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Philosophical Basic Principles

or

Axiomsoriginal: "Axiomata." In early modern science, axioms were considered self-evident truths that served as the foundation for further reasoning..

1. That Alchemy is the very oldest science, and had its origin before the creation of the world, will easily be denied by no one. Otherwise, one would have to cast aside all principles, even the creation of the world itself. The author follows the Hermetic tradition which suggests that the laws of alchemy (transformation and purification) are the same laws God used to create the universe from chaos.

2. The art of Alchemy exceeds all sciences in certainty.

3. The grandfather of all chemistsoriginal: "Chymicorum" (Latin). This term encompasses both practical chemists and spiritual alchemists. is and remains the great HermesHermes Trismegistus, the mythical founder of alchemy, often identified with both the Greek god Hermes and the Egyptian god Thoth..

4. Just as all theological books shall and must be directed toward the core of holy divine Scripture: so too must all philosophical books be directed toward the Emerald Tabletoriginal: "Tabulam Smaragdinam." A foundational Hermetic text said to contain the secrets of the universe in just a few lines. of Hermes, as the ground and foundation of Hermetic wisdomThe specific branch of alchemy and philosophy based on the teachings attributed to Hermes Trismegistus.. This, however, according to a very short and correct interpretation, reads as follows: