A Compendious yet Complete Philosophical Handbook (1748) - Page 6

of the Art.

An alchemical diagram shows a circular border formed by a winged serpent, or dragon, biting its own tail. This symbol is known as the Ouroboros. Inside the circle is a geometric layout consisting of a square containing a large triangle. Several alchemical symbols are placed within the diagram: an upward-pointing triangle for Fire, a circle with a horizontal bar for Salt, a crescent moon for Silver, a downward-pointing triangle for Water, and the symbol for Mercury. Latin text is written around the circle and within the central triangle.

The Medicine

original: "Medicinam". In alchemy, the "Medicine" usually refers to the Philosopher's Stone or the universal elixir.

Visit the interior of the earth, by rectifying

original: "Visitatis interiora terra rectific". This is a partial version of the famous alchemical acronym V.I.T.R.I.O.L.: Visita Interiora Terrae Rectificando Invenies Occultum Lapidem, which translates to: Visit the interior of the earth; by rectifying, you will find the hidden stone.

...?spread out
...?matter original: "materia"
or
Chaos:
...?nature original: "natura"
in All Things

...?and you shall make the dissolved fly to vaporize or sublimate a substance
...?, it will make you live safely.

Technical terms used on this page: Alchemy (the art of transforming and purifying metals and the soul), Medicine (the final perfected state of the alchemical work), Chaos (the formless state of the primary matter), Nature (the guiding force of growth), Matter (the physical substance being worked upon), Vitriol (a corrosive acid used in the process), Mercury (the principle of liquidity and volatility).