CHAPTER IV.

Concerning the Process for the Tincture of the Philosophers^
AS IT IS SHORTENED BY PARACELSUS.
The ancient Spagyrists would not have required such lengthened labour and such wearisome repetition if they had learnt and practised their %vork in my school- They would have obtained their wish just as well, with far less expense and labour. But at this time, when Theophraslus Paracelsus has arrived as the Monarch of Arcana, the opportunity is at hand for finding out those things which were occuit to all Spagyrists before me. Wherefore 1 say, Take only the rose-coloured blood from the Lion and the gluten from the Eagle* When you have mixed these, coagulate them according to the old
appeaurs as a watery body, somewhat mare beautiful than berore, because (olihough si ill having its cctrnipMoti^) it^ Virttw » greater. Il U much nearer the truth, and mare effective in works. In this fortn it cures cold and hot fevets, and i> a specific agauut poisons, which it drives from heart and lung^^ healing the same when injured or wounded^ puri- r^-ing the blcxxl, axidt taken three times a day, is of great comfort in all diseases. But in its third nature it appears as an aerial body, of an ojly nature, almost freed from all tmperfcciions, in which form it docs nuiny wondrous works, pro* dudng beauty and strength of body, and (a small quantity being taken In the food) preventing melancholy and heating of the gall, increasing the quantity of the blood and seed, so that frequent bleeding becomes necesaar>'. It expands tlie blood ves^sels, cures withered limbs, restores strength to the sight, in growing persons removes what is superDuous and makes good defects in the limbs. In its fourth nature it appears in a (tcry form (not quite freed from all imperfection^,, still somewhat watery and not dried enough), wherein it haA m;iny virtues, making the old young and reviving thoce at the point of death. For if to such an one there be gi%'en, in wine, a barleycorn's weight of thh fire, 50 that it reach the stotnach^ it goes to hiN heart, renewing him at once, driving away all previous moisture and poiion, and restoring the natural heat of the liver. Given in small dc^es to old people, it removes the diseases of age, giving the old young hearts and bodies. Hence it is colled the Elixir of Life. In its fifth and last nature, it appears in a glorified and il]uminat«l form, without defects, shining like gold and .silver, wherein it possesses all previous powers and virtues in a higher and more wondrotis degree* Here its natural work* are taken for miracles. When applied to the roots of dead trees they revive, bringing forth leaves and fruit. A lamp, the oU of whii^h Ls mingl«J with this spirit, continues to burn for ever without diminution. It converts crystals into the most precious »to>nes of all colours, equal to those from the mines, and does mayn other incredible wonders which may not be revealed to the uTiworthy, For il healsalldcad and living bodiest without other medicine. Here Christ is my wilne» that I lie not, for alt heavenly influences are united and combined therein, 'thiii essence also reveals all treasure in earth and sea, converts all metidlic bodies into gold, and there is nothing like unto tt under Heaven. This spirit b the secret, hiddiett from the beginnitig, yet granted by God to a few holy men for the revealing of these riches 10 His Glory— dwelling in fier>' form in the air, and leading earth with iis«lf to heaven, while from its body there flow whole rivers of living water. This spirit flies through the mid^t of the Heavens like a morning mist, leadbt its burning fire into the water, and has its shining realm in the heaveas. And although these writings may be regarded as Gsdse by the reader, yet to the initialed ihey are true and possible, when the hidden sense is properly understood. For God is wonderful in Hi* works, and His wisdom U without end. This spirit in its Aery form is called a Sandaraca, in the aerial a K.)'brick, in the watery an Afoth, in the earthly Alcohoph and Aliocosoph. Hence they are deceived by these names who, seeking without instruction, think to find thb Spirit of Life in things foreign to our An. For although this spirit which we seek, on accoutit of its qualities, is called by these name*, yet the same is not in these bodies and cannot be in them. For a refioed spirit cannot appear except in a body suiuble to its nature. And, by however many name* it be c;tUed, let no one itttagine there be dUTcrcnt spirits, for, say what one wilU there is hut one spirit working everywhere and in all things. That is the spirit which, when rising, illumines the Heavens, when setting iflCoq>orates the purity of Earth, and when brooding has embraced the Waters, This spirit is named Raphael, the Angel of God, the subtlest and purest, whom the others all obey as their King. This spiritual substance is neither heavenly nor hellish, but an nir>% pure, and henriy body, midway between the highest and lowest, without reason, but fruitful tn works, and the most select and beautiful of all other heavenly things. This ts-ork of God is far too deep for understanditig, for it is the last, greatest, and highest secret of Nature. It is the Spirit of God, which in the Beginning filled the earth and brooded over the waters, which the world cannot grasp without the gracious interposition of the Holy Spirit and instruction from those who know it, which also the whole world desires for ila virtue, and which caiuiot be pmed enough. For 11 reaches to th« planets, raises the clouds, drives away mists, gives
26 The Hermetic and Alchemical Writings of Paracelsus.
process, and you will have the Tincture of the Philosophers, which an infinite number have sought after and very few have found. Whether you will or not» sophist^ this Magfister>^ is in Nature itself, a wonderful thing of God above Nature, and a most precious treasure In this Valley of Sorrows. If you look at it from without it seems a paltry thing to transmute another into something far more noble than it was before. But you must, nevertheless, allow thisi and confess that it is a miracle produced by the Spagyrist, who by the art of his preparation corrupts a visible body which is externally vile, from which he excites another most noble and most precious essence. If you, in like manner^ have learnt anything from the light of Aristotle, or from us, or from the rules of Serapio, come forth, and bring that knowledge experimentaily to light. Preserve now the right of the Schools, as becomes a lover of honour and a doctor. But if you know nothing and can do nothing, why do you despise me as though I were an irTational Helvetian cow^ and inveigh against me as a wandering vagabond ? Art is a second Nature and a universe of its own, as experience witnesses, and demonstrates against you and your idols* Sometimes, therefore, the Alchemist compounds certain simples, which he
it* lij^hl lo all thij:i|^!^, lurns everything inta Sun and Moon, besiowis. all health liinJ xibtindance of treasure, cleatii» the leper, brightens the eyes, banishes sorrow^ heals the sickt reveaU all hidden treasures, and, generally, cures all diseases. Througli this spirit have the phifosophers invented tlie Seven Liberal Arts, and thereby gained llieir riches. Through the same Mo5» niade the golden vessels in the Ark, and Kiag Solomon did many beautiful works to the honour of God. Therewith ^^oscJ^ built the Tabernacle, Noah the Ark^ Solomon the Temple, By this Eatm restored the Law, and Mii-iain» Moses' ^ister^ was hospitable ; Abraham, Isaac, and Jacobs and other righteous men, have had lifelong abund- ance and riches ; and all the saints possessing it have therewith praised God. Therefore is its acquisition very hard, more than that of gold and silver. For it h, the best of atl thing^s, because, of all things mortal that man can desire in this world, nothing can compare with ii, and in it alone is truth. Hence it ia called the Stone and Spirit of Truth ; in its works is no vanity, its praise cannot be sufficiently eirpressed. I am unable to speak enough of its virtues, because its good qoaJities and powers are beyond human thoughts, unutterable by the tongue of man, and in il are found the properties ofaltChiDgK. Yea, there is iK^thing deeper in Nature. O unfathomable »hyss of God's Wisdom, which thus hath united and cocnprt^ed in the virtue and power of thh One Spirit the qualities of all existing bodies 1 O umpeakable honour and boundle&s joy granted to mortal man E For the destructible thing;^ of Natiu-e are restored by virtue of the said Spirit. O m>'^ter>' of m^'steries, roost secret of all secret things, and healing and medicine of all thieigs t Thou last discover)" in earthly natures, last best gift to Patriarchs and Sages, greatly desired by the whole world ! Oh^ what a wondrous and laudable spirit is purity, in which stand all joy, riches, ft-uitfulne«ii; of life^ and art of all arts, a power which to ltd initiates grants all material joysl O desirable knowledge, to>'ely above all things beneath the circle of the Moon, by which Nature U strengthened^ and heart and limbs are renewed, blooming youth is preserved, old age driven away, weakness destroyed, beauty in its perfection preserved, and abuDdatlce enstired in all things pleasing to men 1 O thou 5ipirituai substance, lovely above all things I O thou wondrous power, strengthening all the world ! O thou tnviticible virtue, highest of all that i*, although despised by the ignorant, j-et held by the wise in great praiw:, honour, and glory, that -proceeding from hiunours — wakest the dead, expellest diseases, restorest the voice of the dying] O thou treasure of treasures, mystery of mysteries, called by