The Book Concerning the Tincture of the Philosophers by Paracelsus

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The Book Concerning The Tincture Of The

Philosophers by Paracelsus

THE BOOK CONCERNING THE TINCTURE OF THE PHILOSOPHERS

RITTEN !G!INST THOSE SOPHISTS BORN SINCE THE "ELUGE# IN

THE !GE OF OUR LOR" $ESUS CHRIST# THE SON OF GO"%

B& PH' THEOPHR!STUS BO(B!ST# o) HOHENHEI(#

P*i+oso,*er o) t*e (onarc*ia# Prince o) S,a&rists# C*ie) !strono.er# Sur,assin

P*&sician# and Tris.eistus o) (ec*anica+ !rcana'

PREF!CE'

SINCE &ou# O So,*ist# ever&/*ere a0use .e /it* suc* )atuous and .endacious/ords# on t*e round t*at 0ein s,run )ro. rude He+vetia I can understand and

1no/ not*in2 and a+so 0ecause 0ein a du+& 3ua+i)ied ,*&sician I sti++ /ander)ro. one district to anot*er% t*ere)ore I *ave ,ro,osed 0& .eans o) t*is treatise to

disc+ose to t*e inorant and inex,erienced2 /*at ood arts existed in t*e )irst ae%

/*at .& art avai+s aainst &ou and &ours aainst .e% /*at s*ou+d 0e t*ou*t o)eac*# and *o/ .& ,osterit& in t*is ae o) race /i++ i.itate .e' Loo1 at Her.es#!rc*e+aus# and ot*ers in t*e )irst ae2 see /*at S,a&rists and /*at P*i+oso,*ers

t*en existed' B& t*is t*e& testi)& t*at t*eir ene.ies# /*o are &our ,atrons# OSo,*ist# at t*e ,resent ti.e are 0ut .ere e.,t& )or.s and ido+s' !+t*ou* t*is

/ou+d not 0e attested 0& t*ose /*o are )a+se+& considered &our aut*entic )at*ersand saints# &et t*e ancient E.era+d Ta0+e s*e/s .ore art and ex,erience in

P*i+oso,* !+c*e. (aic# and t*e +i1e# t*an cou+d ever 0e tau*t 0& &ou and&our cro/d o) )o++o/ers' I) &ou do not &et understand# )ro. t*e a)oresaid )acts#

/*at and *o/ reat treasures t*ese are# te++ .e /*& no ,rince or 1in /as evera0+e to su0due t*e E&,tians' T*en te++ .e /*& t*e E.,eror "ioc+etian ordered a++

t*e S,a&ric 0oo1s to 0e 0urnt 4so )ar as *e cou+d +a& *is *ands u,on t*e.5' Un+esst*e contents o) t*ose 0oo1s *ad 0een 1no/n# t*e& /ou+d *ave 0een o0+ied to 0earsti++ *is into+era0+e &o1e# - a &o1e# O So,*ist# /*ic* s*a++ one da& 0e ,ut u,on t*e

nec1 o) &ourse+) and &our co++eaues'

Fro. t*e .idd+e o) t*is ae t*e (onarc*& o) a++ t*e !rts *as 0een at +ent* derivedand con)erred on .e# T*eo,*rastus Parace+sus# Prince o) P*i+oso,*& and o)

(edicine' For t*is ,ur,ose I *ave 0een c*osen 0& God to extinuis* and 0+ot out

a++ t*e ,*antasies o) e+a0orate and )a+se /or1s# o) de+usive and ,resu.,tuous/ords# 0e t*e& t*e /ords o) !ristot+e# Ga+en# !vicenna# (esva# or t*e do.as o)
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an& a.on t*eir )o++o/ers' (& t*eor ,roceedin as it does )ro. t*e +i*t o)Nature# can never# t*rou* its consistenc ,ass a/a& or 0e c*aned2 0ut in t*e

)i)t&-ei*t* &ear a)ter its .i++enniu. and a *a+) it /i++ t*en 0ein to )+ouris*' T*e,ractice at t*e sa.e ti.e )o++o/in u,on t*e t*eor& /i++ 0e ,roved 0& /onder)u+

and incredi0+e sins# so as to 0e o,en to .ec*anics and co..on ,eo,+e# and t*e&/i++ t*orou*+& understand *o/ )ir. and i..ova0+e is t*at Parace+sic !rt aainst

t*e tri)+ins o) t*e So,*ists2 t*ou* .ean/*i+e t*at so,*istica+ science *as to *aveits ine,titude ,ro,,ed u, and )orti)ied 0& ,a,a+ and i.,eria+ ,rivi+ees' In t*at I

a. estee.ed 0& &ou a .endicant and vaa0ond so,*ist# t*e "anu0e and t*e R*ine/i++ ans/er t*at accusation# t*ou* I *o+d .& tonue' T*ose ca+u.nies o) &ours

)a+se+& devised aainst .e *ave o)ten dis,+eased .an& courts and ,rinces# .an&i.,eria+ cities# t*e 1ni*t+& order# and t*e no0i+it&' I *ave a treasure *idden in a

certain cit& ca++ed einden# 0e+onin to Foru. $u+ii# at an inn# - a treasure /*ic*neit*er &ou# Leo o) Ro.e# nor &ou# C*ar+es t*e Ger.an# cou+d ,urc*ase /it* a++

&our su0stance' !+t*ou* t*e sined star *as 0een a,,+ied to t*e arcanu. o) &ourna.es# it is 1no/n to none 0ut t*e sons o) t*e divine S,a&ric !rt' So t*en# &ou/or.& and +ous& So,*ist# since &ou dee. t*e .onarc* o) arcana a .ere inorant#

)atuous# and ,rodia+ 3uac1# no/# in t*is .id ae# I deter.ine in .& ,resenttreatise to disc+ose t*e *onoura0+e course o) ,rocedure in t*ese .atters# t*e virtues

and ,re,aration o) t*e ce+e0rated Tincture o) t*e P*i+oso,*ers )or t*e use and*onour o) a++ /*o +ove t*e trut*# and in order t*at a++ /*o des,ise t*e true arts .a&

0e reduced to ,overt&' B& t*is arcanu. t*e +ast ae s*a++ 0e i++u.inated c+ear+& andco.,ensated )or a++ its +osses 0& t*e i)t o) race and t*e re/ard o) t*e s,irit o)

trut*# so t*at since t*e 0einnin o) t*e /or+d no si.i+ar er.ination o) t*einte++ience and o) /isdo. s*a++ ever *ave 0een *eard o)' In t*e .eanti.e# vice

/i++ not 0e a0+e to su,,ress t*e ood# nor /i++ t*e resources o) t*ose vicious,ersons# .an& t*ou* t*e& 0e# cause an& +oss to t*e u,ri*t'

THE BOOK CONCERNING THE TINCTURE OF THE PHILOSOPHERS'

CH!PTER I'

I# PHILIPPUS T*eo,*rastus Parace+sus Bo.0ast# sa& t*at# 0& "ivine race# .an&

/a&s *ave 0een sou*t to t*e Tincture o) t*e P*i+oso,*ers# /*ic* )ina++& a++ ca.eto t*e sa.e sco,e and end' Her.es Tris.eistus# t*e E&,tian# a,,roac*ed t*is

tas1 in *is o/n .et*od' Orus# t*e Gree1# o0served t*e sa.e ,rocess' Ha+i# t*e!ra0ian# re.ained )ir. in *is order' But !+0ertus (anus# t*e Ger.an# )o++o/ed

a+so a +ent*& ,rocess' Eac* one o) t*ese advanced in ,ro,ortion to *is o/n.et*od% nevert*e+ess# t*e& a++ arrive at one and t*e sa.e end# at a +on +i)e# so

