Chapter 1
Preface
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! i
TA%ACELSVS
Of the
Supreme Mysteries
NATURE
,^ The Spirits of the Planets.
'^Occult Philofophy,
The Magical, Sympathetical^
and Antipathetical Cure
of Wounds and Difeafes,
TheMyfteries of the twelve
S I G N S of the Z o D i-
A C K.
Englifhed by ^^Turnerj
London y Printed by J. C- for N. Brsok, and
jF, Harifon ; and are to be fold at their (hops
ac the Angei in Cornhil , and the holy Lamb
neer theEafl-end of Tmds, 16^6.
/. Pfj7 ^rB MfB^f- \
J^
^•^^.'^^^'•^r' ^^^^j^^^
To the Reader.
Courtecus Reader,
IJVthislafi Iron age 9 ignorance hath fo mnchpre-
vailed^thf^J many have ^^nd yet do f lead for ity and
ftnve to pifhold it^ crying down all Arts^ and endeo,'
VQuring tohood-TvinhJi^owledge 5 fo that nothing hut
the feces and drsggs of Art fe ems to rerr^ain : fo that
they fe em but jhadows, if cQm fared with that pr^flme
learnwg of the ^Ancients, What golden Legends
former l)> flourished among the Hebrews^ a^^d M'^Yp-
tians, and are now evenalmofi alllof^ in Ohltvion"^
Bmbecaufe Babels confufion u one grea^ r erf or, of
the decay ofSciences^ivhich are not m ez'cyyMcther-
tongue underflood , ani the dtfpftisn of mo ft Movie
of our times is to breed their children up better fed
then taught -ytheir conditions are rahtr to four into
the earth ^U^d^ effodiuntur opes initamenta ma-
\0TUm;then to lock^Heavenwards with thai Os lu 3-
lime wherewil^h they were created : -which the '^Post
tells ofy Ovid met .
Os homiDi fublime dedic ccrlnmvqiie videri juf-
fic, &c,
whereas all beaf^s look down vvitih Grovd'ngeyej
To man God gave looks mii^t vviihMajefv.
And wiii'd him wih bold fac; to view thc';l y,
^4 Jm
To the Reader*
^nd therefore I present the ingeniom Readef
wtth a pan of the M^orkes of the renowned Vzitctl'
fus ofthefecrets of Alchymj^Occuk Philofophy , and
the wonderjull operation of the Celefttal bodjes^ in
€%ring difeafes by fgils and charAtters^mdde and ap"
tlyed tn ft eleBed times and feafonsj and under their
'proper confieliations ^ 06 the Amhor hath direBed^
Inm^: expeCt thefotttfh Malignant cenfures efZoy-
Itis and Momvis^and f^ch fools: but the Author him"
felfin his Prologue in the enfmng difcourfe^fuffcie^U
Ij clears s all ohjeciions^and therefore Ijhali fave that
labour y onelj IwoHld havefuch men not befo vjilf^l-
iy ignorant^i^ altogether to forget^ that the Heavens
declare the glory of God j and the F ^rmament (heweth
bis handyworke. Indeed Mcchanicks and Empi»
ticks do ab^fe ail Arts : One Monntchznk rasks
in verfe againft Afirology , and impudently calls the
profeffors thereof cheaters J ( Sed feipium intueri o»
porcec ) and gives this to be his onely reafon^ that a
fools holt is foonfoot ; and that he endeavoured to
vibfie that Art<^hecamfe he was altogether ignorant of
it himfelf^ and would gladly learn it ; hm he knew
r^ot how nor which way to begin: another ( and too
many fuch render the Art vils) Voep.z»es upon the An
of Ajlrohgie ^ and pretends to cure all difeafes and-
know all things by it 5 and indeed k^ows nothing i
fuch are a great Scandal to the excellency of fuch
Sciences : Sed non loqu i^r (Ht is.. This tranflatwn
is rend::red rather Grammatically then Sententially^
according to the Authors ovpn phrafc jhortly expett
(Deo volente) the other parrs hereofy and fome com^
mems en this and themj tog< ther with the famous art
ff Stegan^^gr^pkyj Auihore Tricemia, tofpeaks^r
"' ' ' -■ ■■• ■ ' " m'fs
To the Reader,
own Language ; and perhaps the Occpilt Th't\o[ophy
of h^nippSidigefied wto a plainer msthsd. thisfhould
have been now inUroed^ ^/^rprefens Status notxci'
is the reason', and the excufe the fame as Ovid's :
Nubiia iunt fubitis tempora noftra mails.
It is the General opnion of moft ignorant people^ to
count all things that are ahsve their Vulgar apwc
henJions<f to be diabolically and meerly brought to pafs
by the wor\s of the Devil : avd under that notion they
conclude all the fecret and Magnctick^operations &f
xature^ and thereby rcb God the creator of all things^
of that glory that is due unto him omly-^ and attribute
the ftme to the 'Devtl. the enemy to God and all the
world: I jhall therefore here take occafion to tellfuch
people (becaufe their Friefis^ that {ho^ld teach them
know ledge ^either carmt or elfe will not) what tloe De"
Vil is. As in the MlcTocofmrn or little world Manj
the Soul ts the hefipart^^^ndthe excrements the worfi;
fo in the great v^orld^asthe UmverfaicreMingfpirit
is the befi part^fo is the Devil rhe excremsm of that
UniverfalSptriti^ni the abjeEl and Capnr inof tunm
of the world ; and the poorefl and mofi wretched of all
created beings? And that worheth a great ArJipathy
between him and us , and the blejfed holy Angels^
who are our governors and ProteEiors^arjd continual
guardians ^md are continually empkjed abmt hs<^ ac*
cording to their orders and rmmfteries appointed
. thery} by the mofl High : although the Devil alwayes
endeavour eth to imitMe and counterfeit the good An'*
geU y and thereby deceiveth many whofe wichednefs
and malice fuitsvfith his naturt^ and at which the
good Angel bein^T^ grievedj leaves them ; and r/^arj
times for the wickidnefs offme T€rfQnorFamily^th0
g§od
To the Reader.
gQoi Angel cmfesftich aperfo^ and family ^or hou(e\
then the wickfd Spirit hanntsfmh houfes^ ^ff'^^ght-
ing the people with many fearful apparitions | neither
canthat houfe he qaiet , nor anyftich ferfon • neither
jhallany of the Generation of any fnch family profper
tintilt that carfe be expi^ted^ and the angry Anf^el ap"
peafed ; as this Amhor wiUtellyon^ and wof til ex-
perience daily (hews : howfreijaently-, and familiar^
ly did thofe hleffed Angels vifihly communicate with
the holy men And Magic ijtns of old / thotig^now ftich
is the wickednefs of our age^ that they have almsfi
quits forf^k^n m : although they are alwayes prefent
about m^ though tnvifthle^admini^ring to m accord-
ing to the orders given unto them from th? fecond
Hierarchy^ who receive the fame from the firfi Hie-
rarchy ^ who always attend before the Throne of the
divine Majefiy ^offering up the prayers of the Saints^
&c . If any one account this fuperflition-) I hope I
(hall never be of the Number of thofe who for fear of
being fuperjiitiom , have reformed themfelves and
hunted Religion till they have lofl thefent of it^ into
meer Atheifm and profane fs. But lefi Ifhould di-
grelfeUlils. CvQ^idzm^and make agate biager then
the City J I will here conclude my (elf Effe idem qui
fum,
A Studio Divinar
Conte mplationis , Robert US Turner.
Auguft, id5j.
In
In Commendation of his Friend's
Tranflation-
Hermetick^and ^hibfopher hyfire^
I^ow in an Englifh gar If thou comefi crewn'd^
What need we for oht Chymi^ry [oar higher ?
Since thcH reveal* ft with thy Profhetick Psn ,
c/ill's needful to be known by th" Sons of Men.
And thoH^mj noble Vriend^who thm hafh dreft
Him in our Enghfh Fajhim^ doft deferve.
With Lam el to becrcwnid t^ith the reft
Of thofe who day ly do \Xtzmiferve, (ftet^
Let wry-moHihed Cynick^s^frate^preachj foam^ and
Hermes true Sons will not thy love for get.
Fare ever well^fo ever wishes he
Who is more yours 'i then he canfetm to he*
W. F,
AJirephilH£>.
An
An Encomium upon his Friend the
Tranflator^s elaborate painsa
FLy Galen hencs'^ Hippocrates begone %
I wiUpreferve my choice : this is that Ons^
Who[e true Elixir doth preferve the frame
OfOHan^sfiail Natme^ vivifies the fame %
By heavenly confiellatedMedicinej
Which vulgar s count but Profs^ I count Divim.
Let Zoil's and Momus 's intoxicated brains
Vif'^raife the Author ^s works 5 Tranflator^s faim
rilfofier^ cherifl? with undannted part
iTjis true fublime Spdgyrick^noble (tArt,
Vroceed then^ Friend^ make all [peakEngUfh : why
Shonld we be barr'd our Native Libertf.^
Thilomtdicm*
The
^?WST?W WWW W^^3sf^$f^<^i^
The Contents of this Booko
OF fimpkFire*
Mtiltiplkity of Fir e^
Variety ef Metals »
The Metds of the Tlanets^
The [Mhftance of Metals,
Ihe Spirit of the Son,
The Body of Mttcury,
The Spirit of the Moon,
Of the Spirit ofVtnns.
