Preface

I arrived at a point where, while I was more intensely focused on advancing my studies, this offspring was born under my pen. It is not a mere servant, but a forerunner of that Medicine which I have sought until now. It is not so immature that it cannot live, as some might imagine; for I have nurtured it within me longer than they say elephants carry their young in the womb. Yet I must confess, I have sent it out into the light through a "bear-like birth" original: ursino partu. This refers to an ancient belief that bear cubs were born as formless lumps and had to be licked into shape by their mothers; Maier is suggesting his work is still in a somewhat unpolished state. and "crude wisdom" original: rudis Minerva, a Latin idiom for a work that is unrefined or lacks formal polish.. For I was not as concerned with words as I was with things, nor was I seeking to capture some small glory for myself so much as I was concerned with providing a benefit to others.

Accept, therefore, kind readers, this labor of mine—whatever its quality may be—which is new in this genre. Just as it will not seem unnecessary to true Theology, so it will be most useful to the entire Circle of Learning Ency-clopadiæ: From the Greek "enkyklios paideia," meaning the "circle of arts and sciences" that constitutes a complete education.—including Politics and Civil Life (which Jurisprudence treats), Medicine, Chemistry, Poetry, History, Astronomy, Physics, and the other sciences and arts.

And although this work may seem to contain paradoxes, in that it breaks with what has been accepted for so many centuries, I believe that whatever agrees with the truth in all things should be embraced, even if it disagrees with the opinions of the greater part of the world. Since we follow this principle in divine matters, why should we not also follow it in those human matters which are judged to come closest to them (as these do)?

But if anyone prefers to approve of Paganism and the multitude of gods, and chooses not to recognize Chemistry—which is true even if unknown to him—in these myths, pleasing himself with some sharp critical wit, let him do as he pleases. Meanwhile, he will never make the falsehood of those opinions seem true to the wise, nor will he make the truth of this art seem vain.

You, who carry a spark of Promethean light in your breast, who carry the wisdom of Pallas Athena in your soul—even if you do not recognize a common altar with those critics at the hearth of Vulcan or Vesta Vulcan and Vesta represent the alchemical fire and the domestic hearth; Maier is addressing those who understand the "fire" of the laboratory.—should protect this study of ours from the injuries of the envious and the "scourgers" original: mastygum, referring to harsh, whip-wielding critics. according to your own integrity. You should see to it that Truth is dug up and dragged out of the deep well or cave (into which Democritus testified it was immersed with laughter, and Heraclitus with tears) with all your might.

To you alone, I say, who have been granted a heart to be wise above others, these

are opened and revealed, as you are the ones who know how to cast your vote original: calculum ferre, referring to the ancient practice of voting with stones. on these matters with a genuine dexterity of judgment. To the rest, however—the commoners, the unlearned, and those inexperienced in these matters—