alchemical catechism by paracelsus

8/3/2019 Alchemical Catechism by Paracelsus

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Alchemical Catechism

A SHORT CATECHISM OF ALCHEMYQ. What is the chief study of a Philosohe!"A. It is thei#$esti%atio# of the oe!atio#s of &atu!e.

Q. What is the e#d of &atu!e"A. 'od( Who is also its)e%i##i#%.

Q. Whe#ce a!e all thi#%s de!i$ed"A. F!o* o#e a#di#di$isi)le &atu!e.

Q. I#to ho+ *a#y !e%io#s is &atu!e sea!ated"A. I#tofou! al*a!y !e%io#s.

Q. Which a!e they"A. The d!y( the *oist( the +a!*( a#dthe cold( +hich a!e the fou! ele*e#ta!y ,ualities(+he#ce all thi#%s o!i%i#ate.

Q. Ho+ is &atu!e di-e!e#tiated"A. I#to *ale a#dfe*ale.

Q. To +hat *ay +e co*a!e &atu!e"A. To Me!cu!y.

Q. 'i$e a co#cise de#itio# of &atu!e.A. It is #ot $isi)le(thou%h it oe!ates $isi)ly/ fo! it is si*ly a $olatilesi!it( fullli#% its o0ce i# )odies( a#d a#i*ated )y the

u#i$e!sal si!it1the di$i#e )!eath( the ce#t!al a#du#i$e!sal !e( +hich $i$ies all thi#%s that e2ist.

Q. What should )e the ,ualities ossessed )y thee2a*i#e!s of &atu!e"A. They should )e li3e u#to &atu!ehe!self. That is to say( they should )e t!uthful( si*le(atie#t( a#d e!se$e!i#%.

Q. What *atte!s should su)se,ue#tly e#%!oss thei!

atte#tio#"A. The hilosohe!s should *ost ca!efully


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asce!tai# +hethe! thei! desi%#s a!e i# ha!*o#y +ith&atu!e( a#d of a ossi)le a#d attai#a)le 3i#d/ if they+ould acco*lish )y thei! o+# o+e! a#ythi#% that isusually e!fo!*ed )y the o+e! of &atu!e( they *usti*itate he! i# e$e!y detail.

Q. What *ethod *ust )e follo+ed i# o!de! to !oduceso*ethi#% +hich shall )e de$eloed to a sue!io!de%!ee tha# &atu!e he!self de$elos it.A. The *a##e!of its i*!o$e*e#t *ust )e studied( a#d this isi#$a!ia)ly oe!ated )y *ea#s of a li3e #atu!e. Fo!e2a*le( if it )e desi!ed to de$elo the i#t!i#sic $i!tue

of a %i$e# *etal )eyo#d its #atu!al co#ditio#( theche*ist *ust a$ail hi*self of the *etallic #atu!e itself(a#d *ust )e a)le to disc!i*i#ate )et+ee# its *ale a#dfe*ale di-e!e#tiatio#s.

Q. Whe!e does the *etallic #atu!e sto!e he! seeds"A. I#the fou! ele*e#ts.

Q. With +hat *ate!ials ca# the hilosohe! alo#eacco*lish a#ythi#%"A. With the %e!* of the %i$e#*atte!/ this is its eli2i! o! ,ui#tesse#ce( *o!e !ecious)y fa!( a#d *o!e useful( to the a!tist( tha# is &atu!ehe!self. 4efo!e the hilosohe! has e2t!acted the seed(o! %e!*( &atu!e( i# his )ehalf( +ill )e !eady to e!fo!*he! duty.

Q. What is the %e!*( o! seed( of a#y su)sta#ce"A. It is

the *ost su)tle a#d e!fect decoctio# a#d di%estio# ofthe su)sta#ce itself/ o!( !athe!( it is the 4al* ofSulhu!( +hich is ide#tical +ith the Radical Moistu!e ofMetals.

Q. 4y +hat is this seed( o! %e!*( e#%e#de!ed"A. 4y thefou! ele*e#ts( su)5ect to the +ill of the Su!e*e 4ei#%(a#d th!ou%h the di!ect i#te!$e#tio# of the i*a%i#atio#

of &atu!e.


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Q. Afte! +hat *a##e! do the fou! ele*e#ts oe!ate"A.4y *ea#s of a# i#cessa#t a#d u#ifo!* *otio#( eacho#e( acco!di#% to its ,uality( deositi#% its seed i# thece#t!e of the ea!th( +he!e it is su)5ected to actio# a#ddi%ested( a#d is su)se,ue#tly e2elled i# a# out+a!ddi!ectio# )y the la+s of *o$e*e#t.

Q. What do the hilosohe!s u#de!sta#d )y the ce#t!eof the ea!th"A. A ce!tai# $oid lace +he!e #othi#% *ay!eose( a#d the e2iste#ce of +hich is assu*ed.

Q. Whe!e( the#( do the fou! ele*e#ts e2el a#d deosit

thei! seeds"A. I# the e21ce#t!e( o! i# the *a!%i# a#dci!cu*fe!e#ce of the ce#t!e( +hich( afte! it hasa!o!iated a o!tio#( casts out the su!lus i#to the!e%io# of e2c!e*e#t( sco!iae( !e( a#d fo!*less chaos.

Q. Illust!ate this teachi#% )y a# e2a*le.A. Ta3e a#yle$el ta)le( a#d set i# its ce#t!e a $ase lled +ith +ate!/su!!ou#d the $ase +ith se$e!al thi#%s of $a!iouscolou!s( esecially salt( ta3i#% ca!e that a !oe!dista#ce i#te!$e#es )et+ee# the* all. The# ou! outthe +ate! f!o* the $ase( a#d it +ill 6o+ i# st!ea*s he!ea#d the!e/ o#e +ill e#cou#te! a su)sta#ce of a !edcolou!( a#d +ill assu*e a ti#%e of !ed/ a#othe! +ill asso$e! the salt( a#d +ill co#t!act a sali#e 6a$ou!/ fo! it isce!tai# that +ate! does #ot *odify the laces +hich itt!a$e!ses( )ut the di$e!se cha!acte!istics of lacescha#%e the #atu!e of +ate!. I# the sa*e +ay the seed+hich is deosited )y the fou! ele*e#ts at the ce#t!e ofthe ea!th is su)5ect to a $a!iety of *odicatio#s i# thelaces th!ou%h +hich it asses( so that e$e!y e2isti#%su)sta#ce is !oduced i# the li3e#ess of its cha##el(a#d +he# a seed o# its a!!i$al at a ce!tai# oi#te#cou#te!s u!e ea!th a#d u!e +ate!( a u!esu)sta#ce !esults( )ut the co#t!a!y i# a# oosite case.

Q. Afte! +hat *a##e! do the ele*e#ts !oc!eate this


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seed"A. I# o!de! to the co*lete elucidatio# of thisoi#t( it *ust )e o)se!$ed that the!e a!e t+o %!oss a#dhea$y ele*e#ts a#d t+o that a!e $olatile i# cha!acte!.

