David BEUTHER
T he T r ansmuta nsmutati tio on of B ase M etals tals I nto G old and Si lver lver
David Beuther Guardian of the Mint Mint at Dresden Dresd en and Expert in the the Practice of Alchemy Alchemy for the the Elector Elector of Saxony
Universa Universall and Detailed Detailed Account, Acco unt, in which: which: The transmutat transmutatio ion n of base ba se metal meta ls into gold and silv silver er will will be explained explained clearly and precisely pre cisely,, along with with an a n Appendix App endix containing co ntaining unique unique alchemical alchemica l copp co pperer-plate plate prints which which reveal revea l the the Art from from begi be ginning nning to end and a Preface Pre face which which documents do cuments Beuther’s training and publications, along with with those of Dr Dr Johannes Christopher Spregels Sp regels of the Academy Acad emy of Hygien Hygieniic Treatment and Medi Med icine of Hamberg Printed by b y Sam Sa muel Heyl of St Johns Church, C hurch, Hamburg, 1718 17 18 Produced Prod uced by RAMS (Restoration (Restoration of Alchemica Alchemicall Manuscripts Manuscripts Soci Soc iety, 1987. 19 87.
Preface by Dr Sprogel
Highly Esteemed Reader: Doubtless, it has been be en a cause of wonderment wonde rment in many many places place s why persons pe rsons expert expe rt in in chemi chemistr st r y allow allow these highly highly regarded regard ed writings to have been b een permi pe rmitted tted to be printed freely and a nd openly op enly,, since since the same same ideas are found found to be highly highly regarded by the the possessors posse ssors of o f a few manuscr manuscriipts pt s and here and there have been be en sold sold for 1000 thalers thalers or more, although although copi cop ies of o f the the same are frequently availab available le for sale. However, However , this this is precisely pre cisely the reason reaso n why why a candid cand id patriot pa triot has giv given en the same to be printed. Moreover, More over, since since it is seen that such a shameful practice pra ctice has been bee n involved in the case cas e of such manuscr manuscripts, ipts, whereby whereb y many of them had no understanding understand ing at all of the writi writing ng but neverthel neverthe less supposed suppo sed that they must must have purchased p urchased something so mething reall rea lly y valuable valuable for such a small small amount of money, jeopardiz jeopa rdized ed all their their earthly earthly possessi posse ssions ons therefore therefore and chased after after pipe dreams, so that, through love of the the second sec ond best, be st, in in the open ope n publicat publicat ion of such manuscr manuscripts, ipts, they thought thought to eliminat eliminatee a small small part p art of that which which they could could not understand, understand , by which which means at least an attempt was mad madee to save as much much of o f the cost co st of such manuscripts, of which which they unders understoo tood d how to be able to obtain, obtain, from the wide wide sea of the the earth, graciously at every opportun opp ortuniity.
You mig might ht then see how to recogni rec ognize ze our good intenti intentio o ns and admoni ad monitt io ns, which which will will not be omitted omitted where knowledge is found found therein ther ein to return the same to God and our neighbors neighbors,, not forgetting ourselves in the proces pro cess. s. What, acco a ccording rdingly, ly, the author himself himself arrived at a t (since (since he was born a German and had had lilived in the 16th 16 th century up to the year 158 1 580 0 at the Court C ourt of the El Elector ec tor and Guardian of the Mint) Mint) inde indeed ed in the chemica chemicall labora ab oratory tory of Lowenstein, Lowenste in, wherein he found found a compl co mplete ete history, history, which which he considered considered to be noteworthy and which which he subsequently expanded consi c onsiderab derably. ly. I wil will poin po intt out that it is noted on page 565 in in the Records Reco rds of the Court of o f the Elector of Saxony Sa xony (under the gui guidanc dancee of the Holy Holy Church through Prince August and a nd Prince John Jo hn Christia Christia n I, reported reporte d from from the year 1580 15 80 to the year 1591). 159 1). Prince Prince Augustus Augustus authoriz authorized ed David David Beuth Be uther er as one adep ad eptt in experim expe rimee ntal nta l skill skill to subsequently subseq uently act as an assayer assa yer at a t the Mint Mint of St Anneberg. In the Cloister, Cloister, attached t the the sam sa me at present, where he inten intended ded to have his quarters and a nd labo laboratory, ratory, he roped rop ed off an area are a near near the wall, wall, from which which a little little plaster had fall fallen, en, and depe de pended nded therein. Afterward he occupied oc cupied the place, alth a lthough ough the plaste plasterr continued continued to fall fall off, so that rectangular patches patches had had to be remove removed. d. All All thi this has has been described described subsequ subsequen ently tly in Dec. 3, the the particu particullars of which which are termed termed Pyrotechnics. Pyro technics. The first first of these these explai e xplains ns how two firings firings of type typess of ‘black sulfu sulfurr ’ gave from from a pound po und of iron in ordin ord inary ary water, finely finely pulverized pulverized copp co pper er after after 28 hours of of firing. firing. Such copper cop per was subsequent subse quently ly dissolved in distilled distilled water wate r and in 4 week we ekss the result result was a precipi precipitat tatee of fi fine gold. gold. Anoth Another er parti particul cular involv nvolved ed the the trans transm mutation utation of tin tin and mercu mercury ry into silver silver by using using the same precipitatio pre cipitation n proces pro cess. s. The The third third particul pa rticular ar comes co mes by the Rule Rule of Martial Antimon Antimony, y, which which he made by b y means of o f a Cro cus of Mars and Venus, prep p repare ared d by castin ca sting g gold and sil silver in the the molten molten state. state . What he he mig might ht have obtain obta ined ed by this this proc p rocess, ess, nobody nobo dy has ever been able able to get get out out of him. However, as he had had prescri presc ribed bed in his his work, he considered considered everything in order orde r and set out in in unhurried unhurried endeavor, ende avor, limiti limiting ng himself himself to a few (12) (12 ) project pro jectss in in one place or another, so familiar familiar to him him that he coul co uld d oversee o versee all of them. Accordingly, Acco rdingly, under the circumsta circumstance, nce, all of these were adde ad ded d together in the end and he had completed many of o f them, them, and indee indeed d with with so lilittle fanfare fanfare that the the Elect Elector or himself himself had heard nothing nothing about ab out them. them. However, Ho wever, Beuther no longer deemed de emed his his services to inclu include de the tests and counter tests, te sts, so s o long as his his work in in the case of the metals metals was completely unhurried, making making use of the Elector’s Elector’s instru instrum me nts, labora ab oratory, tory, and materials, ate rials, at will. will. This This was quite quite a heavy investme investment, nt, particul pa rticular arll y since since nothing nothing coul co uld d be made subsequently subseq uently of all that he showed them and, and , for for this this reaso re ason, n, his his work was almost almost total tota lly worthless, but nevertheless, never theless, when finally finally completed, completed, the work was presented prese nted as such to the the Elector. Elector. Beuther Beuther was asked, when he appea ap peared red to answer the appare app arent nt compl co mplaint aintss against him as a result of o f his his 12 1 2 failures, failures, about ab out them; Beuther coul co uld d no longer lie lie about abo ut such and had to admi ad mitt plainly plainly that the Electo Electorr had laid laid before before him him the the stipul stipulation ation and and decisi decision on that that Beuth Beuther er shoul should, d, in conf conformity ormity with with the the contracts contracts made with with him, him, be held at fault, fault, in accord acc ordance ance with his his promi p romise se to disclose such inf infor orm matio at ion n to him him completely, c ompletely, so long as they should remai r emain n in Dresden Dresde n and agree to gi give the Elector Electo r 10% 10 % of the gold and silver, silver, as well as a s also to hand hand over o ver the above abo ve for a certain cert ain amount of the metal, whil while the Electo Electorr would require re quire half of the entire amount as a reward rewar d for his his part. pa rt. In t he meantime, meantime, Beuther was held held as a virtual virtual hostage. This This vexed Beuther so sorely sore ly that that he decided de cided to practi practice his his professi profession on no long longer. er. When When he revealed revealed thi this decisi decision on to the the oth o thers, ers, thi things ngs began to get much much better, bet ter, although he coul co uld d concl co nclude ude nothing. nothing. Because Beca use of this, this, the Electo Electorr was very
displeased, displease d, although he had formerly formerly been be en very kind to him; him; he was, however, allowe allowed d to leave prison prison and and retur return n to Engl England. and. However, However , a decisi dec ision on was reached to send him to Leipzig Leipzig and he he was taken tak en to Gravamina. The decisi de cision on was reached to first first question him him in detail deta il about ab out the process, proce ss, threatening him him with with flogg flogging ing for his his misinfo misinforr mat ion and with cutting of o f 2 fingers fingers for making false claim c laims, s, and detaining de taining him him indefin indefinite itely ly so that that he coul co uld d not giv givee this inf infor ormatio matio n to another monarch. This This was read to him him on a Saturday, Sa turday, the Elector Elector having having written these words word s to him him by hi his own hand. hand. Beuther had again given given to me what came c ame to me by God and Justice, Justice, even though I must must undertake undertak e something so mething with with you on Monday Monda y which which I would willing willingly ly reconsider. rec onsider. In the margin margin may be found found these words: wo rds: I beg you to prevent pre vent it from from comi c oming ng to this, this, and furthermor furthermoree it be written I know very wel we ll that I can ca n do it if if you are a re present and a nd I will will also be abl ab le to do itit even though you are not present. pre sent. All All this this informa nformatio tion n about ab out Beuther, which which this this publicat publicat ion includes ncludes briefly, briefly, was supplied supplied by the person who who was at that that tim time the the priva private te secretary secretary to the the Elector Elector of Saxony Saxony and and approxi approximates what was the content of his his rep r eport: ort: My approa app roach ch simply simply might might be for the the Elec Elec tor of Saxony Sa xony not to allow allow Beuther Beuther to vex hi himself se lf,, since since he, as a headstrong man, might ght -- - out of desperati despe ration on -- cause a lot of trouble trouble and considerab considerablle bother. In addition, addition, Beuther Beuther might ght be persuaded to write write a letter ette r to the the Elec Elector tor of Saxony, Saxony, in which which he might might bring his his complaint c omplaint and request the Electo Electorr to accep acc eptt a solutio solutio n in which which he would no longer longer henceforth hencefort h be requi req uired red to remain remain silent. He would accep acc eptt such a solutio solutio n and again return re turn to the House of o f Gold, as a s the Laborato Labo ratory ry of o f the Elect Elector or of Saxony Sa xony was sometimes sometimes cal ca lled, based ba sed on its earli ear lier er reputation, rep utation, although by then a protect pro tectiive cover, co ver, the Libra Library, ry, which which was still still in use at the time time of Kunkel Kunke l (the Year 1677) 167 7) ---- - was associated asso ciated with it. it. Since Since Kunkel K unkel sought to practice pra ctice this this art extensive extensive l y, Beuther published published the process in in its its enti entiret rety, y, even even thoug though h it was quite quite dif different and and aff affirmed the the same same concl conclusi usio n. Based Base d on this this proc p rocess, ess, Kunkel Kunke l wrote a 4 page pa ge summ summary ar y which which Beuther had suggested suggested in The Arsenic Arsenic in place of o f a hi highly dubious work which which the esteemed estee med Elector had penned with his his own hand. I must must explain that I had no part in in this nonsense. nonse nse. Thereupon Thereupo n Kunkel K unkel conti co ntinued nued the narration in the foll following ow ing manner: anner : Afterwards Beuther was reinstated reinstated in hi his former post p ost and had been given given the above abo ve mention mentioned ed guarantee guarantee of protection, and he wrote a letter containing particular particular data to the Elector, Elector, begging begging him him to help help him him by b y sendin send ing g him him 100 1 00 gui guilders lders and pay pay within 8 weeks wee ks in in fine fine silver silver or gold all of his his past due due wages. Such gold gold as a s he had obtained from the Electo Electorr had been repaid. In thi this way Beuther had also been bee n seen see n largely as the protecto pro tectorr of the Art, even though he was not com co mpletely responsibl resp onsiblee for instruct instructing ing the Electo Electorr unti untill Beuther Be uther had finall finally y obtained ob tained a reasonab rea sonablle sum of several severa l marks, which which are as good as a s gold, gold, alth a lthough ough he said said (so the word goes) that they were no better be tter than horse manure. "Now, I coul co uld d help you yo u with with 9 penni pe nnies, es, which which are perfectly per fectly good", he said. Consequently, Consequently, Beuther Beuther sent away to his his protector protec tor in order orde r to to get something something more, since since afterwards afterward s he had to start a fire fire using using the bel be llows. His protection pro tection was percei perce ived as havi having ng come to an end, that Beuther Beuther had termi terminated his his employme employme nt and had, so to speak, spea k, jumped jumped into the fire. fire. As he now returned returned accord acc ordiing to his his orders, ord ers, then Beuther lay on o n his back bac k without without understand understanding. ing. And whether, whether, indeed, in all all deliberate deliberate speed, spee d, medical medical practit pra ctitiio ners and priests
were called called in, nevertheless neverthele ss nothing nothing would have had any benefic benefic ial effec effectt on him him and a nd he would have died died before b efore their their very eyes. eyes. The arrangement arrangement had been concluded concluded hitherto hitherto and he he had had come to believe believe that he had had made a bad bargain. bargain. How Beuther Beuther had afterwards afterwards disposed of his his substance substa nce or how he concealed co ncealed it, Herr K unkel could c ould in in no manner manner learn. Then the hi highly esteemed Elector, Elector, Johann George, Geo rge, had sai sa id to him him, and to the others, that he had thi this tormenting tormenting matter, in which which the actions of a worthless fellow fellow had also also been be en shown, which accord acc ordiing to the Electo Electorr Augustus had caused him him to be burned in in the venture. venture. He had had also given given orders ord ers to his his secretary -- - at that tim time, one Lincker Lincker -- - and after that to Kunkel. To burn in the the same way wheat wheat was stil still left of o f Beuther’s Beuther’s work, work , so that his his successor succe ssorss might might not try to make use of what they might might find find within. within. Which comm co mmand, and, however, had not been bee n carried car ried out, since from the counsel co unsel of the principa principall director directo r a part pa rt of the remembrances remembranc es would be hidd hidden en and, and , hopefu hope fully, lly, the origi original na l could again be found. Herr Kunkel Kunke l would would have reported repo rted in in detail de tail,, certain cer tain reasons, rea sons, namely, namely, to protect pro tect the highminded highminded ness nes s of the august august Elector Electo r of Saxony Sa xony who, who, in ordi ord inary language, would have done him him an injustice and caused cause d Beuther to face an extended extende d impriso imprisonme nment, nt, and moreover, moreover , woul wo uld d have mad madee no contri co ntribut butions ions to the the truth. truth. The Electo Electorr of o f Saxony Sa xony had shown Beuther Be uther so much much kindness kindness and, even more, more, might be so indebted to him him (as noted in the aboveabo ve-m mentio entio ned arrangeme arrangeme nt that he had made made with with him him and 12 other persons perso ns to observe those those gentl gentle me n who should should not be blamed). In the first first place, place , Beuther was a subject; subjec t; on o n the other hand, the Elector had brought him him up; in in the third third place, Beuther had begun the prac p ractice tice of this this Art in in the service of the Elec Elector tor and had shown his loyalty to the the Electo Electorr and had given given that most esteem estee med gentle gentle ma n his his loyalty, loyalty, above ab ove all all others and had had done so openl op enly. y. This This far had Herr Kunkel Kunke l gone gone in in his his desc d escripti ription on of Beuther’s life ife and accompli acc ompliss hme nts. He prepared prepared at thi this tim time certai certain n extract extractss whi which he had drawn drawn up from the the work in his laboratory, aboratory, record rec orded ed by the private private secreta sec retary ry at a t that time, time, which which can be found found on display in the Laborato Labo ratory ry Records Reco rds on page 579 5 79 and foll follow owing. ing. And, finally, finally, the account acco unt of Beuther’s work is is given given on page 585, where he prepared the gold, and from all these accounts it is to be seen as also true that he has accompli acc ompliss hed all these things. things. Whether, however, from the soso - called called black sulfu sulfur, r, as he termed it, it, he obtained ob tained a special spe cial tincture, tincture, cannot ca nnot be ascerta asc ertain ined ed with with certai certa inty. It must must be considered considered how favorably favorably inclined nclined was the the Elector Elector toward Beuther, and how inconsiderate nconsidera te Beuther had been in return, and how he had placed himself himself in consi co nside derab rablle mortal orta l danger, da nger, although he was evide evidently ntly right right in this this matter. Herr Tuschky, Tuschky, the former former grounds oversee o verseerr for for the Electo Electorr of o f Saxony, Saxony, has also written written in hi his outline of Gebaldis’ Black Black Magic, Magic, printed printed in manuscr manuscript ipt form, form, on page 89, 89 , about ab out this this Beuther: "He, "He, David Beuther is actual actua lly a professor pro fessor and a nd has publis publis hed a work called called Particul Pa rticulars ars and another work called Lapidis (Precious Lapidis (Precious Stones) and a nd is is a learned learned man, who has also produced p roduced for the Electo Electorr of o f Saxony Sa xony much much gold and silver, silver, an Art, howeve however, r, which which obvi ob viously ously has not been be en com co mpletely revealed revea led until rece r ecentl ntly, y, despite de spite the fact that that he knew very well that the the Elect Elector or already had access ac cess to such a great artifi artificer ce r as he was. Moreover, Moreo ver, the Elector Elector him himself se lf has always always offere offered d him him al a ll kinds kinds of good things, things, even specie sp ecie (currency of the realm) realm) since since David Beuther was alrea already dy pregnant p regnant with with the ide idea, a, so that that the Elec Elector tor begged be gged to sponsor spo nsor him him and a nd after that, as was usual at that time, time, although only the sponsor sponso r should should name the terms, terms, alth a lthough, ough, however, the good words word s did not help at all, all, since since Beuther excused his acti ac tions ons in the the convict convictiio n, that, the same same
had been be en given given cred c redence ence much much less less employed, employed, since since many cabali caba listica sticall ly questionab q uestionablle things things had been all allowed to creep creep in because of thi this. In the the Year 1580 158 0 he was thereu thereupon pon cast int into o prison prison because because of practi practicing cing such such Art, as already already menti entio o ned, where where he had had writt written en in his own hand: hand: "Impriso "Imprisoned ned cats ca ts do not catch catc h mice", mice", by which which it was meant meant to be understood understo od that he, since since he had to remain in prison, coul co uld d accompli acc ompliss h no useful useful work for the the House of Saxony. Sa xony. Si S ince he was now fi finally offere offered d the oppo op portuni rtunitt y to transmute so much much gold and a nd silver silver as requested requeste d of him him from mater materiia l availab availablle to him him, he was wa s also allowe allowed, d, without without further further restrai restra int, to be able ab le not to take notice notice therewith therewith that he he had had fi finally resolved resolved t take the desperate desp erate measure of drinking drinking a beaker ful fulll of wine wine contai containing ning stron strong g poison poison,, agai against nst whi which no physi physici cian an woul would advi advise, thereby thereby also terminat terminatii ng his his lif life, e, so that the House of o f Saxony Sa xony would a the same time time be deprived de prived of both bo th his his person pe rson and of his his knowledge of an important Art". Moreover, More over, one o ne finds finds in the the refining refining fire fire of the chemist chemist a categorical ca tegorical judgmen judgmentt of him, him, which which reads rea ds as follows follows:: Beuther is known as an adept adep t of this this Art and is is unable unable to lie lie to anyone. He has been to Dresden Dresden and and is the the author author of very much much orig original work, work, even even thoug though h the the Elector Elector of Saxony Saxony frequently threatens threate ns him with the hangma hangma n’s noose, noos e, since since he intende intended d to retai reta in him as a s an examine examiner, r, while while directing him. him. He then then took too k a large amount of the tincture tincture and gave gave it to him him as as a poison. po ison. Even in his his dai da ily journal jo urnal,, which which nobody nobo dy referred to at all, all, but b ut the concl co nclusi usio o n of which which we hold hold valid, valid, although the author, as well as his his Art (as explained explained from all his his judgm jud gments ents)) fared well and prospered. From Fro m all of these curious invest investigat igatio ions, ns, differin differing g to some extent on the circumstance circumstance s of the author, and on certain cer tain mi minerals, animals, animals, and vegetab vegetablles, espec esp eciially those thos e whi which ch the sophists made use of in preparing prep aring precious pr ecious stones, s tones, which which the author also cited in the Forewor For eword d of Beuther’s Testing and Art , which which he had had also desc d escribed ribed on o n page pa ge 9 of the same: same: "David "David Beuther, whose tincture tincture was dyed a striking strikingly ly bright bright cardi card inal color, co lor, even if revealing re vealing a consi co nside derab rable le knowledge kno wledge of this Art, would drive drive him him straig stra ight ht to the hangma hangma n, though he might might have given given himself himself poison, po ison, which which might might have been bee n more sensible sensible ". His His written written reports, rep orts, which which might might even now be allowed allowed to be published, published, as noted in Particulars in Particulars,, might might well then be the true natural philoso philosop p hy and form form of o f the Art and know how to maintain maintain at a reasonab reas onable le fair fair price. p rice. Then, so that the author might might thereby thereb y prove pr ove himself himself to b a genuine genuine authority and like likewi wise se show by introd introductio uction n of the same how the Sun, Moon, Moo n, Mercury Merc ury and a nd Saturn Sa turn are extracted extrac ted not by methods ethod s from the the metals, but from from their inactive inactive state; state ; and just as these materials are from the tree and the the root, from from which which ordi ord inary gold is is obtained, ob tained, many thousand times times bette b etterr than than the the gold gold and a nd silver silver in nature and substances. substances . To be sure, he teaches almost almost the entire entire Art, since since these excellent excellent materials are also prepared prepa red by calcinations, calcinations, soluti solutio o n, sublim sublimat atio ion, n, purif purificatio ca tion, n, and coagulat coagulatiio n,, so that the Art acquires a special spe cial;; degree de gree of perfection pe rfection and gi gives col co lor to the im impure unrefined unrefined metals, so that they wil will all again be in in a basic ba sic solid solid form. form. Moreover, More over, it is stated state d on o n page pa ge 13 even more clearly, that thought thought shows that the entire entire Art depend de pendss on the availab availab ility il ity of the the prope pro perr material (not just one, o ne, nor even two, but all from from a singl singlee root) roo t) and their their solutions, solutions, so that nothin nothing g more will will be necessary, nece ssary, except exce pt a fire fire and nitroge nitrogen, n, and that that the same (even the mater materials) ials) wil will be the gold of o f the philoso philosop p hers, for which which he states the truth truth from all the philoso philosophe phers rs of the entire entire world.
In what is is to follow follow in this this report, rep ort, as inde indeed ed in all a ll reports on natural natural philoso philosoph phy, y, it is is the the lack of knowledge about ab out this this proc p rocess, ess, which which in fact fact doe d oess not pertain pe rtain to a univers universaa l idea, de a, but b ut in particul pa rticular ar might might find find a major ajo r use in the the knowledge of the the uni universa versall nature of o f this this material materia l, despite de spite some abuse ab use and misl mislea ead d ing statem state ments. When, however, howe ver, attention a ttention is paid only only where where the philoso philosophe phers’ rs’ gold the philoso philosophe phers’ rs’ mercury, erc ury, mercuric mercuric ores, ore s, the electro-mi electro-minera nera ls of Paracelsu Parac elsus, s, red cinnabar cinnabar ore, ore , and white arsenic ar senic (which of all of them alone, onl o nly y the true material, and sulfu sulfurr and merc mercury ury is that material, material, is separable separa ble as a salt) are concerned, conce rned, it is im implied from what was said that he indicated ndicated what he ascribed ascribed to the the Art and to me thod of operati ope ration on and how he showed showed the preparati preparation on and and testi testing of the the same, same, so that that he woul would be able, able, when when finall finally y chosen chosen for that purpose purpose by God, to know im immediately the the proper and most most practical practical materi aterial to use and to readil rea dily y show s how that that all of his his proces proc esses ses were different, different, even though though quite similar similar to one another. However, if one desired to demonstrate demonstrate certain of his his processes proc esses and also to incl include ude questionab questionablle and mi mislead slead ing histori historica call processes, proc esses, he shoul should d not then be considered considered an adept ade pt but should should be consi co nside dered red even more of an impo imposter, ster, since, since, in particul pa rticulaa r, the energetic Kunkel Kunke l in in his his chemical laboratory abo ratory had not not even reported repo rted praiseworthy praiseworthy work of hi his own and the the well-known Dr Petraeus Petrae us had not not desired de sired to report rep ort innovatio innovatio n in hi his newly published published Preface to t he Works of Basil Basil Valentine, Valentine, or that that he had sold for gold gold some questionable questionable processes proc esses now and and then or o r that he himself himself had seen some of the the same same works work s in manuscrip manuscriptt form, form, the author who had comm co mmunica unicated ted them to him him having originat originated ed them. For Fo r the two proc pro c esses esse s involving Mercury Merc ury and Jupiter, Jupiter, I have given given this this David David Beuther 800 8 00 German dol do llars of pure gold, gold, so that I can now demonstrate, using using his his handhand - written notes, that he assured assure d me are faithfu faithfull ly transcri transcr ibed, be d, that I have found found it as he also said and not otherwise, in the year 1605 16 05.. Thus, Thus, it is primarily primarily from the the questionab le and mislead slead ing histori historica call processes proc esses tat particular particular processes proc esses are not not to be considered considered the same, although although he, too, li like that great King King of o f the Arabs, Geber, in hi his report repo rt recorded before be fore the forming forming of the Art, although although nothing, nothing, however, before be fore the the others. others . Moreover, More over, the principa principa l preparati preparation on of one one or anothe anotherr of the the ingredi ngredients ents from the the unive universa rsall materi aterial had already already been carried out, as had become clearly clearly evident evident from the aboveabo ve-m mentio entio ned work of Kunkel, Kunkel, page p age 580, 580 , which which reads: rea ds: "The "The white white arsenic a rsenic powder po wder is is no longer longer prepa pre pared red for for the Electo Electorr of Saxony Sa xony and unfortu unfortuna nate tely, ly, the whole whole Art rests upon it", it", as noted by b y Beuther him himself on page pa ge 7. Where wil will particul par ticulars ars be found, found, when the uni universa versall is questionab le? Thereupon Thereupo n he said that without without the knowledge of the true univer universa sall material (I don’t do n’t say the properties prop erties of o f lapidis, lapidis, for I am of the opi op inion nion that somebody somebo dy will will still still be abl ab le to learn to recogni reco gnize ze the univ universa ersa l material and from itit produce prod uce the particular particularss and stil still, nevertheless, nevertheless , not be able to mak makee the the largest gems in in this this manner) manner) no effective effective particul pa rticulaa r type of gem can ca n be made. He who knows how to make ak e this this same white white material ate rial can ca n make his his proces pro cesss successful succe ssful,, whil while others cannot. For Fo r that r eason, eas on, therefore, his his proces pro cesss mad madee him him no imposter imposter,, since since he indee indeed d allowe allowed d no one to copy co py itit or print it who who did not verbally verbally disclose disclose the Key Ke y and who who entrusted entrusted no one to elabo elaborate rate on it, it, even e ven those those who understoo understood d the spirit spirit of the idea, idea, as a s conceived conceived above. abo ve. Furthermore, Furthermore, the report repo rt of the energetic energetic Kunkel Kunke l can be shown to be correct correc t in all its its parts, pa rts, since since it clarified, clarified, from many many passages pa ssages found found therein, therein, that probably proba bly do not not adequately ad equately reflect reflect properl prop erly y on o n various various aspects, aspec ts, or o r even on enemi enemies es which which he would perhaps pe rhaps have li liked ke d to have discusse discussed d - - - men such as Oerthl Oe rthlin in,, Schi Sc hirmen, rmen, Jacob Jac ob Beuther, Beuther, Hans Weinh Weinhold, old, and Heidler, Heidler, to whom Kunkel referred on pages 654, 572, and and 585, and might might well have have proven, or o r perhaps pe rhaps only suggeste suggested, d, that patently false mate material rial provi pro vide de d no strong evidence at all. all. Besides, K unkel’s rep r eport ort clea clearly rly states state s in many plac places es that he was gui guilt lty y
of no decep de cepti tions, ons, but had had been bee n a true adep ad ept, t, who had mad madee much much gold and sil silver, although the method if such Art would not no t be disclosed at this this time, time, even though unreliabl unreliab le proces pro cesses ses continu continued ed to be reported. reporte d. Finall Finally, y, the report of Dr Perraeri Perrae ri had been obtained and found found to disclose the time, time, whether he had not verbally verbally given given at the same time time both b oth the Key Ke y to his his proces pro cesss and the the purchaser purchas er and whether whether he had not found found all thi this informa informatt io n to be correc co rrect, t, or whether this in itsel itselff had been be en capable, even e ven when when he, too, had the the Key, K ey, of disclosing disclosing the process proc ess accordin acco rding g to the proper state of the Art. As, however, however, the various various circum circumstances sta nces became bec ame known, and a few woul wo uld d becom beco me known, that he had found found in a well in Dresden Dresd en of this this Art, he came forward with with the Tincture Tincture - - - though others had described describe d it. it. He had had obtai obta ined the tincture tincture as a strikingly strikingl y bright bright cardinal car dinal color co lor and found found it to be a poison poison.. On account account of defects in the the otherw otherwiise satisf satisfactory actory report, report, it is dif difficult to separate. However, However , I do not believe that a philoso philosopher pher is particularly particularl y like likely ly to thi think this this discussi d iscussio on appropriate. Also Also it would would not be nece necessary ssary for us to judge his his performance pe rformance and why he kept kept his Art so secret sec ret and risked death de ath him himse self lf rather than clarify the matter atte r or disclose it intellige intelligent ntly. ly. For Fo r who has has seen see n inside nside God’s God ’s judgment judgmentss --- or who has ever been His advisor. As a postscript, po stscript, this this written report rep ort is is offere offered d as proof pro of of the strange alchemica alc hemicall behavi beha vior or of copper, cop per, which which was discovered discovered by the same Beuther Beuther and also also warrants authorizatio authorizatio n of his his manuscr manuscripts, ipts, although in his his writings writings he does do es not refer to it directly. These are the the same, I say out of singul singular ar curiosity, which which demonstrate de monstrate completely com pletely and in in great detail de tail the the entire phi p hilosop losophica hicall work and actual ac tual material, material, which which can only be understood understo od and depicted de picted cl c learly ea rly and taught taught as an entire proces pro cess. s. I should should also offer offer at this this time time a clear explanation explanat ion of the same, but I am afraid afraid that the whol who le matter has become bec ome more more muddled than clarified clarified.. And I cannot in any way unde understand rstand how, even only only briefly, briefly, an even greater grea ter man has done it, it, by being being able to work with with incomparab incomparab le chemi chemical ca l copper cop per and such such sophisti sophisticated cat ed additi ad ditions, ons, sublimat sublimation ions, s, and imbibit imbibition ions, s, which which are actual act ually ly blamed on a natural phi p hillosoph oso phy y that t hat has never never been be en consi co nsider dered ed.. While While it must must be a general rule rule in this this work, work , as stated state d by Arnold de de Vill Villaa Nova, No va, and again on page pa ge 66, that that only a few min minera era ls, a ffew ew medicines, medicines, an arrangement, a work, work , and some equi eq uipment, pment, along with white white arseni arse nicc and a nd burning burning sulfur, sulfur, which which were to be made ad e at the the same time, time, as a s Geb Geber er had said: "There "There is only one min minera era l, one med mediicine, one digestio digestion; n; and in in this this our o ur entire work consists, to which which we add ad d nothing nothing unfami unfamiliar liar,, or take tak e nothing nothing away, without without removing removing excess exce ss impur impuriit ies therefrom in the proce pro cess". ss". Furthermore, nothing nothing remains remains for us to do but to mention mention once more, more , to the reade rea derr to do his his best bes t to follow ollow the processes proc esses of the the auth a uthor or so that they may be coordin coo rdinated ated with true philosop philosophica hica l matters. So long long as, a s, and unti untill the same are conf co nfirmed irmed for the first first time, time, and afterwards at all all times, times, to be correc co rrect, t, from which which Dr Helvetius, Helvetius, in his Vitulo Arco, Arco, in Mutatis in Mutatis Mutandis, Mutandis, says: "I beg you, you, my frien riends, ds, that that you recogn recognize the actual actual real mater materiials, als, and do not forg forget et them them and and their rule rule in the investigat ion io n of this this Art, and a nd give give attention a ttention to their their irreversible irrevers ible change while while in contac co ntactt with fire, fire, for you will will never find find them the m without this informa informattion, ion, live live well" we ll".. Repor Rep orted ted from my my study room roo m this this St John’s Day in in these these old lands, lands, as Stein Ste iner er has written, thus the true true solutio solutio n will will be found. found. The Year is 1718. 171 8.
Dr. Sprogel.
Special Arrangement Pertaining to Alchemical Copper Plate No. 1, 1, has no special relevance. Plate No. 2, 2, (a) Here is is the final final word on white white minera inera ls and the initia nitiall word on red min minera era ls. The earth remains. remains. The water washes. wa shes. The fire fire purifies. purifies. The spirits spirits go in; in; (b) Be on guard guard against against the mouth mouth of the hot-tem hot- tempere pered. d. Avoid Avoid the presence of rascals and hotheads; (c) From Fro m the sun and the the light, light, and the red gum, gum, which which is so brillian brilliant; t; also in like manner manner from the moo moon, n, with white white gum adde ad ded d to it, and the manner manner of natural brimstone, brimstone, and I mention mention all of this this sin s ince cerely, rely, and I also name Scybric Sc ybric [Kybric] [K ybric] and Ryben and many many others, othe rs, and itit is is from these that I prepa pre pare re my my tincture; (d) At the bottom bo ttom is a heated place, as well well as a snake in a founta fountain. in. Its tail is is long and a nd itit has broad wing wings. s. It is is ready to fl fly in all all direct directiions. Beware Beware of such a fount fountain ain all all the the way roun round it. For Fo r your snake might might get out of there. In case cas e itit does do es get out you will will have lost the art a rt of workin work ing g with with minera minerals, ls, which which is your motive. motive. You must must know that. Also what is in in your furnace furnace is so perfectl perfectly y clear. clear. And And what what is your your serpent, serpent, with with such such a long long tail tail? Alth Althou ough gh such such work work is of littl ttle use, your fountain must be able to burn in clear clear water. water . See S ee well to thi this costly costly Fire, for your fire fire shall be able to burn in water. And the the Water Wa ter shall shall be washed with fire. Your soil shall be poured over the the fire fire and water shall be accompanied acc ompanied by air; (e) Now No w all thi this shall end in in deca d ecay y and bring bring a snake for delivera delivera nce. In the first first place, place , black as a crow, cro w, he shall lie down d own in the botto bo ttom m pit of Hell. Hell. I swell swe ll up like like a toad, toa d, which lied lied in the mud and bursts open op en when bl b lown up too much, much, which which dies as though bitten by b y a snake and passes pa sses through many shad shades es of col co lor changes and fin finall ally y beco be comes mes white white as a bone. bo ne. From the water contain co ntained ed therein, make him him pure and a nd free from his his sins, sins, and let him him drink less and less, less, for that makes him him beautif b eautiful ul and whi white, a whitenes whitenesss that is is a consuming co nsuming fire. fire. For Fo r here one sees the whole whole sequence seq uence from start to fini finiss h, from white white gems to red gems, for for here I have establi esta blished shed for you the proper basis for this.
Plate No. 3, 3, (a) Take your your Father F ather Pheobus, Pheob us, so s o shining shining and bright, bright, who sits so hig high h in Majesty, with with his rays ra ys shining shining down do wn on you you so brightly, brightly, in all places where wher e he is is able ab le to reach, reac h, for he he is is in truth the father of all things, things, the preserver preser ver of all lif lifee - - - of plants and a nd roots -- - - and makes ak es al a ll nature flour flourish ish with with acti ac tivi vity, ty, and he is also the bal ba lm for all wounds. To obtain this this prec p reciious gift, gift, one has to be very carefu care full, for I say to the the lea learned rned and the wise, that a genuine genuine soul is his his nature, which which God Himself Himself has shaped shape d by His His own Hand, and a nd Magnesia Magnesia is hi his Bride, this this you yo u will will com co me
to know for certa c ertaiin. Now No w I will will here begin to teach teac h you a way which which will will not long long remain, remain, the which you yo u will will seldo s eldom m desire desire to t o take, tak e, yet mark it well, well, all this this I am saying to you; (b) Tender Phoeb P hoebus, us, in many many places places with his rays, so clear and bright, b right, uniting uniting all this this by his his very nature, which which is the source and mi mirror of all kinds kinds of lig light. ht. This This Phoeb P hoebus us has many many attributes of his his nature which which are very diffi difficc ult to understa understand nd and where where you cannot rece re ceiive any a ny understand ing of what is is right, right, do not attempt attempt to find the Phil Philosophers’ osop hers’ Stone because b ecause you formerly formerly craved cra ved it so much, much, I advise advise you. So S o mark well all that I might ight say to you and make thin that which is thick thick,, and a nd then itit will will be b e very well we ll with you. you. You must must understa understand nd what I mean and a nd have very good good self-este self-e steem em in this matt matter, er, for if if you let your work count for for very little, little, this will will make you very sad. sa d. As I have have sai sa id in this this manual, manual, he has has very ver y many many natures of which which I am aware, some recently recently discovered, others long long since since known. Heed his his advice, as the phil philosophers osop hers do. (c) In the sea, in all all seriousness, dwel dwe lls a little bird called called Hermetis (Hermes (He rmes Trismegist Trismegistus), us), which which can spread sprea d its its wings wings in 4 col co lors, and can be found found there, stead s teadfast fast and a nd durable, durab le, even e ven though all a ll its its feathers are gone, for its stays as still still as a stone; (d) Here there is is nothing nothing but white white and red, and the stone becomes beco mes alive alive which which was dead, dead , all of them and every one, in in truth, truth, bending b ending only with difficu difficult lty, y, yet soft and malleab malleablle, and is now well understood, and his countenance is reflected upon. Plate No. 4, 4, has no special significance. Plate No. 5: 5: I will will tell you, without telling telling you anything that is is not true, abo a bout ut my behavior, be havior, since genuine genuine ness is my my father and magnesia magnesia is my mother, nitrogen nitrogen is actual actua lly my sister and copper, copp er, in truth, truth, is my brother. b rother. The serpent serp ent of Arabia is my my example, example, which which is indeed ndee d the lead leader er of all this, this, which which I formerly formerly held to be stubborn stubbo rn and a nd wil wild, but now know to be tame tame and mi mild; the Sun and the Moon Moo n with all their might might chastise chastise me, who though myself so bril brillia liant. nt. Flights Flights of fancy so led me hither hither and yon, yon, until until I thought thought that, with all a ll their might mightines iness, s, they brought me down to the place where they wanted me to be. The blood on my my hands is white, white, causi ca using ng now both pleasu pleasure re and and happine appiness, ss, and loosen looseniing me from the weigh weightt of stone stone which which held eld me down d own,, even even before before I was was ready to begi begin. Now make make hard that that whi which had been made made soft, soft, for fire had had surrounded it. From Fr om my my bloo blood d and water, as I well know, comes co mes all all the fullness fullness (abundance) (ab undance) of the entire entire world, which then flows flows to all sorts of places place s where it fi finds it has the the grea greatest test favor. It flows flows everywhere in the the entire entire world and spins spins around a round like a ball ba ll;; but b ut you you must must understand unders tand this this most of all, all, so that you wil will be aware that your efforts efforts will will not fail fail.. Because Beca use of that you must must learn ea rn before b efore you yo u begin, begin, what it is is - - - and for all of your generation ge neration it has has a great many interpretat nterpre tations, ions, but is, is, however, of a singl singlee nature, which you must must regard rega rd as three separa sep arate te entities combin co mbined ed in a Trinit Trinit y and bring them all into into one single single entity by b y the use of the Philosophers’ Stone, Stone, which which you see here and now.
