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

on the Great Stone of the Ancients, by Frater Basilius Valentinus, of the Benedictine Order, promoted to print at the request of many good and noble people, which I humbly offered and dedicated to the Elector of Brandenburg and his highly praiseworthy and beloved wife; and since a special, separate little book has been found alongside it, De Occulta Philosophia, or concerning the miraculous birth of the seven planets, prescribed according to a philosophical and poetic style, I have been approached once more to bring this short little book into the light in the same manner. Since I have finally been moved to comply with the requests of these good people, and since you, without needing to be praised, have not only excellently furthered all philosophical arts through lengthy experience, expense, and effort, but are also counted among the number of philosophers who know how to defend their own work from the foundation of nature,