T+o( i# li3e *a##e!( a!e d!y a#d t+o hu*id( o#e out ofthe fou! )ei#% actually e2cessi$ely d!y( a#d the othe!e2cessi$ely *oist. They a!e also *asculi#e a#dfe*i#i#e. &o+( each of the* has a *a!3ed te#de#cy to!e!oduce its o+# secies +ithi# its o+# she!e.Mo!eo$e!( they a!e #e$e! i# !eose( )ut a!e e!etuallyi#te!acti#%( a#d each of the* sea!ates( of a#d )yitself( the *ost su)tle o!tio# the!eof. Thei! %e#e!allace of *eeti#% is i# the ce#t!e( e$e# the ce#t!e of theA!cheus( that se!$a#t of &atu!e( +he!e co*i#% to *i2thei! se$e!al seeds( they a%itate a#d #ally e2el the*to the e2te!io!.

Q. What is the t!ue a#d the !st *atte! of all *etals"A.The !st *atte!( !oe!ly so called( is dual i# itsesse#ce( o! is i# itself of a t+ofold #atu!e/ o#e(#e$e!theless( ca##ot c!eate a *etal +ithout the

co#cu!!e#ce of the othe!. The !st a#d the al*a!yesse#ce is a# ae!ial hu*idity( )le#ded +ith a +a!* ai!(i# the fo!* of a fatty +ate!( +hich adhe!es to allsu)sta#ces i#disc!i*i#ately( +hethe! they a!e u!e o!i*u!e.

Q. Ho+ has this hu*idity )ee# #a*ed )y Philosohe!s"A. Me!cu!y.

Q. 4y +hat is it %o$e!#ed"A. 4y the !ays of the Su# a#dMoo#.

Q. What is the seco#d *atte!"A. The +a!*th of theea!th 1othe!+ise( that d!y heat +hich is te!*ed Sulhu!)y the Philosohe!s.

Q. Ca# the e#ti!e *ate!ial )ody )e co#$e!ted i#to

seed"A. Its ei%ht1hu#d!edth a!t o#ly1that( #a*ely(+hich is sec!eted i# the ce#t!e of the )ody i# ,uestio#(


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a#d *ay( fo! e2a*le( )e see# i# a %!ai# of +heat.

Q. Of +hat use is the )ul3 of the *atte! as !e%a!ds itsseed"A. It is useful as a safe%ua!d a%ai#st e2cessi$e

heat( cold( *oistu!e( o! a!idity( a#d( i# %e#e!al( allhu!tful i#cle*e#cy( a%ai#st +hich it acts as a#e#$eloe.

Q. Would those a!tists +ho !ete#d to !educe the +hole*atte! of a#y )ody i#to seed de!i$e a#y ad$a#ta%ef!o* the !ocess( suosi#% it +e!e ossi)le to e!fo!*it"A. &o#e/ o# the co#t!a!y( thei! la)ou! +ould )e

+holly u#!oducti$e( )ecause #othi#% that is %ood ca#)e acco*lished )y a de$iatio# f!o* #atu!al *ethods.

Q. What( the!efo!e( should )e do#e"A. The *atte! *ust)e e-ecti$ely sea!ated f!o* its i*u!ities( fo! the!e is#o *etal( ho+ u!e soe$e!( +hich is e#ti!ely f!ee f!o*i*e!fectio#s( thou%h thei! e2te#t $a!ies. &o+ allsue!6uities( co!tices( a#d sco!iae *ust )e eeled o-a#d u!%ed out f!o* the *atte! i# o!de! to disco$e! itsseed.

Q. What should !ecei$e the *ost ca!eful atte#tio# ofthe Philosohe!"A. Assu!edly( the e#d of &atu!e( a#dthis is )y #o *ea#s to )e loo3ed fo! i# the $ul%a!*etals( )ecause( these ha$i#% issued al!eady f!o* theha#ds of the fashio#e!( it is #o lo#%e! to )e fou#dthe!ei#.

Q. Fo! +hat !ecise !easo#"A. 4ecause the $ul%a!*etals( a#d chie6y %old( a!e a)solutely dead( +hileou!s( o# the co#t!a!y( a!e a)solutely li$i#%( a#d ossessa soul.

Q. What is the life of *etals"A. It is #o othe! su)sta#cetha# !e( +he# they a!e as yet i*)edded i# the *i#es.

Q. What is thei! death"A. Thei! life a#d death a!e i#


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!eality o#e !i#cile( fo! they die( as they li$e( )y !e()ut thei! death is f!o* a !e of fusio#.

Q. Afte! +hat *a##e! a!e *etals co#cei$ed i# the

+o*) of the ea!th"A. Whe# the fou! ele*e#ts ha$ede$eloed thei! o+e! o! $i!tue i# the ce#t!e of theea!th( a#d ha$e deosited thei! seed( the A!cheus of&atu!e( i# the cou!se of a distillato!y !ocess( su)li*esthe* sue!cially )y the +a!*th a#d e#e!%y of thee!etual *o$e*e#t.

Q. I#to +hat does the +i#d !esol$e itself +he# it is

distilled th!ou%h the o!es of the ea!th"A. It !esol$esitself i#to +ate!( +he#ce all thi#%s s!i#%/ i# this stateit is *e!ely a hu*id $aou!( out of +hich the!e issu)se,ue#tly e$ol$ed the !i#ciiated !i#cile of allsu)sta#ces( +hich also se!$es as the !st *atte! of thePhilosohe!s.

Q. What the# is this !i#ciiated !i#cile( +hich is*ade use of as the !st *atte! )y the Child!e# of7#o+led%e i# the hilosohic achie$e*e#t"A. It is thiside#tical *atte!( +hich( the *o*e#t it is co#cei$ed(!ecei$es a e!*a#e#t a#d u#cha#%ea)le fo!*.

Q. A!e Satu!#( 8uite!( Ma!s( 9e#us( the Su#( the Moo#(etc.( sea!ately e#do+ed +ith i#di$idual seed"A. O#e isco**o# to the* all/ thei! di-e!e#ces a!e to )eaccou#ted fo! )y the: locality f!o* +hich they a!e

de!i$ed( #ot to sea3 of the fact that &atu!e co*leteshe! +o!3 +ith fa! %!eate! !aidity i# the !oc!eatio# ofsil$e! tha# i# that of %old( a#d so of the othe! *etals(each i# its o+# !oo!tio#.

Q. Ho+ is %old fo!*ed i# the )o+els of the ea!th"A.Whe# this $aou!( of +hich +e ha$e so3e#( issu)li*ed i# the ce#t!e of the ea!th( a#d +he# it has

assed th!ou%h +a!* a#d u!e laces( +he!e a ce!tai#sulhu!eous %!ease adhe!es to the cha##els( the# this


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$aou!( +hich the Philosohe!s ha$e de#o*i#ated thei!Me!cu!y( )eco*es adated a#d 5oi#ed to this %!ease(+hich it su)li*es +ith itself/ f!o* such a*al%a*atio#the!e is !oduced a ce!tai# u#ctuous#ess( +hich(a)a#do#i#% the $ao!ous fo!*( assu*es that of %!ease(a#d is su)li*ised i# othe! laces( +hich ha$e )ee#clea#sed )y this !ecedi#% $aou!( a#d the ea!th+he!eof has co#se,ue#tly )ee# !e#de!ed *o!e su)tle(u!e( a#d hu*id/ it lls the o!es of this ea!th( is 5oi#edthe!eto( a#d %old is !oduced as a !esult.

Q. Ho+ is Satu!# e#%e#de!ed"A. It occu!s +he# the said

u#ctuosity( o! %!ease( asses th!ou%h laces +hich a!etotally i*u!e a#d cold.

Q. Ho+ is 9e#us )!ou%ht fo!th"A. She is !oduced i#localities +he!e the ea!th itself is u!e( )ut is *i#%led+ith i*u!e sulhu!.

