On the Principles of Nature

...the influences of celestial virtues descending from the higher realms. To capture these virtues, and especially those of metals, the Philosopher Ramon Llull Raymundus Lullius (c. 1232–1315). While Llull was a famous Majorcan philosopher and logician, many alchemical texts were later attributed to him by followers seeking to lend authority to their work; these are now called "Pseudo-Lullian" works. devised certain waters to be prepared and placed beneath the earth. Into these waters, these virtues ought to be captured and stored, since it is the nature of celestial virtues and the "seeds" of things that when they descend into the earth, they are moved—and in turn, they move—to procure and increase certain agile spirits. original: spiritus agiles. In alchemy, "spirits" are volatile substances or refined energies that can bridge the gap between the physical and the celestial. They do this by condensing and preparing these spirits for themselves as a seat and a support, as Llull says again.

And if by our art we can prepare a suitable and agile spirit—that is, a subtle matter original: materia subtilis. A highly refined form of matter, purified of impurities so that it can receive spiritual or celestial influences. for these virtues—and bury it in the earth, it is more quickly drawn and seized by these agile spirits in which the virtues must place themselves. This occurs because the aforementioned virtues draw or seize from the prepared spirits; for as Llull says, such spirits and subtle matter placed in the earth attract virtues coming from above from a distance greater than two bolts from a crossbow.

Just as a magnet original: magnes. Alchemists often used the magnet as a primary example of "action at a distance" to explain how invisible celestial forces could affect physical objects on earth. attracts iron, so by these instruments are the mineral virtues coming from above captured. And again in the same work, Llull says that these virtues, once captured in the water (which he teaches how to make), have the power to coagulate original: coagulare. In alchemy, this means to turn a liquid or volatile substance into a solid, stable form. common mercury original: mercurium vulgi. Literally "the mercury of the common people," referring to ordinary quicksilver as found in nature, rather than the "Philosophical Mercury" sought by adepts. into good silver without any need for fire. They possess great and even supreme power if they are captured in high and subtle matter. But as for how this water is prepared, Llull himself explains...