.uc* desired 0& t*e ,*i+oso,*ers# and a+so at an *onoura0+e sustenance and .eanso) ,reservin t*at +i)e in t*is 6a++e& o) (iser&' No/ at t*is ti.e# I# T*eo,*rastus

Parace+sus Bo.0ast# (onarc* o) t*e !rcana# a. endo/ed 0& God /it* s,ecia+i)ts )or t*is end# t*at ever& searc*er a)ter t*is su,re.e ,*i+oso,*ic /or1 .a& 0e

)orced to i.itate and to )o++o/ .e# 0e *e Ita+ian# Po+e# Gau+# Ger.an# or/*atsoever or /*osoever *e 0e' Co.e *it*er a)ter .e# a++ &ou ,*i+oso,*ers#


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astrono.ers# and s,a&rists# o) *o/ever +o)t& a na.e &e .a& 0e# I /i++ s*o/ ando,en to &ou# !+c*e.ists and "octors# /*o are exa+ted 0& .e /it* t*e .ost

consu..ate +a0ours# t*is cor,orea+ reeneration' I /i++ teac* &ou t*e tincture# t*earcanu.7# t*e 3uintessence# /*erein +ie *id t*e )oundations o) a++ .&steries and o)

a++ /or1s' For ever& ,erson .a& and ou*t to 0e+ieve in anot*er on+& in t*ose.atters# /*ic* *e *as tried 0& )ire' I) an& one s*a++ *ave 0rou*t )or/ard an&t*in

contrar& to t*is .et*od o) ex,eri.entation in t*e S,a&ric !rt or in (edicine#t*ere is no reason )or &our 0e+ie) in *i.# since# ex,eri.enta++ t*rou* t*e aenc&

o) )ire# t*e true is se,arated )ro. t*e )a+se' T*e +i*t o) Nature indeed is created int*is /a t*at 0& .eans t*ereo) t*e ,roo) or tria+ o) ever&t*in .a& a,,ear# 0ut

on+& to t*ose /*o /a+1 in t*is +i*t' it* t*is +i*t /e /i++ teac*# 0& t*e ver& 0est.et*ods o) de.onstration# t*at a++ t*ose /*o 0e)ore .e *ave a,,roac*ed t*is so

di))icu+t ,rovince /it* t*eir o/n )ancies and acute s,ecu+ations *ave# to t*eir o/n+oss# incurred t*e daner o) t*eir )oo+is*ness' On /*ic* account# )ro. .&

stand,oint# .an& rustics *ave 0een enno0+ed% 0ut# on t*e ot*er *and# t*rou* t*es,ecu+ative and o,inionative art o) t*ese .an& no0+es *ave 0een c*aned intoc+o/ns# and since t*e& carried o+den .ountains in t*eir *ead 0e)ore t*e& *ad ,ut

t*eir *and to t*e )ire' First o) a++# t*en# t*ere .ust 0e +earnt - diestions#disti++ations# su0+i.ations# rever0erations# extractions# so+utions# coau+ations#

)er.entations# )ixations# and ever& instru.ent /*ic* is re3uisite )or t*is /or1 .ust0e .astered 0& ex,erience# suc* as +ass vesse+s# cucur0ites# circu+ators# vesse+s o)

Her.es# eart*en vesse+s# 0at*s# 0+ast-)urnaces# rever0eratories# and instru.ents o)+i1e 1ind# a+so .ar0+e# coa+s# and tons' T*us at +ent* &ou /i++ 0e a0+e to ,ro)it in

!+c*e.& and in (edicine'

But so +on as# re+&in on )anc& and o,inion# &ou c+eave to &our )ictitious 0oo1s#

&ou are )itted and ,redestinated )or no one o) t*ese t*ins'

CH!PTER II'

CONCERNING THE "EFINITION OF THE SUB$ECT !N" (!TTER OF THE

TINCTURE OF THE PHILOSOPHERS'

Be)ore I co.e# t*en# to t*e ,rocess o) t*e Tincture# it is need)u+ t*at I o,en to &ou

t*e su08ect t*ereo)2 )or# u, to t*e ,resent ti.e# t*is *as a+/a&s 0een 1e,t in as,ecia++& occu+t /a& 0& t*e +overs o) trut*' So# t*en# t*e .atter o) t*e Tincture

4/*en &ou understand .e in a S,a&rica+ sense5 is a certain t*in /*ic*# 0& t*e arto) 6u+can9# ,asses out o) t*ree essences into one essence# or it .a& re.ain' But#

t*at I .a& ive it its ,ro,er na.e# accordin to t*e use o) t*e ancients# t*ou* it isca++ed 0& .an& t*e Red Lion# sti++ it is 1no/n 0& )e/' T*is# 0& t*e aid o) Nature

and t*e s1i++ o) t*e !rtist *i.se+)# can 0e trans.uted into a *ite Ea+e# so t*at outo) one t/o are ,roduced% and 0e&ond t*is t*e 0ri*tness o) o+d does not s*ine so

.uc* )or t*e S,a&rist as do t*ese t/o /*en 1e,t in one' No/# i) &ou do not

understand t*e use o) t*e Ca0a+ists and t*e o+d astrono.ers# &ou are not 0orn 0&God )or t*e S,a&ric art# or c*osen 0& Nature )or t*e /or1 o) 6u+can# or created to


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o,en &our .out* concernin !+c*e.ica+ !rts' T*e .atter o) t*e Tincture# t*en# is aver& reat ,ear+ and a .ost ,recious treasure# and t*e no0+est t*in next to t*e

.ani)estation o) t*e (ost Hi* and t*e consideration o) .en /*ic* can exist u,oneart*' T*is is t*e Li+i o) !+c*e.& and o) (edicine# /*ic* t*e ,*i+oso,*ers *ave so

di+ient+& sou*t a)ter# 0ut# t*rou* t*e )ai+ure o) entire 1no/+ede and co.,+ete,re,aration# t*e& *ave not ,roressed to t*e ,er)ect end t*ereo)' B& .eans o) t*eir

investiations and ex,eri.ents# on+& t*e initia+ stae o) t*e Tincture *as 0een ivento us% 0ut t*e true )oundation# /*ic* .& co++eaues .ust i.itate# *as 0een +e)t )or

.e# so t*at no one s*ou+d .in+e t*eir s*ado/s /it* our ood intentions' I# 0&ri*t a)ter .& +on ex,eriences# correct t*e S,a&rists# and se,arate t*e )a+se or t*e

erroneous )ro. t*e true# since# 0& +on investiations# I *ave )ound reasons /*& Is*ou+d 0e a0+e 8ust+& to 0+a.e and to c*ane diverse t*ins' I)# indeed# I *ad )ound

out ex,eri.ents o) t*e ancients 0etter t*an .& o/n# I s*ou+d scarce+& *ave ta1enu, suc* reat +a0ours as# )or t*e sa1e# t*e uti+it and t*e advantae o) a++ ood

!+c*e.ists# I *ave underone /i++in+&' Since# t*en# t*e su08ect o) t*e Tincture *as0een su))icient+& dec+ared# so t*at it scarce+& cou+d or ou*t to 0e exceeded in)ide+it& 0et/een t/o 0rot*ers# I a,,roac* its ,re,aration# and a)ter I *ave +aid

do/n t*e ex,eriences o) t*e )irst ae# I /is* to add .& o/n inventions% to /*ic* at+ast t*e !e o) Grace /i++ 0&-and-0& ive its ad*esion# /*ic*ever o) t*e ,atriarc*s#

O So,*ist# &ou# in t*e .eanti.e# s*a++ *ave .ade +eaders'CH!PTER III'

CONCERNING THE PROCESS OF THE !NCIENTS FOR THE TINCTURE OFTHE PHILOSOPHERS# !N" ! (ORE CO(PEN"IOUS (ETHO" B:

P!R!CELSUS'

T*e o+d S,a&rists ,utre)ied Li+i )or a ,*i+oso,*ica+ .ont*# and a)ter/ardsdisti++ed t*ere)ro. t*e .oist s,irits# unti+ at +ent* t*e dr& s,irits /ere e+evated'

T*e& aain i.0ued t*e ca,ut .ortuu. /it* .oist s,irits# and dre/ t*e. o)) )ro.it )re3uent+& 0& disti++ation unti+ t*e dr& s,irits /ere a++ e+evated' T*en a)ter/ards

t*e& united t*e .oisture t*at *ad 0een dra/n o)) and t*e dr& s,irits 0& .eans o) a,e+ican# t*ree or )our ti.es# unti+ t*e /*o+e Li+i re.ained dr& at t*e 0otto.'

