Thesauri et armamentarii medico-chymici appendix [...] Testamentum Hadrianeum

The Testament of Hadrian

The stars Astra provide the image for this matter, the elements provide the powers, and the earthly force fashions the remaining form from its own substance. This is not to be sought under the Spanish sky, nor in the Indian mountains. It is not to be found in Italian soil, nor under the stars of Libya. It is brought forth from our own land; it is seen in our own earth every day. It is a common thing in common use, often even used by children in their street games. It is a thing of little value, for its hidden power is unknown; to know it is granted to only a few as a gift from the Gods Divum.

And rightly so. For what a sword rhomphaea a long Thracian sword is in the hands of the mad, and what a noble horn is to the fierce rhinoceros, this matter provides the same danger—however excellent it may be in itself—if it is exposed to the insane use of the foolish masses. It would be even worse for stirring up crowds across the whole world, mixing the lowest things with the highest and the sacred with the profane, just as it is more noble than all other single things.

But what is it at last? I will tell you. It is a salty substance substantia salfa a substance related to alchemical salt. It is dry water aqua sicca often a reference to mercury or a specific mineral that does not wet the hands, it is the water beloved by all spirits. It is an ignited oil ignitum oleum, not combustible by the savage power of Vulcan the god of fire, representing the furnace, no matter what fire he may vomit from his angry mouth. It is the wonderful, hidden Key of nature Clavis naturae that unlocks what is closed and makes all things conform to itself. It offers itself with this crude face and is seen with impure limbs when it first proceeds from its origin; yet even in such a body, it gives forth such powers: it corrects a corrupt stomach and heals injured entrails.