David Beuther’s Philosophical and Chemical Writings
To God Alone Alone the Glory. In the first first place, place , from the start I will will bear bea r down on each eac h of you so that you wil will consi co nside derr that all wisdo wisdom m comes comes from God and this this prize towers towe rs above all earthly endeavors. ende avors. Moreover, More over, from God wil will be availab available le such things, things, and nothing nothing will will be too great and nothing will will be charged char ged again against st him him as error, err or, so that then fro from m the first first it lies lies within God’s God ’s Omnipo Omnipotence tence,, for itit is is stated, as in the case cas e of a farmer, farmer, who plants the seeds seeds and knows the Tinctu Tincture re Process, Proc ess, for sure, so that that the Lord is is not lacking lacking in power to prevent bad weather on render rende r floods floods ineff ineffec ec t ive, especially esp ecially by such high high favor, which the greatest treasure trea sure of the world world will will also have, in in particul pa rticulaa r, loyal peop pe ople, le, earnest ear nest prayer p rayer and perception perce ption of Nature. I will will now herewith write in this this work wo rk about my attempt atte mpt to bring bring the fundame fundamenta nta ls to you, you, and also thereby to teach you how true are the presumed presumed particular particularss of the processe proce ssess of the the alchemist alchemists, s, which which are the same that one sees se es dai da ily in keeping kee ping his his prom pro mises. It is the knowledge of their power p ower and the the fabricated falseness falseness which which I will will first first of all attack -- - - that most sacred sa cred Funda Fundam menta en tall of the Sophists So phists will will I attack atta ck by resorting reso rting to the true basis of nature and a nd prove pro ve through the evide evidence nce of God’s God ’s Holy Word as found found in the the Holy Scriptures themselves, from whi which a righteous righteous person pe rson can form a very good conclusion conclusion that other lesse lesser, r, though not complete completely ly useless, persons pe rsons must, must, nevertheless, neverthe less, not know the mate material rial on which which alone stands sta nds this this Art, without without which which no true knowledge can ca n be found found and, a nd, much much less, shall s hall have have the knowled knowledge ge of the actual prepara prep arati tions. ons. And fi finally, these fundamen fundamenta tals ls consti co nstitute tute the highest highest tests of Mercury, Merc ury, the Sun, the Moon, Moo n, and Saturn, Saturn, through which which the tincture tincture may be perfected pe rfected,, which which are referred in the Phil Philosophers oso phers ’ Book, which, which, however, are not correctl correc tly y portrayed therein therein by those those who do not not entirely entirely understand the philosop philosopher hers, s, but only the vulgar vulgar manners manners of the litera literalis listt and consequently co nsequently their pretended pretended understa nderstanding nding might not be factu factual al,, so that what they suppose suppose to be tru truee Art Art woul would appear app ear to be the the exact opposite. op posite. To refute refute this, this, I have now given given the follow ollowin ing g comparison comparison to their great folly folly and ignorance ignorance : Human Human bei be ing were wer e initiall initially y created cre ated by God without without sin, sin, but subsequent subse quently ly were introduce introduced d to sin sin by the Devil, Devil, so that that not only did human human bein be ings, gs, who were made in God’s God ’s im image, lose their glory, glory, but also both bo th natures - -- the godly godly and the earthl e arthly y (human) (human) - - - were in this this way corrupted corr upted,, obscured obs cured,, and shattered. shattere d. Simil Similaa r ly, all metals are a re hostile hostile to the nature of the Sun and the Moon in the the first first 3 states state s of both bo th bodies bo dies because be cause of o f their their impure impure sulfu sulfuro rous, us, salty, and merc mercuri uriaa l spirit, spirit, which which I attribute here to the Devil, Devil, who entered into into the human human heart and stained its spotless nature, which which was the the copp co pper, er, and mercury, losing thereby thereb y the luster luster and brilli brilliaa nce nc e of gold. And now mention mention be lost not onl o nly y by b y the filthines filthines s of sin, sin, but also their their own o wn natural medicine, that is, is, through their own flesh flesh and bloo blood, d, but b ut they can ca n be redee red eem med to become bec ome as the the first first man, even Adam, ini initia tiall lly y without without sin. sin. This This medicine medicine man was unto the the entire human human race, rac e, since since all a ll were sinners sinners acco ac cording rding to Adam’s Fall, Fall, and for for this this reaso re ason n there must be b e a new Adam Ada m to be the the Great Physi P hysician, cian, who must must be much much greater grea ter in virtue virtue and power in in life and and soul soul, and and His His power mus mustt be greater greater in all all endeav endeavors ors than than that that of all all men, so that His Word must must be b e ordained ord ained by God, first first by the the indwellings indwelling s of men by the Holy Ho ly Spirit, entering into into human human nature, so that the Red Redeemer eemer of Mankind deemed de emed it necessary neces sary to be at one and the same time time both b oth a man and God him himself, se lf, in order orde r that that through such a tincture tincture the godlike godlike image, that had been be en so lost lost through sin, sin, would again aga in be restored resto red completely, c ompletely, as poi po inted out by John in in his his fi first Chapter: Chap ter: In the beginning was the the Word Wo rd and the the Word Wo rd was coco - equal eq ual with with God, God , and the Word was God. Christ was wa s also the the true material of the compl co mplete ete medicine medicine and tincture, tincture, which which through thro ugh His Life, Life, His His Death, His His Resurrecti Resurrec tion, on, and His Ascension into into Heaven Hea ven prepare prep ared d the Way that that He obtained obtained the pace second seco nd only only to God the Father and a nd has has becom beco me the tincture tincture of all men, It is the same with with metals, which which through their own med medical ical prac p racti titioners tioners are cured of of their leopard spots and become very pure and noble, and of better habits, and so most simple
metals and their their im impure materials materials be then also subjected subjecte d to refining refining by calcinat calcinatio ions, ns, solution, solution, sublimat sublimatio ion, n, putrefaction, putrefactio n, and coagul co agulat atiio n, so that they attain a higher higher state of perfection, pe rfection, while while tinctures tinctures of the im impure and disea diseased sed Humore Humorem m Metall Meta lloru orum m again reac re ach h the Glory of the Sun, just as did the man Jesus Chri C hrist. st. The question now real rea lly beco b ecomes, mes, even when I then take tak e gold or or silver, silver, since since there are a re not not no no better bette r meta metalls than these these two, two , according acco rding to the sayings sayings of the the phil philosophers osophers:: That That whi which in the the Sun and Moon rests rests upon the total total Arts Arts makes of them them one thi thing, ng, of salt, sulfur, sulfur, and merc mercury, ury, which which indeed ndee d are the correc cor rectt mater materiials, knowledge and art of which which can thereby thereby be made made complete, complete, as there is at present no other way, accord a ccordiing to the phil philosopher osop her Bucher, that itit can be found, found, and thi this is the most fundamen fundamenta tall princip princip le of all all chemists, chemists, so that their grea greatest test mirac miracles les must must have a com co mmon underlying idea. To this this I made answer that the philoso philosopher pherss had written written the truth, truth, but such words wor ds were, however, not correc co rrectl tly y understoo unders tood d acco ac cording rding to their intentio intentions, ns, since since they still still prescribe pre scribe and a nd say: Our Sun, Moon, and Mercury are not ordinary ordinary,, but are phil philosophica osop hica l I might might add: add : Even Even when I add them them to salt, sulfur, sulfur, and merc mercury, ury, I find find that they are not ordin ord inary, ary, but in my opi op inion nion they are phil philosophical. osophical. Theref Therefore, ore, I say that that it is possibl possiblee that that one can gi give the the other other with without out itself tself undergoing undergoin g damage, da mage, that itit may may or may not have requireme requireme nts when this this phenomenon pheno menon takes tak es place, place, so that that you do underst understan and d the the phil philosopher osopher Buche Bucherr correctl correctly y, so that that all all of the the parti particul cular ideas dea s are a re then found found to be true. true. Where, however, this this may not be b e the the case, then your entire entire hypothesis is also worthless, worthless, which which I will will now demonstrate by showing the truth that such of your presum pre sumed ed understanding understa nding amounts to nothing, nothing, and your Sun, Sun, Moon, Moo n, and Mercury Merc ury are worth nothing here. We know that as a s long as a s men lilive, and body, bod y, min mind, d, and spirit spirit are in in harmony with with one another, then that man is is a fully fully compl co mplete ete man. However, as soon soo n as he dies dies his bod b ody y beco be comes mes nothing nothing more than a foulfoul- smelling smelli ng cadaver, cad aver, which is no longer longer useful useful for anything, anything, for his his spirit spirit and is is soul (mind) (mind) have depa de parted rted from him, him, in which which all of the vital vital powers po wers of this this body bo dy reside, reside, which which keep ke ep him him alive alive and mainta maintain in him him through through them. t hem. Now, N ow, however, howe ver, life life in him is is no no longer pres present, ent, so that he also also putrefi p utrefies es from his his own very nature, and returns to the earth ea rth from from which he came in in the first first place. place . Now N ow shall he again liv livee and be resurrected resurre cted,, and then his his spirit spirit and should should must must return to him him as in in the days d ays of his his youth, so that that he might might be a redeemed redee med man and so remain remain forever. We also on this point note that so long as the gold in his complete nature is not destroyed --even as gold should should be inde indestruct structiib le - - - then it is fi firmly establi esta blished, shed, and unchanging unchangin g when subjected subjec ted to fire fire and free freed d from all all contaminating contaminati ng elements, elements, and we also see that gold gold wil will be melted melted away by fire, fire, that is is a mercury, runs and rolls rolls out as another mercury erc ury alive, alive, as soon soo n as lower temperature causes solidificat solidificatiio n to set in, whereupon it cool coo ls rapidly rapidly and hardens. hardens. From the above ab ove itit beco be com mes at a t once appa ap parent rent that the nature nature of gold is that a mercury and the ordinary mercury is entirely like like the body. body. Now, however, the mercury is fixed fixed in the the ffire, ire, which although common, common, is, however, volatil volatilee and unpredictab unpredictablle, and does not not produce mercury, mercury, but rather the spirit spirit and tincture tincture locke oc ked d up in in it, it, which, which, since since it is is sulfu sulfurr and sal salis salis , from the ordinary mercury we are able to make through through sublimat sublimatio ion n with sulfur, sulfur, and stratifyin stratifying g with sol so l or luna luna this this sel se lf-same f-sa me sublim s ublimaa te and thus thus the mercuri erc uriaa l extracts, extrac ts, through the help help of the sulfu sulfur, r, the spirit spirit or tincture tincture solis solis by itself, tself, and becomes beco mes Sol So l or Luna, Luna, after which it will will bec b ecome ome stratified stratified with with one of them; on o n the other hand, however, howe ver, the Sol or Luna Luna will will beco be come me Mercury, Merc ury, which is volatile volatile and
unstable in the fire, fire, so it can be smelted smelted,, like like all those those others, o thers, and a nd thus the sublimate sublimate is prepa pre pare red d by my my methods ethods that that are known known to all allow a profi profit for the work. From th this it now is kept constan constantl tly y that the body bod y of the solis, solis, that is is the Mercury, Merc ury, the ordin ord inary ary mercury, erc ury, is entirely like the body, bod y, and of such shape s hape,, that itit is is worth nothing to the Art, even eve n though a few tinctures tinctures may be mad madee therefrom, but since since sulfur sulfur and Sal Soli So liss are a re used, this this give give to the Mercury the understanding understa nding of the meaning meaning of purificat purificat ion io n by fire. fire. As soon as we now mak makee the Sol into into Mercury Merc ury alive, alive, then we have the best qualit qualit y and an d tincture tincture that we coul co uld d desire, de sire, there in in the twinkli twinkling ng of an eye, and the Mercury Merc ury alive alive beco be com mes unstable ad volatile, volatile, and extracted extrac ted from its its tincture tincture and divested of the same; moreover, moreo ver, from a good thing, thing, a bad one wil will come come ---- - to draw a compari comparison son,, dead men men are wi without thout vigor vigor and and might and and have have nothing nothing to be able to gi give to another. Or the the case of one having having one of his his own arms arms detac de tached hed and is is given given one from from another person. person. He can still still not use it it to help that tha t other person. pe rson. One O ne mig might, ht, however, also speak spe ak of the time time when I take tak e afterwards afterward s another Sol So l and restore his his spirit spirit to him him and, by means of o f this this Mercurium M ercurium Soli So liss extract e xtract it and coagulate it together, and as the phil philosopher oso pher speaks speak s about abo ut it: Sul S ulffur coagu coa gullates Mercury. Even accordin acco rding g to your your presumed presumed unde unde rstanding, rstandin g, you must must neverthel neverthe less again take ta ke a Sol So l and then then insert his his spi sp irit into the Mercury. Merc ury. Regardl Regard less of which which use you you desire de sire to work work,, however, he would then bury the last, last, will will not no t direct one blind blind man to another, and my my words, wor ds, which which have nothing nothing to a dd and which which can c an give give nothing nothing to anyone anyone else, will will beco be come me true. Therefore, your fundame fundamenta ntall concep conc eptt is repudiated rep udiated and you make a Mercury Merc ury from from the Sol and extract extrac t your tincture tincture from it, it, although you wil willl be considered considere d cheap c heap,, as you would add the Sol to your tincture. Examine Examine now your work wo rk to see whether you can ca n make something so mething noble from from something so mething that is is vulgar, vulgar, or an angel angel from a devi de vil, l, or from from the first first Adam, Our O ur Lord and Redeemer, Rede emer, who is also invariab nvariab le and steady stea dy like like the Sol, redee red eem ming ing the fall fallen en Adam. Ada m. As then your fundame fundamenta nta l concep co nceptt consi co nsists sts of the Mercuri Merc urium um Sol So lis, even e ven as a pel pe lt from your ermine. ermine. Where will will your particular particular concep co ncepts ts remain, remain, when the universa universall idea proves p roves to be false? false? What farmer farmer is such a fool as to dry his his seeds see ds in the fi fire before planting them or then soak so akin ing g them again in in water wate r and then planting planting them and then then expec e xpectin ting g them to bear be ar frui fruit? t? Or let his his overseer overs eer dry d ry them and then plant them, or or graft graft them onto dry d ry stems, stems, so that the sap dries up? Moreover, More over, who is now such a fool fool as to to make a living iving tincture tincture from a dead metal? metal? Has a dead de ad person pe rson at any time time ever e ver raised up a living man or can one sinful sinful man redee red eem m another? For Fo r Jesus Chri C hrist st alone, a lone, who was without without sin, sin, was born of a virgin virgin without without the assi ass istance of a man, and a nd there there in a lower owe r form of man was hidd hidden en the supreme supre me power of God, whi which howev however er might not be displ display ayed ed to help help men to become become holy oly before before his his suff suffering, er ing, death, dea th, and resurrection resurrection took place, became b ecame through through the other degree of perfection perfection for the everlastin everlasting g tincture, tincture, through which we all could obta o btaiin the blessing of eternal ete rnal life life after a fter partaki partakin ng of this this tinct tinctu ure. Moreover, More over, we must must from the the philoso philosopher pher Bucher understand understa nd this this and a nd so must must search se arch for for another Sol So l, from the the fi first allall- powerful po werful tincture, tincture, without without fault fault or defect, de fect, born b orn without without sin, sin, its its metallic metallic character chara cter indestructib ndestr uctible, le, which which had known no sin, sin, nor still still shown any lac lack k of perfection, pe rfection, but is is still still in its ini initia tiall disclosure d isclosure,, and in itself conta contain inss the Heavenly Hea venly Balsam, Balsam, the same as that expressed expre ssed in the principa principa l asters. aste rs. Such mater materiia l must must be b e recogni rec ognized zed from the very first, first, for without without such knowledge it is not not possible po ssible for anyone to com co me to everlasting everlast ing life ife by means of o f this this Art or to establi esta blish sh that which which is true true and everlasting. everlastin g.
Now the the materi aterial must be covered covered over over by a fluid (whi (which ch phil philosophers choose choose to call call Acetu Acetum, Aquafort, Q uintam uintam Essential Vini Vini,, and a thousand other names, although it is reall rea lly y only a single single substance) and be prepared prep ared accordi accord ing to phil philosophers’ osop hers’ directions directions by suff suffering, crucifying, crucifying, and resurrection, resurre ction, without without putrefying putrefyin g with with a fixed fixed body bo dy in hi his Art, Ar t, just just as the dead dea d body bo dy of Christ Christ underwent no putrefaction, putrefactio n, although it was dead de ad,, and came into into exi e xistence stence as our tincture. tincture. Moreover, Moreo ver, in thi this matter, not accordin acco rding g to the the absurd understand understanding ing of the ignoran gnorant, t, who desired to extract extrac t the spiri sp iritt from the Sol, So l, and from itit prepare prep are Mercury, Merc ury, which which is corruptibl cor ruptible, e, and no no longer capab ca pablle of resusci resusc itation, tat ion, to say nothing nothing of what their particul pa rticular ar concep co ncepts ts should should bein be ing g out, as long as they were worki work ing in invalid invalid things, things, and also in in Saturn, Sa turn, Jupiter, Jupiter, Mars, Mars , Venus, Venus, Mercury, alumina, saltpeter, antimony, salt, cinnabar, sal ammoniac, sulfur, plants, minerals, anima anima ls, and numero numerous us other things things of the same type, which, which, however, are all compl co mplete etely ly invalid invalid and objectionable, obje ctionable, and in in which no truth truth of o f the Art can ever be found, found, the same in aceto, aceto , aqua aq ua fort, or spiritus spiritus vini vini,, or as it may be called called,, accord acc ordin ing g to the termino terminolog logy y of Arnold Arnold de Vill Villaa nova no va:: When however, we take Sol or Luna, Luna, at the the beginnin beginning g of our work, work , but we will will never find find a water wate r which which of itself alone will will work, wor k, but we must must take ta ke a material, material, which of o f itself alone will will work, work , but we must must take ta ke a material, material, which which is much much better be tter than Sol S ol or Luna Luna in nature and a nd properti properties, like the the person of Chri Christ, to reckon reckon for us, for at all tim times that that person sh shall all make whole a num numbe berr of others, who must must be b e nobler and better, bette r, and a nd then then all wil will be made whole. whole. As long, then, as gold itself is; for for the most most part, p art, deprived de prived of its its tincture, tincture, and the first first Adam must must still still be the same as anyone else, as a s we also know our own Adam, although in a thousand parts par ts not so powerful po werful as his his first first material ate rial of tincture, tincture, as we are or beco be come me men men not unlike unlike the fi first Adam prior to his his fall, fall, since since likewise on account acco unt of sin the ordin ord inary ary Sol So l cannot be a tincture. tincture. It was then, then, before be fore forming forming a tincture, tincture, itself tinctured tinctured by its fi first tincture, tincture, the nature of o f which which lies in this this thousand thousa nd virtues virtues and is is to be counted against the ordinary Sol So l. The same material or Sol So l is needed need ed in order ord er to begin begin our o ur work. We must must sear s earch ch for it and an d take it from trees and roots, roo ts, from from which which Sol So l is obtained, ob tained, to which which all philosop philosop hers direct us, above all all others, Parac Pa racelsus, elsus, who is referred to in the Book of Minera Mineralls. When alchemis alchemis ts wish wish to find find mercury, sulfur, sulfur, and sal salis, salis, as they then wanted wa nted to find find the tree of gold and its its roots, roo ts, where they might might be obtained ob tained chi c hiefly, efly, they should should know that that it is the proper prop er Mercury, Merc ury, sulfur, sulfur, and sal solis solis which generates gener ates the Sol So l at that point. In short I presum pre sumee herewith her ewith,, through suffi sufficc ient ie nt fundament undamentaa ls and preservation of the the Word of God, and through through addi add itiona tionall understanding understandingss of false false alchemists, together with their their unreli unreliab ab le proce pro cesses sses and anticipate anticipated d results from their entirely inaccurate inacc urate fundame fundamenta ntall concep co ncepts, ts, to be sufficie sufficient ntly ly answered. answere d. From F rom this this it it then foll follows ows that their other numero numerous us assumptions assumption s are not vali valid, d, since since their their presupp pre suppositi ositio o ns are not not warranted. warra nted. And, whether or not, from time time to time time something so mething of value value was found found in their processes, processes, it is neverth nevertheless eless then then according according to the the writi writings ngs of Paracelsu Paracelsuss that that these these interpret nterpretati atio o ns and opinions opinions consti co nstitute tute more of a hindrance hindrance than a fathering fathering and even when they they are a re able to further further advance ad vance such a cause, cause , then they can never arriv a rrivee at the the origin origin of it. They They have no correc co rrectt infor nformatio matio n and are able to say nothing nothing a bout bo ut from whence it comes, for when they they are a re asked ask ed how such a thing thing coul co uld d come c ome about, ab out, or o r even how they know k now that it has, or that such is indee indeed d their their process, proc ess, then they are at once taken aback abac k and can no longer longer guess guess if itit is true or not, not, I can not say with with certa c ertaiinty how their answer comes about, abo ut, for indee indeed d I do not know. I have also found it described desc ribed and indee indeed d have labored labor ed over ove r the the problem pro blem of o f bein be ing g abl ab le further further to indicate indicate appro ap proval, val, or even their rationale, accord acc ordin ing g to t o nature, since since it might might be regarded regard ed as cheap, chea p, for for often they
were the objects objec ts most labore ab ored d over in in the cinnabar cinnabar mountain mountain (vitriol, (vitriol, antimon antimony, y, sulfu sulfur, r, and similar metallic objects) which contain within themselves many times solar spirits, which are formed during the birth of such min minera era l in the veins of o f the earth, ea rth, in which which also the Prim Primum um Ens Sol So lis (ini (initt ia l appe ap peara arance nce of the Sun) Sun) is is not not wholly wholly compl co mplete eted d and conti co ntinuous, nuous, but often often compl co mpletes etes the same operat op eratiions, although they no longer longer are of the the same same species. spe cies. Thus, al a lso, is their their Art brough broughtt to an end, end, for then then they they are able able to trans transm mute ute nothi nothing, ng, and and so they they are entrapped entrapped agai again, n, and no longer longer are they able to transmute transmute nothing, nothing, and no no longer longer are they are able to arrive at at a conclu co nclusion. sion. As a result of o f such erroneous erro neous ideas, idea s, they can ca n even lead themselves astray astra y thereby, and seem always always to be getting getting into into trouble, until until they are ar e entirely ruined ruined and die as a result thereof, thereo f, for whi which ch the beautiful beautiful Art must must take tak e the responsibil resp onsibiliit y unjust unjustly, ly, since since it is unreasonab unreaso nablle to expect them to bray about their own folly. Such particul particulars, ar s, however, admonish admonish me, just as do the the grim grim Reaper and the the decea d eceased sed Bucher, Bucher, for they were carried car ried out by Sinners Sinners who are now dead de ad,, and through through the same interc intercessio ession n will will the State of Bli Blissfullness ssful lness be attained. attained. To err is is also of the head, just as the the correctl correc tly y prepared prep ared tincture, tincture, which which is Jesus Jes us Christ. They bind themselves themselves to the foul body bo dy of sins, sins, but even as their faith faith is, so also will will it be with with the tincture, tincture, even though now and then, though such superstiti sup erstitio o ns as theirs no doubt som so mething advantageous ad vantageous will will take tak e place, place , or be helped, and even miracles miracles can occur oc cur and one can lear learn, n, in truth, that the Devil can c an also sometimes sometimes perform pe rform mirac miracles, les, so that it, it, neverthe neverthe less, comes to pass to the same men that they are deluded deluded and are therewith therewith in such an ungod ungodly ly state that they are only only abl ab le to wade wad e into into sin s infulness fulness that is is even deepe de eperr and in in the the end they are compl co mpletely etely undone and, a nd, to a certain ce rtain extent, e xtent, fill filled ed by the Devil. Devil. Like Likewi wise, se, it also also hap happe pens ns with such persons, pe rsons, who dare da re to attem atte mpt such s uch important importan t things things that neither neither God nor nor Nature, nor even they themselves, are able to comprehend co mprehend either the beginning beginning or the end, about abo ut whi which they are also no longer longer abl ab le to obtain ob tain anything anything truthful truthful and will will al a lso, along with with the Art that that they practi prac tice ce,, come co me to no good end. Summar Summarizin izing, g, such things things will will have the effect effect of giving giving notice of o f the prope pro perr nature, that is, is, the actual actua l character characte r of a Sophist So phist who, indee indeed, d, in reali rea lity, ty, seeks see ks nothing nothing and finds finds nothing. nothing. To conclude conclude further, urther, however, as one reads of those who have have acqui acq uired red a rather true true knowledge of the Art, who who dil diligently igentl y studies studies the First Chapter of o f Genesis, Genesis, where God spoke: spok e: Let the earth bring bring forth grass grass and and plan plants, ts, whi which wil will reproduce reproduce them themselv selves, es, and and bear fru fruiit, and and each bear fru fruiit after its own kind, and have its own seed after its own kind of earth. God also spoke to all creatures, as the entire chapter shows, and the context enumerates. Who is is now in in such things things a fool -- - - he who resists the ordinance ordinancess of God and maste masters rs Nature Na ture on he who makes a great great effort effort to do God’s God ’s Will Will?? He who who woul wo uld d like to witness witness lynching and restore vil vileness and ugl ugliness? iness? He who would would sow lead lead,, tin, tin, iron and copper copp er as seed crops? cro ps? And And plan plants ts gold old and and sil silver in the the ground. ground. Paracelsu Paracelsuss says: says: "That That whi which a man man sows, sows, that that shal shalll he also also reap". rea p". If you you pant pa nt gold, then you you will will reap rea p gold, gold, but b ut liliving seeds see ds of gold are a re those that must be sown just as God and Nature created c reated them and has gi given them to you before your very eeyes. yes. We cannot create c reate the seeds, seed s, but Nature has already created create d them. them. We only only pl p lant the seeds, se eds, like like the farmer farmer does, do es, and thus from a singl singlee ear of corn co rn many many hundreds or even a thousand thousand ears ea rs can grow, and we see the same phenomena in all all of God’s God ’s creatures, creatures , that is, is, each e ach brings brings forth its own kind kind and increa increases ses in its its own manner. manner.
In concl co nclusio usion, n, I wish wish to say sa y to you that that the entire entire Art stands as a recogni rec ognitio tion n of current materials and their their soluti s olutio o n. He who who knows both bo th of these ideas idea s knows the secret secr et of the entire Art. But But for for greater greate r facilit facility, y, less trouble, tro uble, and a nd lower costs c osts,, seldom can ca n be found found or understood understo od,, for the Art will will then be absolutel ab solutely y so easy, as philoso philosop p hers say, that it is a woman’s work and children’s children’s play, and also also we need nothing nothing more than fire fire and a nd nitroge nitrogen, n, and this this is the material which which is the the same as the gold gold of the philoso philosoph phers, ers, as I have alrea already dy previously p reviously described de scribed in sufficie sufficient nt detail de tail,, through natural prese p reservation; rvation; what is, is, will will be. be . The operati opera tions ons of o f this this Art, howe however, ver, involve calcinations, putrefaction, solution, distillation, coagulation, and preparation of the tincture, with the operations operations of o f coagu coa gullatio atio n and putrefact putrefactiio n covering covering a period of 40-42 40- 42 days, before the blackn blackness ess appears, and then then solu solution tion in 70 days, days, whereu whereupon pon it appears whi white. Coagul Coagulation ation and and Fixati Fixation on occur in 120 days, and thereupon thereupon the prod uct becom beco mes com co mpletely white, white, i.e., .e. , it is the fini finiss hed he d tincture tincture which which after 40 days da ys beco be com mes quite stable stab le to fire. fire. At that point a redness red ness appears app ears,, so that appro ap proxi ximate mately ly 3 months months and a few days are required required for this this work, work , which which is then augmentat augmentatiio n initiall nitiall y of 10 parts, the the second sec ond of 100 parts, and the thi third of 1000 100 0 parts, and gradually by another 10 1 0 times times greater greate r through solution solution and coagul co agulat atiio n with acri acr id water, accord acc ordiing to the the writing writing s of Aristotle Aristotle : "Through Throug h solutio solutio n and coagul co agulatio ation n we increa increase se its vir vir tue. Sol So lution ution is that which which necessitates, neces sitates, the true power powe r is not of concern concer n here here,, while while solutio solutio n is at the center of the the operation o peration of o f our thesaurus". thesaurus". Moreover, Moreo ver, one sees that the entire entire work inv involves olves nothing nothing more than soluti solutio o n and coagul co agulat atiio n with acrid acr id water, wate r, while while working wo rking in water contain co ntaining ing Aqua Mercuri Merc uriii communis, communis, Aceto, Aceto , Quinta Essentia Vini Vini,, or the like, like, which which are not at all suitab suitablle for other o ther work. Then Then we are able to see and and know that, since the metals metals increase, the nature nature of these things things shows that they need nee d nothing nothing at all. all. Still Still there will will be found found those whose nature na ture we must must reasonab rea sonablly follow, follow, as they will will have itit and make itit nece necessar ssary. y. Also disso dissolu lutt ion, io n, accord acc ordin ing g to the writings writings of the philoso philosophe phers rs:: "Bring "Bring salt and meta metall together without without corrosive co rrosive materials, mat erials, and without without danger, and a nd red and whi white fumes fumes wil will then result". result". You should should also say, "Nature of natures, take tak e your course; course; nature of natures, undergo change; c hange; nature of natures, foll follow to a conclu co nclusion sion;; nature of o f natures, adjust adj ust to the result" result".. We understand that the farmer farmer requi req uires res nothing nothing other than seeds see ds and soil, soil, and there must must be be adeq ad equate uate rain rain and fertilizer fertilizer,, like that which which is equi eq uivalent valent to nature’s supply supp ly.. Consequently, Co nsequently, he plou plough ghss the the field eld and sowed it it and and then then allowed allowed the the sum sum and and natu nature re to take its its course, course, whi which causes cause s itit to sprout spro ut without without any further further additi ad ditions. ons. Also, Also, moreover, ore over, when we have such Semina Seminall Metals Meta ls and their their Seed S eeds, s, then we seed them them in it and allow allow the sun to mature them. And during during that time time we have intense intense heat, then the n the sun can ca n give give by spendi spendin ng itself tself for a year year what what the the sun sun might not be able able to do in in many any hun hundreds of years. years. It is is also true that it foll follows that the farmer farmer who sows no seeds see ds will will have no crops; cro ps; therefore, if we sow no no salt, alum, alum, cin c innaba nabar, r, sulfur, sulfur, lead, tin, tin, iron, copp co pper, er, gold, or o r silver, silver, but the philosoph philosophic, ic, living iving natural gold, with with creates cre ates the same same nature and a nd presents pre sents before be fore your very eyes, eyes , after going immed mmed iate ly to work and then foll follow owing ing all the need needss of nature, requires re quires such instrume instrumenta ntall it ies as nature nature has in the soil, soil, and as a result we do not not need as many instruments instrumen ts as the the fool foo l might might presum presume, but with with an oven oven and and a few instr instrum uments ents we can brin bring along along the the entire entire process from from begi beginning nning to end. end. And And no special special work work is required, required, as Count Count Bernard Bernard has reported reported tha tha t we heat the bath ba th for the King, King, who rules over o ver all evil men on earth, indeed even as a child child of 6 years might might be able to do, do , even though it occurs oc curs onl o nly y once, o nce, but how how and a nd when when no man man is to be found found sinful sinful,, then the philoso philosophers phers have suffi suffic ientl ie ntly y described de scribed all the absolute ab solute necessiti neces sities es of Art of this this
type up to the power po wer of the fi fire, which which beco be comes mes evide evident nt from the col co lor of o f the mater materiia l in the fi fire, and must must be b e recogni rec ognized zed.. And how how much of the Art, which is the easiest eas iest thing thing on earth, ea rth, even for childre children, n, so that they may may laugh on account acco unt of it it and that ol o ld folks folks seek see k it so foo foollishly, so that it it is, nevertheless, neverthele ss, the most difficu difficult lt thing thing on earth ea rth to be found found and also itit is is with with such small small costs co sts to be achieved, that the entire entire work, work , when when we have unde understoo rstood d that for for which which we have have sought, would not cost more than three thalers. David Beuth Be uthee r’s Appendi Appendix x to the Exalte Exalted d Art Art of Alche Alche my ~
First of all, all, whil while we know that under all a ll the the planets p lanets and a nd stars, the Sun is is the hottest hotte st and most most radiant rad iant in in degree, de gree, and a nd also that all the planets receive re ceive their lilight from the the Sun, which which planets are a re also able to, by their their brig b rightness htness,, ill illumina um inate te the entire entire firmame firmament nt in the upp upper er and lower spheres, sp heres, warming warming all things things that formerly formerly were we re cold, co ld, and then, through through the inf influe luence nce of the might mighty y Sun, whose force forc e and a nd effect effect led to the birth of o f gold which we refer to as Our Sun. Then, just as the Sun operates in its realm, it also becomes our Sun here below in earth. Then God placed Fire on the Sun in the sky, by b y which which the excellence and the power powe r began be gan to have thei the ir effec effect; t; moreover, God has given given alchemists and men men of o f power po wer and might, might, which which kindle kindle the earthy eart hy Sun, which which give give the inf inferio eriorr planets and a nd the meta metalls their luster and a nd brightne brightness ss and which asser a ssertt the the might mightine iness ss of the spiri sp iritt of o f man through the Word, Wo rd, as God Himself Himself said: "Let us make man in a form which will will be li like us, us, and and he shall shall have have domi dominion nion over over the the fish fish of the sea, over the the birds birds of the the air, air, and and over all the the beasts be asts of the field, field, and over the whole whole earth, e arth, and a nd over all the repti rep tiles, les, which which crawl cra wl upon the earth". So S o men had now received rec eived the command commandment ment from the Lord to rule, rule, as well well, over the metals, accord acc ordiing to the Word, Word , since since God had said: "Have "Have domi d ominio nion n ove the the whole earth ea rth and everything which which is above ab ove itit and bel be low it". Also, men men will, will, from the the time time thenceforth, thencefort h, have domi do mini nio o n over the Sun and its its erring path, p ath, which which can sustai susta in the gold and bend others to its will will and pleas pleasure, ure, as did did Joshua by b y his his comm c ommandin anding, g, since since he had routed his his e nemy, nemy, that the Sun stands still, still, signify signifying ing that itit is is possibl pos siblee for men to accompl acco mpliis h all thin things, gs, when they they obta o btaiin from God the wisdo wisdom m and a nd understand understa nding ing to do it, so he also received rec eived the same s ame with with assurance as surance in everything which which he wanted to do, do , just as happened happ ened to King Solomon, insofar insofar as he beli be lieved eved it only necessary necess ary for the glory glory of God and for for his his next task. ta sk. And And that is also to be conside considered red for the mig might ht of alchemists and to cut off the presum pre sumed ed argumen argumentt of ignorant fools who say that metals wil will be propagated to men from from God Go d by transplan transplantat tatio ion, n, so that it it is considered considered to be a patentl patently y false alse art, art, whi which none none can practi practice or hav havee knowl knowledge edge on how to carry on. on. For the the metal metalss do not grow grow like like other things, things, for God has create cre ated d just just so much much of o f the same in in the mountains as there should be, be , and no more; ore ; for for this reason rea son must must it also be brough bro ughtt forth with great toil and difficu difficult lty. y. O h, you stupid fool, to whom apply God’s God ’s ordin ord inance ancess and omnipo omnipotent tent words, word s, which which in the beginnin beginning g He spoke spo ke to all creatures, cre atures, in which which He said: "Be "Be fruit fruit ful and mul multip tiply". ly". These words God spoke spo ke not not onl o nly y to liliving anim animals and to crops, but b ut to sli slimy creatures and beasts of prey, prey, whi which you see very very day in the the coarse dust, dust, whi which increase by self-propag self-propagati atio o n, and and for this this reason you beli b elieve eve it to be true. However, there are others, that you are able to come come to know k now only by alchemy; then in this, this, put your hand to the the flail flail,, thresh out o ut the the grain, grain, which which you sow from year to year year,, and a nd so you will will remain an a n unskilled unskilled toiler toiler with with a crude flail, flail, all the whil while having faith in in nothing, holding only for certa ce rtain in your clenched clenche d fist fist and a nd will will have have learned learne d nothing more than what the flail flail tells tells you, bein be ing g able a ble to handle it only, only, or to grasp it with with your coa c oarse rse mind of a beast of burden, b urden, since since you do not not know anything else than hands hands to be put to work to clean out o ut stables, stab les, or to put manure manure on the field, field, and you yourse yourself lf don’t do n’t even know k now the place on
purpose purpose why why you shoul should d do that, that, or that that the the manur anuree gives gives qual quality to the fi field, eld, so that the seed sown in in the earth can propagate pro pagate and you you are unable unable to understand understand that both the seed and the manure manure must must undergo putrefaction putrefactio n and in this this way enter into into the compositio compositio n of earthl ea rthly y bodies bo dies and remain remain these only only as the Quinta Essenti Esse ntia, a, vel Virtus Virtus regenerative (the quintessent quintessentia iall regenerative regenera tive princip princip le), the same princip princip le which which consi co nsider derss the earth to be its mother, mother, in the same way that the the straw eaten eate n by animals animals becomes be comes manure, while while the seeds, seed s, which which are sown also become become food for anim animals, and and the the horses and the oxen oxen eat it it and, and, after after dige digesti sting ng it in thei theirr stomachs, eliminate eliminate the waste mate material, rial, and in in thi this way wa y the the straw, sooner soo ner or later, ate r, is converted co nverted into manure. And during during the time time everything everythin g in the the stomach of o f anima anima ls is undergoing undergoin g digestio digestio n in the stomach of o f Mother Earth, Ea rth, so that all earthly nature is, and so remains, remains, the Q uinta uinta Essentia, and the the forc forcee behi be hind nd al a ll these changes and from from all these these many processe proc essess coming coming together in the the earth, ear th, where every one of them takes take s pace, pa ce, much much goodness good ness results and other thin things gs are invigorated nvigorated and im improved and as a result result the earth becom beco mes frui fruitful tfu l and producti prod uctive, ve, and the the good seed see d can bring forth a good harvest, just as a wife wife when she s he beco be com mes pregnant p regnant bein be ings gs a new child child into the world. world. When itit then recei rece ives a new personali perso nalitt y. Such cases, case s, howeve howeverr , will will be to you a matter of instinct. Thus Thus you go about abo ut seeding see ding the field, field, but even as a blind blind donkey do nkey can ca n find find the manger manger and knows very well who who has produce pro duced d the fod fodde derr for him him,, nevertheless, nevertheless , you want things things which are are much much too to o high high for you and which which will destro de stroy y you, and leave you yo u full full of of doubt, do ubt, so that you wil will know neither the begi be ginning nning nor the the end, e nd, and itit might might not even be possi poss ible for the experienced expe rienced alchemist to transmute transmute metals, even e ven though God Go d has gi given you the blessing of of childre children n to bear witness witness to thi this fact which, due to your inability inability to appreciate appr eciate this, this, remain com co mpletely hidd hidden en from you, you, so that you yourself do not understand what a great accompli acc ompliss hment hme nt it is, is, neverthe neverthelless es s (even though though man is the greatest greate st of o f all God’s God ’s creatures) cre atures) to be abl ab le to transmute metal eta ls. Now, No w, no childre childre n ever came into into the world, when you did not not need need an alchemist, but you attached great gre at impo importance rtance to the the wife wife (as the recepta rece ptacle cle of o f the sol in which which the seed see d was impl implaa nted by you and nouris nouris hed to perfection pe rfection for you). you). Shoul Sho uld d you then then not have have the power to rul rule, as God has decreed, that that you shou shoulld then then not hav havee the the power to rul rule, as God has decre de creed, ed, that you should, should, by ruling ruling over a great many lesser things, things, to keep all such things things under your feet. feet. But you you blind blind ox, you don’t see see very well, well, and you are going going to be an uncouth fool and back your yourself self into nto a hard hard place. place. It is is also also in your your stupi stupid d head to find so lilittle ttle understan nderstand d ing that that you cannot perce pe rceiive the wonderful wonde rful works work s of God and for for this reason rea son there must also be b e in your brain brain someth something ing that that is impossi impossib b le to do. Th There are then then metals etals upon whi which a growing growing natu nature re cannot act, ac t, although the Word Wo rd of God is spok sp oken en as well for for them as a s for all creatures: creature s: "Be "Be fruitf fruitful ul and mul multip tiply", ly", each eac h of you, and itit will will remain prope pro perr and well well with with you, as long as the world remains, remains, as also is the case cas e with with the Word Wo rd of God, God , Have domini dominio o n over everything eve rything that is is on earth ear th and remain unbroken unbrok en in spirit, spirit, for this this is is suffi sufficc ient ie nt to underta undertake ke the alchemist’s Art and the possibi possibili lity ty of also also trans transm muting metals etals through the use of God’s God ’s Word, Wor d, which which conf co nfiir ms it, and no one can be able ab le to refute refute this this statem state ment. If, however, you wish wish t end this discussi d iscussion on and think think that such is not not the case c ase,, then you will will seldom reac re ach h a prope pro perr conclu co nclusion sion or will will find find that the dece dec e ivers will will be b e so may who go around aro und with with false and ill illog ogica ica l arts and count all alchemist alchemistss as one to the benefi be nefitt of the Devil, Devil, so do not expect expe ct to judge as a s a teacher, teac her, but b ut rather as a s a fool, for it wil will be seen that that not all cooks coo ks whi which ch carry car ry the meas measuri uring ng vessels vesse ls are ar e also not alchemists, which which spend spe nd all their energi ener gies es in such endeavors, ende avors, but the the understan nderstand d ing of God God and and Nature, Nature, and they they know what what lies hidden hidden in Lim Limbo Terrae Terrae (for (for which which see Paracelsus Para celsus in Aurora in Aurora,, Chapter 16, of the Universal Universal Materials Materials of Phil Philosophy osop hy), ), which which