The Spirit of Mus^
Of the Spirit of ]npucf.
Of the Spirit ofSlinw.
Of the grofi Spirit of Mercuf y.
Of TifsBures hew they ^*fe made^
The ConjunUion of Male and Fem^ie^
To form oftheglafi hftrumems^
The properties of the Fire^
Signs of the (fonji^nUion nnitede
To k^ow theperfeU TinBure^
To multifly the Ti-Achures,
To ma!(e the Furnace,
To place the Fire»
Of the Co'^janEiion of Male and Female.
Of their Copnldtion,
OfihePhilofophtcdiCoHjuMu of man &
Of the yiachjFinBure,
IBuds appearing in the GUf^
Of the red Cslonrt
F^g'
1 52
3
ibid«
4
5
6
9
10
II
14,15
16
17
■ 19^20
2Q
21
2t
23
24
^5
16
T^
The Contents*
To multiply the TinBure, 27,2.8
Of Occult Philofofhf. 2^
Of (^onfecratiom, 5 3
Of (Ceremonies Ma^k ah 34»35
Of Conjurations, 3 ^>3 753 ^,39
OfCharaBers^ 40
O/Peni: agon ^;?£3[ Hexagon * 4 i
Tj&f p-j w^r thereof^ 4 ^ ^4 3
SfipernaturalDifeafes muji hAvefupernmurd Cures ^
44?45
Vifiofjs and Dreams, 45>4^
Dreams natural and fupematuraL 4 7^48
Of Spirits ^nd Verfons wandriug under the earth* 5 1
Of FygmieSj whu they are, 5 ^ >5 ^
What places the terre neSpirits do mofl frequent, 5 3 ? 5 4
SeveralOpimons of them, 5 55 5^
That they are fuhjeB to death, 5 7
The 'Devil fe ems to imitate the tsrrepse Spirits, 5^*59
Oflmagin:^t-ic7^„ ' 60
The power thereof* 6 1
'Examples thereof ^ 6j^6i
An ObjeBion anf^cre^, 6 3
Of hidden treafure, 64
Of Spirits frj£-LjPu-mi:r£ fs do places, ' 6^.66
The manner ofohtaim ' f ff^ch treafures, 66y6j
How the Spirits change the treafure 6 8
How they remove a, 6p
Of fuch as are pojfejfsd of evil Spirits. 7 0,7 1 ,7 2
75
How to deliver them that arefo pGJfjl^ 74
The ahufe in fuch cafes praB^fed, 7 5 ?7 ^
OfTempe/s, 77
The appearance ofSplrttSi 7 %
fa
The Contents.
7i fumigate them away. 79y^o
The ahtife of Magick. 8 1
The furity thereof . 82
Prefervativesagainfiffitchcraft. 84
Images made hy Witches. 8 5
Mow they ajfliS: men therewith. 8 5 ^8 5
The manner of helping ferfons bewitched, 8 d, 8 7
Experience of Egyptians herein. 88,89
Of the my fiery of the twelve Signs. 9 1
The Verttie ofCharaBers and Seals. 94,9 6
Of Words. 9 %
Celefiial Medicines. loi
Commo n griefs of the head. 1 o i , i o x
The faUing Evil, 102,103^104
To preferve the fight. i o 5 , 1 o 5
Againfi dryne^in the brain. 1 07, 108
Again^ the Pal fey. t ©pji 1 o
Againft the Stone and Sand in the %eins. 1 1 1 ,
IIS
Of the members of generation. 113,114
To preferve hcrfesfomd. 115,11^
The fympathetieal Oyntment, 117,118
The Weapon-Salve. 1 1 8
Againfi the Gout. 1195I 2O5I2I512S
Agatn[t ContraBures. 123,124
F or Womens terms, I2 5\
For the menftrue. 1 2 5, 1 2 7
For the heprofie. 127^128
For the Vertigo. 129,130
For the Cramp. 131
! For trembling of the hearth S B 1 5I 3 2,1 3 3,1 ^4
Ojl of Coral to prepare, X34
0/
The Contents.
of mpt^res of Bones, 135
I'he my fiery of the twelve Signs^ 13^
I'he Seal of huts, 3t 3 TjM ^
I'he Seal of Taurus. 1 3 9>i 4^
neSealofGtmmi. 140,141,142
rheSealofCzncQT. 14^514?
The Seal of Leo, I43>i44
Virgo, and its SeaL 1 4 5
The Seal of Lihn. M^^
0/ Scorpio, 147,14s
Ssgittary. X4P>i5o
The Seal of C^^tkom. 150,151
O/Aquary. 151515^
r/^^ 5^^/ of Pifce^, 1 5 2>i 5 3
Secrets of Nature to deftroy Mice^ i 54,1 5 5
To preferve Sheep, 1 5 59"^ 5^
For Oxen and Horfes, 1 5 ^,i S7
to deftroy F lyes. ,. i57
M:
To be fold by NSroak^zK the Angel in Cornhil
A Romance called Tke Imperiom Brmher^
and The lEufi;fkm Skpherdtfs.
Wit and Drolkiy : with other Jovial
Poems,
ffffffffffifffffif
The Prologue.
lAving firft mvocatcd
the Name of the Lord
Jefus Chrift our Savi-
our^wc will enierpriEC
this Work ^ wherein
we fliall not only teach
how 10 change any in-
feriour Metal into bet-
ter 5 as Iron into Copper, this into Silver^
aad that into Gold,eJ^i;. but alfo to help all
infirmiticSj whofecure to the opinionated
and preiumptuous Phyfitians , doth feeni
impoflible: But that which is greater, to
preferve , and keep mortal men to a loag,
fouad^ and perfcdAge. This ART
was by our Lord God the Supream Crea-
tor , ingraven as it were in a book in the
body of Metals, from the beginning of
the Creation ^ that we might diligently
learn from them. Therefore when any
The Trologut^.
min defireth throughly and perfei^ly te
Icarh this An kom iis true foundation , ic
will be neccffary thac he learn the fame
fronti theMaftcr thereof, to wit, itom
God 3 who hash created all things 5 and
cnelylKao^eth^^hat Nature and Proprie-
ty he hiatreif hath placed in every Crea-
ture* Wherefore he is able to teach e-
very oae certainly and perfeftly i and
from him we may learn abfolutely , as he
hath fpoken , fsying , of mejefhaUkArn
AUtbings i iot there is nothing found in
Heaven nor in Earth fo fecrctj whofc pro*-
perries he p^rceiveth noe^ and moft exad^
ly knowf Ih and feaih ^ who hath created
all things. We will therefore take him to
be our Mafter^ Operator, and Leader into
this moft true Art. We will therefore imi-
tate him alonegtnd through him learn and
attain to the knowledge of that Nature,
which he himfelf with his own finger hath
engraven and infcribed in the bodies of
thcfe Metals- Hereby it will come to pais,
that the moft high Lord God (hall blefs all
the Creatures onto us , and fball fandlifie
all our Wayes ^ fo chat m this Work we
may be able to bring our Beginning to its
defired Endj and the Gonfequencs thereof
to produce exceeding great Joy and Lota
in our HeartSo
Bu5 if any one {hall follow his own
onely Opinion, he will not oncly greatly
deceive himfelf-, but alfo all others wh6
cleave and adhere therauneo 5 and (hall
bring them unto lofs® For mankinde is
certainly born in ignorance, fo that he can
neither know nor underftand any thing of
hinfifelf^ but onely that which hereceiv-
eth from God ^ and underftandeth from
Nature. He which learneth nothing from
thefcjis like the Heathen Matters and Phi-
lofophersj who follow the Subtikies and
Crafts of their own Inventions and Opi-
nions, fuch as are x^riHotle , Bippocraus^
Kjlviama^ Gallen^ &c. whogrouadedall
their ARTS upon their own Opinions
onely. And if at any time they learsSed any
thing from Nature 5 they deftroyed ita^
gain with their own Phantalies ^ Dreams^,
or Inventions , before they tame to the
end thereof, fo that by them and their
Followers there is nothing perfecT: at all to
be found.
This therefore hath moved and induced
us hereunto^ to write a peculiar book of
Alchymy^ founded not uponmcss^ buc
' B 2 upon
ThelPrologueS.
upon Nature ii fclf ^ and upon thofc Vet-
tues and Powers, which GOD with his
own Finger bath impreffed in Metals.
Of this imprcflion Mercurim TrifmegiBm
was aa Imitator, who is not undefervedly
called the Father of all Wife-men, and of
all thofc that followed this ART with
love , aad with earneft dedre ^ and that
man demonflrateth and teacheth^ that
€od alone is the onely author » caufe and
Original of all creatures in this ART.
But he doth not attribute the power and
virtue of God, to the creatures orvifible
things, as the (aid heathen , and fuch-Iike
did. Now feeing all A R T ought to be
learoed from the Trinity^thatis,from God
the Father , from God the Son of God,
our Saviour Jefus Chrift, and from God
the holy Ghoft, three diftiaa perfons^ but
one God ; We will therefore divide this
our Alchymiftical worke into three parts ^
or Treatifcs 'in the firft whereof, we will
lay down what the A R T containeth in it
fclf I And what is the propriety and na-
ture of every Metal i Secondly, by what
means a man may worke and bring the like
powers and ftrength of Metals to effect*
And thirdly, what Tindures are to be pro-
duced from the Sun and Moone. Fa-
p
araceiius
Ifi
Of the Secrets of Alchymt-
Difcovered, in the Nature ©f the
PLANETS.
