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

and it adheres, nor is it ever separated from them: it is therefore akin to the Sun and the Moon In alchemical shorthand, the Sun (Sol) represents Gold and the Moon (Luna) represents Silver., but more to the Sun than to the Moon—note this well. It is also called the medium for joining the tinctures of the Sun and the Moon with imperfect metals Base metals like lead, tin, or copper that the alchemist seeks to "perfect" into silver or gold., for that water converts bodies into a true tincture in order to dye the remaining imperfect ones. It is a water that whitens, just as it is white itself; it is a water that vivifies, just as it belongs to the soul Original Latin: animae. Alchemists believed metals possessed a "soul" or volatile essence that was released during chemical breakdown., and therefore it quickly enters into its own body, as the Philosopher A title usually reserved for Aristotle, though in this context it often refers to Hermes Trismegistus, the mythical founder of alchemy. says.

For it is a living water that comes to irrigate its earth so that it might sprout and produce fruit in its proper time; for by this watering Original: voratu. This likely refers to roratu (moistening/dewing), following the established metaphor of irrigation and growth. all things born of the earth are generated. Therefore, the earth does not sprout without irrigation and moisture. The water of May dew May dew: Alchemists believed that dew collected in the spring was a "celestial manna" or a magnet for the Spiritus Mundi (Spirit of the World), making it a powerful solvent for their experiments. itself washes the bodies; it penetrates them like rainwater, whitens them, and creates a new body out of two bodies. This water of life, when governed together with the body, whitens it, converting it into its own white color. For that water