The Hermetic North Star

What the Hermetic Mastery might be, etc.

In the Mineral Kingdom, it transforms—or rather matures—imperfect metals unvollkommene Metallen: base metals like lead, tin, or iron, which alchemists believed were simply "unripe" versions of gold. in a strong fire within a few minutes into perfect ones, into gold or silver, after it has been fermented fermented|In alchemy, fermentation is the final stage where the universal "Stone" is joined with a small amount of pure gold or silver to "fix" its power toward that specific metal..

What further effects it has in the Astral Realm or Spirit World is unnecessary to set down here; for I know that even the aforementioned common effects are believed by very few, except for the true children of true wisdom, and they The "unbelievers" or "profane" mentioned previously. would believe these spiritual effects even less. Furthermore, it is not fitting to display everything from the innermost part of the Temple of Wisdom, in which the wise have had their greatest pleasure and delight, so that transmutation—which is held as the greatest thing by the uninitiated—is held by them as the least.

For this reason, because not everyone is worthy to attain it—to keep such people from harm, as well as because of the potential for misuse (as anyone with even a little understanding will easily see from the virtues original: "Tugenden," referring here to the miraculous powers or properties of the Stone. mentioned above) that could arise if it became common—this science has been kept secret, and described only in such a way as is sufficient for those who possess the right, keen intellect and are chosen to grasp it; and because what has been mentioned is nothing other than great, this...