CHAP. L
Of jlmfk Vin^
N the firft pkce^we ftitlleii^
deavour and ofidertake
to declare^ what this Ate
comprehendeth^and what
is the fubje^ thereof i aad
what are its prop rietief*
The prime and chief
fubje<a to this Art belong-
ing, is fire I which alwayg
ilvech in one and the fame propriety and 0-
B 3 pera-*
% Paracelfus of tk
peration; neither can it receive life from an
thing elfe. Whctefore it hath a condition an
power , as all fires that lie hid in fecret things,
have,of vivification,no otherwife then the Sun is
appointed of God,which heateth all the thingsof
the world5both fecret,apparent ?c manifeftias the
Spheres of Mars^Satmn^enmy Jufker^ Mercury^
and Lma^^^idi can give no other light but what
they borrow from the Sun , for they arc dead of
£hemfelvesvNeverthelcfs,when they are kindled,
as above is fpoken, they worke and operate ac-
coriding to their properties. But the §un hia^felf
^^crciveth his light from no other but from God
hirpfelf, who riileth him by himfelf , fo that he
burneth and fiiineth in him. It is no otherwife
in this art. The fire in th^ furnace is compared
to the Sun 5 which heateth the furnace and the
veffels^as the Sun in the great world ; for even
as nothing can be brought forth in the world
without the Sun, fo llkewife in this Art nothing
can be produced without this Simple fire ; no
operation can be made without its it is the
greateft fecret of this Art i comprehending all
^things which are comprehended therein, neither
can it be comprehended in any clfe; for it a-
feideth by it felf : it lacketh nothing; but other
things which want thar^ do injoy it , and have
life fromit ; wherefore we have in the firft place
UndertookeiQ declare it.
Chap.
Secrets ofAlchjmj. 5
Chap.il
Of the mHhrplicity of fir e^ fr opt which varktiesof
Metalls do ^rii
W!
E have firft written of fimplcfirewbkh Ev- ■
eth and fubfifteth of it ielf s now we oome
to Ipeajce of a manifold ipirit or fire, wiiich is, thel
caufe of variety and diver&y of creatures , fo.
that there cannot one be foundright like iaoo^t
therjSnd the lame in every partj as ic may befeefi
in Metals, of which there is none whidh hath
another like ic felf ? the 5/^« produceth his gold i
the CMdon produceih apother Metal far diffei?
rent, to wit, filver ; tj^^rs another, that is to fiy.
Iron; Jupiter pro ducedi another kind of Met ai^
to wit,Tin ; ^«;^ aiaother^wbichi^; Copper;and
Saturn another kind, that is to fay, Lead % fo thac
they are all unlike , andfeveral one from ano-
ther : the fame appeareth to be as well amongft
men as all other creatures, the caufe whereof is
the multiplicity of fire. As by fome heat is
produced a mean generation by the corruption
thereof ; the wa(hing of the Sea another^ Afbes
another, Sand another , Flame of fire another,
and another of Coales, &c. This variety of
creatures is not made of the firft fimple fire, but
of the regiment of elements, which is various 5
not from the Sun, but from the courfe of the
feven Planets, And this is the reafon that the
B 4 world
'/^ FaYacdmsQf the
world containeth tsothing of fimilitude in k§
individuals s for as the heat is altered and chang^
cd every hour and minute;fo alfo all other things
are varyed s for the tranfmutation of the fire is
made in the elements, in vyhich bodies it Is im-
printed by this fire. Where there is no great
miicture of the elements, the Sun bringeth forth i
where it is a little more thicke, the t^oott ;
where more grofs,f^^;^/«.* and thus according to
the diverfity of mixturesjare produced divers
Metals I fothacno Metal appearethin the fame
mine like another. It is therefore to be known^
that this variety of Metals is made of theitiixture
of thcfiements, becaufe that their Ipirits are al-
fo found divers and without fimilitude ; which if
they were brought forth from the (implefire,they
woiild be fo like , that one could not be known
from another: but the manifold variety of forms
interceding , hath introduced the fame among
the creatures. From this it may eafily be gather-
ed, why fo many and fo various forms of Metals
are found, an^d wherefore there is none like un«
coanother»
Chap.IIL
^the fpirit or tinBure of(^.
NOw we come to the fpirits of the Planets
or Metals. The fpirit or tinfture of the Smi
taketh its beginning from a pure, fubtil, and per-
fea- fircj whereby it cometh to pais,that it far ex-
^- ■ . . / ^ ^ celleth
Secrets of (tAlchymj. 5
cellethall other Ipirics and tindlures of Metals s
for it remaineth conthntly fixed in the fire , out
of which it flyeth not ; neither is it confumed
thereby, much left burnr , but rather appearcth
more cieere, faire and pure by it ; alfo no heat
nor cold can hurt it , nor no other accident, as
in the other fpirits or tinflures of Metals : and
for this cauie , the body which it onceputteth
on, it defendethfrom all accidents and difeafes^
that it may be able to fuftain the fire without de«
triment. This body hath not this power and
virtue in it felf, but from thefpirit of the Sun
which is included therein : for we know that the
Sun is the body oiMercmy , and that this body
cannot fuftain nor fuffer this fire, but flyeth from
it ; when as it doth not fly from the fire when it
is in the Sun, but remaineth conftant and fixed
therein. This affordeth unto us a moft certain
Judgement , that it receiveth fuch a conBancy
from his fpirit or riti<^ure: wherefore if that fpirit
can be in this t^leyxmj^ every one may judge
that 'it may worke the lame in the bodies of
men , when it is received of them ; as we
have fufficiently fpoken in our c^^^^»^ C^/r^r-
£f>, of the tinfture of the Sufi^ that it will not
onely reftore and preferve them that ufe it, from
infirmities , but alio preferve them to found and
long life. In like manner,the (length & virtues of
all other Metals are to be known from true ex-
perience, not from the wifdom of men and of the
I world,which is fooliflinefs withGod & his truth;
\ and all thofe who do build upon that wifdom,
\ andrepofe thei? hope thereupon are miierably
deceived. Chap,
Paracelfus of the
■I
Chap. IV.
Of. the tinUure and Spirit of the Dj
HAving now fpoken of the tindure of the5i#«,
it remaineth that we come now to fpeak of
the tindure of the LMoon^ and of the white tin-
<fture, which is alfo created of a perfe^a fpiric,
but lefs perfeft then the fpirit of the Shh^ Ne-
vertheleis it excelleth the tin6luresof all other
Metals followifflgjboth in purity & fubtiltyjwhich
is very well known to all that treat of the Moon^
and alio to Rufticks: for it fuffereth not ruft, nei-
their is it confumed by the fire ; as all other
Metals, as 5^r^r», which fly from the fire; but
this doth not : from whence it may be gathered,
that this tinfture is far more excellent then the
other following, for it preferveth its body that
it aflumeth conftantly in the fire, wichouc»any
accident or detriment : and from hence it is fuf-
ficiently manifeft , if this in his own corruptiblq
bodybyhimfelfmaketh iMerctsry^ what will it
be able to efFev^,being extrav^ed from it ielf into
aoother body ? will not that alio fave and defend
from infirmities and accidents after the fame
manner ? Yes furely, if it make this {J^/tercurjin
its own body,it will do the fame in the bodies of
men : neither doth it onely preferve health ,
butcaufeth long life,and cureth difeafes and in-
firmities 5 even in thofe who fubfift beyond
;hQ
Secrets of Alchymy. y
the ordinary courfe of nature : for the more
high,fubtile and perfect the medicine is, fo much
the better and more perfe6liy k cureth ; where-
fore they are Ignorant Phyfitians , who practice
their Art onely upon vegetables , as herbs and
fuch-Uke things, which are eafily corrupted i and
by thefe , they endeaour to effeft & bring to pafs
fuch vvorkes as are firme and (kble ; but in vain,
whenasthey occupy the Aire. But wherefore
fliould we Ipeake much concerning thefe? They
never learned any better things in their Univer»
fities : therefore if they have been compelled fo
to learn and (^udy from their beginning, they
think it a great difgrace to them to do otherwife
for the future : whereby it comes to pafs, thac
£hcy ftill continue in their old Ignorance*
Ckap.V.
' Ofthefiiritof2'
\^E have even now made mention of a white
fpirit, or candid tin6lure : now we come to
fpeake of a Red fpirit, which is derived out of a
Grofs Elementary mixture of the fuperiours , to
which alio it is joyned,& is of a more perfci^ fub-
fiance, then the fpirits and tin6lures of the other
fubfequent Metals , becaufe it endureth the fire
longer then the other, and is notfo foon melted
or diffolved as the other fpirits which follow.
