Die geheime Naturlehre der hermetischen Wissenschaft

1. Sulfur the active, combustible principle, which is a substance coagulated and united from fire and air through shared warmth.

2. Salt the stable, physical principle, which is caused by air and water through shared moisture.

3. Mercury the fluid, mediating principle, which is composed of water and earth through shared cold. The most excellent properties of these intermediate things, or these new principles, are twofold: common and specific. Their common properties are that they may be the means to connect the extremities in mixed things, so that by their help the discordant qualities of the elements can unite. The specific properties of the aforementioned principles are distinct and highly worthy of consideration.

1. That it is the seat, nourishment, or tinder of the innate natural heat in all things.

2. That it receives the warm and fiery impressions and influences of heavenly things and communicates them to the remaining parts of the body in which it sits.