Aviccnna "an unspeakable substance," the purest and most perfect soul of the worlds (ban which therie b nothing mofe costly under Heaven^ utifathoinable in itature and power, wonderful in virtue and works, having no eqtial ftmong creatures, po.s>iessing the virtues of all bodies under Heaven 1 For from it flow the w.ater of life, the oil and honey of eternal heating, and thus hath it nouriiihed them with honey and water from the rock. Therefore, saith Morienus : '* l^le who hath it, the same also hath all tbitigs." Blessed artThoii, Ix>rd God of our fathers, in that Thou ha:»t given the prophets this knowledge and underslajiding, that they have hidden these things (lest ihcy should b« discovered by the blind, and those drowned in worldly godlessness) by which the wise and the pious have praised Thee 1 For the discoverers of the raysierv of this thing to the unworthy are breakers of the seal of Heavenly Revelation, thereby offending Gods Majesty, and bringing upon (liemsclvt^ many misrortunes and the punishmei^ts of God. Therefore, t beg all Ou-istians, possessing this knowledge, to communicate the satiM to nobody, except it be lo one living in Godliness, of wen-proved virtue, and praising Cod, VtTho has given »uch a treasure to man. For many seek, but few find it. Hence the impute and those living in vice are unworthy of it. Therefore is this Art to be shewn to all Gnd-fearing persons, because it cannot be bought with a price* 1 testify before Cod that I lie dot, although ti appear impossible to fools, that no one has hitherto explored Nature so deeply. The Almighty be praised for having created this Art and for revealing it to Cod-fearing men. Amen. And thus is fulfilled this precious and excellent work, called the revealing of the occult spirit, in which lie hidden the secrets and mysteries o^ the world. But this spirit is one getiius, and divine, wonderful, and lordly power. For it embraces the whole world| and overcomes the Elements and the fifth Substance. To our Trismegistus Spogyms, Jesus Christ, be pimse and glory immortaL Amen.
The Tincture of tfie Philosophers,
27
afterwards corrupts according to his need^ and prepares thence another thing. For thus very often out of many things one is made, which effects more than Nature of herself can do» as in Gastaynum it is perfectly well known that Venus IS produced from Saturn ; in Carinthia, Luna out of Venus ; and in Hungary, So! out of Luna ; to pass over in silence for the time being the transmutations of other natural objects, which were well known to the Magi, and more wonderfully than Ovid narrates in his Metamorphoses do they come to the light. That you may rightly uodcrsland me, seek your Lion in the East, and your Eagle in the South, for this our work which has been undertaken. You will not find better instruments than Hungary and I stria produce. But if you desire to lead from unity by duality in trinity with equal permutation of each, then you should direct your journey to the South ; so in Cyprus shall you gain all your desire, concerning which we must not dilate more profusely than we have done at present. There are still many more of these arcana which exhibit transmutations, though they are known to few. And although these may by the Lord God be made manifest to anyone, still, the rumour of this Art does not on that account at once break forth, but the Almighty gives therewith the understanding how to conceal these and other like arts even to the coming of Elias the Artist, at which time there shall be nothing so occult that it shall not be revealed. You also see with your eyes (though there is no need to speak of these things, which may be taken derisively by some) that in the fire of Sulphur is a great tincture for gems, which, indeed, exalts them to a loftier degree than Nature by herself could do. But this gradation of metals and gems shall be omitted by me in this place, since I have written sufllciently about it in my Secret of Secrets, in my book on the Vexations of Alchemists, and abundantly elsewhere. As I have begun the process of our ancestors with the Tincture of the Philosophers, I will now perfectly conclude it»