De Lapide Philosophorum (Philosophers Stone)

Introduction to this book.

1. The Philosophers' Stone original: "Lapis Philosophorum" is a perfect Balsam.

To forge the Philosophers' Stone original: "Lapidem Philosophorum." The legendary alchemical substance believed to facilitate the transmutation of metals and the prolongation of life. by means of Vulcan original: "Vulcanum." For Paracelsus, Vulcan represents the personification of fire and the alchemical art of the furnace., which we call the perfect or perpetual balsam original: "Balsamum perfectum oder perpetuum." In this context, a balsam is a restorative substance that prevents bodily decay. for many sufficient reasons, it is first necessary for us to consider how it is materially prefigured, becoming visible and perceptible, and also how its power or its fire emerges and reveals itself.

Analogy original: "Similitudo" of the rational fire and the Philosophical stone.

In order that it may be more clearly demonstrated, we shall take an example from common fire, seeing how its power reveals itself and becomes visible. This happens in such a way: first, by means of Vulcan, a fire is drawn out of the stone This refers to the act of striking a flint to produce a spark.. Now, such a fire is unable to do anything unless it has matter of its own kind in which it may operate, such as...