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As always, Donna translates what was somewhat overwhelming
into a practical how-­to and step-­by-­step guide that will be
a game-changer for us all. Every team member in every
organisation needs this book on their shelf to use ChatGPT
to increase their capacity. I’ve already used it for social media
content plans, sharing stories and metaphors in content and
finding ways to delight my customers that would have taken
hours of time but with ChatGPT were done in a few minutes.
I’m off to create more clever prompts to help me optimise my
time even more!
—­ Jane Anderson, award-­w inning business
consultant, Forbes contributor and author
of ten books

Donna has shared a wealth of insights about the potentials (and

the perils) associated with ChatGPT. She cleverly explores
practical examples that illustrate how we can leverage the
tool, both professionally and personally, so we can save our
most precious resources as humans, TIME! This book was
a catalyst for me to start to think about the myriad of other
ways to bolster my productivity with ChatGPT.
—­ Dr Kristy Goodwin, digital peak-­performance
and wellbeing researcher, speaker and author

As someone who thought they already knew a lot about

ChatGPT I was blown away by how much more I learned from
this book. So many examples, tips and tricks to turbocharge
anyone’s ChatGPT journey. AI and machine learning aren’t
going away, and Donna’s book equips you to come along for
the ride. Exciting stuff.
—­ A nne-­Marie Hyde, ACA, associate partner,
Professional Services
The ChatGPT Revolution is a how-to guide for anyone who
wants to get up to speed on this new technology and use
it to reclaim time for what matters most. Donna’s practical
approach will help you quickly master using ChatGPT for
day-­to-­day tasks from travel planning to letter writing … and
before you know it you will wonder how you managed your
life (and life admin) without it.
—­  Dinah Rowe-­Roberts, co-­author of
Life Admin Hacks and co-­host of the
Life Admin Hacks podcast

If you want the inside scoop on how to understand and use

ChatGPT and AI, both personally and professionally, The
ChatGPT Revolution is a must-­read! Whether you are new to
ChatGPT or been deep in it, Donna McGeorge provides a
practical breakdown of how to best utilise this mind-­blowing
technology for productivity and efficiency!
—­ A my Yamada, business coach for
Coaches & Entrepreneurs
THE

REVOLUTION
THE

REVOLUTION
How to Simplify
Your Work and
Life Admin with AI

DONNA
McGEORGE
First published in 2023 by John Wiley & Sons Australia, Ltd
Level 4, 600 Bourke St, Melbourne Victoria 3000, Australia
Typeset in Bembo Std 12/15pt
© John Wiley & Sons Australia, Ltd 2023
The moral rights of the author have been asserted
ISBN: 978-­1-­394-­20780-­0

All rights reserved. Except as permitted under the Australian Copyright

Act 1968 (for example, a fair dealing for the purposes of study, research,
criticism or review), no part of this book may be reproduced, stored in
a retrieval system, communicated or transmitted in any form or by any
means without prior written permission. All inquiries should be made to
the publisher at the address above.
Cover design by Wiley
Cover and part opener image © ioat/Shutterstock
Figure icons © warmworld/Adobe Stock
Disclaimer
The author generated portions of this text in part with ChatGPT,
OpenAI’s artificial intelligence chatbot. If verbatim content has been
used, this is clearly marked in the text and shown along with the prompt
used. In all other instances, upon generating draft language, the author
extensively reviewed, edited, and revised the language before proceeding
to publication. The material in this publication is of the nature of general
comment only, and does not represent professional advice. It is not
intended to provide specific guidance for particular circumstances and
it should not be relied on as the basis for any decision to take action or
not take action on any matter which it covers. Readers should obtain
professional advice where appropriate, before making any such decision.
To the maximum extent permitted by law, the author and publisher
disclaim all responsibility and liability to any person, arising directly
or indirectly from any person taking or not taking action based on the
information in this publication.
 Contents
About the author ix
Acknowledgementsxi
Introductionxiii
How to use this book xix
Part I: Get curious 1
1 What is ChatGPT? 5
2 The pros and cons 27
3 It’s all about the prompts 43
Part II: Get produc­tive 67
4 At work 71
5 At home 97
6 Beyond the basics 127
Where to from here? 141
A word of advice 149
The elephant in the room 153
References157
 About the author
Donna McGeorge makes work work.

She is passionate about enhancing the time we spend in the

workplace (too much, for many of us) to ensure it is effective
and productive, and enjoyable.

Donna has worked with managers and leaders throughout

Australia and the Asia–Pacific for over 20 years. In 2020 she,
like many of us, transitioned her work from live, in-­person
to online. She delivers productivity programs, keynotes and
webinars globally across a mix of industries.

Her CV is as eclectic as her record collection (yes, classic

vinyl). In addition to roles at Telstra, Qantas, Ernst & Young
and Ansett, she has managed theatre, sports, and concert
tours for the UK-­based travel company Keith Prowse, and
been the Asia–Pacific organisational development manager
for the Ford Motor Company in Shanghai.

Donna also shares her knowledge for good through

appearances on The Today Show, Sky News, radio interviews
across Australia, and articles for Harvard Business Review, Forbes
and Fast Company, as well as local publications, including The
Age, Boss Magazine, Smart Company, B&T Magazine and HRM.

ix
 The ChatGPT Revolution

This book compliments her best-­selling productivity series,

‘It’s About Time’, which includes The 25 Minute Meeting
(2018), The First 2 Hours (2019) and The 1 Day Refund (2022),
also published by John Wiley & Sons.

She runs her business from her home in Hope Island, Southeast
Queensland, a region known for its world-­class beaches and
golf courses, but her most creative moments come while
sipping tea on her balcony and gazing at the meandering
waterways with her husband, Steve, and her dog, Prudence.

Donna believes that while workplaces are complex, they are

not hard. More often than not it’s getting the simple things
right, consistently, that has the greatest impact.

She also knows that when we decide to be intentional, we

can surprise ourselves with what we can achieve.

www.donnamcgeorge.com

x
Acknowledgements
In 2018 I published my first ‘proper’ book, The 25 Minute
Meeting. It was a super-­steep learning curve, and I couldn’t
have done it without the team who supported me. In 2019,
just a year later, I published The First 2 Hours and, in 2022
following the global pandemic, I published my third book,
The 1 Day Refund.

I thought I was done.

And then I got a call from Lucy Raymond at Wiley offering

me the opportunity to write this book.

The difference this time is that it came at a challenging time

both personally and professionally, and I wasn’t sure if I had
the capacity to write another book. And … here we are.

Again, it has been a team effort.

Lucy Raymond, Leigh McClennan, Melanie Dankel, Ingrid

Bond, Renee Aurish and the team at Wiley — thank you for
offering me this opportunity. You have opened up my work
to a whole new market with this one and, despite the frantic
pace, it felt effortless.

xi
 The ChatGPT Revolution

Kelly Irving: For running your eye over my shitty first draft
and realigning me with the purpose for the book.

Joanne Smith: My sister and often partner in crime. We

decided to get curious early about ChatGPT and kept sharing
our various discoveries and delights as it saved us hours of
work in the creation of content.

Janine Garner: For being my sounding board. You expe­

rienced the highs and lows of this book, and had my back the
whole way.

Maree Burgess: My conscience. Whenever I have a dilemma,

you help me cut right to the chase, providing clarity where
there was confusion.

Anne Marie: Once again your honesty and humour in

applying your exquisite knowledge of the Queen’s English
are appreciated and loved. Thank you.

Emma McGeorge: You continue to be the inspiration for

much of my writing as I strive to create a better working
environment for everyone and, particularly, for you. I love
you, my darling girl.

And, finally, there is nothing I could do in my professional

or personal life without the loving support of my husband,
Steve. This one was particularly challenging because of
the compressed time frames, and you were patient and
understanding as our carefully curated life was interrupted.

xii
 Introduction
I write books about productivity because I’m on a mission
to give people back time for the most important things in
their world. I get ideas for books when I speak with people in
organisations about the things that are preventing them from
being their best selves or doing their best work.

Hence my books are about things like meetings, structuring

your day, and creating space to think and breathe.

So, when my publisher came to me and asked me to write

a book about how artificial intelligence (AI) or, more
specifically, ChatGPT could help us with productivity, I
went straight back to the problems that people share with me.

In addition to the three things above, the issues that I regularly

hear about (that may be future books) include:

»» delegation
»» decisions
»» email
»» information overload
»» admin tasks
»» life admin.

xiii
 The ChatGPT Revolution

I’m sure the list goes on and on. This is the stuff that prevents
us from doing our ‘real’ work. We would describe it as
mundane, tedious and not very value-­adding, particularly if
they are tasks we don’t do very often. For example, when was
the last time you had to:

»» write a job description and ad for a role

»» write a policy or procedure for a new starter in an
organisation
»» develop a presentation or proposal from scratch
»» handle a client complaint
»» plan an event?

All of these infrequent tasks take up a huge amount of time

when you only do them on rare occasions, particularly if
you are starting from scratch. They are difficult to delegate
because (a) you don’t do them very often, so (b) it’s easier and
quicker to just do them yourself.

ChatGPT has provided us with a tool to get through mundane

tasks. A tool to clean our slate of repetitive, uninteresting and
demotivating work that despite this must be done. The stuff
that prevents us from doing higher value work or keeps us
from our families or the things we work for.

Irrespective of where you are in an organisation, you now

have a virtual assistant, intern or support person to help you
get through these mundane tasks up to 50 per cent faster than
you were doing them before.

By combining ChatGPT with human input, a study by MIT

found that productivity increased by between 35 and 50 per
cent and the quality improved by up to 25 per cent.

xiv
 Introduction

The question at this point is: Could you use some help to simplify
your life and work, and free up more time in your day? If so,
read on.

What will you use all this

free time for?
The end of labour is to gain leisure.
—­  Aristotle

Thus, for the first time since his creation man will be faced
with his real, his permanent problem —­ how to use his freedom
from pressing economic cares, how to occupy the leisure,
which science and compound interest will have won for him,
to live wisely and agreeably and well.
—­  John Maynard Keynes

For centuries, technological advances from the printing press

through to the vacuum cleaner were invented to give us
more leisure time. Instead, all it did was give us more time
for work.

According to Oliver Burkeman, we are destined to be on

the planet for about 4000 weeks. I found this sobering, and
it bought into focus my mortality, which begged the further,
somewhat less philosophical thought, ‘I’m running out of
time, so I’d better use that time wisely.’

Now is the time to leverage technological advancements, like

AI and ChatGPT, to make that promise of increased leisure
time a reality.

xv
 The ChatGPT Revolution

There’s been a lot of buzz around ChatGPT and AI, and

while you may have heard a thing or two about it, chances are
you’ve picked up this book because you may not understand
what it does and how it could be useful to you in taking back
some of your valuable time.

This book is about getting beyond the buzz and giving you
access to a productivity boon.

Right now, people are already using ChatGPT to generate:

»» difficult emails
»» process flow charts
»» instruction guides
»» presentation outlines
»» job descriptions
»» job applications
»» administrative tasks
»» summaries and analyses of large amounts of
information
»» product descriptions
»» content, articles and blogs.

