Secret Symbols

of the
Rosicrucians
of the 16th & 17th Centuries

FIRST BOOK
Brought to light for the first time from an old manuscript

ALTONA, 1785
Edited and printed by J. D. A. Ackhardt,
Commissioned by the Bookstore of Mr. Herold in Hamburg

The Teachings of the Rosicrucians

of the 16th and 17th Centuries

or
A Simple ABC Booklet
For Young Students
Practicing Daily in the School of the Holy Ghost
Made clear to the eyes by pictorial figures
For the Exercises of the New Year

In the

Natural and Theological Light

by a Brother of the Fraternity {Christi of the Rosy-Cross} P.F.
For the first time made public
and
with several figures of similar content added by P.S.
 Altona.
Printed and Published by Joh. Ad. Eckhardt, Book-Printer to H.M. the King of Denmark.
 Proverbiorum ibidem 14. v. 6
27. v. 7.
A scorner seeketh
The full soul loatheth wisdom and findeth
a honeycomb; but to it not; but knowledge
the hungry soul every is easy unto him that
bitter thing is sweet understandeth

The Almighty, Alone-Wise, and Omniscient GOD and LORD hath given understanding to Man,
above all other creatures, so that he may know his works and not leave them unexplored. Now
since this Man, whom the All-wise GOD hath inspired thereto, hath this high and profound
secret Work and the great secret of the ancient Water-Stone of the Wise, he must needs prove
himself aright. If ever there is a natural thing on earth, it is the Preparation and the Magisterium
of the Philosopher's Stone, natural and not of man's making, but wholly the work of Nature, for
the Artist addeth nothing thereto. Nature alone directeth the growing, as doth every tiller of the
soil with his fruits and plants; only he must be subtle in mind and have the grace of GOD, so
that he may direct the same as the work becomes evident in the boiling and through successive
time: namely, in the beginning there is the Subjectum, which one doth receive from Nature
directly into the hand. Therein lieth hidden the Universal Tincture of all metals, animals, and
plants. It is a rough Corpus, having neither the figure nor form of an animal or plant, but is in the
beginning a rough, earthy, heavy, viscous, tough and nebulous substance on which Nature
hath stopped: but when the enlightened man openeth these matters, investigateth them in
Digestion, and with its thick foggy shadows with which it is surrounded, he purifieth and
permitteth the hidden to emerge, and through further Sublimation its innermost soul, which is
hidden therein, is also separated from it and brought into a bodily form. Then one will find what
Nature hath hidden in such a once shapeless substance and what power and Magnalia the
Supreme Creator hath given to and implanted in this Creato. For GOD hath this Creato for all
other creatures, as in the beginning of He still giveth it daily, so that it would otherwise not only
be impossible for a man to bring such natural work to the desired end, much less to create
herein anything useful. But the good and gracious GOD doth not begrudge man the treasures
and goods which He hath implanted in Nature, else He would not have granted such things to
His creatures; nay, He hath created everything good for man, and hath made him to be Lord
over His creation. Therefore it is fitting for man to understand and to undertake such a natural
philosophical work, for otherwise such a highly-gifted and wonderful creation would have been
in vain, and we would view Nature like the dumb animals which run about, and we would go
vainly after God's counsel and we would not fit into the ends of Nature. Deus autem et Natura,
nihil faciant frustra. (But God and Nature do nothing in vain). But GOD Almighty ruleth in all
such things. He ordereth and provideth that oats and fodder be placed before the ass and the
horse, but that the rational human being be served with more costly and more delicious food.
Therefore those who try to investigate and who long for such a deeply hidden Arcanum and
great treasure, in the proper way, do not have to depend upon the harvest of the ignorant, who
have no understanding under the Light of our Sun.

The Philosophers and wise men, as well as Neoterici and Veteres, have had many disputations
about this secret art, and have tried to point out, with many different names, allegories, and
wondrously strange sophistical words what that Subjectum and its Essentia are, and what kind
of a Materia, what kind of a Corpus. what kind of a Subjectum, and what a wonderful thing and
secret a Creatura it is, which hath embodied such mighty, strange, and heavenly powers, and
with which, after Digestion and purification , one can help human beings, animals, plants, and
metals, and one cen bring their health and perfection up to the highest degree, and one can
also do many other marvellous things with it. Nevertheless all those who were and still are true
Philosophi, have unanimously pointed out one single Scopum and one only Materiam, the Filii
Sapientiat, writing various and manifold speeches and scripts about it. Concerning the essential
thing, however, there is only silence, and that silence hath fast-locked their mouths, and placed
a solid Sigil upon them, for if it should become as common knowledge as brewing and baking,
the world would soon perish.

There are many who have searched for that only Res, which solvit se ipsum, coagulat se
ipsum, se ipsum impraegnat, mortificat et vivicat [dissolveth itself, coagulateth itself
impregnateth itself, killeth and bringeth to life again], but most of these searchers, who have
lost themselves while searching, failed. Then it is such a thing as is nearest gold; and it is such
a thing as the poor as well as the rich can gain, be it whatever it may. But it threateneth the
Philosophi execrationem divinam, and invoketh the curse of God upon him who with his own
mouth might expressly speak on this Subjectum.

When the Philosophers pronounced an Execration, Almighty God did respect and grant their
appeal, and gave unto them what He had until then kept in His own hands for several thousand
years. Now the aforesaid Subjectum is of such a nature that it, our Magnesia, doth not only
contain a small proportioned quantity of the universal Spiritus Vitalis in itself, but also hath
some of the heavenly power condensed and compressed within it. Many who found it were so
intoxicated by its fumes that they remained in their place and could no longer raise themselves.
Only a wise man and one who knoweth these things can take a measure of this same fluid and
carry it home from whatever place he may have found it, be it from the depths of the mountains
or any other place where it may be met. The poor and the rich are quite free, by the singular
and abounding grace of God, to take this, so that he goeth homeward with it to his house, and
placeth it behind the furnace or in any other room where it pleaseth him, and where it is
convenient for him, and he may begin to work and to experiment with it, for he can leave off so
quickly that even his own servants do not notice it. For it doth not go so slovenly with this
natural work as it doth with the common alchemists with their bungling work, with their charcoal-
burning, smelting and refining, and whatever more they may do. But it is a work which one can
keep in a closed casket in whatever room he wisheth, alone that not even a cat come upon it,
and, should it be necessary, he can well carry on his craft, only taking care that the furnace
have a threefold testing, and that he keep it at the right heat, and let Nature takes its own
course. When finally the Solution is taken out of the Terrestriaet, and is strengthened by long
Digestion, it is set free from the Crudae Materiae, and is prepared and reborn in the most subtle
form. Subsequently, of course, this sharp and potent Spiritus is at certain times given a well-
measured quantity, after the fashion of drinking and nourishing, per modum inbibitionis et
nutritionis. And its potency is thus condensed and daily becometh as new supports for its
brethren, and active therein. Dost thou indeed think that one canst bring forth such work and
such potency in unmeasured hidden intensity, a Spiritus Vitalis? The crudae materiae or
Subjectum cometh from the Astris and Constellation of the heavens into its earthly kingdom,
from which is then the spiritus universi secretur of the Philosophers, which is the Mercurius of
the Wise, and it is the beginning, the end, in which the Aurum Physicum is determined and
hidden, which the common alchemist thinks to extract out of common gold, but in vain.
Meanwhile, the Philosophi deal much in their writings with Sol and Luna, which of all metals are
the most durable in the fire. But this is not to be understood literally, for their Sol and Luna,
when they are brought to their inner puritaet, through true, natural, seemly. and philosophical
praeparation may well be compared with the celestial bodies, such as the Sun and the Moon,
which with their brightness illuminate day and night, the upper and the lower Frimament.
Therefore these two noble metals, like the Sol and Luna of the Philosophers, resemble by
nature the human body, and to him who knoweth how to prepare them wisely they give much
except else is to be prepared, but the one three-fold point of the Universalis, for the Spiritus to
be found in these two said things produceth consistency, strength and virtue, amongst other
things.

