existing in our Work original: "opere nro" (opere nostro). In alchemy, the "Work" refers to the "Great Work" or the step-by-step process of creating the Philosopher's Stone.
or Stone or composition
are better than common
Sun and Moon original: "Sol et Luna vulgares." These terms refer to ordinary gold and silver, which the alchemist distinguishes from the "philosophical" gold and silver used in the experiment., because
the Sun and Moon existing
in our composition and Stone
are living and pure; the
common Sun and Moon
are dead. Regarding the Sun and
Moon in our Stone and
composite, they are empowered
and multiplied?

The Qualities of Our Stone

Mithridates said to Plotinus Mithridates and Plotinus are cited here as philosophical authorities. While the real Plotinus was a Neoplatonist, alchemical texts often attributed secrets to ancient figures to grant the text historical weight.
the touch of our Stone
is soft, and its softness
is greater [than all other things].