Preface.

and this further dissolution into purple-colored gold powder or calx In alchemy, a "calx" is the powdery substance left after a metal has been roasted or chemically dissolved; it was seen as the metal's "body" stripped of its "soul.".
(2.) The Mercury, Sulfur, and Salt of the Philosophers from the vitriols of Copper original symbol: ♀ and Iron original symbol: ♂—or the First Matter of Metals original Latin: Materiam primam Metallorum. This refers to the primal substance from which all metals were thought to originate.—must be prepared to obtain the Mercury of the Sun The "Mercury of the Sun" refers to a refined, spiritualized form of Gold.. (3.) The Gold Sulfur or Purple Mantle (from which the true potable Gold original Latin: Aurum potabile. A legendary medicinal oil of gold believed to be a universal cure-all. is made), together with the Gold Salt, must be prepared and readied by means of mercury sublimate, wine vinegar, and spirit of wine, before they can proceed to the "subsequent work"—that is, the Conjunction The union of the philosophical "male" and "female" principles (Sulfur and Mercury). and joining—and thus reach the perfection and final completion of their Metallic Universal Work. In this process, all proportions must be observed very precisely and carefully, as can be seen at greater length in the writings they have left behind.

However, this path (namely the Dry Path), which is much safer and not as laborious, has been respectively [followed/recommended] by Bernhardus Trevisanus, Sendivogius, Chartolaussaeus, Philalethes, and their followers...