Alfo the ayre, and the humidity of the fire^ arc
noc
S Paracelfusoff^^
not fo nocent unto it, as unto Mars • by reafon
whereof^it doth the longer endure the fire. This
povirer and property hath Feniis^ that is his body,
from the fpirit that is iofufed into it. Now the
iime effe6l that it worketh in its own body, that
is5inf^«^,the fame effe6ls it alfo produeth in the
bodies of men, fo far forth as nature hath granted
onto it ; for it preferveth wounds in fuch manner,
fo that no accident can invade them, nor the Air
or water hurt them • and expelleth all fuch
difeafes as are under the degree thereof^ This;
fpirit alfo breaketh the bodies of Metals, To that
they will endure the hammer ; and alfo in tht
bodies of men , when it is taken of them with
whom it agreeth nor, it effe6i:eth things isot con«
venient. Wherefore it is very neccffary, that the;
Phyfitian that defires to make ufe of thefe fpirits,
be very expert in the knowledge of Metals,
Therefore it is far better to ufe the more perfeft
fpirits , which may be taken without any fuch
feare of dangers neverthelefs , feeing the fpirits
of the Sun and LMoon are dear and precious, to
that every one is not able to accomplifli them,to
perform cures with , therefore every one muft
take according to his ability, what h© is able
to attain unto : alfo every one is not fo wealthy,
that he can be able to prepare thefe medicines;
therefore he is forced to take fuch as he can have«
Every one may from hence eafily gather,that the
Metallike medicines do far exceed vegetables
a*id As^imals in ftrength and power of curing and
healing* And thus-much of the fpirit oiVentis.
Chap.
Secrets of Akhymy. p
Chap«VL
Of theSfiritcfS^
THat we may now come to fpeakc of the Spi^
ric of Mars , that is of a more Grofs and
combulHble mixture of Elements, then the oiher
fpirits going before ; but the Spirit of Mars is en-
dued with a greater hardnefs then the other Me-
tals; lb that it doth not fo eafily melt and diitolve
in the fire , as the other following. But iiiiffers
much hurt both by the wner and the Aire , fo
that it is confumed by themjand is burnt with the
fire, as experience makes appeare : Wherefore
the Spirit thereof is more imperfc^ then any of
thefuperiourfpiritssbutin hardnefs and drynefs
it exceedeth all other Metals, both fuperiourand
infeiiour : for it doth not onely retain a peife<^
fubrtance, and refift the hammer^ as the Sm and
Moon^hxxi alio as thofe which are wkhin it felf^
as Jupiter and Satur^^ and the likt. Whereas
therefore it thus worketh in Metals , it fhewsth
that it bath the fame eitec^ in the bodies of men,
that is^t produceth relu^ancy;efpecially where it
is taken for a difeafc not convenient, it gr ievouf*
ly affli6leth the members with pain. Never the-
lefs, when it is taken and applyed for wounds,
fuch as do not exceed its own degree^t cleanfeth
and mundifieth them, &c. Wherefore this fpirit
is not much lefs in power and virtue then one of
thefuperiours, in thofe things for which it was
by God and Nature ordained. Chap,
lo FaracQlfusofde
Chap. Vn^
OfthSpiriPof^p,
OF the fpirk ot Jupiter^ we are to know, that
it is derivedof a white and pale fubftance of
firei but it is of a frangible and brittle naturejHot
enduring the hammer/o as ^^r/; wherefore it is
a brittle Metal : ah example thereof appears, if
it be mixed with the LMoon , it c^n hardly be
wrought to its firft malleation, without great la-
bour : the fame eflFe6^ it hath in all other Metals^ :
except in Saturn onely. And the fame operation |
which it hath in the bodies of metals , it alfo |
produceth the fame efFe6ls in humane bodies; but ;
burneth Sccorrodech the members,hindring them
from their own perfeft operations, thereby difa- :
bling them form performing the work which na- ;!
ture requiresjSc neceffitates them unto.Neverthe^ Ij
lefsjthis ipirit hath in it this virture, that it tak- I
^thiway the ulcers of cancers, fii^ula'sand fuch j
like^efpecially fuch as exceed not the degree of j
its nature which God and Nature have giveii
Bnto lu
Chap4
Secrets of Alchjmj. ii
Chap^VIIL
Ofthe Spirit of Ti'
THc Spirit oi Saturn is formed and created of
a dry, cold and blacke mixture of the Ele-
ments ; whereby it comes to pafs, that amongll
all other Metals , it endureth leaft in the fire :
Whereas the 5;#;;and CHooh arc proved to be
durable : if Satum be added to them, it clearly
refineth them; necerthelefs the nature thereof is
to diminiih their hardnefs.The fame operation ic
hath in the bodies of men , but with great paio
and dolourjas Jupiter and Mars^ by reafon of the
mixture that it hath with the cold, wherefore ic
cannot fo mildly operate.But it hath great power
and vertue it\ the cures of fibula's , cancer?: and
ttlcers, which are under the degree and nature^
thereof: it expelleth out-A^ard diieafes , and rhe
outward impurities of the 'LMoon, Neverthdefs
if it be not carefully applyed^ it doth more hurt
then good ; wherefore he that would rightly ufe
it, ought neceffarily to know the nature thereof,
and what difeafes it cureth , and may be applv»
ed unto.- which being neceffarily confidered^
no hurt will follow thereby.
1% FarsLcdfusofthe
Chap. IX.
bftheGrofs Spirit of ^'
THe Spirit of tMercmj^ which is onely
fubje<5ted to the other fuperiour Spirits,
hath no certain determiriate form or fab-
ftancein it felf : hereby it comes topafs that h
admitteth every other Metal: even as wax receive
eth the impreffionofall forms of Seales^fo this
Elementary Spirit cometh to be compared to th^
other Spirits of Metals : for if it receive into it
felf the Spirit of the Snn , this (lull be mad^
out of it felfjif thQMo&n<^(ht is made out of it feffs
thefameeffe(5^ this Spirit worketh with all th^
.other Metals with whom iragreeth,and receivc^H
iheir properties into it ielf: for this caufcjaccord-
inig to its body, it is appropriated to the other
Spirits above written, even as the Male to the
Female: for the Sun is the body of Mercury^ ex-
cept onely that the Sun faftneth and fixeth the
Meravry^xxt the common Mercery is inconftant
and volatile: neverthelels it is iiibjeA to all the
Spirits ijforefaid, and geiierateth again,not one-
ly the metallicke Spirits and tin6tures afore
Ipoken of^, but the Metal it felf, by which the
aforenamed tin6lures do come into their opera-
tion : But if the mean be not obferved,it will be
inpoffible ever to bring thofe kind of tindlures
to perfe£lion i for if the fire be too high which
fliculd
Secrets of Jlchy my. i^
ftiould vivifie this tinfltire, it doth extinguifli it^ \
that it cannot operate; andthefame effc^i?,if
Ic be too wcake : wherefore in this place it is
jieceffary xoi>e known what medium is to be ob-
ferved in this Art, and what are the ftrength and
properties thereof; and alfo after what manner
at is to be ordered, and how thetinSures are
CO be coloured, and to bfingthemtoaperfed
worke > that they may germinate and appeare.
Thus briefly do we conclude and end our firft
Treatife.
The end of the firft Treatife*
MhmMM MiMkMM
^ th
^^^.^^^ ^Uvj ^^y^.^^^^^^
li. Paracelfuso/^tfe
The fccond Treatifei of the Philofophers
Mercury >znd the mzdrnmo^Tindimts.
In thefiyji Treatife ws h4v& written of the Spirits ani^
'TinBmes of MhoIs , 8CC, "Declaring all the^
properties and natmes^ and what every Metal ge'
fjerateth. In this fecond^ we (hall treat of the me-
dium $fTinUHres^that is^fthe Philofophers Mer=
cury 5 whereby aire made the TinBures and Lea*
venofMetalsj in feven Chapters following.
Chap.L
Of what the TinUures and Leavens are mMe^
WHofoever defirah to have the tin6lure
of Metals , he ought to take the Phi^
lofophers Mercury-^ U let him caft the
fame into its ownend^that isjinto quick Aiercurjy
from whence it proceedeth;^ hereby it; wil come
to pafs , that the Philofophers Mercury (hail be
diflolved in the quick Mercury^ and fhall receive
its ftrength rfo that the Mercmj of the Philofo-
phers kilieth the quick Mercury^ Sc'maketh it re-
main fixed in the lire of the fame exigence with
it felf : for there is the like concordancy between
ihefe MercHTieS'^zs is between Male and Female,
man
Secrets of Alchymy. 15
man and wife ; for they are both derived of the
grofs fpirits of metals, except that the body oiSd
remaineth firm 8c fixed in the fire: but the quicke
Msrcary is not fixed ; neverthelefs they may be
appropriated one to another^as graine of corn or
feed are to the earth ; which we will demon-
Ikate by an example, after this manner: If any
one fowe barley, the fame he (ball reape i if
Wheat or Rye, or any other grain, the fame he
fliall gathetj&c.even io it is in this arc;if any one
fowe the Gold of 5^/, the fame he reapeth 5 & of
the MQon^hz (hall gather; and fo alfo of all other
Metals, For this reafon we fay in this place, thac
the Tinctures do fpring out of Mentals, that is,
oucofthePhilofophers Mercury^ and net from
the quicke Mercnrj ; but this produceth the Seed
which firft conceiveth.
Chap.il
Of the CoYijun^ion of A4ale and Fenia!e^ of man and
woman,
TT is firft of all neceffary ro beknown,that the
Mercury of the Phiiofophers, and the quicke
Mercury , are both to be conjoynedand firmly
united and fixed together; how much there^
of is to be taken: neither more nor iefs then
equal, is to be taken, left it hindretb 3 or alto-
gether deftroyeth the whole worke 5 For the
feed is luffocated with fuperfiuicy, that it cannot
live io long until it be joyned and fix^d to the
C 2 Phi-
i6 FarsLceKus of the
Phllofophers Mercur^3ut if there be too little,
that it cannot be diffolved into a body, it is alfo
dcftroyed , that it cannot be able to bring forth
any fruit : wherefore the Artificer ought certainly
to know how much of the one, and the other
ought to be taken , if he would bring this
worketoits perfeft end; the Receipt thereof
is this 5 Take one part to two , or three to four,
and thou canllnot erre , but (halt attain to thy
defiredend.
