Basil Valentine Revived or the Shining Star of Alchemy

Preface.

minerals in particular (in specie). 4. The philosophical matter in particular.

The second section shows: 1. The solution of the matter (materia). 2. It deals with solvents in general (menstruis in genere) and with the universal solvent in particular. 3. Concerning the doubled philosophical mercury (de Mercur. phil. duplicato). 4. The first purification of the doubled mercury, which occurs through distillation (per distillationem).

The third section deals with: 1. The sublimation of the doubled mercury, volatile salt, and fixed salt. 2. The conversion of the salt, that is, the philosophical mercury into oil. 3. The heavenly fire of the wise. 4. Vessels, furnaces, together with the superficial cleaning of the king, that is, the sun (Solis).

These three sections belong to and comprise properly the preliminary work, the fourth and following, however, the subsequent work.

The fourth contains: 1. The conjunction of the queen and the king, putrefaction, the black color, and the necessary weight of both. 2. The necessary ferment and elixir. 3. The coagulation of the red and