!+t*ou* ear+& ex,erience ave t*is ,rocess 0e)ore )ixation# none t*e +ess our

ancestors o)ten attained a ,er)ect rea+isation o) t*eir /is* 0& t*is .et*od' T*e&/ou+d# *o/ever# *ave *ad a s*orter /a& o) arrivin at t*e treasure o) t*e Red Lion

i) t*e& *ad +earnt t*e aree.ent o) !strono.& /it* !+c*e. as I *avede.onstrated it in t*e !,oca+&,se o) Her.es;' But since ever& da& 4as C*rist sa&s

)or t*e conso+ation o) t*e )ait*)u+5 *as its o/n ,ecu+iar care# t*e +a0our )or t*eS,a&rists 0e)ore .& ti.es *as 0een reat and *eav&% 0ut t*is# 0& t*e *e+, o) t*e

Ho+& S,irit )+o/in into us# /i++# in t*is +ast ae# 0e +i*tened and .ade c+ear 0&.& t*eor& and ,ractice# )or a++ t*ose /*o constant+& ,ersevere in t*eir /or1 /it*

,atience' For I *ave tested t*e ,ro,erties o) Nature# its essences and conditions#and I 1no/ its con8unction and reso+ution# /*ic* are t*e *i*est and reatest i)t

)or a ,*i+oso,*er# and never understood 0& t*e so,*ists u, to t*is ti.e' *en#t*ere)ore# t*e ear+iest ae ave t*e )irst ex,erience o) t*e Tincture# t*e S,a&rists


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.ade t/o t*ins out o) one si.,+e' But /*en a)ter/ards# in t*e (idd+e !e# t*isinvention *ad died out# t*eir successors 0& di+ient scrutin& a)ter/ards ca.e u,on

t*e t/o na.es o) t*is si.,+e# and t*e& na.ed it /it* one /ord# na.e+ Li+i# as0ein t*e su08ect o) t*e Tincture' !t +ent* t*e i.itators o) Nature ,utre)ied t*is

.atter at its ,ro,er ,eriod 8ust +i1e t*e seed in t*e eart*# since 0e)ore t*iscorru,tion not*in cou+d 0e 0orn )ro. it# nor an& arcanu. 0rea1 )ort* )ro. it'

!)ter/ards t*e& dre/ o)) t*e .oist s,irits )ro. t*e .atter# unti+ at +ent*# 0& t*evio+ence o) t*e )ire# t*e dr& /ere a+so e3ua++& su0+i.ated# so t*at# in t*is /a 8ust

as t*e rustic does at t*e ,ro,er ti.e o) &ear# t*e& .i*t co.e to .aturit& as onea)ter anot*er is /ont to ascend and to )a++ a/a&' Last+ as a)ter t*e s,rin co.es

su..er# t*e& incor,orated t*ose )ruits and dr& s,irits# and 0rou*t t*e (aister&o) t*e Tincture to suc* a ,oint t*at it ca.e to t*e *arvest# and +aid itse+) out )or

ri,enin'CH!PTER I6'

CONCERNING THE PROCESS FOR THE TINCTURE OF THEPHILOSOPHERS# !S IT IS SHORTENE" B: P!R!CELSUS'

T*e ancient S,a&rists /ou+d not *ave re3uired suc* +ent*ened +a0our and suc*/eariso.e re,etition i) t*e& *ad +earnt and ,ractised t*eir /or1 in .& sc*oo+' T*e&

/ou+d *ave o0tained t*eir /is* 8ust as /e++# /it* )ar +ess ex,ense and +a0our' Butat t*is ti.e# /*en T*eo,*rastus Parace+sus *as arrived as t*e (onarc* o) !rcana#

t*e o,,ortunit& is at *and )or )indin out t*ose t*ins /*ic* /ere occu+t to a++S,a&rists 0e)ore .e' *ere)ore I sa Ta1e on+& t*e rose-co+oured 0+ood )ro. t*e

Lion and t*e +uten )ro. t*e Ea+e' *en &ou *ave .ixed t*ese# coau+ate t*e.accordin to t*e o+d ,rocess# and &ou /i++ *ave t*e Tincture o) t*e P*i+oso,*ers#

/*ic* an in)inite nu.0er *ave sou*t a)ter and ver& )e/ *ave )ound' *et*er &ou/i++ or not# so,*ist# t*is (aister& is in Nature itse+)# a /onder)u+ t*in o) God

a0ove Nature# and a .ost ,recious treasure in t*is 6a++e& o) Sorro/s' I) &ou +oo1 atit )ro. /it*out it see.s a ,a+tr& t*in to trans.ute anot*er into so.et*in )ar

.ore no0+e t*an it /as 0e)ore' But &ou .ust# nevert*e+ess# a++o/ t*is# and con)esst*at it is a .irac+e ,roduced 0& t*e S,a&rist# /*o 0& t*e art o) *is ,re,aration

corru,ts a visi0+e 0od& /*ic* is externa++& vi+e# )ro. /*ic* *e excites anot*er

.ost no0+e and .ost ,recious essence' I) &ou# in +i1e .anner# *ave +earnt an&t*in)ro. t*e +i*t o) !ristot+e# or )ro. us# or )ro. t*e ru+es o) Sera,io# co.e )ort*# and

0rin t*at 1no/+ede ex,eri.enta++& to +i*t' Preserve no/ t*e ri*t o) t*eSc*oo+s# as 0eco.es a +over o) *onour and a doctor' But i) &ou 1no/ not*in and

can do not*in# /*& do &ou des,ise .e as t*ou* I /ere an irrationa+ He+vetianco/# and invei* aainst .e as a /anderin vaa0ond< !rt is a second Nature and

a universe o) its o/n# as ex,erience /itnesses# and de.onstrates aainst &ou and&our ido+s' So.eti.es# t*ere)ore# t*e !+c*e.ist co.,ounds certain si.,+es# /*ic*

*e a)ter/ards corru,ts accordin to *is need# and ,re,ares t*ence anot*er t*in'For t*us ver& o)ten out o) .an& t*ins one is .ade# /*ic* e))ects .ore t*an

Nature o) *erse+) can do# as in Gasta&nu. it is ,er)ect+& /e++ 1no/n t*at 6enus is,roduced )ro. Saturn% in Carint*ia# Luna out o) 6enus% and in Hunar So+ out o)


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Luna% to ,ass over in si+ence )or t*e ti.e 0ein t*e trans.utations o) ot*er natura+o08ects# /*ic* /ere /e++ 1no/n to t*e (ai# and .ore /onder)u++& t*an Ovid

narrates in *is (eta.or,*oses do t*e& co.e to t*e +i*t' T*at &ou .a& ri*t+&understand .e# see1 &our Lion in t*e East# and &our Ea+e in t*e Sout*# )or t*is our

