THE GOLDEN TRACT

CONCERNING THE PHILOSOPHER'S STONEThe supreme object of alchemy, believed to be a substance that could turn base metals into gold and provide an elixir of long life..

Worthy reader, and true enquirer into the secrets of nature, do not marvel that in the old age of this world—when it seems to have one foot already in the grave At the time of writing, many believed the world was in a period of "senescence" or natural decay, nearing its final days.—I have determined to write this tract. I do this although all libraries are already full of books on this subject—of which, however, the greater part are false and wear merely the "rouge and powder" The author uses this cosmetic metaphor to describe books that are superficially attractive or use fancy language to hide a lack of real alchemical knowledge. of philosophyIn this context, "philosophy" refers specifically to "Natural Philosophy" or alchemy—the study of how the physical world and its materials work..

I have written it not for my own pleasure, but for your advantage, so that by pointing to the foundation of truth, I might lead you back from the pathless wilderness into the right way—which is certainly for your own interest. As far as I am concerned, I have long known all that I seek to know in regard to this matter and have no need of many books, seeing that during the last twenty-two years I have read and re-read all the works that fell into my hands—including numerous manuscripts, as well as many printed volumes.

In this my tract you will find the subject set forth and the true solution given, not only theoretically, but also from a practical and allegoricalAlchemists used symbolic stories (allegories) involving kings, queens, and dragons to describe chemical reactions and spiritual processes. point of view, with a clearness and lucidity such as I believe to be almost unparalleled in any previous philosophical treatise. In quoting, I have always been careful to give the exact reference, so that you may look out the passage for yourself, and by diligently considering it, sharpen your understanding. I could more easily have composed this treatise, and made myself known to the Brethren of the GoldenThis likely refers to the "Brethren of the Golden and Rosy Cross" (the Rosicrucians), a secret society of mystics and alchemists that became famous in the early 1600s.