THE SUMMARY OF THE FIRST BOOK OF GEBER,

THE MOST INSIGHTFUL PHILOSOPHER,

regarding the perfection of the Magistery The "Magistery" refers to the masterful process of alchemical transformation, specifically the creation of the Philosopher's Stone. in its own nature. The Introduction.

ALL our knowledge, which we have condensed from the sayings of the ancients in various compilations within our volumes, we shall here gather into a single Summa A "Summa" is a comprehensive manual or compendium that summarizes a branch of knowledge.. And what was left incomplete in the books written by us, we have sufficiently compensated for in this tradition of our book, and we have supplied their deficiency with brief speech. And what was hidden by us in one part, we have made manifest in that same part in this our volume, so that the completion of such an excellent and noble part of philosophy might be opened to the wise. Know therefore, most dear son, that in this work, the entire operation of the art is sufficiently contained in general chapters and universal discussion, without any omission. By God, whoever shall have worked according to this book will rejoice to have found the true end of this art. But know, most dear one, that he who is ignorant of the natural principles within himself is already far removed from our art: because he does not have a true root upon which to found his intention. And he who knows his natural principles and all causes, [yet] has not yet attained the true end and profit...

B This is a "signature mark," used by printers to help the bookbinder assemble the pages in the correct order.