,
same manner.
in the
Note.
Take an equal quantity of salt and sulphur, and of water of arsenic. Take
Put it in a cupel, pour
as much as you like of calx of Luna, well sweetened.
weeks in dung or
three
Let
it
stay
three
fingers.
water over to the height of
Let
in the bath.
it
be well luted.
away
Mercury ascends;
let it
Then
place in sand.
water
the spirits.
it
potent.
Another Method.
Make
Of
this
sublimated mercury.
Leave
in
which dissolve 4
it
c.
of sal
vitriol,
and alumen.
ammoniac and
12 of
through
Distil slowly
may
it
Mercury of
will be
changed
let it
into Mercury.
S.aturn.
Take
distil like
an aqua
Then take
fortis.
of ceruse
the bodies.
sal
ammoniac,
of rock [pctra)
purified with
in
ammoniac sub-
lid
in
fire
There
will
let
it
of a candle, at
with one light, afterwards with two, thirdly with three, and,
lights.
be
finally,
first
with four
bag.
Note.
A
vitriol.
cury,
tincture
Let
it
must be made
after the
and prepare
it
fire.
over a similar
fire,
cool,
filings of the
cloth.
let
it
remain
in
A
the cloth
Manual of
expel thoroughly by
On
Afterwards
water.
Dissolve this
Its
in the
and you
at least,
will
325
the warmth.
in
it
powder
Perform
in
the
results.
this twice
is
Again'.
Take
and pound
vitriol,
it
thoroughly.
slow
fire
Set
in
mortar.
in the
Place
in
it
it
will find
it
all
Then
then leave to dissolve for two or three days, whereupon there will
will discover
Mercury.
Make
aquafortis out
Of Vitriol lb.
Of Salt Nitre lb.
Of Calcinated Alumen
i.
i.
And
if
the alembic
becomes
lb.
in
it
dissolve
the body of the sun and moon, so far as they are capable of dissolution.
Of
the same take one part, and four parts of extracted tartar, with quintessence
of wine as aforesaid.
receive
Of
it.
the
same quintessence,
Then pour
together with the extracted tartar, take, as said above, four parts.
the aquafortis, with
drops, and
set
may remain
until
it
in the
it
with
or boiling wine.
until
it
is all
boil
it
time
first
clear, that
by-
no dross
it.
becomes a transparent
Then
Then
oil.
its
phlegm
will arise.
Place
brought over
in
;
the
then
it is
genuine.
Cleanse
it
same Mercury
it
the aforesaid
oil
separately
will tinge.
parts,
Take of
in
Another Method.
Luna pounded with the same quantity of sal ammoniac.
or four times.
Then wash the sal ammoniac from it. Drive
calx of
Sublimate three
parts.
salts.
fire,
and you
will
have mercun*-.
326
77/1';
Augment.
Take
of corporal
Make an amalgam
When
it
it
it is
augment
fixed,
Afterwards augment
eight days
fine Sol or
in
rectified is the
it
common mercury
with
again,
it
Do
best).
this continually,
and
in
in
it
Imbibe
produced.
cinders with
powerful
in aquafortis,
fire
them
place
little
it
a glass cup in
in
a small augment.
witli
oil
will
if
be
and pulverise
and an
a cellar,
.\ftorwards subject
to a
it
well.
Reduction.
Take
of
Minium one
part.
Then
part.
away
the regulus.
quantity as
find at the
Put them
of vitriol.
Next
Inject calx of
previous recipes.
Place on
and
any metal.
sal
dung
Stir,
ammoniac
thirty days,
in
in
a phial,
and leave
the
same
and you
will
Take
of Sal
Pound
well
ammoniac an equal
together in a glass.
quantity.
Let
it
be well luted.
Put
Thus it will
Kindle a mild fire beneath.
in carcUcit, in warm sand.
become one (solid) mass. Remove this pound it small and put in a damp
compartment to dissolve. Afterwards take of filings of Luna one marc. Put
This also becomes water. Coagulate on soft ashes, and reduce
it in water.
it
to
powder, of which
inject
of crude Mercury.
Mercury of
Jupiter.
Manual 0/
d-"/
31.
3 s.
The amalgam, if kept at a moderate temperature for eight days, changes into
a brown powder, which becomes the finest gold. Add to it half-an-ounce of
common Mercury. Again let it stand for eight days, when again it becomes
a brown or a red powder, and so on with common Mercurj-. The case is the
same for Luna, and for Mercury of Jupiter with Luna. The whole process
must occupy eight days.
Note.
Dissolve Luna
cined tartar.
may
that none
in
any quantity of aquafortis, and in vinegar dissolve calthe two solutions properly together, in such a manner
Afterwards pour
run over.
Set
wards put
in
Then pour
it
in
dung
horse
an (earthen) pan
into a phial,
becomes inodorous.
it
till
it
Then
After-
Precipitate to the
cook thus
let it
it
let
it
collect.
CoRPOR.\L Mercury.
Mix.
of two fingers.
Extract
ascends
will
the
humidity
to be put in
is
to the height
Put into a glass well luted, and leave to putrefy four weeks.
from
warm
Sublimate
it.
the
water, vinegar, or
oil
remainder.
Whatsoever
have Mercury.
Oil of Tartar
Take
of calcined tartar.
is
Produced as Follows.
Pour upon
it
the quintessence.
until at last
no more
Allow
oil
it
to
remains
in the faeces.
sal alkali,
dissolved therein.
it
through the
and coagulate.
it
may
be
Afterwards take
some sal ammoniac and twice that quantity of Mercury sublimate. Pound
them together, and place them over a glass slab to dissolve. Afterwards take
Place the glass in the
the water thus dissolved, and pour it into a glass.
You must
bath of Mary, that the aquosity may be consumed and vanish.
then test
it
Afterwards place
therein leaves of Sol, Luna, Venus, Jupiter, or Saturn, for the space of an
ordinars- dav.
It will
328
Mercury of Saturn.
Take
ammoniac half-an-ounce
of Sal
manipulum
Calcined alumen
of Sal
c
01
Mix
together.
all
on the
top.
Then
will
it
Set in
-natter
become Mercury.
Another Method.
Take
until
S.\LT of
Take of the
and Quicksilver
fire,
and smear
it,
will
it
the humidity
until
fire
come
forth.
urine of a
a slow
set over
departs.
urine.
Then
resembles a paste.
it
man who
Then you
faeces.
of the water of
will
distil it
have the
salt of
life,
In
Pound
more the
Pound with a
calx.
little oil of
it
Afterwards
tartar,
better.
and
it
the water of
distil
will
water of
life.
life
Let
it
from the
become Quicksilver.
down
Luna
Pour
in aquafortis.
Take one
to the bottom.
in sal
ammoniac.
may
evaporate.
will
descend.
And
that
Drive
it
by descent,
all
Ammoniac
Calcined Saturn
?i.
ii.
Manual of
upon
Mercury
tl
distil
Collect
329
Afterwards place
the vinegar.
ascend.
will
warm
Set in a
fire,
where-
and use
it,
Pour
in aquafortis.
Do
it.
Then
this thrice.
let
it
spirits.
Put
dry.
with
it
same weight of four salts in a cellar to dissolve until it will not melt any
more. Then put in a glass.
Leave it to putrefy for four weeks. Then strain
it off, like an aquafortis.
Whatever remains behind dissolve again on the
stone, putrefy, and strain as before
reduce the residue, and then take the
the
following salts
Oil of Salt Alkali
Oil of Tartar
Common
Oil of
Ammoniac
Oil of Sal
Pour
Then
together.
all
'" -^l"^'
Salt
it is
proportions.
prepared as above.
by
sal
ammoniac
decocted
in
when
in
it
will
one day.
Another Method.
Take Luna or
and dissolve
in aquafortis
out of one part of Mercury, one part of saltpetre, and half a part of ?
bottom
at the
one part of
tartar
and
sal
may
float
same
water of
The
fire, let
living
When
life.
time, dilute
it,
and
let
over the
oil.
ammoniac.
distilled
dried at the
it
an
made
Then
in the
like
dung
in
of
it
the water of
life
or in a bath.
Then
be distilled, so that
Afterwards leave to
three fingers.
Augment
will
Lun.a by
in
fire.
Count Willi.\m
in
Sager.
of
6,
of
n, and of
them.
so that
it
fro,
(the sand)
may
whereupon there
same from
its
and although a
Thus out
melt.
will settle
it
sal
Add
Set
it
powder out
in
warm
of
sand,
Stir to
and
Cleanse the
silver
of ever}- metal
Make
impurity with
little
ammoniac.
330
Pour upon
a glass.
Put
Then extract
Afterwards take two parts
in the
it
it
Pound
of sulphur
[the original
made.
is
the water
all
it
in oil
as
fire,
of tartar, accord-
do not burn.
the water.
aquafortis upon
Let
it.
Then excoct
and place
of calcination, that
fire
equal quantities.
in
hot
Take
Take
Set
Perlute well.
is,
in
in
and verdigris
vitriol, saltpetre,
in
to powder.
glow
Mary, or
it
it
to
may
it
and
find
To pour on
Take of
-
of
of
Make
Saltpetre
A
Alumen andJ o
Sal Ammoniac
Alumen Plumosum, half a pound.
,
/'
-'
moisture.
its
of
oil
of calcinated
oil
vitriol,
oil
two pounds.
of
vitriol,
extracted by descent,
explained above.
it
dissolve in aquafortis.
may
water as to look
night
become thoroughly
boiling wine.
Inject
about
for eight
pour
Luna
and put
it
will
ascend
in oil
in
it
will
Take
in ashes.
it
Bviij.
Thus
in
-i- ),
of
Distil
dissolve
which must go
Give
of tartar.
over the
this
day and a
Take
this solution
days to putrefy.
for a
be dried.
will
siiij.
Leave
Leave
like
over.
salt.
it
a vehement
fire.
Then
fail,
there will be
produced Quicksilver.
fifth
tartar, dissolve,
filter,
Then cause
fire,
and into
lliis
oil
place
A
calx of the
Manual of
Then
Sun or Moon.
331
will
be
us.
Otherwi.se.
Make an
two ounces of
When
ammoniac.
sal
Then
of this
this
aquafortis.
Dissolve
dissolve
it
After this
aquafortis.
in
put the aquafortis into a cucurhite, which must be well sealed up.
Next
Sun or Moon
Leave
water.
it
Luna
when washed
Dissolve
in
at the
let
until
the
will
in the said
it
be Quicsilver.
and
water, and
the
in
oil
of tartar, dry
thrice.
Next place
will
remain
it
float
-1-)
.Afterwards place
(fixed),
it
may
again.
to
of the Body.
ammoniac
skewer
Then
bottom.
ammoniac.
it
it
in
in sal
as you know.
Mercury
calx,
it,
the water.
in
distil
Leave
it,
the
Let
oil
it
of tartar, that
it
Then pour out the black oil of tartar, and pour another above.
Do as
and repeat the process until the oil of tartar becomes clear. Pour out
the oil, and place the calx of Luna in a glass with a long neck.
Pour over it
equal quantities of sal ammoniac, oil of tartar, and vinegar.
Leave them to
day.
before,
wash
it
Place
it.
the tigillum
it
be
it
in
there will
the matter,
Next
filled.
set the
is
water,
as explained below.
imbibe
Then take
Moon.
and cover
until
salt of the
Distil the
Thus
.Also,
common Mercury.
And
Make
amalgam with
an
you
until
will see
it is
Let
Mercury ascending.
fixed
Notice.
stand by a slow
Make
it
fire
revivified
Mercury.
Fix
it,
Then
fresh
infinitely.
Also.
Invariably place a
and
revivified
Mercurv.
little
dissolved
Luna between
332
Vitriol
and
Make aqua
a
be
If there
Dissolve
fortis.
and Luna
salt,
little
is
Take
Dry
Moon.
much
Collect
will
powder emerges.
to
it
Then you
of calcined
first,
it
into the
wood
Afterwards
e.o:_g
of the ash.
Subject
it
to a slow
fire until
a white
Inject
a black
as you like.
Place in a cucurbite.
ascend
Close perfectly.
fire until
it
Let
the calx.
in
it
Then vinegar
as aqua fortis.
as
Place
much
of Luna, as
five
of the
filings
it
tartar.
distil
in
precipitated.
what you
will obtain
Digest
it
until
it
becomes
desire.
over
it.
may
and there
will
Pour
fiercely boiling
water
reduce again
Otherwise.