Q. What o+e! does the $aou!( +hich +e ha$e!ece#tly *e#tio#ed( ossess i# the ce#t!e of the ea!th"A. 4y its co#ti#ual !o%!ess it has the o+e! ofe!etually !a!efyi#% +hatsoe$e! is c!ude a#d i*u!e(a#d of successi$ely att!acti#% to itself all that is u!ea!ou#d it.

Q. What is the seed of the !st *atte! of all thi#%s"A.The !st *atte! of thi#%s( that is to say( the *atte! of!i#ciiati#% !i#ciles is )e%otte# )y &atu!e( +ithout

the assista#ce of a#y othe! seed/ i# othe! +o!ds(&atu!e !ecei$es the *atte! f!o* the ele*e#ts( +he#ceit su)se,ue#tly )!i#%s fo!th the seed.

Q. What( a)solutely sea3i#%( is the!efo!e the seed ofthi#%s"A. The seed i# a )ody is #o othe! thi#% tha# aco#%ealed ai!( o! a hu*id $aou!( +hich is uselesse2cet it )e dissol$ed )y a +a!* $aou!.

Q. Ho+ is the %e#e!atio# of seed co*!ised i# the


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*etallic 3i#%do*"A. 4y the a!tice of A!cheus the fou!ele*e#ts( i# the !st %e#e!atio# of &atu!e( distil ao#de!ous $aou! of +ate! i#to the ce#t!e of the ea!th /this is the seed of *etals( a#d it is called Me!cu!y( #oto# accou#t of its esse#ce( )ut )ecause of its 6uidity(a#d the facility +ith +hich it +ill adhe!e to each a#de$e!y thi#%.

Q. Why is this $aou! co*a!ed to sulhu!"A. 4ecauseof its i#te!#al heat.

Q. F!o* +hat secies of Me!cu!y a!e +e to co#clude

that the *etals a!e co*osed"A. The !efe!e#ce ise2clusi$ely to the Me!cu!y of the Philosohe!s( a#d i##o se#se to the co**o# o! $ul%a! su)sta#ce( +hichca##ot )eco*e a seed( seei#% that( li3e othe! *etals( ital!eady co#tai#s its o+# seed.

Q. What( the!efo!e( *ust actually )e acceted as thesu)5ect of ou! *atte!"A. The seed alo#e( othe!+ise the2ed %!ai#( a#d #ot the +hole )ody( +hich isdi-e!e#tiated i#to Sulhu!( o! li$i#% *ale( a#d i#toMe!cu!y( o! li$i#% fe*ale.

Q. What oe!atio# *ust )e afte!+a!ds e!fo!*edA.They *ust )e 5oi#ed to%ethe!( so that they *ay fo!* a%e!*( afte! +hich they +ill !oceed to the !oc!eatio#of a f!uit +hich is co#fo!*ed to thei! #atu!e.

Q. What is the a!t of the a!tist i# this oe!atio#"A. Thea!tist *ust do #othi#% )ut sea!ate that +hich is su)tlef!o* that +hich is %!oss.

Q. To +hat( the!efo!e( is the +hole hilosohicco*)i#atio# !educed"A. The de$elo*e#t of o#e i#tot+o( a#d the !eductio# of t+o i#to o#e( a#d #othi#%fu!the!.

Q. Whithe! *ust +e tu!# fo! the seed a#d life of *eals


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a#d *i#e!als"A. The seed of *i#e!als is !oe!ly the+ate! +hich e2ists i# the ce#t!eA#d the hea!t of the*i#e!als.

Q. Ho+ does &atu!e oe!ate )y the hel of A!t"A. E$e!yseed( +hatsoe$e! its 3i#d( is useless( u#less )y &atu!eo! A!t it is laced i# a suita)le *at!i2( +he!e it !ecei$esits life )y the coctio# of the %e!*; a#d )y theco#%elatio# of the u!e a!ticle( o! 2ed %!ai#.

Q. Ho+ is the seed su)se,ue#tly #ou!ished a#d!ese!$ed"A. 4y the +a!*th of its )ody.

Q. What is the!efo!e e!fo!*ed )y the a!tist i# the*i#e!al 3i#%do*"A. He #ishes +hat ca##ot )e #ished)y &atu!e o# accou#t of the c!udity of the ai!( +hichhas e!*eated the o!es of all )odies )y its $iole#ce()ut o# the su!face a#d #ot i# the )o+els of the ea!th.

Q. What co!!eso#de#ce ha$e the *etals a*o#%the*sel$es"A. It is #ecessa!y fo! a !oe!

co*!ehe#sio# of the #atu!e of this co!!eso#de#ce toco#side! the ositio# of the la#ets( a#d to ayatte#tio# to Satu!#( +hich is the hi%hest of all( a#d the#is succeeded )y 8uite!( #e2t )y Ma!s( the Su#( 9e#us(Me!cu!y( a#d( lastly( )y the Moo#. It *ust )e o)se!$edthat the i#6ue#tial $i!tues of the la#ets do #ot asce#d)ut desce#d( a#d e2e!ie#ce teaches us that Ma!s ca#)e easily co#$e!ted i#to 9e#us( #ot 9e#us i#to Ma!s(

+hich is of a lo+e! she!e. So( also( 8uite! ca# )eeasily t!a#s*uted i#to Me!cu!y( )ecause 8uite! issue!io! to Me!cu!y( the o#e )ei#% seco#d afte! the!*a*e#t( the othe! seco#d a)o$e the ea!th( a#dSatu!# is hi%hest of all( +hile the Moo# is lo+est. TheSu# e#te!s i#to all( )ut it is #e$e! a*elio!ated )y itsi#fe!io!s. It is clea! that the!e is a la!%e co!!eso#de#ce)et+ee# Satu!# a#d the Moo#( i# the *iddle of +hich is

the Su#/ )ut to all these cha#%es the Philosohe!


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should st!i$e to ad*i#iste! the Su#.

Q. Whe# the Philosohe!s sea3 of %old a#d sil$e!( f!o*+hich they e2t!act thei! *atte!( a!e +e to suose that

they !efe! to the $ul%a! %old a#d sil$e!"A. 4y #o *ea#s/$ul%a! sil$e! a#d %old a!e dead( +hile those of thePhilosohe!s a!e full of life.

Q. What is the o)5ect of !esea!ch a*o#% thePhilosohe!s"A. P!ocie#cy i# the a!t of e!fecti#% +hat&atu!e has left i*e!fect i# the *i#e!al 3i#%do*( a#dthe attai#*e#t of the t!easu!e of the Philosohical

Sto#e.Q. What is this Sto#e"A. The Sto#e is #othi#% else tha#the !adical hu*idity of the ele*e#ts( e!fectly u!ieda#d educed i#to a so$e!ei%# 2atio#( +hich causes it toe!fo!* such %!eat thi#%s fo! health( life )ei#% !eside#te2clusi$ely i# the hu*id !adical.

Q. I# +hat does the sec!et of acco*lishi#% this

ad*i!a)le +o!3 co#sist"A. It co#sists i# 3#o+i#% ho+ toeduce f!o* ote#tiality i#to acti$ity the i##ate +a!*th(o! the !e of &atu!e( +hich is e#closed i# the ce#t!e ofthe !adical hu*idity.

