The Chemical Theater

Thirteenth Discourse.

Pythagoras says: We propose another governance which is not different in its root, but only in its name. And know, you seekers of this science and wisdom, that whatever the envious original: 'invidi'; a common alchemical term for earlier authors who purportedly hid their secrets out of jealousy. have commanded in their books regarding the composition of natures that agree with one another, in flavor it is only one thing, yet in the sight of the eyes, how diverse these things appear! And know that this thing, which they have described in such manifold ways, follows its companion without the need for fire, just as the Magnet stone lapis Magnetis The loadstone or naturally magnetized mineral. follows iron. To these things, this substance is not compared in vain—neither to the seed nor to the womb, to which that thing is similar.

And because that thing which follows its companion without fire makes many colors appear everywhere through no complex composition, it is because that One thing enters into every part of the governance, which they find everywhere: it is a stone, yet not a stone; cheap and yet precious; darkened and hidden, yet known by anyone; of one name, and yet of many names, which is the spittle of the moon sputum lunæ An alchemical metaphor for white mercury or the white elixir.. This stone, therefore, is "not a stone" because it is so precious, and without it, nature never performs any work. Its name is one; yet we have called it by many names because of the excellence of its nature.

The Assembly: Master, you are addressed by your own names by those who are searching.

And he [Pythagoras] replied: It is called white Ethelia original: 'Ethelia'; likely a corruption of an Arabic term for a volatile or chemically active substance., and white copper æs album, and that which flees from the fire, which alone whitens the copper. Therefore, break the white stone after you have coagulated it with milk. Then crush the lime calcem A powder produced by heating a substance; a "calx." into a marble-like consistency, and take care that the humidity does not escape the vessel, but rather coagulate it within the vessel until it becomes ash; then cook it with the spittle of the moon, and direct it. For you will find the stone broken and already imbued with its own water.

This, therefore, is the stone which we have called by every name, which receives and "drinks" the work, and from which every color appears. Take, therefore, the gum itself which comes from the scouring original: 'excoria'; refers to the residue or skin removed during purification., and mix it with the ash of the lime which you have governed, and with the dregs you know, and with the permanent moistening water aqua humectante permanente A chemical agent, often an acid or salt solution, that does not easily evaporate..

Then inspect it to see if it has become a powder; if not, roast it in its stronger fire until it is broken down. Then imbue it with the permanent water, and as the colors vary more and more, let it be heated to that same degree. And know, if you take white quicksilver Mercury., or the spittle of the moon, and do as I have commanded, and break it with a gentle fire, it coagulates and becomes a stone. From this stone, therefore, when it is broken, various colors will appear to you. If any ambiguity should arise for you regarding this discourse, do as I have commanded you until the stone becomes white and glittering, and you will find your purpose.