Take Luna dissolved in aqua fortis. Then dissolve tartar into vinegar in
the same quantity as Luna.
Pour the two solutions together by drops, lest it
should crackle. Gently extract the moisture. Then extract from it a strong
Mercury of the Moon. Thereupon, a greyish powder attaches itself thereto.
Take it, and rub with oil of tartar in your fingers, and it becomes living
Mercury.
Otherwise.
much
and there
is
adhesive
tincture.
Take them
is
out, dry,
Let
and sublimate.
produced.
Mercury.
Take Mercurj- seven times sublimated and revivified, as you know, and
Supply the same with leaves of Luna to devour.
place in a warm stove-bath.
A
When
may
3.
its
if
oil.
is
the medicine
collocated the
it
Thus, also,
hot bath.
is
it
in the
digest well in
coo
totally
cause
the said
it
Manual of
with incombustible
this
oil,
and
its
virtue will be
augmented.
infinitely
it
in filling
a strong
vessel to the top therewith, the head of the vessel being closed with salt, lime,
underneath
it
differ
it
it
Dissolve
in
is
and
it
in
will
it
it
into
silver.
it
a long-necked vessel.
Mercury crude,
Jupiter
Pound together
as you
The crude
Mercury
Body of
Jupiter
Mercury
subl.
know
.Afterwards increase
all
will
these.
part,
Common
Make an augment,
gj.
Sij.
Preserve
Take of Lunaj.
iiij.
parts each.
Apply
at first a
it.
Oil of Arcanum.
Take some honey with juniper and celandine.
of flax
it
sal
Let
Mercury of
fire.
will
sal
Take
slow
and you
Place the
it,
entirely distil
extract
Lr.vA.
Then
aquafortis.
is
Melt
melts quickly.
equal
This
Luna
in this
and
like lead,
Mercury out of
Dissolve
Then
magnje mirandse.
334
Let
let
Take
of
Lime Calx
c
II
Egg cu
Shells
each of them
j.
each
lb.
Ib.j.
'
Nitre
Colcotar
Alum
Ib.s.
i-
each.
Crude Tartar
Antimony
and renew the prescription
Distil
of
oil
Afterwards take of
thrice.
the bottom,
Ib.ij.
of
oil
this
lb
Let
j.
.Afterwards take
all
xiiij
Ib.j.,
five
Let
Ib.j.;
Of
filter,
Of
times fused.
parts of
j.
is.
oil
oil
as
much
as there
all
and
alcali of
let
it
become a red and very thick oil, gilding all things, and everywhere making
marvellous ingress and tincture of the Sun.
But this is not yet perfected.
In order to strengthen
spirits
dry into
it,
it
by the
distillation of the
alembic these
Take
Do
this
will
remain, which
thrice
of
will
it
Mercury from
Ib.j.
quart.
\
Salpetre
Calcined .Xlinn
lb. j.
each.
of each.
of alcali of tartar.
oil
of
ammoniac,
j.
Colcothar
Water
Take
of .\ntimony,
it
and sublimated
oil
sal
of the salt
Then take
exceedinglj'
Correct and
gentle
fix
fire,
very
into
many
a stone.
times.
stone of tincture.
.Also let
it
Imbibe
this
with
water of eggs.
when you
will
Imbibe
oil
of the
A
arcanum, so that
all,
because
Manual of
may become
it
red
for this
is
335
an arcanum not
known
to
it
Notable Elixir.
Take
solve
Ib.s.
seven times
it
and desiccate.
then frequently
drj-
of atrament.
With
Afterwards congeal
Ib.j.
water of pomegranates.
in
this
ammoniac
in
water
One
ashes to the
in
Dis-
elixir.
will
Take
half a
j.
part,
part.
Pound as many
times,
solid substance,
when
it
will
become
silver,
Another
Elixir.
bal
Imbibe
all
ammoniac
Ib.j.
"j
"
Ib.s.
each,
top as
much
wax.
Place
in
warm horse-dung
Afterwards take
it
out,
and you will find the whole dissolved into water. Take this water and distil
through the alembic,
Next put the water thus purified in a small vessel.
Then devitreate and place over cool ashes leave it there till it is converted
;
into a plate,
j.
fire.
It
is
upright and
Note.
the
Water of eggs distilled seven times, and sulphur imbibed therewith over
stone make it fixed and fluxible
thereby Mercury will be congealed.
;
Take some
them
in
crucible.
it.
boys' urine.
Over
that
This having been effected, perfectly close the glass crucible with another
crucible by luting
fire
for
it
so that the
it
escape.
Then
place by the
undergoes increment.
Place them in
Also lute the tigillum thoroughly, and place on the furnace for three hours.
336
any
Ihere
test.
mav
is
particiilaribus, in
Notable Elixir.
Take
of Mercury
ounces.
ij.
Jewish stone
ammoniac
Sal
salt
Antimony
Pound each separately and mix. Set
Mercury on the
in
in
top.
,^
'-
Common
perfect Luna.
Removal of Copper.
Take of Oil of tartar 1
Arsenic
Place over
fire in
Pound
one mass.
a slow
j.
the cinders
and dissolve
in
it
of which elixir
fire,
in
it,
part whitens
j.
Congeal
vj.
it
cause
will
it
of copper, and
Leave
it
as
Mix
it
much
of
filter.
Place
as you like,
two days.
Afterwards
become blood. Distil through the
to stand for
will
it
alembic, and you will find at the bottom the sacred divinity.
into Sol.
of
will rejoice.
be a thin pottage.
to boil for
Ib.j.
in
and
may become
there be
If
converts Venus
It
N.B.
Malleable Mercury.
Cause sulphur
and you
out,
the
fire,
part
to boil in oil
will find
and you
will
then pour
a mass which a
Mercury.
in
hammer
be able to mingle
it
Immediately take
will flatten.
It
it
[lacuna].
Fixation of Mercury.
Take equal
compound
fixes
ammoniac, and
distilled
This
Mercury.
Note concerning a
will
Let them be
nitre.
Construct a pvxis of
iron.
When
Inject
it
Pyxis.
j.
lb.
It
of Mercury into
A
the tigillum,
of pure
lb.
j.
Manual 0/
tin,
Elixir M.\king
of
giij.
have expended
let
them be
of pure Sol.
Ij.
in
all tests.
.\n'
on the cineritium
T^'i)'!
dissolved together.
Take
Place
till
Out of
two parts of aqua fortis, and you will have the matter from gold
This is the medicine, and is called the elixir
of the usual colour and frangible.
for the sun.
Place j. part over x. of Luna, and it will be 0.
Should vou
place the first part over two of Luna, there will be aurum florenonan traniij.
lbs.
this project
scending
credibility.
W.-iTER OF Mercury.
Place
iij.
glass vessel.
Let
in
also
add
Then take
water.
and put
with
Ib.ij.
in Ib.s.
Ih.s.
ammoniac
this in
Mercury, which
oil.
in
a luted
Take
that
One
will
part changes at
test.
True
Take
dissolve
j.
standing every
parts of sal
iiij.
it
Elixir.
Ib.j.
ammoniac.
of sal
Keep
strongest vinegar.
Place
that which
cucurbit
in
is distilled.
fire
it
be sublimated.
decalcine.
into
distil.
at the
in
bottom
due fashion.
part changes xxx. parts of Venus, which passes through every test.
For Lu\.\.
Take of Arsenic
1.
lb.
J.
each.
'
Tartar
Living calx
_,
Prepared
)
,
salt
quart.), each.
Let them be pulverised and placed in a luted vessel over a slow fire.
.Afterwards break and collect the powder.
Next dissolve j. lb. each of Luna and
Venus. Also project 3s. of this powder, and it will be good Luna.
Take of
Mercury
"!
Calcined Luna
i-
Ib.j.
with a slow
in
fire,
a glass vessel.
Afterwards place
in cucurbit
and
distil at
338
Then
shall
if it
it
distilled,
add
it its
imbibed or
you
distilled, or
stable
One
and permanent.
part of
it
may
it
ammoniac be consumed.
of sal
till iij.lb.
crystal plate
tinges 1,000 of
be thrice
Afterwards
Venus
is
into Luna.
To REMOVE Venus.
Take
iiij.
parts of
of tartar, and
oil
oil
Afterwards dissolve
elixir part
ol
Imbibe
j.
Make Luna.
j.
vj.
parts
Let there be
and
part
j.
each.
Alcali of soot
Crude tartar
-'
Luna.
For Luna.
Take a
Mercury
set
in
on the
and
fire for
one day, or
at the
next
until
let
The smoke of
make ij. [sic).
Ib.j.
of purged
Luna.
will be natural
it
Afterwards
Afterwards take of this Mercury one half ounce, and project over
Venus, when
Also suspend
be everywhere luted.
Take
Vitriol
Crocus of Mars
j.
part each.
Flower of Copper
)
Prepared sal ammoniac.
Prepared haematite.
Dissolve
is
consumed, and
it
duced.
iij.
Congeal
of Luna.
it
with a slow
fire.
in
it
is
damp
cellar.
Afterwards take
It
Luna
will
a glass
ij.
or
Cement.
Salpetre,
j.
in
gold.
Take of Antimony,
in
Afterwards set
becomes a powder.
Ib.j.
Ib.ij.
Calcined tartar,
Ib.j.
Manual of
part over
of pounded
(otherwise
tin),
be melted.
let it
Ib.j.
in flux (of
339
and immediately
very red, one
it is
Venus perhaps).
Oil of Antimony.
Antimony converted
into
oil in
Take equal
OF
Fix.\TioN-
quantities
Waxen
a strong
has dried
it
it
and sulphur.
become aquafortis.
bodies with Mercury will remain in the
it
if it
all
Afterwards
let
it
in
weight, and
it
be redder
will
is
red water.
it
and when
Rectify Mercury.
life.
petre
Make
nitre.
it
sal
boil,
it
rubified.
it is
To Perm.\nently
Take
Let
Make
lixivium.
salt-
further coagulated
If
Luna permanently.
Projection of Luna.
Take of Cadmia
Salpetre
Melt
in luted tigillum
5j.
>
Calcined alum
each.
'
Note.
Oil of iron colours citrine, the oil of chalybs red,
Best
in
Calcined tartar
>
Sublimated salmiax
'
water together
Then
equal quantities.
afterwards
let
them
all
metals.
red.
Bor-j^x.
Take Alum
tightened bag.
boil
in
let
You
alcali.
will
subsequently have
Perpetual Augment.
Take
j.lb.
a cupel on a slow
fire
lute
it
it
is
dried up.
well,
matter,
an amalgam, place
in
and
eggs
will find
stand
it
in
a slow
fire
until
it
purged gold
be fixed.
of
may
suff"er it to
when you
iiij.lb.
evaporate.
until
Make
salt.
Pound
is
of fixed
fire
cook
Afterwards
Take out
this well
the
add
as above, and
X2
340
and
to evaporate, as before,
on
set
it
for ever.
Take
the matter
oil
of
Add
by descent
distilled
is
Another.
To reduce
Cause
paste.
it
let it
become a hard
Water
of Nitre.
in
equal quantities.
'
Place
in
let it
cineritium.
Mix together,
lute
evaporation
to dissolve.
fire,
so that
ammoniac
again pour on
The
is
it
warm
water, and
it
warm
will
water.
Afterwards
Mercury over
Next, cause
calx will then arise from the Mercury, and the Mercury will
like
snow.
Perform
this
let
the sal
Dissolve each of
of this powder.
these by itself in aquafortis, and afterwards abstract the aquafortis. Place the
and so again,
etc.
Do
it
will
it
be a hard stone.
in the
Do
Let
it
in
this three
;
Also, over
be projected
in
then
Mars
flux.
Also that powder fixes Mercury which has been coagulated without metal.
Manual of
34
Note.
Take
Saltpetre
Alum
Sal Ammoniac
Make
equal quantities.
in
'
silver,
and
will
it
be a gold colour.
Projection of Luna.
Take
of Burnt .'\lum
-j
Ammoniac
Sal
Red
of
Cause them
eight ounces.
Vitriol
Jaspis,
Jiiij.