Now the man pardoned by God can prepare and make ready an object or substance of the
above mentioned red or white, of Sol and Luna, which is called the Lapidem Philosophorum, or
the very ancient Water-Stone of the Wise, from the substance in which God placed such
potency at the creation or genesis of the world, or the oft-mentioned materials or Subjectum
which God, out of love and grace, implanted in the highly-endowed divine man. But I believe,
therefore, that the divine substance which was left to him in the first Creation of the world, of the
Spiritu Vitali, of the Inspiration, hath survived in all kinds of creatures. All received the same
Spiritum in the aforesaid Massam, and firmly secluded in the lowest depths of the earth, and it
was indicated and left to the Wise Men to disinter it, to extract it, to use it, and to perform the
same Miracula with it, through the holy wisdom which is still implanted in it and with which it is
supplied daily.

Both substances mentioned above as Sun and Moon or red and white, or rather the
Praeparation is and Mercurii, are the ingredients in the Composition of our Lapidis
Philosophorum. Now then the Materia are in the beginning through sufficient and oft-repeated
Sublimentiones purified and cleansed, and then weighed carefully, and then soon composed;
also thou must not be ignorant of what is the potency and occasion of both of the said
ingredients, but thou must know how to arrange both Pondera, secundum proportionem
Physicam [according to the analogy of Physics], for a good portion of the Mercurii is
encumbered with a small portion of animae Solis vel Sulphuris, and then unite both with a
delicate hand, so that finally the Praeparation and the most difficult work is completed.

But thou wilt have to know that thou must first tinge thy Mercurium with the red Tinctur, yet it will
not become red in continenti, but remaineth white, for the Mercurius hath the privilege of
wanting to be tinged first before all others. The Philosophi also tell what to do in addition with
the Anima solis of this Tinctur of the Mercurii, and from whence it shall be taken. The Ferment
of gold is gold, just as the Ferment of dough is dough. Moreover, it is the Ferment of gold out of
its own nature, and then its potency is perfect when it is transformed back into earth. And then
this is first the beginning of the Philosophers, the right and true Prima Materia Philosophorum
metallorum [the first Materia of the metals of the Philosophers]. From then on the true Masters,
experienced in the Art, begin to stimulate their Ingeniam and attain to the Great Work. And then
the Artifex continues further with such work and, through God's blessing, bringeth it to the end,
to which it tendeth and where it is embodied by God, namely, to the highly-blessed
Philosopher's Stone. So that from nothing else than per Spiritum universali Secretum the true
materia prima Philosophorum is prepared and made ready. Who now understandeth well this
Spiritum Secretum understandeth also, without doubt, the secrets and wonders of Nature and
hath the perception of the light of Nature. For he is motus harmonicus Sympaticus and
magneticus, from which originates the Harmonia and Concordantia, the magnetic and
sympathetic power or effect of the uppermost and of the lowermost. But note that the natures of
both ingredients are unlike each other in the beginning because of their opposed qualities. For
one is warm and dry, the other is cold and moist, and they must of course be united. But when
this is about to occur, then their opposed qualities must slowly be changed and equalised, so
that neither nature through intense fire divest the other of its potency. For thou canst never
collect them, because both natures must rise simultaneously in the fie's power. Then the
Discrasia will be taken from the Corpori, and an Aequalitas and good Temperatur is
established, which occureth through a moderate and constant boiling.

For when both of the natures Sulphur and Mercurius are enclosed in a very narrow space and
are maintained with moderate heat, they begin to abate from their opposed character and to
unite, until finally they have all the qualities. They become one Constipation and rise at the
same time, and certainly at the top of the glass standeth numero one. They are ready to wed,
and then the bridegroom placeth a golden ring on his bride, say the Philosophi. And when thus
Mercurius with its Sulphur, like water and earth with each other, become duly boiled (and the
longer the more) they cast away all their superfluities and the pure parts join each other and
dispose of their corlicibi: otherwise the impure parts prevent unification and the Ingress.

For the Mercurius, as the first Corpus, is entirely crude and can per anima be neither mixed nor
perpetuated, for neither Corpus entereth the other nor will be united with it either vere or in
radice. But should these things be so helped that a true Tinctur will be formed, there must be
prepared out of this a new spiritual Corpus which cometh forth out of both, for after the
purification one taketh the virtues of the other, and out of several become one, numero et
virtute [in number and power]. But if the fire should be much too intense and should not be
controlled according to the requirements of Nature, these two above-mentioned would be either
suffocated or separated. If they did not have their right mode of preparation, they would
become either nothing or a spoiled work and a Monstrum. But when one proceedeth prudently
and with a duly tempered heat, then both substances will rise in the Sublimation uppermost in
the glass or cupola. Then when thou pluckest these lovely flowers, thou canst enjoy them
already particularia.

But thou canst observe the motum occultum naturae as little as thou canst either hear or see
the grass growing, for one can neither observe nor notice the increase and development of
these two ingredients, Mercurii and Sulphuris, because of their subtle, hidden, and slow
Progressus from hour to hour. Only by marks set from week to week can it be observed and a
conclusion drawn, for the inner fire is very delicate and subtle. But however slow it may be, it
doth not stand still until it cometh to the end where its intent is to be seen, as in all plants,
unless it then be that such subtle and expert boiling is hindered through the all too-strong heat
of the sun and is burnt out, or is hindered through suddenly appearing cold; ergo qui scit
occultum motum naturae, scit perfectum decoctionem [therefore he who knoweth the hidden
movement of Nature, knoweth also the perfect boiling or preparation]. This motum should now
take its natural and self-determined course, although one can neither hear nor see it, as also
one cannot comprehend the Centra et ignem invisibilem seminum inuisibilium [the Centre and
invisible fire of the invisible seed]. Therefore thou must commit such a matter to Nature alone,
and observe it and not once try to oppose Nature, but have all confidence in it until it bringeth
forth its fruit.
When one treateth Nature with a gentle and agreeable heat, it doeth and effecteth everything
out of itself, which for the furnishing of a Creati or the introduction of a new form is a matter of
necessity: for the Divine Word Fiat still abideth in all creatures and in all plants, and hath its
mighty power in these times as well is in the beginning.