/or1 /*ic* *as 0een underta1en' :ou /i++ not )ind 0etter instru.ents t*anHunar& and Istria ,roduce' But i) &ou desire to +ead )ro. unit& 0& dua+it& in

trinit& /it* e3ua+ ,er.utation o) eac*# t*en &ou s*ou+d direct &our 8ourne& to t*eSout*% so in C&,rus s*a++ &ou ain a++ &our desire# concernin /*ic* /e .ust not

di+ate .ore ,ro)use+& t*an /e *ave done at ,resent' T*ere are sti++ .an& .ore o)t*ese arcana /*ic* ex*i0it trans.utations# t*ou* t*e& are 1no/n to )e/' !nd

a+t*ou* t*ese .a& 0& t*e Lord God 0e .ade .ani)est to an&one# sti++# t*e ru.ouro) t*is !rt does not on t*at account at once 0rea1 )ort*# 0ut t*e !+.i*t& ives

t*ere/it* t*e understandin *o/ to concea+ t*ese and ot*er +i1e arts even to t*eco.in o) E+ias t*e !rtist# at /*ic* ti.e t*ere s*a++ 0e not*in so occu+t t*at it

s*a++ not 0e revea+ed' :ou a+so see /it* &our e&es 4t*ou* t*ere is no need to s,ea1o) t*ese t*ins# /*ic* .a& 0e ta1en derisive+& 0& so.e5 t*at in t*e )ire o) Su+,*uris a reat tincture )or e.s# /*ic*# indeed# exa+ts t*e. to a +o)tier deree t*an

Nature 0& *erse+) cou+d do' But t*is radation o) .eta+s and e.s s*a++ 0e o.itted0& .e in t*is ,+ace# since I *ave /ritten su))icient+& a0out it in .& Secret o)

Secrets# in .& 0oo1 on t*e 6exations o) !+c*e.ists# and a0undant+& e+se/*ere' !sI *ave 0eun t*e ,rocess o) our ancestors /it* t*e Tincture o) t*e P*i+oso,*ers# I

/i++ no/ ,er)ect+& conc+ude it'CH!PTER 6'

CONCERNING THE CONCLUSION OF THE PROCESS OF THE !NCIENTS#(!"E B: P!R!CELSUS'

Last+ t*e ancient S,a&rists *avin ,+aced Li+i in a ,e+ican and dried it# )ixed it

0& .eans o) a reu+ated increase o) t*e )ire# continued so +on unti+ )ro.0+ac1ness# 0& ,er.utation into a++ t*e co+ours# it 0eca.e red as 0+ood# and

t*ere/it* assu.ed t*e condition o) a sa+a.ander' Ri*t+ indeed# did t*e& ,roceed/it* suc* +a0our# and in t*e sa.e /a& it is ri*t and 0eco.in t*at ever&one

s*ou+d ,roceed /*o see1s t*is ,ear+' It /i++ 0e ver& di))icu+t )or .e to .a1e t*is

c+earer to &ou un+ess &ou s*a++ *ave +earnt in t*e Sc*oo+ o) t*e !+c*e.ists too0serve t*e derees o) t*e )ire# and a+so to c*ane &our vesse+s' For t*en at +ent*

&ou /i++ see t*at soon a)ter &our Li+i s*a++ *ave 0eco.e *eated in t*e P*i+oso,*icE# it 0eco.es# /it* /onder)u+ a,,earances# 0+ac1er t*an t*e cro/% a)ter/ards# in

succession o) ti.e# /*iter t*an t*e s/an% and at +ast# ,assin t*rou* a &e++o/co+our# it turns out .ore red t*an an& 0+ood' See1# see1# sa&s t*e )irst S,a&rist#

and &ou s*a++ )ind% 1noc1# and it s*a++ 0e o,ened unto &ou' It /ou+d 0e i.,ious andindecorous to ,ut )ood in t*e .out* o) a ,er)idious 0ird' Let *er rat*er )+& to it#

even as I# /it* ot*ers 0e)ore .e# *ave 0een co.,e++ed to do' But )o++o/ true !rt%)or t*is /i++ +ead &ou to its ,er)ect 1no/+ede' It is not ,ossi0+e t*at an&t*in

s*ou+d *ere 0e set do/n .ore )u++& or .ore c+ear+& t*an I *ave 0e)ore s,o1en' Let&our P*arisaica+ sc*oo+s teac* &ou /*at t*e& /i++ )ro. t*eir unsta0+e and s+i,,er&


7/12

)oundation# /*ic* reac*es not its end or its ai.' *en at +ent* &ou s*a++ *ave0een tau*t as accurate+& as ,ossi0+e t*e !+c*e.istic !rt# not*in in t*e nature o)

t*ins s*a++ t*en at +ent* 0e so di))icu+t /*ic* cannot 0e .ade .ani)est to &ou 0&t*e aid o) t*is !rt' Nature# indeed# *erse+) does not 0rin )ort* an&t*in into t*e

+i*t /*ic* is advanced to its *i*est ,er)ection# as can 0e seen in t*is ,+ace )ro.t*e unit or t*e union# o) our dua+it&' But a .an ou*t 0& S,a&ric ,re,arations to

+ead it t*it*er /*ere it /as ordained 0& Nature' Let t*is *ave 0een su))icient+& said0& .e# concernin t*e ,rocess o) t*e ancients and .& correction o) t*e Tincture o)

t*e P*i+oso,*ers# so )ar as re+ates to its ,re,aration'

(oreover# since no/ /e *ave t*at treasure o) t*e E&,tians in our *ands# it

re.ains t*at /e turn it to our use2 and t*is is o))ered to us 0& t*e S,a&ric(aister& in t/o /a&s' !ccordin to t*e )or.er .ode it can 0e a,,+ied )or t*e

rene/in o) t*e 0od&% accordin to t*e +atter it is to 0e used )or t*e trans.utation

o) .eta+s' Since# t*en# I# T*eo,*rastus Parace+sus# *ave tried eac* o) t*e. indi))erent /a&s# I a. /i++in to ,ut t*e. )or/ard and to descri0e t*e. accordin tot*e sins indeed o) t*e /or1# and as in ex,erience and ,roo) t*e& a,,eared to .e

0etter and .ore ,er)ect+&'

CH!PTER 6I'

CONCERNING THE TR!NS(UT!TION OF (ET!LS B: THE PERFECTIONOF (E"ICINE'

I) t*e Tincture o) t*e P*i+oso,*ers is to 0e used )or trans.utation# a ,ound o) it.ust 0e ,ro8ected on a t*ousand ,ounds o) .e+ted So+' T*en# at +ent*# /i++ a

(edicine *ave 0een ,re,ared )or trans.utin t*e +e,rous .oisture o) t*e .eta+s'T*is /or1 is a /onder)u+ one in t*e +i*t o) Nature# na.e+ t*at 0& t*e (aister

or t*e o,eration o) t*e S,a&rist# a .eta+# /*ic* )or.er+& existed# s*ou+d ,eris*#and anot*er 0e ,roduced' T*is )act *as rendered t*at sa.e !ristot+e# /it* *is i++-

)ounded ,*i+oso,* )atuous' For tru+ /*en t*e rustics in Hunar& cast iron at t*e,ro,er season into a certain )ountain# co..on+& ca++ed =i))er0runnen# it is

consu.ed into rust# and /*en t*is is +i3ue)ied /it* a 0+ast-)ire# it soon exists as,ure 6enus# and never .ore returns to iron' Si.i+ar+ in t*e .ountain co..on+&

ca++ed Kutten0er# t*e& o0tain a +ixiviu. out o) .arcasites# in /*ic* iron is)ort*/it* turned into 6enus o) a *i* rade# and .ore .a++ea0+e t*an t*e ot*er

,roduced 0& Nature' T*ese t*ins# and .ore +i1e t*e.# are 1no/n to si.,+e .enrat*er t*an to so,*ists# na.e+ t*ose /*ic* turn one a,,earance o) a .eta+ into

anot*er' !nd t*ese t*ins# .oreover# t*rou* t*e re.ar1a0+e conte.,t o) t*einorant# and ,art+ too# on account o) t*e 8ust env& o) t*e arti)icers# re.ain a+.ost

