Splendor of the Sun

It has therefore remained lumpy like an undispersed Smoke original: "Rauch"; here referring to a thick, vaporous state of matter before it solidifies, or like a mealy dough that has been moistened too little. For no earth becomes stone unless it consists of fatty, slimy earth and is well-mixed with moisture. When the water is dried out by the sun's heat, the fattiness must hold the earth together; otherwise, it would remain brittle and crumbly and fall apart again.

Whatever has not yet become completely hard may still, even to this day, become hard and solid stone through the constant workings of Nature and the sun's heat. Also, the aforementioned Smoky Vapors original: "Rauchdünst", which first arise from the properties of the elements enclosed in the depths of the earth, are cooked by Nature and the influence of the sun and the workings of other planets. And if they take hold of watery Vapors with a clear and subtle earthy substance, then the Mercury original: "Queckhsilber" of the philosophers is produced. But if they are thickened and brought to a fiery and earthy subtle hardness, then the Sulfur original: "Schwebel" of the philosophers is produced. Concerning this Sulfur, Hermes Hermes Trismegistus, the legendary Hellenistic figure to whom many foundational alchemical texts are attributed concludes well, speaking thus: He shall kindle the power of the upper and lower planets, and with his power, he penetrates strong things. He overcomes all things and all precious stones. This is a paraphrase of the Emerald Tablet, a core alchemical text