And in case you are wondering, yes, some people are using it
to help write books (I’ll get to that later).

ChatGPT and AI represent a significant step forward in the

ability of computers to understand and respond to human
language. It has the potential to transform the way people
interact with technology, providing a more natural and
intuitive experience.

xvi
 Introduction

But, as with any new technology or time-­saving application,

there’s always a danger that it could end up creating more
work than it saves. Email was supposed to make our lives
easier, but it has ended up being a nightmare for a lot of us.
I’m reminded of the German word Verschlimmbesserung, which
means ‘an intended improvement that makes things worse’.

If used effectively, ChatGPT has the potential to free up

valuable time for other activities, so I think the real question
is: What will you do with that time? As technology continues to
advance and make tasks easier and more efficient, it is up to us
to decide how to use our new-­found free time.

Disclaimer: Before going any further, you need to know

that these technologies are moving extremely fast, and they
are full of errors. Even while writing this book, things were
changing, and rumours were rife with what the next versions
and new applications would provide. With a technology this
explosive, chances are some of the ideas covered in this book
could be considered obsolete before it even hits the shelves.
Despite this, the fundamentals covered in this book provide
core strategies for getting the most out of AI and, more
specifically, ChatGPT.

You have no time to lose.

It’s time to join the revolution.

xvii
 How to use
this book
This book mirrors the way I run my webinars, workshops,
corporate programs and hands-­on sessions. It is practical and
easy to read and navigate, so you can quickly implement real
yet simple changes in the way you work.

It isn’t a hefty tome that you’ll have trouble carrying around,

or that you’ll leave on your bedside table to gather coffee-­
cup stains. Rather, it offers quick tips, real-­life stories, lots of
no-­nonsense advice, questions to encourage you to reflect on
how you’re working now and how you could use ChatGPT
to work simpler and smarter, and practical exercises to help
you get started.

My suggestion for working through this book is to keep it

simple and achievable. Start small and work your way up to
the bigger concepts. Read the book and choose one or two
things that resonate strongly with you and start to action
those immediately. (You will thank me when you see how
simple it really is.)

xix
 The ChatGPT Revolution

Part I is all about what ChatGPT is and the long history of

artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning (ML). You
may not realise how much you are already using AI and ML in
your day-­to-­day life. We will also cover why it’s important to
be curious and take the opportunity to learn about ChatGPT
and other AI/ML technologies. They are here to stay. It’s
time to get on board.

Part II introduces practical strategies to get started with

ChatGPT, and help you be productive both at work and
home. Imagine having a permanent intern or virtual assistant
at your side to get some of your mundane work out of the
way. That’s what’s on offer here!

As you read this book, I’d like you to heed the advice from my
late mentor and friend, Roger Deaner, who told me to ‘believe
nothing, and test or try everything’. This has helped me
maintain my curiosity in the face of negativity, blowhardedness
(I don’t know if that’s even a word!), and ’splaining.

So, this may seem counter-­ intuitive … but I encourage

you to not believe everything I say in this book. Instead,
I want you to get curious about ChatGPT and explore it for
yourself. This will provide you with a hands-­on experience
of its capabilities and limitations and allow you to explore its
potential applications.

As you read, you will find I can be a little irreverent at

times —­ because life and work are way too important to be
taken too seriously. And reading a book should be a pleasure,
not a pain!

So please read, implement, experiment and have fun

immersing yourself in the world of AI, ML and ChatGPT!

xx
PART I
GET
CURIOUS
What does Albert Einstein, your car and an African wildebeest
have in common?

No, this isn’t the start of a corny joke, and the answer is the
global positioning system (GPS).

Because of Einstein’s theory of relativity, GPS systems can help

us get from A to B in our cars, and also track the migratory
patterns of animals on the planet, including wildebeest, arctic
terns and humpback whales.

Do you think that Einstein had the tracking of birds’

migratory patterns in mind when he stood in front of four
blackboards-­worth of calculations and then simplified it to
E=MC2 ? Unlikely, and yet here we are.

Albert Einstein is widely regarded as one of the most brilliant

scientists in history. Throughout his life, he was driven by
an insatiable curiosity that led him to question the very
foundations of our understanding of the universe.

It’s his curiosity, and that of those who stood on his shoulders,
that has resulted in us having access to this extraordinary
technology, not only in our cars, but on the smart phones we
carry around in our pockets.

You may not realise it, but the masses have only had access
to GPS since 2010, and look at how it has already become
integrated into our lives. We couldn’t get a ride share car,
know the time or plan a picnic for a nice day without it.

Like GPS, artificial intelligence (AI) and applications like

ChatGPT are here to stay, and the extent of their use, and
subsequent integration into our lives, is still unclear. Even
when writing this book, changes were happening on a daily
2
basis and people were sharing how they were using AI to the
point where I couldn’t keep pace with it.

What has kept me going, and got this book into your hands,
is staying open minded and being curious.

Curiosity plays a critical role in driving

progress and shaping our understanding of
new technologies.

Let’s face it, in today’s world, where technological

breakthroughs are happening at an unprecedented pace,
staying current and informed can be challenging. You barely
have time to keep up with your email and calendar, let alone
new discoveries!

You need to take time to get curious about the merits of

ChatGPT and AI more generally, and understand how it can
simplify your life and work and ultimately save you time. Try
some of the following.

Carve out some time to get to know what it’s all about. You
probably only need an hour.

Read articles from different perspectives and discuss it with

colleagues.

Think about ways you might be able to use it, and get a
clearer picture of how it can help you.

Have an opinion. There is a lot of information out there right

now about this tool, and it’s coming from a range of perspectives.
Decide for yourself how useful (or not) it could be for you.

And in the meantime, let’s dig a bit further into how we can
use this tool to make your work
3 and life easier.
 CHAPTER 1
What is
ChatGPT?
My mate Sam has always been an avid user of social media,
was a very early adopter of apps like Facebook and Instagram,
and is always quickly on board with other tech. She was
actually the first person to ask me about ChatGPT.

When it came to her socials, she loved sharing her thoughts,

pictures and updates with her friends and family. However, as
she scrolled through her feed one day, she felt like something
was a bit off.

While advertising and sponsored posts had been in her feeds

for a while, suddenly it felt like every sponsored post or ad
was perfect and her desire to hit ‘buy’ was getting a bit out
of control.

It was as if the social media platform knew her

better than she knew herself.

5
 The ChatGPT Revolution

What Sam didn’t know was that, around 2013, Facebook

started to get very smart about the content it was pushing to
its users.

Power Digital, a digital marketing company, wrote that in

2013:

The newest algorithm was pushing more organic content from

brands so that users only saw posts that may be interesting to
them specifically. The algorithm analysed over 1000 different
factors with the goal of pushing high-­quality content.

Have you ever found yourself scrolling through social media

and suddenly an ad pops up that just seems perfect for you?
Maybe it’s a product that you’ve been thinking about or a
service that you’ve been meaning to try.

That’s how many of the social media AI and machine learning

(ML) algorithms work. Serving up content, products and
services that feel perfect for you based on your activity, and
the activity of those connected to you.

Today, AI and ML is everywhere, from the personal assistants

on our smartphones to the recommendation engines that
suggest what movies to watch or products to buy. Here are
some everyday examples of AI and ML in action.

»» Online retailers like Amazon use ML algorithms

to make recommendations based on your purchase
history and browsing behaviour. For example, if you
buy a book on Amazon, the site might suggest other
books that are similar in topic or style: ‘If you liked
The ChatGPT Revolution, then you might also like
other books by Donna McGeorge.’

6
 What is ChatGPT?

»» Virtual assistants like Siri, Amazon Alexa and Google

Assistant use natural language processing (NLP)
to understand and respond to spoken or written
commands. They can also perform simple tasks like
setting reminders or playing music.
»» Chatbots, which are becoming increasingly popular
for online customer service, use AI to simulate human
conversation and provide assistance to users. For
example, if you need help with an online purchase, a
chatbot might be able to answer your questions and
guide you through the process.
»» Autonomous vehicles, like self-­driving cars, use a
combination of sensors, cameras and ML algorithms to
navigate the road and avoid obstacles. These algorithms
are trained on massive amounts of data, including
images of road signs, traffic patterns and weather
conditions.
»» Medical researchers are using ML algorithms to
analyse large datasets of patient information, to
identify patterns and make more accurate diagnoses.
In some cases, ML algorithms have been able to
diagnose certain conditions more accurately than
human doctors.

And then along came ChatGPT.

But wait … what is ChatGPT?

Let’s cut to the chase with a definition that came from the
horse’s mouth.

7
 The ChatGPT Revolution

Example prompt: Describe what ChatGPT is.

ChatGPT: ChatGPT is a sophisticated computer

program that uses a type of artificial intelligence
called natural language processing to understand
and respond to human language. It has been
trained on a vast amount of text data and uses
that knowledge to generate responses to a wide
range of questions and topics.

It’s a bit like a virtual librarian who has read

every book in the world’s largest library, and
can provide you with information on any
topic you ask.

The GPT in its name stands for ‘generative pre-­

trained
transformer’, which is the name of the neural network
architecture that powers it.

It’s like a smart robot that can talk to people and answer their
questions.

You know how you can ask Siri or Alexa to tell you a joke or
play a song for you? ChatGPT uses similar technology, only
it can do a whole lot more. As a language model, ChatGPT
has been trained on a massive amount of data to be able to
understand and generate human-­like (natural) language.

This means that it can take in a question or a prompt in natural

language and generate a response, also in natural language,
similar to how a human would respond.

ChatGPT has been trained on a wide range of topics, from

simple trivia questions to more complex topics like science,

8
 What is ChatGPT?

history and politics. Its large database of information allows

it to provide detailed and (not always) accurate answers to
a variety of questions. We’ll talk more about accuracy in
Chapter 2.

You can use it for explanations of difficult concepts, to get

advice on personal or professional matters, or even just have a
conversation about a topic of interest.

And it’s fast! The first time I used it, I was stunned at how
quickly the information started streaming onto the page.

A brief history
While the application ChatGPT feels new, the underlying
principles and technologies have been around for quite a while.

AI and ML have come a long way since their inception in

the mid-­ t wentieth century. Although the term ‘artificial
intelligence’ was first coined in 1956, the ideas behind it date
back much further to the work of pioneers, such as:

Charles Babbage who designed the Difference Engine

(a calculator), and a kind of early computer called
the Analytical Engine during the 1820s. Considered
the great-­g randparents of modern computers, they
were never actually built; however, they inspired a
whole generation of computer scientists and engineers.
Babbage believed machines could perform tasks
beyond just simple calculations —­ he was all about
pushing the limits.

9
 The ChatGPT Revolution

Ada Lovelace who, as far back as the 1840s, is credited with

coming up with the first ever computer algorithm. She
worked with Charles Babbage on his Analytical Engine.
Lovelace was a visionary and saw the potential for
machines to learn and develop intelligence beyond their
programming. Basically, she was the original AI thinker!
Alan Turing is considered the father of AI. He came
up with the idea of the Universal Turing Machine, a
machine that could perform any computation a human
could. He also created the Turing test, which evaluates
a machine’s ability to exhibit human-­like intelligence.
His work was seriously groundbreaking and set the
stage for the development of modern AI and ML.