Q. What a!e the !ecautio#s +hich *ust )e *ade useof to %ua!d a%ai#st failu!e i# the +o!3"A. '!eat ai#s*ust )e ta3e# to eli*i#ate e2c!e*e#ts f!o* the

*atte!( a#d to co#se!$e #othi#% )ut the 3e!#el( +hichco#tai#s all the $i!tue of the co*ou#d.

Q. Why does this *edici#e heal e$e!y secies ofdisease"A. It is #ot o# accou#t of tile $a!iety of its,ualities( )ut si*ly )ecause it o+e!fully fo!ties the#atu!al +a!*th( +hich it %e#tly sti*ulates( +hile othe!hysics i!!itate it )y too $iole#t a# actio#.

Q Ho+ ca# you de*o#st!ate to *e the t!uth of the a!t


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i# the *atte! of the ti#ctu!e"A. Fi!stly( its t!uth isfou#ded o# the fact that the hysical o+de!( )ei#%co*osed of the sa*e su)sta#ce as the *etals(#a*ely( ,uic3sil$e!( has the faculty of co*)i#i#% +iththese i# fusio#( o#e #atu!e easily e*)!aci#% a#othe!+hich is li3e itself. Seco#dly( seei#% that thei*e!fectio# of the )ase *etals is o+i#% to thec!ude#ess of thei! ,uic3sil$e!( a#d to that alo#e( thehysical o+de!( +hich is a !ie a#d decocted,uic3sil$e!( a#d( i# itself a u!e !e( ca# easilyco**u#icate to the* its o+# *atu!ity( a#d ca#t!a#s*ute the* i#to its #atu!e( afte! it has att!actedthei! c!ude hu*idity( that is to say( thei! ,uic3sil$e!(+hich is the sole su)sta#ce that t!a#s*utes the*( the!est )ei#% #othi#% )ut sco!iae a#d e2c!e*e#ts( +hicha!e !e5ected i# !o5ectio#.

Q. What !oad should the Philosohe! follo+ that he *ayattai# to the 3#o+led%e a#d e2ecutio# of the hysical+o!3"A. That !ecisely +hich +as follo+ed )y the '!eat

A!chitect of the


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+he!euo# the Si!it of 'od )!ooded( #o! of a#ythi#%e2cet li%ht as the u#i$e!sal fo!* of thi#%s.

Q. What !ot *ay the Philosohe! de!i$e f!o* these

co#side!atio#s( a#d +hat should he esecially !e*a!3i# the *ethod of c!eatio# +hich +as u!sued )y theSu!e*e 4ei#%"A. I# the !st lace he should o)se!$ethe *atte! out of +hich the +o!ld +as *ade/ he +illsee that out of this co#fused *ass( the So$e!ei%# A!tist)e%a# )y e2t!acti#% li%ht( that this li%ht i# the sa*e*o*e#t dissol$ed the da!3#ess +hich co$e!ed the faceof the ea!th( a#d that it se!$ed as the u#i$e!sal fo!* of

the *atte!. He +ill the# easily e!cei$e that i# the%e#e!atio# of all co*osite su)sta#ces( a secies ofi!!adiatio# ta3es lace( a#d a sea!atio# of li%ht a#dda!3#ess( +he!ei# &atu!e is a# u#de$iati#% coyist ofhe! C!eato!. The Philosohe! +ill e,ually u#de!sta#dafte! +hat *a##e!( )y the actio# of this li%ht( thee*y!ea#( o! !*a*e#t +hich di$ides the sue!io! a#di#fe!io! +ate!s( +as su)se,ue#tly !oduced/ ho+ the

s3y +as studded +ith lu*i#ous )odies/ a#d ho+ the#ecessity fo! the *oo# a!ose( +hich +as o+i#% to thesace i#te!$e#i#% )et+ee# the thi#%s a)o$e a#d thethi#%s )elo+/ fo! the *oo# is a# i#te!*ediate to!ch)et+ee# the sue!io! a#d the i#fe!io! +o!lds( !ecei$i#%the celestial i#6ue#ces a#d co**u#icati#% the* to theea!th. Fi#ally he +ill u#de!sta#d ho+ the C!eato!( i# the%athe!i#% of the +ate!s( !oduced d!y la#d.

Q. Ho+ *a#y hea$e#s ca# you e#u*e!ate"A. P!oe!lythe!e is o#e o#ly( +hich is the !*a*e#t that di$idesthe +ate!s f!o* the +ate!s. &e$e!theless( th!ee a!ead*itted( of +hich the !st is the sace that is a)o$ethe clouds. I# this hea$e# the +ate!s a!e !a!eed( a#dfall uo# the 2ed sta!s( a#d it is also i# this sace thatthe la#ets a#d +a#de!i#% sta!s e!fo!* thei!

!e$olutio#s. The seco#d hea$e# is the !*a*e#t of the2ed sta!s( +hile the thi!d is the a)ode of the


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sue!celestial +ate!s.

Q. Why is the !a!efactio# of the +ate!s co##ed to the!st hea$e#"A. 4ecause it is i# the #atu!e of !a!eed

su)sta#ces to asce#d( a#d )ecause 'od( i# His ete!#alla+s( has assi%#ed its !oe! she!e to e$e!ythi#%.

Q. Why does each celestial )ody i#$a!ia)ly !e$ol$ea)out a# a2is"A. It is )y !easo# of the !i*e$al i*etus+hich it !ecei$ed( a#d )y $i!tue of the sa*e la+ +hich+ill cause a#y hea$y su)sta#ce suse#ded f!o* ath!ead to tu!# +ith the sa*e $elocity( if the o+e!

+hich i*els its *otio# )e al+ays e,ual.Q. Why do the sue!io! +ate!s #e$e! desce#d"A.4ecause of thei! e2t!e*e !a!efactio#. It is fo! this!easo# that a s3illed che*ist ca# de!i$e *o!e !otf!o* the study of !a!efactio# tha# f!o* a#y othe!scie#ce +hatsoe$e!.

Q. What is the *atte! of the !*a*e#t"A. It is !oe!ly

ai!( +hich is *o!e suita)le tha# +ate! as a *ediu* ofli%ht.

Q. Afte! the sea!atio# of the +ate!s f!o* the d!yea!th( +hat +as e!fo!*ed )y the C!eato! to o!i%i#ate%e#e!atio#"A. He c!eated a ce!tai# li%ht +hich +asdesti#ed fo! this o0ce/ He laced it i# the ce#t!al !e(a#d *ode!ated this !e )y the hu*idity of +ate! a#d

)y the cold#ess of ea!th( so as to 3ee a chec3 uo# itse#e!%y a#d adat it to His desi%#.

Q. What is the actio# of this ce#t!al !e"A. It co#ti#uallyoe!ates uo# the #ea!est hu*id *atte!( +hich ite2alts i#to $aou!/ #o+ this $aou! is the *e!cu!y of&atu!e a#d the !st *atte! of the th!ee 3i#%do*s.

Q. Ho+ is the sulhu! of &atu!e su)se,ue#tly fo!*ed"A.

4y the i#te!actio# of the ce#t!al !e a#d the *e!cu!ial


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$aou!.

Q. Ho+ is the salt of the sea !oduced"A. 4y the actio#of the sa*e !e uo# a,ueous hu*idity( +he# the

ae!ial hu*idity( +hich is co#tai#ed the!ei#( has )ee#e2haled.