can also also come to the the aid of Nature, and can also also make good the defects of the the same through through the art about whi which others onl o nly y dream, dre am, while while they let let themselves seem see m to be those, who carry car ry mountain mountainss of gold in in their heads head s and have have each ea ch one of them fou found nd an a n old catatonic cata tonic state where a slovenly person, pe rson, known k nown as a s a student in a laboratory, labora tory, has mad madee up and set in motion motion a proce pro cess ss which which proc p roceed eedss initiall initially y as foll follows: ows : Recipe, original original ly in code co de but now deciphered de ciphered,, follow following ing a pattern pattern of usag usage, e, accordin according to which which chi children of the streets streets foll ollow a fool fool,, who who goes ahead ahead of them with a pipe and will will suppose suppo se that tha t it is is a certain cert ain that by leap leapiing up and down he has has attained a good concep co nception tion of the true true art, a rt, and still still it was held held to be so well hidden that no one must s ee itit and when when they fina finally lly take tak e itit in in hand hand then they wil will find find themselves dece de ceiived, even by one another, and, yes, itit is true, true, they are even able to dare to undertake undertake for themselves themselves Strohschneiger and Hude Hudelm lmaa nn’s versions of the glorious glorious work of alchemy, which which is neither neither contrary contra ry to God or to Nature, Na ture, nor to one’s own knowledge; not to mention mention the fac factt that they they should should have knowledge of the production prod uction of o f metals, metals, from where they origina originate, te, and how how they came into into being b eing initi initiaa lly, holding holding such friends friends of alchemists as rascals rasc als and knaves, al a lthough an honest and a nd candid ca ndid alchemist, who is is also a true phil philosop oso p her, and knows how to test hi his funda fundamenta mentall knowledge of his his art, fi first, by knowing heavenly hea venly things, things, thereafter, therea fter, through the course of N ature, and, fi finally, nall y, by the the thi thing in itself tself, as such such a fam famous ous phil philosopher osopher as St Paul was known known to be has writt written en in the the 15th 15 th Chapter Chap ter of the First Epistl Epistlee to the Cori Cor inthia nthia ns, who you must must surely not consi co nside derr to be among the deceivers, de ceivers, If you you will will,, however, beli be lieve eve a true alchemist to be a deceiver, de ceiver, then see se e whether his his art which which he practi practices compares compares with with the the Word of God, fru fruiitful by its its very very natu nature, and, in in the the thi third place, place, the the thing thing that he practices, practices , in which which he labors hard and long, long, then as long long as a s the mouth is the infor nformer mer of the heart, so long will will your own o wn words word s make the truth known, whether, he is is a liar or or not. He now says that he will will make it from lead, tin, tin, or a baser ba ser metal, or o r even from from verdigris, ver digris, vitriol, vitriol, salt or other material of this this sort, from from which which the supposed suppo sed al a lc hemist gives gives himself himself the most credit cred it and even thinks thinks only too to o freely that he is is a liar who wil will dece de ceiive himself himself about ab out his his own accom acco mplishme plishments. nts. For then then the Word of God stands there bef be fore his very eyes, since since God has spoke spo ken: n: "Each "Each one produce pro ducess his his own kind". In this this arrangement, ar rangement, all things things and all advances ad vances in nature nature must must remain within within this this framework, framework , since since what lies lies outside such s uch a framewor framework k is the work of decep de ception tion and lies. lies. If now a Sol So l or Luna Luna wants to grow or unde undergo rgo transmutation, transmutat ion, then it must must not be sown in in fil filtt h or vitriol vitriol or lead, or other base b ase metal, si s ince God has spoken spok en further: further: "Everyth "Everythin ing g has seeds of its own kind, kind, by b y which which it can be propagate prop agated; d; It is is very good that everything has its its own peculi pe culiar ar seed". see d". Thus, Thus, eac e ach h thing thing in its own nature shall multipl multiply y and bear be ar its own o wn sort of fruit. fruit. Thus, Thus, in vitriol, vitriol, lead, etc., etc. , so the art of gold gold is not in in gold or o r nature, no seeds seed s of gold or o r silver silver are to be found. found. Just as also an owl can can never hatch a falcon, falcon, although they both are birds birds and, consequent conseq uently, ly, have some characteristic characteristic s that they they share in in com co mmon, so, too, too, neit neither her can a man be descended from a horse, horse, although although it often often happens hap pens that unnatu unnatura rall births births do take place place by the the interbr interbreeding eeding of two two very diff different kinds kinds of thi things, ngs, alth although ough God has, has, nonethe onethelless, forbidden forbidde n such in his his Comm C ommandme andments, nts, as set down in the the 19th Chapter Chap ter of Leviticus, Leviticus, that such things things born bo rn in this this manner should should be burned up by fire, fire, since since they surely are a re more more Sod S odomi omitic tic and diabol diabo lical than they are human human on GodGod - like like.. Therefore, they also bear be ar the mark mark of o f the Devil Devil, they are misshapen misshapen and deform de formed ed,, and are unlike unlike other anima anima ls. Whil While ordin ord inary ary men bear bea r God’s God ’s own image, these misshap misshapee n bein be ings gs are a re not like that tha t at all. all. Therefore, Therefore , I say that you can recognize recognize liars by the mixing mixing of strange things. things. Then also the old ways say: Like Like rejoices re joices with lilike, ke , Nature Na ture
del de lights ights in Nature. Na ture. Nature Na ture embraces embrac es Nature, N ature, joining joining together things things that are alike alike.. And adding ad ding further: Others, Other s, not feminine, feminine, for they they shall shall give give you nonsense, Woman melts man, for woman and man are tinctured. It is the rule of fire, the fire of Mercury himself, By the tribe, twice twice as much, much, the Philoso Philosophers phers Stone Sto ne is is esteemed, estee med, In the tribe it is is he whom they ask a sk thousands of thousands, These three three protec pro tected ted,, then then all volatile volatile material ate rial caugh ca ughtt Others dissolve, dissolve, add together, and subdue. Spi Sp irits and a nd all fermented fermented materials materials of the world, And this this destroyed destro yed the coagul co agulate ated d body bo dy itself, tself, One, if to exist exist together, to gether, with only only the body bo dy placed. place d. Sun and Moon arise from the colors themselves, Male by no means generates women, if not maintained, Nor woman woman prepare men men with without out them them.. If the Sun does not make it ready, rea dy, if the Moon doe d oess not join in, in, If only put down, but arising arising thereupon thereupo n beca b ecause use itit chooses, choose s, Sun and Moon, seed of Mercury, and whether whether Seed Se ed with femi feminine aspects asp ects is joined together to gether with mercury For they prepare prep are pleasin pleasingl gly y these two two bodies born, Because Beca use origin and prayer wil will conquer c onquer the summit summit of everything If fetter fetterss if women women with the Moon Moo n is the goal of o f reali rea lizat zatio ion. n. Now then then,, that that wil will be enoug enough h said said about the the off office of Chem Chemist and and of Nature, Nature, and and to conf confirm the the possibi possibili lity ty of tran transm smu utation of metal metalss and and how the the metals etals each one, according according to the the Word of God, God , has its own seed se ed in in and a nd of itself, tself, by whi which it can ca n propa pro pagate gate itself and bring bring forth its own kind, accord acc ordiing to its own frui fruit, t, and in in this this way wa y you you can recognize recognize a true alchemist alchemistss and phil philosopher, osopher, who who dif differentiates erentiates him himself from an im imposter and and prevari prevaricator cator by showi showing ng that that accordin acco rding g to God’s Holy Holy Word W ord and Divin Divinee Plan and the the course c ourse of o f the path p ath He chose when in his his material body, bo dy, if if you are unable unable to beli be lieve eve the evide evidence nce in a persona pe rsonall way, then let the Word Wor d of God be suffi sufficc ient ie nt fundame fundamenta nta l truth for for you, and your presum pre sumed ed argument argument to the contrary, co ntrary, Simil Similar arll y, might might it not not also just be possible po ssible to make metals metals like likewi wise se propa pro pagate? gate? Moreo Mo reover, ver, when you become beco me worthy worthy of such, the evide evidence nce will will demonstrate d emonstrate it. Since one o ne should not cast ca st pearls pea rls before before swin swine, as Christ Christ has said, said, then then beli believe also also that, that, with without out previ previous troubl trouble, e, your unbel unbeliief and foo fooli liss h opin op inions ions will will put p ut no roasted pear pe ar into into your mouth mouth or have no roasted roa sted dove do ve fly fly into your mouth. So I wil will now permi per mitt myself myself to digress digress a bit and proce pro ceed ed further further with my previ pre vious ous argumen argument, t, in which which I told you that that God spoke, spo ke, as foll follows: ows : "One of every livin living g thing thing shal s halll reprod rep roduce uce its own kind, acco ac cording rding to its own nature, and be frui fruit ful, and retain its own seed see d in itself itself and brin br ing g forth accord acc ordiing to its its own kind". kind". So we write of o f the power po wer of God’s God ’s Word to appl app ly as a s well this this power po wer also to metals, especially esp ecially to the highest highest and best from from among a mong al a ll of the same, which indeed ndee d is our Sun. Shall it, however, not also provi pro vide de brightne brightness ss and lilight to the the leas leastt of o f the planets and must must it then be b e set on fire fire by the alchemist’s reagents reage nts on o n the Earth, even as they are a re in heaven above by God Himself, Himself, who is indee indeed d Lord of the Heavens, but has giv given en the earth to men, men, His Childre Children, n,
who have made made it over to please please God, the Father. N ow, such such an ign igniitio n cannot happen by any such thi thing of itself itself alone, but through its own nature, and the the essenti esse ntial al inflam nflamm ma t ion, no fire fire coul co uld d be found found at that that time, time, which which coul co uld d be the power, po wer, the excellence excellence , and the the result result of pure activit activit y alone, for it wil will help help you to understand understa nd the effec effects ts of the other planets, whether they also a lso are fiery, fiery, with their heat he at giving giving off nothing and taking on o n nothing, or like like the Sun, or fire fire from God, God , so that the fi fire and the spirit spirit are the same. For F or this this reason rea son also, as a s long as a s they are a re taken tak en by one better bette r than itit itself itself is, then they can c an impa impart rt also to others their the ir excell e xcellence ence and this this wil will then be a li light, whi which can then then prov p roviide light to every everything thing whi which is dark and obscure, obscure, because because if if thei theirr cleanness and abili abilit y to lilight up and make make warm, wa rm, and the the other planets, planets, which which of themselves themselves are the same as dead, dea d, can be kindl kindled ed and brought brought to li life and, therefore, therefore, on account of o f their their supreme supreme majesty, can be compared compa red to God and Christ, Christ, which which also would would have given given rise to the the planets planets around aro und the the Sun, inclu includ d ing the Planet Jupiter, and the the Sign of Leo the the Lion, Lion, and since, since, moreover , the Sun illuminate s everything in the sky above abo ve with with its its brightness, brightness, and indee indeed d prod p roduces uces the same result result in the inner inner spheres, spher es, such as gold, minerals, minerals, rubies, plants, p lants, anima anima ls, lions, lions, birds, and even men, men, and also also Chri C hrist st had the proper pro per Sun in in all its its clarity, because be cause of its its brilliance brilliance and never never-failing failing light ight which which it brough bro ughtt and explained explained it and defi de fined ned it, and was destroyed de stroyed by b y inhalati nhalat io ns of the Spiri Sp iritt of the Devil, Devil, but how how Chri C hrist, st, both bo th God and man, man, who was wa s complete, complete, so that we all can also be more more complete, complete, so that men men and creatures have now the power, aallthough though the power of the Spirit, Spirit, the Godhead far surpasses surpasse s any power we have have of our own. own. Moreover, the heavenly heavenly Sun, because because of its its great great clean cleansing sing power, power, can being being about more more than than all the stars stars put together, together, as also also our earthly earthly sun here below be low with with us does doe s to metals, and as Christ is the foremost among all men, men, and next to Him Him we are the the nob noblest lest of all creatures, creature s, even better bette r than the angels, angels, for were are created cre ated in the likeness of Christ, who died to redeem red eem the whole human race r ace and has not suffered suffered to let the will will of that angel who was cast out, and also in earth and heaven, the Moon, and the Sun. To rank among the lesser plans, as with respect respe ct to Christ, and as (Luna (Luna Conjunx C onjunx Soli S olis) s) the wife wife toward to wardss the man, man, and a nd by nature so completely united united,, and how very much more is the the man than the woman, since since it was the man man who was created cre ated first first and is is thus thus Lord of the the woman. wo man. In the same way the Sun is Lord of the Moon. (Woman was created cre ated from the man, man, so merc mercury ury is masculine, while while sulfur sulfur is feminine feminine). ). From Fro m this, this, then, we conclu co nclude de that to com co mplete our work, work , as to begi be gin n the same, of improving mprovin g and shortening shortening it, no no other mate material rial should should be taken tak en than cinnab cinnabar, ar, since since the meta metalls in vitreous vitreous earth ea rth are unsatisfacto unsatisfacto r y and thus they must must be treated trea ted with a better, bet ter, higher, higher, and nobler med medicine, icine, and the grea greater ter the inf infiir m ity, it y, the greater greate r the medicine must be, so that that the the heal healing process and and recovery recovery can also also be more more rapid rapid and more more compl complete. ete. The The entire opera op eration tion may be briefly briefly describe de scribed d in the the followin following g verse, first first set s et down do wn in the handwriti handwriting ng of Paracelsus: There is a stone and a nd still still no stone, In which which stands the whole art alone, alone, It can be found found in the ground ground and mountain mountain In which which dwel dwe ll ogres o gres and dwarfs. I tell you this of a truth and as a favor, favor, He who has this same sa me thing thing has only only a vap vapor. or. And the splendor of the red lion, Extracted mercury, compl co mplete etely ly pure p ure and clean,
The sam sa me sulfu sulfur, r, I saw of a truth, truth, Had the rudiments rudiments of the art so compl co mpletely. etely. Raymond Lully in His V adem (Guide book): ademecum (Guide
The tincture tincture was extracted al a long with with out Sol, whi which ch you can easily easily understand, understa nd, so that you can ca n read our book withou withoutt annoyance, annoyance, and can go and do your work more more safely. safely. Consequent Co nsequently, ly, the foll following ow ing things things are a re requi req uired red for higher higher study; a better be tter unders understandin tanding, g, reliab reliable le infor inform matio at ion, n, hands ready rea dy to work, work , avoiding sop s ophi hists, sts, free and unhi unhinder ndered ed employme employme nt, suffi sufficc ient ie nt abil ab ility, ity, and means and a good philoso philosoph phy. y. Bucher had them them all. all. Johannes Daustenius Anglic:
Cook Co ok the little little man and woman woman together, to gether, until until both bo th becom beco me hard hard and a nd dry. When they are not not dry, differe different nt colors will will not appea app ear. r. Cause: Ca use: the color co lor wil will always be black as long long as moisture moisture is present. present. Item Daustenius:
It is very fortunate fortunate that Nature will will react rea ct accor ac cording ding to well-estab well-es tablis lished hed patterns, pa tterns, in which which most substances are not complete completely ly destroyed by too too much much heat or lack of heat. Thus, Thus, when Nature reacts rea cts too vig vigoro orously usly or too little, little, but otherwise as I ought, then it destroys destro ys directly and that that is not the same, consequent co nsequently, ly, as that which which one o ne would would have wished. In honor of the King and Queen, however, and indee indeed d not burni b urning ng them, for they they did d id not flee flee therefrom on account ac count of o f the intense intense heat. So, So , then, it it is is for you to be patient pa tient and a nd longlong- suffering, suffer ing, which which impro improves ves the Kind and his his Queen Q ueen in in the government. government. Cook Co ok them unti untill they become bec ome black black,, and afterwar afterwards ds white, white, and then then red, re d, and then then this wil will beco be come me an actual ac tual med mediicine, which which gives gives its tincture tincture to gold. Whereas our o ur ore origi originally nal ly becam beca me di d issolved ssolved the more more it was heated and became b ecame a volatile volatile liquid, iquid, after that the more it was heated, heated , the thick thicker er it became, be came, turning turning into into a very whi white powder po wder.. In the third third place, place , the more more it was was heated the more more col co lored ore d it became, bec ame, until until it become bec ome a tincture tincture with with a deep red color and the entire entire operati ope ration on was reduced red uced to a process as sim simple as the the extraction extrac tion of water from an ore and then then decantin dec anting g the resulting liquid iquid from the ore. There There must, however, be a dilige diligent nt watching, a conti co ntinuous nuous conf co nfidenc idence. e. Thereupon, Thereupo n, the whole thing thing will will become become self self-explanatory -explanatory and wil will also also finally nally turn turn out out to be to to your your liking. king. David Beuth Be uthee r’s Philosophi Philosophical cal and Chemical Chemical Writin Writings gs ~
To God Alone Alone the Glory. Question: Question: By By what means means should should one dissolve dissolve the body bo dy of the Sun and the body bo dy of the Moon? Answer : Through your own water or key. ke y.
Question: Question: What is your key? Answer : It is your own mercury. Question: Question: What is your mercury? Answer : It is a metallic liquid liquid which is an inner inner vapor vap or of minera minerals, ls, which is complete co mpletely ly volatile so that it it can also also disappe d isappear ar into the air and diff diffuse use into into the air a ir and after sublimatio sublimatio n it is referred to as the Water Wate r of the Discernin Discerning, g, you spring and a nd fountain, fountain, as well as a s your fire, fire, for then your Philoso Philosopher phers’ s’ Water Wate r is actually actually a fire. fire. Question: Question: Where must must one seek to fi find this this Water? Wate r? Answer : In the mounta mountains ins and in the ground ground and in a large of minerals. minerals. Question: Question: In which which minera minera ls? Answer : In thos thosee min miner erals als in which the spiri sp irits ts of metals reside. res ide. Question: Question: Are all of them good? Answer : Yes, but b ut all of them are dif d ifferent. ferent. Question: Question: Why is that? Answer : Because? Beca use? If they wil will al arise arise from a singl singlee root, roo t, then, then, however, nothing nothing can ca n be extracted extrac ted without without gold and silver silver;; no tincture tincture can ca n be produce pro duced d from from itself alone. a lone. They can c an all be converted co nverted into a tincture tincture of a medicine, but one of them, however, howe ver, is very much nobler and better bette r then the others. Question: Question: Why is that? Answer : The reason reason is that one of them them is not equal in quali q uality ty to the others in the stars above abo ve and in the the cel ce lestial world in the the embodim embod imen entt of their influe influence. nce. Question: Question: Which Which of them, however, howe ver, has the grea greatest test abil ab ility ity from God to act ac t as a tincture? tincture? Answer : There are a re inde indeed ed many spirits which under unde r such circumsta circumstances nces do have the power to give give metals a special spe cial color. c olor. These are a re the the spirits spirits of o f metal eta ls residing r esiding in a great great many minera minerall ores. ore s. Question: Question: What are such such minera minerals ls good for? Answer : Indeed Indee d there are many uses. For Fo r one such meta metall has the spirit spirit of the other six in it. it. But the most most impo important rtant spirits, spirits, however, are those of silver silver and gold, which which live ive in base metals, such as cobalt, co balt, zinc, zinc, bismuth, bismuth, antimon antimony, y, and the the various forms forms of o f garnet. The hig highest hest of all of them,
then, are gold gold and sil silver ores ore s and from them the noble water wate r might might come when they are found found in an entirely natural and pure state. Question: Question: Which Which are the the best b est and most most servi se rvice ceab ablle? Answer : The most most dil d ilute ute and volatile volatile ores ore s and minera inera ls, since since they lea lead d to the spirits spirits of the Sun and Moon. Question: Question: Do these these spiri s pirits ts have more more abil a bility ity as a tincture tincture than others other s do? Answer : Yes, indee indeed. d. Certainly Ce rtainly far more. ore . Since they actually surpass surp ass the others in in their abi ab ilit lit y to become become fixed, and in in thei theirr stabil stability, and and also also they they surpass surpass them in volati volatili lity. ty. Question: Question: In whi which minera mineralls are ordin ord inarily arily found found the spirits spirits of gold and silver silver in the the greatest greate st quantity? Answer : As you have have desired d esired to know the origin origin and the source, then you will will see that the spirit spirit of gold and a nd silver silver is pure, pure , unmixed unmixed with other living living spiri spirits, ts, and you will will also also see see that silver silver is the most most serviceable serviceab le for it is is (even when unrefined unrefined)) pure, ductile, ductile, bright, bright, volatile, volatile, and t he lower lower the sil silver content the better, b etter, since since the red-gold red -gold ores ore s used used are broken into into gold gold and a nd cobalt. Among others, cob c obalt alt is is often found, found, which which leads ea ds to a little ittle silver, silver, if indeed ndee d any whatso whatsoever. ever. Then after digging in a mine, mine, a white, soot so othi hing ng coagulated co agulated liquid liquid or liquo liquorr of the moon is found, which is formed formed partially pa rtially from actual coba co balt lt and tends to incre increase ase in amount amount and is is inclined inclined to be oily, oily, like like melted melted fat, or even a little little pasty, pa sty, or is is lilike a soft, deli de licate cate,, white white pain pa inter’s ter’s color. co lor. In this this liquid, iquid, however, lies lies our liliquor, hidd hidden, en, from the the moon, for us us to labor ab or over. When, however, such liquor appea ap pears rs to give give a minera minerall a red color, co lor, then this this leads to the Spirit Spirit of mars, even if, if, however, it becomes beco mes gree green, n, like like the Spiri Sp iritt of Venus. This This spi sp irit beco b ecomes mes separate sep arated d from its its ore by spagyr spagyriic methods, ethods, so that it has with within in it the the lif life of the the earth, earth, alth although ough thi this spiri spiritt has has also also separated separa ted the pure from from the im impure by the the process p rocess of subli sublim ma tion, tio n, or, in in another a nother way, by the the process of extrac extracti tion, on, carri carried out wi with rather rather vigor vigorou ouss extract extractiion and and the the additi addition on of sil silver, ver, leading eading to artificia artificiall flowe flowers rs of lapidi and a nd tinctures tinctures resulting from their solution. solution. Question: Question: How is is this this spiri s piritt driven away and separate sepa rated d from from its crude crud e earthiness earthiness or terrestrial terre strial nature? Answer : In order orde r that you can accurately acc urately separa sep arate te the the pure from the impure impure and obtain obta in each of them separate sepa rately ly,, you must must now take the liquoris liquorish h water containing the gold and silv silver er and place it in in an effi effic ient ien t sublimat sublimation ion appa ap paratus ratus or an earthen ea rthen vessel vesse l where it it is is then sublimed sublimed in a sand bath, bath, using sing a vessel vessel made of iron iron and tin, tin, and and all allowed to react slowl slowly y for several several hours hours and and then then,, accord acc ordiing to the the oppo op portuni rtunitt y, the longer, longer, the stronger, the spirit spirit rises very very gently gently through the nec neck k of the still still head or retort reto rt into into the other glob globee glass glass and is is even allowe allowed d to remain there, the metals bei be ing identified by their colors. co lors. Then, take ta ke an ore and bring the spi sp irit therefrom. therefro m. You must must tap it it gently, gently, so that the spirit spirit can c an rise easil eas ily y and go out of it. Or, O r, take tak e the minera inera l ores ore s of gold and a nd silv silver, er, crude or pure, in pieces or or entire, carefully ca refully pulver pulverized ized by rubbing on a stone, then hermetica hermetically lly sealed sea led in in a vial, vial, melted melted,, and a nd
then allowe allowed d to sit sit in in a sand bath b ath and mad madee com co mpletely soft, com co mpact pa ct and fixed, fixed, so that the gold becomes becomes heavy heavy and and is covered covered over over with with a green green skin, skin, whi which looks like the the leaf of a nut nut tree and is spoke sp oken n of, of, as is is the custom, custom, as the Green Green Dragon of Hermes, Hermes, or as the the Green Corrosiv C orrosivee (Omni (Omnivorous) voro us) Snake, or as the the Green Green Lion, Lion, although although Theop Theophrastus hrastus called called it the Tree Frog, imbib imbibing ing an air of wisdom wisdo m and and coating co ating his bac back k with wax; but b ut in reali reality, ty, it is the White Lily, Lily, the water of the Wise, Wise, for from from it comes the Eli Elixir of Life, Life, and the Fountai Fo untain n of Youth. When now this this Liquor Liquor of the Sun is is drawn out from the resin resin color c olored ed blood and the green tree frog is covered co vered over with, with, making making him him so hot that that his ski sk in will will burst, and from him, him, after he does indee indeed d burst, burst, comes comes our Li Lily, whi which grows even snow-whi snow-white, like wool. wool. Let itit grow grow as long long as itit can. can. Take this this with an a n instrument nstrume nt of gold, gold, finely finely constructed co nstructed,, and when when you have enough of the the same, same, then continue continue the experim expe rimee nt in a spheri spher ical ca l vessel which which is formed formed like a roundround - bottomed bo ttomed flask flask and sealed, sealed, and its its contents allowed allowed to putrefy putrefy in our o ur Athanor Athanor oven, made of brass, so that that o ne can carry the experiment experiment out in in a dish or whatever whatever he choose chooses. s. It is approxi appro xim mately ate ly one span and a half wide wide,, well made of good iron iron or copper, copp er, like like figures figures with two cupel cupe ls, in which which putrefaction p utrefaction takes tak es place in a very mild mild heat, with with very mil mild sweati swea ting, ng, with with low heat over o ver a period pe riod of a month, resulting in a black color, then a whi white one. This This is our Fountai Fo untain n and our Soi So il, in which which is found found that which which you wil will harvest - - - the Corpus Corp us Soli So liss et Lunae Lunae (Body (Bod y of the Sun and Moon), Mo on), which which can be further further purified purified.. After thi this stage st age of purifi purifica catt io n, more gold was wa s adde ad ded d and the the mixture mixture was allowed allowed to putrefy further. This This is done as often and as extensive extensive ly as desi des ired. red . There is, consequently, consequently, a certain certain consi co nsiderab derablle amount amount of increasing the amount amount of o f ore. So milling tak es place place nine tim times, putref putrefacti actio o n occurri occurring ng at each step. You You must ust see the the blackne blackness, ss, remi reminding you that you have to correc cor rectly tly solve the the problem pro blem and must must make ak e certain that, when necessary, neces sary, the gold must must be added adde d to the mercury. When all of this this is now now in in soluti s olution, on, and then adde ad ded d to its its own ferment, ferment, and heate heated d for a long period p eriod of time time with with one another, until it is unchanging unchangin g (that is is to say, the gold or its ferment ferment - - - the gold or silver silver adde ad ded d as a leaven, so that that its ferment ferment is volatile volatile and the volatile volatile part, pa rt, the mercury, is unchangi unchanging) ng) and itit was formerly formerly consi co nside dered red a tincture, tincture, although not now. The foll follow owing ing involves involves three kinds of solar liquors liquors which which are very very servicea serviceable ble to the Philosophers’ Fountain: The first first is called called gold pyrites, pyrites, which which is entirely pure by b y itself and lea leads ds to no other fore foreiign metallic spirit spirit or o r any hi highly corrosive co rrosive substance subs tance.. The other is the crude and scaly form form of hematite, hematite, which, which, however, must must be b e pure. This This is the most most stable sta ble and durabl durab le Min M inera erall of the Sun, whose greatest greate st value is seen see n in a noble medicine medicine comparab co mparable le to the nob noble le min minera eral, l, antimo antimo ny, in which which the Spi Sp irit of the Sun and moo moon n may be readil rea dily y dissolved to form form a med mediicine. In the third third place, place , there is still still the Mineral Mineral of the Sun, which is a liliquor or water in very soli so lid d gold-cobalt, gold pyrites, or gold quartz, which is very mild and delicate in its first composition. It is is found found to have have a red color and appears app ears to be lilike a cinnabar cinnabar ore. Thi This is the Sugar of of Theophrastus, Theophra stus, which which he mentio mentio ns in his his Thesa Thesaurus urus to act like like gol go ld, and with this this minera mineral, l, the Sap of Gold is is brough bro ughtt to the fountain fountain and allowed allowed to undergo change (as (a s formerly formerly poin po inted ted out with with the Mineral Mineral of the the Moon). Moo n). This This is now now the the threefold Mercury Merc ury of the Philosophe Philosophers, rs, which which is, however, its ferment, ferment, actual actua lly a very beauti bea utiful ful pure gold oxide, oxide, to which which when a gold liquor liquor was added add ed and and all allowed to putrefy, putrefy, a black material material was obtained, obtained, so that the the Green Dragon (which (which is simply simply mercury) which has been be en extracted extrac ted from the the minera minerall and blended with the Anatro Anatron n Sol So l,
which which is actually actually the Lion Lion of o f Gold, or gold oxide oxide,, which which immed immediate iate ly turns it into into the mercury mercury and then into into a double do uble merc mercury. ury. This This is now now the true merc mercury ury of the philoso philosophe phers, rs, which which dissolves all substa substances nces if enough is added. add ed. When all thi this is fin finishe ished, d, as all of the Philosop Philosopher herss have noted, noted , the two waters water s unite unite to form form one. o ne. In this this white white water, water , the the substance substa nce dissolves to form the perfect sol so lutio utio n, which which beco be com mes coagul co agulated ated when acted ac ted upon by b y its fi first ferment until it, in its turn, turn, beco b ecomes mes white, white, as well well as non-fl non- flamma ammab b le and indestructib ndestr uctible, le, and even though though it is actual actua lly fixed fixed and stable stab le as a White White Tincture, Tincture, it must, must, nevertheless, nevertheless , be further further treated trea ted until until it gives gives a red tint, tint, at which which poin po intt it is is even eve n better bette r fixed fixed and is then then abl ab le to dye everything from white white and can be look looked ed upon furth further er until until finally, nally, the deepest deep est shade shadess of red red appear. Conti C ontinuing nuing this this proc p rocess ess and others, others , such as steadil stea dily y heating over an open op en flame, flame, produce pro ducess no change, although a brightne brightness ss is imparted imparted to the flam flame, e, which which first first turns gold, then red r ed,, and fi finally na lly a deeper deep er red, but the substance itself is non-combu non-c ombustib stible, le, which which is its its most notable characteristic, since since fire fire only serves se rves to make it more more stable. stab le. Question: Question: How many changes, then, can this this Stone S tone bring about? ab out? first is putrefactio putrefac tion; n; the second seco nd is fermentat fermentatiio n. Answer : Two. The first Question: Question: Then how does fire cause it to increase? Answer : The increa increase se occurs occ urs in in the metal. metal. Question: Question: How can the gold gold cause ca use itit to become bec ome tinctured tinctured and mak makee it better, bette r, since since it was previ previously pure pure enough enough?? Answer : It mak makes es it like like a tincture tincture and a lapidi ap idi,, which which thereafter therea fter is much much more penetra p enetrating ting and its its activit activit y is incre increase ased d so that 1 part pa rt per 100 parts pa rts of material ate rial can ca n bring abo a bout ut the same amount of uniform uniform col co loring and can turn out more gol go ld. Question: Question: Is there there then the n no no mi mineral nera l on earth that this this material mater ial cannot cause to be tinctured? tinctured? Answer : None. No ne. Of that that which which you have seen as the the proper prop er basis and, as I have previously previously suggeste suggested, d, all metals metals have origina originated ted from a single single root roo t stock stoc k and thus thus all can be brough bro ughtt to a singl singlee tincture tincture of white white and red (although the assistance of gold and silver silver are required). So you now know, and can imagine imagine even, what kinds of o f metals are a re best suited, suited, the most powerfu powe rfull and the mig mightie htiest, st, and you you will will soon so on disco discover ver the gold, si s ilver, lver, mercury, erc ury, copp co pper, er, iron, tin, tin, and lead lead all have a single single root roo t or Mercuri Merc urium. um. When occurrin oc curring g alone in a metal eta l or minera minerall this this ore is purer in in mercury and is is easier ea sier to bring bring out of its ore and also easier ea sier to purify purify than are the other s. In this this way, you wil will know, however, that merc mercury, ury, whil while still still in its ore, is also a very beautiful red col co lor, rese r esembl mbling ing that of a ruby. Indeed, Indee d, this this minera inerall is also fin finely ely powde po wdered red and comes from from its ore very read re adiily, ly, as merc mercury ury also a lso comes from its its gold ore, ore , even more more rapidly ra pidly than other o ther forms forms of of mercury. The gold gold and sil silver in their their orig o rigin inaa l state can ca n bring bring it out and make ak e itit simil similaa r to mercury. This This is the only only differe difference nce in the the fform orm of the minera inera ls reporte rep orted, d, that is, is, whether they all will will have one kind of o f mercury and stem from a singl singlee root roo t or a mercury before them will will be suffi sufficc ientl ie ntly y shape s haped d solely by other characteristics. characte ristics. However, However , through the poisonous poisonous vapors vapo rs in the pockets int intersper erspersed sed in the the earth earth so that mercur mercury y from a mi mineral neral havi having anothe anotherr spiri spirit might lead
to a merc mercury ury of such a nature that it can be purified purified easier easier than the others and thus one o ne sees in in such a one this this fact in the sublimat sublimation ion proces pro cess, s, since since the merc mercury ury is often in four different different col co lors, all of which which are spirits spirits driven thereinto. ther einto. On acco ac count unt of this, this, no mercury di d issolv sso lves es the metal eta l. Then it wil will be that false false colors c olors and impure impure spirits spirits will will be b e separa sep arated ted and removed removed.. The merc mercury, ury, however, from the liv living ing mercury ore is is volatile volatile and is is even the most most volatile of all all min minera era ls and, also, without a singl singlee thing, thing, except excep t a very gentle gentle heat, not alone for for the purpose purpos e of driving it from from its ore, or e, but also also (by (b y such a gentle gentle heat) to readily readily purify purify and refine refine it and, more moreover, over, that it might might equall eq ually y have such strength and a nd other good qualit qualit ie s as the preced prec ediing do not have. And when it now has also also bee b een n made as compl co mpletely etely pure as a crystal as a result of sublimat sublimatio ion, n, then itit dissolves much much more readi read ily than other min minera era ls, such as mercury, gold, and sil silver, and com co mbines with with them, so that this this is a true saying, saying, "Prepa Pre pare re mercury from mercury solution, solution, without without ordi ord inary mercury ores". o res". But Philoso Philosopher pherss say, "Thus "Thus you see that mercury ore or e attacks attac ks the metallic metallic nature of o f all kinds kinds of metals and a nd fuses fuses them together and, for this this reason, rea son, you can also beli be lieve eve that it can do that that to its merc mercury ury even more readil rea dily". y". When the spirit spirit of the pure gold gold is adde ad ded d to such a rapidly rapidly heated heate d mercury, then it mak makes es the gold gold like the mercury, erc ury, too, too , and so one can proceed proc eed with with the other o ther ores, as previously previously taught, taught, to prepare prep are tinctures tinctures from other o ther metalli metallicc ores, ore s, thereby leading to mercury or the spirit spirit of the gold. For Fo r this this reason, reason, nothing is bound to any one certain minera mineral, l, since since from one such, as from the other, a mercury is obtained. ob tained. Then a conveni co nveniee nt proce pro cess ss wil willl result, which which can then then be b e utilized. utilized. It is also to be noted that whether whether indeed ndee d a minera minerall contai co ntaining ning mercury taken tak en from Nature or from another source so urce that can be repuri rep urified fied like the other, o ther, then we must must now take ta ke such a minera minerall, as Theophrastus Theophra stus taught, namely namely the Electr Electrum um Minera Minerale le Immatura Immaturatt um (which (which is such a noble metal) metal) which which by itself has no other foreign nature, nature , then as a s long as a s the spiri spiritt of the metal will will be of many kin k inds ds,, many kin k inds ds of processes processes must must also also be requi required to refi refine the the same. same. In pursu pursuan ance ce of this, this, I wi will now consider consider the the phil philosophical work work to foll follow hereafter ereafter.. In the Name Name of the Holy Holy Tri Trinity and to the the Glory Glory theret thereto o be gi given. ven. Amen. Amen. Philosophical Work ~
Since the meta metalls in the veins veins of the earth ea rth will will be very very impure, impure, they must be b e treated trea ted by a very high high and nob noble le course co urse of med mediicine, and then will will be b e cured. cured . The more more persi pers istent the illness, illness, the more more vigorous vigorous the med medici icine ne that wil will be requi req uired red.. Thus, Thus, for our Work, Work , there is nothing nothing better be tter than than can c an be taken than than the labeled abeled materi aterial and for for that that we mus mustt go to the Tree of Gold, Gold, as Theoph Theophrast rastus us has shown us and has has al a lso stated state d in in his his book bo ok on the Minerals. The old alchemists knew how to fi find sulfur sulfur and merc mercury ury from the Sun and how in the Tree of of Gold and its its roots roo ts he coul co uld d inde indeed ed find find it, and might might even be able ab le to ob tain it it cheapl cheap ly, for the same, namely, namely, salt, sulfur, sulfur, and mercury, ercury, which is merc mercury, ury, prod p roduce uce gold gold there. They also also talked about ab out a Tinctura Tinctura Physico Physicorum, rum, in which which the old old Spagyri Sp agyrists sts before be fore them them had withhe withheld ld controversial contro versial and tedious tedious work, since since they had obtained a much easier and better route where where they had had learned learned about ab out the the Astronomi Astronom iae Concord Co ncordance ance on unanimo unanimo us opin op inion ion of the alchemists, in which which Theophrastus Theophra stus speak spe akss about abo ut the Lion: Lion: "Take now his his ruby- colored colore d bl b lood oo d and from the Eagle Eagle the whiten whiten gluten, gluten, and after after you have coagulate coagulated d the two together, in this this way wa y you you have obtained the Tincturea Tincturea Physico Physicorum rum". ". What the Red Lion Lion was, however, he said -- - - at that time time and in in that that same place --- -- only only with with obscure obsc ure words, words, and there he described described the Subjectum Materiae, saying in these these words: wo rds: "The "The material of the Tincture Tincture is a thing thing which which you unders understand tand correc co rrectl tly y from the the