Fast-forward to the twenty-­first century and ChatGPT is

created by OpenAI, a research organisation founded by some
of the biggest names in the technology world, including Elon
Musk (who left the organisation in 2018) and Sam Altman
(the current CEO).

The team at OpenAI wanted to create a program that could

understand human language and generate responses in a way
that sounded like it was coming from a real person.

The first version of their language model was called GPT-­2,

and it was released in 2019. It was able to generate fairly good
responses to all kinds of prompts, questions or statements.
There were some concerns about how the technology could
be used to spread fake news and propaganda, so OpenAI
didn’t release the full version of the program right away.

The next version of the model, GPT-­3, was released in 2020,

and it was even better than GPT-­2. It was more sophisticated

10
 What is ChatGPT?

and powerful, and could generate not just coherent text, but
creative writing and computer programming code. It was a
huge step forward in everyday utility around time saving.

ChatGPT was launched to the general public on 30 November

2022 and uses GPT-­3.5 as its operating model. At the time
of release, GPT-­3.5 was the largest AI language model out
there with a whopping 175 billion parameters. This enables
it to perform a range of tasks, from translating languages to
summarising texts to answering questions —­ a ll with minimal
fine-­tuning. And fast!

In mid-­March 2023, ChatGPT was upgraded, with GPT-­4

providing even more firepower. It works with around 100
trillion parameters, meaning it can go well beyond writing
essays and articles to creating art and music.

To put the difference between GPT-­3.5 and GPT-­4 into

perspective, it’s like comparing the number of grains of sand
on a beach to the number of grains of sand in the world. This
means a whole bunch of new ways to incorporate it into work
and home to relieve us of our administrivia and allow us to
get on with enjoying life.

I like to think of it as a virtual assistant,

colleague or friend that can help you with
work, provide advice or just have a casual
conversation with you.

ChatGPT has been trained on a massive dataset of text, giving

it the ability to understand and respond to natural language
questions and, just like a librarian who needs to continuously
update their knowledge by reading new books, ChatGPT is

11
 The ChatGPT Revolution

regularly updated and fine-­tuned to ensure its responses are

accurate and up-­to-­date.

With its ability to process vast amounts of information and

generate human-­like text, there are endless applications.

I have spoken to a few people who are not sure how ChatGPT
is different to a search engine. The best way to explain this
is to give an example. If I go to a search engine and type
‘vegetarian recipes with potato, cheese and spices’, I get
53 100 000 hits and pages to trawl through to find what I’m
looking for. Time consuming, right?

On the other hand, if I prompt ChatGPT with, ‘Give me

vegetarian recipes that include potato, cheese and spices’, it
responds with ingredients, instructions and, if you ask it, a
shopping list. And if you don’t like the first response (in this
case it was cheesy potato wedges), ask it for more until you
find something you like.

Just pause for a moment and think about what your life would be
like if you had a personal librarian at your fingertips who could
quickly provide you with the information you need, without
having to go through multiple books or search engine results.

This is the power of ChatGPT —­ your very own virtual

librarian with a wealth of knowledge waiting to be explored.

Is this just another fad?

ChatGPT hit one million users in just five days after launching
back in November 2022.

12
 What is ChatGPT?

That’s an impressive feat, especially when you consider that

other popular online services usually take much longer to
reach the one million user mark (see figure 1.1, overleaf ).

To put this into perspective, the previous record holder,

Instagram, achieved one million users in just 2.5 months,
while Spotify and Dropbox took just five and seven
months, respectively.

It’s true that most online services took longer than ChatGPT
to gain one million users, but it’s worth noting that some of the
companies shown in figure 1.1 (overleaf ) were founded more
than 15 years ago. It’s fair to say that, as the internet has become
more ubiquitous over time, online services attain users faster.

This speed of uptake is the first piece of evidence that, for

me, says ChatGPT is here to stay in some way, shape or form.

The second piece of evidence is its ease of use. No programming

needed, no computer degree, just the ability to type —­ and
even that isn’t necessary if you use voice-­to-­text tools.

The third piece of evidence that it is here to stay is that it will

give people back time and make their work and life easier.

Finally, it will only improve over time. Since ChatGPT was

launched into the world in late 2022, there have already been
improvements, competing products that claim to be better,
and other applications of AI that are astounding users with
their cleverness and efficiency.

There are those who feel that they may not be tech-­savvy
enough to understand it, while others worry about the impact
it may have on their lives. Maybe it’s too complicated, or you

13
 The ChatGPT Revolution

Netflix 1999 3.5 years

Kickstarter* 2009 2.5 years

Airbnb** 2008 2.5 years

Twitter 2006 2 years

Foursquare*** 2009 13 months

Facebook 2004 10 months

Dropbox 2008 7 months

Instagram 2010 5 months

ChatGPT 2022 5 days

*One million backers

**One million nights booked
***One million downloads

Figure 1.1: Time to one million users

Source: Statista, www.statista.com/chart/29174/time-to-one-million-users/

14
 What is ChatGPT?

don’t have the technical skills required to use it effectively,

or maybe you worry that you will make a mistake and cause
something to go wrong.

You can’t break ChatGPT.

These emerging technologies are becoming increasingly user-­

friendly. They are getting easier and more intuitive to use,
and ChatGPT is a great example of that. For a sophisticated
model that uses AI and NLP to provide users with answers to
their questions, it’s incredibly easy to use.

All you have to do is type in your question or prompt, and

ChatGPT will provide you with a clear and concise answer.
You don’t need to be an expert in AI or ML to use this
technology —­  it’s designed to be accessible to everyone.
And, if you don’t understand the answer, ask it to repeat the
response as if it were explaining it to a seven-­year-­old.

Here’s an example:

Prompt: Explain how nuclear fission works

ChatGPT: Nuclear fission is a process in which

the nucleus of an atom is split into two or
more smaller nuclei, releasing a large amount of
energy in the process. The process of nuclear
fission is usually initiated by bombarding the
nucleus of an atom with a neutron.

When a neutron strikes the nucleus of an atom, it

may be absorbed, causing the nucleus to become
unstable and split into two or more smaller
nuclei, along with the release of several more
neutrons and a large amount of energy. These

15
 The ChatGPT Revolution

released neutrons can then go on to strike other

nuclei, causing a chain reaction and releasing
even more energy.

[I’m bamboozled already … blah blah blah]

Prompt: Now rewrite it as if you were explaining

it to a seven-­
year-­
old.

ChatGPT: Have you ever played with building

blocks? Imagine that an atom is like a building
block, and it’s made up of even smaller pieces.
When we split the atom by shooting tiny particles
at it, it breaks into even smaller pieces and
releases a lot of energy, kind of like when you
break apart a block tower and it falls down with
a big crash.

Scientists can use this energy to make electricity

that we use in our homes, but they have to be
very careful because it can also be dangerous
if it’s not handled properly. It’s like playing
with fire, it can be useful, but we have to be
careful not to get burned!

Okay. Got it!

It’s a tool for good

Some people worry about the impact technology has on their
lives. They feel that technology is taking over, and that they
are losing control over their time and attention.

This may be true for doom-­scrolling social media; however,

many of us spend hours every day doing research, whether it’s

16
 What is ChatGPT?

for work, school or personal interests. We can now streamline

this process and save ourselves valuable time. ChatGPT can
quickly find the information we need and present it in a
clear and concise manner, allowing us to focus on other tasks
and activities.

Of course, it’s important to remember that technology is not

a panacea for all of life’s ills. It’s not a replacement for human
interaction, and it certainly can’t solve all our problems.
However, by using it wisely, we can make our lives easier and
more productive, without sacrificing the things that make life
worth living.

Reclaim your work-­life balance

One of the biggest challenges of modern life is achieving
some semblance of work-­l ife balance. Many of us work longer
hours than we should, sacrificing time with loved ones and
neglecting the activities that bring us joy. But technologies
like ChatGPT can help us to reclaim our time.

We are already accustomed to technologies that help us

simplify our lives in other ways. For example:

»» budgeting apps help us track our expenses and manage

our finances more effectively
»» fitness apps help us stay in shape and maintain a
healthy lifestyle
»» video conferencing tools help us collaborate with
colleagues and clients, regardless of our location.

17
 The ChatGPT Revolution

By embracing technology and using it in these

ways, we create more time and space for the
things that matter most to us.

In the years between 2020 and 2023, remote work and working
from home took us to unprecedented heights of flexibility
and, for many, more balanced work-­life. Thanks to tools like
video conferencing and cloud-­based collaboration software,
it’s now easier than ever to work from anywhere in the world.
By working from home, we eliminate long commutes and
the associated stress and fatigue that come with them.

Instead of spending time grocery shopping, we can use online

ordering services that deliver food to our doorstep, freeing up
valuable time that we can use to pursue our hobbies and interests,
spend time with loved ones, or simply relax and recharge.

Fitness apps and wearable technology help us to stay healthy

and active, even when we’re busy with work and other
responsibilities. By tracking our daily activity and setting
goals, we can create a more balanced and healthier lifestyle that
supports our physical and mental wellbeing. I do, however,
sometimes tell my smartwatch to shut up as it reminds me,
once again, it’s time to do another 250 steps.

Social media platforms, messaging apps and video conferencing

tools can all help us stay in touch with our family and friends,
regardless of where we are in the world. By making time
for these connections, we can maintain strong and supportive
relationships that are essential for our wellbeing and happiness.

