The Opened Philosophical Father-Heart

Cap. 2. Concerning Planting

generation or reproductive birth: Thus, in this very way, our virgin natural earth is disposed and purified without the addition of any foreign thing. I mean to say that we throw into our prepared field, which is purified in such a manner—namely, into the Mercurium Mercury of the wise—the metallic seed of the lively gold of the wise, in order to bring forth their gold tree.

Here, my dear son, I will speak even more clearly and teach you the secret of the stone of the wise Philosophers' Stone in a few words.

Therefore, you should know for certain that all toil, labor, and artificial diligence regarding the hidden secret of the wise consists of nothing else than how one might naturally bring about their precious virgin earth, and how one should subsequently cultivate and prepare it, in the very manner and way that good farmers prepare their earth in which they bring forth wheat, which you should keep as a great secret.

Observe how the farmer acts so that he may bring forth the grain. He searches first for a good earth, then he secures for himself a good seed, such as nature can provide; then he exerts himself with all diligence and care so that he may well prepare and till the earth. First, he breaks it up and clears it of large stones and thorns