Spagyri Sp agyrists, sts, which which come co me from one of two Arts Arts taken take n from the the Vulcan Vulcanii (the Shini Shining ng O ne)", and might might so still still remai re main n as I told you about abo ut in his correct correc t terms, acco a ccording rding to the old old custom custo ms, and even that it is is the Red Lion, Lion, named by many many but known by b y few. Now, N ow, the the same may be transmuted transmuted through the help of o f Nature Na ture and the skill skill of o f the artisan in works work s of the White Eagle, and also, also, that from from a singl singlee one, two will will result, r esult, over which which the golden brilli brilliaa nce does do es not subsequent subse quently ly lighten ighten the Spagyri Spa gyricc over the the two, viewed viewed as one. If you do not know what the requi req uireme rements nts of the ancient astronomers astro nomers and a nd the customs customs of the old cabali cab alists sts (i.e., mysti mystics cs)) are, are , then you either report rep ort for further further enligh enlighte tenme nme nt through oral ora l comm co mmunica unicatio tion n or else elect elect to look into the Arts of Vulca Vulcan n through God’s God ’s help or that of Nature. Na ture. So much much has been said about abo ut this, this, as Parac Pa racelsus elsus would say sa y that he used the short way of prepa pre parin ring g the tincture tincture from the materials from which which all this this should should be made. It is so clearly desc d escribed ribed that those who do not understa understand nd it will will not no t even be able to guess anything further further and are unable unable to t o declare it clearly with their mouths. mouths. And although although it is is true true that it is is given given to unde understand rstand suffi sufficc ientl ie ntly y the as wisdo wisdom, m, so it wil will neverthel neverthe less be imprude imprude nt, and even more more foolis foolis h, to never learn from this this duri d uring ng one’s own lifet ifetime. ime. Thus, Thus, from the the start, it was indicate indicated d clearly enough e nough what the mate material rial is from from which which the tincture tincture should should be mad madee and is is stated state d in this this way on the basis ba sis of one thing thing alone, and a nd that that is, that one needs nothing nothing more than this (just as also the entire soul stands alone in Christ) Christ) and should should say: "It is is and is is cal ca lled the Red Li Lion". Where, indeed, ndee d, we seek the same and shall find find it, he says, in the Tree of Gold Gold and a nd its its roots, roo ts, since since he lead leadss us actually to the one mountain, mountain, which which is nothing nothing other than the actual ac tual Red Lion, Lion, and then to that which which is no no other metal or metal eta llic spirit spirit by itself itself than the cherished Spiri Sp iritt of Gold. And he, indee indeed, d, clearly and a nd prope pro perly rly talks about ab out the fact fact that in order to demonstrate these words, he said th thee foll following: ow ing: "The The Red Lion Lion can be transmuted transmuted into the White Eagle, so that the one can become two, and moreover that gold with all its brilliance cannot lighten lighten up the spagyric". spagyric". Note well well, the the word "Gol "Gold" d" and and all all its bril brillia lia nce, of whi which he speaks and and by whi which he means means nothing nothing else than than the the aboveabo ve-menti mentio o ned material, material, and not the ordin ord inary ary melted melted gold, provi pro ving ng from this this that, since he has has directed us to go to the Tree of Gold and its roots, roo ts, the metals incre increase ased, d, and also also in his his Archi Arc hido doxa, xa, as well as his his little little book bo ok on Renovation Renovatio n and Restoration, Restora tion, he said that the gold, gold, indicate indicated d in the thousandth part, pa rt, is is not so powerful po werful when melted melted b y the furnace furnace as in its its ore, ore , for as soon soo n as this this is done, do ne, the salt, sulfu sulfurr and merc mercury ury are gone gone away. a way. He also pointed this this out in hi his manual. manual. For Fo r this, this, we should should take tak e Erlectr Erlectrum um minera mineralle immat mmatura uratt um, that is, is, the most most noble of o f metal eta ls. An item in the the littl littlee book bo ok Electr Electroo-Min Minee rals ra ls says that from from the purer metals, nothing nothing is retain reta ined ed of the art of alchemy. alchemy. And in his his Metamorphos Me tamorphoses es he also says the same thing thing about about active gold and silver. silver. Rodangi Rod angion onus, us, in his his little little book bo ok on Signs Signs of the Zodiac, writes that the art of Alchem Alchemy y is not to be sought or found found in metals metals which which are of poor quali qualit y and inf inferio eriorr and, and, so also, will nothing be found in small small minera minerals. ls. Arnold of o f Villano Villano va in his his Alchemical Speculations poin po ints ts out that that in no minera inera ls of inferior inferior quality quality and not even in ordinary gold and a nd silver, silver, and not not even in other lesse lesserr things, things, can alchemica alchemicall arts be found, found, excepting exce pting those in in which which the gold is is the best be st possibility po ssibility and satisfies satisfies the symbo symbols ls of cinnabar, cinnabar, that is, is, it is in the Red Lion. Lion. Theophrastus Theophra stus also wrote about ab out such materials ate rials in his his Alchemists’ follows : "We find find Alchemists’ Thesaurus Thesaurus , as follows in the veins veins of the earth ea rth a minera minerall which, which, in its first first coagul co agulat ation, ion, appe ap pears ars to be red in in color and in in it lies lies seal sea led all the flowe flowers rs and colors of o f the minera mineralls, as well as the the good goo d qualities qualities of all meta metalls, and what might might be the same in in all of them, that is, in this single single thing", thing", and noted noted as such in the same sort of cinnab cinnabar ar ore, ore , for for the the appe ap peara arance nce and color are almost almost entirely the same. With this, this, it is shown not only in in the dayligh daylightt what the mater materiial is lilike, ke , but also it indicates indicates what kind of stock
we should should search sea rch for and what what kind of o f metallic metallic seeds see ds we should should find. find. Note No te well, well, the gold and sil silver produce prod uce such such seeds, which which subsequently subseq uently tend to grow and to to increase. In Arrige Arrige Aures Pamphi Pa mphile le all these words word s are note noted d and conf co nfirm irmee d by Berhardus, Berhard us, Gebe Ge ber, r, Alani Alani,, Raymond Lully, Lully, and many many others. N ow, this this is enough of o f the review review of those those works, work s, the mater materiia l from which which we shall take. If we now wish wish to proceed proce ed furth further, er, we must now go go on to Paracelsu Parac elsus’ s’ School Schoo l of Work and a nd to the brief brief passages passages whi which foll ollow, as are readil readily to be noted noted and and learned earned from his Scriptis. Scriptis. Then we desired to learn from the Subjectum Materiae v el Tincturae, Tincturae, which which is reporte rep orted d clearly enough and shown with with the fingers, fingers, so he also set up thereby thereb y the welcome prepar pre parations ations and said that that from one (of the the materials noted) noted ) two would resul res ult, t, namely, namely, sulfu sulfurr and merc mercury, ury, since since one of of them (merc (mercury) ury) gives gives the body, bo dy, on earth, ear th, wherein where in we plant plant the seeds, seed s, i.e. i.e.,, the the Sulfur Sulfur of the Sun, which sulfur sulfur is call ca lled ed the Bloo Blood d of the Red Lion, Lion, while while the mercury is call ca lled ed the Gluten Gluten of the White White Eagl Ea gle. e. He further further stated state d that when when the two coagul coa gulated ated together, then the tincture tincture thus prepared prepared was ready to be used. used. Thi This is, indeed, indeed, a shorte shorterr way of preparati preparation, on, thou though gh it gives poorer and in inferior resul results. In additi addition, on, he said said that, that, however, owever, thi this requi required the the servi services of a wellwellexperienced experienced artisan artisan to serve as Fire master. master. What a fi figme gme nt of the im imaginat ion! io n! Now, howev however, er, every everyone one might ght like to know how to make make from one (of the the materi materials als noted) noted) two two differe different nt materials ate rials and bring bring seed se ed from the the earth ear th and afterwards afterward s sow so w the seeds seed s now and again, so that there would be an incre increase ase in the the frui fruit brough bro ughtt forth. Indee I ndeed, d, he did not set forth forth any a ny separa sep arate te process of operati operation on theref therefore, ore, but nev nevert erthel heless ess said said that that those those who who could could not un understan derstand d from his his description de scription would be allowed allowed no further further conjecture conje cture and, more moreover, over, that nothing nothing more would would be added to the Art Art by God Him Himself. self. Thus Thus,, it is, however, however, true true that with without out any fur furth ther er instructi nstruct io ns, such words would be of such a limited limited understand ing that they would would be b e almost almost too difficu difficult, lt, if not impossib impossible, le, to comprehend co mprehend and would would show further further how one should should proce pro ceed ed with the mate material rial.. Then, al a lone would he be able ab le to say that the mater materiial or the the tincture tincture should should lead to an unders understand tanding ing of the Red Li Lion, that is, that it is is cinnab cinnabar, ar, and that itit is a thing thing which which involves "one in two through through the art of Vulcan", Vulcan", an understanding understand ing o f the use of fire fire and hea heatt and how how generated and how how released from these these materia materia ls, and how how subli sublima tion tio n may be b e brought brought about, abo ut, and that I pass pa ss it it on to you with with its correct corre ct nature and the uses uses of old, old, so that it is the the Red Re d Lion Lion of which which much much is spoke spo ken n and littl littlee is known. Now, N ow, the same may, through the help help of Nature Na ture and the skill skill of o f the artisan, bring about abo ut a transmutati transmutat io n in the White White Eagle Eagle and then, too, may from from one (understand (understa nding ing the nature nature of o f the mater materiial) there come two, that is, is, sulfu sulfurr and mercury. M ore than that, the brillian brilliantt reflectio reflection n from the the gold should should not illumi illuminate nate the spagyro. As he would say no no more more than that, as a s the two principles, principles, sulfu sulfurr and merc mercury, ury, are not used to conduct cond uct the work, but b ut are to be kept kep t in in reserve, as in in the case cas e of the the ma ma teria teria l, which which must be b e only only one, and yet, at the same time, time, may be two. In this this brief work is explained explained not only completely the material, material, but also also the entire work, wo rk, beginnin beginning, g, midd middlle, and end; and the whole proc p rocess ess of preparing preparing the the tin tincture cture and and also also the the complete complete work, in in whi which the the three three thi things ngs are pointed pointed out, out, first first,, the volcanic volcanic action, which which was treated treate d by the poets po ets in in the case of fire, fire, by others as the help of of Nature, Nature, and and by a thi third group, group, as the skil skill of the the arti artisan, san, and and throu throug gh these these three three means eans were were the aboveab ove-m mentioned two thi things, the sulfu sulfurr and the the mercury, in the light light made by the Red Lion, Lion, caused cause d to happen happ en and termina terminated ted therewith, saying saying that beyond the brightnes brightnesss of the gold, the artisan artisan was not ililluminated. um inated. As he he was wont to say, say, not to brig the work wo rk past that that point, point, ei e ither through the help help of fire fire or through the skil skill of the artisan. Then, when the artisan artisan brings brings it so far
that he has has mad madee sulfur sulfur and mercury from the material, material, then he cannot go any further, further, so he must must let God Go d and Nature work it out and then await awa it the frui fruit. t. Even as the the farmer, who plants seeds see ds in in God’s Name and in God’s God ’s Seal and proceeds proceed s thereupon thereupon and God and Nature set about abo ut accompli acc ompliss hing hin g the results. The artisan must also do his his part pa rt ifif he hopes hope s to make the two from from one. What now, howe however, ver, the three works work s and what what each ea ch offi official cia l or ministe ministerr of Vulcan Vulcan or Fire Fire of nature does do es,, using the skill of the artisan, artisan, I will will now explain briefl briefly y here and and clear clear itit all up and further urther point point out what is is understood by these these words, before, however, reporti rep orting ng that us as the Sun in in its its course through thro ugh the sky, no no one else than through through his his reagents, r eagents, which which are actually from God Himself Himself,, is lilit up (enlightened ). Men can also see that that there is a reagent rea gent in this this case cas e here which which igni ignite tess our Sun the same as any fire fire on earth, since since God and Nature have provided p rovided him to enable enab le him to work and keep ke ep him himse self lf alive. alive. So itit is is true that the heavenly fire fire from the Sun so influe nfluenc nces es metals that tha t itit is up to us us a comm co mmon on earthl ear thly y event and a nd involves involves a solidifyi solidifying ng and congealing co ngealing fire. fire. In Heaven, however, howe ver, this this is resolved. If it should should come to life, life, however, it must must be throu through gh its resembl resembling ing in appearance appearance that that extern external al fire and and such such a uni unifform fire was assum assumed that it burned burned with with a bright bright flame, flame, which which was the spirit spirit of the Fire, and a nd it caught caught fire fire and had its its effect. effect. Since, Since, however, we are not able to have have the Power P ower of heaven or even bring bring it down to us, then we so needed need ed the Materialis Materialis tic Fire, which which was origi original nal ly ignited by sparks, spa rks, so that itit burns conti co ntinuous nuousll y without without ever ceasing and, as long long as it has this this same s ame mate material rial making making it up, and can ca n conti co ntinue nue to work and by means means of o f the the same also acts ac ts in in metals, metals, due to the ignitin igniting g of an earthl ea rthly y sun, just as also also li like can be brough bro ughtt to life life by like. like. Thus, Thus, even if wood contai conta ins the Fire Pr P r inciple inciple and is is of a combusti co mbustib b le nature, still it does do es not not catch fire fire unless unless ignited, ignited, as by sparks. spa rks. Moreo Mo reover, ver, since this fire fire is not that of the shining Sun, nor nor is is it that of of shining gold, it must must then then be b e the result of the earthl eart hly y fire, fire, which which is igni ignited ted by its its sparks, spa rks, so that it also burns burns and continues continues to burn so long as a s the same combustib combustib le material is added adde d to it, it, so that that the one Sun and Light Light igni ignite tess the other, just as the Sun in in the Firmame Firmament nt of heaven ignites gnites all the the other Stars. S tars. This This declares dec lares to us, as Theophrastus Theophra stus first first noted, noted , by way of volcanoes or fire, fire, which which the poets po ets have have termed the God of Fire or the Smithy Smithy of God, God , through through which which is understood understo od the materialist ic fire fire in our oven. However, However , natural Fire, F ire, and Nature Na ture herself, herself, has in part been be en suitab suitable le to this this work, wo rk, that is, is, the seeding see ding of fire, fire, which which so influ influee nces nce s the metals, through thro ugh the heavenly heavenly impre impressio ssions ns and markings markings that were brought about ab out through our fire. fire. And since since we here here in the world have doubled the heat in our work, work , so we also also are able to complete our work in in shorter time, time, so that in in many many years Nature Nature is not able able to do it at all all. The The work of arti artisans sans is not otherw otherwiise than than tendi tendin ng fires and and managing the same, so that the fi fire will will not be too large or too small small,, and this this is the Key Ke y to the whole work effort. effort. Moreover, More over, the sayings sayings of philosop philosophers hers are fi filled with with this this sort so rt of thin thing g in which which the whole whole of the Art consists. Fire and Azoth Azoth are a re sufficie sufficient nt in themselves, and thi this is enough to say to you and, as various sayings sayings evening the works work s of the the phil ph iloso osoph pher er Bucher have noted, putrefaction, rectification, calcining, distillation, coagulation, sublimation, incineration, etc., etc. , lead thereby thereb y the foo foollhardy to conceive co nceive that itit is is everything under the headi head ing of o f the above ab ove mention mentioned ed work, work , which, which, nevertheless, nevertheless , since since it is is our own, should should be consi co nside dered red,, in our own words, word s, as dictum: "Solvate, "Solvate, coagul co agulate ate,, and pour through through a filter filter bed be d of rocks, roc ks, which which results in the conf co nferrin erring g of consi co nside derab rable le success". succe ss". And, by this this work, wor k, you you will will compl co mpletely etely fulfill fulfill the sayings sayings of the sages, which which runs: "Bri "Bring ng Salt Sa lt to Metal without without Corros Co rrosiive Acti Ac tion on and Danger, Danger, Thus Thus will will You have White and Red". And now, as Parac Pa racelsus elsus has ha s set forth, forth, the entire entire ope o peration ration of the separation sepa ration of mater material ials, s, and as you are about abo ut to mak makee two from from one, o ne, by add ing ing onl o nly y fire, fire, so teach teac h again the same two
com co mponents po nents and say that one should coagul co agulate ate the blood of the Red Lion Lion with the Gluten Gluten from the White White Eagle, whereupo wher eupon n the entire tincture tincture will will be ready, rea dy, thereby thereb y showing showing that the entire Art must must lie in a single single work wo rk which which will be b e init init iated and completed co mpleted by a single thing, thing, from which it also has the designatio designatio n, "By "By Universa Universall rules, rules, correc co rrectt and strict". strict". And as the work must must be com co mpleted in an oven and a vat, and with with instrume instruments, nts, neverthel neverthe less es s with with the changes in the fi fire re counteracting the secondary effects. effects. And also, also, the materials, materials, once they they are incl included uded subsequently in the convenie convenie nt instrume instrument nt appro ap propriate priate thereto, thereto , the name name of which which is not given, given, until the tincture tincture is ready, rea dy, there therewith with once again if if is is ful fulll of the la la ngua ngua ge of philoso philosophe phers, rs, as foll follows: ows : "In a vat containing the instrume instrument, nt, you can carry car ry it out from beginning beginning to end". Whoever Who ever has dilig diligee ntly nt ly studied Bernhard’s Parab Pa rable, le, which which states sta tes that as the K ing goes alone into into his bath and takes tak es none none unfamil unfamiliar iar with him, him, and as long as he remains remains therein, until until he com co mes out a blood - red col co lor, and also also like like all the the others, the meanest man on earth ea rth may may be b e his his protect pro tector, or, while while no other trouble demands d emands further attenti atte ntion on than to heat up the K ing’s bath, b ath, he he who loo looks ks after all all this dilig diligee ntly, nt ly, will will understand unders tand my meani ea ning ng very well and also under understand stand how my my words are in agreement agree ment with with those of philoso philosoph phers. ers. Here I call to your attention that you bear be ar in in min mind d what I have mad madee known k nown to you in in my my previ previous univer niversal sal work and how everyt everything hing in itself tself has has its own seeds, seeds, therew therewiith to propagate propagate itself and reproduce repro duce its own kind, kind, and a nd how the Red Lion, Lion, which which is cinnab cinnabar ar transmut transmut es itself, itself, accord acc ordiing to the words word s of Paracelsus, Parac elsus, into the White White Eagl Ea gle, e, "only "only by adding ad ding fire fire to putrefaction putrefact ion and sublimat sublimatio ion n into wholesome life" life",, and how, at first, first, the blac black k color appear app ears, s, and thereafter therea fter the white, white, which which is indeed ndee d the prope pro perr White Eagle, actually a ctually mercury, and at the bottom botto m of the glass glass vessel remai r emains ns the bloo blood d of o f the Red Lion Lion and itit is is the the "Sulfu "Sulfurr of the Sea", which which will will be extracted extrac ted through its its own mercury, alth a lthou ough gh in the same place distinct distinct addi add itional mercury will will be be realized, realized, to work with, with, to solvate, solvate, and to coagulate, coagulate, which which involves nvolves the older and longer longer process, proce ss, so that he does doe s not not know thereby the proper prop er directions, directions, can overload overload the seed, seed , flood it, and suffocate suffocate to death, de ath, so that that it can bring forth no frui fruit and is is no no longer, longer, therefore, abl ab le to carry carr y out its functi functio o n. Accordingly, Acco rdingly, so must must the work be begun begun with wisdo wisdom m that the red tincture tincture will will be obtained, ob tained, then the white white material must must be b e divide divided d into into two parts, one to augment augment and the the other to reduce, the red. In the the short method method of producti prod uction, on, however, the work goes faster faster and more more safely, safely, since since all the the material involved involved is kept ke pt together and treated trea ted at the same time, time, and a nd nothing nothing therefrom is obtai obta ined thereb t hereby y unless unless God and N ature have ordain orda ined ed it. Also, Also, it takes tak es merc mercury, ury, the matter in metal eta ls, which which is minera mineral, l, the semen of man, man, which which is sulfu sulfur, r, themselves adde ad ded d together, with with nothing more, that is all that that is nece necessar ssary, y, so s o let the powerl power less alone, for in this this way the worker work er in in the fiel field d cannot easil e asily y be deceived, de ceived, since since he has only only to loo look k after the fire. fire. We have here a good example of the evolutio evolutio n of man man quite gradually, grad ually, as the man and the woma woma n often attempt to have a child child without without success, succe ss, but b ut only at a time time when in in the first first concep co ncepti tion on the man’s seed see d is productive, pro ductive, whil while at other times times all a ll of the other seed se ed is is lost. lost. Success Succ ess occurs o ccurs onl o nly y through the natural heat he at of the woman’s bod b ody, y, which which matur es the seed of the man man and a nd finally, finally, through the interacti nterac tio o n of Nature a fully fully developed de veloped livin living g child child is obtai obta ined. The warmer warmer the child child and a nd the better better the the mother other of the chi child provi provides nouri ourishment for the the chi child and and carri carries out her other other dail daily chores, chore s, the more more perfect, pe rfect, the stronger, and the healthier the child child will will be and the mother mother will will remain. Here I also have, from the natural understanding understa nding of God’s Holy Holy Word, Wo rd, and from from the evidence gathered gathered by ancien ancientt phil philosophers osop hers and written written about abo ut the actual process, proc ess, so that it can be quite quite
clearly recogni rec ognized, zed, noted that itit can be quite quite cl c learly ear ly recogni rec ognized, zed, noted that it is not otherwise than that the the prope pro perr subject, subjec t, actually cinnaba cinnabar, r, be taken, tak en, which which is beautif be autiful ully ly cut like like a ruby, as well as as in Lecture Lec ture vz. 8 c., c. , which is found in the mines mines of the Hungarian Hungaria n mountains, mounta ins, in which place place Paracelsu Paracelsuss has also also shown shown us, us, sayi saying that that for our king king of work work no better mater materiia l can be found found than that from from Hungary Hungary and from Istria. Istria. Moreover, More over, on Spruce Sp ruce Mountain, Mountain, near GoldGold Granach, Granac h, where wher e no other ore was taken take n if it did indee indeed d yield yield up gold, then itit would be b e adul ad ultera terated ted and impure impure and not suitable suitable for this this kind of endeavor, ende avor, insomuch insomuch as the the same same generally represe rep resented nted two metals in one or is, on the other hand, hand, contami c ontamina nated ted with with other metallic "ghosts", "ghosts ", so that when this this work wo rk is is completed, a part pa rt of this this wellwell- prepa pre pared red Tincture Tincture of N atural Philoso Philosoph phy y is taken, tak en, along along with many many hundre hundred d parts pa rts of each eac h of the the imperfect imperfect metals, which which gave the same a more pronounced prono unced tincture tincture of real gold in in an instant instant than did d id the natural and so eliminated eliminated the entire examinat examinatio ion, n, the report, rep ort, and even all other ill illness nesses es that med medical ical docto do ctors rs were unable unable to cure. However, they were restored and then introduced introduced by a new youthful youthfulness ness which which a 60 or 70 year year old man will will also a lso see, see , which which will will make him him feel fee l like like a 20 yea yearr old youth and many many more wonderful wonde rful bl b lessings than this, this, which have the abil ab ility ity to act as a strength-giv strength- giving ing medicine. ed icine. And how such a tincture tincture is to be produce pro duced d in greater greate r amounts and how itit is to be administere administered, d, and how projecti projec tions ons and proposal proposa ls can be brought brought forth have been bee n reported reporte d by me earl ea rliier. One also sees see s how the work is brought to completio completio n from a material in an oven, glass container, c ontainer, or other type of receptacle, recep tacle, in one experiment experiment after another, another, by using using increased amounts amounts to heat. heat. And, even though the work and the art by you yourself yourself is compl co mplete ete ly inferi inferio o r in quality, quality, the phil philosophers osophers have also point pointed ed out "It "It is wif wife’s work and chil children’s play play"". Even Even so, it sti still requires requires a well well- qualified artisan artisan to be the fi fire-m re- master. Moreover, Moreo ver, the work may may be b e completed completed easil eas ily y enough e nough without without danger da nger in 16 weeks. week s. The The entire entire opera op eration tion can be described desc ribed briefly in the foll following ow ing verses, verses , whi which were we re initia nitiall ly penned pe nned in in Parac Pa racelsus’ elsus’ own handwriting handwriti ng:: There is a stone, and yet no stone In which which the entire entire Art stands alone. a lone. It is is found found under the ground and mounta mountain, in, Wherein dwell giants and dwarfs. I tell you this out of kindness, kindness, Whoever Whoeve r has the same thing, thing, the mi mist, And the Red Lion Lion shines shines clearly, Drawing out Mercury, Merc ury, completely, c ompletely, pure and clean, Likewise, in the same manner sulfur, sulfur, and I tell you truly, truly, Which Which serves as the basis ba sis of the Art so completely. I must report rep ort sti s till ll a further further word to you, for above abo ve it is is said that no other one o ne should should be taken than this one, which which one wishes wishes to attempt attempt to transmute transmute into gold. So know also that all meta metalls arise from a common root ro ot source, as a s poin po inted ted out suffi sufficc ientl ie ntly, y, but still still one metal metal or ore may may be found purer in Nature than are the others, and on account of this, since one of the materials mention mentioned ed could not contain cinnabar. It might ight even be a copp co pper er itself, itself, extracted extrac ted from a pure ore which which comes co mes the the closest closes t to transmut transmut ing the gold, gold, as a s earlier poin po inted ted out. That such ores ore s were themselves themselves alone alone mentioned, entioned, which which were worked and then then combined, must be added add ed subsequent subse quently ly as a pure seed either to gold or sil silver, for by itself itself alone, however, can the the merc mercury, ury, as the phil philosoph oso phica ica l soil, soil, prod p roduce uce no seed see d nor sustain any growth. Then the philosop philosopher herss say:
"Our stone does do es not tincture tincture anything and must must then have been be en previ pre vious ously ly tinctured tinctured itself, itself, only poorly poorly compl completed, eted, clear, clear, snow-wh snow-whiite, as in an ore tap, li like a wax on a soil soil, whi which when when well well fertili fertilized zed and pressed pre ssed against, against, goes forward. forward . Then, when you come to think think that all all meta metalls come co me from a comm co mmon on root, roo t, you wil will soon soo n be able to exhaust the subject subjec t of the origin origin of min minera era ls ". Neverth Neverthel eless, ess, I shal shalll not conceal conceal from you the the fact that the mercury ercury cannot cannot be extrac extracted ted from one minera minerall ore as well as from another. It is very very easy e asy from from the cinnabar. Mor eover, eo ver, if sulfu sulfurr is burned, burned, from the the sil silver ver it can also also be readil readily extract extracted, ed, and also also by gentl gentlee dig digestion estion using sing moderate modera te heatin hea ting g and from other ores ore s copp co pper, er, antimony, antimony, iron with with stronger stronger heat, though stil stilll very impure, iron alone alone extracts e xtracts lead, lead , tin, tin, gold bear b earin ing g pyri p yrites, tes, gold-quartz, gold- quartz, all these with with stronger heat, and a nd solely from mercury ores ore s or minera minerals, ls, but most slowly slowly of all, all, then minera minerals ls contai conta ining the nob noble le metal eta ls, sulfu sulfur, r, resembl rese mbling ing a ruby, appare app arentl ntly y bear b earin ing g it itself itself.. Now, wil will we, in in the the nam name of the Holy Holy Tri Trinity, nity, with with thi this passage, passage, and and suf sufficient ficient phil philosophica osophica l advice, advice, end thi thiss and wri write te the actual labo laboratory ratory report. repo rt. Res Re s ume ume of the the The The ory and Practice Practice of the the Whole Whole Tinctur Tincturing ing Proce Process ss ~
Take the raw material ate rial,, which which you readily readily recogni rec ognize ze as entirely p ure and, as a s such, has become beco me most beautiful be autiful,, since since it is not contamin co ntaminate ated d by any other metallic, metallic, dark dar k - makin ak ing g "ghosts "ghosts". ". Then, when dark d ark and not pure, so that that as a s earlier earlier poin po inted ted out, itit might might not be safe, so that such purifyi purifying ng must must be carried car ried out in order orde r that the work will will not be ruined. ruined. In case, case , however, a question arises, although no particul par ticular ar test gives gives positi p ositive ve results, which which coul co uld d be b e identi de ntified fied as such, still still it is much much safer to work in Corpo Co rpore re Lunae Lunae (the Body of the Moon), Moo n), that is, in in fin finely ely powde po wdered red silver, silver, since since after purificat purificatio ion n and fi fine powde po wderin ring, g, it is distilled distilled "by Saturn" Sa turn",, so that that no strange spiri s pirits ts will will be in want of anything, anything, and in in its origina originall manner, as merc mercury, ury, which is in in the first first material material reduced red uced by mercury of o f the philosop philosopher hers, s, which which is purified purified through one of the mercuries, mercuries, as poin pointed out earl earlier, and and from a beauti beautifful, clear, clear, trans transparen parentt ore, extra extracted cted and and made pure, pure, and also also of a crystalline crystall ine nature, which which is a special spe cial secret secre t of all secrets, secrets , with whi which one could could work more more safely and not be mistaken, the grasp of o f which which they know very littl little, e, but Paracelsus Para celsus had discovered discovere d such and he then wrote with with clarity: "He "He knows the destruction of the metals metals as well as their repro re production". duction". To bring this this abo a bout, ut, then, the older philoso philosoph phers ers had many ki k inds of ways of grasping grasping it. They They also also had many kinds k inds of materials, materials, one of of which is even suitab suitable le in ordin ord inary ary water and a nd is the slowe slowest st of o f proces pro cesses. ses. Then there is is the process proc ess of Basil Valentine in copp co pper, er, of Bernard in gold ore, of Roger Bacon Baco n in in antimon antimony, y, and those those of o f many other philoso philosopher pherss worki work ing with with other minera minerals, ls, although they all all have an effec effectt on one another for a purpose purpo se (althoug (although h they all react diff differe ere ntly), ntl y), they are in exact agreem agree ment, since since you know now how to treat trea t it. I have discovered here a remarkable secret (in (in other manuscripts manuscripts where the the mercury extracted from the minera minerall shall give give to it ---- - the extracted extrac ted material mater ial - - - its form and shape through through its own character chara cteristic istic prope pro perties, rties, which which I will will never ne ver disclose disclose.. Moreover More over also, since since I have your attention, I wil will say that the extraction extrac tion from the mi mineral nera l cinnab cinnabar ar reveals revea ls (and I have also del de layed in telling telling you this) this) that the red material ate rial or carbuncle ca rbuncle should should be dashed da shed to pieces piece s and then then finely finely pulver pulverized, ized, like its own Corpus Co rpus Mercuri Merc urii. i. Then when that does do es not occur, oc cur, the mercury cannot afterwards afterward s dissolve its own corpus co rpus (substance) (substa nce) and this this is is lilikewise ke wise the greatest greates t secret secre t of anyone in the entire alchemical alchemica l art and when that does do es not happen happ en and the mercury mercury is barely ba rely extracted extracte d by itself itself alone in a col co lorless form, form, it will will nevertheless neverthe less go into solutio solutio n. For Fo r that reason reas on I have di d isclosed sclose d to you you
such inf infor orm matio at ion n in the the strictest confide confidence, nce, beca be cause use the sorrow sorr ow of Christ ordains ord ains it, it, for itit is is the greatest greate st secret sec ret of the entire art ar t of the alchemist, so one must must have the acrid water wate r which which is able to dissolve dissolve metals, whose characteristic characteristic s you now know intim intimate ately ly and are here disti distingui ngu ishab le on the basis of the admi ad ministra nistrati tio o n of fire fire and leave leavess its mark mark on o n all fl fleeces, eec es, with with which which inde indeed ed no mistake could could possi po ssibly bly be made, ade , the certain way to bring bring about ab out transmutat transmutatiio n. Neverth Ne vertheless, eless, both methods should should be known, the old slow way and the new fast way, but b ut the latter is the the better b etter way. For Fo r this this reason, rea son, consideration considera tion should should be given given to material cinnab cinnabar ar which which is absolutely absolute ly pure. p ure. It should should be pulverized pulverized as fi finely as possibl po ssible, e, until until it is as fine fine as meal ea l, using using a marble mortar orta r and pestle. pestle. Take 12 parts of this this same same powder and and mix it thorou thoroughl ghly y with with one part of sli slightl ghtly y colored colored Mountain Luna, Luna, which which is incre increase ased d silver silver by nature, which which is disso dissollved by the aquafortis, then precipi precipitat tated, ed, and and then then is compl completel etely y sweeten sweetened ed by rain rain water, water, whi which scours scours the the crude crude red mater materiial very well well al a ll though one o ne another, so that one or the other might might not be recogni rec ognized zed very easily, easily, and then then they were place placed d together might might not be recognized rec ognized very easily, easily, and then they they were we re placed placed togeth together er in a vi vial and and luted unti untill compl completel etely y stable stable with with Luto Luto Sapien Sapienti tiae ae and and all allowed to stand in a sand bath b ath for for one o ne month, month, so that only the mouth mouth of the flask flask extends ab ove it. it. After 8 days da ys over a gentle gentle fire, fire, so gentle gentle that one can endure quite easil e asily y the putting putting of his his hand in the sand without without bei be ing burned b urned and then then for an additi ad ditiona onall 8 days da ys and nig nights hts over a stronger fire, fire, with with the temperature rising rising only about ab out one degree de gree,, and then finall finally y during during the last 8 days da ys with with the sand so hot that a drop dro p of water evapora evap orates tes imm immed iate l y therefrom, while while the product pro duct is making making a hissing hissing sound. It must must not be allowe allowed d to beco be come me red hot, however, howeve r, for when when this this first starts to happen, happ en, qui q uick ckly ly take tak e itit out, and you you will will then find find a white white material ate rial at the top of the the container, which in reali rea lity ty is the prime material, or the mercury, which is the living living soul soul of the meta metal, l, through which which hereafter herea fter all corpo co rpora ra of the meta metall can be reduced red uced to the prime material materia l or Humidum Humidum Radicale (i.e., radi rad ical ca l containing co ntaining moisture), which which is the "livin "living g mercury" of the phil philosophers. osophers. Thi This is the the Secret Water, Water, whi which has has indeed indeed giv given so countl countless ess many names, names, sin since all of the philoso philosopher pherss have written so much much abo a bout ut it, it, yet y et itit is is still still so obscure ob scure that one o ne must must adm ad mit that it does inde indeed, ed, hold in in very great grea t secrec sec recy y that which which God will wills. Also Also to the Glory of God the Almighty, Almighty, you have now the prep prepara aration tion of the clear, strong s trong "vivify "vivifying ing water" water ", which is inde indeed ed the "Acetum Ace tum of the Philoso Philosoph phers ers", ", in which which all metals are converted co nverted into their prime prime material, material, the Humi Humidu dum m Radical or the livin living g mercury, the starting starting poin point for alche alchem mical art and and work, the the masterl asterly essence essence of liv living matter, atter, I wil will now explai explain n to you how how you should should purge the mercury, or separa sep arate te the the pure from from the impure, so that no no filthines filthines s will will be present pre sent that might might bring shame to you, whereby our mercury, erc ury, so sensitive and pure, pure, might be added to its its body of matt matter, er, and and the the brideg bridegroom room lie with with his bride bride on thei theirr weddi wedd ing night night and make her pregnant, pre gnant, so s o that their their family might might increase ncrea se and children children be born bo rn without without number number,, but, then, then, when this this puri p urifi fica ca tion tio n of the the mercury does do es not take tak e place, place , it might might be impossible mpossib le to fini finiss h this this work. wo rk. How this this is acco ac com mplis plis hed, I will will subse quently explain to you in in complete honesty. When now you you have also extracted extracte d the merc mercury ury and a nd it occurs oc curs by sublimat sublimatio ion n as a beauti be autiful ful white white product, product, beauti beautifful brigh bright, t, and and shi shining ning like a crystal crystal,, then then take th the same, same, compl completel etely y puri purified, from the vat and be careful ca reful with with it so that no impuriti mpurit ies are added add ed.. Then take tak e the the merc mercury ury and pulver pulverize ize it in in a clean clean mortar ortar and and pestle pestle made of marbl marble, e, causi causin ng the the mercury ercury to move move gent gentlly.
Note well well: Repeat the process in in a herm hermetically etically sealed sealed vial vial,, then then agai again n set it it in a sand bath and and allow allow it to stand over o ver an appro ap propriate priate fire fire for 2 hours, where one o ne could could be b e able to allow allow to remain remain for the entire 2 hours, and a nd therefore heat for an additi ad ditiona onall 2 hours in in a more drastic dra stic environ environme ment, nt, and stil still further further for a third third 2 hour interva intervall at even higher higher temperatures tempera tures over so strong a fire fire that the sand bath make makess hissin hissing g sounds when water is is sprayed spra yed over ove r it. In this this way, the merc mercury ury was prepared prepared from the the sil silver ver and and its excess excess in the the silve silverr overl overlappi apping ng and and remai remain ned as such such,, whereby whereby it is appro ap propriate priate to extract extract the soul from the body, bo dy, for this this mercury is the the spi sp irit which which is so fiery fiery and draws dra ws t itself itself the soul from from the bod b ody. y. For it is indeed ndee d the spirit which which is the vehicle vehicle of lif life. e. Now No w you must must see se e how how the the elements were separate sep arated. d. First, the Sp irit irit on the mercury erc ury of the phil philosophers osophers was drawn drawn out from from the the body in in the first preparati preparation of the the sil silver, after after whi which foll followed owe d the soul, and lastly, lastly, remained remained the dead de ad body, bo dy, which which became be came ashes. Also you will will need to see how the the Spiri S piritt was united united with with the Soul So ul and you will will certainly cer tainly see a great wonder wo nder in the above ab ove separation. separ ation. For Fo r rays will will shoot sho ot now and then into into the glass glass vessel, and the the peaks pe aks of the the rays are swept together like long spears, sp ears, and above abo ve each of the spears, spea rs, is is a natural natural star, which which the hands of man do not have the power to make, and this is the new creation of the new world, or, as the philoso philosopher pherss would say, sa y, is is like like the birth birth of a new world, with stars sta rs like like the colors of the rainbow. rainbow. This This secret bel be longs more to God than to man, man, as Paracelsu Para celsuss said. Then we see the the Purified Purified Soul So ul,, which which will will also a lso ililluminate lumina te our own soul on the Say Sa y of Judgment, so that itit will will be puri purified fied from sin sin and be perfected, perfected, and and then then you wil will see a compl completely etely beauti beautifful thi thing, the the wonder wonde r of which which may be like nothing ever before be fore known. At this this poi po int we will will write further further and loo look k abo a bout ut to see how the body wil will be disso dissollved and the Spi Sp irit of Life Life drawn dra wn to itself itself and received with with joy. But, nevertheless, nevertheles s, I will will here her e and now explain how this this mercury erc ury shall be enlarged enlarged and then will will be able to permi pe rmitt many of o f them to the washing washing of the black earth, e arth, as a s follows: follows: Note No te well, well, that here we think think how this this mercury was mad made, e, so s o that at this this poi po int onl o nly y one o ne example of leaven, leaven, as it is adde ad ded d to the flour, flour, so will will leaven be added adde d to that which which we use use in in our alchemica alchemicall art. Increase in Mercury ~
Take 12 parts of this this purified purified mercury and 1 part pa rt of finely finely fil filed silver silver and from from them make an amalga amalgam, m, which which will will al a lso be finely finely pulverized pulverized and put it into into a vial vial and a nd hermetica hermetica l ly seal sea l and then all a llow ow it to stand for a prolonged period pe riod of time time in warm water wat er unti untill is noticed that the entire body is is convert converted ed into nto mercury ercury,, whi which becomes becomes corroded away, away, like aquafort aquafort does to the the sil silver, ver, and also as it does to all of the mercury, and in in this way you can ca n incre increaa se it forever and even ad ad infinit nfinitum. um. This This is spoken spo ken of as the the ""whi white teni ning ng of the black earth". Solution, Putrefaction, and Mortification ~
In the Nam Na me of God, grasp and retain retain our o ur digested digested preparation prep aration of mercury and take one part of itit in a flask flask or vial vial and mix mix it well, well, then set the container container in warm ashes a shes for 6 weeks, week s, whereupon whereupo n you wil will observe ob serve precipitatio pre cipitation n taki tak ing place p lace at such such heat, until until final finally ly there is an ending of the intimate ntimate contact, co ntact, and at the bottom botto m of the the fflask lask a black substance s ubstance will will remain. remain. I t will will not be black as coal, co al, but wil will be dark as ashes. Then you will will know that the first first phase of o f the work, work , the solutio solutio n and putrefaction, putrefactio n, is complete and that the the mortifica mortificatt ion, io n, is compl co mplete ete and that the the mortifica mortificatt ion io n of the body bo dy is actually taking ta king place.