*idden' But I .&se+)# in Istria# *ave o)ten 0rou*t 6enus to .ore t*an t/ent&-)our4a+' ;>5 derees# so t*at t*e co+our o) So+ cou+d not .ount *i*er# consistin o)

!nti.on& or or ?uarta+# /*ic* 6enus I used in a++ res,ects as ot*er 1inds'


8/12

But t*ou* t*e o+d artists /ere ver& desirous o) t*is arcanu.# and sou*t it /it*t*e reatest di+ience# nevert*e+ess# ver& )e/ cou+d 0rin it 0& .eans o) a ,er)ect

,re,aration to its end' For t*e trans.utation o) an in)erior .eta+ into a su,erior one0rins /it* it .an& di))icu+ties and o0stac+es# as t*e c*ane o) $ove into Luna# or

6enus into So+' Per*a,s on account o) t*eir sins God /i++ed t*at t*e (ana+ia o)Nature s*ou+d 0e *idden )ro. .an& .en' For so.eti.es# /*en t*is Tincture *as

0een ,re,ared 0& artists# and t*e& /ere not a0+e to reduce t*eir ,ro8ection to /or1its e))ects# it *a,,ened t*at# 0& t*eir care+essness and 0ad uardians*i,# t*is /as

eaten u, 0& )o/+s# /*ose )eat*ers t*ereu,on )e++ o))# and# as I .&se+) *ave seen#re/ aain' In t*is /a& trans.utation# t*rou* its a0use )ro. t*e care+essness o)

t*e artists# ca.e into (edicine and !+c*e.&' For /*en t*e& /ere una0+e to use t*eTincture accordin to t*eir desire# t*e& converted t*e sa.e to t*e renovation o)

.en# as s*a++ 0e *eard .ore at +are in t*e )o++o/in c*a,ter'

CH!PTER 6II'

CONCERNING THE RENO6!TION OF (EN'

So.e o) t*e )irst and ,ri.itive ,*i+oso,*ers o) E&,t *ave +ived 0& .eans o) t*is

Tincture )or a *undred and )i)t& &ears' T*e +i)e o) .an too# *as 0een extended and,ro+oned to severa+ centuries# as is .ost c+ear+& s*e/n in di))erent *istories#

t*ou* it see.s scarce+& credi0+e to an& one' For its ,o/er is so re.ar1a0+e t*at itextends t*e +i)e o) t*e 0od& 0e&ond /*at is ,ossi0+e to its conenita+ nature# and

1ee,s it so )ir.+& in t*at condition t*at it +ives on in sa)et& )ro. a++ in)ir.ities' !nd

a+t*ou*# indeed# t*e 0od& at +ent* co.es to o+d ae# nevert*e+ess# it sti++ a,,earsas t*ou* it /ere esta0+is*ed in its ,ri.a+ &out*'

So# t*en# t*e Tincture o) t*e P*i+oso,*ers is a Universa+ (edicine# and consu.es

a++ diseases# 0& /*atsoever na.e t*e& are ca++ed# 8ust +i1e an invisi0+e )ire' T*edose is ver& s.a++# 0ut its e))ect is .ost ,o/er)u+' B& .eans t*ereo) I *ave cured

t*e +e,ros venerea+ disease# dro,s t*e )a++in sic1ness# co+ic# sca0# and si.i+ara))+ictions% a+so +u,us# cancer# no+i-.e-tanere# )istu+as# and t*e /*o+e race o)

interna+ diseases# .ore sure+& t*an one cou+d 0e+ieve' O) t*is )act Ger.anFrance# Ita+ Po+and# Bo*e.ia# etc'# /i++ a))ord t*e .ost a.,+e evidence'

No/# So,*ist# +oo1 at T*eo,*rastus Parace+sus' Ho/ can &our !,o++o# (ac*aon#and Hi,,ocrates stand aainst .e< T*is is t*e Cat*o+icu. o) t*e P*i+oso,*ers# 0&

/*ic* a++ t*ese ,*i+oso,*ers *ave attained +on +i)e )or resistin diseases# and t*e&*ave attained t*is end entire+& and .ost e))ectua++ and so# accordin to t*eir

8ud.ent# t*e& na.ed it T*e Tincture o) t*e P*i+oso,*ers' For /*at can t*ere 0e int*e /*o+e rane o) .edicine reater t*an suc* ,uration o) t*e 0od 0& .eans

/*ereo) a++ su,er)+uit& is radica++& re.oved )ro. it and trans.uted< For /*en t*eseed is once .ade sound a++ e+se is ,er)ected' *at avai+s t*e i++-)ounded ,uration

o) t*e so,*ists since it re.oves not*in as it ou*t< T*is# t*ere)ore# is t*e .ostexce++ent )oundation o) a true ,*&sician# t*e reeneration o) t*e nature# and t*e


9/12

restoration o) &out*' !)ter t*is# t*e ne/ essence itse+) drives out a++ t*at is o,,osedto it' To e))ect t*is reeneration# t*e ,o/ers and virtues o) t*e Tincture o) t*e

P*i+oso,*ers /ere .iracu+ous+& discovered# and u, to t*is ti.e *ave 0een used insecret and 1e,t concea+ed 0& true S,a&rists'

HERE EN"S THE BOOK CONCERNING THE TINCTURE OF THEPHILOSOPHERS'

NOTES7 T*e !rcanu. o) a su0stance is not t*e virtue 4virtus5 0ut t*e essence 4vir5 and t*e ,otenc& 4potentia5# and isstroner t*an t*e virtue% nevert*e+ess# an o+d error o) t*e doctors con)erred t*e na.e o) virtues u,on t*e,otentia+ essences' -Paramirum# Li0' I6' (an& t*ins are e+se/*ere set )ort* concernin t*e ?uintessence# 0ut/*at is descri0ed is rea++& a se,aration or extraction o) t*e ,ure )ro. t*e i.,ure# not a true 3uintessence# and itis .ore correct+& ter.ed an !rcanu.' -Explicatio Totius Astronomiae'

9 T*e o))ice o) 6u+can is t*e se,aration o) t*e ood )ro. t*e 0ad' So t*e !rt o) 6u+can# /*ic* is !+c*e. is

+i1e unto deat*# 0& /*ic* t*e eterna+ and t*e te.,ora+ are divided one )ro. anot*er' So a+so t*is art .i*t 0eca++ed t*e deat* o) t*ins' -De Morbis Metallicis# Li0' I'# Tract III'# c' 7' 6u+can is an astra+ and not a cor,ora+)a0ricator' -De Caduco Matricis# Par' 6I' T*e artist /or1in in .eta+s and ot*er .inera+s trans)or.s t*e. intoot*er co+ours# and in so doin *is o,eration is +i1e t*at o) t*e *eaven itse+)' For as t*e artist excocts 0& .eans o)6u+can# or t*e ineous e+e.ent# so *eaven ,er)or.s t*e /or1 o) coction t*rou* t*e Sun' T*e Sun# t*ere)ore# is

t*e 6u+can o) *eaven acco.,+is*in coction in t*e eart*' -De Icteritiis. 6u+can is t*e )a0ricator and arc*itect o)a++ t*ins# nor is *is *a0itation in *eaven on+ t*at is# in t*e )ir.a.ent# 0ut e3ua++& in a++ t*e ot*er e+e.ents'-Lib. Meteorum# c' @' *ere t*e t*ree ,ri.e ,rinci,+es are /antin# t*ere a+so t*e ineous essence is a0sent'T*e Ineous 6u+can is not*in e+se 0ut Su+,*ur# Sa+ Nitru.# and (ercur&' -Ibid.# c'A'

; T*e Boo1 o) t*e Reve+ation o) Her.es# inter,reted 0& T*eo,*rastus Parace+sus# concernin t*e Su,re.e