Take
to melt together
much gold
over
gs. of this
in
Fixation of Cinnabar.
Take Cinnabar
"|
Litharge
Antimony
3J.
Arrange
Place
by a slow
it
but finally
each.
'
make a
in layers
with Luna.
a wind furnace.
Production.
Granulated Venus
sumed
in the fusibilum,
of Venus.
j.
part each.
when
con-
it is
Do
Melt again.
and
Take
it
will
Note.
I
have written as
many
praises of this
powder as
could.
Also.
Take equal
Make
Take Haematite
c
Sal
1
Ammoniac
(Oh
Evaporated Vitriol
Bolus Armenus
Alum
each.
)
Saltpetre
plates of them.
...
111"'
each.
[
>
^^'
Tutia, id parts.
-^z
342
Make
Luna
tigillum
and you
A Iche^nical
in
and
will
in
Writings of Paracelsus.
Afterwards take
three parts of
Luna
Sun
in all
Make
Place
this
Then take
your operations
well weighed.
of vitriol.
Distil
it.
Thus arrange
have the
j.
a thrice-devitreated jar.
lb.
and
in aquafortis,
Perlute the
cement
this
it
thrice,
gold
will
vt'ith
be con-
When
Take
Vitriol
Saltpetre
Alum
Sj.
It
Sol.
Albatio Bambergensis.
Take any quantity of Jupiter, and the same of living Mercury. Make an
amalgam. Then take sulphur if for the red stage, or arsenic if for the white,
and sal ammoniac, all in equal quantities. Pound thoroughly. Place in a
Sublime for half a day with a slow fire, afterwards with a
whole day, next with an exceedingly strong one for two days.
Then take what is sublimated, and set apart. Let that which has not been
sublimated undergo a further process. Then sublime the same from salt well
well-luted vessel.
it
Venus
it
will
into best
Burn with a
fierce fire,
so that they
may be
melted together.
times, and
luted.
parts of these
Take two
becomes as snow
Luna.
it
it
becomes
Note.
Sublime Mercury sublimated from Saturn
it
makes
Fixation of Luna.
Imbibe cinnabar with
borax, and immediately in
oil
coloritio.
it
with
Sublimation of Mercury.
dissolve as much Mercury as you please. Then
which
Take
add the same quantity of common salt. .Abstract aquafortis through the
an
alembic. Then increase the fire, so that the Mercury may be sublimed
aquafortis, in
fire
Manual of
343
Fixed Luna.
Let Luna be cemented for six days
further affected by aquafortis, and
crocus of Mars.
in
Let
not be
it
it
Take Mercury
Borax
Impaste properly together
takes place
this
which
also in the
first
Mercury
the
until
completely invisible.
is
process
then cool.
You
is
par. vj.
Jiiij.
Luna you
will then
will
Fulminate that
Sol.
Repeat
this until
it
afterwards take
Pound
in
it
in
fire,
iiij.
Then take
equal quantities.
Put
filter, etc.
.-Mso
it
warm.
in
it
pound
Then a
tincture
the tincture.
Blow strongly so
may make
its
way through.
Notice carefully.
Fixation of Luna.
Dissolve eight ounces of
to this calx the
Luna
in aquafortis.
Afterwards congeal.
Sublime 15 times, as
Afterwards
all
it
stands
oil
in
that
is
there
is
Add
imbibed.
Luna
to the
cement.
of earth and
fill
it
Put
with Mercury.
it
itself.
Over this
Next
Saturn and Mercury project fixed borax with saltpetre into the tigiilum.
This
Water
Luna.
of Mercury.
Take equal parts of tartar and mercury, sublimate thrice, and pound on
marble. Then dissolve. The metal is dissolved in that water in one hour, but
the matter
is
Luna equal
to be distilled in water.
Dissolve
parts.
it.
in the
aforesaid water.
this
drops.
it
will
Repeat
liquid remains.
become
Replace
milk.
Coagulate
this
it
this,
distil
Place
it
on a slow
and make
part each
in turn
it
in the
two or three
^/'^
344
project
every
it
test.
is
it
powder, project
become
it
red.
Secret Note.
Take filing's of Venus and put them in wax for three days and nights.
Take one pound thereof, four of vitriol, and five of sulphur.
Mix
lute
between two bricks in a carefully watched furnace, and note the result.
;
oil,
and
will
it
become
fixed.
It
oil.
RUBIFICATION.
Take
and pound
vitriol
consistence of a paste.
the other.
dung and
thing
small on marble.
it
Put
gravel.
it
in
and
vitriol,
Imbibe
it
dishes, one
lute
done.
is
The Purification of
Project three or four times over
oil
Tin.
of tartar.
Note.
Oil of tartar
is
that which
in
made
is
it, it
For Broken
Take
coal
sal
ammoniac, place
it
for
common
use
but
if
a plate of
becomes white.
Coins.
in
fire.
olive
that the
over a slow
process
is
and quicklime
Mix these so
Distil
oil
fire
in
oil
shall float
and
let it cool.
not complete.
Repeat
until
it,
and,
if it
salt.
finger.
burns, the
it is
made
Fixation of Mercury.
Sublimate with quicklime until complete.
For Gilding.
Distil the
and
yolk of eggs.
It is
oil
Manual of
345
Sal Ammoniac.
Take one pound of sal ammoniac, pour on it acetum and wine, distil by
means of a filter, and add ten pounds of sublimated dung. Set it to boil,
when it will be desiccated. Pour urine on it again until a twentieth part of it
is consumed.
Then add pure water and dissolve. Take the clear water and
lay aside the dregs.
Boil
sun or
in the
in
shade.
Sal Borax.
Take
calcined
Pour on
tartar.
straining-bag until
upper part
the
warm
it
water.
clarified.
is
salt
dissolved in water, add one part of this, and afterwards boil in an iron dish
until
it
is
Then
thickened.
Thus you
friable.
will
it
becomes
in glass.
Another Method.
Take
common
of prepared
and
Set to cool,
Sift
by means of a
distil
salt.
filter,
it
is
afterwards
let
it
boil until
Take one
two
Of
parts, pulverise
and
boil
until
thickened.
Set
it
in
this
mixture take
a glass vessel to
Sal Borax.
Take
Calcined Tartar,
lb.
Quick Lime,
ij.
Wood
lb.
Ashes,
lb.
Crude Tartar,
Prepared
Boil
all
together,
distil in
filter,
i.
j.
i\.
lb.
Common
and coagulate.
Thus
is
obtained excellent
borax.
Lazurium.
Take one
mercurj'.
smoke ascends
Take
part
of sal
then leave
lapis lazuli.
oil
of laurel.
.-Vnother
Take
sal
ammoniac and
Then gradually
Finally,
you
it
until a purple
off.
in
increase
pulverize
Method.
it.
.Amalgamate
will discover
to the
half parts
smoke
of citron
this
wood
afterwards diminish.
Another.
346
Flos Aeris.
Take
desiccate,
filings of
Mix them
ammoniac.
sal
together,
Take sulphur, dissolve one part thereof and two parts of mercury. Cool
them, place them in a glazed vessel, and sublimate.
First of all a purple
smoke ascends, and afterwards a red one. Then cease.
To MAKE Marble.
Take quicklime and extract the lixivium with wine. With this
pounded flint. Forthwith it is susceptible of colour.
imbibed
is
calcined and
Take
lime of
of
flint
and
Add
much
as
salt as
finally
oil.
Factitious Corals.
Take
of
parts,
Form and
suff.
dry.
it is
fine
friable.
spittle.
powder, either
in the
fire,
as
please.
of
Take mother
crystal, pound
Afterwards
boil
Afterwards dry
Another Mode.
wash it well. Then take
for three
the
thoroughly
in the sun, or
in
linseed
over a
oil,
and
same quantity
Shape and
dry.
fire.
and keep
in a
closed vessel.
Afterwards desiccate
Thus Luna
will
it,
be produced.
RUHV.
Take
4lb.
atramentum.
of strongest
acetum, not
distilled,
manner of
and
in
it
put
one
of
A
very strong
so that
fire,
Mars.
it
Stir
Majiual of Paracelsus
may
spirit
tlie
Take
ascend.
347
in
it
the Great.
it
filing of
Set
fire.
apart to stand and you will see a pellicle form and float on the surface.
surface
Then take
it
stir
into a
in fresh
it
before.
Afterwards dissolve
in aquafortis,
One
Sol.
and put
again dissolve and calcine as above, and repeat this process three
times.
Do
is
acetum as
Then
side.
matter, which
this
on one
it
part
tinges
Luna
to
Take
half a
purifies metals
Water
Take
vessel,
of sulphur and 4^
lb.
and put
a
to
of Sulphur.
lb.
of saltpetre.
in the
with 3
this
oz. of
pure water
red colour,
into
the
AURUM MUSICUM.
Take
of
no
comes
dirt
sal
at the
first
Then
off.
sulphur each
of
.Afterwards wash,
pulverise.
until
and
tin
dry.
as before.
amalgamate, and
full.
Then
Heat
it
in
place
it
in
a well-luted phial,
until
you
smoke ascend.
Wonders
Take antimony and
fortis.
Dissolve
it
itself.
Then
will
proportion
part,
ammoniac.
it,
one-third
it
of one
in
purify
it
of Antimony.
Afterwards make aqua-
be an
part
oil
and
it
will
be
the
silver
test.
348
The Virtues of
Whoever
a rag placed
in
it
burns
it
like a candle,
is
Water.
this
burnt as by a
and
is
In like manner,
light.
Augmentation.
Make an amalgam
Take equal
lime.
and
let it
Then
fill
Afterwards
let it dissolve.
On Red Venus.
Take
Pour
acetum.
You
it
let
it
shape wherever
it
can be poured.
Make
if first
It
imbibed with
will
oil
Pour
easily-
of tartar.
Take
water of
filing
sal
The Devil
Dissolve,
fix,
in
Alchemy.
Take pounded sulphur, pour on it acetum and wine, let it boil for a dav,
and skim it. Then pour in urine and boil for two hours. Do this until it
Whatever body there is does not float in the urine, but the
ceases to froth.
urine
is
clear
and
it
Heat
it
as before
it
in
draw
aside.
Secondly, heat
Next, pound
snow storm.
it
becomes White.
Pour acetum upon
it
it
with
Then
Manual of
Oil of Vitriol.
Take as much
bright green
it is
oil,
like in its
vitriol
and
is
as you
and
will,
distil it
349
'
But
by descent.
renders a
It
it
fire
nature to balsam.
Another Method.
with an alembic over a very strong
Distil vitriol
nights.
Let
Afterwards
it
distil five
its
fire
for three
days and
is
produced.
it
as aforesaid.
distil
Let
it
be cemented well,
distil
by a
and coagulate.
Another.
Take
them in a
urine, quicklime,
and
salt
do as before, and
it is
and coagulate.
Then put
boil.
Place again
in the vessel,
suffice or not.
it
Fusion of a Marchasite.
II
of Luna,
of Venus.
Alkali
Take wood
of Venus, and
iiij.
is
made thus
and coagulate.
for
the salt itself and of pulverised Mars, equal parts, and sublimate.
Crocus of Mars.
Take aquafortis, not too strong. Place it on filings of Mars
some days. Then heat it over a coal fire and it is made red.
Another Method.
Take Antimony, filings of Mars, and crude
together, and a good crocus is produced.
tartar.
let it
stan^
Dissolve them
350
Saltpetre.
of
Take quicklime and warm water. Stir for six days and distil by means
until it is consumed and you will have saltpetre.
Place it in
a filter.
and
is
ammoniac, and
of alum, sal
acetum over a
fire
equal
tartar,
Put
parts.
in
good
it
over a
fire
and
let
it
in
it,
and sprinkle on
Then pour
melt.
it
and you
into a fusibulum
will
gold or Luna.
Item.
Take one
part of saltpetre
with
copper as above.
Water
Take two
of Gradation.
Distil.
Fixation of Mercury.
Take a
vessel, in
Heat
coagulated mercury.
stiff.,
and
the middle of
in
and
will
it
be fixed.
it
and
over,
it
will
The Fixation of
Take
oil
.'Xrsenic.
Imbibe with
Heat
be coagulated.
When
the
off.
Gilding.
