On the Occult Philosophy or the Secret Miraculous Birth of the Seven Planets and Metals

so that they might nourish their bodies against hunger. Their drink was very poor, and when they became ill, a sour spring flowed forth in the middle of a wilderness through a warm, stony mountain. It carries medicine with it, through which they could become healthy. The clothing upon them was very meager and not firmly woven together, wherefore they had to endure great hardship and lack due to frost, even though they were earthly gods. And it happened that Cœlus went for a walk once, when the weather was beautiful, clear, and bright, and it was in the spring, which one could notice by how the fruitful trees wanted to sprout. Then evening approached, and Cœlus was tired, for the sky was clothed with a beautiful evening red. As Cœlus now betook himself to rest under the dew of the heavens, he lay upon the earth so that the warm air could pass over him. There he called to the goddess Veltæ, his wife, that she must undress and lie with him to perform the work of love. Then the goddess became pregnant by Cœlus, her husband, and as she carried the birth within her, she began to crave a sweet food, which, however,