How the Black Earth Earth is Made White White and the Dead De ad Body is Raise Rais e d Up From From the Dead De ad ~
Treat the black black earth with with a half half part pa rt of mercury, prepared prep ared as above, then pulverize pulverize the two materials together in an appro ap propriate priate glass glass vessel, vess el, mak makin ing g certain cert ain that the two mate materials rials are thoroughly mixed ixed until they are subsequently subse quently in intimate intimate contact, co ntact, which which proces pro cesss requi req uires res appro ap proxi ximate mately ly 8 days. da ys. Thereup Thereupon, on, you should should observe ob serve the Soi So il, whether it shall be transformed from the black color to the white white or remain blended together. togethe r. Then take tak e it out and treat itit with with mercury or o r the silver silver water (nitri (nitricc aci ac id). Seal S eal hermetica hermeticall ly after pulver pulverizin izing g and mixin mixing g thoroughly and again al a llow it to stand for an addi add itional 8 days. da ys. Then Then take tak e it out for a third third time time and allow allow it to stand again a gain with with 100 10 0 grams of nitric nitric acid with dilige diligent nt stirring stirring to achieve thorough mixing mixing to all allow it to disso dissolv lvee by intimate intimate contact co ntact for 8 days da ys and ni night, and then coagul co agulate ate as before and treated with with 140 14 0 grams of "silver "silver water" (nitric (nitric acid) well triturate triturated d together and mixed mixed and then then allowed allowed to stand for 8 days da ys and nig nights hts and then allowin allowing g to coagul co agulate ate,, At this this time time the other work wo rk is is also complete. Thee Partitioni Th Partitioning ng of the Stones as the Thir Third d Phas Phasee of the Work Work ~
According Acco rding to the phase of the work you wil willl be partiti par tition onin ing g the gem stones and this this involves involves the use of a white white and red tinctures tinctures and shows you at that tim time the earth, ear th, which which before be fore was black, black , has now been bee n whitened whitened through the action of o f nitric nitric aci ac id, so that it it is is prepar pre pared ed to receive rec eive the entire ferment ferment or Soul So ul,, which which is white white or red, red , and everything comes co mes to pass pa ss accord acc ordiing to the the rule rule that what one sows, one also also reap re aps, s, if if one sows gold, gold, then one reaps reap s gold; gold; if one sows sil silver, then one o ne reaps rea ps silv silver, er, and so, when one sows gold or silver silver in the freshly freshly plowed ea e a rth, then he wil will bring forth in a hundre hundredfo dfold ld yield. yield. What Wh at the t he Ferment Should S hould Be ~
The ferment ferment or seed, see d, which which is allowed allowed to lie lie in the soil should be a very beautif b eautiful, ul, carefully car efully prepared prepared sil silver-lime ver-lime for whi whitening, tening, whi which shoul should d be porous porous and whi white, as I wil will speak more more about later ate r on, and for col co loring red it should should be a very beautiful, beautiful, carefully ca refully prepa pre pared red gold gold-- lime and should should also be adde ad ded, d, together with the previ pre vious ously ly mentioned mentioned amount of material, material, checked chec ked subsequently, so that it it consi co nsists sts of 21 drams drams of o f white white earth, 14 1 4 drams drams of moon moon water, and 10 drams dra ms of lime lime or ferment. ferment. It is is also also to be b e understood understo od that for 3 parts pa rts of white white earth ear th there needs need s to be 2 parts of nitri nitricc acid acid and and one and one-half one-half parts parts of Fermen Ferments. ts. These These three three items tems shal shalll be fi finely pulver pulverized ized togeth together er with with special special dil diligence in a marbl marblee mortar ortar and and pestle, pestle, along along with with good mixing xing taki tak ing pl p lace ac e at the same time. time. The proces pro cesss is carried car ried out in in a glass glass vessel, wel we ll-co l- covered vered when the material is added adde d hot. The material thereupon there upon coagul co agulates ates into a hard white white material, material, which which is removed and pulverize pulverized d finely finely and then then add a dded ed to the third third part pa rt of its water wa ter and subjected subjec ted further further to moderate modera te heat, hea t, whereupon whereupo n it begins begins to sweat swea t until this liquor liquor is evaporate evapo rated d and the product prod uct becomes becomes a stone. stone. Thi This evaporati evaporation, on, and the the dil diligent eff effort it requi requires, shoul should d cause cause no annoyan annoyance, ce, since since our stone is enlarged enlarged as a result and in in this this way wa y beco be comes mes improved improved and perfected. perfecte d. Thus, the imbib mbib it ion io n is allowed allowed to take tak e place many times, times, until the stone beco be comes mes complete complete and fixed fixed and all defective defective material is tinctured tinctured in the the Lunar Liquid, Liquid, or gold, to the the Glory Glory of God. God . Careful Markings of Merit ~
One must must examine examine and pay careful car eful attention a ttention to whether it will will melt on a hot coppe cop perr - lead bloc block k without without fumes, fumes, but where where this this is not the case, cas e, it it must must be b e treated trea ted more drastically dra stically to be dissolved on standing and there therefore fore coagul co agulate ated d on a warm ash bath bat h and dry on a stone, whereupon it is is ready to be tinctured. The Stone to Use for This ~
When this this work, work , as earl ear lier pointed p ointed out, is fini finiss hed, can take the first first white white stone and a nd divi divide de it into into 3 parts, pa rts, the first first of which which is kept kep t for preparing prep aring future future products, pro ducts, which which shall origina originally lly be brough bro ughtt into contac c ontactt with with the Ferment and then well-dried on the fi fire. The drying drying proc p rocess ess involved involved here can be carried ca rried out in in two different different ways, the first first of which which allows allows the material to stand for 8 days da ys and nights nights and thereafter therea fter be further further treated trea ted with activated mercury (first (first of all, all, however, howe ver, puri p urified fied with with the silver silver cleaned mercury or silver silver water (nitri (nitricc acid), 3 parts, pa rts, triturate triturated d and imbibed imbibed,, as earlier earlier noted, where it was stated stated that the same would would be need needed ed to convert the black earth into into white white earth, ear th, and when imbib imbibit itiio n has taken tak en plac place, e, then sweating sweating (syneresis) will will occur, oc cur, so let it, and take the the liqu liquiid by itself that the entire proce pro cess ss may be maintained aintain ed and expanded, expanded , like like an eternal eter nal work, work , in this way from an ini initia tiall 3 days and a nd nig nights hts to 8 days and a nd nig nights. hts. On the other hand, when you have the the white white earth eart h ferment, ferment, which which is a sizea sizeable ble undertaking undertak ing in itse lf, lf, you are abl ab le daily daily to accompli acc ompliss h this this by b y using using acti act ivated mercury, which which is added add ed to "silve silve r water", water ", 15 parts, parts, and then all allowed to increase increase by itsel itselff on standi standing ng from day to day, day, the the weigh weightt calcul calculated ated to be also also 15 parts. parts. How many many parts parts one takes therefr therefrom om depends depends on how much uch one wish wishes es to risk. risk. One might might wish to risk risk the excess, which which one knows to be b e the 15th part pa rt of his his silver silver water, which which he has has added ad ded from day to day, da y, first first by addin add ing g a few drops dro ps and rubbi rubb ing it in, in, then as the silv silver er water beco be comes mes well well mix mixed ed in, heat carefully at an absolute ab solute minimu minimum m heat. Another part p art of the the whitened whitened stone will will be used in in the fermentat fermentatio ion n proce pro cess, ss, involving involving silver silver-lime ime and its water (nitric (nitric acid), which activated a ctivated the merc mercury ury and a nd works work s conti co ntinuou nuouss ly, so that itit produces produces a perfect perfect tinct tinctu ure, as is descri described abundan abundantl tly, y, and and satisf satisfactoril actorily, y, in a previ previous work. work. One may may use the third third part pa rt to prepare prep are the red tincture, tincture, which which then lies lies hidd hidden en sec s ecretly retly in the the white white tincture, tincture, which which is recogni rec ognized zed in the work. work . How the the Red Re d Tincture Tincture Should be Employe Employed d ~
Take one part pa rt of the whi white tincture, which which had been bee n heated heate d earlier earlier then completely c ompletely pulveriz pulverizee it, and put itit in in an a n appropriate app ropriate container container and heat at a moderate ode rate rate ra te (but greater than before in the case cas e of the whi white tincture) tincture) and itit will will be sublim sublimed ed within within 14 days. The The sign that you yo u will will especially esp ecially take tak e not in this this part pa rt of the work is is that the white white earth eart h is is turned into red earth, which which then incre increase ases, s, depo de positi siting ng itself itself on the glass glass walls walls of o f the contain co ntainer, er, so long as the fine fine is conti co ntinued nued and the the heat maintain maintained ed,, it all beco be comes mes red, like like burnt b urnt saffron, saffron, and the the earth is ready rea dy to receive rec eive the seeds seed s of gold, gold, with which which it fi first shows an incre increase ase and then then shows imbib imbibiit ion. Here, it happens, happe ns, as the philoso philosoph phers ers have pointed out, o ut, that the the red man man marries the white white woman, so now the the red earth, which which previ pre viously ously was white, white, is taken tak en and pulver pulverized ized until until compl co mpletely etely fine, fine, and then wetted by the Mercurium Soli S oliss (royal (ro yal merc mercury, ury, i.e., i.e. , activated mercury); erc ury); which which is prepare prep ared d in many forms, forms, like like the mercury of the moo moon. n. The The Mercuri Merc urium um Sol So lis (li (litera lly, the Mercury of o f the Sun) is is prepare prep ared, d, as follows: follows: Take merc mercury ury which has been be en thoroughly purified purified as previ pre vious ously ly
indicated, ndicated , and 10 grams of very thin thin gol go ld lea leaf, f, beaten bea ten in in a gold-be gold- beater ater,, and a nd fine finely ly pulverized pulverized,, and from thi this prep p repare are an amalga amalga m, as previ pre vious ously ly described described in the case cas e of Mercuri Merc urium um Lunae Lunae (Mercury (Merc ury of the Moon), Moo n), and put it, it, after a fter thoroughly thoroughl y mixing, mixing, in a vial, vial, seal sea l it, it, and a nd all allow it to stand in warm water, water , until until you see that the gold gold from from the mercury erc ury which has b ecome eco me corroded corrod ed also increases ncrea ses the merc mercury ury from the Sun. Sun. After moisten moistening ing this this product pro duct with the Mercuri Merc urium um Soli So lis, s, the moistened moistened red earth ear th is is now made ad e into into a stone by rubbing the resultant material together intimate ntimate ly, then pouring it into into a glass glass flask flask and allowin allowing g it to warm for for 8 days over a small small flame, flame, during which time time it will will undergo und ergo syneresis synere sis until until it dries out and beco be comes mes har hard. d. This This entire opera op eration tion is repeate repe ated d a second, sec ond, third third and fourth fourth time time and each time time the proces pro cesss is carried ca rried out just like like the first, first, includ nclud ing the wetting wetting down, do wn, the additi ad dition on of the charge, and allowing allowing to undergo syneresis for 8 days da ys and nig night. ht. After repea rep eati ting ng the fourth time, time, then itit will will be b e time time for the stone to give give up its its Soul S oul and undergo undergo fermenta fermentatio tion, n, until a red product pro duct is obta ined, which which is then weighed until until the earth amounts to 3 parts pa rts of the same, the gold water, wate r, or Mercuri Merc urium um Soli So liss 2 parts, parts, and the gold-li old-lim me 15 parts. parts. The The resul resulting ting product product is then then thorou thoroughl ghly y pulv pulverized erized and and the the wellwell- pulver pulve r ized material is treated trea ted as previ pre vious ously. ly. The amount of o f heat is is slowly slowly incre increase ased d and as a result of o f syneresis and breaks break s up into smalle smalle r particl pa rticles, es, it reaches rea ches its final final form, form, from which which one part is is taken as the the increase increase and and treated treated as before before by Augm Augmento Luna Lunae. e. To redden it, it, Mercuri Mercurium um Sol So lis (Mercury (Mer cury of o f the Sun) is used by b y itself alone, so it becomes bec omes excited by the gold, whereby whereb y the Trini Trinity, ty, body, bod y, mi mind, and soul, again again come together and a nd then then appears app ears to be compose composed, d, here in the red words, again indeed of black, white, and red colors, and even in the white works, from which you shall shall be abl ab le to observe ob serve the progress pro gress of the entire entire opera op eration tion with the grea greatest test of dilig diligee nce, nce , as has been be en described desc ribed earli ea rlier er in the work, from from the prepa pre paration ration of the the white white tinctures tinctures up until until the com co mpletion of the entire entire opera op eration, tion, and the the liqu liquiid had been used up which which had been fortified fortified with with gold wate waterr (i.e (i.e., ., choice cho ice Danzig Danzig brandy) bra ndy) in an equal eq ual amount amount by b y weight, weight, as previ pre viously ously has been bee n noted in the case of the white white tincture tincture or silv silver er water (nitric (nitric acid), and as so often was done, again moistened and soake soa ked d until until the fi final com co mpletion, as also also was noted wel we ll, that you can ca n mainta maintain in in the red work the fire fire at such a heat that thereby thereb y you wil will obtain ob tain the stone colored c olored througho througho ut in the the deepest deep est red color, like like that of a garnet. Thus, Thus, by the Almighty Almighty and Com Co mpassionate God, everlast everlasting ing Holy, Holy, Honored, and Praised. Exhortation Exhortation to the Graciou Graciouss Elector ~
God Almi Almigh ghty ty has mad madee himself himself to be a judge between be tween Your Gracious Electo Electorr and me, so I now report rep ort the truth, for your Gracious Grac ious Electo Electorr will will do me me good goo d or ill ill on the the basis b asis of my deeds. dee ds. I declare de clare this, this, with with God’s God ’s help, help, that this this is the only only clear basis basis and knowledge of Holy Works Work s of Art and Mysteries, Mysteries, of which which I hold back ba ck nothing, nothing, the comprehension comprehensio n of whi which alone is is impossible mpossib le for me to describe de scribe,, although although Your Graci Grac ious Electo Electorr himself, himself, neverthel neverthe less, has adeq ad equate uate knowledge. For Fo r when a thing thing is inde indeed ed repre re presented sented so clearly, and when when it is is undertak undertaken, en, however, it may may (as (a s so often often happ happens) ens) procee p roceed d under under other circum circumsta nces. Therefore, Therefore, since since I have such a significa significant nt witness, witness, neither neither I nor your Graci Grac ious Electo Electorr can c an be deceived. de ceived. I must must also take tak e care where I should should like like to do it, even though though such might might be punished punished by God God,, that in in reveal revea ling this this div d iviine secret sec ret of God regardi regard ing Your Gracious Electo Electorr of t he salvation salvation and the holiness holiness that you can allow allow to come co me to this this place, for the purpos p urposee that itit will will make good goo d use of what is is otherwise evil, evil, and, for for this, this, you must, must, therefore, the refore, give give the strictest judgmen judgmentt of God’s God ’s recko rec koni ning ng and of whether Your Gracious Elector believes believes that itit mi might be a lie or a fable, for so shall shall you know, notwithsta notwithstandin nding, g, that I do not not spend spe nd my my hope hop e of heaven so frivol frivolo o usly usl y that I do
not report rep ort the truth. This, This, then, like like everything else described desc ribed here, and a nd touched by my hands and seen see n with with my own eyes. To me also, also, in other respects resp ects im impossible po ssible and inhum inhumaa n, in this this practice, pra ctice, reveals revea ls the influ influee nce of the col co lor, the time, time, the day, da y, and the hour, as a s well as also also of o f the entire work, the material cinnabar, cinnabar, the soluti solutions, ons, the coagulat coagulatiio ns, the whi white and the the red work so ordi ord inary in its its execution and in in its reporting rep orting,, neverthel neverthe less es s may be, be , in no no small small part, par t, philosoph philosophy, y, as long as the world world lasts, and so, Your Your Gracious Elector, Elector, in no phil philosophica osop hica l book boo k ever made made can be found found the time time of your life, life, o r can itit even hope hop e ever to be found found in the future. future. Meanwhil Mea nwhile, e, since since I am baptized in Christ, Christ, as well as any other Christia Christia n, as the Great Grea t Lord and Almight Almighty y well knows, I am also also morta mortall and a nd all sins sins are a re brought into subjection, subjec tion, so that I do not not know when Go d will will call c all me me Home, whereupon whereup on the elements will will be b e abl ab le to be separa sep arated ted from from one o ne another, but I might might not be involved involved myself or be able to do this, this, since since I do not not wish it. Now, if if Your Your Grace, Grace, the Elector, Elector, please, please, so dear to you you is your your happin appiness and and gratitu ratitude de to God in in Heaven to permi pe rmitt you to understand understa nd that you are worthy of this this most importan importantt secret, sec ret, I will will reveal reveal to you that which which is the highest highest and the best. be st. I wil will also not hide hide from you the slightest slightest detail de tail,, but will will reveal revea l to you and explain explain to you the mi miracles rac les and wondrous signs signs of our Mercury Merc ury through the threefold paths pa ths whi which are to follow, follow, so, accor ac cordingly, dingly, I myself myself appe ap peal al to Your Grace, Grace , the Elector, at all times, times, to demonstrate demonstra te so much much in 4 weeks week s that itit can ca n be seen that my suggestio suggestion n is vali valid d and not the result of a sophi sop histica sticated ted grasp of o f the issues, for not, as itit were, in nature nature and Art, however, however, can itit be see what our Mercury could could be b e after extracti e xtraction, on, provided it is made as previ pre vious ously ly noted, noted , namely, namely, also, that itit is is white, white, clear as crystal, and a nd easil eas ily y acco ac com mplis plis hed. First Miracle of Our Mercury ~
If Your Your Grace, the Elector, Elector, please, when our mercury mercury appears, app ears, as a clear, brilliant, brilliant, and transparent transpa rent crystal, then the same (not more than 10 grams) grams) and 1 dram dra m of gold wax, and 1 dram dra m of benedict’s soap, oa p, placed together in a flask flask having having no cover co ver thereon, thereo n, and a gently gently fire fire beneath, bene ath, then the produce pro duce will will begi be gin n to turn black and a nd coagul coa gulate ate on the mercury and it has become bec ome a metal, since since it clea clears rs away a way the smoke previ pr eviously ously in the fi fire, although there is no metal that appe ap pears ars to be of the same type, in either form or behavi be havior, or, still still however, when it has has become bec ome a metal through the coagul co agulat ation ion proces pro cess, s, then then itit appears appe ars as the most most beautif be autiful ul silver, silver, although it is not at all clea clearr at this this poin po intt that the real cause is whether it will will take tak e up up sulfu sulfurr itself or not, namely, namely, from the wax and the soap, soa p, which which are both bo th fatty fatty and a nd sulfu sulfuro rous, us, but this this infor informatio matio n is not exactly exac tly familiar familiar and well well known k nown and contrary to its its own nature, since since it requi req uires res nothing nothing other than its its equiv e quivale alent nt of sulf sulfur ur to coagul co agulate ate it with, with, and a nd it has also coagul coa gulate ated d this this sulfur, sulfur, as Your Grace Grac e will will now see, see , for it it is nevertheless neverthe less a prope pro perty rty of o f this this sulfur, sulfur, but is is instea instead d a beautiful be autiful wonder wonde r of Nature Na ture that that transforms transforms our own mercury, through a less und understo erstood od principle principle of nature, in its its form, its content, its proper pro perties, ties, and a nd its characte chara cteristics ristics,, into into a metal. Be that that as itit may, it is not, however, however , like other o ther meta metalls, either in form or in content. conte nt. From F rom this, this, Your Yo ur Grace, you can ca n conclu co nclude de how soon it should should be b e perform pe rformed ed,, when something so mething foreign foreign comes co mes into into our o ur material or something something impure impure might might result from our work work.. At this this point, p oint, Your Grace, Grace , since since it can be accompl accompliished throu through gh the the help help of trus trusted ted frien riends, ds, as previous previously ly reported, reported, in seeking seeking the the predetermi de termined ned Hungaria Hungaria n material ate rial,, which which is entirely pure, p ure, although whether indeed to obtain ob tain the same, which which would require consi co nside derab rablle expenditure expe nditure of time time and money, and to introd introduce uce all of it into into the work and thus advance ad vance the progress pro gress of the world, might ight be deba de batab table, le, even e ven though it would make the artisan artisan less confu c onfused sed in the the opera op erati tion on of o f the proces pro cess. s. It coul co uld d also be carried car ried out o ut
quite well with mater materiial which which can be found found in Germany in some so me of the mounta mountains ins around aro und here, although this this has ha s not been bee n found found to be necessa nece ssary ry for a long time, time, since since inde indeed ed it frequently could be the the cause cause of spoil spoiling the the work, on account account of the man many y impurities purities and and exten extensi sive ve types types of minera minerals ls which which they have there there,, which which hundre hundreds ds of speciali spe cialiss ts in the fi field do not recogni reco gnize ze or know how to analyze. analyze. Consequent Co nsequently, ly, then, many many of o f these may may consti co nstitute tute serious problems, pro blems, on on which which God’s creations, Mother Nature, Na ture, and the the writings writings of the phil philosophers osop hers are looked ook ed as a s the cause of o f such inacc inaccurac uraciies, although the more more reasonab rea sonablle men are able ab le to handle such s uch rough rou gh understand understandings. ings. However, when one one is is not ill illuminated umi nated so broadl broad ly by b y God, and the work does not not reward rewar d him him acco ac cording rding to his his expectations, expe ctations, then he should, should, nevertheless, neverthe less, not disda disdaiin t desire de sire the lofty endowments end owments of God concerning his his ignorance ignorance,, for which which reaso re ason, n, Your Grace, Grac e, you must must take tak e thi this opp o pportuni ortunity ty to be reminded reminded constantl co nstantly, y, to be sure, and a nd permi pe rmitt yourself yourse lf to bear be ar in in mi mind the great wonder which which the Almigh Almightt y God has stored store d up in these these materials, although this this is a situatio situation, n, at leas least, t, you will will not long long have to endure. Second Se cond M iracle iracle of Our Transmu Transmutatio tation n of Me M e rcu rcury ry (Copp (Coppee r into Silver) S ilver) ~
On the other hand, and a nd even still still more and most wonderfu wonde rfull of all, all, when I take 10 grams grams of this this copper cop per and add it it to the the molten olten metal, then the the copp c opper er is col co lored with with such a stable col co lor, which which is like like that of the the silver, silver, so that that also a lso this this white white col co lor of o f the copp co pper er may not be taken up by any route, since since even the copp co pper er is driven driven off by the the lead and itit is is then then that the copper copp er is is driven away com co mpletely by the additi add ition on of excess exce ss lead lead (neverthe ( nevertheless less 100 10 0 times times as much much lead must must be b e used, and before it is is gone, the calculated calculated amount amount of copper cop per is added) adde d) thereto and the the wonder is observed ob served and a nd our mercury is stable stab le and in in the the fine fine has its strong colori co loring ng and penetrating pe netrating power, po wer, which which can always be seen see n here and should should be noted more more fully where its its characteristics charac teristics are observed ob served for a longer longer period p eriod of o f time time and Nature’s Nat ure’s laws are foll followe owed d more carefu care fully. lly. And, Your Grace, Grac e, when the metal metal mercury was treated lilikewise, ke wise, like a large bean be an carried ca rried in the flow flow of o f molten molten metal eta l and so was converted converted instantaneo instanta neousl usly y into into metal, which which disappe d isappeare ared d and coul co uld d be seen see n no longer when it cam ca me out, without without any smok smoke, e, just like like fire fire consum co nsumes es tinder tinder or wax melts melts under a light ight and becomes beco mes soft as a result, so do es ordi ord inary mercury assuredly assure dly coagul co agulate ate in the fire fire and smok smokes, es, al a lthough gold and silver silver are therein, which which then is a wonder wonde r of wonders, wonders, when this is also also combi co mbined ned with with a foreign foreign metal eta l, which which is unlike unlike it and can ca n be suffi sufficc ientl ie ntly y recogni rec ognized, zed, since since it is is a wonderful wo nderful di d isplay, which which is not like anything else in in Nature. Na ture. Third Th ird M iracle of Our Transmu Transmutatio tation n of Me M e rcu rcury ry (Mercu (Me rcury ry into Silver) Silve r) ~
In the third third place, place , Your Grace, Grac e, from from our o ur mercury metal eta l, I must must tell te ll you further further about abo ut the wonders wonder s that take place when you take the metal mercury and pulver pulverize ize it fi finely by filing filing silver silver and putti putting ng all all of the fi filings lings in a smal smalll flask and and pouri pouring over over them them careful carefully ly disti distill lled ed spiri spirits ts of wine, wine, so that the fil filing ingss are covered co vered to a height height of one finger. finger. The liliquid portion po rtion is then poured po ured off and the proce pro cess ss is is then then repe re peated ated several se veral times, times, the more more the better. bett er. The wine wine drawn d rawn off is is finall finally y heated, heate d, whereupon whereupo n the mercury melts. melts. On O n cooli co oling, ng, the residue residue of o f molten molten metal contains contains the mercury, which which at this this point p oint is is an espec esp eciially beautif be autiful ul white white color, c olor, like like silver, silver, and this this material is then pul p ulverized, verized, so you will will be b e abl ab le to fi find out how much much good silver silver has been be en obtained ob tained from the mercury, sothat it at once may be evident what was the result of our sophi sop histicated sticated study, not to mention mention also its its prope pro perr carryi car rying ng out, so that Nature Nat ure can thereupon thereupo n take its its course of o f followin following g up.
And now, now, Your Grace, Grace, we entrust entrust further further developments developments to Alm Almighty ight y God. Other Universal Univers al Work and Short Summ Summary of the the Lapidis Lapidis Be nedicti ~
Take red-golden red- golden ore (which (which may be contami co ntaminat nated ed with with small amounts amounts of foreign foreign material), which which is beautif be autiful ully ly transparent, transpa rent, much much like like rubies, which are a re found found in the St Laurenz and St Vincenz Vincenz Mountains of Hungary, Hungary, which which were referre referred d to by Parac Pa racelsus elsus in his his Tinctura. Tinctura. Because Beca use of this, this, no other ore o re was even considered, considere d, since since it behaves like like gold (and contains only Lunae Lunae Spi Sp iritus) ritus) and is is volatile, volatile, but actual ac tually ly this this ore o re is is as fi finely pulveriz pulverized ed as dust on a marble block bloc k and not on metal, metal, and remains remains pure and spotless. spo tless. Weigh out o ut 12 parts pa rts of this this powde po wder, r, mi mix well with with one part of finel finely y filed filed silver, silver, and then then add the silversilver- chal cha lk from the Aqua Forte (nitric (nitric aci ac id) until until precipi precipitati tatio o n occurs occurs and and then then wash the the precipi precipitat tatee well well with with rain rain water. water. Thi This does not permi permit analysis in this this work, wo rk, since since it is only opin op iniion, that is is to say, arrived arrived at only by b y thinking thinking about ab out it. After grin grindin ding g well together, the product pro duct is carefully ca refully sealed se aled in in clear clear - glass glass round-bo round- bottom ttom flask flask,, and allowed allowed to stand for 24 days in in an a n ordin ord inary ary circular circular bath ba th or 42 days in in a dug bath, so that tha t in 14 days the the Head of the the Raven appe a ppears, ars, and the same should should be increased increased gradually, gradually, as foll follows ows:: "Fecundum Gradus" Grad us" (frui (fruitt ful stage) of the universa universals ls described de scribed heretofore, here tofore, even to the whi white te mercury abo a bove, ve, sublimed sublimed white white and beautif be autiful, ul, seen see n as a crystal, this this same mercury bein be ing g then the mother of o f metals metals and the rich rich earth, ear th, wherein our seed must must be sown. In his his work, work , the seeds seed s of gold remain remain at the bottom botto m of the the flask flask.. Thereafter, the fl flask contain co ntaining ing this this material materia l is invented invented so that the seeds see ds of the gold or the sulfu sulfurr fall fall to its its own ground, in which which it previous previously ly was growing. growing. When the seeds seed s are then swall swa llowe owed d up by the the earth ea rth and the merc mercury ury itself itself is again again growing growing up, the the flask flask must must again a gain be inverted inverted and conti co ntinue nue to remain accord acc ordiing to this this arrangem arra ngemee nt until until the earth surrounding the seed begi be gins ns to change color and a beautif be autiful ul green grass puts in in its its appeara app earance nce and undergoe undergoess further further change to all sorts of o f differe different nt col co lors, until finall finally y the entire field field takes tak es on a golden col co lor. At that poi po int the work is is complete. c omplete. Then as often as the merc mercury ury conti co ntinues nues to grow up beca be cause use of the seed see d or the sulfu sulfurr and suspends itself from above, abo ve, just just soften does do es itit take on another form and color, which which becom beco mes very obvious. obvious. Then Then where the red color shows up ahead of time, time, the fire fire has had had its its greate gre atest st effect effect and must must be be recogni rec ognized zed at all all times times from the col co lor, for the fire fire must always be b e under control, co ntrol, and a nd this this no one can ever predi pred ict, sin s ince ce this this puts p uts him him in the the positi po sition on of having having to have his his eye on everything. In such a work, work , all all colors appea ap pearr which which can be found found on earth, eart h, thereupon thereupo n the flask flask frequently give give the impressio impression n that itit is is covered cove red over o ver with with a golden coating co ating.. However, However , the color disappear disapp earss with with time time and the stable stab le white white color co lor or Alba Regina Regina (litera (literall lly, y, White White Q ueen) of which which one part per countl co untless ess thousand parts, p arts, remains (in all impe imperfect rfect but neverthele nevertheless ss purged metals metals of highest highest puri purity), ty), in whi which most of the purest purest and and best metal metalss are tin tinctured. ctured. The The better better it is, the more natural. Moreover, More over, such occurs oc curs instantaneo nstantan eo usly. If one conti co ntinues nues further, further, however, until until the white white form is is converted co nverted into into the red, and fi finally na lly into the ruby- like like type, the red carbuncle car buncle bein be ing g converted converted into the hig highest hest type, countless countless thousands of parts pa rts of every imperfec imperfectt metal are purged instantaneo nstanta neousl usl y into into the highest highest and best gold, and a nd this this occurs o ccurs in all samples. David Beuth Be uthee r’s Vitri Vitriol ol Proce Process s ~
When the beautiful be autiful Spiri Sp iritum tum ex Vitrio Vitrio lo (vitrio (vitrio l spirit), s pirit), next made in in the flas flask k in pure for form m from the gold or by heating 10 pounds po unds of o f vitriol vitriol and thereupon thereup on poured po ured off o ff from this spiri sp irit, t, so that it it would be b e well to moisten moisten it, seal seal it, and then allow allow it to digest 40 days and nights nights over a gentle gentle
fire fire and distill distill over a small small flame, flame, the resulting spirit spirit is called called the Mercury Merc ury of o f the Philoso Philosoph phers ers and that that obtained ob tained after a fter sublimat sublimatiio n and distillatio distillatio n from the ore is is the Sulfur Sulfur of the Phil Philosophe oso phers. rs. Take now the ore remaining remaining as a residue in the flask flask,, powder po wder it fin finee ly, and treat it it with with the liquid liquid drawn dra wn off, off, and then distill distill the product over o ver a gentle gentle flame flame for a period of o f 5 hours, until until a white white vapor is is seen see n to arise and hang hang above a bove the fl flask, then keep ke ep itit well sealed. se aled. Repeat Rep eat this this process proc ess by decanting de canting off the the water extract e xtract and subli sublime me the white white material mater ial until until no sublimat sublimatee is any longer longer obtained obtained from the Caput Ca put Mortuum Mor tuum.. The sublima sublima ted of white white sulfu sulfurr is retained and a nd the waste ore, ore , or Caput Cap ut Mortuum Mortuum, is discarded. discarded . Thereafter, these white white fumes fumes of sulfu sulfurr are sublimed sublimed one more more time time and the the waste material remaining behi be hind nd is again di d iscarde sca rded. d. Take Tak e the sublim sublimed ed sulfur, sulfur, as is, from the the water distilled off and the mercury, as is, and put them in a flask flask,, seal sea l itit well, well, and heat over a gentle gentle flame, flame, whereupon whereupo n you wil will see an increa increase se in the the white white clouds, which will will be all allowed owe d to stand until they have coagul co agulated ated.. At the bottom bo ttom of the the flask flask,, everything eve rything remains remains dry. Now take just just as muc much h of he he above-menti above-mentioned oned water water as is is equal equal to the the weigh weightt of coagul coagulated sulfu sulfur, r, mix mix thoroughl tho roughly, y, lute wel we ll, and all allow to dry as before. be fore. The third third time, time, half as much much of o f the the water is added add ed as is is equal eq ual to the weight weight of the material present present in the the glass at thi this tim time and and all allow to evaporate evaporate unti untill coagul coagulati atio o n takes place place and the the product product becomes becomes dry. dry. Fourthl Fo urthly, y, add ad d half as much much of the water as is equal eq ual to the weight weight of the material remaining in the flask flask and allow allow it to evapora evap orate te till till dry. d ry. After such proc p rocedure edure,, treatment trea tment of o f the mater materiial is considered considered to be completed. completed. Taking the coagul coa gulate ated d material, lute it in "philoso "philosop p hers’ hers ’ egg" until until soli s olid d and a nd then digest it gently, gently, until until the most most beautif be autiful ul colors co lors that you you have ever seen appear appe ar one after another. Ask no no questions about ab out anything anything that foll follows, ows, but allow allow the mixture mixture to stand until it appea ap pears rs as a black mass, mass, then do nothing nothing further further until the black black mass beco b ecomes mes as white white as pear pe arls, ls, then hea heatt sli slightly ghtl y more vigorous vigorously ly until it begins begins to turn red, then then kee k eep p heating a little little more until it becomes beco mes bloo blood d red, then turn up the the heat as high high as possibl pos sible, e, until it can no longer longer be turned turned up. Take up the powder, powd er, as prepared, prepared , in in wax and add it to 100 parts of molten molten gold, gold, whereupon it will will be pure tincture, tincture, of which which 1 part pa rt per 100 10 0 parts pa rts will will purge copper cop per in in the flu flux x to tincture tincture clear gold. Amm Ammoniacal Proce Process s Carri Carriee d Out by Beuther and and Colle Colleagues agues at the Royal Labor Laboratory atory ~
On November 1, 1 , Beuther Beuther and I each weighed weighed out 2 pounds of antim antimony, 1 pound of iron-filings, and 1/2 pound of prepa pre pared red chalk into separate sepa rate crucibl c rucibles es and put them in in a drying drying oven. The crucible crucible was covered with flat flat charcoal and the the oven contained contained well-c well-covered overed charcoal and was allowed allowed to stay at full full heat. Thus Thus the antimon antimony y was added add ed to the iron, and the chalk to the several parts parts which which were, were, however, owever, impure. pure. When When all this this was covered covered over, over, the the anti antim mony began began to flow flow into the fat. Using Using an ash-co ash- collored ore d flam flamee (having (having a slightl slightly y greenish cast) cas t) below be low the crucible crucible and
arseni arse nicc in the fumes fumes arising arising therefrom above abo ve the charcoal charco al or the covered covere d crucible, the fum fumes es became became compl completel etely y whi white, and and as soon as it it was completely completely consu consum med, boil boiling and and sputt sputteri ering ng com co mmenced, so that that it it was evide evident nt that the reaction was taking taking place. The crucible crucible was then then removed, since since the material ate rial therein was wa s nearly molten and had been be en converted co nverted into iron, which had been be en concentrate co ncentrated d by stirring stirring the contents of o f the crucible, which which was then then removed from the drying drying oven, and poured into into the mold. mold. When cooling cooling was compl co mplete, ete, the slag could easil ea sily y be be removed from the fin finished ished product, pro duct, which was then then weig we ighed hed and found found to t o come to 440 44 0 grams, much much of the origina origina l material ate rial having having been be en consum co nsumed ed by the fi fire. Since, however, I had carried ca rried out such work wo rk in in the the presence pre sence,, and unde underr the instructio instruction n of D. Beuther, although I have carried out one test te st by myself myself alone in his his absence ab sence and have mad madee another anot her reduc r educti tion on as a model, od el, and a nd have obtai obta ined the sam sa me compositi compo sitio o n and weight, weight, and have verified verified the same, and have have al a llowed it to remain in the fi fire half an hour longer, longer, before be fore pouri po uring ng it off, off, and have obtain obta ined ed 440 44 0 grams of the product. Although Although we were were able to proceed furth further er with with the reduced product, prod uct, Beuther Beuther had allowed allowed the same same to stand overni ove rnigh ght, t, only that he might might be able to assure me how how the sulfur sulfur must be prepared prepared and used. used. Pre Pre paration of Sulfur ~
From 2 pounds pounds of saltpeter, saltpeter, in a new glass glass vessel, vessel, covered over with with cold c old water, and set aside to heat, without without however, bei be ing allowed allowed to b oil, oil, was obtained a solutio solutio n, on stirring stirring;; subsequently, subse quently, 5 pounds of commercial commercial powdered powde red sulf sulfur were poured into into a glass glass vessel and the the sal sa ltpeter solutio solutio n was poured po ured off o ff and the sulfur sulfur stirred until until it settled on the bottom bo ttom and was then then allowed allowed to stand overni ove rnigh ght. t. Such sulfu sulfurr should thereafter therea fter be allowe allowed d to stand a good while while in water wate r and then allowed allowed to dry. It can be obtained pure rather easil e asily, y, and stored several years without without spoilage spoilage and used. used. Be uther’s Further Further Commun Communii catio n on Antimony Antimony ~
When large large amounts of arsenic are made from from antimo antimo ny, using using 1 pound po und of antimon antimony, y, it is possibl possiblee by thi this process to int introdu roduce ce only only 2 tim times as mu much, usi using iron and chal chalk, so that that adverse adverse conditi co ndition onss will will be b e held to a minimu minimum m and so that silver silver can ca n be adde ad ded d imm immed ediate iate l y a nd no longer longer be taken away. away. Also, Also, the the silve silverr wil will compact compact and and be fi fixed immedi ed iate ly after after the the first first additi addition on of gold, as shown. Item: When W hen the antimon antimony y in the fire fire will will be too turbulen turbulentt or too sparkl spark ling like like a star or will will appe ap pear ar to be too long long in germin germinat atin ing, g, then pure pieces or o r dry iron iron filings filings must must always a lways be b e used. However, However , if too much much iron is taken, the saltpe saltpeter ter and the prepared prepa red sulfu sulfurr is adde ad ded d and in in each ea ch case cas e the the fi firing or castin ca sting g should should surpass surpa ss one mark mark by b y about ab out half a drachma. dra chma. Such a figure figure can often, through thro ugh smelting smelting and casting, casting, amount to 100 10 0 to 200 20 0 grams of gold gold to bring bring the requi req uired red amount of reduction. red uction. When half as much much antimony is obtained ob tained and nothing nothing is lost in in the firing firing process, process, then then thi this work work has proven proven satisf satisfactory actory.. And, And, alth although ough the the antimony, antimony, when when added to the the product, product, reacts, reacts, it is, is, neverth everthel eless, ess, very very unserv unserviceabl iceablee and and must ust be fu further rther worked worked to be usefu useful. In this this chapter chap ter is now now to be found found the entire entire basis, basis, and here we wil will procee pro ceed d with with the iron and equal eq ual treatment of the copp co pper er obtain obta ined ed from the iron, so that that you wil will see what God has done do ne for