Stamped monej^ is
remains for some time.
entirely
gilded
the juice
in
of
the
aurearia
and
Cement.
Take
Vitriol,
Sal
j.
part.
Ammoniac,
Verdigris,
"j
>
Alum,
ij.
parts each.
Saltpetre, \ part.
Pound
in
an iron mortar.
gives a great
layer with Sol.
smoke
It is
Mix over
coals
is
desiccated,
will result.
make
It
layer on
Manual 0/
35
Fixation of Saltpetre.
Take
Distil
Take
When
of this saltpetre
becomes
the saltpetre
consumed,
.-^dd
wards pour
it
Then
it
Take one
will
through antimony as
Luna
be
let
it
the
the saltpetre
let
it
into
it
After-
and white.
fixed
Mercury, put
is
be fulminated.
in
done.
be consumed as before.
Take equal
them
is
part.
fire until
necessary, and
is
and two
part of this
parts of quicklime.
it
Boil
like.
continually
stir
it
will
be
coagulated as Venus.
in
Take two parts of antimony, and two parts each of vitriol and saltpetre.
Pound well a moderate weight of filings from the metal, and cement over a
slow fire for about an hour. Then let it be heated for 15 hours, and afterwards fulminated.
It will
cineritium.
Take antimony
ceeds a red
oil
5. j.,
From
this pro-
or more,
one
finger.
fire
and
let
it
venes.
it
cool.
etc.,
Let
will
it
stand until
become red
Place
What
it
again
it
may
an alembic and
This
Afterwards take
like blood.
in
float
is
distil
it
until
a tincture, and
is
it
is
fire
and
352
Pound them
salt.
of Luna.
fire
Afterwards place
cement
for i8 hours
Take
of this
together.
in
Luna
colour
Its
is
them
fortis,
on the
it
is
a fixed
water into
dissolved
it
Luna and
fixed arsenic.
whereupon
in
it
its
This
Mercury
fixed
now
Dissolve
boil until
it
in the lixivium,
grows
Above
sides
all
3^.
to Sol.
it
became
fixed.
In this water
afterwards
placed calx of
of Mercury.
with the same
5.,
place
them
Let
it
Water
quantity of saltpetre.
be sufficient for
It will
Next
remains
red.
What
tincture.
Then
glass below.
until
primal matter.
Water
it
it
Thomas Aquinas.
became a stone of
Take of
all
in
oil
St.
on
making
fire,
it
the bottom
in
distil
lixivium and
Luna
of Sal Ammoniac.
Take sal ammoniac, the same quantity of ^g% shell, and a little acetum.
Pound these together. Dissolve them afterwards on marble and you will
have water of
sal
ammoniac.
Lac Virginis.
Take pulverised litharge, together with a sufficient quantity of acetum.
Pour it on again,
Let them boil well. Afterwards distil with a white filter.
sal
ammoniac and
and distil until the water grows clear. Then take some
anatron. Treat these in the same way, and afterwards mix them together.
Then is produced lac virginis.
Purgation of Venus after the Greek Method.
it some purified sulphur or
arsenic, until
Take
IIj.
of
Antimony
ij.
Antimony.
Aqua
Take equal
and
in
.
at
last
Fortis.
a very strong
fire.
If
you wish
to
have
it
stronger, substitute
A
alum
calcined
will
Mamcal of
and
If
aquafortis
it
let
converts
all
alone has
vitriol
metals
all
ammoniac, or common
sal
little
and then
toj^ether,
made from
Aquafortis also
it
Then you
except Sol.
353
salt.
Them.^tis.
Take of sublimated fixed Mercury two parts, of calx Luna; one part.
Pound these with water of sal ammoniac, and desiccate seven times then
;
After this
dissolve.
water
in
water
is
distil
a glass vessel.
entirely
the water by a
Set
it
in
this
For
will
for
Take one
remain.
part to a
Luna.
Sol.
of the water
place
in
of
sal
will
be
ammoniac.
Take 9
vivus,
hardened.
and you
R.^pacis.
blood
it
little
Take
to a calx,
it
with an equal
blood,
euphorbium.
Let
it
stand for
will
Calx PERECRiNORUNf, OR
Reduce
Thereupon
7.
will
and when
it
ftL^RixE Calx.
shells.
Peregrinorum.
PaPL'A TiNCTfRE.
Take
of
Wash
as you will.
in
suff.,
It
seen.
We
was placed
it
in
Alchemy.
have seen when we cemented pars cum parte, and the golden regulus
in
it
cum
But
parte.
Nevertheless
it
did
placed
fortis.
all,
or
in aquafortis.
it
in aquafortis,
We
is
least thing
remained for us
its
realgar
is
is
in that
aqua-
either nothing at
354
Set
fire
to
it
be necessary, wash
it,
)'0u
like
thus
it
of each gem.
Pulverise
it
If
be white.
will
stiff.
Take the strongest lixivium of alkali and place in it the metal for fourteen
when it will be softened. Take it out again, cool it in water, and it will
once more become hard.
Place ivory in the same way, having previously
days,
To Gild Metals.
Smear
it
a plate of Sol.
To Whiten Venus.
Take aquafortis and dissolve Luna
common salt make a pulp and desiccate
Some add
sal
in
it.
it.
it,
Take
in
it
it.
Another.
Take some
and camphor.
lixivium
Put
it
made out
in a
above.
Water
of
and
tile
If
distil
Luna
is
of Saltpetre.
This water
it.
melted
in
it
is
said to have a
and common
salt,
it
can
White.
juice of
white onions.
it
becomes Luna.
Method of Quartation.
Take one
plates
and put
let
This
test of gold.
Colouring.
Take a
acetum.
It is
and
ammoniac.
Make them
How
sal
salt water.
Let
it
Afterwards desiccate
in
dry of
it,
the Fire.
itself.
and the
Prepare
effect
is
it
care-
produced.
Manual of
When
Take a
Glass
Destroyed by
is
Fire.
eggs.
and place
it,
it
355
on the
fire.
Lute.
Take
common
salt, six
Thus
sufficient quantity.
made
is
a lute.
and a better
oil,
A
This
structible in
then smear
tartar.
and smear
in
it
is
salt.
It
is
inde-
fire.
therein,
be found.
made
is
harden
it
and white of
salt,
sufficient quantities of
Make
a pulp
Venetian glass,
and place
Glass.
pounded, and
finely
it
before the
fire
to ashes
and
of
oil
to melt.
To Make Minium.
Take
of Saturn as
and
Take of
and
let
place
it
in
it
it
becomes
this powdefi 5.
boil.
it
it,
be coloiited red.
will
it
Afterwards pound
citron-coloured.
fire,
much
It
Pour over
j.
it
linseed
place
oil,
in
it
Pour
an iron pan,
it
out and
it
becomes a red substance as thick as hepar. Put the particles into which it is
divided into an iron pan with laterine oil and boil it thoroughly for two hours.
Afterwards place it in a glass vessel on ashes for three days. Then the
sulphur is converted into an oil. Take the glass vessel again and put it
cold water for three days and three nights.
in
over a slow
fire,
water.
is
Then
changed
the
distil for
oil
Then
is
seven hours.
which
distil
will
it
Do
this
take place
by
itself
in
distil
it,
first
of
all
Thoroughly
sufficient.
to white,
aforesaid
it
first
oil
three hours.
is
complete.
Then take a
into Luna, well
plate of
Venus and
and good.
dip
If not, distil
it
again
If
until this
it
is
transmuted
Or:
Imbibe the
plate
and
it
becomes white.
Let
it
fjeces,
Y2
and
five
356
parts of Mercury.
the
Then
fire.
and you
cool,
in
in
it
Take the
and repeat the process with the aforesaid faeces. Proceed as above,
and you will find an elixir of which one part is projected on looo of purified
Of this take one part and
Mercury, and there is produced perfect Luna.
Then will be attained
fuse it with ten parts of calcined and white Venus.
Of this elixir take j. 3. and of
a perfection with which none can find fault.
crucible
Mercury
boil,
If,
Then take
the element of
fire,
silver plate,
and
will
it
in
it
the sun.
on a
Let them
4. j.
If not,
imbibe
it
of this
in
powder
again, until
it
Next take one part with two parts of live Mercurj'. Lute them
together, place them for half-a-day over a fire, and do as I before directed.
Then take and add of the fire spoken of above the same quantity as the
Mercury, and proceed as above. Once more it becomes citron-coloured and
Of this Elixir take one part to 1000 parts of the Luna which
as hard as Sol.
suffices.
has been
made from
Then
Luna
it
of
all
5.
is
ij.
the most
consummate
Elixir
Alchemy.
Take prepared
may
which
will
it
is live
Mercury.
Place over
Lute
it
closely, put
when
it
If this
on a
fire
Take
it
five of purified
when
it
it
with
Venus,
Them.\tis.
iij.
5.
Crude Atramentum,
j.
5.
ij.
Jamen Alum,
Mix these ingredients together, and
and
is
arsenic,
let
it
Put
stand
5.
j.
5.
luilil
daj'.
Open
the
box and you will find the Mercury coagulated. Pound this together with
After this
the above-mentioned water made of atramentum and alum.
proceed
as
before
for
three
hours.
in
box,
and
it
once
more
the
desiccate, place
in
of
Once again for the fourth time imbibe with the aforesaid water, and place
dung for putrefaction during five days. Then desiccate in ashes, and take
Take one part of the
this tincture one part to a hundred parts of Venus.
The
transition
i^ lileral,
is
not intelligible.
imbibe
you
desiccate,
coagulate.
357
will
Take some of this elixir, e.g^ shell, and peahen's eggs calcined. Once
more imbibe with orpiment water for ten hours. Desiccate, pound with
water of prepared
salt,
and putrefy
one da).
for
little
it
for Sol.
Mars
melt
in
White and
two
some water of
also
Red.
sal
in
fire.
of
Take
parts.
Then put
frequently.
for the
will
it
this elixir to a
Take
Live Mercury,
parts.
viij.
White Arsenic,
j.
(?
Mercury),
iiij.
parts.
parts
ij.
part.
Saturn for
five
days
in
one solution.
For
Then redden
more
Sol.
it
in the
box.
and putrefied
the
White.
Take Luna, 3
Jove,
5.
ij.5.
Saturn,
iij.5.
358
Fuse these
somewhat more,
project 5S., or
thoroughly melted.
of
little
then
have the
will
white.
Fixation of Mercury.
Take a
until
it is
a third or half
Then place
it
it
it
hot
into
sound
silver phial of
full.
among burning
like the
Heat
coals.
Continue to do
water.
salt,
in
Mercury
it
it,
this for
Then
hissing of a goose.
and place
like,
up with bread,
it
is
it
an hour, when
sufficient.
will give a
it
Take
it
out,
and
will be silver.
Augmentation of Luna.
Make an amalgam of Jove and Mercury, mix it with pounded salt, and
wash it until no blackness appears.
Take this amalgam, put it in a
sublimatory, and sublimate the Mercury from the Jove. Then take of the
Mercury thus sublimated four loth. Dissolve in aquafortis 21 (sic) crocus of
Luna, 2 16 [sic] loth, of Venus, and dissolve each separately by itself. When
all are dissolved mix the whole in one glass vessel, distil the water from the
dregs, pour over
it
wash with
Then
distil
it
common
and you
will find
sal
ammoniac
salt.
loth, of
si.x
Water
Make
it
let
re-distil
Next, dissolve
fresh water.
for Gilding.
aquafortis out of one part of vitriol, one part of saltpetre, and four
parts of alum.
In the
Re-distil.
or fifteen days.
down
Then
let
it
dry,
stir
it
briskly,
When
as the gold-
Jamen
Distil a
collect
by
itself.
this water,
When
touch the
.-Mum, ^Ib.
first it is white
and this you must
you wish to erase any writing, moisten a cloth with
letters,
At
obliterated.
Cement.
Take Reddened Vitriol
Verdigris
Burnt Brass
Sal
Ammoniac
to make
Alum,
>
'
ilb.
Each one
weight of
part.
all.
A
Make
Mainial of Paracelsus
Great.
the
359
it
in urine.
silex, calcined
of minium.
and you
will
It is
part,
Then
fire.
let it
cool of
itself,
Venus.
each,
of Vitriol, a quarter,
Then take
,,
J-lD- J5-
2.
j.
of Luna,
Melt.
ject
Afterwards sprinkle
upon
it j.
passed and
quartal.