Chap. III.
Of the form of the InfltHments ofGlafs^
T^He Materials being thus rightly and duly
prepared and mixc together, then you md\
have Glafs-veffeis^of due proportion, and even
fi^nefs and capacity^ neither too great nor too
litcle^but fit : For if the vefiels be too big , the
Female, that iy, the flegme, is difperfed and loft ;
whereby it comes to pafs that the feed cannot
bring forth r where the veffels aretoo UtEle,
the growth is liifFocated that it cannot come to
fruit, no ctherwiiebut as if feed (houldbe fowne
under trees or under thornes, fo that it cannot
bud and fpringup, but perilbeth without any
fruit; therefore no little error may happen by
the veffels ; which being once committed,cannon
be any more mended in the fame workes nei-
ther can that worke be perfewled or brought to
Secrets of Jlchy my. 17
any good end. Wherefore, note what follows,
to wit , that you take three ounces with the
half, and four pounds ; fo the proceeding is right,
and you fliall prefcrve the matter that it be not
dilperlcd, nor the Phlegme nor the generation
lmpedited,&Ca
Chap. IV.
Of the -prof er ties sfthe fire^
\X7Hen you have placed the matter in fit vc&
' fels, you fliall carefully keep and maintain
the natural heatj that the externall heat do not
overcome or abound over the internal 5 for if the
heat be too much, there can be no conjunction
made, by realbn that the matter is difperied and
burnt by the vehemency of the heat 5 (o that no
good arifeth thereby, Wherefore the middle regi-
on of the air is by nature ordained between hea-
ven and earth;otherwite the Sun and Stars would
burn up all the creatures upon the earth 5 fo that
nothing could be produced or fpring forth from
it: therefore fo work, that you put fuch ati
Airy part or diftance between the matter and
the iSie • after this manner let it be donc/hat the
heat may not eafily do hurt any wayes , nor di(»
perfe the matter, much -iefs burn it : but if the
fire be too littkjand not quick enouoh/.he Spific
then refteth, the fire nothing operating upon its
humidity; neither will ic be exficcated nor fixed :
C 3 for
iS FataccKusof the
for the Spirits of Metals arc dead of thcmfelves,!
and do reft, fo that they cannot at ail operate of
themfelves^unlefs they are quickned by the fire.
It is no otherwife in the great Univerfe of the
world, where feed being caft into the earth, is
dead, and cannot grow nor increafeof it felf,
unlefs it be quickned by the heat of the Sun ; It
is chiefly neceffary therefore in this worke, to
cred and build the fire right and proportion-
ably , neither too great nor too little ; other-
wife this worke will never be brought to a per-
fed and defired end/
\^H A Pa V »
of the Signes dppemn^ in the union of Cofijunttion^
TTHe fire being moderately kept gc maintained, :
the matter by little and little will be moved
toblackneisi afterwards, when thedrynefs be-:
gins to worke upon the humidity , there will
likewife arifein the Glafs , various flowers of
divers colours, fuch as appeare like the taile of a ,
Peacocke, and fuch as no man ever faw before.
^Ifofomtimesthe Glafs appeareth as if it were!
aimoft drawn into Gold % which being perceived,!
it Hieweth certainly that the feed of the Malci
dothrnle and operate upon the feed of the Fe-I
in^ks and that the fame is fixed together; that j
is, this )l<fr/^/ir;'isFxedand worketh upon the!
Quick Mfra^rjj and heginneth ^o be mixed with |
Secrets ofAlchjmy. i^
it: afterwards, when the humidity begins to
weare away by the drynels, thoie colours do dit-
perfe, and the matter then beginneth at length
to wax white,and ib proceedeth until it come to
the higheft degree of whitenels. But efpecially ic
is to benotedjthat the thing is not to be halkned^
according to their opinions who fuppofefuch
work to be like unto that which is difcerned in
the produ<9:ion of corn, and of mankind 5 to wir^
the time of bringing forth the one, is in the Space
of nine moneths 5 the other, ten or twelve
moneths. For fo foon the Sun and Moon do
cauie Maturity, and bring to the birth, as the in-
fant from the belly of his Mother; fo the grain
from the bowells of the earth. For it is to be
known, that every thing that is quickly or haftily
made or born, doth foon perifh: An example
hereof,both men gc herbs do afford.They which
are looneft produced or born, their life is fliort i
it is not lb with the Snn and Moofi;£or they caufe
a far more perfed nature in men ; whereby it
comes to pafs,that they produce long life to them,
and preferve them from many accidents and dif-
eafes.
Chap. VI,
Of the knowledge of the ferfeB Tidlure
TN the foregoing chapterjwe have fet forth how
the matter it felfworketh by degrees s but In
C4 this
20 FaYSLCQlmsof the
this5 we (ball declare, by what means it may be
known when it is perfect. Thus do ; take the
wliice ftoneof the Mdo^^by which the- white
fpringech , and feparate a little peece from it
with a paiie of Sciffars, and put it upon a plate of
Copper^heating it glowing hot in the fire s if it
fmoke, then the ftone is not perfed, therefore
It muft remain longer in the deco<5i:ioii5 until the
ftone come to its degree of perfeftiombut if it do
not fmoke, thenbe affured it is perfe^l -. the fame
is to be done with the Red ftone of the Sm^ in
the degrees of the operation thereof.
Chap. VIL
To A^gm^nt or MyJtivlytks TtnUmes^
V^^Hen you would Multiply or increafe the
Tiadure you have foundjtnixt it together
igain with common Metcuryj and worke it in all
things as at firftj and double one part a hundred
times more then it was coloured before ; this do
bften-times over again^ until you have as much
matter as you will; and by hov^much the longer
it remaineth in the fire, by ib much the higher
aiid more fublime will the degrees thereof be; fo
that one part thereof will change the infinity of
the quick MercHry\ into the bell and moft per-
itdcLtma zndi Soh New yen have the whole
progrefftoG from the beginning to the end 5
wherewith we e;id ihh fecond Treatife^and be-
|inthe third.
.- - The end of the lecond Treatifee In
Secrets of Alchymy.
21
In the [econd Ireattfe^we have told how the TifiBmes
or Leavens opight to he made ^ inthe third^we
jhaH declare and amply fet forthvpherewith the 'Tin'
^ tires of the Sun and Moon are made ; and after
vphat manner Sol and the ether Vianet s opight to
he made ; to wif^ with the Furnace and the
Fire*
Chap, I.
Of the building of the Furnace ; and 5 */ the
Firec
MErcurim Hermes TrifmegiJtHS'^imh^lhtLt
he which would perfeft this Art^ muft^ a^
it wercj build a new World -, for after the
fame manner 06 God created the Heaven and Earthy
the Furnace with the Fire is to be hudt and governed.
That ife to fay, after this manner : Firft, Let there
be a Furnace built of the height of (ix fpan?, ex-
tended from the top of the fingers to the rhumb ;
and in breadth one handful •, in the innde^lct it
be round and plain,lell the Coals cleave i3nto it j
from whence let it a little decline to the border
thereof; and let there be holes iefranderneath
four
%z raracdius of we
four fingers broad y and let every hole of the
Furnace be fupplied with a Copper Cauldron to
contain the Water. Afterwards, take good and
hard Coals, which you (hall break in Gobbets a-
bout the bignefs of a Walnut ; with thefe fill the
long Furnace ; which then is to be liopped up,
that they may not burn out. And afterwards,
let fome Coals be kindled to the holes below :
if the Fire be too great, lay a ftone before it ; if
too little, ftir the Coals with an Iron-inttrument,
ihat they ma^ be pierced with the Air , and the
Heat may be increafed. This way you may keep
your Fire, according to the true Exigency of Na-
ture ; neither too exceffive , nortoofmall • but
molt fit and apt for the motion of the Matters
this is compared to the Firmament* There is
alfo in this place another Firmament, to wit, the
Matter contained in the Glafs ; after which fol-
loweth the form of the World. Therefore the
Furnace is to be placed as the Sun in the great
World, which giveth Light, Life and Heat to the
univerfal Furnace, and all Inftruments, and to all
other things whatfoevcr concluded under it.
Chap.
Secrets of Akhymy. %^
Chap, II.
Of the CoHJunBion of the Male with the Ventale.