Q. What should )e do#e )y a t!uly +ise Philosohe!+he# he has o#ce *aste!ed the fou#datio# a#d theo!de! i# the !ocedu!e of the '!eat A!chitect of the


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a#d *e!cu!y that it is the +o!3 of the a!tist to sea!ate.

Q. What *ust he su)se,ue#tly do"A. He *ust u!ifythe* a#d 5oi# the* a#e+ to%ethe!.

Q. Ho+ do you de#o*i#ate the )ody of +hich +e ha$e)ee# sea3i#%"A. The R


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seed/ the seco#d is the Me!cu!y of &atu!e( +hich is the4ath o! 9ase of the Philosohe!s( othe!+ise the hu*id!adical/ to the thi!d has )ee# alied the desi%#atio#(Me!cu!y of the Philosohe!s( )ecause it is fou#d i# thei!la)o!ato!y a#d i# thei! *i#e!a. It is the she!e ofSatu!#/ it is the =ia#a of the Wise/ it is the t!ue salt of*etals( afte! the ac,uisitio# of +hich the t!uehilosohic +o!3 *ay )e t!uly said to ha$e )e%u#. I# itsfou!th asect( it is called Co**o# Me!cu!y( +hich yet is#ot that of the 9ul%a!( )ut !athe! is !oe!ly the t!ue ai!of the Philosohe!s( the t!ue *iddle su)sta#ce of +ate!(the t!ue sec!et a#d co#cealed !e( called also co**o#!e( )ecause it is co**o# to all *i#e!ae( fo! it is thesu)sta#ce of *etals( a#d the#ce do they de!i$e thei!,ua#tity a#d ,uality.

Q. Ho+ *a#y oe!atio#s a!t co*!ised i# ou! +o!3"A.The!e is o#e o#ly( +hich *ay )e !esol$ed i#tosu)li*atio#( a#d su)li*atio#( acco!di#% to 'e)e!( is#othi#% othe! tha# the ele$atio# of the d!y *atte! )y

the *ediatio# of !e( +ith adhe!e#ce to its o+# $ase.

Q. What !ecautio# should )e ta3e# i# !eadi#% theHe!*etic Philosohe!s "A. '!eat ca!e( a)o$e all( *ust)e o)se!$ed uo# this oi#t( lest +hat they say uo#the su)5ect should )e i#te!!eted lite!ally a#d i#acco!da#ce +ith the *e!e sou#d of the +o!ds: Fo! thelette! 3illeth( )ut the si!it %i$eth life.

Q. What )oo3s should )e !ead i# o!de! to ha$e a#ac,uai#ta#ce +ith ou! scie#ce"A. A*o#% the a#cie#ts(all the +o!3s of He!*es should esecially )e studied/ i#the #e2t lace( a ce!tai# )oo3( e#titled The Passa%e ofthe Red Sea( a#d a#othe!( The E#t!a#ce i#to theP!o*ised La#d. Pa!acelsus also should )e !ead )efo!eall a*o#% elde! +!ite!s( a#d( a*o#% othe! t!eatises( hisChe*ical Path+ay( o! the Ma#ual of Pa!acelsus( +hichco#tai#s all the *yste!ies of de*o#st!ati$e hysics a#d


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the *ost a!ca#e 7a))alah. This !a!e a#d u#i,ue*a#usc!it +o!3 e2ists o#ly i# the 9atica# Li)!a!y( )utSe#di$o%ius had the %ood fo!tu#e to ta3e a coy of it(+hich has heled i# the illu*i#atio# of the sa%es of ou!o!de!. Seco#dly( Ray*o#d Lully *ust )e !ead( a#d his9ade Mecu* a)o$e all( his dialo%ue called the T!ee ofLife( his testa*e#t( a#d his codicil. The!e *ust(ho+e$e!( )e a ce!tai# !ecautio# e2e!cised i# !esectto the t+o last( )ecause( li3e those of 'e)e!( a#d alsoof A!#old de 9illa#o$a( they a)ou#d i# false !ecies a#dfutile ctio#s( +hich see* to ha$e )ee# i#se!ted +iththe o)5ect of *o!e e-ectually dis%uisi#% the t!uth f!o*the i%#o!a#t. I# the thi!d lace( the Tu!)aPhilosoho!u* +hich is a collectio# of a#cie#t autho!s(co#tai#s *uch that is *ate!ially %ood( thou%h the!e is*uch also +hich is $alueless. A*o#% *ediae$al +!ite!s>acha!y( T!e$isa#( Ro%e! 4aco#( a#d a ce!tai#a#o#y*ous autho!( +hose )oo3 is e#titled ThePhilosohe!s( should )e held esecially hi%h i# theesti*atio# of the stude#t. A*o#% *ode!#s the *ost+o!thy to )e !i?ed a!e 8oh# Fa)!icius( F!a#cois de&atio#( a#d 8ea# =@Esa%#et( +ho +!ote PhysicsResto!ed( thou%h( to say the t!uth( he has i*o!tedso*e false !ecets a#d fallacious oi#io#s i#to hist!eatise.

Q. Whe# *ay the Philosohe! $e#tu!e to u#de!ta3e the+o!3"A. Whe# he is( theo!etically( a)le to e2t!act( )y

*ea#s of a c!ude si!it( a di%ested si!it out of a )odyi# dissolutio#( +hich di%ested si!it he *ust a%ai#!e5oi# to the $ital oil.

Q. E2lai# *e this theo!y i# a clea!e! *a##e!.A. It *ay)e de*o#st!ated *o!e co*letely i# the actual!ocess/ the %!eat e2e!i*e#t *ay )e u#de!ta3e#+he# the Philosohe!( )y the *ediu* of a $e%eta)le

*e#st!uu!#( u#ited to a *i#e!al *e#st!uu*( is,ualied to dissol$e a thi!d esse#tial *e#st!uu*( +ith


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+hich *e#st!uu*s u#ited he *ust +ash the ea!th( a#dthe# e2alt it i#to a celestial ,ui#tesse#ce( to co*osethe sulhu!eous thu#de!)olt( +hich i#sta#ta#eouslye#et!ates su)sta#ces a#d dest!oys thei! e2c!e*e#ts.

Q. Ha$e those e!so#s a !oe! ac,uai#ta#ce +ith&atu!e +ho !ete#d to *a3e use of $ul%a! %old fo!seed( a#d of $ul%a! *e!cu!y fo! the dissol$e#t( o! theea!th i# +hich it should )e so+#"A. Assu!edly #ot()ecause #eithe! the o#e #o! the othe! ossesses thee2te!#al a%e#t11%old( )ecause it has )ee# de!i$ed of it)y decoctio#( a#d *e!cu!y )ecause it has #e$e! had it.

Q. I# see3i#% this au!ife!ous seed else+he!e tha# i#%old itself( is the!e #o da#%e! of !oduci#% a secies of*o#ste!( si#ce o#e aea!s to )e dea!ti#% f!o*&atu!e"A. It is u#dou)tedly t!ue that i# %old isco#tai#ed the au!ife!ous seed( a#d that i# a *o!ee!fect co#ditio# tha# it is fou#d i# a#y othe! )ody/ )utthis does #ot fo!ce us to *a3e use of $ul%a! %old( fo!

such a seed is e,ually fou#d i# each of the othe!*etals( a#d is #othi#% else )ut that 2ed %!ai# +hich&atu!e has i#fused i# the !st co#%elatio# of *e!cu!y(all *etals ha$i#% o#e o!i%i# a#d a co**o# su)sta#ce(as +ill )e ulti*ately u#$eiled to those +ho )eco*e+o!thy of !ecei$i#% it )y alicatio# a#d assiduousstudy.