us by combinin combining g with with the fixed fixed silver, silver, in these propo pro portions: rtions: 4 parts pa rts of copp co pper er from from iron, 4 parts pa rts of pure pure gold, old, and and also also of fi fixed xed sil silver, ver, and and then then drivi driving ng off off the resul resulting ting lead. On N ovember 2, Beuther drew dre w off the water, lying lying supernatant supernata nt above ab ove the sulfu sulfur, r, and contain co ntaining ing the saltpeter, saltpeter , which which after standing a day and a night, night, the clean liqu liquid id was deca de canted nted off, and the moisture moisture thereby thereb y ski sk immed mmed off also came therefrom. The sulfu sulfurr was put in in a vessel and set over a low charcoal charc oal fire fire and then was allowed allowed to coagul co agulate ate very slowly, slowly, so that itit no longer longer contain co ntained ed any moisture. moisture. Then, when it had been be en converted converte d essentiall e ssentially y into into anti a ntimony, mony, the danger mi might lie lie in the fact that it is a matter of concern. The sulfu sulfurr must must be well well stirred with with a woode woo den n spatul spa tula, a, so that it wil will not igni ignite te nor catch ca tch fire. fire. Moreover, More over, it can combi co mbine ne with with both bo th substances substa nces when itit is is almost almost compl co mplete etely ly dry, such sulfur sulfur must must be b e kept ke pt in in an earthenware ear thenware contain co ntainer, er, dried out compl co mplete ete ly over a fire. fire. The sulfur sulfur can be stored store d after carefu care full treatment trea tment and a nd remain stable stab le for an entire year and, when adeq ad equate uate care car e is taken, when sul sulfur is added to copper copp er then then one could could not even even suspect that the sulf sulfur contained contained latent saltpeter. On the same day at about about 9 o’cl o’c lock oc k in the morning Beuther had his his pl p lan, acco ac cording rding to which which 440 44 0 grams of the above abo ve material ate rial were weighed weighed out, with with a fourth as a s much, much, namely namely 110 11 0 grams, of of precipi precipitat tated ed chal chalk k and the the same same weigh weightt of iron iron filings lings,, and and the the crucibl cruciblee was put over over a fire unti ntil ninenine-thirt thirty. y. The antimo antimo ny did not melt melt as soon as it has previ pre vious ously, ly, but requi req uired red longer time time the more difficu difficullt it was to liquefy, for the reason rea son that it had had lost lost its sluggis sluggishness hness for the most past p ast from the first first contact co ntact and when added adde d to silver, silver, as is is its custom, it took too k away from the first first contact co ntact and when when add a dded ed to silv silver, er, as is is its custom, it took too k nothing nothing away nothing nothing and even immed mmed iate ly with with gold on the addition of o f Luna Luna Fi F ixa. In I n another heating the antimony antimony was somewhat more flow flow resistant than was wa s the case in the the first first heating, heating, even though though the chalk was useful in removing removing its impur impuritie ities. s. But when it had been be en enough enough in the first first heating heating,, additiona ad ditionall amounts amounts of chalk chalk coul c ould d be added. As often as the antim antimony is smoke-d smoke -dri ried, ed, or heated agai a gain, n, the usual gray-gree gra y-green n flame flame in the fi fire can always always be seen see n and, since since it is is more volatile volatile form of sulfu sulfur, r, it remains remains on the charcoa charc oall or the instru instrum me nts and stays there there,, compl co mpletely etely white, white, and not not a little unli unlike saltpeter. saltpete r. It must must be stirred 2 or 3 times times until it flows flows very readi read ily and just as Beuther had to smokesmoke - treat trea t his antimon antimony y for a third third time, time, so he also found found slag, which he reported repo rted yesterday yesterd ay for the first first time, time, and then adde ad ded d it in order ord er to be abl ab le to bring bring out a new pattern. Approxim App roximate ate l y 15 minutes minutes past pa st 11, 11 , he he all allowed owe d the entire entire model to cool coo l, which which wei we ighed 500 50 0 grams after removal of the slag. At a quarter quarte r till till 12, 12 , my model was wa s completed completed and as the clock was striking striking 12, 12 , I adde ad ded d yesterday’s yesterd ay’s slag again and put it on the the fire fire for a third third time. time. Both the model material and the slag slag now had a lead color and show small small points points and, as a s Beuther Beuther had reported, reported , when the antimon antimony y dissolved the fi fixed antimo antimo ny took too k on a beauti bea utiful ful gold col co lor. As the clock struck one, o ne, I took too k my mod model el material from the the fire fire and weighed weighed it. The The mate material rial without without slag weighed weighed two and a half half weights. weights. And, while while a lot of o f slag had been bee n thrown on top of the model od el material, materia l, the slag slag conti co ntinued nued to be added ad ded by the fire, fire, so that the correct corre ct weight weight of the model material coul co uld d be determi de termined. ned. Since Beuther Be uther had ha d by this this time time permi p ermitted tted his his sl s lag a goo good d half half hour in the fire, fire, he had a handful or three of poor poo r quality quality saltpeter, saltpete r, along with with a precipitate pre cipitate of arsenic which which had been depo de posited sited in in the crucible, The slag slag was stirred and a nd eventually removed. Freed Fre ed from from the slag, slag, Beuther’s model sampl sa mplee weighed weighed 2 pounds po unds mi minus 40 grams. However, Ho wever, I have the slag slag from my own specim spe cimen, en, without without any additives, additives, in the crucible set briefly briefly on the fire fire just prior to two
o’clock in the af a fternoon. At about 2 o’clock I put 2 good handfuls handfuls of saltpeter saltpete r in pape pa perr rolled rolled up for that purpose and at a quarter past 3 o’clock the crucible crucible was taken out o ut and and the sample sample material was wa s separa sep arated ted from the slag and adde ad ded d to the previous sampl sa mplee material. materia l. The product pro duct weighed weighed 10 grams grams less than 4 mark marks, s, but b ut still still 30 grams more more than Beuther’s Beuther’s prepa pre paration. ration. This This may be due to the fact that Beuther’s prepar pre paration ation remained remained in the fire. fire. From Fro m my sample sample material I have obtained ob tained bits of infor nformatio matio n which which I can ca n use for my my model mode l, since since the sample sample material wil will be shaped shaped accordin according to the the type type of fire and and so wil will its appearance. appearance. As the the clock clock was stri striking king 3 in in the afternoon, Beuther had fired fired his sample material for the the third third time time and imm immed ed ia tely te ly it melted melted and he he found found that he had 80 grams of prepa pre pared red sulfur sulfur available. available. The antimo antimo ny had been com co mpletely stirred into into it. Thereby then, most conveni co nveniee ntly, ntl y, since since water was flowin flowing g therefrom, he subsequent subse quently ly poured po ured itit into into the mold. mold. It was then then a quarter past p ast 4. The sample sample now weighed weighed 40 grams less than 2 pounds. po unds. As soon as Beuther had removed his his crucible from the fire, fire, I added ad ded mine mine contai conta ining nin g the sample sample and all a llowe owed d it to remain remain at high high heat for a quarter quarte r of an hour, hour, whereupon whereupo n 80 8 0 grams of prepa pre pared red sulf sulfur ur were adde ad ded d with vigorous vigorous stirring. stirring. The resulting product pro duct was then poured po ured off o ff and allowe allowed d to cool coo l. After After the fourth fourth melting it weighed weighed 3 marks. ark s. Therefrom I presented the Elector Elector with with 2 test sample sample portion p ortionss in order to determine determine whether whether he accepted the silver silver which which was offered offered him him as well as a s he did did show sho w gratitude gratitude for the gold. Then on o n t he 3rd of November, November, at a quart quarter er til till 10 in in the the morning morning,, I fi fired my sampl samplee for the the fif fifth tim time and and when when it had melted melted I added ad ded 40 grams of o f sul sulfur fur to itit and poured it from from the crucibl c rucible. e. The sample wei we ighed 2 pounds pounds and 40 grams grams at this this point, point, and 5 grams grams were we re taken tak en from it as a test sample sample and added adde d to lead in an a n earthenware vessel and all allowed to evaporate evapora te to nothingness nothingness on a sand bath. Whoever Whoeve r carries c arries out this this proc p rocess ess in in a similar similar manner manner can assure himse himself lf that something must must remain. remain. After 9 o’clock in the mor ning ning Beuther Beuther had fired fired his his sample for the fif fifth th time time and in in spite of the fact that it it was more more dif d iffi ficc ult than my proces pro cess, s, nevertheless nevertheles s only 40 grams of sulfur sulfur had been added. add ed. At about abo ut 1 o’clock o’clock in the afternoon afternoon I weigh weighed ed my sample sample to amount amount to 2 marks marks and 40 grams. grams. After the sixth sixth reaction rea ction and a nd as itit was ready rea dy to pour of, of, 80 grams grams of o f prepared prepa red sulfur sulfur were added adde d with with stirri stirring ng and the the resulting resulting product prod uct was poured off. off. It weigh weighed ed 2 marks. Subseque Subs equently, ntly, Beuther had likewise likewise added add ed his his sample material and, after intro introducin ducing g the sulfu sulfur, r, he poured of o ff the the product p roduct at a quarter quarter til till 3 o’clock o’clock and it weigh weighed ed 3 marks marks and 20 marks marks and indicated to me that that I should should not be unduly concerned conc erned by this this di d iscrepa scre pancy ncy in weight, weight, for his his sample sample would be be heavier heavier than min mine, e, since his sample sa mple still still had as much much iron in it, althoug although h my sample might might be too selective and would would hold more than his, his, as is also also the case cas e in in the test samples, until until he brough bro ughtt his his sample s ample more into into conf co nformity. ormity. At about ab out half half past p ast 3, I had fired fired my sample for the seventh time time and itit weighed weighed 2 marks and 20 grams, and after serving serving the slag therefrom, melting, melting, and fi firing for the seventh time, time, it weighed weighed 40 grams, whil while both bo th of them together weighed weighed 2 marks and a nd 60 grams. grams. The The sample sample at thi this point possessed posse ssed quite quite coarse coa rse spike spike s, resembling resembling crude stars. sta rs. I thereupon had Beuther’s Beuther’s orders orde rs and so cut 60 grams grams of o f scrap steel stee l from from screws, scre ws, which was wa s adde ad ded d as a flux, flux, 20 grams each ea ch time, time, quickly one after the other, and a nd then then also a lso adde ad ded d 80 grams of the the prepa pre pared red sulfur, sulfur, with with vigorous vigorous stirring and shaking, shaking, and fin finaa lly the liqui liquid d was poured off. off. The product prod uct weigh weighed ed 2 marks and a nd the entire entire operati ope ration on consumed consumed 44.5 44. 5 hours. To this, this, Beuther Beuther also added add ed hi his sample, sample, over a period of o f 4.5 hours, hours, but b ut he added no sul sulfur or iron. iron. After pouri po uring ng off, off, the product pro duct now weigh weighed ed 3 marks and 10 grams. Beuther reporte rep orted d thi this, using using in this this particul pa rticular ar proces pro cesss 1 mark of iron and 120 12 0 grams of flux flux material, ate rial, and could in in 10 1 0 hours of work produce prod uce 100 quil quilders worth of product. At thi thiss point it must must now be noted noted how the process pro cess is ended ende d by a fixat fixation. ion. Friday, the 4th of November, No vember, at a quarter quarte r past pa st 8 in the morning, morning, I again adde ad ded d to my my sample 2 mark markss and 40 grams grams of sulfur sulfur and 40 grams grams of iron, adde ad ded d after the flux, flux,
and at about 8:30 8:30 the product was again again poured off and weighed weighed 2 marks and 40 grams, grams, whereas Beuther had by this this time time melted melted his his specim spe cimen en for the ninth ninth time time and then then adde ad ded d 40 grams of sulfu sulfurr thereto, thereto , bringing bringing the weight weight to 2 marks and 40 grams. My M y specim spe cimen en had remained remained on the 10th 10 th fire fire for a quarter quarte r of an hour hour less than 11 hours hours and then 40 grams of steel stee l filings filings and 20 grams grams of sulf sulfur were added adde d thereto. It was removed removed from from the fire fire at about 12 o’clock and weighed weighed 2 marks minus minus 20 grams. Beuther had also put his his sample on the the fi fire and it wound up also weighing weighing 2 marks less 20 grams. My M y sample remai re mained ned about ab out 2 hours over o ver an efficie efficient nt flame flame and 40 grams of sulfu sulfurr were then introduce introduced, d, bringing bringing the total weight weight of the speci spec imen on o n the fire for 2 and threethree-quarters quarters hours and 60 grams grams of iron iron were produced thereby, the total to tal weighin weighing g 2 marks ark s and 20 grams. At two- thirty, thirty, I put my my speci spec imen on the the fi fire and added ad ded 40 grams of o f sulfur sulfur to it. Its fina finall weight weight was 1 mark and 100 10 0 grams, from which which I took a small small test sample. In the the 13th firi firing ng my specim spec imen en was found found to t o become beco me molten molten without without the additi add ition on of any further further material and itit weighed weighed 1 mark 1 mark and 10 grams and afterwa afterwards rds both bo th samples were melted melted together at the the request of the Elect Elector. or. In David David Beuther’s proces pro cesss the lead was allowe allowed d to come to a boi bo il with with the specim spe cimen en cop co p per and and then poured po ured into into fused silver, silver, and the volatile volatile material driv d riven en off. off. The Pre Pre paration of the Chalk ~
Good Goo d chalk, chalk, which which is not not gritty, gritty, is broken bro ken into into small small pieces, piece s, the size size of o f dice dice,, is is placed place d in cold co ld water, and there it is is all allowed to soak for for 1 hour, hour, and all allowed to stand stand in a new glassglass- stoppered stopp ered flask flask and then set se t in in a seal sea led air oven to burn until until it glows glows and is burned out, at which which time time it was considered considered to have have been bee n properl prop erly y fired fired and prepared as the previously previously mentio entio ned model ode l antimon antimony y sample y subsequently subse quently removing the coarse co arse particl pa rticles es consi co nsisting sting of impurit impuritiie s. The Pre Pre paration of the Sulfur ~
From 2 pounds of saltpeter saltpeter and 3 pounds of hi high-quality gh-qua lity sulf sulfur, or 3 pounds of saltpeter and 5 pounds pounds of sulf sulfur, prepared prepared as recomm recommended ended at th the beginni beginning ng of the the process, process, the the sul sulfur Mars being being fixed and non-combu non-combusti stib b le, and and furtherm rthermo o re give givess the the proper color color and and the the amount amount of fixat fixation ion leaves eaves nothing to be desired, de sired, as silver silver and tin. tin. The vapo vapors rs of antimon antimony y are white white and red, are among the best medicines, ed icines, and transmute transmute silver silver into into gold, that is, is, through through the red and fix fixed ed sulfur lying dormant within it. Som So me other workers work ers may be able to purify purify the silver silver so highly highly that aquafort is no no longer longer able to dam da mage the material after the fricti frictio o nal wear of the lead, although a lthough only half half as much much product pro duct will will be obtain obtained. Proce Pro ceeding eding with thi this fixed fixed and a nd compacted compac ted silver, silver, as here reporte rep orted, d, in additi ad dition on to the hig highh- grade gold, as far as is known, the silver silver should be free free from any gold gold and refined refined prior to the test. The spirit spirit of antimo antimo ny does do es not, in in itself, itself, include nclude the substance of iron, but its quintesse quintesse ntial nt ial character chara cteristics istics antimon antimony y has the perfection necessary neces sary for a flux, flux, whil while the iron iron gives gives the fi fixed sulf sulfur. After After these two decomposi dec ompositi tio o ns take place, a fixed fixed substance re sults. sults. And when when the the antimon antimony y melts melts for the the 20th time, time, with some diffi difficc ulty, ult y, then in each eac h melting melting the iron iron is a cadaver cad aver
and its its essence ess ence and a nd spirit spirit are always given given in the nature and the essence esse nce of o f the antimo antimo ny, until until it coagul co agulate atess into into the perfect metal as a s a result of o f compl co mplete ete solar and lunar lunar fermentat fermentatio ion. n. You must must make use of a ferment, ferment, i.e., a substance which which can ca n remain stabl stab le, must be b e fixed, fixed, and cannot become b ecome volatil volatile. e. Therefore, Therefore, when you you carry out your work on an earthenware earthenware plate or in in a glass glass vial, vial, or capsul cap sule, e, then combin c ombinee it with with lead but b ut not not gold, gold, the more more the better, better, to retain the volatile volatile substance substa nce with the fixed fixed substance, substa nce, so that that both bo th will will be b e fixed. fixed. Beuth Be uthee r’s Proce Process ss from from Copper Pyrites ~
Coppe Co pperr pyrites, pyrites, preferably the richer richer ores, o res, were pulverized pulverized as finely as possibly possibly and heated heated,, gently gently at first, first, subseq s ubsequently uently more vig vigoro orously, usly, but avoiding avoiding direct contact contac t with with the flame, flame, as when sulfu sulfurr was fix fixed ed,, which which must must not be b e destroye de stroyed d by burning. burning. The burning burning must must contin c ontinue ue until until the pyri pyrites no longer onger give give off off fumes or a sul sulfuric odor. When hemati hematite te powder is is noted, noted, the the process is complete and the the product pro duct can ca n be pulver pulverized ized in the manner manner in which which cinnab cinnabar ar is. The test samples, when appli ap plicab cablle, behave beha ve in in this this way: A little ittle of the pyrites, pyrites, covered covered with precipitate pre cipitated d aquafort aq uafort a few few fingers fingers high, high, is place placed d on o n a warm sand bath. b ath. The The aquafort a quafort does do es not turn turn a gree green n col co lor, but remains remains clear when decanted deca nted off. off. Enough yellow yellow arse arseni nicc is now taken tak en as fills fills an iron jar ja r having 3 feet and an iron lid lid which com co mpletely covers co vers it. it. After heating over a gentle gentle fire fire for 2 hours, the heat is gradually increased ncrea sed until until the arseni arse nicc rises and a nd begi be gins ns to give give off fumes, fumes, causing the cover to rise. When this this happe hap pens, ns, the air air pock po ckets ets are luted again and a nd the fire fire slowly slowly removed. When the the material has cool coo led, ed , tapping tap ping the jar and cover co ver causes cause s the arseni arse nicc to precipitate. pre cipitate. The product prod uct is is partially pa rtially golden in col co lor. After sublimi subliming ng in a retort reto rt with with attached attac hed receivi re ceiving ng vessel, the arsenic increa increasing singly ly becomes becomes snow-wh snow-whiite, like flour, our, and is is also also quite quite stable stable and and safe safe for use. Specially Sp ecially activated a ctivated sal sa l ammon ammoniac iac in solutio solutio n in clear founta fountain in water was prepa pre pared red,, filtered, filtered, and coagul co agulate ated. d. Subseq Subs equently, uently, 1 pound po und of antimon antimony y was carefu care fully lly fused fused with with 120 grams of iron. When a good flux flux was obtained, obtained, 80 grams grams of o f calcined calcined chalk chalk were added adde d in coarse pi p ieces, which which permi permits extrac extracti tion on of the the ores togeth together er and separati separation of the the slag slag,, and and the the breaking breaking up of the product product into nto pieces pieces the the siz size of hazel hazel nuts, nuts, and and then then pouri pouring into nto a well-prepared well-prepared sampl samplee of aquafort aq uafort in a flask flask.. The resulting yellow yellow solutio solutio n, poured po ured into into a third third portion, po rtion, and a nd then so much much of the aquafort is poured off into into good go od strong brandy b randy that a precipi prec ipitate tate forms, forms, and that is how antimony is prepared. Finally, Finally, a crucible is igni ignited ted and 40 grams of saltpe saltpeter ter is placed plac ed therein. therein. When the saltpe saltpeter ter begi begins to burn burn,, then then 1 pound pound of alum alum is added. The The alum alum burns burns itself tself out, out, so that that the the moistu oisture re which which it contain co ntained ed has now been driven driven off and this this is what what happens happ ens as itit becomes bec omes pure and white white and has been completely completely prepared prepa red.. Take 1 pound of the above-m above- mentio entio ned copper cop per pyrites, pyrites, 2.5 ounces ounces of the sal ammoniac, ammoniac, prepared prepa red as indicated, ndicated , 1 ounce of arseni arse nicc prep p reparation, aration, 1 ounce of the disso dissolv lved ed antimo antimo ny, plus alum, alum, and a nd the calcined calcined copp co pper er pyrites, steepe stee ped d with with half half that amount amount of well we ll-- distil led aceti ace ticc acid a cid and half that amount amount of good brandy, bra ndy, stir s tir them well together, so that the the mi mixture is rather damp, da mp, then add ad d the weighed weighed material ate rial to the the pyrites, pyrites, and then then when it it has been been well-stirred, let itit stand for 4 days da ys
and 4 nights, nights, so that the pyrites are dried out, o ut, after which which time time 4 ounces of mercury are added add ed thereto. thereto . The product prod uct is is then allowe allowed d to stand for an additi ad ditiona onall 4 days da ys and nights, nights, whereupon whereupo n the mercury is lost, lost, so that 4 ounces of mercury needs need s to be adde ad ded d again and the product pro duct is again allowed allowed to stand for an additi ad ditiona onall 4 days da ys and nig nights. hts. The last last extract extra ct was then then combined combined with with the first first and as much much as possibl po ssiblee mercury is then taken and allowed allowed to evapora evap orate te from an earthenware ear thenware dish, leaving leaving behi be hind nd a residue, shown to be sulfur. sulfur. To this this sulfu sulfurr in a crucible add ad d 30 grams of tartar tarta r and allow allow it to stand in a cal ca lcining fire. fire. The tartar tarta r was the above abo ve-- mentioned white white material, material, which which left left behi be hind nd a greygrey-black black material which I have termed "black sul s ulfu furr ", 1 pound po und of iron can c an be converted co nverted into into copp co pper er in in the the foll following ow ing manner: manner: Bring Bring to a boi bo il 2 liters liters of water wate r in a large cop c oppe perr pan and then add a dd a handful of salt. When Whe n the salt is is compl co mplete etely ly dissolved, a pound po und of iron filings filings is adde ad ded d and then 25 grams of "black "black sulfu sulfurr ", and in in a half half hour a pound po und (at most) most) of iron iron is added adde d to the pure cop c oppe per, r, 8 ounces of which which were fused fused in a crucible and, when this this mixture mixture was com co mpletely plete ly fused fused,, one ounce of o f the best be st Hungarian Hungarian gold gold was added ad ded (as a seed), seed ), whereupon whereupon the mi mixture was poured into an ingot ingot mold, made in the shape of a vi vial, and then then covered co vered three t hree fingers fingers high high with the foll follow owing ing water: water : To 8 ounces of aquafort, 2 ounces of the anti antimo ny prepared prepa red as above, 1 ounce of the prepared sal ammoniac ammoniac,, and appro ap proxi ximate mately ly 1 drachma dra chma of wine wine vinegar vinegar were added. adde d. When the the antimony antimony and the sal ammon ammoniiac had dissolved, then the aquafort was poured into into a vial vial containing c ontaining copp co pper er and allowed allowed to dissolve for 3 days and nights. nights. Then 30 grams of the black sulfur sulfur was poured into into 120 1 20 grams of wine wine vinegar vinegar and 40 grams of aquafort, aq uafort, which which had not formed formed a precipitate but which which contained contained 30 grams grams of the sul sulfur and had had a blood- red color. After the above liqui liquid d had been allowed allowed to stand for 3 days and nigh nights ts to complete complete the soluti solution on process, proce ss, approxi appro xim mately ate ly 10 grams grams of this this red solution solution were adde ad ded, d, whereupon whereupo n all a ll of the disso dissollved material precipitated pre cipitated took too k place, place , with with a pronounced pro nounced gradati grada tion on as is customary until the mark of copp co pper er had compl co mpletely etely dissolved, which which often requires re quires up to 10 or 12 days without without heating, heating, since since it dissolves so slowly slowly that tha t such gradation gradation can easily easily be b e noted. After After complete complete soluti solutio o n, finely-powder nely-p owder ed brown lime was added, add ed, which which had been be en washed with warm eater, eat er, dried dried thoroughly, thoro ughly, and subsequently subse quently melted in a crucible, resulting in 1 mark of copp co pper er and up to 140 14 0 grams of good Hungaria Hungarian n gold, in all test samples of "Antim "Antimo o ny of Saturn", Saturn", as they mig might ht be desig de signated nated.. Everything which which I have been b een able to make make is, as always, always, to the Gl Glory of God. God. Another Another Proce Process ss from from Copper Pyrites Pyrites as Des cribe cribe d in Old Notes Note s Wh Which ich Beuth Be uthee r has Fortun Fortunate ately ly Located Locate d ~
To finely pulverized, pulverized, even though though impure, impure, copper cop per pyrites, pyrites, washed and edulcerate edulcerated, d, and placed placed in a coppe cop perr vessel, was wa s salt water, slowly slowly heated heate d to boi bo iling, with with vigoro vigorous us stirring. stirring. An eighth eighth of a can of unprec unprecipi ipitt ated aquafort aquafort was then added add ed,, along with a small small amount of o f salt, and a nd the mixture was all allowed to stand approxi app roxim mately ate ly 12 hours hours unti untill a sulf sulfuric odor odo r was detected. detected . It was then neutralized with with soda, sod a, after which which the solutio solutio n was decanted deca nted from from the pyrites. pyrites. Half of the decanted de canted solu so lution, tion, while while still still warm, wa rm, was poured po ured into into the iron, transf tra nsformi orming ng the iron into into copp co pper. er. Other samples samples of copper cop per were obtained obtained from the preci prec ipitate produced prod uced by aquafort, aquafort, but were not not such fin finee specim spe cimen en as those from the the unprecipitate unprecip itated d material. material. Taking 1 mark of o f the copper copp er and fusing fusing with with 1 ounce of Hungar Hungariia n gold, and then then pourin p ouring g the product pro duct into into an ingot ingot mold, mold, and adding ad ding 6 ounces of o f unprecipi unprecip itated ta ted aquafort aq uafort in a vial vial with with 2 ounces of molten salt and allowin allowing g
the product prod uct to to cool coo l by standing standing for 3 hours, and subsequently heating heating for 2 hours, so that that the aquafort bubbles up with with the salt, salt, and a nd is now now ready re ady to use, and so is al a llowed to cool and stand until until another day. da y. The aquafort was then decante de canted d slowly from the the salt, into another beak be aker, er, and subsequent subse quently ly 6 ounces of o f aquafort aq uafort and 30 grams of yellow yellow arseni arse nicc and 20 grams of alum alum (both (bo th pulver pulverized) ized) were were slowl slowly added and and after afterwar wards ds heated heated vigor vigorou ousl sly y unti untill the the materi aterial dissol dissolv ved. The product was then then slowly slowly deca de canted nted into into another ano ther glass contain co ntainer, er, to which which was then then added add ed 4 ounces of aquafort and a nd 2 ounces of golden sulfu sulfur, r, with with bubbli bubb ling. ng. The product prod uct was then divide divided d into 3 parts, pa rts, the first first of which which was poured poure d over the copper cop per,, along with with 1 mark of gold and allowed allowed to dissolve 3 days da ys and nights. nights. It was then treated treate d with 30 grams grams of 9 times times distilled distilled vinegar. vinegar. One part of this this vinegar vinegar solutio solutio n contai conta ining the coppe cop perr was allowed allowed to stand for 3 days, da ys, whereupon a precipitate precipitate was noted. noted. The other part contain containing ing the aquaf aq uafort ort was subdivi subdivid d ed into 3 portion portions, s, poured poured onto onto the the copper unti untill it dissol dissolve ved, d, and and all allowed to stand stand day and and nigh night, t, unti untill the the fourth day, da y, it was again again poured po ured into into an a n equal eq ual amount amount of vinegar, vinegar, until a precipitate pre cipitate formed. formed. On the fif fifth th day, da y, 1 portion po rtion from from the water solu so lution tion in the glass glass contain co ntainer er was added, adde d, dissolving the material in 3 hours, after which which an equal equa l amount of o f vinegar vinegar was added add ed.. O n the sixth sixth day, da y, the third third portion p ortion containing co ntaining the aquafort, which was the the only only porti por tion on still still remaining, was added ad ded and allowed allowed to stand for 3 hours to disso dissollve it, after which the vinegar vinegar was added add ed.. On the the seventh day, da y, the third third portion po rtion of the aquafort aq uafort was wa s added adde d to an equal eq ual part of the mate material rial from the glass glass contain co ntainer er and allowed allowed to an equal eq ual part of the the mate material rial from the the glass glass contain co ntainer er and all allowed owe d to become become lukewarm kewarm before before dissol dissolv ving 20 gram gramss of salt salt whi which had previ previously been added, and and then then 2 parts (2 drachm drac hms) s) of vi vinegar were added. add ed. On O n the eighth eighth day, one part of water was added add ed to the third third portion, po rtion, al a llowed to stand for 3 hours, and then then poured poure d into into 2 volumes volumes of vinegar. vinegar. On the the ninth ninth day, da y, the mi mixture was allowe allowed d to remain qui q uiet et until until solutio solutio n was completed; completed ; nothing nothing was added add ed thereto. thereto. On the tenth day, da y, the the last last of the water was soluti solutio o n was added adde d to the remainder remainder of the third third portion, po rtion, up to 6 hours being requi req uired red for complete solu so lution, tion, after which which excess exces s vinegar vinegar was added add ed and then allowed allowed to remain remain quiet day d ay and night, night, makin ak ing g it the twelfth twelfth day. da y. O n the thirtee thirteenth, nth, the water was gradually poured po ured off, off, the precipitated pre cipitated portion portion being completel completely y brown. b rown. The The product pro duct was then then edulcerated edulcerated and dried, dried, whereupon the material material was converted converted into lead, or or antim antimony. The transm transmuted uted copper cop per was prepared prep ared in in marked marked quantitie quantitiess from the copper cop per pyrites, pyrites, until until 150grams 15 0grams of very very fin finee and pure gold were prepared prepa red,, without without any gold having having been be en added, adde d, for which which blessing I giv givee thanks to the Holy Trini Trinitt y of God, the the Father, Fa ther, Son, S on, and Holy Holy Ghost. As always, to God, be all Glory given. Beuther’s Jupiter Process ~
One pound of Jovis Puri (pure tin), tin), cut in prac p racticably ticably small small pieces, p ieces, so s o that that they could be introduced ntroduce d into into a small small flask flask,, was wa s adde ad ded, d, along with approxi appro ximate mately ly 1 pint of distilled distilled vinegar, vinegar, to the third third portion po rtion of the aquafort, aq uafort, and a handful of salt, all of which which were poured p oured into into the tin tin and allowed allowed to stand for 5 hours, after which which the clear liqu liquiid part pa rt was was poured po ured off o ff,, the tin remainin remaining g behi behind was th thoroughly oroughly washed washed with with water water and agai again poured poured into nto a vi vial and covered covered with with 3 fingers fingers of aquafort. Then 20 grams of sal ammoniac ammoniac were added add ed,, at which which point p oint a strong reacti reac tion on began began to take place. place. The The reacti reaction proceeds best best when when it is kept in contact contact with with fire. Then Then 1 pound pound of activated mercury was wa s adde ad ded, d, the the more slowly slowly the better, be tter, using using an a n effi efficient cie nt woode woo den n stirrer, which which works work s better be tter in material which which is as vi viscous sc ous as a pulp. After aquafort is again add a dded ed thereto, thereto , a vi vigorous reaction reac tion sets in in with bubbling bubbling up and the the product pro duct is stirred further further and again again becomes becomes quite quite thi thick. Aquaf Aquafort ort is again again added very very slowl slowly, y, unti ntil the the mercu mercury ry along along with with the the tin tin
has becom beco me a singl singlee body, bo dy, like like white white chalk (somewhat due to the fact that some of the merc mercury ury remains remains undissolved undissolved). ). It was then allowe allowed d to stand unti untill everything was dissolved. When both of the substances substances added add ed have been completely completely dissolved, dissolved, 2 ounces of o f iron are a re taken and an d covered 3 fingers fingers high high with with aquafort, then the mate material rial comm c ommence encess to effervesc effervescee and a reaction rea ction take ta kess place, place , until until the solution solution becomes be comes entirely entirely red or brown bro wn and begi be gins ns to foam. The redred - brown bro wn liquid iquid was then poured po ured into into a glass glass di d ish and allowe allowed d to set until until the volatile liquid iquid escape esc apess and the the reaction rea ction subsides and is is no longer longer active. After agai aga in bei be ing allowe allowed d to stand for a brief period pe riod of time, time, it again comm c ommence encess to effervesce effervesce and then quiets quiets down do wn to the formation formation of a yell yellow ow color co lor and a supernatant supernata nt liquid iquid above ab ove the iron, iron, which which is also blood - red. red . The proces pro cesss is conti co ntinued nued by the daily daily addi add ition tion of 2 pounds of prepared chalk and 40 grams grams of aquafort, aquafort, and suf suffici ic ie nt chalk chalk dail d aily y to mainta maintain in a content co ntent of 10grams 10 grams of silver. silver. In my opin op iniion, such additi ad ditions ons must must tak ta k e place about ab out every other day, although for a total tota l of 14 or 15 times, times, so that that from every pound p ound of o f metal, as tin or mercury, erc ury, 280 28 0 grams of very high high quality, quality, stabl stab le, finely finely pulver pulverized ized silver silver results. As always, to God alone be the Glory. Moreover, More over, at the the very begi be ginning nning 20 grams grams of o f the red material from iron iron and 20 grams of sal ammoniac ammoniac can be adde ad ded, d, which which reacts rea cts at the same time time with the tin tin and the merc mercury, ury, however, no aquafort can ca n be added add ed unti untill both substances are destroyed. When no no mercury mercury can be observed obse rved in the glass glass dish, then 20 grams grams of o f the red material from iron, iron, 20grams 20 grams of sal ammoniac ammoniac,, and 0 grams grams of aquafort were added add ed every every day, up to 14 days.
First Supplement or Appendix The Th e Philosophers’ Stone ~
The author has carried out this this work with his his own hands and a nd itit is, accord acc ordin ing g to him, him, so easy that whoever cannot c annot duplica duplicate te this this work cannot dupli d uplicate cate any other. Since itit teaches teac hes what what the mercury of the philoso philosophe phers rs is and how it is is obtained ob tained from the bod b ody y and how the silver silver and gold gold are obtain obta ined ed from fece feces, s, by the the use use of fire, fire, by fixing, fixing, and by amalgam amalgamaa ting tin g with with mercury, and f inally, nall y, in this this way, arriving arriving at the Philoso Philosopher phers’ s’ Stone. Sto ne. Pre Pre paration of Fixed Fixe d Lun Luna a and Sol ~
Chalk (lime) (lime) in a crucible, along with 3 parts pa rts of Calam Ca lamin inaa r is Stone, Sto ne, 2 parts pa rts of white white arseni arse nicc (sublimed (sublimed 2 o 3 times) times) 1 pound po und prepare prep ared d salt, and 20 grams of the same white white arseni arse nicc mixed mixed with with 40 grams of tartar tarta r (calci (ca lcined ned until until clear, c lear, white, white, and transluce transluce nt), all materials materials thoroughly thoroughl y mixed mixed together, were treate tre ated d with finely finely powde po wdered red sil silver until until the product pro duct was thi thick as a ducat duca t and a hands’ width, forming forming a layer u pon the the other materi material al present, present, and ini initi tially ally one fi finger nger thi thick in the the aboveab ove-m mentioned powder po wder (after the additi ad dition on of the sil silver). The powde po wdered red material was wa s again added add ed and the the process pro cess was repeated, repeated , with with adequate ad equate luting luting and cementi cementing, ng, using using an appropriate app ropriate flame. flame. Nevertheless, Ne vertheless, the silv silver er does do es not melt, melt, even after after 36 hours. After cooli coo ling, ng, and subsequent subseq uent neutralizat neutralizatiio n of the product, the sil silver appeared app eared to be black and as brittl brittlee as glass. glass. The product was then thoroughly thoroughl y washed with water and allowed allowed to dry. It was then placed p laced in in a small small mortar and pulveriz pulverized ed completely, carefully car efully washed was hed with with ordinary water, wate r, and then all allowed owe d to settle, and
the entire entire process proc ess was repeated repe ated unti untill the supernatant supernatant water was completely completely clear. The water can be evaporate evaporated, d, so that none none of the the sil silver ver wil will be lost, lost, even even that that whi which has been dissol dissolve ved d in the water. water . The resulting white white powde po wder, r, after after treatment trea tment with with borax bo rax (at which which time time it is in in lamellar lamellar form) was cemen c emented ted by heat heat and worked up as before, so that the silver silver is set se t free free from the feces and the the element element is purified purified without without decompo de compositi sitio o n, which which can ca n be tested teste d by rectif rec tifiica t io n of a half ounce of the the powder po wder in in aqua aq ua vitae vitae (distilled (distilled brandy) bra ndy) or by dissolving in distilled distilled vinegar, vinegar, coagul co agulate ated, d, and again dissolved, until until no more fec fecal al mate material rial is found. found. This This silver silver should should also be cemented by heating, heating, in order ord er that that the elements beco be com me fixed, fixed, and that that the silv silver er beco be com mes fixed, fixed, as well, well, that they will will not be b e dissolved by aquafort aq uafort (or beco be com me grey- col co lored ore d when held at high high heat) or have lost their timbre, timbre, but are precipi prec ipitate tated d by antimo antimo ny. After cementi ce menting, ng, the gold gold also has a simil similar ar form, form, which which alone is that taken (instead (instead of arseni arse nic) c) by subl sublim imed ed red mercu mercury ry,, whi which cannot cannot be struck struck or washe washed d like the the silver silver ca. It is is not black black at all, but but by cementing ce menting the gold for so long a time, time, until until no further further loss in weight, then it is gold gold freed of o f all fec fecal al matter and must must be b e fix fixed ed by cementing 3 times times more, so that all the the elements are prepared. Extraction Extraction of Philoso Philosoph phee rs’ M e rcu rcury ry ~
First, from from the silver, silver, dissolved in aquafort, aq uafort, prepa pr epared red from from vitriol vitriol (sulfuric (sulfuric acid) and saltpeter, saltpete r, precipi precipitat tated ed by salt salt water, water, neutra neutraliz lized ed with with lime, dried, dried, and and then then poured poured in a glass glass contai contain ner, set on a tripod or o r in a furnace furnace to calcine calcine it or reverbera reverb erate te it to giv givee it consider abl ab le heat, as a s when lead is to be melted. elted. After After standing standing 6 week weeks, s, the corpus was opened, so the mercury mercury could could be separa sep arated ted from from the earth ear th and the oil, oil, even when it remains remains with the earth. The same can be done do ne with with the gold. gold. The calx, by itself itself alone, must must stand for 18 1 8 to 22 weeks in in a reverbera reverb eratory tory furnace furnace.. When the furnace furnace is opened op ened,, there there is so much gold that it amounts amounts to 2 or 3 fingers fingers above above the bottom botto m of the crucible, much much like a mushroom. mushroom. The merc mercury ury can be subli sublim med almost almost imm immed iate l y, even with with a gentle flame. flame. General Genera lly speak spe akiing, sal sa l ammoniac ammoniac can ca n also be sublimed sublimed and this this is also also the case cas e in in the extraction of the salt. salt. Clarification Clarification of M e rcu rcury ry ~
Sublim Sublimed 2 or 3 tim times by vi vitrio trio l or arsenic, arsenic, the product prod uct appears app ears as clear as crystal. crystal. When gold gold and sil silver have now been be en obtai obta ined, the product pro duct can ca n be pulverized pulverized finely finely on porce po rcellain pl p late with clear, transpare transp arent nt sal s al ammoniac ammoniac,, which which is not damp, even when pulver pulverized ized with with 1 pound po und of prepared prepared sil silver and and 80 gram gramss of sal amm ammoni oniac on a porcelai porcelain n plate. plate. Add vin vinegar, egar, disti distille lled d 5 or 6 times times from its its phlegm, phlegm, to another vessel and distill distill it from a bath ba th over a calx, prop p roperly erly luted luted,, to give give 1 pound po und of calculate calculated d silver silver from 4 pounds po unds of vinegar. vinegar. After then allowing allowing the product prod uct to cool co ol before openi ope ning ng it, it was found found that the vinegar, vinegar, the sal ammoniac ammoniac,, and the silver silver were losing losing their their odor, odo r, whi which was normal normally ly so strong as to be indistin ndistinguishab guishab le whether whether cold or hot. As soon as it was opened, ope ned, the glass glass was removed removed and the the contents c ontents were washed well well and set aside for 6 weeks in a water bath, so hot that one could scarcely drink the water, because of the heat. After allowin allowing g the product prod uct to cool, the product prod uct was broke bro ken n up into into small small pieces piece s and distilled distilled into a receiver rec eiver by b y the use of vig vigoro orous us heat, and subsequently subseque ntly set in ashes and heated heate d gradually until the mercury sublimed sublimed with the sal ammoniac ammoniac and was snowsnow - white white in color. co lor. After After standing an
addi add itiona tionall 24 hours, hours, prior to subliming, subliming, it was cooled, opened op ened up, and and the the sublim sublimed mercury was taken out o ut and weigh weighed ed so as to know how much much sal sa l amm ammoniac should should be added thereto. The sublimed sublimed material was again again placed place d in in a glass glass vessel, sublimed sublimed still still one more more time, time, and then then feces were added add ed and the the product pro duct was sublim sublimed ed again until until no feces remained remained behi be hind. nd. This This is the body of mater materiial contai containi ning ng the the oil oil or orpim orpiment ent and and was then then taken out out and and weigh weighed, ed, so as to be abl ab le to better be tter know k now how much much mercury merc ury is present, pre sent, how much much cal ca lx that there there had ha d been, how ho w much much of the body bo dy of material and earth had been in in the gl glass, and how much much distilled vinegar vinegar remained to be dissolved dissolved in the clear water. After addin add ing g the fece feces, s, the the clear supernatant superna tant liquid liquid was poured off, off, coa c oagul gulate ated, d, and dissolved again until until feces no no longer longer rem re mained. At this this point, p oint, it it was coagulated coagulated again, again, and the the sal sa lt of the the earth e arth was prepared prepa red and it was clear clear as a crystal. crystal. The The sublimed sublimed mercury and a nd the sal ammon ammoniiac were then fin finely ely pulver pulverized ized with with this this sal sa lt in a mortar when dry d ry and added add ed to the gl glass vessel, and fin finally ally set upon a tripod or in a calcining oven for 6 weeks and heated, and a nd then then allowed allowed to cool afterward in a cool coo l place place covered with with a cloth. cloth. It dissolved to form form a clear sol so lutio utio n in 6 or 8 days. da ys. Thi Thiss is the the Philoso Philosophers phers ’ Vinegar, Vinegar, said to be our mercury, but also given many other names. By taking 3 parts pa rts of silver silver and 1 part par t of gold and a nd cementi ce menting ng them in the fi fire, as stated state d at the begi beginning nning of the the secti section on the the Extr Extracti actio o n of Mercu Mercury ry,, foll ollowed by solu solution tion in aquaf aquafort, ort, the the calx calx residue edul ed ulco corate rated, d, and dried (to give give sufficie sufficient nt material to treat trea t with with distilled distilled Philoso Philosophe phers’ rs’ Vinegar) Vinegar) set in in an ash bath ba th over a small small fire fire (as when gold or o r silv silver er was to be dissolved) the product product was then then mixed xed with with 3 parts of calci calcined ned sil silver ver and and 1 part of calci calcined ned gold. gold. After After pulver pulverizing izing the the above-named above-named materi aterials als togeth together er and subsequ subsequen ently tly treati treating ng with with 1 or 2 ounces ounces of the aforementioned aforementioned water and allowing allowing to dissolve, dissolve, 1 ounce of the blended blended calx was added adde d and allowed allowed to dissolve until until no more could be dissolved, but remained remained undisso undissolved lved as a residue. The water then contained contained its own nourishme nourishment nt and was the best solutio solutio n that could be obtained, ob tained, since since it contained the disso dissollved mercury, along with all of the metals. This This solution solution was then poured po ured off into into another a nother glass container c ontainer from the the powde po wderr which which still still remained remained dissolved and was was set in an ash bath and heated heated to the the heat of the the mi midday dda y sun and even better (hotter), and covered c overed with with a double do uble linen, linen, whereupon whereupo n it coagul coa gulated ated to give give a grey powd p owder. er. The latter atte r was wa s poured po ured into a small small glass glass vessel and covered. covere d. It was then luted luted thoroughly and allowe allowed d to stand until the gr gr ey color c olor began began to turn turn white. white. The The heat was increased ncreased gradu gradual ally ly to that that of the the suns sunshi hine ne of a June June day and kept ke pt there there until the t he material became be came as white white as snow. On O n incre increasin asing g the heat to that of the sun on an August August day, spiegelgleise spiegelgleisen-t n-type ype crystals crystals began to form, form, which which appeared app eared to be very much much like glass. The heat was then held to such a poi po int where such s uch crystals no longer longer formed formed and the material was then sai sa id to be fixed. fixed. No harm harm is done when someti sometim mes no spieg spiegel eleise eisen-ty n-typ p e crystal crystalss can be seen, sin since the the materi aterial had been fi fixed by the heat of the small small fire. fire. By starting starting with with stronger stro nger heating, heating, peak pe akss of a hand’s breadth breadth were were noted, whi which was not not good sin since it led to an incr increase ease in the the amoun amountt of vapor vapor in the the glass glass and in in the whi white te fumes fumes that escape esca ped. d. Using Using a gentler gentler fire, fire, the material took too k on a yellow yellow or red color co lor and mi might indicate deco de com mposition po sition in the product, prod uct, even though it is is better be tter to use a gentle gentle fire than a much hotter one. After bei be ing fix fixed ed,, the white white material is divide divided d into 2 parts, pa rts, one o ne to remain white in col co lor, the other to become red. re d. The part to be red was poured into a gl glass vessel, vessel, which which was put in in the oven, and allowe allowed d to stand until what is is to foll follow ow has taken tak en place.