There are, however, four chief Virtutes and potentias of which noble Nature maketh use in
every boiling; thereby it doth complete its work and bringeth it to an end.

The First Virtus

Is and is called appellativa et attractiva, for it is possible for it to attract to itself from far or near,
food of which it is desirous out of results and places agreeable to its nature, and it can grow
and increase. And here it hath a magnetic power, like that of a man for a woman, the Mercurius
for the Sulphur, the dry for the moist, the Materia for the form. Therefore the axiom of the
Philosophers is: natura naturam amat, amplectitur prosequitur. Omnia namquam crescentia,
dum radices agunt et vivant, succum ex Terra attrahunt, atque avide arripiant illud, quo vivere
et augmentari sentiunt - i.e., Nature loveth nature, surroundeth it, and followeth it. For all plants,
when they strike root and begin to live, suck sap out of the earth, and draw to themselves avidly
that whereby they sense they can live and multiply themselves. For where there is hunger and
thirst, food and drink will be received with avidity and this Virtus and potentia will be aroused,
and it cometh from the heat and average dryness.

The Second Virtus and Potentia

Is and is called natura retentiva et coagulativa. For Nature not only alone is useful to it and
serveth it for its continuation and is advantageous when it lacketh that which it eagerly
produceth from itself, but hath also with it the bond with which it draweth and bringeth and
holdeth it to itself. Yea, Nature even changeth it into itself, for as it hath chosen of these two the
purest parts, it separateth the rest and bringeth to the mouth and maketh it grow, and is in no
need of any other calcination or fixation; nature naturam continet [Nature retaineth nature], and
such skill cometh from its dryness, for the cold constricteth the gained and evenly-formed parts
and drieth them in the Terrae.

The Third Virtus and Potentia

Naturae in rebus generandis et augmentandis.

Est Virtus digestiva, quae fit per putrefactionem seu in putrefactione [is the digestive power,
which occurs through the putrefaction or in the putrefaction], in moderate and temperate heat
and moisture. For Nature directeth, changeth, and introduceth one kind and quality, the
crudeness is done away with, the bitter is made sweet, the harsh is made mild, the rough is
made smooth, the immature and wild is made tame, that which was formerly incapable is now
made skillful and efficient, and leadeth to the final intended execution and perfection of the
Work, and representeth the Ingredientia to the Composition.

The Fourth Potentia naturae

Est virtus expulsiva mundificativa, segregativa [the expelling, purifying, separating power] which
separateth and divideth, which purifieth and cleanseth, which washeth during the Sublimation
or Decoction. It setteth from Sordibus and darkness and bringeth forth a pure, transparent,
powerful or illuminated Corpus or substance; it collecteth the Partes homogeneis, and is
gradually set free from the heterogeneis, repulseth the Vitia and everything alien, inspecteth the
crude, and giveth every part a special place. This is caused by and cometh from the agreeable
constant heat in appropriate moisture, and that is the Sublimation and mature fruit, which will
now fall out of the husk. Therefore it is in the beginning designed by Nature and artisans,
namely the Patiens is set free from the Agente, and will be perfected. Nam liberatio illa a
partibus heterogeneis est vita et perfectio omnis Rei, - i.e., for the liberation of these unequal
and opposed parts is the life and perfection of all things]. For the Agens and Patiens which until
now have been contending with each other, so that each affecteth and rendereth resistance
according to its opponent's resistance — i.e., as much as possible it would like to break its
opponent's resistance and they must not unite during the time of their Decoction, but the best
part must gain the victory and expell the impure, and subjugate it.

Now when all Naturalis potentia have done their officium, then cometh forth the new birth and
as the mature fruit presenteth itself in all other plants, so also now in our Subjecto and natural
work which, when perfected, quite surprisingly doth not at all resemble any more its first
beginning and hath no more quality, and is neither cold nor dry, neither moist nor warm, and is
neither masculus nor foemina. For cold is there itself turned into heat, and the dry into the
moist, the heavy into the light, for it is a new Quinta Essentia, a Corpus Spirituale and hath
become a Spiritus corporalis, such a Corpus as is clear and pure, transparent and crystal like;
one which Nature itself, could never have produced as long as the world hath stood. The Artifex
and the enlightened man, however, auxiliante Deo et natura [by the aid of God and Nature],
produceth through his intellect and art, and he placeth it there by itself. So that subsequently he
encountereth a Miracula and that is called: Unguenturn anima, aurum Philosophorum, flos auri
[the unguent, the soul, the philosophers' gold, the flower of gold]. Theophrastus and others call
it Gluten aquilae.

Now what is shown about the four potentiis naturae, the same had been effected by means of
the fire, which must be incombustible, pleasing to Nature, and according to Nature it must
continue steadily and must also be advantageous to the Work: but in this Work two kinds of
fires are to be particularly well attended to, namely: the outer elementary fire which the Artifex
constructeth and which he applieth to the Work, and after that the inner, innate, and natural fire
of the substances. Though in all three primary things or genera there is to be found a natural
fire as in the Animalibus, Vegetabilibus, and Mineralibus, through which it started and moved,
maintained life, was strengthened and increased; and can continue its innate power of bringing
forth and of implanted virtue according to the character of each.

But the fire which is in our Subjecto is in itself not least amongst creatures and minerals. It hath
hidden within itself the most wonderful, the most potent fire against which the outer fire
seemeth like water, for no common elementary fire can consume and destroy the pure gold
which is the most durable substance amongst all metals, however intense the fire may be, but
the essential fire and water of the Philosophers alone doeth it.

If we had today that fire with which Moses burned the golden calf and ground it to powder and
strewed it upon the water and which he gave to and made the Children of Israel drink of it
(Exodus, chapter 32) - let such be a piece of alchemical work of Moses, the man of God! For he
was instructed in the Egyptian art and skilled therein. Or the fire which the prophet Jeremias hid
beneath the foot of the mountain, from which Moses saw the Promised Land and whereon he
died, the fire which was recovered seventy years later by the Wise Men, the descendants of the
old priests after the return from the Babylonian Captivity. But in the meantime the fire was
changed in the mountain and became dense water (II Maccab., chapters 1 and 2). What
thinkest thou? should we not warm ourselves at it and keep from us the frost in winter?