Q. What follo+s f!o* this doct!i#e"A. It follo+s that(althou%h the seed is *o!e e!fect i# %old( it *ay )ee2t!acted *uch *o!e easily f!o* a#othe! )ody tha#f!o* %old itself( othe! )odies )ei#% *o!e oe#( that isto say( less di%ested( a#d less !est!icted i# thei!hu*idity.

Q. 'i$e *e a# e2a*le ta3e# f!o* &atu!e.A. 9ul%a!%old *ay )e li3e#ed to a f!uit +hich( ha$i#% co*e to a

e!fect *atu!ity( has )ee# cut o- f!o* its t!ee( a#d


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thou%h it co#tai#s a *ost e!fect a#d +ell1di%estedseed( #ot+ithsta#di#%( should a#yo#e set it i# the%!ou#d( +ith a $ie+ to its *ultilicatio#( *uch ti*e(t!ou)le( a#d atte#tio# +ill )e co#su*ed i# thede$elo*e#t of its $e%etati$e caa)ilities. O# the othe!ha#d( if a cutti#%( o! a !oot( )e ta3e# f!o* the sa*et!ee( a#d si*ila!ly la#ted( i# a sho!t ti*e( a#d +ith #ot!ou)le( it +ill s!i#% u a#d !oduce *uch f!uit.

Q. Is it #ecessa!y that a# a*ateu! of this scie#ceshould u#de!sta#d the fo!*atio# of *etals i# the)o+els of the ea!th if he +ishes to co*lete his +o!3 "

A. So i#dise#sa)le is such a 3#o+led%e that shoulda#yo#e fail( )efo!e all othe! studies( to aly hi*self toits attai#*e#t( a#d to i*itate &atu!e oi#t )y oi#tthe!ei#( he +ill #e$e! succeed i# acco*lishi#%a#ythi#% )ut +hat is +o!thless.

Q. Ho+( the#( does &atu!e deosit *etals i# the )o+elsof the ea!th( a#d of +hat does she co*ose the* "A.

&atu!e *a#ufactu!es the* all out of sulhu! a#d*e!cu!y( a#d fo!*s the* )y thei! dou)le $aou!.

Q. What do you *ea# )y this dou)le $aou!( a#d ho+ca# *etals )e fo!*ed the!e)y"A. I# o!de! to a co*leteu#de!sta#di#% of this ,uestio#( it *ust !st )e statedthat *e!cu!ial $aou! is u#ited to sulhu!eous $aou!i# a ca$e!#ous lace +hich co#tai#s a sali#e +ate!(+hich se!$es as thei! *at!i2. Thus is fo!*ed( !stly( the9it!iol of &atu!e/ seco#dly( )y the co**otio# of theele*e#ts( the!e is de$eloed out of this 9it!iol of &atu!ea #e+ $aou!( +hich is #eithe! *e!cu!ial #o!sulhu!eous( yet is allied to )oth these #atu!es( a#dthis( assi#% th!ou%h laces to +hich the %!ease ofsulhu! adhe!es( is 5oi#ed the!e+ith( a#d out of thei!u#io# a %luti#ous su)sta#ce is !oduced( othe!+ise( afo!*less *ass( +hich is e!*eated )y the $aou! thatlls these ca$e!#ous laces. 4y this $aou!( acti#%


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th!ou%h the sulhu! it co#tai#s( a!e !oduced thee!fect *etals( !o$ided that the $aou! a#d thelocality a!e u!e. If the locality a#d the $aou! a!ei*u!e( i*e!fect *etals !esult. The te!*s e!fectio#a#d i*e!fectio# ha$e !efe!e#ce to $a!ious de%!ees ofco#coctio#.

Q. What is co#tai#ed i# this $aou!"A. A si!it of li%hta#d a si!it of !e( of the #atu!e of the celestial )odies(+hich !oe!ly should )e co#side!ed as the fo!* of theu#i$e!se.

Q. What does this $aou! !e!ese#t"A. This $aou!(thus i*!e%#ated )y the u#i$e!sal si!it( !e!ese#ts( i#a fai!ly co*lete +ay( the o!i%i#al Chaos( +hichco#tai#ed all that +as !e,ui!ed fo! the o!i%i#al c!eatio#(that is( u#i$e!sal *atte! a#d u#i$e!sal fo!*.

Q. A#d o#e ca##ot( #ot+ithsta#di#%( *a3e use of$ul%a! *e!cu!y i# the !ocess"A. &o( )ecause $ul%a!*e!cu!y( as al!eady *ade lai#( is de$oid of e2te!#ala%e#t.

Q. Whe#ce co*es it that co**o# *e!cu!y is +ithoutits e2te!#al a%e#t"A. 4ecause i# the e2altatio# of thedou)le $aou!( the co**otio# has )ee# so %!eat a#dsea!chi#%( that the si!it( o! a%e#t( has e$ao!ated( asoccu!s( +ith $e!y close si*ila!ity( i# the fusio# of*etals. The !esult is that the u#i,ue *e!cu!ial a!t is

de!i$ed of its *asculi#e o! sulhu!eous a%e#t( a#dco#se,ue#tly ca# #e$e! )e t!a#s*uted i#to %old )y&atu!e.

Q. Ho+ *a#y secies of %old a!e disti#%uished )y thePhilosohe!s"A. Th!ee so!ts :11Ast!al 'old( Ele*e#ta!y'old( a#d 9ul%a! 'old.

Q. What is ast!al %old"A. Ast!al 'old has its ce#t!e i#the su#( +hich co**u#icates it )y its !ays to all i#fe!io!


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)ei#%s. It is a# i%#eous su)sta#ce( +hich !ecei$es aco#ti#ual e*a#atio# of sola! co!uscles that e#et!ateall thi#%s se#tie#t( $e%eta)le( a#d *i#e!al.

Q. What do you !efe! to u#de! the te!* Ele*e#ta!y'old "A. This is the *ost u!e a#d 2ed o!tio# of theele*e#ts( a#d of all that is co*osed of the*. Allsu)lu#a!y )ei#%s i#cluded i# the th!ee 3i#%do*sco#tai# i# thei! i#*ost ce#t!e a !ecious %!ai# of thisele*e#ta!y %old.

Q. 'i$e *e so*e desc!itio# of 9ul%a! 'old "A. It is the

*ost )eautiful *etal of ou! ac,uai#ta#ce( the )est that&atu!e ca# !oduce( as e!fect as it is u#alte!a)le i#itself.

Q. Of +hat secies of %old is the Sto#e of thePhilosohe!s "A. It is of the seco#d secies( as )ei#%the *ost u!e o!tio# of all the *etallic ele*e#ts afte!its u!icatio#( +he# it is te!*ed li$i#% hilosohical%old. A e!fect e,uili)!iu* a#d e,uality of the fou!ele*e#ts e#te! i#to the Physical Sto#e( a#d fou! thi#%sa!e i#dise#sa)le fo! the acco*lish*e#t of the +o!3(#a*ely( co*ositio#( allocatio#( *i2tu!e( a#d u#io#(+hich( o#ce e!fo!*ed acco!di#% to the !ules of a!t( +ill)e%et the la+ful So# of the Su#( a#d the Phoe#i2 +hichete!#ally !ises out of its o+# ashes.