Let
of salt
ammoniac and
Out of
made.
it is
Ib.ij.
it
Ib.s.
that
Ib.ij.
of pure salt.
desire.
it
may remain
it
will
Pro-
as a thick pottage.
then
Dissolve this
Abstract
mains everj-where.
all
tests,
drop or i\ to
2 oz.
over the
Wash
it
well.
Afterwards dissolve
fire
oil.
This
oil
is
fire
fire.
for 30 days,
Place
it
when you
Dissolve
in
in
will
an open
Mix.
Burn
like cinnabar,
Take Camphor,
Salt of Glass,
Vitriol,
Boiling Wine,
Distil, as
well.
360
Tlie
into Sol.
Then put
Boil.
in
that
vitriol,
it
will
For Luna.
human
Afterwards
boil
it
in the
blood, and
it
it
will
will
be hardened.
become good
Luna.
Take
Ib.j.
Firm Tincture.
same quantity of calx of eggs, two parts of
dew
Afterwards thrice
and you
will
distil
Decoct
of heaven.
all
these to
Perform
this
all
Take of
of Foliated Luna,
Luna
Ib.j.
j.
will
in
a phial
among
the
Pour over some of the said water made from Luna, and it will be
Continue this process, imbibing and desiccating until half part of
congealed.
ashesi
the water
fixatory.
is
exceedingly
falls
consumed
fierce,
Ib.s.
Digest slowly.
and you
On
the third
fire,
making
it
will find
will
it
be good
Luna standing
Take
of Oil, one-fourth,
of Sulphur,
Make
a hepar.
Boil
it
in
Take
Ib.ij.
Make
may
oil
bottom must be
be abstracted
afterretort,
sufficient oil.
through the
distilled
Common
5J.
Salt,
5s.
each.
J'
'
Plumose Alum,
Let these ingredients be well mixed twice or thrice and imbibed in oil of
tartar, whence will be formed a powder, which place layer by layer with Luna
in
a cementing
sublimated.
fire
and,
when
of this
this
let it
be
Sol.
Manual of
Take
Ammoniac,
Sal
Saltpetre,
Common
Prepared
361
Salt,
j.
5 each.
Verdigris,
Alum,
'^^
'^
Hfematite,
Vitriol,
Pound these together and let them be imbibed with oleum laudis ten times
or more, when they form a powder.
Place them layer by layer in the fire for
twelve hours.
Take
Vitriol,
Saltpetre,
>
each.
j.lb.
Alum,
)
Plumose Alum,
,
Calcined Alum,
,
....
each.
UIJ.5
''
'
Cinnabar,
I
Sulphur,
Verdigris,
j.lb.
Antimony,
Distil twice, that
which
is,
vj.
is
as to answer every
Fulminate
and you
Take
oil
till it
Mercury.
Take
will
test.
Fix.xTioN OF
boil
each.
lb.
and place
distil
in
through
good
filter.
Next
glass.
of very strong
dung
all
for a
may
in
Water
a Venetian vase.
cease.
Inject
will
Ib.j.
upon the
oil giij.
be converted into
Projection.
Mercury.
Of
Common
Prepared Salt,
Saltpetre,
5J.
Sal Alkali,
Albumen,
Vitriol,
Verdigris,
jiij.
Crocus of Mars,
Cinnabar,
5J.
3s.
Prepared Antimony,
gij.
5s.
Luna
of
oil.
This
is
in
oil
horse
tinges
the water of
362
Make
a powder which
Afterwards
oil
urine) of
fortis,
imbibed with
to be
is
let
it
Luna and
of
51].
jiij.
Prep.\ration of Salts.
Make
it
oil
Let
it
of tartar.
oil
Concerning Talc.
Let
talc
it
bag.
it
Afterwards
salt.
Let
Then
it
falls
Afterwards
well.
in
it
the
let
be put
it
Let
dissolved.
is
bottom.
It
common
in
be dissolved into
let it
be poured
oil.
Digestion of Luna.
Take
Saltpetre,
j
Vitriol,
'^'J-
Cinnabar,
Make
Jiiij.
a strong water.
each.
Luna, in the other cinnabar. Let them be dissolved by the addition of sal
ammoniac and then joined together. Let them be digested for fourteen days
and the matter distilled. Then let it be reduced, and you will have a double
quantity of Luna.
Each
half.
Concerning Talc.
Let
it
wards the
it
be cemented with
talc
must be
common
collected,
talc is dissolved.
It
then
It
whole day
in aquafortis.
lye,
falls in
oil.
salt a
and
let
in
After-
Let
a bag.
Dry previously
well,
likewise.
Take Antimony,
gviij.
Crude Tartar,
Common
Pound
all
Then
Take equal
in
^iiij.
until
it
jiiij.
is,
Afterwards
silver.
Manual
which dissolve of
in
one day.
aslies viij
salt of vitriol,
salt nitre,
363
j.
Make
part.
a lixivium,
j.
part
boil the
On ANriMONV.
Imbibe
tlie
mineral
Saturn.
in
When
itself.
becomes
it
scoria,
Then
evaporate.
it
will
fulminate.
Then a
is
distilled.
projected into
it.
Then
remove it
no longer
in
and
thick
Then
itself.
Grind, mix
tinges
bodies
all
it.
Fixation of .Antimony.
Take
Salt of Alkali,
Salt of Nitre,
Antimony,
Melt together, then
let
them stand
ij.
oz.
oz.
j.
lb. j.
to cool,
will
be fixed.
Take Mercury,
iv. lbs.
Antimony,
Dissolve as you
know how.
This
oil
j. lb.
dissolves metals.
Oil of Borax.
Put borax into a glass vessel and dissolve
Let
it.
it
be pulverised,
converted into an
oil
which
It
is
Oil of Gold.
Take Sulphur,
j.
part.
Quick Lime,
parts.
viij.
Distil
oil
of gold.
sal
Water
Take
any
spirit,
dissolve
it
in
water, abstract
it,
imbibe
fixed.
Another.
Take Antimony,
Crocus
Sal
01 Sulphur,
Ammoniac,
iiij.
parts.
it
thrice,
and
by an
This
is
Then take
it
will
be
364
at last dry
Abstract, and
ammoniac.
it,
fixed
distil.
Fixation ok Sulphur.
Grind
and
Put
congeal.
it
in
a vessel,
afterwards dissolve
and
lute,
water,
in fresh
third time,
common salt
common salt and
it
set
distil
it
in
the
with a
Let
fire.
filter
will
get red-hot,
it
wax.
Roman
Vitriol
Verdigris
common
Honey, and
of Sulphur,
parts
equal parts.
salt.
Alkali.
Sublimate
thrice.
This
Water
Grind
Place
it
in
it,
iij.
one part of
parts, with
sal
perhaps
would be
it
it
will
become
like blood.
If
were boiled
it
ammoniac.
Then pound
it
a lixivium
in
better.
Fixation of Sulphur.
Imbibe and dry over a slow
boil well in
Renew
clear.
Wash
ammoniac and
sulphur.
let
it
and
j.
common
salt
Then
Repeat
Then
like crystal.
of sal
this process
fire.
Distil
by means of a
parts of
filter,
and
cool.
warmed mercury
into
permanent Luna.
fire.
Take it, let it boil in alkali for one day, and be sublimated over a slow
Having done this, moisten it with acetum four times, abstract by means
of a
filter,
means
of
marble.
One
aij
Then take
part tinges
It
Let
is
it
afterwards abstracted by
be dissolved into an
three
parts
to
it
with
oil,
oil
on
and congeal.
the
properties of gold.
Take
it,
Then
it
is
salt.
Pound
whitened and
Manual of
365
Fixation of Spirits.
Take quicklime,
and
salt of alkali,
mixed therewith.
oil
imbibe the spirits with test water, repeating the process until
it
Distil,
and
melts on the
plate.
Water
of
Take
Mercur)-,
Sal
Rub
the
two together
Pound
Put
this
marc.
j.
Ammoniac,
marc.
ij.
a hard mass.
water.
Spirits.
and
this
it
will
To Fuse Bones.
Take any quantity of bones and burn them into lime. Having done this,
pound it.
Take of this Ib.iiij., of quicklime ilb.
Mix them
Afterwards dissolve some bitumen in a moderate
together in the powder.
quantity of wine, until the whole of it is melted away.
Then place the bones
therein, and stir briskly into a thick pulp.
Afterwards pour into a mould
made of paper. First, however, let it be smeared with oil set it to cool,
carefully
and
it
will be
hardened
To Make
cformPound
very
tiles
You
like ivory.
flos seris,
and
them
boil
Dry
make
and
will
it
"
in
and strain
this
Then
it
like.
let it
it
carefully.
Afterwards
be pressed on a machine,
To Colour
Glass.
Take tartar, wood ashes, and quicklime. Make an alkali from them.
Take thereof j. part, dissolve in iij. parts of colour in water (hV). Coagulate,
and again dissolve with the colour.
It will
A Method
this three
Do
Take
ij.
parts.
alkali
made from
Pound
tartar,
j.
part
Pound
is
oil
Then
sufficiently deep.
is
and mix
of tartar.
The
it
it
with a
red colour
the citron-colour
366
How
be
it
ITSELF opaque,
Take of ematite
in a
stone, very
finel)'
pounded,
may
it
Then
be alkalised.
Afterwards dissolve
in
water
in
sal
damp
Let
parts.
ij.
wood
boil fiercely
it
sprinkle over
parts each of
it iij.
imbibe again with that water, repeating the operation until the whole
into
sal
Then put it
ammoniac which
oil.
longer
for
in the oil,
When
not fixed.
is
you see
fire.
cellar,
turned
is
it
it still
the
oil itself
no
is
sal
ammoniac, both sublimated and crude, then by the sublimation of the lixivium
and the solution of the sal ammoniac it is changed into a thick oil. Then
those spirits which are not fixed are separated from
by sublimation,
separated
will
in
the
way
before
it
better,
will
then the
oil
but to
alkali,
filter
be
not
will
oil
will
ammoniac
as the sal
lixivium
Thus
it,
The
specified.
let
it
remain
in
the
It
is
oil.
Take
'\
Vitriol,
Alum,
j.
each.
lb.
'
Saltpetre,
Calcined Alum,
Calcined Vitriol,
Distil
in
Calcined Alum,
Saltpetre, i\
strong water
thrice.
-i
,,
lb.
each.
Ib.ij.
of the following
Calcined Vitriol,
Distil as
5
j
Afterwards take
strong water
J-
'b-
each.
lb.
Having done
this,
Sal
Ammoniac,
Salmiax,
j.
ij.
quarts.
quart.
Sublimated Mercury,
j.
its
Sublimated Arsenic,
j.
quart.
let
it
be hardened a
iij.
it
and dissolve
parts of Luna, or as
little
is
let
this
alkalised.
boil
in
in
much
a very
Dissolve and
Manual of
367
For Luna.
Take
Ammoniac,
Sal
Vitriol,
Rock Alum,
Salt of Alkali or Tartar,
Sublimate
in
One
a glass vessel.
Salt,
three pounds of
afterwards add
Oil of Sulphur.
Hepar Sulphur. Boil
Rubified Vitriol,
Calcined Alum,
Glass,
three days
Distil
and repeat
Mode
oil.
j.
in
quart.
j.
fire,
so that the
Re-distil
it
spirit
may
These tinge
it
a lixivium of soap
quart.
in
Ib.j.
energetically expelled.
it
Ibj.V.
V'erdigris,
for
Ib.ij.
Crocus of Mars,
Mix
effected thus
is
and Tartar.
this until
the caput
no longer burns
be
red
is
no
mortuum.
in the fire.
Putrefy
a wonderful manner.
Common
Grind to a powder.
Take
Vitriol,
Alum,
ij.
iij.
j-
P^-"'-
in
fire
for
j.
for
very strong
parts.
Salt,
fire
Common
it
in glass.
Next convert
Then take
Alum,
lb.
of each.
Vitriol,
Ematite,
Flos Aeris,
Calaminaris,
Tutia,
Cinnabrium,
Minium,
Burnt Brass,
\ oz. of each.
in
Afterwards imbibe
Salt, fused,
Salt of Nitre,
Mix
it
it
into plates,
368
Dry by
Place
last
it
the
Make
fire.
day
Luna
a graduated
in
{sic)
iij.
until
it,
it
and placed
copper
part, of
j.
of
Dissolve
iiij.