Such fire slumbereth in our Subjecto quietly and peacefully and hath no movement of itself.
Should now this secret and hidden fire help its own Corpori, so that it may rise and have its
effect, and manifest its might and power, so that the Artist may reach the desired and
predestined end, it must be aroused through the outer elementary fire, be kindled and be
brought into its course. This fire may be in lamps, or of whatever kind thou dost like, or contrive,
for it alone is sufficiently capable of executing the activity with ease, and such fire and outer
heat must be tended and maintained all the time until the end of the Sublimation, so that the
inner and essential fire be kept alive, in order that the two indicated fires may help each other
and the outer fire let the inner fire be worthy, until in its appointed time it becometh so strong
and intense a fire that it will soon burn to ashes, pulverise, turn into itself, and make equal to
itself all that is put into it but which is nevertheless of its own kind and nature.

Nevertheless it is necessary for every Artifex at the cost of his desired end, to know that
between these two above-mentioned fires, he maintaineth certain proportions between the
outermost and the innermost, and that he kindle his fire rightly, for if he maketh it too weak,
then the Work cometh to a standstill, and the outermost fire is not able to raise the inner one,
and in so far as he stirreth it up moderately several times, it yieldeth a slow effect and a very
long process, and when he hath waited with such patience and hath his data, he then finally
reacheth his intended goal. But if one maketh a stronger fire than befitteth this process, and it
be speeded up, then the inner fire suffereth, it is entirely incapable, the Work will surely be
destroyed, and the hasty one will never attain his end.

If after lasting Decoction and Sublimation the noble and pure parts of the Subjecti are gradually,
with the advantage of a calculated time, separated and set free from the crude earthly and
useless substance, the impulse in such activity must be according to Nature and must be
adjusted with such moderation that it will be agreeable, pleasing, and advantageous to the
inner fire, in order that the inner essential fire be not destroyed through all too-intense heat, or
even extinguished and made useless. Nay, rather it will be maintained in its natural degree, be
strengthened, whilst the pure and subtle parts come together and convene, the crude being
separated, so that they combine and the best will achieve the aforesaid end in view. Therefore
thou must learn from Nature that degree of fire which Nature useth in its operations until it
bringeth its fruit to maturity, and from this learn Reason and make calculation. For the inner
essential fire is really that which bringeth the Mercurium Philosophorum to aequalitaet; but the
outer fire stretcheth forth to it a hand so that the inner fire will not be hindered in its operation,
therefore the outer must have concordance with the inner and must adjust itself according to
the same, vice versa. Then in such use of the universal elementary fire it must be led toward
the inner natural heat, and the outer heat hath to be adjusted to it, so that such doth not
surpass in the Creato the power of the moist and warm Spiritus, which is wholly subtil; if other-
wise, the warm nature of the said Spiritus would soon be dissolved, and it could not hold itself
together any more, and would have no potency: it followeth therefrom that a fire more intense
than is necessary for reviving and maintaining the inner natural fire implanted in our Materiae
can only be for hindrance and deterioration. In natura et illius Creatis et generationibus sit tua
Imaginatio, - i.e., upon Nature and what hath been created or brought forth by her, mediate
thou]. Therefore bring the moist Spiritum into the earth, make it dry, agglutinirs and figurs, with
an agreeable fire. Thus shalt thou also bring the Animam into the dead Corpus and restore
what thou hast taken away, and thou restorest the soulless and dead to life and to rise again
and be equipped, but whatever hath driven it will not stand the heat, for it will not become
constant as if it were to be received spontaneously from itself with good will, with joy and with
desire, and be deeply impressed.

And that is sicci cum hurnido naturalis unio et ligamen tum optimum [the natural unification of
the dry with the moist and also the best tie]. Yea, if one really desireth to discuss this matter:
the Wise Men mention three kinds of fire, each of which taketh charge of the operis magni, so
that each best form in particular must in wisdom and good readiness have governed this also.
And so he will not work as one blind, but in an understanding and prudent manner, as befitteth
an intelligent Philosophus.

The first is the outer fire, which the Artist or watchman maketh, which the Wise Men call ignem
frontem, upon which Regimen dependeth the safety or the ruin of the entire Work, and this in
two ways: nemium sumiget cave [take heed that it doth not smoke too much], but it is also said:
combure igne fortissimo [burn it with the strongest fire].
The second fire is the nest wherein the Phoenix of the Philosophers hath its abode, and
hatcheth itself therein ad regenerationem. This is nothing else than the Vas Philosophorum.
The Wise Men call it ignem corticum, for it is written that the Phoenix bird collected all fragrant
wood whereon it cremateth itself. If this were not so, the Phoenix would freeze to death and it
could not attain to its Perfection. Sulphura Sulphuribus continentur [Sulphurs are maintained by
sulphurs]. For the nest should protect, assist, cherish and keep the brood of the bird unto the
final end.

The third however is the true innate fire of the noble Sulphuris, itself to be found in radice
subjecti, and is an Ingredient, and it quieteth the Mercurium and fashioneth it: that is the real
Master, yea, the true Sigillum Hermetis. Concerning this fire Crebrerus writeth: In profundo
mercurii est Sulphur, quod tandem vincit frigiditatem et humiditatem in Mercurio. Hoc nihil aliud
est, quam parvus ignis occultus in mercurio, quod in mineris nostris exitatur et longo temporis
successe digerit frigiditatem et humiditatem in mercurio, -i.e., In the essence of the Mercurii is a
sulphur which finally conquereth the coldness and the moisture in the Mercurio. This is nothing
else than a small fire hidden in the Mercurio, which is aroused in our Mineris, and in the fulness
of time it absorbeth the coldness and moisture in the Mercurio or removeth them, and that is
also said about the fire.]

FINIS
 The 2nd, 3rd & 4th diagrams

IF A PHILOSOPHER YOU WISH TO BE, LET ONLY PATIENCE DWELL IN THEE.

Where on this globe lives a man so wise, To nothing can thine eye be blind,
Who'll ever learn what four ones do comprise, Be it of body or of mind.
And even if he'd know all this, Therefore be thankful to thy God,
He'd still always be an apprentice. Who in time this before thee hast brought.
Therefore, O human, with all thy might, Be thou not jealous of the scoffer's fame,
Recognise God and thyself in God's and nature's light, Do not begrudge every mocker's great name.
Both these lights God pours into thee, With sophisticated vanity they strut,
That a likeness of him thou mayest be, Unbeknownst to them is what thou'st got.
He is one fourfold God, let thou be told, Be happy with what God to thee gave,
As thou art a piece of clay fourfold. Defy, that four in one they have.
This maketh nature to thee well known, Fiat and Amen, be my treasure,
With wisdom, light and understanding to thee is it A fourfold sphere always together.
shown.
 O Domine quam mirabilia sunt opera tua.

Lord, thine eternal Spirit is in all Things.