None of these technologies are a replacement for human

interaction, and I believe ChatGPT and other AI tools will
give us back time for the things that matter most to us:
18
Random documents with unrelated
content Scribd suggests to you:
be dissolved, but only to be penetrated, with conservation of their
forms, as they were when put in, and, without any diminution, to be
transmuted into better Metals; which in ♄ is most easy to be done.
Yet any Aqua Fortis, although you add to it thrice so much common
Water, will prey upon and dissolve ♄, ♃, ♀, and ♂, which is a thing
to be studiously avoided. Into the aforesaid Gradatory Water, in
which the fixed 🜍 is, cast a little common Salt, then the Aqua Fortis
becomes Enemy to the Lead, and assaults it, but indeed only to
penetrate, (not to dissolve the same) and to introduce the fixed 🜍.
After the Lead hath lain in such Water about 14 Days, it will swell
and wax white, leaving one half of it self upon the Cupel. But the
longer it shall lye in the Gradatory Water, so much the more
amended will it be.
If fixed 🜍 could as easily be turned into Gradatory Waters, the
same may easily be fixed; assuredly in the whole World there would
be no one particular more desirable than this, by the help of which,
great Riches might be acquired. For this same humid Graduation
requires almost no trouble or labour, more than putting filed or
rasped Lead for some time into the Gradatory Water, and after
Gradation, to take it out and cupellate it; being such a kind of Work,
as by Chymists is accounted a Childish Labour.
But to know and be able to convert fixed 🜍 into a Gradatory Water,
is the principal Artifice; and to participate of that, all diligence must
be used by him, whosoever he be, that is desirous to reap pleasant
and profitable Fruits from Chymistry. What do you desire? All things
needful to be spoken, cannot clearly be explained with a Pen; yet if
any one shall acquire the Salt of Metals, he may easily so far
introduce fixed 🜍 into Metals by that, as they shall be amended
thereby. Hitherto I have plainly enough described the Fixation of 🜍,
and prolixly demonstrated, how ingress may be procured to it, as
well by the Humid, as by the Dry way. Wherefore, whosoever shall
think himself concerned herein, let him follow these Prescripts, until
he find so much Good, as the favour of G O D will grant to him. For
the All of our hope depends on the blessing of G O D.
 In the mean while, I am not willing to conceal from the Searcher
of Art, this one only Artificial Manual Compendium, of converting 🜍
easily into a Gradatory Water. We above said, Aqua Fortis could find
no ingress for it self to the fixing of 🜍, before it was procured to it by
the help of Sal Mirabile. Therefore, since the way of preparing Sal
Mirabile is various, and one Salt is always more constant than
another; great Caution must be used, that the Sulphur be so
handled and accommodated, as it may be suddenly dissolved by the
sharp Aqua Fortis, and so not be precipitated into a white Powder.
For if this be not done, it will indeed be fixed by the Aqua Fortis, but
become very difficult to be dissolved. If it be well dissolved the first
time, after Fixation it will be easily dissolved. Which is a thing worthy
and profitable to be observed: For the whole hinge of Art consists
here. Therefore, if any one be well Skilled in Spagyrick Labours of
Fire, he will easily bring this Prescript to a good Effect; but if he be
not such, he will Labour in vain, and lose his Charges; and that not
without the good Pleasure of G O D, who Wills not, that every Man
should be made Rich. Nevertheless, if any one, with an indefatigable
study and patience of Search, shall hit the Mark, he will give thanks
to G O D and to me: If not, let him impute the Error to his own
unhappiness, since I have writ so openly and clearly, as no Man
before me ever did. My purpose is in this place to discover one most
excellent Secret; by the benefit of which, fixed 🜍 may easily be
changed into a Gradatory Water, and that the following way.
Choose such 🜍, as unto which Nature hath given greater Efficacy,
than to the common 🜍; such, I say, as is in a sort Mercurial, and in
which such beginnings of the Operation of Nature discover
themselves, as thence may be made a Metal of a Golden Disposition.
Such a Mercurial 🜍 you shall scarcely find in all the Metallurgy of
Gold; and that naturally Red, both internally and externally; and is
otherwise called by Paracelsus Embryonate Sulphur, or Cinnabarine
Sulphur, or immature mineral Electrum; but by Miners vulgarly called
the Flower of Gold: Also you may perceive it to have a great
Communion and similitude with Auripigment and Antimony. This
Sulphur is Mercurial, and toucheth Metals with a more near Affinity,
than vulgar simple 🜍, because after Fixation it is easie to be
dissolved, and before Fixation better to be wrought upon than
common 🜍, which partakes of no Mercury. And this 🜍 in the
abstraction of Aqua Fortis gives forth more of a beautiful Tincture
than any other common 🜍. Also this pure Soul may much better be
used in Medicine and in Alchymy, because it is both Mercurial and of
greater Efficacy, than the Soul of any common 🜍.
Note: Common 🜍 is not so easily prepared for Solution, as this;
because it is Mercurial, and therefore, hath more Communion with
Aqua Fortis, to be dissolved by help of it. And after it is dissolved, in
the Distillation it gives forth more Soul, and the fixed 🜍, which
remains in the bottom, is of greater Virtue in Medicine, than the
other of common 🜍. For by how much the more pernicious Venome
it was before Fixation so much the more Efficacious Medicine doth it
become, after the Venome is inverted by Fixation, and converted or
prepared into an Antidote or Treacle. Such 🜍 may also another way,
more commodious, than by Sal Mirabile, be prepared for easie
Solution: Which indeed is a thing of great moment, and worthy to be
observed.
This short, but necessary, Admonition I thought good to subjoyn
for the sake of the Searchers of Art; to the end it might be known,
that one 🜍 is better than another for preparing the aforesaid
Gradatory Water. Nevertheless, the known common Sulphur, as well
as that of Wood, is sufficiently conducible to be washed and fixed.
More at this time I have not to advise. In the mean while, if any one
be desirous to Labour, he may ingeniously search out all things fit for
his Invention, and earnestly strive for Riches. For I, without Envy, or
close Concealment, have so openly spoke my mind, as the least
blame cannot justly be imputed to me. But to prevent the Infelicity
of thy Error, my Reader, I could not do better, than I have here done
by Writing. Let it not be tedious to Thee to tread in our Footsteps,
and in the Footsteps of others, so long, as until you can attain to a
fortunate and desirable End; which will Crown your Work: Which
Work, by Idleness and sloath, together with Supine Ignorance, can
never be accomplished.
Having communicated these Gratis, every Man may hence satisfie
his Desires so, as not to trouble me further with his Inquiries.

A C O R O L L A R Y.

W e, in this small Treatise, have plainly shewed the Way or

Method, by which, every black Volatile and Combustible 🜍
may in the space of one day be converted, by washing, into a Snow-
like Candor, fixed and rendred constant in Fire.
Also how, in Fixation, the Aqua Fortis, being abstracted from the
Sulphur, carries with it self the most pure Soul of the Sulphur,
renders it fixed and durably permanent in Fire; and besides, that it is
not only a present Remedy for expelling Diseases most grievous in
the humane Body; but also, that it is endued with the Power of
transmuting imperfect Metals into ☉ and ☽, yet particularly only,
being destitute of such ☿, as can sufficiently extend it self in Efficacy.
Likewise we have taught, how to the more gross part of the 🜍,
which remains in the bottom, ingress may be procured for the
amending of Metals with Profit, both in the humid and the dry way.
Lastly, we shewed, how much one 🜍 excels another, and such 🜍
was to be accounted more excellent which contained in it self pure
☿; and that especially to be the most excellent, which before Fixation
was judged most venemous; and that for this Reason, viz. because
every Supream Venome, after Preparation, will become the highest
Medicament; and that the Melioration of such Sulphur is much more
Efficacious, than common Sulphur. Wherefore in this place, I am
willing, again and again, earnestly to commend to the Lovers of Art
Antimony, Red Arsenick, Yellow Auripigment, Ash-coloured
Cobaltum, Cakimia and Zinck, with Bismuth; because all these are
more excellent than common Sulphur. But he, that elaborates such
Subjects, so venemous, must studiously beware of the evil Fumes
arising from them. For as such a Subject before Preparation is mere
Venome, so, in preparing, its venomous Disposition is more and
more increased; but after Preparation, that which was deadly, now
becomes a most Salubrious Antidote or Treacle, and present Remedy
against all kinds of Poisons.
Note: Whosoever is desirous to be securely freed from all Peril,
him I would advise, to learn the way of fixing some common 🜍,
before he rashly attempts to invade the Fort of such noxious
Venoms.
Therefore, whatsoever we have hitherto taught are not vulgar
Matters, or Arts well known before, but merely great Arcanum’s, and
those very lately invented. For, who could believe, that common 🜍, a
Substance easily inflameable and burnable, should in one day be so
fixed, as to be able to remain unhurt against all the force of Vulcan?
Who could have persuaded himself, that the most venemous
Venoms, as Cobalt, Arsenick and the like, may in one day be
Artificially inverted, and their mortal Venoms converted into
Salubrious Antidotes? Lastly, who could ever have thought, that of
the most Volatile Mineral Subjects, as 🜍, Antimony, Arsenick,
Auripigment and others of that kind, in the space of one day may be
prepared a Tincture (constant in Fire) for humane and Metallick
Bodies? No Man, if we had not in this small Treatise so evidently
demonstrated that, as it may be plainly understood. Wherefore, as I
have formerly said, so I am now ready to affirm, that I, in this small
Treatise, have revealed so great and admirable Arcanum’s, as no
Man (as far as the Memory of Man can tell) hath publish’d any thing
more clearly than I, touching such Secrets.
If any one is desirous to Learn, whence so swift a Fixation of
combustible Sulphur, or so sudden Metamorphosis of most deadly
Venoms, ariseth; to him, I will now discover the Cause. It is
sufficiently manifest, that Spirit of Nitre, as well as Aqua Fortis
distilled from Vitriol and Salt Nitre, possess such a fiery Disposition,
by which all combustible and Volatile Minerals are ripened. And
being ripened, they are also fixed; as if fixed things must of
necessity be Mature, and consequently no more noxious or deadly to
Mortals. For whatsoever is rough, crude and immature, the Stomach
of Man cannot digest, but rejects and casts out that, (by which it
may be injured) as Venome: According as is easily discerned in all
Catharticks, either Vegetable, Animal or Mineral, which, by reason of
their Crudity, are so great an offence to the Stomach of Man, as it
frees it self from them, either by Vomit or Seidge. And the more
crude and immature Purgers be, the more strongly do they Operate.
Hence usually (by the Prescript of Physicians) Purgers that are too
violent, before they be taken into the Body, are amended by Fire. As
for Example. Squills and Diagridium, which too vehemently Purge,
are covered over with Dough and baked in an Oven, for correcting
the excessive Purging property in them, that they may cause
Evacuations more moderate and more safe. Antimony immoderately
Purging, is excocted, or melted in an open Fire with common Nitre
and Tartar, by which it is so far corrected, as it Purgeth without
vehemency. The same also is so corrected by spirit of Nitre, as it
loseth its purging Property, and instead of its Cathartick Virtue,
acquires to it self a Diaphoretick and Diuretick Property.
Common Tartar, taken into the Body, performs the Office of a
Cathartick: But the same, when the ripening Heat of the Sun, in the
more hot Regions of the World, hath took from it, its Acidity, and it,
in the Fermentation of Wine, becomes a fiery Spirit, it no more
exerciseth a purging Property, but rather hinders Purgers, and so
amends them, as they cannot Purge with so great vehemence, as
they were wont to manifest, before Correction; as is already
demonstrated by Us, where we treat of the Extraction of purging
Vegetables. Therefore if the common Fire of Coals, and Spirit of
Wine, correct Vegetables and Animals immoderately purging; why
should not the most strong Fire of Salt, such as Aqua Fortis is,
correct the most venomous Mineral Subjects, and be able to
transmute the same (deposing their noxious Qualities) into an
Antidote or Treacle?
 From all which, it is sufficiently manifest, that in correcting even
the most venomous Subjects, Mineral Spirits of Salt are sufficient;
being such, as can deprive them of all their pernicious Venome, and
change them into salutary Medicaments. Wherefore, I doubt not, but
that the ingenious Reader, by these few things demonstrated, will
sufficiently understand the cause of this sudden Correction or
Fixation of all Volatile and venomous Mineral Subjects. When Ancient
Philosophers, by Poetical Parables, described the laborious
Navigation of Jason to the Island Colchos, where resided an huge
Dragon vomiting Fire, which, with Eyes never closed, diligently
watched the Golden Fleece; they added this, viz: that Jason was
taught by his Wife Medea, to cast to this waking Dragon an edible
Medicine to be swallowed, whereby he should be killed and burst;
and that Jason should presently take the Dragon (thus slain) and
totally submerge him in the Stygian Lake. Jason, in this ingenious
Fable, Hieroglyphically represents the Philosophers; Medea, accurate
Meditations; the laborious and perillous Navigation, signifies
manifold Chymical Labours; the watching Dragon vomiting Fire,
denotes Salt Nitre and Sulphur; and the Golden Fleece is the
Tincture or Soul of Sulphur, by the help of which, Jason restored
Health to his Aged Father, and acquired to himself immense Riches.
By the Pills of Medea is understood the Preparation of Sulphur and
Sal Mirabile. By the total submersion of the Dragon in the Stygian
Lake, is intimated the Fixation of Sulphur by Stygian Water, that is,
Aqua Fortis. Whence, it is sufficiently clear, how obscurely the
Ancient Philosophers did describe their Fixation of 🜍 by Nitre, and
how secretly they hid it from the Eyes of the unworthy. But, since I,
in this Treatise, do as clearly as is possible discover all things, know,
that I do it not without Reason. It will be enough for any one, if he
rightly understand the Method of performing such a Fixation.
After any combustible 🜍 hath been fixed by Aqua Fortis, or Aqua
Regis, and ☉ and ☽ added to it in Fixation, then will that no more be
vulgar ☉ or ☽, being such as cannot again be dissolved in Aqua
Fortis, or Aqua Regis, nor upon a Cupel have Ingress into ♄, but
passeth as it were into a dry Earth, which can neither be reduced by
Borax, nor any other common fluxing Powders into a ductile Body. If
any one be desirous to know this by Experience, let him dissolve 🝳
of ☉ in Aqua Regis, and pour this Solution upon a Pound of Aqua
Regis, and also put this Aqua Regis upon ℥iiij of Butter of Antimony,
and abstract the Aqua Regis thence, Then he will find, that Gold,
which was in the Aqua Regis, to have mixed it self Radically with the
Sulphur and Mercury of Antimony; so as not only the Butter of
Antimony becomes fixed and irreducible, but it also renders the Gold
so irreducible, as thenceforth it can no more be separated from the
Antimony, but remains adhering to it in every Examen: And can only
be subduced by our Secret Salt of Metals, volatilized, or rendred
fusile, and so be introduced into other Metals for their Amendment.
Therefore, if such a destruction of ☉ can be made by Antimony,
less than the half of which is 🜍, but the greatest part ☿; how should
the same not be better performed by common 🜍, which is void of all
Mercury? I, in all those places where I have taught the Fixation of
Sulphur, did always advise, that Aqua Regis to be carefully kept,
which was abstracted from the Sulphur; but especially what
contained Gold; because together with the Aqua Fortis, the most
pure Soul of Gold and Sulphur ascends, and is as much fixed, (I
might say, more) as that which remains in the bottom. Wherefore, if
what I have here imparted be observed by any Reader, or by none,
it shall not trouble me, but I shall remain well contented, that I have
done my Part, and performed so much, as no Man before me ever
did; because I have openly taught the Method of extracting in a few
hours (by the help of Distillation) from ☉ and 🜍, or from ☉ and
Antimony, a fixed Tincture. And these I do willingly communicate to
the Searchers of Art.
Some write, that Miriam the Prophetess, and Sister of Moses,
knew the Art of elaborating the Tincture in three days, which seems
incredible to many Skilful Writers. But what will envious Persons
judge, when they shall hear, that GLAUBER, by a publick Writing,
without any manner of Concealment, hath taught the Method of
extracting a fixed Tincture out of ☉ and Antimony, fit to expel all
desperate Diseases out of the humane Body; and this work to be
compleated in one day? Undoubtedly they will exclaim and say: All
are Lyes, and such things are impossible to be done. The ignorance
and wickedness of these Men were much more tolerable, if, to their
Calumnies, they should also add, Our ignorant Brains persuade
amiss. For did they rightly know themselves they never would so
basely condemn and reprove the Experience of Others. But what
shall I write against such? Nothing, but the Old Proverb, Effeminate
Men, Effeminate Words; according to the Verse,