HAviDg now treated of the Furnace and the
Fire wherein the Tindures are to be pre-
pared, now we intend largely to write how the
Man and Woman do agree , and how they are
joy ned together: that is to lay , after this man-
ner : Take the Mercury of tbe Philoibphers, pre-
pared and mundified in its higheft degree ; this
refolve with his Wife, ita wit, with quick tMer*
€Hry\ as the Woman redeiveth the Man, and as
the Man cleaveth to the Woman % and even as a
Man loveth his Wife, and the Woman loveth her
Husband, fodo thePhilofophers Mercury and
the quick ^<er^/^r;' , profecute the greatett love^
and are moved by Nature with a great afFe^^ion
towards us : So therefore the one and the other
iJ/^rr/^r/^jareconjoyned each to other, and one
with another, even as the Man with the Woman,
and flie with him, accordmg to their bodies, that
thereis no difference between themiand they are
congruent in their ftrength and proprieties, fave
onely, that the Man is firm and fixed , but the
Woman is volatile in the Fire. And for this
Caufe , the Woman is united to the Man, fo
that (he receiveth the Man , ar.d he fixeth and
faftneth her firm and conftant in any balance ;
as it followeth 5 They are both to be fo clofe
luted
%.^ . Paracelfus of the
Imed and covered, that the Woman may not e- i
vapofate or breath out, otherwife the whole it
Work will come to nothing. n
Chap. III.
Of the Copulation of the Male and Female. '
"y Y"^^^. yo" have placed the Man and the
Wife in the Matrimonial Bed ; if you
would that he may operate upon her, fo that2
Che may bring forth , it is neceffary, and muft be,
that the Man have his operation upon the Wo-
man, fo that the feed of the Woman may be co-
agulated and joyned together into a Mafs, by the
fecid of the Man; otherwife it produceth no
Fruit.
Chap, IV.
Of the Philofefhical conjmUion of the Man and fVo*
man.
AFterwards if you perceive the Woman
ro be of a black colour , then certainly be
aflbred that (he hath conceived , and is made
pregnant : and when the feed of the Woman
embraceththefeedof theMan, this is thefirft
Signe and Key of this whole Art ; therefore be
carc«
Secrets of Alchjmy. 25
careful continually to preferve the natural Hear,
and the blacknefs will appear , and be difperled
and confiimed away by the natural Heat ; as one
Worm eateth and devoureth another^and conti-
mieth confuming {o long, until there be no more
blackneis left.
Chap. V.
Of the black, CoIoht^
THe blacknefs manifeftly appearing , then
know, that the Woman is pregnam ; buc
when the Peacocks Tail begins to appc ar.thit is,
when many various colours will appe^ir iri the
Glafs^itrheweth the working of the Phiiofophers
^/rrr/^r;' upon the vulgar ^^r^ ^r^'^and itretche;h
out her Wings until (he hath overcome it.There-
fore when thedrinefs operates upon the moiilurej
thele Colours do appear.
Chap, VI.
Of the Btid.s ^Yingmg and affs^nng in the Ghp.
ITWHen you perceive thefe various Colours,
then be condant in your work, continu-
ngtheFire, until the Colour of the Peacock's
"ail be fully confumed 5 and until the Matter of
the
z6 raracelms of the
the Mis&n appear white and candid as Snow, and
that the Veffiel hath brought it to the very de-
gree of its perfe(Slion. Then at laft break a little
piece thereof, and put it on a Copper-plate in
che Fire ; if it remain conftan t and firm,and keep
its Tin6lure , it is then brought to the moft per-
kd: fubftance of Lma, This King hath ftrength
and power, notoneiy to tranfmute and change
all metals ; but alfo to cure all difeafes and in-
firmities. This King is laudable, and adorned
with many vertues , and with fo great power,
that he can tranfmute and change Fenm^ LMars^
Jupiter J SMurn^ and Mercury^ into the moft con-
Ihnt Lam^ to every touch-ftone ; and alfo frees
atjd delivers the bodies of men from infinite dif-
eafes, as from Fevours,Feeblenefs, LeproRe , the
French difeafe , or Morhm Gallic fi^^ and from a
great many other infirmities and difeafes • which
no Herbs, RootSj or the like Medicines can poflt-
bly Cure, or take away. Whofoever maketh dai-
ly ufe of this Medicine , fhall attain to, and pre-
ferve himfelf in a found and peifeil: long life,
Chap. VII.
Of the red Co low,
AFter this King is indued with a perfeS
whitenefsj the Fire is condantly to be con
tinned , until the whitenefs begins to takei
yellow Colour i which Colour follows next af-
ter the whitenefs t for by how much the
longer the Heat worketh upon the white and dry
Mat-
k
Secrets of Alchymy. ly
Matter, the more Yellow and SafFron-like grow*
cth the Colour, until it come to perfea rednefs^
which by degrees the Fire worketh to the highcft
degree of the red Colour ; then is the fubftance
of (Sold prepared, and there is born an oriental
King, fitting in his Throne, and ruling over all
the Princes of the World.
CHAi>.Vm.
Of the atigment^tioH or mfthiplkathn hereofm
THc multiplication of this Matter is to be af-
ter this manner, to wit, let it be refolved
into its moifture, and then put the Fire to it, to
the height as at firft , and it will work upon its
moifture oftner then before, and change the fame
into its own iubftance, turning the whole quan-
Iiity of the matter into the fubftancc it felf: where-
fore theTreafures of the Earth are unfpeakable,
^ the world cannot compare unto them ; witnefs
AuiHrellHi.
The Concl»Jion,
This iecret was kept by the mod ancient Fa-
thers amongft their moft occulr and hidden fe-
crets ; who kept the fame, left it fbould come to
A the hands of wicked men, who might thereby be
ta inabled the better, and more fully to accomplifn
0 their vvickednefs and evil ends.We therefore do
•|i require you whofoeverfhall attain to this gift of
ijid God, that you will imitate the Fathers 5 and fe-
cretly
28 Paracelfus of the
cretly ufc and preferve this divit^e Myftcry : for if
you tread it under your feet, or caft Pearls before
mine ; you (hail receive a great judgement from
God the great Judge and Revenger of all things.
But unto thofe whom God by his fingular and
fpccial Grace , hath given abtUnency from all
vices, this Arc (hall be more fully revealed then
to any other $ for with one fuch man fliall more
wifdom be found, then among a thoufand Ions of/
the world,by whom this Art mall never be found
GUI.
Whofoever fhallfinde out this fecfct,and At-
tain to this gift of God , let him praife the mort
high God, the Father, Son, and Holy Ghoft ; the
Grace of God let him onely implore,that he may
ufe the fame to his glory , and the profit of his
Neighbour. This the merciful God graiit to be
done, through Jefus Chrift his onely Son ouf
The
.,^L i^ y^ ^L ^^^ J^. ji^ J^
TheophtaUm Paracet/m
OF
CCtlLTPHILOSOPHf
ThcPrologde.
^J this enfuing bool^
^ wc do intend to txtu
^ of the greateft and
^ moft occult fecrets of
^-Q Phifofophy, and of all
thofe things v^hith do
appertain tb Magtckeg
Nigromancy, Necro-
maacyjPyromancy.Hydromancy^andGe^
omancy? Ckarely and fully demonftr^-
^0 The Trologut^l
ting and fetting forth every thing that
may be inveftigated^cffedied and brought
to paft thereby : this Philofophy in the
pradice thereof is much abufcd ^ by €Je?
temonies and other abufcs 5 and hitherto
the foundation thereof hach been buik
falfcly upon the (and 5 whereby the
whole Artifice and inftruments thereof are
Of erchrowne with the leaft [winds, and
fometimes the Artificers themfelves^efpe-
cially the Nigromanccrs, are taken away
out of the very sniddeft thereof, with the
windcsjthat is^ with tha Spirits, and are
vanquifliedjOvercoHie and carryed away.
It is therefore neceffary that the foundati-
on of thefe and of all other Arts be laid
in the holy Scripturcs^uponthe doftriEC
and faith of Chrift ^ which is the mofl
firmc and fore faundacion, and the chiefe
corner ftooe^ whereupon the three prin-
cipal points of this Philofophy are
grounded* The firft is prayetg whercunto
agrees this word of holy Scripture, A$k^
feeke^ an^kmcke^&c. By which we are to
ficke uuto God^aod faichfully believe his
promifes-,and doing this with a pure heart
snd minde, f r lliall be given tanco uSj, and
we iiisll.fiade what we feake afcer: and
thofe
tnofe things which before remained oc€uk
and fscret , (hall be made open and ma-,
nifefted unto us. The fecond thing found-*
ed thereiBg is faith, which i§ able to re*
move Mouacains into the Sea % for untd
the faichful all things are polfiblej as
Chrift hath fpoken. The third point is
founded in our imagination, which after-
ward is kindled in our hearts^ and then
aptly agreeth and concordcth with %Xm
ffiith aforefaid. ''.'^.
Therefore aH Ceremonies jConjoritl-
ons, Confecratioos. and fuch like vanities
are to be rejected and caft away^ with all
vain foundations, & the true corner- Clone
isthe foundation that is oneiy to be im--
braced in our hearts, thatsSj every thieg
which proceedeth and fpringech frojiE
the holy Scriptures , the light of oaturej,
and fountain ofcruth; we will write
therefore in moft briete and plain words^
the moft cccnir and fecret iWngs^ whfc^
neither CorMli^.:.nj4gnfm.nm F€ur]0
K^hano^ much lefs Tritsmim , never un«
derftoodor wroteof. Neither iec ais^
oneraife fcandall upon this iBf writing of
Philofophy^ but firft rather let him well
perufe and ponder every w©rd 5 and then
D 1' ^ U
^i TheTrdoguLJl
itwillappearcfromwhomi fpeake^ arid
whether I have this knowledge from the
Devilj or from the experience of the pure
light of nature^
theo^
?!
Theophrajlus Taracelfus
OF
Occult PHILOSOPHY.
