To the Highly Enlightened Brotherhood.

The Second.

On the Stone from the Life of the Microcosm. original Latin: "De Lapide ex vita Microcosmi." In the alchemical tradition, the human being is considered a "Microcosm"—a "little world" that mirrors the entire universe. The "Stone" refers to a medicinal or philosophical substance derived from the human body.

When I take for this purpose a fine, pure life of a healthy microcosm original: "vitam Microcosmi sani." In 17th-century alchemy, this phrase almost certainly refers to human urine collected from a healthy person, which was a primary source for extracting "essential salts.", putrefy it for one month, and then distill it; so first comes the spirit or volatile salt The source uses the symbol ⊖ for salt. Volatile salt (ammonium carbonate) was highly prized for its perceived ability to carry the "life force" of the substance., which I pour back on and distill off again. This cohabitation original: "Cohibiren," more commonly known as cohobation. This is the process of repeatedly pouring a distilled liquid back onto the solid remains (the "dead head") and re-distilling it to concentrate its "virtue" or power. I do five times. Then I distill it for the sixth time; so first the spirit goes forth again and hangs in the helm The "head" or top part of the distillation apparatus where vapors condense. and receiver The glass vessel that catches the condensed liquid. like ice. This I should carefully preserve. Afterward, I should very gently distill off the phlegm In alchemy, "phlegm" refers to the tasteless, watery, and medically inactive part of a substance that remains after the "spirit" has been removed. until it forms a skin; that I should let turn to crystals