Natural Philosophy of Three Ancient Philosophers: Artephius, Flamel, and Synesius

but more to the Sun The Sun represents Gold in alchemical symbolism. than to the Moon The Moon represents Silver.—note this well. It is also called the "medium" or "middle," used to join the tinctures of the Sun and the Moon with the imperfect metals Base metals like lead, tin, or copper.. For it converts bodies into a true tincture, in order to dye the other imperfect ones: it is a water that whitens, just as it is white itself; it vivifies, just as it is a soul, and therefore, as the Philosopher A common reference to Aristotle or Hermes Trismegistus, the legendary authorities of alchemy. says, it quickly enters into its body. For it is a living water that comes to water the earth, so that it might sprout and give fruit in its own time: thus all things born of the earth are engendered by watering. Therefore, the earth does not sprout without irrigation, watering, and moisture. The water of the May dew May dew: Alchemists believed that dew collected in May was specially charged with "universal spirit" or celestial energy, making it a powerful solvent for their Work. cleanses these bodies, penetrates them like rainwater, whitens them, and causes there to be a new body composed of two bodies. This water of life governs together with this body; it whitens it, converting it into its own white color. Now, this water is a white smoke Likely referring to the vapors produced during the process of sublimation., and therefore