Each Bird so sings, as formed is his Bill;

And such as is the Man, so speak he will.

Indeed I would willingly have published more Examples, of the

Method of swiftly fixing Sulphur, but I am kept back by very weighty
Reasons. Yet I cannot chuse, but Commemorate these few things
thereabout; viz. that every 🜍, without the help of external Fire, by a
Secret invisible Fire only, which is added to the combustible 🜍, and
left with it for a small space of Time, in a cold place, becomes as
white and fixed, sustaining all force of Fire, as well as that Fixation,
which is made by Aqua Fortis, or his abstraction from the 🜍.
Wherefore this cold Fixation of Sulphur, by our Secret cold, and
humid Fire (because it needs no common Fire, no Body, and Head,
no Retort with its Receiver, and the like) is to be preferred before
the other Fixation by Aqua Fortis. Therefore for this, we give
Immortal Praises and Thanks to the most wise G O D.
If any Reader thinks, I have been too brief, or too obscure in this
Treatise, he may more amply satisfie his Desires from the two
following Tracts, where we treat of the Mercury and Salt of
Philosophers; whereunto we refer every one, that is a studious
Inquisitor of Art.
 OF THE

M E R C U RY of Philosophers.

M
ercury may easily be extracted not only from all Metals and
Minerals, but also from Animals, and Vegetable Subjects,
and of the same (by the help of Gold) be prepared a true
Tincture for all the three Kingdoms.
We, from the Consent of all true Philosophers, do certainly know,
that ☿ is the most pure part of the three Principles of Metals, and
therefore doth spontaneously adhere to most pure Metals, and
always embraceth them with greater affection, than the impure
Metals. As for Example, Mercury most willingly adheres to its own
like ☿; next to ☉; then to ☽; afterwards to ♃, and ♄; and lastly to ♀;
but to ♂ most unwillingly, only because it chooseth rather to mix it
self with its like, than with its unlike. For it is wholly Homogeneal,
void of all Heterogeneal parts; such also are ☉ and ☽. The greatest
part of all other Metals is Heterogeneal, although there is found no
imperfect Metal, which hath not in it self some part Homogeneal; yet
so, as the Metal participates more of the one, than of the other;
according to the Writings of Philosophers. Wherefore, a true
Philosopher will scarcely affirm, that, by the benefit of the Tincture,
the whole Body of imperfect Metals can be transmuted into ☉ or ☽,
since so great Virtue is not insited, even in the Philosophers Stone it
self. For the immature, foul, stinking, combustible and superfluous 🜍
of ♃, ♂ or ♀, cannot, in so short time, as Projection is wont to be
made in, be converted into ☉, although you cast in more than
enough of the Tincture: But as much as the Metal hath of
Homogeneity, that is, of Mercury, in it self, so much only is tinged
and fixed into Gold, the Residue not so. Because the Stone separates
the Heterogeneal parts, that is, the superfluous 🜍 burning it self (in
the form of Scoria) from the Mercury, which it only tingeth into Gold;
because it hath no Communion with those Heterogeneities; as I
have daily found, and in the following Part, where we treat of the
Salt of Philosophers, I purpose to demonstrate more at large.
 Now let us see the Method, by which Metallick ☿ may with little
Labour be extracted, not only from
Metals and Minerals, but also from all Animals and Vegetables. I
said, With little Labour, in respect of experienced Men. For in respect
of the Unskilful, it is not a Work of small Labour; but in the Memory
of all Ages it hath been accounted (by all the most experienced
Lovers of our Art) the Secret of Secrets, and the nearest way to
come to the Attainment of the true Universal Medicine. Nor will it
ever be of less Esteem, since in the whole Nature of things, a more
pure matter cannot be found, (whereof to make the Stone of
Philosophers) than this only Mercury of Metals. In the mean while, it
is easie to judge, that the Mercuries of Metals differ in themselves
notably, and that one of them is better, and more conducible than
another, for preparing thence a Tincture for Humane and Metalline
Bodies. For one is always better in Colour and Tincture than another.
Indeed, by the external Face, almost no Man is able certainly to
know, from what Metal or Mineral the best Mercury may be had: Yet
according to the general Opinion of Philosophers, the most excellent
☿ is wont to be prepared of the Vitriol of ♂ and ♀ ; because these
two Metals do most abound with Tinctures. I, being taught by
Experience, am assured, that out of black Ash-coloured ♄ may be
acquired a ☿, as excellently tinged, as from both those Red Metals, ♂
and ♀. Yet in the mean while I do not deny, that the ☿ of ♂ and ♀,
is impregnated with 🜍, tinging in the highest degree; as Ancient
Philosophers, in these few words, have compendiously expressed.
VITRIOLUM.
Visitaris Interiora Terræ, Rectificando Invenies
Occultum Lapidem, Veram Medicinam. By which Words,
VITRIOLUM [or Vitriol] is expressed; which process is no other, than
a Solution of Mars and Venus prepared by the Labour of Nature. But
Vitriol prepared thus by Nature, is never found so pure and clean, as
that which is prepared of good Steel, and pure ♀, by the help of Oyl
of Sulphur, or instead of that, Oyl of Vitriol: Because the Native
contains more Earthiness, than that which is made by Art. Now let
us return to our Mercury.
 I think good here, to advise all the Lovers of our Art, not to bend
their thoughts so much upon vulgar ☉ and ☽, as to endeavour out of
them to extract their ☿ and 🜍. Because common ☉ and ☽ are
altogether Homogeneal, and have nothing of Heterogeneity in them;
and therefore difficult to be wrought on. And although they were as
easie to be wrought on as ♂ and ♀; yet it would be no Profit to use
them; because of their greater Price, and also because there is much
more Tincture contained in vile and contemptible ♂, than in ☉ it self.
It is true, this Tincture is not yet fixed, but is volatile, and may easily
be fixed. Wherefore I advise every one to seek ☿ in ♄, and 🜍 in ♂.
Upon ☉, in times past, through my Ignorance, I consumed much
without any Profit, and laboured Fruitlesly, until I had consumed
some Pounds of it, to find out for others a more safe Way; which if
any one had shewed me, I would never have laboured in vain. But I
was hard to believe, that they, who were unwilling to use common ☉
and ☽, could prepare an apt Tincture, for tinging imperfect Metals
into Gold. Yet since vulgar ☉ and ☽, do not only give easie Ingress
to those Tinctures, which draw their Original from the 🜍 and ☿ of
Philosophers; but do also further the Fixation of volatile Mercury;
therefore we cannot well be without them, in the Composition of the
Stone of Philosophers. Let the Lovers of Art take Cognizance of
these few things for their Information.
Now it is necessary to be known, by what Method the ☿ of
Philosophers may most commodiously be extracted from Metals and
Minerals, and by the help of ☉, be duly fixed by Art, into a Tincture
for humane and metallick Bodies.
First, we are not ignorant, that the purest part of Metals, viz.:
Homogeneal Mercury, is tyrannically held Captive in a certain
obscure Prison, by his most inveterate Enemy, superfluous burning
Sulphur. Therefore, if any one would unbolt his Chains, and set him
free, he hath necessity to mortifie and annihilate his Enemies, by
which he is so fast bound and imprisoned, before he breaks down
the Prison Walls, and delivers Mercury from Captivity: Which ☿ will
also bring forth with him his natural Brother, viz. tinging 🜍. These
being at Liberty, nothing will be wanting to fix them into a Tincture,
but the help of vulgar ☉. But if any one be not satisfied with this
short Paraphrase, let him read either Sandivogius, who hath writ an
intire Treatise of such a freeing of Captives; or Paracelsus, who, no
less eminently than plainly, hath discovered his mind touching the
same.