Q. What is actually the li$i#% %old of the Philosohe!s"

A. It is e2clusi$ely the !e of Me!cu!y( o! that i%#eous$i!tue( co#tai#ed i# the !adical *oistu!e( to +hich it hasal!eady co**u#icated the 2ity a#d the #atu!e of thesulhu!( +he#ce it has e*a#ated( the *e!cu!ialcha!acte! of the +hole su)sta#ce of hilosohicalsulhu! e!*itti#% it to )e alte!#ati$ely te!*ed*e!cu!y.

Q. What othe! #a*e is also %i$e# )y the Philosohe!sto thei! li$i#% %old "A. They also te!* it thei! li$i#%


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sulhu!( a#d thei! t!ue !e/ they !eco%#i?e its e2iste#cei# all )odies( a#d the!e is #othi#% that ca# su)sist+ithout it.

Q. Whe!e *ust +e loo3 fo! ou! li$i#% %old( ou! li$i#%sulhu!( a#d ou! t!ue !e "A. I# the house of Me!cu!y.

Q. 4y +hat is this !e #ou!ished"A. 4y the ai!.

Q. 'i$e *e a co*a!ati$e illust!atio# of the o+e! ofthis !e "A. To e2e*lify the att!actio# of this i#te!io!!e( the!e is #o )ette! co*a!iso# tha# that +hich isde!i$ed f!o* the thu#de!)olt( +hich o!i%i#ally is si*lya d!y( te!!est!ial e2halatio#( u#ited to a hu*id $aou!.4y e2altatio#( a#d )y assu*i#% the i%#eous #atu!e( itacts o# the hu*idity +hich is i#he!e#t to it/ this itatt!acts to itself( t!a#s*utes it i#to its o+# #atu!e( a#dthe# !aidly !eciitates itself to the ea!th( +he!e it isatt!acted )y a 2ed #atu!e +hich is li3e u#to its o+#.

Q. What should )e do#e )y the Philosohe! afte! he has

e2t!acted his Me!cu!y "A. He should de$elo it f!o*ote#tiality i#to acti$ity.

Q. Ca##ot &atu!e e!fo!* this of he!self"A. &o/)ecause she stos sho!t afte! the !st su)li*atio#( a#dout of the *atte! +hich is thus disosed do the *etalse#%e#de!.

Q. What do the Philosohe!s u#de!sta#d )y thei! %olda#d sil$e!"A. The Philosohe!s aly to thei! Sulhu!the #a*e of 'old( a#d to thei! Me!cu!y the #a*e ofSil$e!.

Q. Whe#ce a!e they de!i$ed"A. I ha$e al!eady statedthat they a!e de!i$ed f!o* a ho*o%e#eous )ody+he!ei# they a!e fou#d i# %!eat a)u#da#ce( +he#cealso Philosohe!s 3#o+ ho+ to e2t!act )oth )y a#

ad*i!a)le( a#d e#ti!ely hilosohical( !ocess.


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Q. Whe# this oe!atio# has )ee# duly e!fo!*ed( to+hat othe! oi#t of the !actice *ust they #e2t alythe*sel$es"A. To the co#fectio# of the hilosohicala*al%a*( +hich *ust )e do#e +ith %!eat ca!e( )ut ca#o#ly )e acco*lished afte! the !ea!atio# a#dsu)li*atio# of the Me!cu!y.

Q. Whe# should you! *atte! )e co*)i#ed +ith theli$i#% %old"A. =u!i#% the e!iod of a*al%a*atio# o#ly(that is to say( Sulhu! is i#t!oduced i#to it )y *ea#s ofthe a*al%a*atio#( a#d the#cefo!th the!e is o#esu)sta#ce/ the !ocess is sho!te#ed )y the additio# of

Sulhu!( +hile the ti#ctu!e at the sa*e ti*e isau%*e#ted.

Q. What is co#tai#ed i# the ce#t!e of the !adical*oistu!e "A. It co#tai#s a#d co#ceals Sulhu!( +hich isco$e!ed +ith a ha!d !i#d.

Q. What *ust )e do#e to aly it to the '!eat Wo!3"A.It *ust )e d!a+#( out of its )o#ds +ith co#su**ates3ill( a#d )y the *ethod of ut!efactio#.

Q. =oes &atu!e( i# he! +o!3 i# the *i#es( ossess a*e#st!uu* +hich is adated to the dissolutio# a#dli)e!atio# of this sulhu!"A. &o/ )ecause the!e is #olocal *o$e*e#t. Could &atu!e( u#assisted( dissol$e(ut!efy( a#d u!ify the *etallic )ody( she +ould he!self!o$ide us +ith ;he Physical Sto#e( +hich is Sulhu!

e2alted a#d i#c!eased i# $i!tue.

Q. Ca# you elucidate this doct!i#e )y a# e2a*le"A. 4ya# e#la!%e*e#t of the !e$ious co*a!iso# of a f!uit(o! a seed( +hich( i# the !st lace( is ut i#to the ea!thfo! its solutio#( a#d afte!+a!ds fo! its *ultilicatio#.&o+( the Philosohe!( +ho is i# a ositio# to disce!#+hat is %ood seed( e2t!acts it f!o* its ce#t!e( co#si%#s

it to its !oe! ea!th( +he# it has )ee# +ell cu!ed a#d!ea!ed( a#d the!ei# he !a!ees it i# such a *a##e!


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that its !olic $i!tue is i#c!eased a#d i#de#itely*ultilied.

Q. I# +hat does the +hole sec!et of the seed co#sist "A.

I# the t!ue 3#o+led%e of its !oe! ea!th.

Q. What do you u#de!sta#d )y the seed i# the +o!3 Ofthe Philosohe!s "A. I u#de!sta#d the i#te!io! heat( o!the secic si!it( +hich is e#closed i# the hu*id!adical( +hich( i# othe! +o!ds( is the *iddle su)sta#ceof li$i#% sil$e!( the !oe! se!* of *etals( +hichco#tai#s its o+# seed.

Q. Ho+ do you set f!ee the sulhu! f!o* its )o#ds"A. 4yut!efactio#.

Q. What is the ea!th of *i#e!als "A. It is thei! !oe!*e#st!uu*.

Q. What ai#s *ust )e ta3e# )y the Philosohe! toe2t!act that a!t +hich he !e,ui!es"A. He *ust ta3e

%!eat ai#s to eli*i#ate the fetid $aou!s a#d i*u!esulhu!s( afte! +hich the seed *ust )e i#5ected.

Q. 4y +hat i#dicatio# *ay the A!tist )e assu!ed that heis i# the !i%ht !oad at the )e%i##i#% of his +o!3"A.Whe# he #ds that the dissol$e#t a#d the thi#%dissol$ed a!e co#$e!ted i#to o#e fo!* a#d o#e *atte!at the e!iod of dissolutio#.

Q. Ho+ *a#y solutio#s do you cou#t i# the PhilosohicWo!3"A. The!e a!e th!ee. The !st solutio# is that +hich!educes the c!ude a#d *etallic )ody i#to its ele*e#tsof sulhu! a#d of li$i#% sil$e!/ the seco#d is that of thehysical )ody( a#d the thi!d is the solutio# of the*i#e!al ea!th.

Q. Ho+ is the *etallic )ody !educed )y the !st

solutio# i#to *e!cu!y( a#d the# i#to sulhu!"A. 4y thesec!et a!ticial !e( +hich is the 4u!#i#% Sta!.


