PREFACE.

...truth, as support and confirmation of the Alchemical truth original: "veritatis Chymicæ." In this context, "Chemical" or "Alchemical" truth refers to the proven reality of metallic transmutation and the Hermetic philosophy. which has been so unjustly decried, I neither should nor could hide it or wrap it in silence. This is so even though in these malignant times (where virtue and vice are held as equals), this truth greatly fears to come forth into public view on account of the unworthiness of the age and the ingratitude and faithlessness of men—to say nothing of the curses of the Philosophers Ancient alchemical masters often "cursed" their successors to ensure that the secrets of the Stone remained hidden from the greedy or the profane..

I could bring forward witnesses of this Alchemical truth—namely, the most serious authors—following the unanimous consensus of venerable Antiquity across so many different Nations. But, those things which are seen by eye-witness experience original: "experimento oculari." Literally "ocular experiment," emphasizing the importance of first-hand laboratory observation over mere book-learning. require no further proof. Many men, of both the highest and lowest rank, have seen her—that is, DIANA—without her clothes original: "sine veste DIANAM." In the language of alchemy, Diana represents the Moon or Silver. To see her "without her clothes" is a poetic way of saying one has witnessed the pure, naked essence of the matter or the secret of the work stripped of its allegorical veils. in these past years (and I speak as one who knows).

And though there may be found certain mischievous idlers original: "maleferiati." This term refers to those who use their leisure poorly; in the world of alchemy, it specifically targets "sophisters" or charlatans who spent their time deceiving others. who—either out of envy, or malice, or fear that their own impositions might be detected—cry out that the soul can be extracted from gold and, through a pompous and vain delusion of display, be returned to another body, not without great loss of time, labor, and expense...