Salvator Mundi
Four fires are floating in this world, That is locked up in four,
Wherein God holdeth a Center,
............. Out of which Heaven and Earth were poured
SPECULUM DIVINUM OCCULTUM ATOUE

LABORATORIUM NATURARERUM
PERPETUUM SEU
INSTRUMENTARUM
Friend
thoughtfully look
at this mirror, So thou has all in all,
See how Nature Earth and Heavens
is revealed, in one together,
Always watch the Look well at it, it is to
inner center, thy good,
Turn the outer And pondering over,
spheres around it, thou wilt not rue it,

IGNEUM PHILOSOPHORUM ET
Notice Nature in its strength, From God it, and all things spring
Look at its great life-power. And return to their centers again.

Coel. & Terra.

There is never a Philosopher who Nature's ultimate Principle doth not know.

Look well for the golden Magnet. If thou findest it thou wouldest get rid of thy sorrows.
Study well the law KNOW THYSELF, that thou may not be deceived any more.
Unum sunt omnia, per quod omnia.
Make known to thee the Terra Sancta, so that thou mayest not go astray.
 Figurative Image of how within this World three Worlds in each other,
namely this earthly Sun-World, and also the Heavenly and

The outer and inner Mind

God is free everywhere Without God's light you cannot find
God is the Alpha and Omega
Within and without all
The Beginning and the End
creatures
FATHER
GOD
Time-Measure of the Law
Time measure of Nature
Lion with six wings
The Angel with six wings
II.
I.

so that
The way you
of life is shun the
above hell
to the beneath.
wise, Prov.
15.24.cf.

And there is no God God is the first and the

But the one God last.
H. GHOST SON
Time of fulfillment Time of the Evangelium.
Eagle with six wings Only the Spirit alone knows Ox with six wings.
IIII. Reason in flesh is blind. III.

The Hellish worlds have their effects. And the darkness cannot conquer the light. It also
shows that the land of the dead, the entrance to Hell or superficial darkness, where there
is wailing and gnashing of teeth, as well as the land of the living, the heavenly paradise or
third heaven are from this world. And that the human being has all these things in his
heart; heaven and hell, light and darkness, life and death.
 The Tree of Good and Evil Knowledge

THERE IS ONE TREE bearing two kinds of fruits. Its name is the tree of the knowledge of good
and evil. Like its name, are its fruits: namely, good and bad fruits of life and death, of love and
hate, of light and darkness. This tree was put before Adam, and even if he had in his innocence
the liberty to look upon it as a tree of God's wonders. God's prohibition did not allow him to place
his desire in it and eat of it, but threatened that (if he would do so) he would die from its fruit. For
this was a tree of division where good and evil battled with each other: but in a battle there can be
no life: For battle brings forth destruction, and destruction brings forth death, life lives in the sweet
unity of love. Therefore, when Adam ate from this tree, a battle started within him, and in this
battle he lost his life.
Nevertheless wretched men will not learn through such fall and damage. His desire is still for that
tree and its fruits. Man is always desirous to have the division of manifold things, and man is
always battling, when he could return to the unity of simplicity, if he only would come in peace.
Life's light stands in the middle to point out to men the way to this first rest, and the Father in the
heaven lets his Sun rise over good and evil: But everything grows after its own fashion, and man
is only too apt to look upon the stars of the manifoldness, and in his own discretion, to choose
them for his ladders, though they make him stray many times from the true light, and detain him
in the whirlpool of uncertainty. This whirlpool of uncertainty leads more and more out of the
innermost face of the Sun into the outer (world) and can find neither end nor place of rest, unless
it leads from the outer (world) back again and seeks the beginning, from which all the smaller
star-lights originated.

There is also among 7 stars, hardly one turning its rays inward to direct the searching mind to
Bethlehem, and amongst 7 eyes winding around the whirlpool of searching desire is hardly one
which stands towards the Sabbath in the innermost; but the restless movement of the working
days move them through all spheres, and even if they take a look at God's wonders, they only
look upon the surface and every eye looks upon that which is shown through its own desire. God
made man to live in an eternal Sabbath, he should not work, but let God work in him, he should
not take with his own hands, but only receive what God bestowed plentifully upon His mercy. But
man left the Sabbath, and wanted to work himself, raised his hand against the law to take in his
own desire what he should not have taken. Therefore, God let him fall, and since he had
despised the quiet, he had to feel painfully the restlessness. In such restlessness of life all
children of man still extend their hands, trying to grasp their pleasures. And as is their
understanding and will, so is their grasping. Some grasp for the good, some grasp for the evil.
Some grasp for the fruit, some only for the leaves, some for a branch with fruits and leaves on it.
And they derive pleasure from the things they have grasped, these poor fools do not know that all
their pain and labor had only been a Studium particulare. They grasp for pieces, where they could
obtain the whole. They seek for quiet and cannot find it; for they look from the outside into the
restlessness of movement, which dwells in the inner solitude of the inner Centri, and though one
may grasp more than the other, it is still piece-work. At times there may be one amongst 7 hands
coming near the secret and it grasps the whole stem of the tree at that point where all the divided
branches return to unity. But even this hand is still far from the roots of the tree, only grasping and
holding the secret from the outside and cannot yet see it from the inside. For the root of this tree
is understood only by the eye of wisdom, standing in the Centro of all spheres. These roots go
from the visible world of mingled good and evil, into the sphere of the invisible world. This eye
looks with the greatest peace upon the wonders of all movements and also looks through all the
other eyes, wandering about outside of the rest in the unrest, all those eyes which want to see for
themselves without the right eye of wisdom, from which they have received all their seeing-power.
This eye can prove all spirits, how intelligent, pure and acute they be. It understands the sources
of good and evil. Plain before it is light and darkness. It understands time and eternity, visible and
invisible, present and future things, earthly and heavenly things, things of the body and things of
the spirit, high and deep, outwardliness and inwardliness. And nevertheless, none of these things
are disturbed by it, for the eye lives in the Centro of peace, where everything stands in equality
outside of any strife, and whatever it sees it possesses. For in the Centro of its peace is its kingly
throne, everything being subject to it. Therefore, dear man! If thou wouldst return to right
understanding and right peace, cease from thy works and let God alone work in thee, so that the
eye of wisdom will open in thine own self and thou wilt attain a studio particulari ad universale and
One find All.
 The 5th, 6th (Mons Philosophorum) & 7th diagrams

I am the Alpha and the Omega, the beginning and the end, saith the Lord,
God liveth in a Light, since no one can come to Him, or near Him.

This is the Omega, which has This is the trifling matter over Notice here the eternal end
caused so many evil days and which so many hundreds of without beginning, the eternal
restless nights. people moaned in vain. revolution and circle, in eternal
love, willpower and centro
whose principle reveals itself
since eternity began.
You will see in this the eternal The Centrum of the eternal An eternal holy fire -
nature in its seven apparitions, bottomless depth of light and An infinite God sent flame -
revealing itself in the centro darkness is in the infinite A heavenly secret -
of the eternal bottomless depth inexpressible width and depth
since eternity began. everywhere. Therefore is said: The great indescribable spirit of
The light inhabits the darkness fire, inexplorable in eternity.
and the darkness cannot grasp it.