Secret o) t*e or+d# see.s to *ave 0een )irst 0rou*t to +i*t 0& Benedictus Fiu+us# and a,,eared as a piece dersistancein *is Go+den and B+essed Cas1et o) Natures (arve+s# o) /*ic* an En+is* trans+ation *as 0een

ver& recent+& ,u0+is*ed' 4! Go+den and B+essed Cas1et o) Natures (arve+s' B& Benedictus Fiu+us' No/ )irstdone into En+is* )ro. t*e Ger.an oriina+ ,u0+is*ed at Fran1)ort in t*e &ear 7D>' London2 $a.es E++iott andCo' >vo'# 7>;5' !.on t*e .an& /ritins /*ic* *ave 0een )a0u+ous+& attri0uted to Her.es# t*ere does notsee. to 0e an& record o) an a,oca+&,se# and it is i.,ossi0+e to sa& /*at )ored docu.ent .a& *ave 0een t*e

su08ect o) inter,retation 0& Parace+sus' !s t*e co++ection o) Fiu+us is no/ so readi+& accessi0+e# it is so.e/*atsu,er)+uous to re,roduce t*e treatise *ere# 0ut since t*is trans+ation c+ai.s to inc+ude ever&t*in /ritten 0& t*e,*&sician o) Ho*en*ei. on t*e su08ect o) !+c*e.& and t*e Universa+ (edicine# it is a,,ended at t*is ,oint' Its*ou+d 0e ,re.ised t*at Benedictus Fiu+us co.,+ains 0itter+& o) t*e .uti+ation and ,erversion to /*ic* t*e/or1s o) Parace+sus /ere su08ected# and t*e Reve+ation o) Her.es see.s in .an& ,arts to 0etra& anot*er *and#es,ecia++& in its 3uotation o) aut*orities /*o are not countenanced 0& its re,uted aut*or' Her.es# P+ato#

!ristot+e# and ot*er ,*i+oso,*ers# )+ouris*in at di))erent ti.es# /*o *ave introduced t*e !rts# and .orees,ecia++& *ave ex,+ored t*e secrets o) in)erior Creation# a++ t*ese *ave eaer+& sou*t a .eans /*ere0& .ans0od& .i*t 0e ,reserved )ro. deca& and 0eco.e endued /it* i..orta+it&' To t*e. it /as ans/ered t*at t*ere

is not*in /*ic* .i*t de+iver t*e .orta+ 0od& )ro. deat*% 0ut t*at t*ere is One T*in /*ic* .a& ,ost,onedeca rene/ &out*% and ,ro+on s*ort *u.an +i)e 4as /it* t*e ,atriarc*s5' For deat* /as +aid as a ,unis*.entu,on our )irst ,arents# !da. and Eve# and /i++ never de,art )ro. a++ t*eir descendants' T*ere)ore# t*e a0ove

,*i+oso,*ers# and .an& ot*ers# *ave sou*t t*is One T*in /it* reat +a0our# and *ave )ound t*at t*at /*ic*,reserves t*e *u.an 0od& )ro. corru,tion# and ,ro+ons +i)e# conducts itse+)# /it* res,ect to ot*er e+e.ents# asit /ere +i1e t*e Heavens% )ro. /*ic* t*e& understood t*at t*e Heavens are a su0stance a0ove t*e FourE+e.ents' !nd 8ust as t*e Heavens# /it* res,ect to t*e ot*er e+e.ents# are *e+d to 0e t*e )i)t* su0stance 4)or t*e&are indestructi0+e# sta0+e# and su))er no )orein ad.ixture5# so a+so t*is One T*in 4co.,ared to t*e )orces o)our 0od&5 is an indestructi0+e essence# dr&in u, a++ t*e su,er)+uities o) our 0odies# and *as 0een ,*i+oso,*ica++&

ca++ed 0& t*e a0ove-.entioned na.e' It is neit*er *ot and dr& +i1e )ire# nor co+d and .oist +i1e /ater# nor /ar.and .oist +i1e air# nor dr& and co+d +i1e eart*' But it is a s1i+)u+# ,er)ect e3uation o) a++ t*e E+e.ents# a ri*tco..in+in o) natura+ )orces# a .ost ,articu+ar union o) s,iritua+ virtues# an indisso+u0+e unitin o) 0od& andsou+' It is t*e ,urest and no0+est su0stance o) an indestructi0+e 0od /*ic* cannot 0e destro&ed nor *ar.ed 0&t*e E+e.ents# and is ,roduced 0& !rt' it* t*is# !ristot+e ,re,ared an a,,+e# ,ro+onin +i)e 0& its scent# /*en*e# )i)teen da&s 0e)ore *is deat*# cou+d neit*er eat nor drin1 on account o) o+d ae' T*is s,iritua+ Essence# or


10/12

One T*in# /as revea+ed )ro. a0ove to !da.# and /as reat+& desired 0& t*e Ho+& Fat*ers% t*is a+so Her.esand !ristot+e ca++ t*e Trut* /it*out Lies# t*e .ost sure o) a++ t*ins certain# t*e Secret o) a++ Secrets' It is t*eLast and t*e Hi*est T*in to 0e sou*t under t*e Heavens# a /ondrous c+osin and )inis* o) ,*i+oso,*ica+

/or1# 0& /*ic* are discovered t*e de/s o) Heaven and t*e )astnesses o) Eart*' *at t*e .out* o) .an cannotutter is a++ )ound in t*is s,irit' !s (orienus sa&s2 He /*o *as t*is *as a++ t*ins# and /ants no ot*er aid' For init are a++ te.,ora+ *a,,iness# 0odi+& *ea+t*# and eart*+& )ortune' It is t*e s,irit o) t*e )i)t* su0stance# a Fount o)

a++ $o&s 4 0eneat* t*e ra&s o) t*e .oon5# t*e Su,,orter o) Heaven and Eart*# t*e (over o) Sea and ind# t*eOut,ourer o) Rain# u,*o+din t*e strent* o) a++ t*ins# an exce++ent s,irit a0ove Heaven+& and ot*er s,irits#ivin Hea+t*# $o Peace# Love% drivin a/a& Hatred and Sorro/# 0rinin in $o ex,e++in a++ Evi+# 3uic1+&

*ea+in a++ "iseases# destro&in Povert& and .iser +eadin to a++ ood t*ins# ,reventin a++ evi+ /ords andt*ou*ts# ivin .an *is *earts desire# 0rinin to t*e ,ious eart*+& *onour and +on +i)e# 0ut to t*e /ic1ed /*o.isuse it# Eterna+ Punis*.ent' T*is is t*e S,irit o) Trut*# /*ic* t*e /or+d cannot co.,re*end /it*out t*einter,osition o) t*e Ho+& G*ost# or /it*out t*e instruction o) t*ose /*o 1no/ it' T*e sa.e is o) a .&steriousnature# /ondrous strent*# 0ound+ess ,o/er' T*e Saints# )ro. t*e 0einnin o) t*e /or+d# *ave desired to0e*o+d its )ace' B& !vicenna t*is S,irit is na.ed t*e Sou+ o) t*e or+d' For# as t*e Sou+ .oves a++ t*e +i.0s o)

t*e 0od so a+so does t*is S,irit .ove a++ 0odies' !nd as t*e Sou+ is in a++ t*e +i.0s o) t*e Bod so a+so is t*isS,irit in a++ e+e.entar& created t*ins' It is sou*t 0& .an& and )ound 0& )e/' It is 0e*e+d )ro. a)ar and )oundnear% )or it exists in ever& t*in# in ever& ,+ace# and at a++ ti.es' It *as t*e ,o/ers o) a++ creatures% its action is)ound in a++ e+e.ents# and t*e 3ua+ities o) a++ t*ins are t*erein# even in t*e *i*est ,er)ection' B& virtue o) t*is