Now follows my own Experience, Way and Method, By which I

have several times freed the forementioned Captive, and set
him at Liberty.
Although I have my self extracted the Mercury of Philosophers
from Metals, by such divers Methods, as I mean here to discover;
yet I always found some better than other some. Therefore out of
such Processes, some of which we here subjoyn, every Man may, as
best pleaseth him, take which he thinks most conducible, and
proceed in Operating according to that, until he finds, what G O D
shall be pleased to bestow on him.
Mercury is never to be extracted from hard Metals, before they be
dissolved and unlocked. Unlocked more commodiously they cannot
be, than by the Corrosive Spirits of Salt. Yet since all Corrosives are
most inimical to ☿, they have no Power of making either Living or
Running Mercury. Therefore, after Solution, the Corrosives must be
mortified by contrary Salts; such are, Salt of Tartar, Spirit of Urine,
Sal Armoniack, &c. This being done, the Corrosives changing their
Nature wax gentle, and in Distillation permit the ☿ to ascend: Which
otherwise, without Mortification of the Corrosive, would not happen,
as you will learn by the following Processes.
Therefore, since it is most certain, that Metals are to be dissolved,
before ☿ (by the help of Resusoitating Salts) can be distilled thence;
we will first exhibit the Method, by which ☿ may be extracted from
such Metals, as Nature presents to us already dissolved; viz. Vitriol,
which is no other than Mars or Venus, or ♂ and ♀ together,
dissolved by the Universal Acidity. Hence, whosoever will use (in his
intended Work) such Vitriol, in which both those Metals are found
highly tinged and dissolved by Nature; he will not need by tedious
Labours to seek out a new Method of dissolving Metals, but may
spare both his Time and Charges. Therefore, now it will be
expedient to teach, how Mercury may be prepared of any common
Vitriol.

The Process follows.

Distil from common Vitriol, in the usual manner, an Acid Spirit, and
fiery Oyl, with strong fire, according to Art. For in the Spirit is latent
the ☿ of ♂ and ☿, which by Mortifying the Corrosive, may be brought
to light, and made Visible, as follows.
℞. Of Tartar, calcined unto Whiteness ℔ i, or ij, which reduced to
Powder, put into a Glass Body, on which set an Head with its Hole
and Tunnel in it, well luted; then apply a Receiver, and lute the
Junctures exactly. When the Body and Head is placed in warm Sand,
through the Tunnel, at one time pour on about one or two Lotones
of the sharp Spirit of Vitriol, upon the Tartar calcined; whence will be
caused so great Ebullition, as by its own proper Power the Spirit will
ascend from it. This Duel or Fermentation being ended, again pour
in some Ounces of that Spirit; which also leave, till all the Ebullition
ceaseth. Afterward reiterate the like injection, until that Acidity
contends no more with the Tartar: Which will be an Argument, that
the Salt of Tartar is sufficiently mortified. When you see this,
administer Fire, and by Degrees draw forth all Humidities, untill the
Vessel and Matter is Red hot. The Water that ascended (which in
Taste will be almost like Spirit of Urine) must be rectified; in which
Rectification the ☿ of the Vitriol ascending, is rendred more subtile
and more pure. This pure Mercurial Water bears in it self invisibly
contained, a living Metallick Mercury, which is made conspicuous
thus,

The Conjunction of Philosophick Mercury with Gold.

 Dissolve common ☉ in a sharp Aqua Regis, and separate the
dissolved from the undissolved. Then leisurely, and at times, drop
after drop, pour of your subtile Mercurial Water upon the Solution of
☉, so long, as until the Spirit of the Mercury hath no more Action
upon the Solution of Gold, but ceaseth, and all the ☉ shall be
precipitated from the Water. In which Precipitation, the ☉ attracts to
its self the Mercury of the Vitriol, from the Mercurial Water, in such a
manner, as it settles to the bottom of the Vessel, in the form of
Slime, or a yellow Powder. Let the Precipitate be filtred through
brown Paper, that the Saline Water may pass through; and the
precipitate ☿ remain in the Filter mixt with the Gold; which must be
very well washed with sweet Water, and, being edulcorated, dryed.
This being done, you will have the ☿ of Vitriol united with the ☉:
Both which will suffer themselves to be fixed into a true Tincture, for
Humane and Metallick Bodies, as follows.

The Fixation of Mercury with Gold.

Note: Before the Mercury is put in to be fixed with the Gold, it
must be proved, whether it be duly prepared, or not. For if the
Mercurial Water was rightly prepared, it will contribute Mercury
enough to the Gold; by which ☿ the precipitated Gold is so
augmented, as tis no more common ☉. But if the Mercurial Water
was not legitimately prepared, and consequently could not
contribute much ☿ to the ☉, the Gold will remain poor, and, as soon
as it is sensible of any heat, will fulminate, like any other fulminating
Gold, and so be altogether unfit for Fixation, being destitute of a
tinging ☿, which should have converted the whole Body of ☉ into
Tincture. Wherefore, after Precipitation of the ☉ and ☿, you must
make a small part of the Precipitate hot, in a very small Crucible, for
Tryal, whether it be fit to be fixed. For if it fulminates, like
fulminating ☉, it is a sign your Mercurial Water was not perfect, and
could not give unto the Gold ☿ enough. But if after it shall be Red
hot in the Fire, it comes forth with a delicate purple Colour; it is to
be supposed, the ☉ hath imbibed ☿ enough, and they both be fixed
together into one Tincture.
Note: Beware of too strong a Fire. For this way the Mercury will
leave the Gold untouched, and fly away; so as, thence you can have
no certain Tryal. Therefore, in all parts of the Work proceed Warily
and Prudently. The Fixation of ☿ with ☉ is thus made:

The Fixation of the Mercury of ♂ and ♀, into one Tincture.

℞. So much as you have ready prepared of this our Mercury
impregnated with Gold, although there be no more of it, than half a
Loton: For here no great quantity is desired. Put it into a small Glass
Phial, which place in hot Sand; yet take heed, you give no stronger
Fire, than your Volatile Bird can bear. This Fire you must continue in
a moderate degree for some Weeks: For by that means, your
Mercury will by little and little, be able to brook the Fire, adhere to
the Gold, and convert the same into Tincture. But if any one,
contrary to the serious Interdiction of all Philosophers, make too
much haste, and persuade himself, he may in a shorter space of
time acquire the Tincture; his Mercury will fly away, and leave the
Gold pale behind it; because the ☿ in its flight substracts the Colour
of the ☉, and carries it away with it self. Therefore, in Fixing there is
need of Patience. Hence all Philosophers advise, not to be hasty. For
Festination proceeds from the Devil. Wherefore, let every one so far
study his own Good, as to be obedient to this Admonition.
Note: There are also other ways, or Methods, of fixing ☿ with ☉;
but he doth very foolishly, who, when no necessity urgeth, will
prostrate all things together and at once, at the feet of Swine.
Whomsoever G O D will be pleased to assist, he may triumph in the
highest help; but whom G O D doth not assist, even the most plainly
prescribed Method cannot help him. For all our help depends on the
divine Blessing.

How to prove, whether Mercury be Legitimately prepared, and

whether it can give forth the Tincture of Metals.
 ℞. Of the Mercurial Water above described, and mortifie it by a
contrary Acidity, as Oyl of Vitriol, or Spirit of Salt. Then the Mercury
will precipitate it self, in the form of an Ash-coloured Powder, which
if you edulcorate, and grind with Oyl of Tartar, you will vivifie. If any
one be minded, he may also distil the same by Retort, and so
examine it.

A Tryal, or Proof, whether the Mercury of Metals be so well

prepared, as of it with ☉ may be made a Tincture.
℞. A little of that, viz. the quantity of a Pea, and put it upon a
Silver Plate, then over the Fire permit the Mercury to be evaporated.
If it tinge the Silver well with a purple Colour, it is fit for the Work,
otherwise it will be of no Value. Also, this ☿ may be digested with the
filings of ☉, in a due measure or proportion mixed, and so fixed. But
this Fixation, as well as the former, require along time, and so much
Patience, as all Festination must be laid aside. Whosoever is so
covetous, as he cannot wait till the Fruits are Ripe; he would be
better advised, if he abstained from so great a Work, than to set
about it to his own Damage. I have often prepared this Mercury, and
put it to be fixed; but because I could not look to it my self with my
own Eyes, I was constrained to commit the Governance of the Fire,
to the Industry of another, and then it succeeded unhappily. And
when by reason of my Age, and imbecillity of Body, I was wholly
uncapable to take in hand a Work of so great moment, I
communicated the Method to some of my intimate Friends, with this
Condition, viz. that they should elaborate it themselves. But because
in that Operation, they could not acquire so much ☿ as they desired,
they desisted, and would not proceed to the Compleatment of the
Work. Hence I was moved rather, by Printing, to divulge so Royal a
Work, than to let it be buried with me: Although I was difficultly
brought to an hearty Assent, to yeild to the Revelation of Arcanum’s,
of so great moment, to this Malignant and unfaithful World.

The way of Preparing a tinging Mercury out of Antimony.

 ℞. Of Antimony, Saltpeter, and Tartar, of each ℔ j. Which, first
pulverized and mixed, put into a Crucible, and kindle the Mixture
with a Coal; when the Fulmination ceaseth, melt it, and pour it out
into a Cone. After it is cooled, separate the Regulus from the
Scoria’s; which reduce to Powder, and dissolve by boyling in Water.
So doing, you will have a Red Lixivium; upon which if you add
(about half its own weight of) Salarmoniack pulverized, and put the
Mixture into a Glass Body, (which must not be above half full,
because it riseth easily) with it’s Head and Receiver well luted, and
then subminister Fire for Distillation; a certain most subtile volatile
Spirit will ascend, in which the ☿ of Antimony is latent: Which, in a
Solution of ☉ may be precipitated, edulcorated, dryed, and then
proved and fixed, as above we taught of the Mercury of Vitriol.
Antimony yeilds much more ☿, than Vitriol; and it is also made more
easily than it; and therefore to be preferred far before it; but
especially, because the Ancient Philosophers did for the most part
use this ☿ of Antimony, for preparing their Tincture.
Note: If any one desire a more excellent ☿ of Vitriol, than That
above described by Us; he, instead of the Lixivium of Antimony, may
use a Lixivium of Salt of Tartar, and thence extract Mercury by the
help of Oyl of Vitriol; so he will have some thing more excellent,
than can be made of a Common Lixivium.