Harmonious Conception of the Light of Nature

FROM WHICH YOU CAN DEDUCE THE RESTORATION & RENOVATION OF
ALL THINGS EMBLEMATIC.
 MONS PHILOSPHORUM
The soul of men everywhere was lost through a fall, and the health of the body suffered
through a fall, Salvation came to the human soul through IEHOVA, Jesus Christ. The bodily
health is brought back through a thing not good to look at. It is hidden in this painting, the
highest treasure in this world, in which is the highest medicine and the greatest parts of the
riches of nature, given to us by the Lord IEHOVA. It is called Pator Metallorum, well known
to the philosopher sitting in front of the mountain-cave, easy to obtain for anybody. But the
sophists in their sophistic garb, tapping on the walls, recognize him not. At the right is to be
seen Lepus, representing the art of chemistry, marvelously white, the secrets of which with
fire's heat are being explored. To the left one can see freely what the right Clavis artis is;
one cannot be too subtle with it, like a hen hatching a chicken. In the midst of the mountain,
before the door stands a courageous Lion in all its pride, whose noble blood the monster-
dragon is going to shed; throwing him into a deep grave, out of it comes forth a black raven,
then called Ianua artis, out of that comes Aquila alba. Even the crystal refined in the furnace
will quickly show you on inspection Servum fugitivum, a wonder-child to many artists. The
one effecting this all is Principium laboris. On the right hand in the barrel are Sol and Luna,
the intelligence of the firmament. The Senior plants in it Rad. Rubeam and albam. Now you
proceed with constancy and Arbor artis appears to you, with its blossoms it announces now
Lapidem Philosophorum. Over all, the crown of the glory, ruling over all treasures.

Be diligent, peaceful, constant and pious; pray that God may help thee. And if thou attain,
never forget the poor. Then thou wilt praise God with the legion of the angels, now and
forever.
 Mercy - Choice
Light, strength, Darkness, evil-
joy in the doing, fear in
recognition of Godlessness,
God's virtue sin and vice.
and hymn of
praise.

Come ye to Go ye to the
the Mercy- pit of fire
Seat.

Fire or life, half in darkness, half The being, made of the

Harsh, hard, cold, severe, in light, is the setting alight and forenamed six spiritual
sharp, sour, inclined to the goal of separation. qualities, in which they lie bodily
rudeness and earthliness, its and in readiness, as in their
desire consists out of these coffer.
qualities

Is the power from

Bitter, drawing
the life of light, in
and moving out
it is fulfilled God's
of the harsh
word of the
quality, which
cognition, sound,
causes a sting
call and tone.
within, and
remains in that
spirit, the
existence of
mobility.
Light, love, fire,
which burns in
Fear, heat, the oil of Mercy,
therein consists in which consists
the sensibilities. the heavenly life.
Whenever the first three qualities of the first dark Principii gain the upper hand, then the others
are tied up around their Centro and all seven are evil. Then Saturnus stands for avarice,
Mercurius for envy, Mars for wrath, Sol for vanity, Venus for lewdness, Jupiter for cunning and
Luna for bodily desire, which are the seven evil spirits ruling within the old human being.

But when the three in the Principio of light have the upper hand and are born out of the dark
Centro, so that they are in accordance with their innermost depths of light, which is the new
birth in man, all seven are good, and then Saturnius stands for compassion, Mercurius for doing
good, Mars for gentleness, Sol for humility, Venus for chastity, Jupiter for wisdom, and Luna for
Christ's flesh or body.
The
Hermetic
Philosophy
I attract all those
seeking God and the
truth; those alone will
find the art. I am the
Magnet-Stone of
divine love; attracting
the Iron-hard men on
the road to the truth.

I am the moisture
which preserves
everything in nature
and makes it live, I
pass from the upper to
the lower planes; I am
the heavenly dew and
the fat of the land; I am
the fiery water and the
watery fire; nothing
may live without me in
time; I am close to all
things yea; in and
through all things, This moisture
nevertheless unknown. must be caught,
Nevertheless I only am lest it should
in the grasp of the change into
Philosophers. vapour or fume.
I unfold and fold up
again,
Bringing contentment The two vapours
to the artists, are the roots of
Without me thou canst the art.
do nothing
Furthering any of your
affairs.
Therefore fear God,
pray and work in
patience, if you find
me your want would
cease and you have a
merciful God who
befriendeth thee and
giveth thee whatever
thy heart may desire.
 The Prima Materia derives its existence from the Fiat, the Word of creation. And this Word comes
from the Father who is the creator of all things, and the Spirit radiates from both: This is God's life
giving air. Then, too, air brings to Iife everything within the elements. The fire warms all things,
the water refreshes, delights and saturates all things: And the nitrous earth, Mother-like,
nourishes and sustains all things; the air was born out of fire, and in turn makes the fire burn, that
it may live, but air in the form of water is food for the fire, and the fire burns into this element:
Water and dew of the ground, the greasy fat dew of the ground, the earth as keeper of nitrous salt
nourishes it. For the womb of the earth is the sulphuric nitrous salt of nature, the one good thing
God has created in this visible world.

The same Salt-Mother of the elements is the nitrous, aluminous and spiritual gumosic water,

earth or crystal, which has Nature in its womb, a Son of the Sun, and a Daughter of the
Moon. It is a Hermaphrodite, born out of the wind, a phoenix living in fire, a pelican, reviving his
dear young ones with its blood; the young Icarus, drowned in the water, whose nurse is the earth,
whose Mother is the wind, whose Father is the fire, the water her caretaker and drink, one stone
and no stone, one water and no water, nevertheless a stone of living power and a water of living
might; a sulphur, a mercury, a salt, hidden deep in nature, and which no fool has ever known nor
seen.

Deus vendit sua dona pro labore

LIGHT of THEOLOGY.
O man, know God and thyself: so thou mayest THREE WORLDS INHABIT ONE WORLD
know what is in Heaven and on Earth.
What God was without The eternal heavenly The great world with all
begining. Without What man was without world. its creatures.
begining. begining.

Without Middle. Without

end.
The small world, as the human being.
What man was before
What God was before the the begining in
begining in eternity. eternity.
Spirit.

God.
Omnia sunt non Ens,
Spirit.Person Spirit.Word.
& Omnia sunt Ens.
Un. ad Trin. Trin ad Un.
What man was in the
What God was in the begining. THREE NATURAL SUNS IN THE
begining. OUT OF NATURE. WORLD
ELOHIM. Sulphur. Mercur.
The great Sun in The small Sun within
heaven. the human being.
Father and Mother of
all creatures.

Sal.
Word. Spirit.
Dust of the ground.

What God is in time.

What man is in time.
The lowest Sun in the earth.