Chap. I,
Of Confecrationh
EeingGod thegreateftof all good
old in the beginning of the Crea-
tion of the World, plentifully and
abundantly blefs and fanftifie all
things which are therein ; both
Places, Inrtruments, and all Crea-
that have their being upon the Earth-
is no need of other Bleffings and Confe-
crations; for he is Holinefs himfelf : wherefore
all things that he Ordained and made , are alfo
coni'ecrated by and through him. Therefore no
humane things do need any more or other Con-
P ; fecrii
cures.
There
l^ Paracelms of
fecrations 5 but may better , nay bert of all , be
without them, efpetially fuch .as fetting Crcffes
in [he way^CroffesjCirclef?, Swords, Veftures,
Candles or Lights , Water.., Oyls, Fire, Fumiga-
tions, Chara;^ers, Writings, Books, Pentacies,
Sq3,\so( Solomo/^^^ Crowns, Scepters, Girdles,
Rings, &c. and many other things of the lilce-
kinde,which the Ceremonious Nigromancers do
yle againft the Prtantailick Spirits, as if they
could not be compelled and bound by any other
means ; whereas Faitii is the chief and principal
Foundation againd them.
As often as the Ceremonial Nigromancers fay,
cbat this is confecrated and bleff::d,or that many
M.>ffes are celebrated thereupon. Wherefore
they all fa^jthat they are cf power againftthe de-
vil and the malignarjt Spirits, who are terrified
with fear and dread thereof, and flie there-from,
^■•c, and dare not come neer it„
O you very arch-Fools, and ignorant men of
sio worth ! even unworthy of the name of men,
who do give Faith and credit to fuch monfirous
and palpable lyes^when yoU fee notwithftanding
examples thereof before your eyes ; when h
miich lightning fallg upon the Temples , that it
burns and deftroyes the Altars ; which chiefly
happens by the Tempeftsraifed with Inchant-
mnts I alfo, when the Devil and the malignant
Spirits are feen to raii^n about thefe places , and
rare heard by the M^igitians what they fpeak.
Theref ■ re Negromancy with all its Ceremonies^
r^abolute wickednefs, aViper ufed amongft
1115k rsg a wicked woi:kj which blindeth the eyes
Occult Thilojophy. 35
of the fpedators, deceiviDg them of their Money;
but in truth is not to be etkemed worth a half-
penny, icarce aftravv or ruQi : wherefore are not
to be induced or made ule of herein ; as Judens
Solomon in his book hath w ritt en, which the Ni-
gromanccrs call. The Key of Sokmon. For God
would not have them to be ufed ; but hath given
another thing inflead thereof 5 to wit, Faith;
which perfe<aiy conlecraceth all things. Never-
thelefs , I would not have all Conlecrations to
be rejeded , but onely thofe Ceremonies, which
are affumed to be ul'ed againft the phantaftick
and malignant Spirits. But I do not defire,that
any thing (hould be derogated from thofe Ma-
gical Ceremonies and Operations, which are
made for Phyfical ufes : neither, elpecially the
Confecracions in Matrimony , and in the Sicra-
ments of Baptifm, and the Lord s Supper, which
are to be kept and obfervedby us in the higheft
efteem and reverence alwayes, unto the la(t day.
For at that dme we are all perfe(^ly confecrated,
and fandified, and clarified with a heavenly
body.
D 4 Chap,^
^ Paraceifus of
Chap.IIo
Of Coyjfimm^c
BEfore we come to treat of Gonjurations,
whence they proceed , and what is the
foundation of them ; It is firft neceffary to de-
clare, who invented them, whoufed them, and
what hath been brought to pais by them ; and
how more and more they came to be abufed*
Know therefore, that they had their original
Spring and fountain from Babylon ; and there
did mightily increafe and flouriOi : afterwards it
came into £gypt, and from thence to the Ifrae-
lites ; and laft of al 1, to us Chriftians, Amongft
the Nigromancer^ it is very familiar, and held in
great eileeme, fo that in their rude and igno-
rant underftandings, they all attribute more ef-
ficacy, power and vmn^ thereunto, then unto
prayer and faith. This foundation, which is
drawneonely from their opinions, is to be con-
ciemnedj fo that no man almoft ought to remain
rherein i but they ail Juftly deferve to be punifti-^
t4 by the Magiftrate who perfiil therein. Al-
though Conjurations may be able to effeft fome
things in themfelvesjrieverthelefs they are not
to be ufurpe^ by any Magit:|an or vvifeman, be-
cmk they are contrary even to God himfelf,
and to his word and commandments, and alfo
to the light of pature s For nothing of truth can
Ocmh Thilofophy. 37
be forced or drawn from the Spirits thereby s
although they are ibmecimes forced to appeare
in their greateft and Magnificeni: pompe, and
with terrible pride and hanghtinef?, nevertheiefs
they are not bound or overcome by this Conju-
ration ; for that can onely be done by faith a-
lone,
I fayj thofe kinde of Nigromancers who de«
(ire to perform and effect all things by their
Conjurations, fo as to compel, binde, afflid and
Torment the Spirits 5 forcing to do what they
will have them, a' e molt like and fitly to be
compared to thieves and Robbers , that lurk in
woods and p'aces to Rob and murder ; who can
kill and lieale fo long, andfo far forth as God
ihall permit them, but no longer : But when the
time and hour comes , that their villanies and
wickednefs fhall be tiiade manifeft ; then not one
of themoft fuhtii and craftyeft of them can ef-
cape : whereby it comes to pafs^that one for
Robbery receives his death , another is acciiled,
and at la(l com?;s under the power of the hang-
man, who renders him a reward according to
the defert of his workes : No otheiwife are we
to judge of fuch thieves whobreake houfes and
fteal fo long^till at lall they pcrifh at the gallows.
So iikewife doth the Nigrnmancer call and invo-
cateSpirits,corjure and zffild them with punifh-
ments and Marcvrdcmes , fo long as he fhall be
permirted by the Lord God^ut not without the
curfe of God:and when the time and hour of his
.punifhment is come, then as the Proverbeisshe
receiv eth his frmcsi he erred in his Conjurations,
- -' - ' " DOC
iS Paracelfus of
not drawing his Circle as he ought, out of the
will and power of the Spirits, which they often
fay unco him : To wit, thou haft erred in Con-
juring, cr thou haft not tightly drawn the Circle,
thou haft not Chaftifed and prepared thy felf e-
nough ; or that thy Scale and Pentacles are falfc :
wherefore thou receiveft this punifhment ; fo thy
debts are paid thee in ready money , a long time
referved for thee ; and which long fince thou
oughteftto have had: fohe defervedly receiv-
eth his reward from the Spirits, who leave fome
notable eminent niarke remaining upon him ;
or may me him in fome limbe or member, if not;
quite breake his necke : and by this he becomes
his own executioner.
Therefore let thefe Ceremonious Nigroman-
cers take heed and looke what they do; let them
fet this chapter as a looking-Glafs before them,
left by their own frivolous and wicked ope-
ration they themfelves become the fervants of
the Spirits, and fufFer them to rule over them,
and be their own executioners : Which being
don^jthe Spirits will not (uffer themfelves any
longer to be forced or compelled by thefe fer-
vants 5 neither will they do what they will, but
now the fervants (hall be forced to yeeld obedi-
ence to the Spirits, who are become their Lords.
The hang-man alfo doth the like, he hearkneth
not to him that is to be fcourgedjneither will he
(new any mercy or favor at the prayer of him
that is condemned ; but he execmeth the com-
mand of his Mafterjand what appertain? unto his
office.
Even
Occult Tbilojophy. ^p
Even fo alio the Malignant Spiiits are the
hang-men and executioners of God, who can
execute nothing without the commilnon of their
MaJiirate, that is 5 of the divine Majefty.
1 lay therc^iore that all Conjurations are againd
God, and are contrary to his word, the di ine
law. and the light of nature ; which are prohibi-
ted to be uicd not onely to Spirits alone, but
alio iuch as are dire^led to herbs , ftones and
fu:h-like, and efpecially thofe which are made
againlt men ^ it becometh not us 10 ail like the
Heathens^who when they were not able to ule
men after their own wilh , and could not force
and compd them , they did Cor jure them (as
by many examples it h found in the Scriptures )
fo that they were forced and compelled to ex-
ecute and ae^ fach things as were contrary to
their wills and nature. Woe therefore to fuch
wicked Knaves, and to all them whofoever imi-
tate them: how great wickednefs do they com-i
mit? And what grievous Plagues will come to
them at the laft^ and what fearful and horrible
accufations fhall they heare the Devil make a-
gainftthem before the wrath of God ? If after-
wards it were lawful for them to iignifie to fuch
kinde of men, their mifety which they endure,
they who do fuch things,?nany thoufands of thenri
would be brought to repentance.
Cnap,
^•o Paracelfus of
Chap, 1 1 1,
OfCharaBers^
tX71 are not to give credit alio, neither to Char
ra(fter5 nor Words ; for the Poets and Ne-
cromancers do alio much exercife themfelves in
them , and do fill their Con juring-Books full of
them, which they raife out of their own imagi-
nations, meerly and rafhly, without any Founda-
tion^and do feign them againft all Truth 5 whepas
many thojfands of them are not worth a nui:--Oiell.