The mater materiial to remain remain white was also also poured into a glass glass vessel vesse l, covered co vered ove o verr with with what wil will be later mentio mentio ned as "paradi parad ise water" (9 parts pa rts of water to one part of the material), material), properl prop erly y mixed, and put in an oven until until the stone (i.e., (i.e. , gem-stone) gem-s tone) is compl co mplete etely ly white, white, which which takes tak es place place before b efore additi ad ditiona onall heat brings brings it to the red stage. Parad Pa radiise water is the active active mercury extracted extrac ted from the silver, silver, which which was prepa pre pared red from from the white white material ate rial,, a previ pre vious ously ly outlined, outlined, with with the singl singlee change that pure tartar tarta r be used instead instead of sal amm ammoniac, which which is transluce transluce nt, but in in weight weight it is compara c omparable ble to sal ammon ammoniac. iac. The calcined calcined silver silver accord acc ordiingly poured p oured into a glass glass or stone vessel and covered covered with distilled distilled vinegar vinegar (distilled (distilled as previ pre vious ously ly explained explained). ). Then the mercury was added adde d dropwise dro pwise into into an a n alembic. alembic. This This affects the nature of o f the tartar. The mercury also reduces reduce s the amount of o f moisture moisture present, pre sent, as previ pre vious ously ly explained explained.. From Fro m 9 parts pa rts of this this water and 1 part par t of the fix fixed ed stone for whitening, whitening, a change was made, transferred transferred to a fl flask with with a stil still head attached, distill distilled, ed, and the products washed. wa shed. The other glass glass vessel, vessel, containing the part to become bec ome red, was set in in an ash bath and heated by a little ttle hotter fire (about (ab out equal to that of o f the sun in in the midd middle le of summer), summer), such as a s one mig might ht use in in the preparati preparation on of rose rose water, and thi this treatm treatmen entt was conti continued nued until until it is heated heated suf sufficie ntly tl y in its own broth and and all all of the paradi parad ise water had had completely completely evaporated, evaporate d, leaving eaving behind behind a dark grey grey powder as a resi residue. due. The The fire was then then made a li little ttle hotter hotter unti untill the the powder began began to turn turn whi white. By gradually increasing ncrea sing the fire fire the powde po wderr became became completely white white and sparkli spa rkling ng like snow, so that that when you see itit you will will become be come very ver y happy happ y and thank God Go d for His His gift gift that he has given given to Natu Na ture. re. Half of this this white white powder po wder is put in a crucible and set over a fir fir e, where it melts melts as easy ea sy as does do es wax. When completely completely melted melted,, it is poured into a woode woo den n contain co ntainer er coated co ated with with goat’s tallow tallow to make it small smaller, harder, and a nd as translucent translucent as a crystal. crystal. One part of this this material, added add ed to to 200 parts parts of tin tin, was converte converted d into the the very best sil silver that that the the human human eye has has ever seen, seen, thanks thanks to God and the prayers of the poor. Of the the other half of o f the the white white powder, powd er, 1 part was taken and a nd added to 100 parts of calcin calcined ed sil silver, the whole whole washed and dried, dried, and then then pulverized, pulverized, together with with the well-dried well-dried powder. powde r. To 1 part of this this powd p owdere ered d material and 9 parts pa rts of silv silver er from the the previ pre viously ously prepa pre pared red paradise para dise water wa ter in in a hermetical hermetically ly sealed glass glass container, container, heat was applied applied as before. Since, Since, at fi first, the paradise water was added add ed only after a fter the powde po wderr had absorb ab sorbed ed all of the spirit spirit it was continued continued as before be fore until all of it was fi fixed and became bec ame white white as snow, so s o that half as much much again was taken take n for for proje p rojects cts and the other part pa rt was subd subdiivide vided d and put into into several severa l glass glass vessels. Rubification ~
Using Using the other half of o f the first first fixed fixed powder po wder taken tak en to produce pro duce the red mate material rial,, the time time requi req uired red until until the white white material was obtai obta ined by allowing allowing it to stand on o n the ash bath ba th until until the mater materiia l became became yell yellow (saff (saffron) ron) was 8 to 10 days, with with the the heat increasi ncreasing ng a smal smalll amoun amountt only. only. When When the powder po wder does do es not darken darke n in in color it mea means ns that the fire is not hot hot enough, enough, so the fire fire was increased a bit more for 10 1 0 days longer and gradually the product (powder) (po wder) began b egan to turn turn red. At this this poin po int, t, the heat should should be maintained a little hotter for 5 or 6 days da ys until the product pro duct beco b ecom mes ruby-red ruby-r ed and shines shines like fish fish eyes. The heat can then then be mad madee a little little lower as the above ab ove sign sign conti co ntinues, nues, indicating ndicat ing that the the product prod uct has has beco be come me fixed. fixed. There is is no no hurry in increas ncrea s ing the heat
at the the very very start, st art, however, since since the red col co lor never comes co mes before be fore the yell yellow or the the white white color, but alway alwayss ahead ahead of the the black, black, even even thou though gh the the eff effort might ght be in in vain vain and mus mustt be begun begun anew, anew, for itit is certainly cer tainly better be tter to begin begin with with a low low fire fire than with with a large one, o ne, since since the regulatio regulation n of the heat is half of this this work. work . When the material has beco be come me fixed fixed and is is now red re d as a ruby, then itit is found found to imbi imbibe be 9 parts pa rts of parad pa radise ise water wat er for for each e ach part of this this material, material, just as occurs in every case with the white white powder, powder, alth although ough the the paradise paradise water water from from gold old must ust be weig weighed out, out, just just like its predecessor predecessor was from sil silver. With the parad pa radise ise water, wate r, which which must be luted luted well and then allowe allowed d to stand as before before in an ash bath, and subjected subjected to heat heat as when when the the lead was melted, melted, with without out seemi seeming (un (until til all of the water had had compl c ompletely etely evaporated evaporate d and a nd a powder powd er remain remained ed behind behind as a residue) residue) to appear appe ar to be more black black than grey, the heat was then then kept kep t the same unti untill the product prod uct became bec ame perfectly perfectly white, white, and then then the heat was incre increase ased d only slig slight htly ly until the color became beca me a deep de ep yellow yellow and was continued continued at the the same same rate until until no brighter brighter yellow yellow color color could be produce pro duced, d, and a nd then the the heat was increa increased sed rather drastically dr astically until until a red color appear app eared ed,, until until all of it became be came perfectly per fectly red, whi which was very fortunate, fortunate, thanks thanks be b e to God. The half half of this this melt melt in the crucible was poured poure d into a gl glass vessel and a nd sealed with sheep tallow. tallow. It became very hard like like glass glass and rubyruby-red red in color. It was as transparent as a crystal. crystal. One part of this this material, treated with with 2000 200 0 parts of lead and subseq subsequently uently melted, proved to be the the best gold, of excellen excellentt color co lor and stable sta ble in in all all tests, as well it mig might ht be consi co nside dered red to be the world over. Multiplication ~
The other half of the powdered powde red mater materiial also increa increased sed several severa l times. times. Using Using the cem ce mented gold, as noted above, ab ove, it it was disso dissollve, neutralized, neutralize d, and dried with with lime lime (200 (20 0 parts of lim lime to 1 part pa rt of stone), pul p ulverized verized and then then dried, then poured p oured into into a glass glass vessel and covere c overed d with with 9 tim times as much much as the pulver pulverized ized material in the the gl glass vessel. The mater materiial was then then well luted luted and the the heat regulated regulated,, as noted earlier, earlier, until the material we succeed succe eded ed in in mul multipl tiplyin ying g the afore aforesaid said amount of material and never never ceased c eased to be b e thankful thankful for the prayers of o f the the poor poo r and to to give give thanks thanks to God for His gift. Production Production of Ruby-Re Ruby-R e d Water Wate r ~
Crocus Iron Antimony -- - Mineral: Mineral: Red arsenic, arsenic, amount amount used, 1 pound orpim o rpiment, ent, 1 pound Roman vitriol, vitriol, and 3 pounds po unds o saltpeter, saltpete r, mixed mixed well together and then treated with a half pound po und of sal ammoniac ammoniac,, and poured po ured into into an a n earthenware ea rthenware vessel, which which can ca n withstand withstand a very hot fire, fire, and also not beco be come me vitreous vitreous in the the interior, interior, was poured into into a still still, well washed, washed , and distilled distilled careful ca refully, ly, at first first at a t low heat, then with gradually increased ncrea sed heat, until a white white liqu liquiid distill distilled ed over. When W hen such began, the color of o f the mater materiial in the still still turned yellow yellow or red. red . The The receiver rec eiver was then removed and replaced by b y a receiv rec eiver er with with a better seal. The The heat was increa increased sed until until w hite hite spirits spirits came over, which which proved pro ved to be sal amm ammoni on iac, ac , which which was the the ffiirst material to distill distill over. The heat was increa increased sed so long as the still still head remained remained clear. When W hen a red liquor liquor started starte d to distill distill across, acr oss, but only in small small amounts and then then spi sp irits and wate waterr distilled distilled over and the the distilla distilla t io n appa ap paratus ratus became be came white white on the inside, nside, as if full full of o f snow. It was then carefully watched watche d until until the spirits spirits and the the water were drawn dra wn through the distill distillaa t io n appa ap paratus ratus with frothing, like like as if a man
was vigorous vigorously ly blowing his his nose into into the recept rec eptacle. acle. When the the spirits spirits conti co ntinued nued to distill distill and the distillatio distillation n apparatus app aratus began b egan to clear up, and the the death’s head (colcothar, (colcothar, red ferric erric oxide) oxide) began to form as a s a fine fine powde po wder. r. On standing 2 hours in in absolutely ab solutely clear wate r and afterwa afterwards rds bein be ing g brough broughtt to a boil boil, the the clear clear water water was decanted decanted from the the residue, residue, whi which was then then discarded. discarded. When the the water was evapora evap orated ted,, a yellow yellow material remained remained behi be hind. nd. The yellow yellow powde po wderr was weighed weighed and the calculate calculated d amount of saltpeter saltpete r was adde ad ded d and the thoroughly mixed ixed materials were put into into a glass glass flask flask,, covered co vered with with distilled distilled water, water , warmed gently gently in an oven, and a distilli distilling ng appar ap paratus atus with with receiver re ceiver was set up. The distillat distillatiio n was carried ca rried out using using gentle gentle heat at first, first, then subsequent subse quently ly more vigorous vigorous heat, until until a white white spirit spirit distilled over. A red water then distilled distilled across acr oss,, whi which was bright bright both b oth by day da y and at night night and which which dissolv d issolved ed the fixed fixed silver, silver, and gave the most most beautif b eautiful ul tint tint to the gold, gold, and even gave to all all of the white white metals meta ls the col co lor of gold. Praise God! Othe r Work Othe Work Done During During a 12-M onth Pe Pe riod riod on 100 Significant Significant Tests, Tes ts, Whose Whose Projection Projection is Infinite ~
Four Fo ur pounds po unds of Roman Vitrio Vitrio l, which which should should be blue and clear, and a nd saltpeter saltpete r were we re mix mixed ed together and a nd then then dried dried.. They They were then evaporate evapo rated d together in an earthenware ear thenware dish, using using a wooden woode n stirrer stirrer to start a reaction. Afterwards Afterwards 1 pound of mercury, mercury, freed of excess moistu moisture re and using using heated heate d mate materials, rials, were mi mixed well together and dried dried on o n a stone and a nd warm strip of cloth, cloth, until until no further further moisture moisture could be b e removed from the material, which which was then then poured poure d into into a flask flask to which which a distilli distilling ng appa ap paratus ratus was attached. attac hed. After careful ca reful luting luting and allowin allowing g to dry further, further, a small small fire fire was ini initia tially lly used and gradually incre increase ased d over a 4 hour hour period. p eriod. The water was distilled distilled over in in a period period of 16 or 20 hours hours or more and afterwards the heat was adjusted and this this resulted resulted in a better proce pro cess, ss, although although the same resulted resulted in requiri re quiring ng 30 to 36 hours hours for the liquid liquid to distill distill over, since since by such a proce pro cedure dure the gl glass appar ap paratus atus was wa s much much less like likely ly to get broken. bro ken. This This is the common common rule rule in in distill distillaa t io ns where aquafort aqua fort is involved. involved. When the water has all been distilled distilled over, the mercury has been found found to be sublimed sublimed in the upper uppe r hand of the still still, as white white as snow and somewhat somewhat hard, and retains the tincture tincture of vitriol vitriol with with it, when not further further sublimed sublimed.. After coo c ooli ling, ng, the aquafort aquafort is put in in a safe place and a nd the the mercury is removed from the distill distillaa tion tio n appa ap paratus. ratus. It I t is pulveriz pulverized ed further further with with the other half ha lf of the mater material ial and a nd then distill distilled ed and sublimed sublimed as before. before. Again 4 pounds po unds each ea ch of saltpeter saltpete r and vitriol, vitriol, proce pro ceeding eding as a s before be fore with with the mercury which which had been sublimed sublimed four times times and so was a com co mplete tincture. tincture. N ow 80 grams of silver, silver, finely finely cupell cupe llate ated, d, 40 grams of cemented gold, and 60 grams of sublimed sublimed mercury (take (ta ken n in in the proper pro per proportions), prop ortions), covered co vered with 160 1 60 grams of silver, silver, made by usin using g aquafort aq uafort as previ pre vious ously ly noted, noted , were placed place d in a glass glass vessel vesse l, and 120 grams of the gold in another glass vessel vesse l, together t ogether with with 10 grams of pulver pulverized ized sal ammoniac, ammoniac, covered co vered over with with 60 6 0 grams of the merc mercury ury and the mi mixture of all three was set se t in a beake bea kerr on an ash bath ba th to dissolve. Each flask flask has a cork co rk stoppe stop per, r, so that that air can reach it and, in additi ad dition on all of them shoul sho uld d be uns unstoppered toppered every every 2 or 3 hour hours, s, for the same same reason. reason. Nutritional Nutritional M ateri ate rial al ~
Material Mate rial in the subsequent subse quent form must must be incre increase ased d so that itit is is not destroyed de stroyed by the aquafort. aq uafort. When 2 or 3 pieces piece s of finely finely powder po wdered ed,, clean clean silver silver are put in a glass glass vessel vess el and dissolv d issolved ed and
the flask flask is stopper stop pered ed and a nd then sublim sublimed ed mercury is dissolved dissolved cleanly with with the gold, gold, and a nd more is gradually adde ad ded d unti untill no more is disso dissollved after 10 to 12 days, then then it is is suffi sufficc ient ien t ly nourished nourished and has lost its corros co rrosiiveness. This This is one o ne of the great secrets se crets of the art, since since it must must at all times times be nur nurtu tured red (sustai (sustain ned) ed ) on hot ashes. ashes. When it it is also also nourished by pouring pouring on each of the small small pi p ieces ec es in the gl glass flask flask,, then from from each eac h must must 1 part par t be fixed fixed and separate sepa rated d from the feces fece s and filth filth.. Now, in in the the glass, glass, along along with with the the sil silver, ver, there there is a black black powder due to the the materi aterial remai remaining ning as residue and this this is the the gold, for in all disso dissolv lved ed silver silver is found found powder po wdered ed gold, since since all silv silver er contains contains gold, gold, some more more than than others, o thers, to preserve such powder. When you now now pour po ur each ea ch of them into into a flask flask and attach to itit a distillat distillation ion appa ap paratus ratus and receiv rece iver er and slowly slowly distill distill it from a sand bath b ath until dry, then a good rectif rec tifiica t io n results, giving giving 3 or 4 fingers fingers of aqua aq ua vitae vitae (brandy) (bra ndy) lying lying supernata super natant nt above ab ove the other mater materiial in the flask flask,, then the method is the best that that can c an be set up usi using ng on all all occasions oc casions a disti distillatio llatio n apparatus. app aratus. However, Howe ver, distillat distillatiio n through a nozzle nozzle is carried car ried out more more slowly and fi fixes itself itself better, be tter, since since on o n the surfac surface, e, with a glass glass stoppe stop perr or small small glass glass cover, co ver, it is easier to cover, and this this is nec necessa essary ry for solutio solutio n, coagul co agulation, ation, and fixat fixatiio n to occur. oc cur. Since each e ach specim spe cimen en is now in in a covered co vered flask flask and the alcohol is poured over it it and it is is placed place d in a bath, bath, with the rec eiver at a t the the end of o f the condenser, co ndenser, and itit has been be en well luted luted and dissolved dissolved over a small small fire, fire, when solu so lution tion is completed the fec feces es remain remain behind and the supernatant supernata nt liquid liquid is decanted dec anted into 3 other glass glass vessels of o f the same type, taking good care to pour po ur another ano ther portion p ortion of alco alcohol hol 4 fingers fingers high high over the the fec feces. es. Again, Again, after allowin allowing g 3 or 4 days da ys for solution solution to be com co mplete, it wil will al a lso di d issol sso lve, the clear liqu liquid id wil will then be decanted off, off, as above. abo ve. Neverthel N evertheless, ess, each flask flask is covered and a nd each sample sample of fece s is put in in a particul pa rticular ar glass glass vessel vesse l, and then put in a safe place until more feces are a re obtained. ob tained. The solutio solutio n contain co ntaining ing the disso dissollved material is then poured po ured into into a flask flask,, as a s before, before , and put over a bath, bath, and and the the aqua aqua vitae vitae is evaporated evaporated theref therefrom rom unti ntil the the flask flask is completel completely y dry, dry, whereu whereupon pon fresh alcohol is poured po ured over it it and the product pro duct is disso dissollved as before, which requi req uires res 4 days. da ys. The dissolved liqu liquiid is decante de canted d off, off, each ea ch into is own special spec ial glass glass vessel vess el and other aqua vitae vitae is poured poured over over the the feces and and all allowed to stand stand anoth another er 3 or 4 days to di d issolve ssolve them them,, and and then then the the clear supernatant superna tant liquid iquid from each is is decante de canted d as previously previously and the the fec feces es treated trea ted as before. be fore. Thi This process is is repeated repeated unti untill no more more feces remai remain n any longer onger in the the solut solutiion, in the the case of all all three three of the samples. The fec feces es sampl sa mples es that were set aside aside must now be calcined calcined,, and from from each e ach of them the fece fecess must must be extracted extrac ted,, each ea ch from its its own sample, and at this this poin po intt they the y are all all added add ed together. Calcination Calcination of the Soil ~
In the 3 glass glass vessels containing c ontaining the samples of feces, which shoul s hould d be com co mpletely dry, each ea ch is luted into a small small glass glass contai co ntainer, ner, which which is covered co vered,, and then set each eac h one into an ash bath subliming dish in a special spe cial oven. o ven. The gold gold must must then be b e cal ca lcined a few times times or more more.. Fece Fe cess from sil silver requi req uire re 30 3 0 hours, whil while feces from mercury mercury requi req uire re 18 hours. The fi fire is regulated regulated so that each ea ch of the samples samples of feces is kept ke pt at the same temperature, tempera ture, that is to say, that from from gold requires requires 6 days, that that from silver silver 30 to 32 hours, hours, that from from mercury 18 to 20hours, and thereafter cooled, co oled, so s o that they are sublimed, sublimed, dusted off with with a feather, and then then eac e ach h sample of feces is
covered co vered over o ver with with ordin ord inary ary water, put on an ash bath, and then allowed allowed to boil for for 1 hour. After cooli co oling, ng, the aqueous aqueo us product pro duct was filtered filtered or, in the alternative, alternat ive, the clear clear liquid liquid was deca de canted, nted, fresh water was added add ed again, again, and subseq subsequently uently the product was boil boiled for one hour hour more, and then the supernatant super natant liquid liquid was again again decante de canted d or filtered filtered through felt. felt. In this this way wa y the the soil soil was separated separa ted from from the fecal material, which which was now now discard discarded. ed. The water decanted de canted of o ff was evapora evap orated ted and as a residue in each eac h of the 3 glass glass contain co ntainers ers was found found a white white or grey salt; the soil is again again dissolved dissolved in freshly boi bo iled distilled distilled water, wa ter, the solution solution was boi bo iled, and a nd deca de canted nted from the the fece fecess and evapora evap orated ted.. The resulting salt is is still still whiter, whiter, and dissolves readil rea dily y as long as the salt has has no fecal matter remaining behi be hind nd it. This This is the soso -called Philosophers’ Soil. Taking now each eac h sample soil, soil, in order ord er to obtain ob tain its its rectif re ctifiied element, which which has been be en recti rec tified fied without without its separation, sepa ration, as reporte rep orted d above, ab ove, which which is among those those el e lements brough bro ughtt to the study of medicine, it is is clear that, because beca use of their subtilit subtilit y, their greatest greate st external pro p rope perty rty is internal nterna l and a nd their grea greatest test internal prope pro perty rty is external, and thus thus reversed, reversed , so that all all their disord disorderliness erliness has thus been exposed. Coagulation ~
Sampl Sa mples es of soil soil are put each eac h into their own glass glass vessel for each eac h element, as instructed instructed above. ab ove. Consequently, Co nsequently, 3 glass glass vessels, each eac h well well luted, luted, are put into an a n oven, each ea ch equipped with distillat distillatiio n appa ap paratus ratus and a nd receiver, rec eiver, to distill distill at low low heat the the aqua vi vitae therefrom, until until the material begin b eginss to beco be com me thick thick,, alth a lthough ough not com co mpletely plete ly dry, so that itit remains remains prop p roperly erly in in solutio solutio n, and thus thus can be seen see n from the the mater material ial around aro und there, which is somewhat drier d rier and thick thicker er than it was here heretofore, tofore, and so is allowe allowed d to cool, although although not completely, but yet while while it is a little little warm, warm, it was poured po ured into a glas glasss dish, d ish, although although even even when itit is is a little little warm warm itit is is thick thicker er than honey and is is thus thus not very nice nice.. Each dish is is suppl supp lied with with a glass glass cover cove r so that no foul foul air can enter. The dish was then set aside aside for 4 days in in a cold place, place, unti untill crystals appeared app eared and a nd on these crystal crysta ls some aqua vitae vitae still still clings. clings. The liliquid was then then poured p oured off from from the same into into another dish of the same type, which could c ould also be covered co vered.. The crystals were we re divi divide ded d into into 3 equal equal portions, each ea ch in its its own glass glass contain co ntainer er,, while while the glass glass contain co ntainer er having having the decanted deca nted aqua vitae vitae was set aside aside to evaporate evapora te unti untill the product became b ecame so thick thick as that that of o f the previous previous time, time, which requi req uired red 1 or 2 days da ys and was stil still not compl co mplete etely ly evapora evap orated ted,, although the alcoholic spirits spirits had passed pass ed off even when when it it became bec ame as vi viscous sco us as oil when allowe allowed d to cool coo l further further in a cold pl p lace for 4 days to all allow crystals crystals to form form so s o that, that, when added add ed to the above ab ove and evaporated further, further, until until no aqua vitae vitae remained remained on the crystals and the mate material rial was wa s dry, crystallization crystallizat ion was found found to be compl co mplete. ete. In this this way wa y the the gold, gold, silver, silver, and merc mercury ury were prepare prep ared d and purified purified.. Conjunction Conjunction of the Fixing Operations Ope rations ~
Using Using a fixin fixing-g g-glla ss containing co ntaining the powde po wdered red silver silver and putting putting it, hermetica hermeticall ly seal sea led, ed , into into an oven oven in in an ash ash bath ba th and heating heating it until until holding the fingers fingers in the ash bath ba th would result result in a severe burn, b urn, as soon soo n as the glass glass beco be com mes hot, the powdere powd ered d silv silver er melted within within an hour and the temperature tempera ture rose, rose , resulting in 1000 10 00 small small veins. veins. After After the temperature tempera ture had dropp dro pped ed again, the material became be came thicker from day to day da y as the mate material rial became be came fixed. fixed. At the the end of the cooling cooling process the the veins eins had become become so larg largee that that many any coul could not be located located in such such large large num numbers, and and hardly 15 or 16 small small veins veins coul co uld d be b e noted, note d, while while the heat was increa increasing sing to the poi po int where a
finger finger coul co uld d sca s carce rcely ly remain in the the ashes ashe s long enough e nough to to say say a Hail Mary. When Whe n all the small veins veins had decrea dec reased sed in numbe number, r, the heat was wa s so strong that a fin finger ger coul co uld d not even be held in the the ashes. When the heat was held held constant constant for 24 hours hours and there was, in this this ti t ime interva interval, l, no longer any incre increase ase or decrease decre ase in in temperature tempera ture and the material was compl co mplete etely ly fixed fixed (which (which should should require require less than 40 4 0 days). Moreover, the b body ody is is completely completely prepared prep ared and a medicine (in (in reality, reality, perfected gold) gold) can be prepared prepare d (the (the same same gold) when a concerted attempt is made made.. In this this way, an elix elixir ir can be made from impe imperfect rfect metals. Moreover, More over, the process proc ess for for creating creating gold crystals shoul s hould d be invest investigated igated for it is is a unique unique proces pro cesss and the oven is is large large enough that all 3 of the glass glass vessels and their their contents co ntents can ca n be investigat investigated ed simulta simultaneo neousl usly y and be given given at the same tim time the same firi firing ng proced pro cedure. ure. However, Howe ver, you should should know that the mercury (as noted earli ea rlier) er) must be b e clean a nd free of all contaminat contaminatin ing g material before before it is ready for exam examiinatio natio n and that that it stil still contai contains ns the the spiri spirit, t, the the vitri vitrio o l, and the the saltpet saltpeter, er, which which it had taken up during during the sublimat sublimatio ion n proces pro cess, s, whil whilee the distillat distillatiio n soil and all all of the others are a re not not yet fi fixed and are things things incorpora ncorp orated ted in itit that are not simple simple but are compounded co mpounded,, on account ac count of o f which which the merc mercury ury must be heated heate d until until broke bro ken n down do wn into simpl simplee substances, substa nces, and in the min minera era ls 1 part par t should should be fix fixed ed and 1 part pa rt not not fi fixed. It should should be under understoo stood d that with respec resp ectt to silv silver, er, when no more more veins veins arise, it is is enough and the silver silver is fix fixed ed (and the same for mercury), so that it is is 1 part pa rt that that is fixed fixed and 1 part pa rt that that is not fix fixed ed.. The spirits spirits of the vitriol vitriol and of the soil from from the mercury contain co ntain a fi fixed part. pa rt. Moreover, Moreo ver, there is no no way to incre increase ase the heat to the point where heat alone a lone can produce prod uce the the small small stone, sto ne, although from very intense intense heat 1 part pa rt may attain a sufficien sufficiently tly high high temperature tempera ture to be sublim sublimed ed,, still still most parts pa rts remain remain as a s a residue residu e and stay fixed. fixed. When the mercury in the glass glass vessel shows sho ws no change change at such hea heat, t, as has already alread y been noted noted in the the case of sil silver, ver, then then that that parties parties fixed xed and and ready to be b e added to the the body. b ody. In like manner manner is the the case ca se of the gold crystals to be treated trea ted so that they will will all be fixed, fixed, as was said for the silver, silver, and so it has been found found to be a perfect per fect medi med icine, even more perfect pe rfect than the silver, silver, for it has the power powe r to transmute all imperfect imperfect metals metals into gol go ld. When gold, gold, sil silver and mercury mercury are to to be prepared, prepa red, they must must be b e taken together together and a stone made therefrom. Pour Po ur the merc mercury ury over o ver the silver silver in a glass glass vessel and, whil while the mix mixture ture is still still warm, lute lute it well and set se t it again in the ash bath and therewith the spiri spiritt will will be united united with the body. body. Then al a llow it to cool, coo l, so that the body bod y is read re ady y to receiv rece ivee the soul so ul or ferment. ferment. So, So , in the name name of God, God , take this this ferment ferment or prepa pre pared red gold and a nd pour po ur it while while still still warm, into into the glass glass vessel, wherein are sil silver and merc mercury, ury, and cover it well and allow allow it to stand for 7 days in in the oven, using using the same heat as before so s o that it will will incorpora ncorp orate te the 3 and then allow allow it to cool, but b ut while while it is still still arm pour po ur it it into into a glass glass ampoule and then seal se al it and set it in in an a n athanor or tripod for 40 days. At the the end e nd of 40 days, a transparent crystalline crystalline stone, dark red lilike a ruby, can c an be obtained from the oven, thanks to God and the prayers pra yers of the poor. po or. This This is of infinite nfinite projecte pro jected d vale, on account acc ount of its subtilit subtility y (refine (refinement ment). ). The highest highest projecte pro jected d value value is likewise likewise a ttached ttache d to silver silver and merc mercury, ury, and to the the gold, which is the the most most beautif be autiful ul of all in in color that any man has ever seen. Multiplication ~
To prepare the mercury, as previously previously explain explained, ed, up to the crystalline crystalline stone stage, stage, of o f whi which ch 100 parts parts were added to one one part of thi this powdered powdered stone, stone, togeth together er in a fi fixing glass glass vessel vessel,, covered covered well, well, and set in an a n oven in ashes, heated heate d so hot hot that a bare finger finger coul co uld d not be b e held therein, therein, and kept ke pt at that level of heat for for 15 1 5 days, da ys, after after which which it was poured po ured into a glass glass ampoule, amp oule, hermetica hermeticall ly sealed, and set for for 40 4 0 days in a tri tripod pod oven. Heated Heate d to the point point where the hand coul c ould d be kept ke pt a whil while between bet ween the inner inner and outer oven, at a t the end of 40 days the ampoule was broken brok en and the noble stone was taken take n out. And And we thank God with aalll our hearts hear ts for His gift, gift, this this stone of o f great value, value, as projec pro jected ted from the first. first. I.N.J. I.N. J. Thes Thesaur aurus us of the World World ~
(1) Common Common sal sa lt and Roman Roman vitriol, vitriol, 2 pounds pounds each, were carefu care fully lly pulverized pulverized and the powder powd er dried in a dessicatin de ssicating g vessel with stirring stirring and use of a very gentle flame, flame, until all a ll moisture moisture was driven off. off. Taking 1 pound of mercury in a beak be aker er and adding ad ding the other material with thorough thoro ugh stirring using a woode woo den n stirrer until until all a ll of the mercury was in solu so lution, tion, then pouring po uring it into into a sublimat sublimatio ion n appa ap paratus ratus set in in a sand bath, b ath, usin using g initiall initially y a low flame flame until al a ll of the moisture moisture is driven off o ff and the the mate material rial is compl co mpletely etely dry. After heatin hea ting g over a higher higher flame flame for 12 hours, when all of the merc mercury ury was wa s sublimed, sublimed, the product pro duct was allowe allowed d to cool coo l o vernight. vernight. The subli sublimed material was as white white as snow. snow. The The sublimat sublimate, e, however, should should contain contain the spirit spirit of the red vitriol, vitriol, which which is often referred to as "invis invisiib le sulfu sulfurr ". (2) One pound po und of vitriol vitriol and the the same amount amount of saltpe saltpeter ter gave an aquafort aq uafort which which was added adde d to the fin finely ely pulverized pulverized,, wellwell- luted material in an alembic alembic and subje subjecte cted d to a gentle gentle fire fire on a sand bath, bath, and and disti distill lled. ed. A visci viscid d phleg phlegm m began began to appear in in the the disti distill llation ation apparatu apparatus, and and the the amoun amountt of heat was increa increased sed and then kept ke pt steady stead y until the still still head began b egan to turn red. red . Water distilled distilled over fi first and then then the receiving flask flask became bec ame covered covere d with with a waxy material, material, which which dissolved in warm water in a vi vial. After After 2 hours, despite de spite the fact that solution solution was not yet compl co mplete, ete, a seventh part of sal amm ammoniac, oniac, or a lilittl ttle more, was added unti untill solut solutiion was compl complete ete (alth (although ough it is better better is is no sal amm ammoni oniac need need be added at thi this poin point, howev however). er). The The solut solutiion was put int into o a distilling distilling flask and a distillatio distillatio n apparatus app aratus was attached thereto and the the flask flask was set in in an a n ash bath and aquafort aquafort began to disti distill ll over. over. After After all all the the water water had disti distill lled ed across, across, the heat was increased ncrea sed and vapors vapo rs of merc mercury ury began b egan to form on the side of the condenser conde nser and a nd eventually eventuall y gave a powde po wderr as white white as snow (and was wa s referred referre d to as Quinta Essentia). By increa increasing sing the heat still still further, further, the material distilled distilled over still still further, further, and on cooli co oling ng the Quinta Quinta Essentia was removed, leavi ea ving ng behi be hind nd only the the fece feces. s. The Quinta Essenti Ess entiaa was again di d issol sso lved in aquafort aq uafort and then then sublim sublimed, ed, and the the Quinta Quinta Essentia Essentia was now now com co mpletely prepared prep ared and ready to serve as a medicine for the stones and is is now indestruct ndestr uctib ible, le, volatile volatile and unfix unfixed, ed, as well well as white white as snow. snow. (3) Taking the Qui Q uinta nta Essentia Ess entia (Mercury) (Merc ury) in a glass glass contain co ntainer, er, it was set in a Phil Philosophers’ osop hers’ Oven in a dry room roo m to be digested digested or calcined calcined over a low coal coa l fire fire for 8 days da ys or more, whereupo whe reupon n the Spi Sp irit of Mercury Merc ury was heated until until soluti s olutio o n became be came complete. (4) After After calcinatio ns of the spirit spirit in a sealed sea led container, placed place d in a water bath, ba th, an alembic alembic was set up and distillat distillatiio n of the the Mayenthan (also called called Virgi Virgin n Water, Wate r, which which is the fin finished ished product pro duct of the the Stone Sto ne from from the last prepara p reparati tion on and has a bitter bitter taste and burns burns the eyes eyes as does vinegar, vinegar, and is volatile, volatile, unfixed, unfixed, and incorpor ncorp oreal, eal, and volatile volatile and inco incorpo rporea reall on o n digestio digestio n. He who
would sepa se parate rate the other three elem e lements ents of mercury must must again add fece fecess and digest digest in a drying drying room roo m and then then distill distill the product pro duct over a strong fire, fire, using using a bath ba th regul regulated ate d t provi pro vide de increasing increas ing heat. This This resulted in a shining shining oil, oil, which was set in in an a n ash bath on a sublimi subliming ng fire fire of good heat, yielding yielding a red oil and leavi ea ving ng behi be hind nd a black residue of soil which which was good for for nothing. (5) This This Virgin’s Virgin’s Milk Milk was put in a glass glass vial vial and hermetica hermeticall lly y seal sea led and a nd then placed on a movable shelf of iron iron in in half of the oven, between be tween the fire fire and the gl glass vessel containing c ontaining the material, material, so that the the Virgin’s Virgin’s Milk Milk would not be disturbed by the heat, and a nd the glass glass contain co ntainer er was then then set in in the Phil Philosophers’ osop hers’ Oven to digest. digest. By common sense, the vessel had a simil similar ar fire fire on all all sides, so that the Virgin’s Virgin’s Milk Milk would show sho w no fl flow. It is is of great impo importance rtance to have a moderate modera te amount of o f heat, held constant co nstant at the same amount, so that the material would not turn turn black black too soon, soon, bu b ut if blacken blackeniing does appear, be glad, glad, sin since it is a sig sign of proper dig digestio estio n com co mmencing mencin g and should be main mainta tained ined until until all color disappear disapp earss and the the material ate rial begi be gins ns to turn turn white. white. Increasin Increa sing g the heat further further will will have no effec effect, t, for soon soo n all of the material mate rial wil will be com co mpletely white, white, the White White Stone. Sto ne. (6) When the vessel is taken from the oven, which which is call ca lled ed a Philoso Philosopher phers’ s’ Egg, Egg, with with the material which is now white, white, then 1 part pa rt is removed therefrom and finely finely pulveriz pulverized ed and better be tter than usual is added. add ed. The other part p art is is again sealed se aled up in in such a vessel and softened by a strong fire fire until the effect effect is very thorough thoro ugh.. The product prod uct is is then div d ivided ided and heating heating gives gives a red tincture tincture of latent ate nt sulfu sulfurr- vitriol vitr iol and mak makes es it have a shiny shiny surface. With nothing nothing adde ad ded d and nothing nothing left behi behind, thi this Stone Stone becomes red throu throug gh the the power of fi fire. Note that that in 2 dif different glass vessels essels the results can ca n be different; different; in one o ne giving giving a white white product, pro duct, in the other a red product, pro duct, even though using using a singl singlee fire fire in all all of the previously described de scribed methods, except excep t that in in the the one case to obtai obta in a white white product pro duct the glass glass vessel must be b e removed removed from the fire, fire, while while in the other case c ase to obtain obta in a red product prod uct the mater material ial is allowed allowed to remain on the fire, fire, albeit with app a pprop ropriate riate adjustments of the fire fire within within its time time period, period, as previously stated. state d. Note No te also also that that a few phil philosop oso p hers work with with Virgin’s Virgin’s Milk Milk and pay p ay no attenti atte ntion on to the other elements. Som So me of them also mix mix the element element earth with with the other o ther elements. elements. For example: example: 1 part of earth, 2 parts of fire, 4 parts of lead, and 8 parts parts of Virg Virgin’ in’ss Mil Milk and and the the resul resulting ting stone stone obtai ob tain ned is stronger stronger than than the the red one one and and weaker than the white white one. Both processes proce sses are carried out usi using ng the same type of containers, containers, ovens, and fires. (7) Learn now now the appli ap plicat catiio ns of this this medicine. medicine. In the first first place, the white white tincture, tincture, which which have the power powe r to change mercury, lead, ead , copper, copp er, tin, tin, and a nd iron into actual a ctual silver, silver, whil while the red can gi give the metal metal the tinges tinges of silver silver and gold. gold. Moreo Mo reover, ver, it is also true that when metals metals melt and give give off fum fumes, es, then whi white or red med mediicines will will be produce pro duced d there therefrom from,, as many many as are desi des ired, red , and strengthening strengthen ing the fi fire increases increas es the amount of o f melting melting and after an approp app ropriate riate time, time, decre de creasing asing the fire fire leads to many many tinctures tinctures whic whic h were produce pro duced d and tinctured tinctured very deeply deep ly and to metal eta ls which which were brittle, brittle, friable, friable, and mall malleab eab le. Even so, this this is still still medicine medicine and many many sorts of metals metals can be poured po ured even though their color c olor and malleab alleab ility ilit y fall falls off. off. This This work wo rk has has also also proved pr oved to be very frui fruitt ful in the case of many many area a reass of medicine. Lead and tin have been bee n shown to fl flow readily, readily, although although copper, cop per, iron, iron, and sil silver must first be b e heated heated to incandescence incandescence and powders used in medicine must must be b e capab ca pablle of fine fine dispersion dispe rsion when appli ap plied ed..