What God is after time.

FATHER. 7 PLANETS. 7 RANKS.
What man is after
time.

BODY and
SPIRIT.

H. GHOST MAN. SON.

7 METALS.

NEW CREATURE.
AZOTH Nomen compositum
ex primis & ultimis literis
Linguae Hebraicae; Graecae
& Latinae.

POCULUM PANSOPHIAE
 The 11th &12th (Tabula Smaragdina Hermetis) diagrams

Picture of the Human Heart in the Old and the New Creature

This scripture must be understood out of the innermost and unto the outermost.
Everything that is in the great world, is in God hath caused all men to be born again
man too, for he is created out of it out of love and hath already enkindled the
therefore he is the small world and his light within them in their Mother's womb,
heart is his center. Note this well! and He Himself, is the light, the morning
star, shining from within them.

A heart is wide
This figure
at the top,
explains the 1.
narrow at the
Epistle of
bottom, to be
John, and the
opened to God,
same explains
closed to
this figure
earthliness.

God is threefold, the Word Jesus Christ yesterday,

is threefold and 2 times 2 is today and in eternity. Who
6, pertaining to the there is and was, who there
innermost person and cometh, the begining and
morningstar within our The old birth of death in darkness must end, Alpha and Omega, in
heart, which is Jesus be slain through cross and suffering, in Him is the fullness of the
Christ, the one point. a wide circle is the reason captured and Godhead bodily. Hallelujah,
through the Word, man is being led Gloria in Excelsus Dec.
back into the spirit, into the rebirth, into Aman
the light, in Christo, where alone there is
quiet, peace, eternal life and the
kingdom of heaven.
 No.1. Here is Christus born a man according to the flesh of Maria, about this He said in John
6. The flesh pacifieth nothing. Here is the human birth from Adam, the old Creature,
sinful, mortal, does not come into the heavenly kingdom, man liveth in darkness,
blindness, night and death, in his reason from the power of the stars and the 4
Elements, out of which come sickness, out of which are invented the handling of the
arts, higher schools, ecclesiastical and secular offices and position, so far they are in
the heart. Over which rules the authority which God ordered. All this is in vain and
mortal, into this darkness shineth the light, and the darkness comprehendeth it not.
Herein belong Christians, Jews, Turks and heathens, they are altogether sinners and
lack the glory they ought to have before God; they are all resolved in God's wrath.
No.2. Here Christus is grieved in his soul and tempted by the devil, the innermost conscience
out of the stars is being tempted by lust of the eyes, deed of the flesh and of vanity,
with assurance and despair. Here the Holy Scriptures become dead letters, bringing
forth sects, superstitious and fleshly priests, fearing God's word might be taken away
from them, meaning the dead letter. The authorities want to fight with the sword for
religion, killing the believers, Christ and His apostles, thinking to serve God, divine
things are just so much foolishness to them, they can understand Christ only in the
flesh and according to the tribe of David, they make divisions, cliques, and sects.
No.3. Here is the separation of light from darkness, the dawn comes up, all temporalites will
be foresaken, through many sorrows we have to enter into the kingdom of God, man is
a fool to the world, Christ is being crucified in him and he in Christ, therefore he is a
cross to the world and the world a cross to him, here stands calmness, whoever
turneth toward the light lives in Christ and Christ in him in time and eternity.
No.4. The old hath to go entirely: for behold: I make all things new. Here is the rebirth by
water and spirit, from on high through the word of truth, a new creature born of God.
Christ hath become flesh, ressurected in the human being, awakening him from the
dead, nourishing him with his real flesh and blood unto life. Christ is the word of the
father, the book of life, the Gospel, the power of God He causeth belief, and He
blesseth. He is king, ruling with the sword of the spirit, man becometh divine nature,
hath his life in heaven with Christ.
No.5. The Holy Ghost is the ointment, teacheth men innermost Divine things; man hath
become a temple of God, indwelt by the Holy Trinity. Christ in man, God and man,
cringing about love. Christus is all in all, the sole One.

O LORD, merciful GOD, open the human heart,

to understand Thy secrets through the Holy Ghost.

Who hath well understood the figure, Wrath in hell and darkness;
Hath understanding, also, of the scriptures. This certainly is a picture of man.
Three worlds hath God created, On this earth he only hath to choose
In heaven love, on earth mercy, Which way to go, the end is to his will.
 TABULA SMARAGDINA HERMETIS

VERBA SECRETORUM HERMETIS

It is true, certain, and without falsehood, that whatever is below is like that
which is above; and that which is above is like that which is below: to accomplish
the one wonderful work. As all things are derived from the One Only Thing, by the
will and by the word of the One Only One who created it in His Mind, so all things
owe their existence to this Unity by the order of Nature, and can be improved by
Adaptation to that Mind.

Its Father is the Sun; its Mother is the Moon; the Wind carries it in its womb;
and its nurse is the Earth. This Thing is the Father of all perfect things in the world.
Its power is most perfect when it has again been changed into Earth. Separate the
Earth from the Fire, the subtle from the gross, but carefully and with great
judgment and skill.

It ascends from earth to heaven, and descends again, new born, to the earth,
taking unto itself thereby the power of the Above and the Below. Thus the splendor
of the whole world will be thine, and all darkness shall flee from thee.

This is the strongest of all powers, the Force of all forces, for it overcometh all
subtle things and can penetrate all that is solid. For thus was the world created,
and rare combinations, and wonders of many kinds are wrought.

Hence I am called HERMES TRISMEGISTUS, having mastered the three parts

of the wisdom of the whole world. What I have to say about the masterpiece of the
alchemical art, the Solar Work, is now ended.
 INTERPRETATION and EXPLANATION of the