The way of Preparing out of ♂ and ♀ a tinging Mercury, by the

help of Resuscitative Salts only, without any Corrosives.
Among all Resuscitative Salts, Tartar obtains the principal place;
the next to which is Salt of Urine, which is no other, than such a
Volatile Tartar as passeth into this kind of Salt, from Wine, Beer,
Bread and other Foods taken into the humane Body. Almost of the
same kind, is the Soot of Chimneys, being the Volatile Salt of Wood.
Also a like Volatile Salt you shall find in Blood, Hairs, Horns and
Hoofs of Animals. Even so, almost a like Salarmoniack is prepared of
Blood, Urine and Soot. In like manner, in Eggshels is insited an
efficacious Resuscitative Salt. These and the like Salts are endued
with a Virtue converting Metals into Mercury, after they are
dissolved. For volatile Salts are not so efficacious, as to dissolve
Metals: Yet Tartar is endued with so great Power, as it can dissolve
some Metals easie to be dissolved, as ♂, ♀ and ♄, and thence may
the Mercury be extracted by Distillation; especially if a little Kitchin
Salt be added, or (which is more conducent) Salarmoniack, to
comfort it. Also instead of ♂ and ♀ , common Vitriol only may be
used; and thence Mercury distilled by the help of volatile Salts.

Now follows the Process.

℞. ℔ vj. Of Vitriol, to which, dissolved in Urine, add of
Salarmoniack ℔ j. Crude Tartar ℔ ij. Salt of Tartar ℔ iiij. Distil from
these, in a strong Glass Body, a subtile Mercurial Water; which,
according to the Method prescribed, may be made Corporeal, and
with Gold be fixed into a Tincture. This way of proceeding is very
easie, and of little Charge; so as it will fully satisfie the desire of
those, who are contented with so much only, as may be acquired by
the benefit of Glass Bodies. But those, whose greedy desire cannot
be satisfied with little, may distill this Mixture in a Brass or Copper
Vesica, untill they have quantity enough to suffice them: Yet with
this Caution, that they use no Alembick, or Refrigeratory made of
Copper, but of Lead, or (which is better) of Tin; and that because
our Mercurial Water easily corrodes the Copper, and thence contracts
to it self a Greenness: But in ♄ or ♃ doth not so. But if any one
refuseth to be at the Charge of a Tin Refrigeratory, he may use his
Copper Vessels. For although the Spirit corrodes the Copper, and
contracts a blewish Colour, yet this Colour in Rectifying abides in the
bottom, and the ☿ is nothing the worse. Indeed, this way a greater
quantity is acquired, than needs; unless the Operator be more
greedy than a Wolf. But it is not the part of a good Philosopher, to
covet more than is needful. If any one be desirous to prepare an
abundance of Mercurial Water, either by some such way as this, or
by another certain Mixture of Salts, him we have now, as it were, led
by the hand, through Processes more difficult, to proceed in these.
For Tartar alone will be sufficient for such an Use. What seek you?
The Feces of Wine burnt will do the same; so as the Lover of Art,
with almost no other Trouble and Charge, may extract the Mercury
of Metals by Resuscitative Salts.

The way of Preparing Mercury out of Metals and Minerals, by

the benefit of Tartar only, without any other Salts.
℞. Filings of Steel ℔ j. Tartar ℔ ij. Common Water ℔ xx. If by
strong boyling by Alembick in Sand, you distil thence all the Water;
the Tartar in that boyling dissolves the ♂ , and so will Volatilize the
Mercury set at Liberty, in such wise, as it will ascend with the Water,
like a subtile Spirit; which, (concentrated and made fit by
Rectification) either by a Solution of ☉, or by some other contrary
Acidity, is rendred Corporeal, according to the Method above
shewed. If any one, to as much Tartar as he hath, take half so much
Salarmoniack, the Tartar so much the more readily preys upon the ☿,
also much more Mercury issueth thence, than by Tartar only.
Note: But since this way, in one Distillation, but little Mercury
ascends, such an Operation may be performed in a large Vesica; yet
with this Caution, viz. that the Alembeck and Refrigeratory be not
made of Copper, but of Tin or Lead. This way of Operating by a
Vesica will be of great use, especially for such covetous Men, as
cannot be content with few things; but always labour with the
perpetual Poverty of an unsatiable Spirit; although, they more than
sufficiently abound with the fulness of all desireable things. For he is
only Rich, who is always content with his present Fortune.

The way of Preparing Mercury of Saturn, by Tartar only.

℞. One or two ℔. of the Raspings or Filings of Saturn, upon which
pour fifteen, or twenty ℔. of strong Vinegar of Wine, and mix
therewith a little pulverized Tartar. But the Vinegar per se should be
impregnated with no small quantity of Tartar. Which Tartar, if you
distil with the Mixture, the Phlegm in Distillation carries over with it
self a subtile Mercurial Spirit; which must be separated from the
Phlegm, in manner as we above taught. The Solution of ♄ will
remain in the bottom. Thence also, by the help of Salt of Tartar, ☿
may be extracted by Retort; yet it is not so good as the other, which
ascended in the form of a subtile Spirit.

The way of Preparing Mercury of Antimony, by the help of Tartar

only.
℞. Some Pounds of strong Antimonial Red Lixivium, (made of
Antimony duly, decrepitate and melted with Tartar and Nitre) which
put into a Glass Body set in Sand, as we above taught, in treating of
the Fixation of 🜍: Afterward, through the Tunnel, leisurely and at
times, pour upon the Lixivium most strong Wine Vinegar, until both
(viz. the Lixivium and Vinegar) cease to Act upon each other. This
being done, if by Distillation you separate all the Humidity, the
Sulphureous Spirit of Antimony, will ascend in the form of a subtil
Spirit, smelling like Sulphur: Which after Rectification, either with a
Solution of ☽ or ☉, becomes Corporeal, and so habile, as it may be
converted into a fixed Tincture.

The Method of Distilling a tinging Mercurial Spirit from Metals

another way.
We above shewed, that from Metals most firmly compact, a
tinging 🜍 and ☿ could not be extracted, unless the Metals be first
dissolved, or mortified; and that in such Mortification, there is a
Spirit so apt to be associated, as, in the very hour of Mortification, it
lays hold of, and carries up with it self, the ascending Spirit, or Soul
of Metals. Yet among all, pure Spirit of Wine well dephlegmated, I
judge best; because in abstraction it carries over with it self the
most pure 🜍 and ☿ of Metals, and leaves the Gross dead Body
behind in the bottom; so as, such Mercury, as you shall draw forth in
distilling by Spirit of Wine, will be much purer, and more Virtuous in
Tinging, than the other, which you distil off by common Water only;
and that for this especially, viz. because this Spirit, which is
extracted by Spirit of Wine, from more pure is rendred most pure by
Rectification. Which is a thing impossible to be effected, where the
Sulphureous ☿ of Metals shall ascend by the help of common Water;
because then the Water only, in Rectification, is distilled off, but the
🜍 remains in the bottom, in form of a Red Powder: And the other,
which is sublimed by Spirit of Wine, and afterward by Rectification
subtilized to an higher degree, and meliorated in its tinging Virtue, is
not only in Medicine, but also in the Melioration of Metals, Gems,
and the more ignoble pretious Stones, an hundred fold more
efficaciously conducent to tinge them to a Constancy, than the
former, which, in distilling, ascends by Water only; and by
Rectification cannot be exalted, or multiplyed in its Virtue, so well as
the other, made by Spirit of Wine. That Sulphureous ☿, which
ascends by help of Spirit of Wine, is endued with so subtil and
penetrative Power, as to it in the Vessel is given such Ingress, by
which Metals and Gems are tinged with a more constant and durable
Red, or Yellow Colour, than can be annihilated or impaired by any
Corrosive Waters, or by the violence of Fire; especially if it be
distilled from apt tinging Subjects, as the Vitriol of ♂ and ♀, or from
Antimony. Of which I suppose enough is now spoken.
Therefore, if any one be desirous of knowing more touching this
Matter, him (for his further and more clear Information of the same)
I refer to the Seventh Part of our Spagyrick Pharmacopœa; where
he will find, we have prolixly taught, touching the extraction of
Tinctures, from Red Corals, and other tinging Subjects.

The way of making good Mercury of Saturn and Luna.

℞. Of ♄, or ☽, ℔ j. which, dissolved in Aqua Fortis, precipitate with
Salt-water, edulcorate the Calx with Sweet-water, and dry it. When
dryed, mix with it a fourth part of our 🜍 fixed unto Whiteness. Distil
from the Mixture in a coated Retort its ☿ with strong Fire; which
notwithstanding will not be living ☿, but, in the form of a Sublimate,
will adhere to the Neck of the Retort, in weight heavy, and to the
Taste of the Tongue very sharp. Indeed there will not be so great a
quantity of it, as some may desire, yet it is worthy of the highest
Estimation. For in a Cold Cellar it is easily dissolved, and becomes a
strong Mercurial Water, which dissolves all Metals. This Water
prepared of ♄ joyns it self (with an incredible Love) with the Soul of
♂ ; and suffers it self to be fixed with it into Tincture; This Water
prepared of ☽ readily dissolves Gold, and with it passeth into
Tincture. The Reason, why, I in Distillation, mix fixed 🜍 with the ♄ or
☽, is this: Since both these Subjects, precipitated, as we above
mention, with Salt-water, are very fusile and penetrating, easily melt
together into one, and in Distillation yeild no ☿. Nor can Sand or
Earth prevent this Fluxion. Wherefore, I could find nothing more
conducible, than our white fixed Sulphur.

The way of Preparing Mercury of Jupiter.

Jupiter gives forth from it self, a most excellent Mercury, in form
of a subtil Spirit; which, above all other Mercuries, is most earnestly
beloved and attracted by Gold. For if but a very small quantity of it
be put into any Solution of Gold, it in a moment draws to it self all
the Gold from the sharp Aqua Regis, and together with it settles to
the bottom, like a purple Powder. This is the best Precipitation of ☉,
when you shall extract it with Aqua Regis from Sand and Stones:
Because, by this Precipitation, the Aqua Regis may be used again for
extracting ☉ from Sand and Stones, as you may more amply read in
our Seventh Part of the Prosperity of Germany, where we have
plainly writ touching this kind of Extraction. But in another manner,
may be prepared as powerful a Mercurial Water from all Metals, by
the help of my Secret Sal Armoniack, which, by Paracelsus and
Helmont, is called the Liquor Alcahests touching which, I have
largely treated in the Seventh Part of my Spagyrick Pharmacopæa,
where he who loves so great Gifts of G O D, may satisfie his Appetite
to the full.