(8) These These medicines medicines may increasingl increasingly y come into greater use because bec ause of their their effectivene effectiveness, ss, strength, and other good qualities qualities and they are frequently frequentl y dissolved in baths ba ths and again coagulate coagulated d in dry hea heat, t, so that freq frequently uently they can ca n be very useful as coloring agents. agent s. Thee Oven Th Ove n is also als o Prepar Preparee d ~
A good type of adhesiv ad hesivee material, horse manure, manure, paper pa per ashes, and a nd hair hair clipp clippiings, ng s, treated trea ted with with salt s alt water and vinegar vinegar were made into into a paste pa ste which which can ca n be fashioned fashioned into an oven, large large or small, small, with with a suitab suitable le door, do or, the heigh heightt of the openin op ening g of which which was a span, spa n, or at least ea st a nose, and there were 4 other apertures, ap ertures, one on each side, side, by whi which the smoke smoke,, fum fumes, es, and vapors can pass out, without without collec collecting ting at the the top of the oven. Thereafter, Therea fter, a thin thin metal plate p late mad madee of iron was permi permitted tted to serve serve as a sli sliding door. Furth Furtherm ermore, ore, there there are 4 indent indentati atio o ns for arms arms and pull pulleys to form a cross, set se t at the top to p of the oven, so that all of the heat hea t wil will best bes t be utilized. utilized. On the metal metal plate plate there there is a gl glass vessel vessel for prepar p repariing the the adhesi adhesiv ve material ate rial and a Philoso Philosophe phers’ rs’ Egg to aid aid in in the digestion digestion proces pro cesss and in the heating of the Stone. The 4 side sidess of the plate were we re also carefu care fully lly fitted fitted into the oven, so that the rings rings can ca n be about ab out 5, 4, or 3 fingers fingers in width, width, depe de pendin nding g upon the width width of the iron, but there will will be at least one width width between between the side of o f the plate and a nd the the oven. A small small removable removable cover can also be made of porcelai porc elain, n, copper, cop per, or iron. iron. One can also use a small small box, bo x, whose cover co ver is removable, and mark the the place where the material ate rial in the oven will will be inspected nspec ted.. The cover co ver wil will be well constructed co nstructed,, both bo th insi inside de and outside outside,, to hold hold the hea heatt and make it a suitab suitablle appa ap paratus ratus having a door. do or. In this this way a hand can ca n be used used to turn up or down the heat and so control co ntrol it and the extent of the fire. fire. At the beginning beginning of the digestio digestio n period pe riod or of the heating of the Stone, Sto ne, such heat is sufficie sufficient nt if you may may hold a hand hand between be tween the containing vessel and the side of the oven for a goo good d whil while. Take care ca re that you do not get the vessels mixed mixed up and so have to discard the flask flask in your anal ana lysis. ysis. You must must cover cove r itit well at a t all the openi ope nings ngs so that too much heat does do es not escape. escap e. Pre Pre paration of Salt of the Earth Earth or Saltpete Salt pete r of the Philosoph Philoso phee rs from Virgin Virgin Soil ~
In the the month of May, when when the sky sk y is clear and bright bright and the air is pure and the weather is stil still fine, fine, without without wind wind and a nd rain, and lovely lovely odors od ors are everywhere, that is, is, as it were, were , lovely lovely odors od ors are rising rising all around, aro und, one o ne should should enjoy the early ear ly morning morning and the sunrise, sunrise, along a beautif be autiful ul path pa th where the good black earth is so ri rich, and even more more beauti bea utiful ful is the red, red , the gold, gold, and the the red re d gold of Nature’s Na ture’s beautif be autiful ul plants and fl flowers, owe rs, which which take tak e care to bear be ar in in the the clover family. family. The red and gold earth in the mountains mountains of the wine wine country c ountry is also very magnifice magnifice nt. Also Also even the limeime-pit, pit, when you you can regard it as more more than just sandy. Dig Dig down do wn a few hundredwe hundredwe ights, ight s, shut yourself apart ap art from from one another, so s o that the stars might might well opera op erate te therein: This, This, one should should also let lie lie fallow fallow for 14 days and nights; nights; however, should should rain set in, in, one must must cover co ver itit well with straw until until the weather beco b ecom mes cl c lear. ea r. After wai wa iting 14 days, put the the earth ea rth in in tubs and cover itit well. well. Afterwa Afterwards, rds, a few tubs tubs should should be made, like like the silk silk refiners refiners have, for subjecti subjec ting ng the soil to washings washings with lye lye (warm ( warm water is best) bes t) and allow allow it to stand for 24 hours and then afterwar afterwards ds draw dra w it off, off, boi bo il it down do wn tone-fourth tone- fourth its origina originall volum volume, let it stand for a few days, and a nd then then open op en it. It is is like like saltpeter; saltpete r; it burns, but b ut not much. It is then dissolved, fil filtered te red,, and coagulate coagulated d with with rain water until until compl co mplete ete.. Herea He reafter, fter, it is cal ca lled Sal Sa l Terra (Salt (S alt of the Earth) and also also Sal Sa ltpeter tpe ter Phil Philosophoru osop horum m (Phil (Philosophers’ osop hers’ Saltpeter) or o r even Sal Natureae Na tureae Virgin Virginee um (Pure Natural Na tural Salt) which which is dissolved dissolved in the seas of the world. The hand is not not easily easily washed. washed .
This This is now the the high high Secre Se cretum tum Philoso Philosopho phorr um (Philoso (Philosoph phers’ ers’ Secre Se cret) t) in in which which the Univ Universa ersa l Spi Sp irit of the World is often hidd hidden. en. It is often often called called Wom Wo man’s Work, Wo rk, since since it is associated asso ciated with with soapmaking soa pmaking and cook co okin ing. g. Sal Sa l hoc naturae (Salt (Sa lt of this this nature) is thus a unique unique thing thing to be conside considered red,, since since it is actually made up of three differe differe nt kinds of o f salt. First, there is a uni universa versall salt of the the nature nature of saltpeter and soil, soil, in which which the spirit spirit of the world world frequently resides. resides . It is is not not volatile and not com co mpletely fixed, fixed, but has has a midd middlle nature. More than any other, other , it contain co ntainss a sal ammoniac, ammoniac, which which is actually volatile. volatile. And, in the the third pl p lace, ace , it contain co ntainss hidd hidden en in itit an alka alkalli, and a fix fixed ed salt. It is is al a lso triune, and manifests manifests itself in its its subsequent subseque nt reactions. re actions. Pre Pre paration of the Universal Unive rsal Spir S pirit it and Volatile Salt; Sa lt; Sal Amm Ammoniac oniac and Salt of the Earth ~
Sal Superius Superius (Superior Salt), 1 pound, pound, is added ad ded to 3 pounds of special earth, e arth, from which which the salt salt was mad made, e, alth a lthough ough such earth must must first first be further further calcined calcined in a potter’s po tter’s kil k iln, n, then made into into droplets dro plets with rain water (much (much like chi c hild’s ld’s play). The droplets dro plets were all allowed owe d to dry and then then distilled distilled in a well-m well-moun ounted ted retort above ab ove a controlled, controlled, but open, flame, flame, by way way of a condenser into a large receiver, wherein wherein some pure water had been poured. The distill distillaa tion tio n was carried carried out using using a hot fire. fire. After the volatile volatile salts had sublim sublimed in the receiv rec eiver, er, the part par t of the product pro duct remaining in the the neck of the the retort was gradually allowe allowed d to cool coo l, the spirits spirits and volatile volatile salts present prese nt in in the receiver rec eiver were we re then washed together to gether and combi co mbined ned and the combined combined washings washings were carefully neutralized. neutralized. Again Again taking taking 1 pound of salt, proceed proce ed as before and a nd repeat thi this procedure proce dure 4, 5 or 6 times, times, neutralizing neutralizin g the spirits spirits and volatile volatile salts carefully so as to incur incur no appre ap preciable ciable loss. The spirits spirits and volatile volatile salts were neutralized together in a large glass glass flask flask and separa sep arated ted from the phlegm phlegm on a steam bath and disti distill lled ed over over from from a sand bath six six successi successive ve tim times to give give the the spirits, which were always carefully preserved. However, However , the salts remai re mainin ning g behi be hind nd at a t the bottom bo ttom of the fl flask after distillat distillation ion over a hot fire fire was neutraliz neutralized ed along along with with such as were subli sublimed. med. The The process proces s was repeated repeate d 5 or 6 tim times, and the product prod uct was white white as snow, with no fece fecess remaining behi be hind, nd, and was stored store d safely. safely. Now all all Capita Capita Mortua Mortua (dead heads) heads) were taken and calci calcined ned one one more tim time in a pott po tter’s er’s kiln kiln and the resulting resulting fixed fixed salts were extracted extrac ted with with disti d istilled lled rain water therefrom and the best bes t of such was purified purified until until it was perfectly white, white, sparkli spa rkling, ng, and clear clear as a s a crystal, with with no fecal matter left in the residue. Compos Composition ition of the the Triune Triune Principle Principle ~
To have have body, bo dy, soul, soul, and spiri spiritt separated separa ted from from one another another was brought brought about abo ut through through the preli prelimina mina ry work inv invol olving ving fire, and and also also from heterog heterogene eneous, ous, liberates berates manki ankin nd from the the curse curse of the earth. Now N ow we wil will examine examine such things things together. Volatile and fix fixed ed salts have so much much in common. common. They can be b e pulverized pulverized in a glass glass mortar to a very fi fine powde po wder. r. Put in in a glass glass flask flask,, with with spirits spirits of our salts added add ed separa sep arately tely and a nd then com co mbined all together and well well mi mixed, were subjected subjecte d to t o digestio digestio n by the gentle gentle heat of an ash
bath for 8 days days and and nigh nights ts and and the the three three such such pri p rin nciples ciples were were united united rather rather than than pleasan pleasantl tly y agai again with with one anoth a nother er in a sing singlle soluti solutio o n. Some feces feces were added, added , and then subseq subsequently uently separated separa ted out, giv giving ing the proper prop er maste masterr key of the philoso philosop p hers in hand, with which which all hidden hidden metal eta ls, minera minerals, ls, and precious pre cious stones are unl unloc ocked ked and brough bro ughtt to their quintesse quintesse nce. This This then is the the true univ universa ersa l measure, ea sure, the proper pro per water of life, life, with which which all metals can c an become be come readil rea dily y com co mbined, especially esp ecially the gold, gold, which can ca n be mad madee alive, alive, and the fountain, fountain, in which which all metals are a re easil eas ily y bathed bathed and again again beco be com me alive. alive. It is the bath of their their regeneration, regenera tion, their proper prop er origina originall material, material, and the most harmonious, harmonio us, most beloved mother, from which which they all origi origina nated ted in the first first place, place , and they again enter e nter into into life life with with great joy and pleasure, entering into the new and better better li life into whi which they they have have been reborn. reborn. It is is the the great great salty salty sea of the the world, world, the the water bridge bridge whi which, from the the earth earth, serves serves as a gen general eral bridge bridge over over whi which every everym man must ust cross, cross, whoever was created cre ated.. And thus, it is is with the spoken spok en word. It is is St S t Basil’s Basil’s All All in All, All, for in itit everything extends and everything arises from it. It is the true bein be ing g of all thin things. gs. It is our Philosophers’ Virgin Milk. Subse que que nt Work and Compos Composition ition ~
When gold is desired, then itit is fi filed 7 or 8 times times from fused fused antimon antimony, y, the finer, finer, the better be tter (1 part) part) and 10 parts of Aqua Aqua Mercuri Mercurii (mercu (mercurial rial water) water),, mixed togeth together er togeth together er in a separati separating ng flask flask,, the flask flask is then sealed, se aled, and set for for a day, and a night night on an ash bath, ba th, whereupon whereupo n the gold is is completely completely and readil readily dissolved. dissolved. The earth, situated situated at the bottom, is is separated sepa rated therefrom. therefrom. The clear supernatant supernata nt liquid iquid is poured po ured into into a vial, vial, seal sea led hermetical hermetica l ly, and set in the athanor oven. At first, first, Ignis Ignis Vaporis Vap oris (Fire (Fire Vapo Va por) r) was noted, noted , until is became bec ame black black,, which which happened happ ened in the the space spa ce of 40 days, and then in in the ashes a somewhat somewhat stronger fire was noted noted,, so that the glass glass becam beca me so warm, like like the sun at midday midday in summ summer shines shines on the the surface surface of the cover, co ver, so that in the follow ollowing ing 50 days all kinds kinds of beauti bea utifful colors can ca n be seen. Afterwards, Afterwards, set in in a sand bath, as deep de ep as a doll do llar’s ar’s thick thickness, ness, it remained remained only broad bro ad enough to show subsequently subseq uently after 50 5 0 days da ys the bright bright light light of the diadem (the moon). Therefore, do not cease, cea se, but b ut be sure to conti co ntinue nue your Gradum Gradum Ignis Ignis (degre (degreee of fire), fire), for in in this this way way all of the material materia l will will be yellow yellow in 30 days. da ys. At the end of that time time the glass glass vessel vesse l shoul sho uld d be entirely buried in the sand and a nd when hea heated ted strongly, s trongly, the product pro duct wil will become bec ome bloodbloo d-red red in 40 days and in in the mi middl dd le it will will appe ap pear ar as a lumino uminous us ruby, so Nature Na ture has has distingu distinguished ished them apart. It is is seen here that that it wil will not become bec ome a wellwell-known known tincture, tincture, but it disting distinguis uishes hes Nature Na ture from the heterogeneou hetero geneous. s. This This is the same that one sets asi as ide when it is is of no no use (although it can be made use of in some chemica chemica l analysis analysis and sepa se parations. rations. The Compos Composition ition of Pre Pre cious Stones Stone s with Their Own Own Liquids Liquids ~
-- - The salt of the earth ea rth is is rather magnetic, that is, it it shows the sp irit of the Detection of Mercury Mercury --air. According Acco rding to the preparation prepa ration of our water or o r Water Wate r of Neptune, Ne ptune, in which which the gold melts melts like ice in warm water, wa ter, then it is is the the prop p roper er key, which which gold opens op ens to take its its soul so ul away, as a wellknown Sal S al Ignis Ignis (Salt (Sa lt of Fire) of Nature, Na ture, an imagina imagina r y spirit, spirit, the dragon, dra gon, greedil gree dily y devouri de vouring ng its own tail, tail, the non-combust non-c ombustiib le sulfur. sulfur. Note No te that when one mak makes es mercury in the spirit spirit of the world, then he is is toying with with time time in so doin do ing, g, and has hereafter herea fter an entry in in gold, gold, then the gold gold itself is also the Spiri Sp iritt of Worl Wor ld red merc mercury ury coagul co agulates ates..
A bath ba th was prepare prep ared d using using our Sal Aquae or Spiri Sp iritus tus Mundi increased increas ed to 9 degrees de grees in merc mercury, ury, such as that which which was indicated indicated by Phila Phila lethes et hes by 9 eagles, represe rep resenti nting ng that all all metals metals were puri purified fied to the the hig highest hest degree degree and and are, apparent apparentlly like pearls. pearls. Fortunat Fortunatee indeed is he who who is able able to conclude conclude a bargain. bargain. Our mater materiial in the the atmosp atmosphere here around aro und is the merc mercury ury of o f the philosop philosophe hers rs and the the true minera minerall and vi vitriol and we have deducted ded ucted a few hours hours to active metals, helping them to combine combine them in in a flask flask and to putrefy them by b y the use of gentle gentle heat, to which which purpose purpo se a white white clay is added ad ded at at the end, which which improves the quality quality of the the precious stone. By redistillin redistilling g on a steam stea m bath, the material can also be converted in a few days into into an activ ac tivee metal, using using the above ab ove and carryi car rying ng it out in a flask flask.. O ur material includ nclud es everything, earth, ai a ir, and water, all combined combined in one.
Second Supplement Supplement o r Appendix Appendix Clarification Clarification --- A Very Useful Use ful Illus Illus tration ~
Alchemical Art Art - - - The Extent of o f its Great Gre at Benefi Benefits ts During During a OneOne - Year Yea r Interval. Comparison Co mparison of Costs Co sts of Publicat Publicatiio n. Abstract of Profi Profit Ledger. Practi Pra ctical cal Approach Approa ch to the the Problem of o f Processin Proc essing g Food. Foo d. Whi Which of the More than One O ne Thousand Thousand Processes Proc esses so German German and so Clever Have Not No t Been Described. An excellent excellent and very useful and a nd true examina examinatio tion n of the art, using using a few grams grams of o f fine fine gold and a nd other less important important conditi co nditio o ns and the the lig lighter hter work loa load d involved involved as a result of o f the properly prop erly conducted distill distillaa tion tio n technique techniquess in a very short tim time. Approxima Approxima tely te ly 6 or 7 weeks are required required to make a few few grams of the tincture tincture and to prepare prep are it for for use, as a s actual ac tually ly are clear clear in what is to follow. Using Using 10 grams of this this tincture tincture to compare co mpare 1 mark of fin finee silver silver to truly truly natural good gold, as God has created the Earth and can add ad d color color to the sam sa me, and this this in all tests remains remains proper prop er and authentic, since since aquafort aq uafort can c an not attack atta ck it it or cause dam da mage to it it or to the antimo antimo ny glass glass or is itself damaged in any test. The same can also be carried ca rried out better with such a tincture, tincture, so that when 100 10 0 grams grams of o f mercury, purifi purified ed as before, before, were added add ed to 10 grams grams of the same same wellwell puri purified fied gold gold in the the same form as previ previously noted, noted, all all of the the test sampl samples es easil easily passed all all of the tests that were made. The same work has been bee n carried ca rried out at least ea st 7times 7times in a single single year and each tim time 110 11 0 grams of of the reporte rep orted d tincture tincture were mad made, e, so s o that in in a single single year the total was 770 77 0 grams, of o f which which 10 grams were we re used to mak makee 1 mark mark of silver silver into gold, so that that in a year year 77 mark markss of gold at 160 16 0 per pe r mark. At 10 grams for 8 gulde gulden n and each eac h mark mark estimated estimated at 128 gui guilders, lders, totaled tota led 77 7 7 marks of pure pure sil silver, the the process can earn 9856 gui guillders. From Fro m thi this sum of money, at a cost co st of 56 gui guilde lders rs for 70 grams of pure gold (at ( at 8 guilders guilders per pe r 10 grams), more than 739 7 39 guil guilders de rs and at 3 batzen ba tzen was wa s the estimate, estimate, and 8more 8more guilde guilders rs for the glass glass apparatus, app aratus, fuel fuel costs, and other expenses, so one must must make in a year year by thi this process, proc ess, and
subtracting subtracting 2 gui guilders der s per week week for the wages wages of o f the labo laboratory ratory workers and 1 gui guilder for the cost of the lab labora oratory tory bench be nch mak makes es 130 13 0 guil guilders, de rs, makin ak ing g the entire entire cost co st of the the year 933 93 3 guilders guilders and 3 batzen batzen.. Subtract Subtractiing that that amoun amount, t, there there is stil still a profi profit of 892 gui guillders and and 12 batzen batzen left, eft, after after deducting de ducting all expenses, so that one man man will will have that amount amount per pe r year, b y what this this endea e ndeavor vor lays out and can accomplish. And when one man, man, using using the tincture, tincture, might might by the foll follow owing ing proces pro cess, s, being being allowe allowed d to work with with the mercury, it would cost c ost him him no ore than 6 batzen, in additi ad dition on to the 77 mark marks, s, 30 30 guil guilder de r s, and 12 batzen. ba tzen. So this this man has a projected projec ted overal overa ll income income for the year of appro ap proxi xim mate ly 9631 963 1 gui guillders der s and 3 batzen. This This magnif magnifice icent, nt, grand, useful useful, and exalted artisti a rtisticc endeavor ende avor had a man from from Venice, Venice, who also also related to me that in in this this proces pro cesss and the work in carrying car rying it out as foll follows hereafter, herea fter, to work in his his laboratory, abo ratory, and be all allowed to carry out the tests whi which were deemed approp ap propri riate. ate. And such artistic artistic endeavor ende avor was also also taken tak en to Engl England, where the King of England England himself himself also tested teste d it and found found it to be just exactly as claimed claimed,, thereupon thereupo n app a pproxim roximate ate l y 20,0 20 ,000 00 guilders guilders in gold was was set as the sale price, and subsequently subse quently testing of this this arti ar tistic stic production pro duction was carried car ried out in the laboratories abo ratories of Venice Venice and Eng Englla nd, by Polish Polish and Bohemi Bohemiaa n workers, and by the same same wo rkers in the lab labora oratories tories of Danzig, Danzig, Prussia, eac e ach h separa sep arate te one costin co sting g about ab out 2,00 2, 000 0 ducats, duca ts, without without all of the tests being being done, since since there was already already good inf infor orm matio at ion n about abo ut these tests. Now fol folllows the the inform nformat atiio n about the process, process, heretof heretofore ore passed over o ver,, referred referred to as the the Art Art of Prepa Pre parin ring g Tinctures. In the Name of Almight Almighty y God: God : To start with, with, using using 3 pounds po unds of white white Sal Sa lt from Halle Halle in a Waldenburger Waldenb urger flask flask and pouring pouring over it 1 measure of o f distill distilled ed vinegar vinegar then seal sea ling ing the cover of the flask flask with prude pru dent nt luti luting ng prepa pre pared red from very adhesiv ad hesivee glue, glue, and then allowin allowing g the flask flask contai co ntaining ning the salt to sit on a warm sand bath or coal stove stove unti untill the the salt salt becomes becomes compl completel etely y dry, dry, when it is then ready. ready. Note that that thi this is the salt and vinegar, vinegar, as hereafter herea fter foll follows, ow s, that now brings brings about ab out the mix mixing ing of the the merc mercury ury with the salt, salt, as a s wil will hereafter hereafter be repo reported. rted. Now fol folllowed the the method ethod whereby whereby the the vinegar egar shoul should d be disti distill lled: ed: Takin Taking 2 measu measures res of good good vinegar, vinegar, to which which are adde ad ded d 2 handfuls handfuls of ordinary ordinary salt, and putting into a distilli distilling ng flask flask such as aquafort aq uafort is distilled distilled in, and conti co ntinui nuing ng dili diligent ge ntly, ly, so that no no black material distills distills over (and if if such should should take tak e place, remove remove the receiver immediate immediate ly), for the material remaining remaining inside inside the distillat distillatiio n flask flask should should still still distill distill over as a clear distill distillaa te. Now No w ass another handful of salt to the clea clearr liqui liquid d and conti co ntinue nue the distill distillaa t ion as formerly. formerly. After After 3 such distillat distillatiio ns, the vi vinegar is properly properly prepared, the the salt salt is coll collected, as noted above, and and you wil will now see the the Qui Q uin ntessence tessence of all metals metals and the mercury of the philoso philosopher phers, s, which which is found found in all place placess and is is by no no means means by the the mercury ercury whi which is here referre referred d to as li living, ving, whi which is toxi toxic, but but which which is found ound as a salt salt to be someth something ing that that no man can do withou without. t. In the the Name N ame of God: Now No w take again again 3 pounds pounds of good dry white white salt of o f Hall Halle and add thereto thereto 60 grams of the above abo ve steepe stee ped d salt salt from from the flask flask,, mix the ingredie ingredients nts well, well, then put them them into into a sturdy glass glass retort reto rt or flask flask,, glazed glazed on the the inside inside,, and put the fl flask into the oven on the wellwell preserv preserved side. side. Then Then attach attach a glass glass receiv receiver, after after putti putting in the the receiver receiver half alf a can of disti distill lled ed
water, well well-covered, -c overed, so that that the glass glass receiver will will be attached to the retort or the the disti distilling apparatus. After heatin hea ting g over a gentle gentle fire fire so that the flask flask will will not break or even begin begin to be damaged, since since such a gentle gentle fire fire needs need s an entire day, da y, so for the next few days, da ys, the fire fire shoul sho uld d be somewhat somewhat hotter and a nd the flask flask will will glow with a dull brown bro wn col co lor rather ra ther than with with a bright bright col co lor, and the salt doesn’t do esn’t melt, melt, but only app a ppears ears as white white fumes. fumes. This This is the the soso- called called Qui Q uintesse ntessence nce of all metals, whose ores o res are put into into water wa ter and a nd allowed allowed to remain at glowin glowing g heat for for 8 days, until until a white white material begi be gins ns to sublim sublimee at the the top of the receiv rece iver. er. This This is the the Mercury of o f the the Philosop Philosopher hers. s. After di d istilling 8 days, da ys, the the fire fire was removed and the white white material ate rial was rinsed rinsed from the neck of the flask flask into the wate waterr and the rinse rinse water was poured into a glass glass flask flask.. A still still head was attached attac hed to the flask flask and the mate material rial was distilled distilled over an ash bath ba th and in 12 hours hours the water had distilled distilled over and tastes taste s sweet, although although it soon soo n becomes be comes sour like like vinegar, vinegar, becomes bec omes then stronger with with time time gradually, gra dually, and fin finall ally y sets the the teeth on edge. edge. When the distillatio distillatio n is fini finiss hed, the residue is removed from the fi fire and allowe allowed d to cool. coo l. This This is then the Oleum Sal Sa lis (salty oil). oil). Note, too, that that the the sweet water water disti distille lled d over in in half alf a day and and on cooli cooling crystal crystalss formed ormed rapidl rapidly y in the water. The crystals were long long and pointed and much much like like asbesto asb estos, s, but fin finee and sweet. swe et. This This is the Mercury of the Philosophers. The water from from which which the crystals were taken take n was distilled distilled again for half a day, da y, as before, before , and then allowed to cool. Again Again crystals formed formed,, as note noted d above. When no more crystals were formed, the water was again distilled distilled off and the the salty oil was obtained, ob tained, as before. be fore. You Yo u should should be aware that this this O leum Sali S aliss is the gold and when fine finely ly dispersed dispers ed and a nd dissolved that itit is is the water contain co ntained ed in all metals. It is also abl ab le to extract extra ct the sulfu sulfurr from all metals metals and to serve as a medicine medicine for men and metals. The tincture tincture is made made as foll follows: ows : 70 grams grams of the above ab ove Oleum Sali Sa liss and 10 grams grams of o f fine finely ly pulver pulverized ized gold gold give give a yel yelllow solu solutio tio n in water and yiel yield d 30 gram gramss of the the sweet sweet crystal crystals. s. The The glass glass contai conta iner is carefully ca refully seal sea led and a nd set in in a warm place place until coagulatio c oagulation n takes tak es place place and a nd a hand mater materiia l is formed formed.. This This hard mater materiia l is then finely finely pulver pulverized ized and put in in a glass glass contai conta iner which which is then then set in in a steam ste am bath, until until the soft oil which which is formed formed soon soo n hard hardens. ens. Distillatio Distillat ion n of this this product pro duct from a steam stea m bath ba th until no more fum fumes es com co me off and the mater material ial flows flows like like wax, indicates that the product pro duct is fi finished. nished . This This amounts to 10grams, which which make up to 1 mark of fine fine silver. silver. While While still still hot, and allowin allowing g to flow flow together for a good half hour and then pouri po uring ng into into a tin tin contain co ntainer, er, the result result is genuine genuine natural gold, which which God created crea ted and put in the the earth, ear th, tested and true, true, which aquafort a quafort can c an never attack and which never does do es damage to antimon antimony y glass, glass, and is is never damaged by experime experime ntati ntat io n of any any sort. Note also also that that the the Waldenburg Waldenburger er flask must be well well coated with with a good good luting materi aterial and subsequent subse quently ly careful car efully ly dried, otherwise o therwise it will will break br eak apart, apa rt, so that the flask flask will will not be preserved pre served and the vap vapor or wil will secretly sec retly be lost and a nd the the Oleum O leum Salis Salis will will be b e greatly weakened weak ened,, so that the Quintessence of the the liv livee mercury will will be b e drawn of and lost. lost. This is prevented pre vented as foll follows ows:: Taking 1 pound po und of sublimed sublimed mercury, fine finely ly powder po wdered ed and put into into a wellwell- luted flass flass flask flask,, covere c overed d over with with the above abo ve Oleum Sl S lais and stoppere stopp ered d well well, and hea heated ted 8 days, da ys, until until the merc mercury ury is separate sepa rated d
by disti distill lling ing from the the Oleu Oleum m Sali Salis. By heati heating very very strong stronglly the the mercury ercury,, the the residue residue in the the glas glasss becomes becomes melted. elted. After After the the fire is removed removed and and the the flask flask cooled, cooled, crystal crystalss form on the the wall walls of the the contain co ntainer. er. This This is the Quintessence. Quintessenc e. The very fragile fragile gold is also extracted extrac ted from the tincture tincture as foll follows ows:: Taking 70 7 0 grams of Quintessence, Quintessence , made from the clear crystals, c rystals, as noted abo a bove, ve, and dissolving it in 40 grams of Oleum Sali S alis, s, and adding a solutio solutio n of 10 grams of finely finely pulver pulverized ized gold disso dissolv lved ed in 70 grams of Oleum Sali S alis, s, gave a product pro duct which which was then then treate t reated d with with 10 grams grams of o f sal ammon ammoniac iac and allowed allowed to stand until until all of itit dissolved. dissolved. The resulting resulting solution solution was poured into a well-luted glassglass-stopp stoppered ered flask and a distill distillaa tion tio n apparatus app aratus was attached to the fl flask. The The material material was distilled distilled until until dry and the dry residue was sublimed, sublimed, at which which time time the Quintessence Q uintessence appe ap pears ars as red, red , and then blue, material. material. After cooli coo ling, ng, the proce pro ceeding eding is identified as gold, the the Quintesse Quintessence. nce. The dry product prod uct was allowed allowed to stand on a glass glass plate in a warm spot spo t unti untill a red oil flows flows out. When the oil oil hardens, as a s was the the case with with earli ea rlier er tinctures, tinctures, then one part of this this materi mater ia l was adde ad ded d to 10 parts pa rts of mercury, erc ury, and when heated until until fum fumes form, form, it beco be com mes hard and is is pure gold, which which passes pas ses all tests for for the same, same, for which which God will will eternally ete rnally be praised pra ised and a nd thanked, thanked , as He was also in the case of all other metals. The adhesive material used to coat co at the the retort and the glass glass flask flask:: Take Tak e the the visco viscous us adhesiv ad hesivee material material,, which is neither sandy sandy or gritty, moisten it with the the water water in which it had earlier earlier been be en paced, add a handf handful ul of fin finely pulv pulverized erized tartar, tartar, mi mixed with with hair, hair, horse man manur ure, e, and and comm common slat, until until the adhesiv ad hesivee material is very sticky. Pay Pa y careful careful attention that no sand or other impurities are include ncluded; d; store itit under under a retort or other other gl glass vessel to become bec ome thoroughly thoroughly d ry before before use use or o r before before setting setting near near a fi fire. Mystery Mys tery of Mysteri Mys teries es ~
Here begins begins one of the great mysteri mysteries es of Nature, wherein wherein are to to be found found great works of wonder. So say that phil philosophers osop hers and also also the wise wise peop p eoplle of o f the world world as well well, about abo ut these Seeds Se eds : "Do "Do you not not know when you work in in this this way with with metals that a heavenly influe nfluenc ncee accord acc ordin ing g to one of God’s ordinances ordinances has been bee n spoken spok en to man and a nd blends blends with with earthly earthly characteristics? When, now, the two happen happ en in in conjun co njunctio ction n with each ea ch other, then an a n earthly ear thly patte p attern rn is formed formed,, which which underlie underlie s the origin origin and seeds see ds of all all metals”. metals”. When such a lack of understand ing shall be stated state d that in in the the air there is a slat from from which all a ll creatures cre atures originate originate and grow and can ca n be supported suppo rted,, without without which which nothing nothing can take place and that one can, ca n, by the the heat of the the sunshine sunshine on the the open op en field, field, one can obtain obta in a beautif be autiful ul white white salt in in all rooms and living living quarters quarte rs of his his house and, a nd, further furtherm more, ore , in salt free water in in appro ap propriate priate amoun a mounts, ts, with with which wonders wond ers can be accompli ac compliss hed, without without doubt do ubt one can laugh laugh defi d efiant antly ly and say about ab out the whole whole matter: atte r: "This "This is very foolis foolis h talk, for nothing nothing is accompl acco mplished ished by itit and either of us would would be a fool, since since it is is contrary co ntrary to the truth truth when one o ne wishes wishes to proceed proc eed thereby": Take a perfectly pe rfectly round reflect reflect ing mirror, a weighing weighing scale sca le of proper prop er size size and depth so that the rays of o f the sun can ca n be foc focused used on a spot spo t in in the midd middlle, then set up this this mirror when the sun is giving giving of its hottest rays, under a cloudless sky; and allow allow it to stand several severa l days d ays,, removing removing it at night, night, and protected prote cted from the wind wind and rain, rain, and then a beauti be autiful ful white white salt forms forms in the mi middl dd le of the mirror, mirror, which which is shaved off o ff by means of a knife knife in a clean glass glass and collec collected ted,, in a short
period period of tim time it can amoun amountt to several several ounces ounces and and then then increase ncrease both in in appearance appearance and and weig weight, ht, and in in this sal sa lt all 4 elements are found, found, from the air itit has beco be come me conceivab co nceivable le when set in in the sun’s heat hea t that it it flows flows like water, wa ter, the fire fire brings brings out the taste, taste , and when allowed allowed to stand for for a long period p eriod of o f time time in decayin dec aying g matter, it turned turned blood - red li like a fiery fiery red ruby. The water is allowed allowed to stand in the hot sunshine sunshine in an open fi field or at home is a glass glass with an average avera ge fire fire under it, and then set se t in the hot sand, so the heat will will draw dra w the air into into itself, itself, and added add ed to the the coldwater coldwater in the gl glass. This This water was then then increased to a good amount amount and serves the Philosop Philosopher her as his his vinegar or solvent. This This water wa ter also contains contains the 4 elements. From Fro m air itit is is turned into water. wate r. On concentratin co ncentrating g by boi bo iling, ling, it turns into into a fieryfiery-red red ruby. This This water wa ter can be made to assume ei e ither a soft or hard hard form at will will.. And again it can serve se rve as a very fine fine medicine ed icine for all sorts of illnesse llnesses. s. So, So , it is prepared prepa red for itself itself alone, or o r it can become beco me the great Elixir Elixir of Nature Nature (the (the secret remedy) remedy),, whi which God Him Himself has has ordain ordained. Made by putref putrefacti actio o n and distillat distillatiio n, it wil will thus take effect effect more qui q uick ckly ly and a nd with with it you can accompli acc ompliss h great wonders, wonde rs, as suits your pleasure. The Testing of This Salt ~
Take half an ounce of o f this this salt and add ad d 3 parts of water. Then pour po ur it into into a vial vial and set it in in very warm water, where the salt sa lt will will melt melt as ice ice does do es in in water. Allow Allow it to evapora evap orate te to about ab out half half of of its origina originall volume. volume. Put the the remaining volum volume in a clean glass flask flask and set it in a cold co ld place. Then separate sepa rate the the completely white, white, transparent transpa rent crystals which which form, form, which melt as soon soo n as they are allowe allowed d to warm up. The The crystal crysta ls are beautiful be autiful and sweet, and are place placed d in in a silver silver dish and set on a sand bath. The gold gold leaf or o r silver silver leaf will will now dissolve, so that one does doe s not not see anything remaining. This This is the real Aurum Aurum Pota P otabil bilee (potable (po table gold) and a nd it can be used I very small small dosages do sages for for all types of sickness, and even more more,, it will will take ta ke care of everything everythin g better be tter than than a person would believe believe possible. possible. Now No w For Particular Particular Effe Effects cts ~
Now take the the gold, gold, puri purified by the the use of anti antimony and and beat it it as thi thin as possi possible ble or let let it be put through through a goldgold-beate beaterr to obtai obta in as a s thi thin a gold gold leaf as a s possible, possible, or as desired, and a nd then then add the crystallizing crystalliz ing solutio solutio n and then pulver pulverize ize as much much of it as desi des ired. red . Then set it in in a warm ash bath, whereupon whereupo n the gold gold radi rad ical will will dissolv d issolve, e, as will will the silver. silver. When the gold gold or silver silver has dissolved in the crystallizing crystallizin g water, water , then allow allow the solutio solutio n to set in in a dark place place for 3 days. da ys. The The glass glass flask flask must must be well luted luted.. Coagul Co agulatio ation n of a salt will will then the n take pace pac e in the fl flask and afterwards the solidified solidified salt will will again be adde ad ded d to water, water , as much much as is deemed de emed adequate ade quate.. The gold is now in in solutio solutio n and will will be b e bloodblood - red, red , whi whille the silver silver will will be sky- blue. Then 1/2 1 /2 pound po und or one pound of mercury is taken, or in any desired de sired amount, after which which there is much much of the nob noblle water. wate r. It is then poured p oured onto the mercury, mercury, so that the latter latter is covered c overed over to a depth of 2 or 3 fing fingers. ers. As a resul res ultt of this, the merc mercury ury will dissolve dissolve in the water. wate r. After solu so lution, tion, in which the gold gold is also dissolved, dissolved, the mercury mercury wil will be precipitated precipitated by a few more drops, dro ps, added add ed one one after after the other, and so will will settle on the the bottom botto m. After deca d ecanti nting ng off the aqueous layer, then take up the mercury remaining as a residue and then drive drive it off from the lea lead, d, and as a result you will will have the highest highest yield yield of gold gold that you can ca n have, while while in the ferment of silver, silver, you have the mos mostt fin finely ely divide divided d silver silver that can ca n be seen see n by the naked nake d eye. Thi This is the uncontrad icted truth that, as a s a matter atte r
of fact, even in this this aqueous aq ueous solution solution of gold, gold, the coppe cop per, r, tin, tin, and lead lead can ca n be transmuted transmuted into gold, while while the ferment ferment of silver silver yields yields only silv silver. er. Now No w to the Principal Principal Work ~
Now take the the aqueous aqueous solut solutiion of gold gold and and the the gold old after after 7 puri purificati cat io ns and and gradual radually ly add 3 times times the amount of o f water necessary necess ary to fix fix the gold. Then pl p lace the well-luted flask flask in a bath ba th or even in a kettle ke ttle of warm water for the peri per iod of one month. month. It wil will then be as black as black velvet. velvet. Then take tak e the flask flask from the water and set it in a warm ash bath. Then it will will become be come white white and fi fixed in a month. month. Then al a llow it to stand for 14 days da ys after which which the resul res ulting ting stone will will have a bright bright red color co lor in in a strong fire, fire, like a ruby, ruby, and a nd will will be transpare transp arent. nt. Moreover, More over, if you have God’s blessing, blessing, you wil will be able to accompli acc ompliss h by this this techni te chnique que a work which which scarce sca rcely ly one person in in 10,000 wil will beli believe. eve. Note well well, thi this great great work work shal shalll be kept secret to the the end end by the the pledged pledged word, word, so that that it does not fall fall into unworthy hands, even e ven ifif itit requires overlook o verlooking ing a lot of misfort misfortune une and distress. Your everlastng enlargeme enlargement nt is also: O ne dram dra m poured po ured out of its own o wn water, water , that is is to say, water of crystalliza crystallizatio tion, n, 2 parts, all allowed to stand 8 days in in lukewarm water, then in hot hot water for an additi ad ditiona onall 8 days, then in even hotter water wa ter for for a third third stage, and even e ven a fourth stage, sta ge, until until a stone is formed. The more more often the heat heat is increa increased sed,, the nob nobller the stone will will be. be . In ths way, the process can be inc increased reased forever, orever, for whi which yoou shou shoulld love God and also also hel help the the poor. Note well well, that that the the process p rocess descri described here, here, if allowed allowed to fal falll into nto unwort unworthy hy hands, hands, wil will lead to nothing impo importa rtant nt at a t all.
Finis.