TABULA SMARAGDINA HERMETIS

This picture, plain and insignificant in appearance,
Concealeth a great and important thing.
Yea, it containeth a secret of the kind
That is the greatest treasure in the world.
For what on this earth is deemed more excellent
Than to be a Lord who ever reeketh with gold,
And hath also a healthy body,
Fresh and hale all his life long,
Until the predestined time
That cannot be overstepped by any creature.
All this, as I have stated, clearly
Is contained within this figure.
Three separate shields are to be seen,
And on them are eagle, lion, and free star.
And painted in their very midst
Artfully stands an imperial globe.
Heaven and Earth in like manner
Are also placed herein intentionally,
And between the hands outstretched towards each other
Are to be seen the symbols of metals.
And in the circle surrounding the picture
Seven words are to be found inscribed.
Therefore I shall now tell
What each meaneth particularly
And then indicate without hesitation
How it is called by name.
Therein is a secret thing of the Wise
In which is to be found great power.
And how to prepare it will also
Be described in the following:
The three shields together indicate
Sal, Sulphur, and Mercurium.
The Sal hath been one Corpus that
Is the very last one in the Art.
The Sulphur henceforth is the soul
Without which the body can do nothing.
Mercurius is the spirit of power,
Holding together both body and soul,
Therefore it is called a medium
Since whatever is made without it hath no stability.
For soul and body could not die
Should spirit also be with them.
And soul and spirit could not be
Unless they had a body to dwell in,
And no power had body or spirit
If the soul did not accompany them.
This is the meaning of the Art:
The body giveth form and constancy,
The soul doth dye and tinge it,
The spirit maketh it fluid and penetrateth it.
And therefore the Art cannot be
In one of these three things alone.
Nor can the greatest secret exist alone:
It must have body, soul, and spirit.
And now what is the fourth,
From which the three originate,
The same names teach thee
And the sevenfold star in the lower shield.
The Lion likewise by its colour and power
Showeth its nature and its property.
In the Eagle yellow and white are manifest.
Mark my words well, for there is need of care:
The imperial orb doth exhibit
The symbol of this highest good.
Heaven and earth, four elements,
Fire , light, and water, are therein.
The two hands do testify with an oath
The right reason and the true knowledge,
And from what roots are derived
All of the metals and many other things.
Now there remain only the seven words,
Hear further what they mean:
If thou dost now understand this well
This knowledge shall nevermore fail thee.
Every word standeth for a city
Each of which hath but one gate.
The first signifieth gold, is intentionally yellow.
The second for fair white silver.
The third, Mercurius, is likewise grey.
The fourth for tin, is heaven-blue.
The fifth for iron, is blood-red.
The sixth for copper, is true green.
The seventh for lead, is black as coal.
Mark what I mean, understand me well:
In these city gates, indeed,
Standeth the whole ground of the Art.
For no one city alone can effect anything,
The others must also be close at hand.
And as soon as the gates are closed
One cannot enter any city.
And if they had no gates
Not one thing could they accomplish.
But if these gates are close together
A ray of light appeareth from seven colors.
Shining very brightly together
Their might is incomparable.
Thou canst not find such wonders on earth,
Wherefore hearken unto further particulars:
Seven letters, and seven words,
Seven cities, and seven gates,
Seven times, and seven metals,
Seven days, and seven ciphers.
Whereby I mean seven herbs
Also seven arts and' seven stones.
Therein stands every lasting art.
Well for him who findeth this.
If this be too hard for thee to understand
Here me again in a few other particulars:
Truly I reveal to thee
Very clearly and plainly, without hatred or envy,
How it is named with one word
Vitriol, for him who understandeth it.
If thou wouldst oft figure out
This Cabbalistic way with all diligence,
Seven and fifty in the cipher
Thou findest figured everywhere.
Let not the Work discourage thee,
Understand me rightly, so shalt thou enjoy it.
Besides that, note this fully,
There is a water which doth not make wet.
From it the metals are produced,
It is frozen as hard as ice.
A moistened dust a fuller wind doth raise,
Wherein are all qualities.
If thou dost not understand this,
Then I may not name it for thee otherwise.
Now I will instruct thee
How it should be prepared.
There are seven ways for this art,
If thou neglectest any of them thou workest in vain.
But thou must, before all things else, know
Thou hast to succeed in purification.
And although this be twofold,
Thou art in need of one alone.
The first work is freely done by it
Without any other addition,
Without distilling something in it,
Simply through its putrefication.
From all of its earthliness
Is everything afterwards prepared.
This first way hath two paths,
Happy is he who goeth on the right path.
The first extendeth through the strength of fire,
With and in itself, note this well.
The second extendeth further
Until one cometh to treasure and to gain.
This is done by dissolving,
And again by saturating, I inform you:
This must be undertaken first of all,
So comest thou to the end of the fine art.
After the whole purification hath been completed
It will be prepared and boiled in the sun
Or in the warm dung of its time,
Which extendeth itself very far
Until it becometh constant and perfect,
And the treasure of the Wise is in it.
The other ways are very subtle
And many mighty one fail therein,
For here is the purpose of the distillation
And the sublimation of the Wise Men.
The separation of the four elements
Is also called by the Wise Men
Air, water, and rectified fire.
The earth on the ground hath mislead many,
Having been deemed a worthless thing,
Although all the power lieth in it.
Some know not how to separate it
From their Cortibus, therefore they fail.
It was cast behind the door,
But the Wise Man taketh it up again,
Purifieth it snow-white and clear:
This is the ground, I say in truth.
But if thou dost wish to separate it,
Note that it is of no little importance,
For if they are not prepared
Then you are in error, that I swear.
Therefore thou must also have some vinegar
Which is revealed to the Wise Men,
Wherewith thou wilt effect the separation,
So that nothing earthly remaineth in it any more,
Till body and soul have to be separated,
Otherwise called fire and earth
And after they are thus purified,

And thereupon followeth the mixture, observe!

And so it cometh to a wondrous strength,
The finished figures with the unfinished.
And if the fire be likewise rightly controlled,
It will be entirely perfect
In much less time than a year
Now thou hast the entire way in its length
On which are not more than two paths.
From these one soon wandereth and goeth astray,
Else it all standeth clear and plain.
The one is the water of the Wise Men, Which is the Mercurius alone.
The other is called a vinegar,
And it is known only to a very few.
And this vinegar doth circle
Away from the philosophical iron.
It is Lord Aes whom it maketh glad.
Therefore they have combined so closely
Many hundred forms and names are given
After each hath chosen it.
One way springeth from the true source,
A few have worked on it for a whole year.
But many through their art and craft
Have shortened so long a space of time.
And quickly is the preparation set free
As Alchemy doth point out.
The preparation alone
Maketh this stone great and glorious.
Although there is but one matter
It lacketh nothing else.
But when it is clarified
Its name hath misled many.
However, I have revealed enough to thee
In many ways, forms, and fashions.
There are many names; I say
Let not thyself be misled from the true way.
In their scriptures the Elders write
That it is a draught, a great poison.
Others call it a snake, a monster,
Which is not costly anywhere.
It is common to all men
Throughout the world, to rich and also to poor.
It is the property of the metals
Through which they conquer victoriously.
The same is a perfection
And setteth a golden crown upon it.
Now the practice is completed
For him who understandeth it and knoweth the matter.
Only two things more are to be chosen
Which thou wilt find by now
If thou dost follow the right way
And attend carefully to thy work.
The composition is the one
Which the Mise Men kept secret.
The nature of the fire also hath hidden craft;
Therefore its order is another.
With that, one should, not deal too much
Or else all execution is lost.
One cannot be too subtle with it.
As the hen hatcheth out the chick
So also shall it be in the beginning,
And time itself will prove it.
For just as the fire is regulated
Will this treasure itself be produced.
Be industrious, constant, peaceful, and pious,
And also ask God for His help:
If thou dost obtain that, then always remember
The poor and their needs.
The 21st diagram (Figura Divina)
 Second Book
The 1st diagram (Virgin Sophia)
 Second Book
The 12th diagram (Primum Mobile)