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Q. Ho+ is this oe!atio# e!fo!*ed"A. 4y e2t!acti#%f!o* the su)5ect( i# the !st lace( the *e!cu!y o!$aou! of the ele*e#ts( a#d( afte! u!icatio#( )y usi#%it to li)e!ate the sulhu! f!o* its )o#ds( )y co!!utio#(of +hich )lac3#ess is the i#dicatio#.

Q. Ho+ is the seco#d solutio# e!fo!*ed "A. Whe# thehysical )ody is !esol$ed i#to the t+o su)sta#ces!e$iously *e#tio#ed( a#d has ac,ui!ed the celestial#atu!e.

Q. What is the #a*e +hich is alied )y Philosohe!s to

the Matte! du!i#% this e!iod"A( It is called thei!Physical Chaos( a#d it is( i# fact( the t!ue Fi!st Matte!( a#a*e +hich ca# ha!dly )e alied )efo!e theco#5u#ctio# of the *ale11+hich is sulhu!11+ith thefe*ale11+hich is sil$e!.

Q. To +hat does the thi!d solutio# !efe!"A. It is thehu*ectatio# of the *i#e!al ea!th a#d it is closely )ou#du +ith *ultilicatio#.

Q. What !e *ust )e *ade use of i# ou! +o!3 "A. That!e +hich is used )y &atu!e.

Q. What is the ote#cy of this !e"A. It dissol$ese$e!ythi#% that is i# the +o!ld( )ecause it is the!i#cile of all dissolutio# a#d co!!utio#.

Q. Why is it also te!*ed Me!cu!y "A. 4ecause it is i# its#atu!e ae!ial( a#d a *ost su)tle $aou!( +hich a!ta3esat the sa*e ti*e of sulhu!( +he#ce it has co#t!actedso*e co#ta*i#atio#.

Q. Whe!e is this !e co#cealed "A. It is co#cealed i# thesu)5ect of a!t.

Q. Who is it that is fa*ilia! +ith( a#d ca# !oduce( this

!e"A. It is 3#o+# to the +ise( +ho ca# )oth !oduce ita#d u!ify it.


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Q. What is the esse#tial ote#cy a#d cha!acte!istic ofthis !e "A. It is e2cessi$ely d!y( a#d is co#ti#ually i#*otio#/ it see3s o#ly to disi#te%!ate a#d to educethi#%s f!o* ote#tiality i#to actuality/ it is that( i# a+o!d( +hich co*i#% uo# solid laces i# *i#es(ci!culates i# a $ao!ous fo!* uo# the *atte!( a#ddissol$es it.

Q. Ho+ *ay this !e )e *ost easily disti#%uished"A. 4ythe sulhu!eous e2c!e*e#ts i# +hich it is e#$eloed(a#d )y the sali#e e#$i!o#*e#t +ith +hich it is clothed.

Q. What *ust )e added to this !e so as to acce#tuateits caacity fo! i#ci#e!atio# i# the fe*i#i#e secies"A.O# accou#t of its e2t!e*e d!y#ess it !e,ui!es to )e*oiste#ed.

Q. Ho+ *a#y hilosohical !es do you e#u*e!ate "A.The!e a!e i# all th!ee11the #atu!al( the u##atu!al( a#dthe co#t!a1#atu!al.

Q. E2lai# to *e these th!ee secies of !es.A. The#atu!al !e is the *asculi#e !e( o! the chief a%e#t/ theu##atu!al is the fe*i#i#e( +hich is the dissol$e#t of&atu!e( #ou!ishi#% a +hite s*o3e( a#d assu*i#% thatfo!*. This s*o3e is ,uic3ly dissiated( u#less *uchca!e )e e2e!cised( a#d it is al*ost i#co*)usti)le(thou%h )y hilosohical su)li*atio# it )eco*esco!o!eal a#d !esle#de#t. The co#t!a1#atu!al !e is

that +hich disi#te%!ates co*ou#ds a#d has the o+e!to u#)i#d +hat has@ )ee# )ou#d $e!y closely )y &atu!e.

Q. Whe!e is ou! *atte! to )e fou#d"A. It is to )e fou#de$e!y+he!e( )ut it *ust secially )e sou%ht i# *etallic#atu!e( +he!e it is *o!e easily a$aila)le tha#else+he!e.

Q. What 3i#d *ust )e !efe!!ed )efo!e all othe!s "A.The *ost *atu!e( the *ost a!o!iate( a#d the


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easiest/ )ut ca!e( )efo!e all thi#%s( *ust )e ta3e# thatthe *etallic esse#ce shall )e !ese#t( #ot o#lyote#tially )ut i# actuality( a#d that the!e is( *o!eo$e!(a *etallic sle#dou!.

Q. Is e$e!ythi#% co#tai#ed i# this su)5ect"A. Yes/ )ut&atu!e( at the sa*e ti*e( *ust )e assisted( so that the+o!3 *ay )e e!fected a#d haste#ed( a#d this )y the*ea#s +hich a!e fa*ilia! to the hi%he! %!ades ofe2e!i*e#t.

Q. Is this su)5ect e2ceedi#%ly !ecious "A. It is $ile( a#d

o!i%i#ally is +ithout #ati$e ele%a#ce/ should a#yo#e saythat it is salea)le( it is the secies to +hich they !efe!()ut( fu#da*e#tally( it is #ot salea)le( )ecause it isuseful i# ou! +o!3 alo#e.

Q. What does ou! Matte! co#tai#"A. It co#tai#s Salt(Sulhu!( a#d Me!cu!y.

Q. What oe!atio# is it *ost i*o!ta#t to )e a)le to

e!fo!*"A. The successi$e e2t!actio# of the Salt(Sulhu!( a#d Me!cu!y.

Q. Ho+ is that do#e "A. 4y sole a#d e!fectsu)li*atio#.

Q. What is i# the !st lace e2t!acted "A. Me!cu!y i# thefo!* of a +hite s*o3e.

Q. What follo+s"A. I%#eous +ate!( o! Sulhu!.

Q. What the#"A. =issolutio# +ith u!ied salt( i# the!st lace $olatilisi#% that +hich is 2ed( a#dafte!+a!ds 2i#% that +hich is $olatile i#to a !eciousea!th( +hich is the 9ase of the Philosohe!s( a#d is+holly e!fect.

Q. Whe# *ust the Philosohe! )e%i# his e#te!!ise "A.At the *o*e#t of day)!ea3( fo! his e#e!%y *ust #e$e!


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)e !ela2ed.

Q. Whe# *ay he ta3e his !est"A. Whe# the +o!3 hasco*e to its e!fectio#.

Q. At +hat hou! is the e#d of the +o!3 "A. Hi%h #oo#(that is to say( the *o*e#t +he# the Su# is i# its fullesto+e!( a#d the So# of the =ay1Sta! i# its *ost )!illia#tsle#dou!.

Q. What is the ass1+o!d of Ma%#esia"A. You 3#o++hethe! I ca# o! should a#s+e!:11I !ese!$e *y seech.

Q. 'i$e *e the %!eeti#% of the Philosohe!s.A. 4e%i# / I+ill !ely to you.

Q. A!e you a# a!e#tice Philosohe!"A. My f!ie#ds(a#d the +ise( 3#o+ *e.

Q. What is the a%e of a Philosohe! "A. F!o* the*o*e#t of his !esea!ches to that of his disco$e!ies( thePhilosohe! does #ot a%e.

alchemical catechism by paracelsus

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