essence did !da. and t*e Patriarc*s ,reserve t*eir *ea+t* and +ive to an extre.e ae# so.e o) t*e. a+so)+ouris*in in reat ric*es' *en t*e ,*i+oso,*ers *ad discovered it# /it* reat di+ience and +a0our# t*e&

strai*t/a& concea+ed it under a strane tonue# and in ,ara0+es# +est t*e sa.e s*ou+d 0eco.e 1no/n to t*eun/ort* and t*e ,ear+s 0e cast 0e)ore s/ine' For i) ever&one 1ne/ it# a++ /or1 and industr& /ou+d cease% .an/ou+d desire not*in 0ut t*is one t*in# ,eo,+e /ou+d +ive /ic1ed+ and t*e /or+d 0e ruined# seein t*at t*e&/ou+d ,rovo1e God 0& reason o) t*eir avarice and su,er)+uit&' For e&e *at* not seen# nor ear *eard# nor *at* t*e*eart o) .an understood /*at Heaven *at* natura++& incor,orated /it* t*is S,irit' T*ere)ore *ave I 0rie)+&enu.erated so.e o) t*e 3ua+ities o) t*is S,irit# to t*e Honour o) God# t*at t*e ,ious .a& reverent+& ,raise Hi.

in His i)ts 4/*ic* i)t o) God s*a++ a)ter/ards co.e to t*e.5# and I /i++ *ere/it* s*e/ /*at ,o/ers andvirtues it ,ossesses in eac* t*in# a+so its out/ard a,,earance# t*at it .a& 0e .ore readi+& reconised' In its )irststate# it a,,ears as an i.,ure eart*+& 0od )u++ o) i.,er)ections' It t*en *as an eart*+& nature# *ea+in a++sic1ness and /ounds in t*e 0o/e+s o) .an# ,roducin ood and consu.in ,roud )+es*# ex,e++in a++ stenc*#and *ea+in enera++ in/ard+& and out/ard+&' In its second nature# it a,,ears as a /ater& 0od so.e/*at .ore

0eauti)u+ t*an 0e)ore# 0ecause 4a+t*ou* sti++ *avin its corru,tions5 its 6irtue is reater' It is .uc* nearer t*etrut*# and .ore e))ective in /or1s' In t*is )or. it cures co+d and *ot )evers and is a s,eci)ic aainst ,oisons#/*ic* it drives )ro. *eart and +uns# *ea+in t*e sa.e /*en in8ured or /ounded# ,uri)&in t*e 0+ood# and# ta1ent*ree ti.es a da is o) reat co.)ort in a++ diseases' But in its t*ird nature it a,,ears as an aeria+ 0od o) an oi+&nature# a+.ost )reed )ro. a++ i.,er)ections# in /*ic* )or. it does .an& /ondrous /or1s# ,roducin 0eaut& andstrent* o) 0od and 4a s.a++ 3uantit& 0ein ta1en in t*e )ood5 ,reventin .e+anc*o+& and *eatin o) t*e a++#increasin t*e 3uantit& o) t*e 0+ood and seed# so t*at )re3uent 0+eedin 0eco.es necessar&' It ex,ands t*e 0+ood

vesse+s# cures /it*ered +i.0s# restores strent* to t*e si*t# in ro/in ,ersons re.oves /*at is su,er)+uous and.a1es ood de)ects in t*e +i.0s' In its )ourt* nature it a,,ears in a )ier& )or. 4not 3uite )reed )ro. a++i.,er)ections# sti++ so.e/*at /ater& and not dried enou*5# /*erein it *as .an& virtues# .a1in t*e o+d &ounand revivin t*ose at t*e ,oint o) deat*' For i) to suc* an one t*ere 0e iven# in /ine# a 0ar+e&corns /ei*t o)t*is )ire# so t*at it reac* t*e sto.ac*# it oes to *is *eart# rene/in *i. at once# drivin a/a& a++ ,revious.oisture and ,oison# and restorin t*e natura+ *eat o) t*e +iver' Given in s.a++ doses to o+d ,eo,+e# it re.oves

t*e diseases o) ae# ivin t*e o+d &oun *earts and 0odies' Hence it is ca++ed t*e E+ixir o) Li)e' In its )i)t* and+ast nature# it a,,ears in a +ori)ied and i++u.inated )or.# /it*out de)ects# s*inin +i1e o+d and si+ver# /*erein it,ossesses a++ ,revious ,o/ers and virtues in a *i*er and .ore /ondrous deree' Here its natura+ /or1s areta1en )or .irac+es' *en a,,+ied to t*e roots o) dead trees t*e& revive# 0rinin )ort* +eaves and )ruit' ! +a.,#t*e oi+ o) /*ic* is .in+ed /it* t*is s,irit# continues to 0urn )or ever /it*out di.inution' It converts cr&sta+sinto t*e .ost ,recious stones o) a++ co+ours# e3ua+ to t*ose )ro. t*e .ines# and does .a&n ot*er incredi0+e

/onders /*ic* .a& not 0e revea+ed to t*e un/ort*&' For it *ea+s a++ dead and +ivin 0odies /it*out ot*er.edicine' Here C*rist is .& /itness t*at I +ie not# )or a++ *eaven+& in)+uences are united and co.0ined t*erein'T*is essence a+so revea+s a++ treasures in eart* and sea# converts a++ .eta++ic 0odies into o+d# and t*ere isnot*in +i1e unto it under Heaven' T*is s,irit is t*e secret *idden )ro. t*e 0einnin# &et ranted 0& God to a)e/ *o+& .en )or t*e revea+in o) t*ese ic*es to His G+or& - d/e++in in )ier& )or. in t*e air# and +eadin eart*/it* itse+) to *eaven# /*i+e )ro. its 0od& t*ere )+o/ /*o+e rivers o) +ivin /ater' T*is s,irit )+ies t*rou* t*e

.idst o) t*e Heavens +i1e a .ornin .ist# +eads its 0urnin )ire into t*e /ater# and *as its s*inin rea+. in t*e

*eavens' !nd a+t*ou* t*ese /ritins .a& 0e rearded as )a+se 0& t*e reader# &et to t*e initiated t*e& are trueand ,ossi0+e# /*en t*e *idden sense is ,ro,er+& understood' For God is /onder)u+ in His /or1s# and His


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/isdo. is /it*out end' T*is s,irit in its )ier& )or. is ca++ed a Sandaraca# in t*e aeria+ a K&0ric1# in t*e /ater&an !ot*# in t*e eart*+& !+co*o,* and !+iocoso,*' Hence t*e& are deceived 0& t*ese na.es /*o# see1in/it*out instruction# t*in1 to )ind t*is S,irit o) Li)e in t*ins )orein to our !rt' For a+t*ou* t*is s,irit /*ic* /e

see1# on account o) its 3ua+ities# is ca++ed 0& t*ese na.es# &et t*e sa.e is not in t*ese 0odies and cannot 0e int*e.' For a re)ined s,irit cannot a,,ear exce,t in a 0od& suita0+e to its nature' !nd# 0& *o/ever .an& na.es it0e ca++ed# +et no one i.aine t*ere 0e di))erent s,irits# )or# sa& /*at one /i++# t*ere is 0ut one s,irit /or1in

ever&/*ere and in a++ t*ins' T*at is t*e s,irit /*ic*# /*en risin# i++u.ines t*e Heavens# /*en settinincor,orates t*e ,urit& o) Eart*# and /*en 0roodin *as e.0raced t*e aters' T*is s,irit is na.ed Ra,*ae+# t*e!ne+ o) God# t*e su0t+est and ,urest# /*o. t*e ot*ers a++ o0e& as t*eir Kin' T*is s,iritua+ su0stance is neit*er

