The Second Parable

Hermes, the First Master

of this Art, speaks thus: The water of the air, which exists between heaven and Earth, is the life of every single thing; for through its moisture and warmth, it is the mediator between two opposites, such as fire and water. And that same water has rained down upon the Earth; the Heavens have opened and dewed upon the Earth, whereby she has become moist? original: "fecht," likely a variant of "feucht" (moist) like honey and saturated. Therefore, she brings forth various? many kinds of colors and fruits, and in her center has grown a great tree with a silver trunk, which spreads out to the ends of the world. Upon its branches have sat many kinds of birds, which all flew away toward the Day, and the Raven's Head The "Raven's Head" (Latin: Caput Corvi) refers to the "nigredo" or black stage of alchemy, representing the initial decomposition of matter before it turns white. has become white. That same tree brings forth three kinds of fruit: the first are the