Aula Lucis, or The House of Light

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substance, but naturally suited to retain Light, just as smoke is to retain flame. After impregnation The alchemical concept of the "first matter" being "fertilized" by divine or celestial light to begin the process of creation., it was condensed to a Crystalline moisture, oily original: "unctuous" and fiery, of a nature hermaphroditic original: "Hermaphroditical"—possessing both male and female, or active and passive, characteristics. In alchemy, this represents the union of opposites., and this in a double sense, in relation to a double Center: Celestial and Terrestrial.

From the Terrestrial Center proceeded the earthly Venus, which is fiery and masculine, and the earthly Mercury, which is watery and feminine; and these two are set against one another. From the Celestial Center proceeded two living images, namely a white and a red light. The white light settled in the water, but the red went into the earth.

From this, you may gather some certain original: "infallible" signs by which you may guide yourselves in the knowledge of the Matter, and in the process original: "Operation" itself, once the Matter is known. For if you have the true sperm original: "Sperm"—not biological sperm, but the "seed" or essential generative spark of a substance in alchemical theory., and also know how to prepare it (which cannot be done without our secret fire A term for the specific heat or catalyst used by alchemists to trigger transformation.), you shall find that the Matter no sooner feels the phi-