Then you
will
be hereafter described.
Take
Then take
parts.
ij.
the
Wash
in the aquafortis to
The
On
by a cineritium.
it
is
fire
{sic)
that
into a powder.
in
test.
Fortis.
Aql'.v
Vitriol,
Saltpetre,
each.
j.lb.
>
Alum,
J
Antimony, 4 ss.
Cinabrium,
Verdigris, 5
vij.
ss.
a water.
and Dragaganth.
the face therewith once. Then remove it.
Take
Oil of Tartar
it
twice or thrice.
and you
of gradation,
let
will
have gold
if it
remains
is
Dissolve in water
its
made
it
as above.
Note.
Place verdigris in ashes so that
when
vinegar,
desiccate
it
again
will
become
Tutty
is
it
may grow
manner
cf a pottage.
bottom of the
by the
fire,
as
let
Divide
it
Also take
more
5ij.
and becomes
above,
Also take
it
into
two
parts.
Wash
in
the
manner of
of Tutia,
5j-
of Verdigris,
of Vitriol, prepared as above,
Place
Take the
Thus dry twice
ceruse.
well.
let
Also
subtle portion.
red.
of cinnabar and
of crocus of Mars.
5s.
tigillum.
so that
in
made
Next
of vitriol as above.
Then extinguish
white.
red.
jj.
each
Manual of
369
Fixed Venls.
Take of
Filings of Iron,
of Antimony,
of Venus.
Let
it
Afterwards
in flux.
You
infrigidate and fulminate the king with the same quantity of Saturn.
will
nor
is
j.lb.
It
further destroyed by R.
it
it
makes no more
scoria,
red or white.
Arsenic.
oil
made.
Crocus of Mars.
Take any quantity of Mars, and the same
and become red. Let it also become sulphur,
Make
of saltpetre.
etc.
Also take
it
5J.S.
burn
of sal
ammoniac.
over
it,
so that
Next
day.
it
may
distil.
be inebriated.
Pour over
it
Place
it
in
fire.
To Soften Glass.
Take
Lybisticum.
to boil in this.
twice.
Fulminate
this
Mercury
in
Make
for
two hours.
and
lime.
Burn
Then
well.
oil
filter
of tartar.
Note.
Take equal parts of sulphur and Mercury. Form a paste like amalgam.
Then mix with salt. Let them remain in gentle fluxion for half an hour or
thereabouts.
Then burn afterwards wash. The Mercury which you find
;
until
any doubt.
it
is
burnt.
Luna without
^70
Water
of Fixation.
Ib.j.,
urine.
and
3,
j.
sal
Take of this
them well with
times.
Boil
by means of an alembic.
distil
Imbibe
therewith sulphur and arsenic, sublimate until fixed, and you will have an
elixir.
Note.
Take Cinnabar,
Ib.j.
Sulphur,
j
Arsenic,
Ib.iiij.
Calcined Tartar,
,'
same weight
in
vi'ith
as
all
Afterwards
warm, when it readily dissolves the saltnitre one part of sublimated Mercury and two parts of sulphur must be stirred continually with a
stick.
It then speedily loses its smell.
The salts are prepaped by frequently
evaporating the acetum or urine. Afterwards melt them so as to mix for four
hours over a very strong fire. Then wash and purge over ashes and you
will have the Treasure of the World.
kindle and
Reduction.
part
j.
Assafoetida,
Sarcocolla,
Oxicroceus,
parts
ij.
Wax,
Galbanum,
Dissolve the gums in vinum ardens, mix with the borax, as above, and it
If it does not melt, add more borax until it melts.
burnt at the same time.
is
Take Linseed
Oil,
OZ.VllJ.
Honey,
Yolk of Eggs,
oz.vj.
j.
,.,,,
Calcmed Alum,
Antimony and Tartar, each
quart.
,
each
..
11.
quarts.
Juniper
until the
alum,
Then
water or
oil
more reddened.
Add
iiij.
lb. J.
4.
Having done
distil.
warm
Wood,
oil
thick.
may thus be
may thereby be
oil
A
more
fixed.
It
Manual
would be
well, too,
own
its
the
more
If
Take
ingress.
it
Cement
parts.
ij.
distilling six
Let
fixed salt.
of this sulphur
and
it
nitre.
be
At
and gives
fixed,
Mercurj-
from
rectified
and
of tartar.
were previously
times.
this oil
if
371
it
j.
renders
part
it
red and
of coagulated
it
In like
the like,
to
is
prepared for
turn
It fixes
it.
and you
fire,
pure
into
will then
Luna,
Sol.
Venus, and
fixed
metals
all
Take Arsenic,
Sulphur,
each.
j.lb.
Crude Tartar,
and prepared,
Salt, fused
Ib.ij.
Then
completed.
mortuum
fire
kindle,
with
and
them
let
all.
Ib.j.
No
oil.
an hour.
melt for
it
steep frequently in
warm
oil,
and
it
will
be hardened.
Arsenicus Matellinus.
Take Quicklime,
j
Common
Salt,
Calcined Tartar,
Mix with
Make
J"
ij.
into pills,
P"
p.
and
distil
by descent.
White Cinabrium.
Take equal
parts of Alum,
Calcined Tartar,
Common
Salt,
Cinabrium.
Sublimate
white
in
of tartar
all
these.
It will
a strong capitellum
7,
you
boil
it
for a night.
It
also
becomes
Jupiter steeped in
etc.
12
oil
IT 2
For making
Note.
IS
Oil which
loth.
loth.
iij.
Aquafortis, quant,
know how.
Dissolve, as you
and
distil
Having done
ij.
and
all
which
it is
measure.
The
as possible.
projected,
By
this
and
oil will
if it
the aforesaid
loth.,
with purest
loth,
iiij.
until
x.
ammoniac.
much gold
Of this take
oil.
loth.
and
it
the whole
gold
stiff.
this, let
oil.
fortis,
it
all
tinges
metals on
it
beyond
be
will
A Wonderful Cement
Take Crocus
of Mars,
Hjematite,
Verdigris,
v.
loth.
loth.
ij.
loth.
Pulverise well and boil in a very strong lixivium for ten hours, so that
be alkalised.
Having done
into a
watery
until the
Pour the
whole matter
into a stone,
is
oil
j.
in
it
may
ammoniac
iiij.
loth.
which sublimate
of sal
loth.,
oil.
alkali ^Ib.,
it
Take this water, coagulate it afresh, dissolve it again and put it in j. quartal
When it is dissolved coagulate
of powder or j. loth, of water of ducat-gold.
it.
This stone
is
effectual in cements,
in projections.
ij.
loth.
Crocus of Mars,
Sal
Ammoniac,
Nitre,
ij.
loth.
iiij.
iij.
loth.
loth.
It
Mafmal of
and desiccate.
Boil
373
witii oil of
antimony
then
with equal parts of this powder and of Luna make layer upon layer.
done
Then
it.
it is
Having
separated by means
of successive applications of
,
Verdigris,
Ib.j.
Calcined Vitriol,
Calcined Alum,
Saltpetre,
Ib.ij.
Ib.j.
Ib.iij.
Sublimated Mercury,
Ib.^.
and there issues forth a strong red water which tinges everything
Distil,
into Sol.
Make
Take
thin
ij.
fire,
Afterwards put
fire.
loth.
plates
loth,
of verdigris,
Make
j.
Take
it
Saltpetre,
Alum,
Calcined Alum,
Cinnabar,
bulphur,
j.
White
with
lb.
make
j.
quart.
I of calcined
a graduated
quart.
Mix, and
in
Distil
again
Ib.ij.
Ib.iij.
After a
etc.,
in
aqua
is
transmuted into
oil.
Place
it
vit<E.
Make
it
vitriol
up to redness.
can be dissolved.
is
in
common
acetum, as far as
it.
That
which
is
not dissolved dissolve again with fresh acetum, as above, uniil the
whole
is
dissolved.
moisture from
it
Then
anew.
let
Then
place
it
for distillation
and you
Calcine the
will
have an
374
Over
oil.
pour the
this
rectified
putrefying.
The superfluous
and you
will
in
Pour
a bath for
The
of a
oil,
and you
have
will
in
Take
Filter, coagulate,
urine.
Take it soon
white vinegar and coagulate
of tartar.
salt
Tartar.
in cooked
Dissolve
let
dissolve in
it
oil.
into a salt.
Antimony.
Antimony ij. p.
of Fused Salt, j. p.
of
becomes white.
Next place
in
Coagulate
a glass.
it
becomes white
Then
to a
on the
refine
much
sal
Crocus of Mars.
Then distil the aquafortis from
ammoniac as
two days.
Distil
acetum
in
the solution by a
filter,
to evaporate.
Take
thence.
a
it
test.
Dissolve in aquafortis.
as
in
it
again.
Jupiter.
it.
The
fire.
ammoniac
sal
and
retires,
Water
Take crude Mercury
fire,
drops
come
will
the whole
is
j.lb.
Put
come
will
of Mercury.
it
in
a cucurbit to
Pour
forth.
this
distil
forth.
Give
distil.
back
it
a slow
two
again, and
bodies.
Note.
Take crude
Pour
its
collects
Take
tartar
and pound
it
Then
well.
faeces,
and
distil
same quantity
as red
oil.
bottom.
distil
Next put
Afterwards again
Pound
no more
much
Then make an amalgam out
sulphur into the
half as
distil.
through an alembic.
oil.
in
Afterward
it
rectify
thoroughly.
fajces
oil
it.
Then
remain at the
six times.
Luna
Then
Note.
The
is
It falls
on the bodies.
fire.
Dis-
Manual of
Water
Make an
375
of Luna.
in
a bath.
Afterwards put
If
a sand cupel
in
it
it
until
shall
all
have
passed through.
Fixation of Mercury.
the test.
You may
You
lose nothing,
and you
will
Warm
of Mercury.
Wait an hour.
Then
refine
it.
it
in
Next put
Saturn on
is
Saturn.
True Albatio.
Take
To Fix Sulphur.
Take as much aquafortis as you wish. Inject 5J. of live sulphur and the
same quantity of pulverised alum. Dissolve in water, when the sulphur will
become red as blood and fixed. This water dissolves all bodies.
Note.
Mercury
Mercury
is
is
called
called water.
Thus
Plato.
the
assistance.
Water
of
376
Fixing Salt.
Wood
Ashe.?, ^ part.
some ashes from the dregs of wine. Reduce all these to powder so that
they may become a strong lixivium.
Strain through a filter coagulate, and
-Also
you
have fixing
will
salt,
Fixing Oil.
Take
of olive
Mix
one part.
oil
all
together and
distil
the
oil
Do
from them.
ammoniac
Soft Soap.
scutellse of water, in which place one
dissolved.
Then add half a scutella and
T;me twelve
Boil until
Remove from
reduced one-third.
the
fire
and
distil
by a
until
oil
ashes.
the water
Then
filter.
evaporating over a
wood
scutella of
boil
9.
Do
to
this
is
two
by
fire.
Coagulation of Mercury.
part of Luna and five parts of purified
Mercury. Place it in a glass vessel with a narrow neck which is well smeared
below with the lute of wisdom. Place under the amalgam in the glass one
layer of salt previously prepared, and also above. Afterwards pour over it
the oil previously prepared to the height of three fingers, and let it boil over
a slow
fire
Note.
In art
we
easily fulfilled.
find
The one
is
to coagulate Mercury.
is
and
oil
if it
oil
to say, sal
is
The
in
due manner.
oil
more
But
propert}' of
be prepared
is
ammoniac.
is
only to
Hence, whoever
of arsenic
in its place.
But when a philosopher speaks of joining in matrimony the body and the
by sal ammoniac, he speaks of the oil extracted from Mercury.
spirit
Solution of Bodies.
Dissolve honey over a
fire,
Then
distil
it
tiles
Then
is
to say,
potabile.
vitriol
and
saltpetre.
dissolve
When
length
in
Afterwards take
it
Let
it
on a board.
it
it
make
to
377
a pint of good wine, and with the wine mix about a half pint of
it
good brandy.
if
NoTA Bene.