But in the mean time I will be filent in their Cha-
ia6lers> which they draw in Paper & Parchment^
whi:h are ufelefsly blotted with fuch trifles. It
was a curtome amongft thole kinde oif men,
which amongll ibme is hardly left to this day ,
That by impofing thefe Chara6lers upon thefe
men,they drew them to admiration of themfelves
with thele Chara£lers,and fpeaking fuch words ^s
are wonderful to me, and which were never
heard of ; yet they fay, they are found out and
cfevifed by themlelves. Wherefore it is chiefly
neceffary to have perfed knowledge , to difcern
thefe Letter , Words and Charaf^ers,
There are many fuch-kinde of words found
amongft them, which have no affinity at all with
the Idioms of the Latine , Greek , or Hebrew
Tongues, neither with any other 5 which cannot
poffibly be interpreted by any man^ nor rendred
into
Occult Thilojophy. 4.1
into any other Tongue. Therefore I fpeak not
without caufe^and fay, That we are not to credk
all Letters, Chara^^ers or Words, but to keep to
thofe onely which are true , and have been
often proved , and taken out of the Foundatioo
of Truth.
That we may come to thefe, and declare what
Words or Charafters are juft and true ; we (hall
onely in the firft place detect and unfold
two ; although there may be found many other,
yet ncverthelefs , thefe are mott efpecially and
principally to be accounted and el^eemed of, be-
fore all other Character.';, Penucie , wd ^eils i
note the delineation of them, vvhi h h thu? :
Two Triangular Figures, cu>: ting one another
thorow with a crofs,are fo painted or engra- en,
that they do include and diade t^ -^^ 'vpc into
feven fpaces within , and do n. .kc ux corners
outwardly , wherein are written fix wonderfill
Letters of the great Name of God , to wir, A-
donaj/y according to their true order. This is
one of thofe Charafters whereof we have
fpoken.
There is another which excelleth the former
in power and virtue , and this hath three Hooks
cutting one another through by a crofs , and are
fo delineated , that by their mutual interfe^Sion
they include fix 'paces,and outwardly five angles,
wherein are written five fyilables of thefupream
name of God; to Wii^Tetragrammaton^ alibac*
cording to their true order,
I would have put down the Figures themfelves;
but becaufeyou may happily finde them in many
other
j^i ParacelRis of
other places and Books , I have the rather omit-
ted them.
By thefe two Chara^ers feme of the Ifraelitss '
and Nigromancers of Judea^ obtained many
things 5 and thty are now efteemed of great price
amoagtt very many , and held as great fecrets ?
for they are of fo ^reat virtue and power , that
whatloever is pufftble to be dona by Chara<9:ers
and Words , ch^ (^mt may be efFe<^ed by theni
croneofthem. I would gladly inow, where
and in whai pla e i.i ail the Books of the Nigro-
m nicer s may befcniiti any ether, wherein there
i: niade the like againft the malignant Spirits,
D.^vils, 6c Inchantmenrs of the Magitians^by all |
the deceits and devices of theSorcerers.For they
do deiiver him that is already inchanted either
in his mmde or undertianding, fo that he is forced
or compelled to a^ any thing araiiiit his own
natural will or nature ; or if he luffer any lofs or |
hurt in his body, by the adminilt ration of theie,' '^
made in their juft and due time and hour, aad
being taken in his mouth with a Wafer, Pan-
cake,or fucb-like thing, in four and twenty hours
hefhaU be free from the Inchantment.
There are alfo many other thing which are
helpful in fuch cafes % as thofe whichfbali beby
me laid dovvn hereafter, when I come to fpeakos |n
Tempefts, and the Seafons« ;'
Briefly, thefe Charafters are of fo.great force
and power , that if the Nirromancers did liut
know and believe their power and and virtue,
they would forthwith rejes^: and cait away all
other things ^ even all their other Chara.5lersv
Words^^
Occult Thilcfophj. ^5
Words, Names, Signs, Figures, Pentacles, con*
fecraced Seals of Solomon^ Crowns , Scepters,
Rings, Girdles, and fuch-Uke Ceremonies what-
foever, and wherein hitherto they have repoled
any hope, thinking by them to iecure themlelves
from their dangerous experiments and operati-
ons, when they would invoke, conjure, or think
to compel and force the Spirit?. Truely thofe
which we have fpoken of , are the true Pentacles
to be had and uied againft ail unclean Spirits,
which they do all fear , even they which wander
in the Elements. Neverthelefs , Faith doth
l^rengthen and confirm all theie things.
But Tome may carpingly obje 61, although unde-
fervindy, and lay , That I break the third Com-
mandment of God, of the firft Table of ^^-
[esy wherein it is forbidden of the Lord God, for
any one to take his name in vain. But who a«
mongft any wife men, can be able to fay, That I
have done this ; or, that I have herein ofcnded
God ? whenas I ufe not this for that piirpofe,nor
after the fame manner, as the Nigromancers and
Inchanters ; but onely for the extream neceffity
and help of men, and in thofe dlleaP's and infir-
mities wherein no Medicines, no Anrum potabile^
nor quinteflence of Gold, neither Antir en- ,nor
no fuch fecret can help them , akhcu. h they are
of very great virtue and efficacy.
It becometh a Phyfitian to know the origi-
nal canfe of all difeafes, that he may know which
proceeds from evil meat or drink , as from Ap-
pleSjHerbs, and other fruits of the Bare h : and in
isex"
Paracelfus of
IS expedicntfor him to know the fecrets of Hefbi
and Roots, ^c. whereby the difeafe may be
cured. But if it happen under the caufeof Mi-
nerals , fuch difeafes are to be expelled by the
fecrets of thoie Metals ^ which the fecrets of
Herbs and Roots do not admit of, and have noc
power to do.
In like manner , if difeafes do proceed from
the influences of Heaven , neither of the fecrets
aforefaid, are able to profit any thzng in the cure
thereof, but it muft be expelled by Agronomy
and the heavenly influences, as it is written of
Farficaria*
Laiily, if any difeafe or grief happen or be in»
Aided upon any man in a fuper natural mannerj;
by Inchantment or fome Magical Sorceries, none
of thofe three remedies aforefpoken of, will
help them ; but there muft be a Magical remedy
whereby it may be expelled , as we have before
delivered. .
Many men who have in this kihde been made
miferable through inchantment s,have alfo hifher*
to been forfaken and caft oflf by the Ignorant
Phylitians ; becaufe thefe things hitherto were
bidden unto them: And if they chance to be
told tbem of others , they will anlwer, that if
they fliould ufe them, they ftiould a£^ againil
God, and take his name in ?ain ; and that this
which I have done hath no truth in it. But if
I fbould ufe thefe thin^^ to the hurt or prejudice
ofman,! (houkJ Blafpheme againliGod; or if
I fliould Conjure any Spirits, man , herbe, roote
or flone, 8cce by his name, it might then juftly
be'
Occult Tmjophj. ^5
be faid that I did take his name in vain, and of-
fend God; but not before. Let the Divines thcm-
felves alfo,and the Sophilkrs fpeake what they lift
to thele thingSjthe thing which I fpeake will not
be found contrary to the truth, although herein
their opinions may be very contrary unto me i
they will call me Inchanter, Nigromancer, and
a contemner of the Commandments of God,
which Calumnies and reproches I do not at all
care for : for ic will be moft certainly made ma-
nifefl, that their exceptions againft me, will ap-
peare no otherwife then thcfe of the Jews and
Pharifees who carped againft Chrift , became he
healed the ficke on the Sabbath day : Tor they
faid unto him, that Chrift had broke the Sabbath
and the commandment of God : the like they
did with B'^ivld when he was forced and oppref-
fed, and did eat the fliew-bread ; But amongft
thefe fault-finders and flanderers , how or what
fhall be done that will pleafe them all ? But the
Ignorant will not ceafe to talke until the beafts
or ftones can teach them^ which we muft expe^
will be a long time, and then they will hold
their peace.
Chap. IV,
Of Spirimd vifions^ apparing in dr games t,
T
Here is a twofold kinde of vifions that do
appcare in dreames, that is to fay^ natural
E and
'^d Pharacelfus of
andfupernatural; but various kindes of appari-
tions and vifions there are^which do appeare in
fleepe and dreames, ot which ia this place it is
unneceffary to make any mention , becaufe they
do molt uiually happen, either by reafon of for-
rowfulnefs , or fome trouble and perturbation of
theminde, uncleannefs of the blood, Cogitati-
ons,that is,operations of the minde and under-
l^anding, and occupations thereof about multi-
plicity of bufinefs and dealings that men are im-
ployed and converfant in ; as gameftcrs, of the
aice arid chards, of great gain or lots ; Souldiers
do dreame of warlike afFaires, as of their gunnes,
pieces of Ordnance^ Powder, Armes, and all
manner of weapons and inftruments of war ; of
viiSlory or overthroweg : the Sons of Bacchus,
and great drinker j,of good wine and great cups,
which they feeme to fwallow ; and of fuch other
things filling the belly : Pyrates dream of
their fpoyk sand preyes, and what gain they
have met- with : Robbers, of ManflaUghters ;
theeve?, of theft ; and fornicators, of their
whores. All thefe phaniafies and vifions the
Spirit of the night produceth an d bringe= h unto
them, whereby he playeth with them in the*
night, and deludeth and temptech them : Such
things are kindled in the blood, ( alia^ ) the un-
derikndinp,ard begetterh fu; ha fire, which can-
not eafily be extingdQied, which for the moft