Preface.

also give the blessing / that it shall multiply through the seed. Now, however, every body has a desire to use its gifts excessively / from which follows an enmity between them both / so that one drives out the other / because they do not remain within their proper boundary original: "Termino," referring to a fixed limit or sphere of influence. For sometimes the lower elements rule man / in lust / excess / fornication / and other vices / whereby the stars original: "Gestirn," referring here to the sidereal or celestial influence within man depart from him / so that he is no longer a man / but a beast / at times the sidereal body Sidereal body: In Paracelsian philosophy, this is the "astral" body that mediates between the physical flesh and the immortal soul seeks another way of being / than is proper for dealing with the elemental body / from which adulterated effects follow shattered intellects original: "Ingenia" / in which there is no perfect foundation in any natural wisdom / but rather fickle people / who stay on no foundation / and begin many things. For the mind of man and the elemental body original: "Corpus" are corrupted / therefore there is nothing sensible or truthful in him. Man should prevent this / and not let the elements work further / than within their boundary / so that the heavenly influences original: "Influentiae" may complete their work in man.

Beyond this, man should also—through the conscience / that God gave him in the first creation—overcome the stars and the elemental body / if they wish to corrupt themselves / for the conscience can show him / what is good or evil.

Although God wanted man to be immortal / and the flesh and blood also became eternal because of the union with the soul / Adam nevertheless created a separation through the breaking of the Commandment / so that the body fell into death / but the soul remained eternal. So that man from