The Chemical Theater

Seventh Discourse.

Locustor Likely a corruption of a Greek name or a symbolic figure in the alchemical tradition. said: "All the created things that Lucas described are only of two kinds. One of these is unknown and cannot be described except through piety original: pietate; in this context, it suggests a spiritual or reverent insight rather than mere observation., for it can neither be seen nor felt."
Pythagoras said: "You have begun a matter which you have described with great subtlety—if only you would complete it. Therefore, make known to us: what is this thing that is not felt, yet is seen and known?"
Response: "That which is not known to exist in this world through reason is outside the reach of its servants, which are sight, hearing, taste, smell, and touch. Do you not see, O Assembly of Philosophers, that only sight can distinguish whiteness from blackness? And that only hearing can distinguish a good word from an evil one? Similarly, reason cannot distinguish a good scent from a foul one except by smell, nor the sweet from the bitter except by taste, nor the smooth from the rough except by touch."
The Assembly responded: "In your treatment of this, you have spoken well. Yet you have neglected to tell us about that thing which is unknown and cannot be described except by reason and piety."
He said: "Are you in such a hurry? Know then, that the created thing which cannot be known by any of these five senses is a sublime creature The "sublime creature" here likely refers to the "World Soul" or the "Quintessence"—a spiritual substance that permeates the physical world but remains invisible.. It is neither seen nor felt, but is perceived only by reason; and that reason, sharing in the nature of that creature, confesses that God exists."
They responded: "You have spoken truly and most excellently."
And he continued: "I shall explain this to you even further. Know that this world has a light, which is the sun. This sun is more subtle than all other creatures, and God placed this light so that created things might be made visible. If this subtle light were taken away, all things would be in darkness, seeing nothing—except perhaps by the light of the moon, the stars, or fire, all of which are derived from the light of the sun and cause creatures to shine. Therefore, God established the sun to be the light of this world because of the sun’s thin and subtle nature. And know that the sublime creature has no need of this sun's light, for the sun is beneath that creature, which is even more subtle and radiant than the sun itself. For they Referring to the sublime beings or spheres. received a light more subtle than the sun's from the light of God, which is more subtle than their own. Know also that the created world was made from two dense elements and two rare ones The "dense" elements are Earth and Water; the "rare" or "subtle" elements are Air and Fire., and nothing of the dense elements exists within the sublime creature. Therefore, it is rarer than the sun and all lower creatures."
The Assembly responded: "You have described what you related most excellently. And if you speak anything further, good Master, by which you might bring life to our hearts—which foolishness has deadened—you bestow a great benefit upon us."

Eighth Discourse.

Pythagoras said: "I say that God existed before all things, and nothing was with Him when He was. And know, all you philosophers, that I say this so that I may strengthen your opinion regarding these four elements, and the secrets and sciences contained within them, to which no one can reach except through God..."