The Sixth Part of the Books and Writings of the Noble and Highly Learned Philosopher and Physician Paracelsus

the elements, substantially. And when they are thus separated, they can never be broken again, such that they would be destroyed from those Complexen complexions. So note that the elements are found in the separation in the same shape and form as they are in the substantial elements. For the air shows itself like the air, and is not to be grasped as some suppose in their minds; because in the instrument of the separation, the air rises and breaks forth just like a wind, and sometimes consumed with water, sometimes earth, sometimes fire. For there is a separate, wonderful rising in the air. For when the air is to be separated from the substantial element of water, it happens through boiling. And as soon as it boils, the air separates itself from the water and takes with it the lightest substance from the water. And as much as the water is diminished, the air is also diminished according to its proportion and quantity. Now it is to be noted that no element can be grasped without the air, and yet each can be without another. Therefore, we do not undertake to separate the air separately, for it is in the three elements like a life in a body. And when that is separated from the body, they are all lost, as we clearly set forth concerning the Separationibus separations in the following practice. In such things, it is to be understood in four ways. The first is from water-bodies: these are the herbs, which give much water, and more than any other element. The second way is to be understood from fiery bodies: these are the woods, and Resinæ resins, and Olea oils, and Radices roots, as they have the most substance of fire in them, more than any other. The third is to be understood from the earthy bodies: these are the stones, Lutum clay/mud, and Terra earth. The fourth is to be understood from the airy ones: and that in all three, as we have mentioned. Likewise, four ways are to be understood from the pure elements, in the same manner as from the other first four. Therefore, it is good to understand what and how the elements should be separated, in which these pieces are to be known. As first, the Separationes separations of the elements from the metals: for in these same elements there are particularly predestined Virtutes virtues/powers that are lacking in other elements. For although the elements are all equal in the form of heat, cold, moisture, and dryness, yet one dryness or moisture is not like another, one cold or heat is not like another. For in some is Appropriatiua appropriative virtue, in some Specifica specific virtue, thus in many ways. Therefore, they are particularly natured and substantial in every Genus kind, so that no kind is equal to another in their virtues regarding the elements. Thus also the Separationes Marcasitarum separations of marcasites, which are different in practice and elemental nature from the others, and every Genus stands in a special separation and should be practiced. Then the stones and Gemmen gems, which themselves show their elements with a special essence, with no similarity to the aforementioned. After that, the Salia salts are of a more excellent special nature and have more properties than is noted of the others. After that, another essence is in the herbs, which do not compare to the minerals in any way, nor do they stand by them, on account of their nature. After that, from wood, from fruits, from bark, from others of the same kind, there is a special property, all of which are to be noted. Thus also from flesh, from drink, and other food, edible and inedible, good, pure, evil, and foul, should be brought to such separation. So it is to be noted here in what way we mean the separation, of which there are two. One to separate the elements from one another, each into a separate