*eaven+& nor *e++is*# 0ut an air ,ure# and *eart& 0od .id/a& 0et/een t*e *i*est and +o/est# /it*out reason#0ut )ruit)u+ in /or1s# and t*e .ost se+ect and 0eauti)u+ o) a++ ot*er *eaven+& t*ins' T*is /or1 o) God is )ar toodee, )or understandin# )or it is t*e +ast# reatest# and *i*est secret o) Nature' It is t*e S,irit o) God# /*ic* int*e Beinnin )i++ed t*e eart* and 0rooded over t*e /aters# /*ic* t*e /or+d cannot ras, /it*out t*e raciousinter,osition o) t*e Ho+& S,irit and instruction )ro. t*ose /*o 1no/ it# /*ic* a+so t*e /*o+e /or+d desires )orits virtue# and /*ic* cannot 0e ,ried enou*' For it reac*es to t*e ,+anets# raises t*e c+ouds# drives a/a& .ists#

ives its +i*t to a++ t*ins# turns ever&t*in into Sun and (oon# 0esto/s a++ *ea+t* and a0undance o) treasure#c+eanses t*e +e,er# 0ri*tens t*e e&es# 0anis*es sorro/# *ea+s t*e sic1# revea+s a++ *idden treasures# and#enera++ cures a++ diseases' T*rou* t*is s,irit *ave t*e ,*i+oso,*ers invented t*e Seven Li0era+ !rts# andt*ere0& ained t*eir ric*es' T*rou* t*e sa.e (oses .ade t*e o+den vesse+s in t*e !r1# and Kin So+o.on did

.an& 0eauti)u+ /or1s to t*e *onour o) God' T*ere/it* (oses 0ui+t t*e Ta0ernac+e# Noa* t*e !r1# So+o.on t*eTe.,+e' B& t*is# Era restored t*e La/# and (iria.# (oses sister# /as *os,ita0+e% !0ra*a.# Isaac# and $aco0#

and ot*er ri*teous .en# *ave *ad +i)e+on a0undance and ric*es% and a++ t*e saints ,ossessin it *ave t*ere/it*,raised God' T*ere)ore is its ac3uisition ver& *ard# .ore t*an t*at o) o+d and si+ver' For it is t*e 0est o) a++t*ins# 0ecause# o) a++ t*ins .orta+ t*at .an can desire in t*is /or+d# not*in can co.,are /it* it# and in ita+one is trut*' Hence it is ca++ed t*e Stone and S,irit o) Trut*% in its /or1s is no vanit its ,raise cannot 0esu))icient+& ex,ressed' I a. una0+e to s,ea1 enou* o) its virtues# 0ecause its ood 3ua+ities and ,o/ers are0e&ond *u.an t*ou*ts# unuttera0+e 0& t*e tonue o) .an# and in it are )ound t*e ,ro,erties o) a++ t*ins' :ea#

t*ere is not*in dee,er in Nature' O un)at*o.a0+e a0&ss o) Gods isdo.# /*ic* t*us *at* united andco.,rised in t*e virtue and ,o/er o) t*is One S,irit t*e 3ua+ities o) a++ existin 0odies O uns,ea1a0+e *onourand 0ound+ess 8o& ranted to .orta+ .an For t*e destructi0+e t*ins o) Nature are restored 0& virtue o) t*e saidS,irit' O .&ster& o) .&steries# .ost secret o) a++ secret t*ins# and *ea+in and .edicine o) a++ t*ins T*ou +astdiscover& in eart*+& natures# +ast 0est i)t to Patriarc*s and Saes# reat+& desired 0& t*e /*o+e /or+d O*# /*at

a /ondrous and +auda0+e s,irit is ,urit in /*ic* stand a++ 8o ric*es# )ruit)u+ness o) +i)e# and art o) a++ arts# a,o/er /*ic* to its initiates rants a++ .ateria+ 8o&s O desira0+e 1no/+ede# +ove+& a0ove a++ t*ins 0eneat* t*ecirc+e o) t*e (oon# 0& /*ic* Nature is strent*ened# and *eart and +i.0s are rene/ed# 0+oo.in &out* is,reserved# o+d ae driven a/a /ea1ness destro&ed# 0eaut& in its ,er)ection ,reserved# and a0undance ensuredin a++ t*ins ,+easin to .en O t*ou s,iritua+ su0stance# +ove+& a0ove a++ t*ins O t*ou /ondrous ,o/er#strent*enin a++ t*e /or+d O t*ou invinci0+e virtue# *i*est o) a++ t*at is# a+t*ou* des,ised 0& t*e inorant# &et*e+d 0& t*e /ise in reat ,raise# *onour# and +or t*at - ,roceedin )ro. *u.ours - /a1est t*e dead# ex,e++est

diseases# restorest t*e voice o) t*e d&in O t*ou treasure o) treasures# .&ster& o) .&steries# ca++ed 0& !vicennaan uns,ea1a0+e su0stance# t*e ,urest and .ost ,er)ect sou+ o) t*e /or+d# t*an /*ic* t*ere is not*in .orecost+& under Heaven# un)at*o.a0+e in nature and ,o/er# /onder)u+ in virtue and /or1s# *avin no e3ua+ a.oncreatures# ,ossessin t*e virtues o) a++ 0odies under Heaven For )ro. it )+o/ t*e /ater o) +i)e# t*e oi+ and *one&o) eterna+ *ea+in# and t*us *at* it nouris*ed t*e. /it* *one& and /ater )ro. t*e roc1' T*ere)ore# sait*(orienus2 He /*o *at* it# t*e sa.e a+so *at* a++ t*ins' B+essed art T*ou# Lord God o) our Fat*ers# in t*at

T*ou *ast iven t*e ,ro,*ets t*is 1no/+ede and understandin# t*at t*e& *ave *idden t*ese t*ins 4+est t*e&s*ou+d 0e discovered 0& t*e 0+ind# and t*ose dro/ned in /or+d+& od+essness5 0& /*ic* t*e /ise and t*e ,ious*ave ,raised T*ee For t*e discoverers o) t*e .&ster& o) t*is t*in to t*e un/ort*& are 0rea1ers o) t*e sea+ o)Heaven+& Reve+ation# t*ere0& o))endin Gods (a8est and 0rinin u,on t*e.se+ves .an& .is)ortunes and t*e,unis*.ents o) God' T*ere)ore# I 0e a++ C*ristians# ,ossessin t*is 1no/+ede# to co..unicate t*e sa.e tono0od exce,t it 0e to one +ivin in God+iness# o) /e++-,roved virtue# and ,raisin God# *o *as iven suc* a

treasure to .an' For .an& see1# 0ut )e/ )ind it' Hence t*e i.,ure and t*ose +ivin in vice are un/ort*& o) it'T*ere)ore is t*is !rt to 0e s*e/n to a++ God-)earin ,ersons# 0ecause it cannot 0e 0ou*t /it* a ,rice' I testi)&0e)ore God t*at I +ie not# a+t*ou* it a,,ear i.,ossi0+e to )oo+s# t*at no one *as *it*erto ex,+ored Nature sodee,+&' T*e !+.i*t& 0e ,raised )or *avin created t*is !rt and )or revea+in it to God-)earin .en' !.en' !ndt*us is )u+)i++ed t*is ,recious and exce++ent /or1# ca++ed t*e revea+in o) t*e occu+t s,irit# in /*ic* +ie *idden t*esecrets and .&steries o) t*e /or+d' But t*is s,irit is one enius# and divine# /onder)u+# and +ord+& ,o/er' For it

e.0races t*e /*o+e /or+d# and overco.es t*e E+e.ents and t*e )i)t* Su0stance' To our Tris.eistus S,a&rus#

$esus C*rist# 0e ,raise and +or& i..orta+' !.en'


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Next2 T*e Treasure o) Treasures )or !+c*e.ists 0& Parace+sus
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The Book Concerning the Tincture of the Philosophers by Paracelsus

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Transcript of The Book Concerning the Tincture of the Philosophers by Paracelsus