Behold, I present thee another way, by which, without any

Charge or Expense of Money, you may easily prepare as much
of the Philosophick ☿, as you will.
 I would not have you to suppose, I here insert this so stinking a
Process, to the end you should follow this, rather than the before-
mentioned; but I add this, that the common sort of Men, simple and
poor, may see, that they may, by such a Method as this, suppress
their Poverty, and attain to the Acquisition of so noble an universal
Medicine, as well as any other of the great and mighty Men of the
World, by their ample Fortunes.
Whosoever is but a little Skilled in Chymistry, well knows, that
every 🜍 and ☿ arise from one only Original; and that the Sulphur in
Herbs, and also that in Animals, is of no less Virtue, than the other
in Metals, Fixation only excepted. For as this in Metals is found more
fixed than that in Minerals, so the Mineral 🜍 is more fixed than the
Animal, and Vegetable. The same is to be judged of Mercury. But
that we may wander no further, but return again to our Purpose, and
clearly prescribe the Method of Preparing an universal Medicine, of
Humane Urine and Dung, I will very briefly discover the Process in
these following Words.
℞. A good quantity of humane Dung and Urine, collected in some
capacious Vessel, and (after they have stood together about a
Month, and when the Salt shall be exactly united with the Sulphur,
and Mercury by Fermentation) from thence, by an Alembick in
Balneo, distil the Mercurial Sulphureous Spirit; which indeed will be
very subtil, but smell strong. Yet after Rectification, as we have
taught, it may be conjoyned with a Solution of Gold, and, by
moderate heat, be gradually fixed into an universal Medicine, for
Humane and Metallick Bodies.
Note: The aforesaid Stink vanisheth so soon as the Aqua Regis
hath Access. Wherefore, those Philosophers who have laboured in
Matters of evil and strong Smells, did always speak of suffocating
their venemous Dragon in Stygian Waters. But among all
Philosophers, that ever I read, I find no Man more excellently to
have writ, touching this matter, than the Philosopher Neusementius,
in a certain small Treatise of his, intituled, Of the Salt and Spirit of
the World; where he so explains the Table of Hermes, as he renders
it most worthy to be Read; because he hath so very prolixly, and
largely, with exquisit study and diligence, explained all things
whatsoever, the laudable Hermes, in very few Words, left to Posterity
in his Smaragdine Table.

A C O R O L L A R Y.

A lthough I have, in this small Tract, so largely and clearly treated

of Preparing the Mercury of Philosophers, as it seems
altogether needless to trouble the Reader, with a further Paraphrase;
since from him, I have not concealed any Methods of manual
Operation, but have so revealed all things necessary to be known, as
he (who, only seeking the bare Letter of the prescribed Method,
knows not how to elaborate his own intended Work) may rather be
accounted a Man of a dull Capacity, than a Chymical Operator: Yet
since unto all insatiable Sons of Avarice, according to this my
Description, there seems to be too small a part of Mercury extracted,
I (for the sake of those also) will demonstrate yet another Method,
by which they may obtain a larger quantity of good tinging ☿, than
from Metals can be gained. But first it is required, that every one,
who will exercise himself in this kind of Labour, should shew himself
a diligent Operator, shunning no Pains: Know, that Vulgar Mercury
may easily be so prepared by Art, as to be as much conducent for
Tinging, as the Mercury of Metals. Yet they must first procure
Tincture to it, by tinging Metals, as by ♂, ♀ and Antimony. For, of its
own proper Nature, it hath no Tincture at all in it self; but it must
necessarily receive the same from other Metals, (in which G O D and
Nature cooperating have insited it) before it can exercise the Power
and Faculty of Tinging. But which way such a Tincture may
commodiously be taken, and acquired from certain Stones tinged by
Nature, or from certain Metallick, and Mineral Subjects, hath been by
me, in various places of my Writings, so frequently mentioned, as I
judge it not necessary to Discourse further thereabout in this place.
But here, I will freely expose to publick view the way of Preparing
vulgar ☿ so, as it may be able to extract Tinctures from Metals,
Minerals and Stones.
℞. Common Mercury ℔ j. Which as soon as you have dissolved in
Aqua Fortis, mortifie the Aqua Fortis by pouring on Spirit of Urine,
and when you shall by Retort, in hot Sand, have abstracted thence
all the unprofitable Water, and administred a stronger Fire, the
Mercury will sublime it self in the Neck of the Retort, white in Colour,
but discovering no singular Acrimony upon the Tongue. Such a
sublimate as this, is easily dissolved by help of common Water. This
Mercurial Water is endued with a power of extracting Tinctures from
Metals, Gems, and other more ignoble Stones. In which very Work,
even Proserpina, the Wife of Pluto, will scarce elaborate any thing
more excellent: Therefore, when this ☿ hath drawn so much Blood
from the Red Lyon, as it no longer remains White, but becomes
totally Red; then indeed it hath acquired the Melioration of one
higher degree; but as yet, it is able to work no Miracles in Tinging.
Now, that it may be exalted to so great Perfection, as to be
admirably efficacious in Transmutation; this Red Mercury must again
be vivified, and again (as we taught above) mortified; and if this
Labour be repeated seven, nine, or twelve times, it will be
sufficiently impregnated with Tincture. This being done, you have
nothing else to do, but to fix this tinging Mercury into a fusile Red
Stone, which will thenceforth perform the same (yea perhaps more)
in the Transmutation of Metals, than the Mercury of Metals it Self.
Although, I have here revealed the Melioration of common
Mercury; yet, I am fully persuaded, no Man will readily set himself
about its Preparation, nor adventure, by Tryal, to experience the
truth of this. For commonly, every good thing is disesteemed, if it
want external Splendor. Some years ago, I did earnestly, and highly
commend to some of my most loving Friends, the Exaltation of
common Mercury; yet no one of them took so much notice thereof,
as ever to set his hand to the Work. Wherefore no Man needs to
fear, that Art will be made too common, although I had published
the same, described even with a Solar Ray. Indeed, I intended to
have divulged more, touching such sublimate Mercury, as may be
dissolved with common Water, viz. how many other famous Works
may be performed with it, besides the Transmutation of Metals; but
for brevity sake, I here desist at present: Yet after a little while, (if
G O D permit) I will elsewhere treat of the same. In the mean time,
let the loving Reader kindly accept of these: For hence he may be
assured of the possibility of exalting common ☿ so far, as to be equal
in Virtue to the Mercury of Metals: In which Assertion every studious
Artist may safely confide, and persuade himself, that I here give no
other Testimony, than I have learned by my own Experience
oftentimes.
 OF THE

Salt of P H I L O S O P H E R S.
How, and whence, That is Prepared, and of what
use It is in Medicine and Chymistry.

T
hose our venerable Ancestors, the ancient Philosophers, have
indeed copiously written many things, touching this Third
Part of the Principle of Metals, viz. Salt: Yet so very obscurely,
as it is almost impossible for a Man to learn thence, Fundamentally,
any thing of moment: Yea, I might say, it hath happened to very
few, to know how, to prepare the Salt of Philosophers, but on the
contrary, six hundred have ruined themselves, and lost all their
Fortunes in labouring thereabout. After, I also had, for some years
together, expended great Labour and Cost, besides what I spent in
acquiring both the other Principles, viz. Sulphur and Mercury, (which
were understood by me, about two years since) it pleased the most
wise G O D at length, also to reveal to me this most famous Salt.
Wherefore, I could not refrain from communicating some thing of it
to Posterity, for the Glory of my G O D, and for divulging his
wonderous Works, not doubting, but that this my Revelation may be
of great Concern, to open the Eyes of this blind World. Because,
they may be helped by such a Salt, of which, so incredible Works
may be prepared, as I am now about to write, and are already
sufficiently known to me.
I can unto every Man safely, surely and truly affirm, that
whatsoever I here write, are not the idle Dreams of a vain Man, nor
patched together out of other Books, but true and solid Experiments,
which I my self, with the help of these my hands, have found out.
Indeed, I do not here say, that I could give no credit at all to him,
who no long time before discovered something to me, touching such
Arcanum’s; but I thought his Words intimated Paradoxes and
Impossibilities; although I had read Philosophers, who writ: He that
hath the Salt of Metals, hath the Stone of Philosophers. I also well
know, that the Salts of Metals, according as they been hitherto every
where fraudulently presented by Pseudo-Chymists, having no solid
Foundation, do not indeed deserve the name of Salts; being no
other, than such Vitriols, as by the sharp Spirits of Salts, are
prepared of Metals; and are not at all efficacious to meliorate any of
the more vile Metals. On the contrary, we certainly know, that our
more true Salts do so amend all imperfect Metals, as great and
gainful Fruit may be reaped thence, as by the following shall be
clearly made appear. But before we write any thing of the Use, of
this Royal Salt, it will be worth while to premise something briefly,
and truly, touching the Preparation of the same.

Of the Preparation of the Salt of Philosophers.

Now, that I may, without any wandring Ambages, describe the
Method of Preparing this Salt, which is incomparable and Royal,
know in very deed, that this Salt is no other, than common (but
rightly prepared) Oyl of Vitriol, Coagulated by white fusible Sulphur
into a sweet Salt, which impresseth not on the Tongue, the least
Saline savour; but rather seems to be a Stone than Salt, although
fusible, like any other liquid Salt. But how that Oyl of Vitriol, or
Universal Acidity, may be changed into such a wonderful Stone, not
Corrosive, I purpose not to divulge. It is enough for me positively to
affirm, it may be done.
Whosoever desires to know more of it, let him implore the help of
G O D, and peruse the Writings of Philosophers, that if he be worthy
of this divine Gift, he may be helped; if he be not worthy, I cannot
help him. For as I acquired that, not without praying and seeking; so
also, must every other Man resolve to do: Because, no Man shall
ever get more out of me, than what I here have willingly discovered
for publick Good. Now follows
 The incredible Virtue and Efficacy, which this wonderful Salt
manifests in Preparation of Tinctures, for exalting all Metals
and Minerals to the perfection of Gold.
Although it is before said, that Salt, or the Stone of Philosophers,
is only prepared of Acid Vitriol; yet I thought it necessary also, here
to publish, that Oyl of Vitriol may be prepared divers ways, so as one
or another may prepare it this way or that way, as he pleaseth. For
the common and vulgarly known Oyl of Vitriol, suffers it self (by the
help of Sulphur) to be easily transmuted into a Sweet Stone:
Because Sulphur alone is endued with Power of edulcorating all
Corrosives, and of Coagulating them into such a Stone, or Salt, by
the benefit of which, Wonders may be done, both in Medicine and
Alchymy. Philosophers do indeed persuade us, that, out of Vitriol, an
Oyl of a Blood-Red-Colour may be extracted by Art, with which,
White Metals may be tinged into Red: But the way of Preparing this,
they described not. This is that, which is most studiously sought by
the Adorers of the Chymical Art, but hath hitherto been found by
very few; and therefore is generally thought, by almost all
Inquisitors, to be impossible, whatsoever Philosophers have writ
thereabout, and how clearly, and plainly soever described it. Basil
Valentine doth, with Paracelsus, call this our Oyl of Vitriol tinged with
a Red Colour, the Blood of the Green Lyon; but Bracesus, the Wood,
or Tree of Life; Virgil, a Bough, or Branch, plucked by Proserpina’s
help from the concealed Tree: Also, Ovid useth divers other
Expressions, in the Description of this Tincture.
This Red Oyl suffers it self to be Coagulated into a Stone, not
Corrosive, as well as the Common Oyl: But this Coagulate is totally
Red, and the other is White only. Therefore, there is a necessity, that
the difference of both be known. For of both these, what the White
is able to do, the Red cannot do; and what the Red can effect, is
impossible to be performed by the White. That Red Oyl tingeth white
Metallick Bodies into Gold, and so tingeth white Chrystals into Gems
of all kind of Colours, (according to the Operators Pleasure) as, in
Elegancy, they become altogether like to the Native. But the White
tingeth not, because it self wanteth Tincture, which notwithstanding
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