That vou may know the Recipe for Solution.
clean cloth, like ticken or fustian, as much as an ell
Take a
pour on
Manual of
Burn
it
as
tinder.
when
a cellar,
in
gamate Luna
oil
know
how.
saltpetre,
may
a tigillum,
one.
loth.,
in
be thoroughly mixed.
first
over a slow
fire
Sol
is
the
first
which
is
not altered by
fire,
nay,
But
Saturn.
Saturn
it is
it
all
it is
elixir,
bodies, and
is
improved by
which
is
fire,
and
of eternal
joined as
of
oil
After-
but with
filed,
it is.
A Noble Work.
Take Saturn and melt it. Before it hardens project an equal amount of
Mercury. Wash this amalgam thoroughly with water and salt, afterwards
Grind on a stone, and afterwards add as much sal
with pure water.
there
is mercury.
ammoniacum as
Place it in a damp, warm place.
When
it
is
entirely dissolved
Imbibe
remember
until
it
is
it is
Set
it
it
quite cold.
projected
by pounding
it
to dissolve, but
it.
Let
it
stand
Saturn.
the spirit
may
in
it
sal
Tiien the
Take bloodstone, mix it with sal ammoniac and sublimate it.
ammoniac ascends red, but the stone will remain at the bottom black.
and sublimate
The
it.
The mercury
and
in
many
will
it
red.
places throughout the latter part of the collection, seems exceedingly corrupt.
378
Note.
Calcine the cinnabar well with vitriol and
salt,
when
all
it
metal.
Note.
With regard
taken out,
it
enters
will
matters
boil the
of vitriol, and
what
to
strong
in
Add
alkali.
much
thereto as
as you like
in.
\V.\TER OF Mercury.
Take
Put together
pieces separately.
in
apply a gentle
with a coal.
Increase the
fire until it
remove
Set
it
a sand
in
it
When
Pound
Break each
each.
giiij.
a well-luted retort.
Should
Refine over.
fire.
in
Should Mercury
small.
cold
it is
still
it
remain,
all
a retort.
into
Fixation.
Take
Sulphur, part
Break up together.
out, at first
stir
Put
a cucurbit.
in
with a piece of
wood
will
it
j.
ij.
Set
in
it
sand.
then lose
its
smell,
smell soon.
its
Proof.
Set
upon a
it
Should
plate.
quantities of sulphur
not smell
it
Pound
and mercury.
fixed
it is
if it
together, as at
first,
until at is
fixed.
Reduce as Follows.
Take one
sulphur.
first
a small
Wash
fire,
the Luna.
in
it
melts.
Then separate
Saturn.
Apply at
lute.
Afterwards
let
it
cool.
in aquafortis.
White.
Take
water through a
same quantity
dry
cloth.
Afterwards take
of arsenic.
Ib.j.
let
Ib.j.
finger or two.
Set in horse
dung
in
to the height of a
out on the sixteenth day, and you will find an aqueous mass.
in cinders.
Of
this
j.
will
become
perfect.
Take
Coagulate
this
the
ammoniac be
of sal
added twice.
distil
suflficently.
Then
perfect Luna.
if
If
will
be
still
more
Manual of
2>'19
Take
Ammoniac, i
of Sal
oz.
Mercurj- Sublimate,
Then remove
same with
the
smell.
sal
ammoniac
it
hard
boiled
tgg.
of the Sun.
Paint
it
salt
as calx.
moisten
Put therein
with Mercuf}-.
quint,
into
a barrel of a pen.
Do
make under
j.
Put
in
Set
it
as
oil,
with brandy.
Oil of Vitriol.
and the
let
the
it
stand
in
putrefaction
oil
Let
vitriol.
ammoniac
acetum
Put tartar
and
in this the
warm dung
sal
for eight
days.
into
Afterwards
distil,
in
first,
of Alum,
lb.
each.
of Arsenic,
much
Make
aquafortis.
Dissolve
as you like of \'enus, and you will have silver to the quantity
of one-half.
Elixir.
Take equal
plates of them,
and Venus.
Do
Scrape
off the
green which
will
be formed there.
its effect
is
doubled
If,
too,
in
place of sal
ammonia
you added aqua foetida, that is, Mercury, and then operated, as with the water
nor can you make any
of sal ammoniac, you would certify your work
in a philosophic
being
combined
mistake on account of the metallic substances
;
way.
Note
Rubify
this well.
vitriol,
pound
it,
fire,
Another.
and dissolve it in acetum. Then sublimate sal
and add what is sublimated to the aforesaid red
380
water
Give
equal weight.
in
will be
coagulated and
become
a deeper red.
Fix
on a plate of copper.
and a sort
parts of
in
my
a slow
it
fixed.
If
until
it
Luna
into Sol
One
will
as above
of Mercury,
good
powder.
Pour
fire,
Take
so that
it
melt.
upon
it.
Thus
it
had been
much
then be
into Sol
better.
in Sol.
each.
into
it
it
red.
it.
Take
it
Make
out.
may become
red as scarlet.
it
it
believe that
into a
Let the
fire.
Pulverise.
a crucible.
prove
may become
it
its
j.lb.
>
Vitriol,
Distil a
together.
melt
will
it
Mix thoroughly
will
P.\rt of
of
Melt a ducat
powder
this
it
will
it
Add antimony
opinion.
it is
of fermentation will be
and
fire
it
it,
silver,
if
or
and
a ducat
first
it
powders.
Water
Mercury
thrice sublimated
of Mercury.
from tartar
is
Particular.
Take
Add
it
while
grind
it
very
fine,
and imbibe
still
warm
in
it
it
kill
Grind
ingredients.
together, and
all
and
it
much
will
become
place
Add
Sol.
that
on porphyry to be dissolved.
powder
and
to ten parts of
it
will
Luna,
perhaps be so
the better.
warm
them from
ashes
all
it is
soon melted.
It
fixes
superfluity.
A Marvellous Fact
about Mercury.
equal parts, and sublimate both
together. The)^ will then ascend together into the glass. Take some of that
sulphur and sublimated salt, ground small, and place them in a sublimatory on
Take
salt
of tartar
and sulphur
in
Manual of
crude Mercury.
381
the salt of tartar above in the glass sublimatory, while the Mercury remains at
nobody can ever more revivify it. Take two parts of white
it.
At length mix them together, and congelate.
of these powders to 200 (or else 100) 3 of Mercury made
Take also j. 5
warm, and caused
to melt.
Then you
will find
Luna.
Cement.
Take one
Make
part of
common
as
it
in itself,
is
two parts of
tile
dust,
ij.
oz.
M.
regal cement.
each
cinnabar * oz.
Make
vitriol
a strong water.
How
.\re
prodlxed
or concerning the
j-
pound each.
(I
into a powder.
Sun melting
in the crucible.
then dissolves
bodies.
in
in
Take as much as
all
Water
case
is
Then
of this water.
Pour
it
the
over the
It is
The
water.
You have
Do
water.
there
is
the
Take
of Vitriol
Elixir.
When
Luna
then
formed an
elixir for
ammoniac and
it
dissolved with
it,
This
is
tinges 100.
382
v.
j.
part of sulphur.
Afterwards
this
If
you
be very good.
will
it
Of
Crude Mercury,
Prepared
First of
fire
all
so that
may
it
parts.
ij.
5.
be resolved.
from the
fire
increase the
it
and grind
Then
part.
ij.
Vitriol,
j.
fire
good
for
it
to an impalpable powder.
Give
seal.
it
one week.
it
closed with
Then
in
its
hermetic
Give
seal.
Place in a glass
it
a very strong
fire
two weeks.
it,
giving
in the midst,
for
it
one week,
and
until
you see the substance melted like wax or oil. Then refrigerate and take out
If it does not turn to oil as is here described,
that most precious substance.
dissolve it with rectified aqua vitK, and coagulate three or four times until the
Then melt viij.lbs. of Saturn and viij.lbs. of
oil remains in the fire.
Mercury. Make an amalgam, as you know how, by fusion, and project j. lb.
of this medicine leaving
wood.
it
viij.lbs.
viij.lbs.
of Saturn and
viij.lbs.
viij lbs.
an hour by mixing
it
with
of Mercury.
part,
Take
of this
Melt again
medicament one
Place it in a
calx of Luna or Sol with sal ammoniac.
mouth open over hot ashes, and dry with a moderate
Next
heat until there shall be seen a white mass in which is no plated Luna.
Thus
it is
or
twelve
natural
days.
of
Maria
for
nine
dung
or
a
bath
in
place
Pound thoroughly
and dissolve
it
will
Afterwards congeal
Manual of
Or
Better.
gence, until,
Stone
is
you
if
congeal
it
Then
dissolve the
have operated
shall
or with
little
the
rightly,
Luna
intelli-
Philosophers'
perfect
Also take care that the volatile part does not exceed that
produced.
This
the
in
of Luna,
filings
Sol, with
re-converted to Stone,
383
is
Way.
Water of Mercury.
Take of Mercury,
equal
^ _
^
of Sugar Candy,
,
quantities,
Pound them
together.
Distil
it
Sublimated Arsenic.
Take of Crude Arsenic,
)
of Soap,
Pound
Mix
in aquafortis
and
is
good
to
fix.
Item.
Take equal
OR,
Mercury
fixed in
Take
thrice distilled
Distil to a water.
It
aqua
Distil,
dissolves
and there
and place
vitae,
in
it
will
two
all
one hour.
Dissolving W.\ter.
Dissolve glass gall
in
an aquafortis.
dissolves
all
Note.
Calcine
sublimate.
Note.
Take equal parts of orpiment and vitriol. Melt together so that a red
powder is produced, of which project some on Luna in a state of flux, and
you
all
metals and
is
in
it.
It
a secret.
Take laudanum
into leaves,
and burn
well
it.
ground
Then
{sk), stratify
the Sol
is
it
Let
it
is
to be
be distilled by ashes
384
wish
but
will
it
for
it
aurum
potabile, use
otherwise,
if
citron colour.
you
If
it
for a tincture,
if
pass over as a
will
it
fixed as
or
With
bodies, and will transmute all metallic bodies into perfect gold.
Mercury dissolve white sugar in quintessence of wine. Place at once in
the calx of Sol burnt by laudanum and it is wholly dissolved'. These
human
this
it
all
purposes.
Take
water of
rectified
from
it,
before,
Let
life.
stand 24 hours
it
Do
it.
this until
it
Let
it
oil
This recipe
etc.
is
it
Pour over
in the bath.
and extract
in he.\t.
oil.
Then take
Inject
Augment.
Take of
more
oil
as before.
fire
Rule the
fire
and
will
it
be
fixed.
in
as
before.
Oil of Tartar
Dissolve calcined tartar
in
is
made as follows.
to evaporate.
Distil
through the
filter.
an
oil,
At
which use for the above
digestion.
Oil of Luna.
Take
Pound, place
fortis,
in
of \'erdigris,
of Sulphur.
Make
a glass cucurbit.
with a gentle
fire
at
first, latterly
5U-each.
with a stronger.
Next take
5ij.
of
and the matter becomes brown in a glass thus the Luna in the
becomes hard, and melts in the warmth like an oil or wax. To the
Place in a cucurbit of glass, lute well.
same Luna add viij. oz. of purged t?
the
olitet,
Keldt
(?)
A
Set in sand,
at
Manual of
with a gentle
first
for
fire,
days
eight
unifies itself;
it
becomes
and
fixed,
385
the matter
until
half n part of
remains.
it
on
purging
it
and
in
it.
fixes
Oil of Sulphur.
Take Sulphur,
Tartar,
Pound
together.
and put
Melt.
Immediately
Thus
it
Ib.j.
>
Glassgall,
each.
liquefies extract
it
dissolves,
and the
it
lye
becomes
red.
To Fix Saltpetre.
Take
flux
Ib.j.
fixed,
pounded
Melt slowly.
Sprinkle into
Thus it is
The altimen plumosum must previously be
oil.
(iiltimen plianostini).
small.
Coagulation
Take arum
water from
it.
continually,
and
Put Mercury
thereupon.
in
of'
Mercury.
let
When
a crucible.
Thus
the bubbling
Oil of Mercury.
Dissolve Mercury
and
fire
oil
for
three
aquafortis.
in
hours
Pound upon a
Dry.
out.
an
stir
in
stone.
