The Chemical Theater

...no composite thing is without fire original: "nullū compositum igne carēs"; it consumes, yet it neither drinks nor sleeps, because fire, which consumes, exists in all things that possess a spirit.

And the Assembly said: "How is it, Master, since angels were created from fire, why then do they not eat, given that you assert it is fire that consumes?"

And he replied: "In this you have doubted; you hold many opinions and have become adversaries to the truth. If you truly understood the elements, you would not deny these things. I judge for all those holding such opinions that simple fire Pure elemental fire, unmixed with other substances. does not consume, but rather dense fire does. Therefore, angels are not made from dense fire, but from the thinnest, most subtle fire. Being created from simple and most subtle fire, they neither eat, nor drink, nor sleep."

And the Assembly said: "Master, our reason can indeed grasp this; by God's help we have absorbed your sayings, though the limits of our hearing and sight can hardly bear so much. May God reward you on behalf of your disciples, for you have gathered us from our various regions to teach us of things to come; you shall not lose your reward before the Judge of the future."

Arisleus A significant figure in alchemical literature, often acting as a bridge between the masters and the disciples. said: "Since you have united us for the benefit of future generations, Master, I believe nothing more useful can be explained than the definitions of the elements you have taught us."

And he replied: "I think none of you is ignorant of the fact that all Wise Men have set forth their definitions in God."

And the Assembly said: "If your disciples have overlooked anything, Master, it is necessary that you do not omit what might remain unknown to those who come after us."

And he replied: "If you wish, I shall begin here—for the envious A common term in alchemy for authors who intentionally hid secrets to prevent the unworthy from finding them. have scattered this knowledge throughout their books—or I shall provide the arrangement for finishing this book."

And the Assembly said: "Arrange it where it seems clearest for posterity."

And he replied: "I will place it where it shall not be understood by the foolish, nor ignored by the children of doctrine A term for initiated alchemists or true seekers of wisdom., for it is the key, the perfection, and the end."

Ninth Discourse.

EXIMENVS Likely a corruption of the name Anaximenes, the pre-Socratic philosopher who proposed that "Air" was the primary substance of all things. said: God created all things by His word, to which He said: "Be," and they were made, along with the other four elements: earth, water, air, and fire. These He coagulated and mixed together, though they are enemies to one another; for we see that fire is the enemy of water. Indeed, water is the enemy of fire, and both are enemies to earth and air. Yet God joined them together in peace, so that they might be cherished by one another. From these four elements, therefore, all things were created: the heaven, the throne, the angels, the sun, moon, and stars, as well as the earth, the sea, and all the diverse things within the sea. God made their natures different, just as He did their creations. This diversity is not only in what I have shown you; for each of those natures is itself diverse, and its nature is composed of a legion of various differences.