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concerning the Great Stone of the Ancient Sages
I, Basil Valentine, brother of the Benedictine Order, do testify that I have written this little book, wherein,
after the manner of the Ancients, I have philosophically indicated how this most rare treasure may be
acquired, whereby the true Sages did prolong life unto its furthest limit.
But, notwithstanding that my conscience doth bear me witness in the sight of the Most High, before whom all
concealed matters are laid bare, that I have written no falsehood, but have so exposed the truth that
understanding men can require no further light (that which is laid down in the theoretical part being borne out
and confirmed by the practice of the Twelve Keys), yet have I been impelled by various considerations to
demonstrate by a shorter way what I have written in the said treatise, and thus cast further light thereon,
whereby also the lover of the desired wisdom may obtain an increased illumination for the fulfilment of his
desire There are many who will consider that I am speaking too openly, and will hold me answerable for the
wickedness that they think will follow, but let them rest assured that it will be sufficiently difficult,
notwithstanding, for any thick-headed persons to find what they seek herein. At the same time the matter
shall be made clear to the elect. Hearken then, thou follower of truth, to these my words, and so shalt thou
find the true way !
Behold, I write nothing more than I am willing to hold by after my death and resurrection! Do thou faithfully
and simply lay to heart this shorter way, as hereinafter exhibited, for my words are grounded in simplicity,
and my teaching is not confused by a labyrinth of language.
I have already indicated that all things are constituted of three essences - namely, mercury, sulphur, and salt
- and herein I have taught what is true. But know that the Stone is composed out of one, two, three, four, and
five. Out of five - that is, the quintessence of its own substance. Out of four, by which we must understand
the four elements. Out of three, and these are the three principles of all things. Out of two, for the mercurial
substance is twofold. Out of one, and this is the first essence of everything which emanated from the primal
fiat of creation.
But many may by all these discourses be rendered doubtful in mind as to what they must start with, and as to
the consequent theory. So I will, in the first place, speak very briefly concerning Mercury, secondly
Concerning the First Matter of the Philosophical Stone 19
Twelve Keys
concerning Sulphur, thirdly concerning Salt; for these are the essence of the Matter of our Stone.
In the first place, you must know that no ordinary quicksilver is useful, but our quicksilver is produced from
the best metal by the spagyric art, pure, subtle, clear, and glistening, like a spring, pellucid even as crystal,
free from all dross. Hence make water or combustible oil. For Mercury was in the beginning water, and
herein all the Sages agree with my dictum and teaching In this oil of Mercury dissolve its own Mercury, from
which the water in question was made, and precipitate the Mercury with its own oil. Then we have a twofold
mercurial substance; but you must know that gold must first be dissolved in a certain water, as explained in
my second Key, after the purification described in the first Key, and must be reduced into a subtle calx, as is
mentioned in the fourth Key. Next, this calx must be sublimated by the spirit of salt, again precipitated, and
by reverberation reduced into a subtle powder. Then its own sulphur can more easily enter into its substance,
and have great friendship with the same, for they have a wondrous love towards each other. Thus you have
two substances in one, and it is called Mercury of the Sages, but is yet a single substance, which is the first
ferment.
Now follows concerning Sulphur
Seek your Mercury in a similar metal. Then when you know how to extract the metal from its body by
purification, the destruction of the first Mars, and reverberation, without the use of any corrosive (the method
of doing which I have indicated in my third Key) -- you must dissolve that Mercury in its own blood out of
which it was made before it became fixed (as indicated in the sixth Key); and you have then nourished and
dissolved the true lion with the blood of the green lion. For the fixed blood of the Red Lion has been made
out of the volatile blood of the Green Lion; hence, they are of one nature, and the unfixed blood again renders
that which is volatile fixed, and the fixed blood in its turn fixes that which is volatile, as it was before its
solution. Then foster it in gentle heat, until the whole of the mercury is dissolved, and you obtain the second
ferment (by nourishing the fixed sulphur with that which is not fixed), as all Sages unite with me in
testifying. Afterwards this becomes, by sublimation with spirit of wine, of a blood-red colour, and is called
potable gold.
Now I will also give my Opinion respecting the Salt of the Sages
The effect of "salt" is to fix or volatilize, according as it is prepared and used. For the spirit of the salt of
tartar, if extracted by itself without any addition, has power to render all metals volatile by dissolution and
putrefaction, and to dissolve quick or liquid silver into the true mercury, as my practical directions shew.
Salt of tartar by itself is a powerful fixative, particularly if the heat of quicklime be incorporated with it. For
these two substances are singularly efficacious in producing fixation.
In the same way, the vegetable salt of wine fixes and volatilizes according to the manner of its preparation. Its
use is one of the arcana of Nature, and a miracle of the philosopher's art. When a man drinks wine, there may
be gained from his urine a clear salt, which is volatile, and renders other fixed substances volatile, causing
them to rise with it in the alembic. But the same does not fix. If a man drank nothing but wine, yet for all that
the salt obtained from his urine would have a different property from that gained out of the lees of wine. For
it has undergone a chemical change in the human body, having become transmuted from a vegetable into an
animal salt -- just as horses that feed on oats, straw, etc., change those vegetable substances into flesh and
fat, while the bee prepares honey out of the precious juices of flowers and herbs.
The great change which takes place in these and other substances is due to putrefaction, which separates and
transmutes the constituent elements.
Now follows concerning Sulphur 20
Twelve Keys
The common spirit of salt, which is extracted according to the direction given in my last declaration, if there
be added to it a small quantity of the "spirit of the dragon," dissolves, volatilizes, and raises together with
itself in the alembic, gold and silver; just as the "eagle," together with the spirit of the dragon (which is found
in stony places), before the spirit is separated from its body, is much more powerful in producing fixation
than volatility.
This I also say, that if the spirit of common salt be joined to the spirit of wine, and distilled together with it, it
becomes sweet, and loses its acidity. This prepared spirit does not dissolve gold bodily, but if it be poured on
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