Allow
to boil.
it
an open glass.
Put
it
into
or water.
King.
Take
"
alutnen de phnna.
-w'ater clarifies
Make
;
and
distil into
water.
Cement.
is,
antimony made
therewith
Sol
This
pearls.
Note.
white
it
pounded
glass
and
salt
for
Cement
twenty-four
hours, etc.
AA
386
Take
Saltpetre,
Antimony,
Sublimated Arsenic.
wards melt
oil
a crucible,
in
with a slow
first
Take
Dry
j.
fire,
slightly.
After-
Grind
quint over
or more,
5j.,
you
if
like,
result.
Note.
Take equal
below
parts of
common
rendered
salt
fluid like
wax by
sulphur.
Then
it.
be incorporated.
will
it
One
a candle, and
above and
fire
for
60
parts of Mercury.
Or,
If
it
incorporated with
be
sublimated,
it
works wonders.
Take
sal
itself
it
oil
of antimony, with
ammoniac.
If
you evaporate
this
test anything.
Note.
you wish to Dissolve Mercury Sublimate and White
When
Aquafortis
will not.
is
made
will dissolve
otherwise
verdigris.
Note.
Take
oil
quantities.
of tartar and
Mercury
will
oil
ee over
equal
then be fixed as
Make
away
viij.
the
first
water.
Ib.j.
of the other.
days.
Afterwards
distil
coagulates Mercury.
the
Take
through a
It is
Add
viij.
Take
Place
all
(?
bodies and
upon) plates
Moon.
itself.
Manual
387
Note.
Take Ib.j. of sugar candy. Put it in a tin can. Pour therein four parts
of good white wine.
Put this all in a kettle with water. Close the cans {sic)
well with the upper cowl.
Then boil so that at least one can may be well
boiled. Then pour again another can of wine upon the remaining matter. Do
this in the same fashion five times and you will have the oil.
Lay the species
therein as you will.
Take one ounce of oil or of any species of aromatic.
Pour a wine into
and reserve
in the oil.
it
find a black
for use as
Boil
you know.
and you
it
will
it
let it boil
;
oil
balsam.
artificial
tinges
as before.
extract the
Lay the
have an
thereof.
it
itself.
calx of the
Place
Sun or Moon.
Pound
it.
in
it
spirits
Note.
[sic).
Add
to
beaten
it
Distil
tile.
through
retort.
Salpetra Lupi.
Take equal
dissolve in
it
as
much Mercury
as possible.
fire
the
Next take
sal
Do
fifth
Keep
vessel, let
time
it
Take
let it
become a red
oil,
five times.
and of the
Then put
Sol which has been calcined and five times sublimated, with an
have a red
you
will
j.5,
remains at
It
Sublimate
project
this.
aquafortis and
what remained at
extract once more by an alembic.
fire
Make
may go
what was sublimated and
the bottom be again dissolved in the same water, which
Then
liquid,
retain.
Then take
oil
and
of Mercury
3S8
Tlie
Note.
Take
of Calx of Luna,
1
of Saltpetre,
Pound
on a gentle
Next, pound
to a small pwder.
it
When
it
in
a crucible.
Set
damp
in a
dissolves in water, take one part of this and one part of water
of Mercury.
One
temperature to coagulate.
revivified
Put them
melts.
j.
tlie
cellar.
each part
of Salt Alkali,
Leave in a moderate
powder tinges xij. parts of
one glass.
in
part of
the
Mercury.
Fixation of V'enus.
Make
Take
of Arsenic,
Ib.j.
of Saltpetre,
{(ilias qq).
Ib.j.
of Calcined Tartar,
Jiiij.
of Mercury Sublimate,
5J-
of Orpiment,
Make powders.
upon.
lye therein.
Melt Venus.
powder.
Let
it
dry as a
boil as
It will
Antimony.
Take some
aquafortis, until
Distil
until
it
Take
is
it
it
Water
or
with
six,
of
third
Place
is
it
it
when it
the same
it
small
it
it
it
six times
in
Put
a distilling stove.
and
oil
Distil
five
in
it
of vitriol,
it
as an
Then
all.
beautiful sublimated
phlegm
in the bath.
waters.
it
fix
weight
the
part of the sublimated Mercury distils away, and the other stands up
beautiful
all
in
of Mercury.
Pour upon
Continue to pound
vitriol.
aquafortis, at
it
If
glass vessel
therefrom an ordinary
it becomes white.
Next pour the quintessence thereupon.
becomes fixed. This proves it.
Next, pound
right.
Distil
Then you
Ferment
this
it
will
God
such
Then
will tinge if
is
is
above
has so willed
it.
389
Vitriol,
,j
of Verdigris,
;s.
of Alum,
each.
of Saltpetre,
of Caluerey,
Pound
Moon
all
log-ether
in
the crucible.
over them.
Then
coals for
^j.
it is
Set
among
ignited
right.
Ib.j.
filter,
with the
salt
said acid, with which imbibe the amalgam, until the acetum with the
salt shall
amalgam
harden.
will
be fixed.
Also,
if
you
let
will,
oil
of
The Hermetic
Take two pounds
ammoniac, with
and
add
3'OU
on a slow
Distil
iij.oz.
oi strong
of sulphur.
salt of alkali,
fire,
it
constantly stirring
in
(If
be an
will
Bird.
lixivium,
the sal
oil
and
put therein
coagulating Mercury.)
it
of sal
iiij.oz.
fixed,
Set to boil
Take
these by dissolving a
on that Luna
in the glass.
Remove
cheese.
little
Luna
It
j.lb.,
therein.
arsenic
a spoon.
vita;,
you
will
Convert into an
oil,
distil
A Good
of glass.
Then you
have water of
will
the
Thus
Aquafortis.
in suflScient quantities.
Dissolve sublimated
Take
Purify
j.ib.
and stibium
will
and
j.Ib.,
is
made out
iron to sublime.
.Attinkar of Venus.
Take one
powders; also
amalgam
press
it
in
means of
delicately out.
salt into
salt.
subtle
Make an
Then take
it
and
Put
3go
them together
in
sublimate
it
Do
come out
fire.
away
it
(sic)
Then thoroughly
first.
In order to
let it
pound
the
stir
and
&%%
ammoniac.
the sal
is
bottom
at the
in the
white of eggs,
Take
you know, while that which will not dissolve is to be dried.
again the same weight of sal ammoniac. Pound together.
Sublimate the
Conarsenic again therefrom, and dissolve it once more in the small trough.
as
it is
Thus
about.
becomes
it all
Then put
dissolved.
all
Treat
it
it
Ultimately
fixed.
all
Lute
^%^g-
melts
in
it
enamel, of which one part out of ten parts of purged Venus will be perfect
Luna.
you have a
piece of wood.
quint, put
Afterwards,
it
thus to stand
it
is
in
the
fire until
a crucible.
in
it
when
it
Leave
When
manner
in this
Stir
hot, set
it is
it
on a
amount
When
a Thing cont.ains
thrice
upon
it
it
then
fair.
For Saturn.
Take
it
in
filings dissolved
and
distil
What
with acetum.
remains
bottom as a fused
in the
Keep on
by an alembic.
Possibly the
oil.
oil
Distil
it
in
acetum,
same way.
Flowers of Bodies.
Take
fingers.
Place them
five
the
Let there be
circulus place
a wooden
in
cross.
On
in
seven days.
it
On
in
water.
it
Place
and
in a
let
the aperture
Then operate
it
through
Manual of
391
Note.
Make an
If
water
man young.
is
Put gold
therein.
filings
and
it
keeps
Also.
a pan.
in
Amalg.\mation.
Take equal
Take one
produce a powder.
and you
it
Smelt together so as to
it
melts,
Luna.
will find
Another.
Take bismuth
will
have Luna.
Also the pars ctun parte * will be tincture over Luna.
But
the
if
Note.
Liquefy the body Zidar
spoon, projecting
upon a
it
in
There
stone.
flat
will
it
select according to
To EXTR.\CT THE
Take Luna and
let
it
Whilst
melt.
Then
SoUL.
in flux project
within
it
some
talc,
The Luna will be fixed if it be frequently melted with some more talc.
Note when the soul is extracted. Then take earth and extract from it the
combustible oil. Pour on the earth distilled phlcgma and extract from it its
Then take the spirit in which is the soul, plant it by degrees in the
salt.
tum.
drunk up as much as
it
it
Afterwards
can.
distil
.^nd Lu.\a.
filings of Sol or
days to putrefy.
common
salt
with water of
sal
many
substance
it
you can
after
some
away
may be
ammoniac.
the acetum
pure.
Grind, dry
until the
colours supervene,
is
has
in
with
it
Sol
Take
to
difficulty
stand four or
Dry on a
in the
Pour
a glass vessel.
let it
stone,
five
filings well
in
Before
When
the
it
392
Now
it
* in the sun,
suffices.
it
resolved entirely
it is
night.
Set this oil in dung for five days to
Then distil with an alembic in a warm and moist place.
Having done this, take a clean sponge, dip it in water of sal ammoniac,
which changes over the oil. Thus extract the sal ammoniac. After this is
extracted, press the sponge in the hand, and having entirely drawn off the
sal ammoniac water from the oil, pour on it common tepid water, and you
will remove thus all saltness with the sponge, until you perceive nothing
into oil in the course of the
putrefy.
saline remaining
oil is
sweet.
Precipitation.
Melt them.
does not
Two
of Saltpetre,
ounces thereof
^^^^
'^'
The Luna
fall
in
TiN'CTURE.
Take
like,
place
them
in oil
and
boil in
it
will
become calx of
Put
in it
Do
gold.
Tested Algment of
Take
of Saltpetre,
Make
in
Take
Take again
ij.
Lux.\.
of Well-calcined .Alum,
Ib.j.
Ib.ij.
of that 4 oz.
gij.
Add
In this dissolve
thereto a
little sal
Jij.
ammoniac, and
Again
take two ounces, with the addition of sal ammoniac, and dissolve
of sublimated
Then
Mercury.
of Luna.
Preserve
Ib.j.
ij.
ounces
these
itself.
solution
an alembic, the
in
twenty-four lotoncs.
Crush and
Pour
refine
the
it
powder
in
Then take
a crucible.
Set
upon
the test
you
will
saltpetre
it
in
Dry
and melted
a wind furnace.
these
salt.
Melt
suet.
Manual of
393
Cement Regal.
Take
grade therein.
Physical Water.
ammoniac, which has been thrice sublimated, distilled, and
coagulated, and then once more let it be resolved and distilled.
Let the
Take
sal
If
it
it
also
in
aqua
vitte, distilled,
all
all
^n
crucible
the
God and by
of
fire,
Him
virtue of
Item.
Let us
virtue.
rectified
when
On
absorbed, put
all is
it
it
in
On
you
dung
substance
all
lighting candles
from
the
the philosophic
oil,
escaping, such
Herewith every
restrained
is
is
as
already
Change
vitae
Mercurj',
volatile
Sulphur,
and
Arsenic.
The White.
Take equal
for
nine
people.
it
days.
That
is
After this
perfect,
woman.
old,
If
if
extract
the
makes a
anyone drinks of
If
beautiful colour
this oil
will
stand
it
asthma.
let
perfectly produced.
oil
and he
Mix and
spirits.
all
Taking
be light,
40 days
all
So,
other kinds.
Mixed with castor oil and applied to the bone it removes all contraction of the
and cures paralysis of the nerves. For these reasons we put it forward
limbs,
as precious.
One drop
morning
clears the
Take white
(?
cadmia), gold
equal parts.
Grind together.
entirely cures
if it
leaf,
This
is
oriental pearls,
and rhabarbarum
It
BB
in
it
produces
"'
394
little
man
will
Otherwise
Take equal
extract the
oil
according to
it
oil.
press
it
through.
Mix
of Mercury.
Afterwards
If
it
distil
as an
were put
in
Fix.\TioN OF JNIercurv.
Take alum and dregs of wine. Dissolve in urine, and distil by a filter.
Then resolve sulphur in it by boiling. Place Mercury in it and let it boil with
a gentle
fire,
continually stirring
it,
so that
it
may escape
the
fire.
Certain
Note.
and
it
is difficult to
identify their
meaning.
Zambeliou 73
Xania (Crete) Greece