Die geheime Naturlehre der hermetischen Wissenschaft

contrary qualities: unless they are united through a mediator. On the other hand, those elements whose dominant qualities do not conflict can be united quite naturally.

III. God has raised the quintessences the "fifth essence" or purest part of the elements of the aforementioned elements, and through a mystical rectification a spiritual purification or redistillation separated the pure parts. From these, He made the heavens through a type of coagulation. For the heavens are made from the purest part of the water, while the stars are made partly from the purest part of the air, partly from the transparent part of the fire, and partly from the most subtle and lightest part of the earth. From this diversity in the nature of the stars come their different influences upon the lower bodies, to which their constant course and different positions toward each other are conducive. Thus the dissolution and separation of the primordial matter original: "Urmaterie" is explained. Now follows the actual composition putting together or coagulation solidification, which presupposes the union of many different parts.

IV. God has breathed together or coagulated and united the upper principiata things derived from principles. These are the intermediate things between elements and the lower mixed things. These intermediate things are: