The Child-Bed of the Philosopher's Stone

...[Trismegis]tus The OCR begins with "ten," the end of the name "Trismegisten," referring to Hermes Trismegistus, the legendary founding figure of alchemy. says: No one must imagine / nor persuade themselves / that they intend to make the first Matter of the Philosopher's Stone Stein der Weisen / for it is Nature alone / that makes it / and brings it forth through the help of Art Kunst In alchemy, "Art" refers to the "Great Art" or the specific skills and laboratory techniques used to assist and accelerate natural processes.. The pious and kind Synesius A 4th-century philosopher and alchemist whose works were highly influential in the later Hermetic tradition. proves this also clearly / when he says / speaking of his viscous / heavenly and hearty water / that it is impossible for us to make it through Art / but rather Nature alone / which generates and gives birth to it with the help of the clever Artist; and to let you see / that it is an extraordinary / wonderful and very hidden thing / he adds further / that it is precisely the blessed naturing nature original: natura naturans; a philosophical term referring to Nature as an active, creative force or "nature doing what nature does." / which gives birth to all things / in which alone the entire Magistery Magisterium The complete process of the alchemical work, or the finished "Masterwork" itself. consists; and to which you must add nothing foreign / but must only take away all superfluous matter from it in its first preparation; since in this single matter all necessary things of this Art are contained / except for its Solar or Lunar Ferment Solarisches oder Lunarisches Ferment The "ferments" are typically understood as gold (Solar) or silver (Lunar) added at the final stage to "ripen" the Stone. / which you should only add to it at the end of the work / as the Twelfth Key of Basil Valentine Referring to "The Twelve Keys," a famous alchemical text attributed to the legendary monk Basil Valentine, which describes the steps of the Great Work through allegory. clearly teaches you: If you ask me specifically / in which place / and in which Subject original: Subjecto; the specific physical substance or material base used for the work. in particular you should actually make Nature bring forth this one thing through your diligence and understanding / I know not what to say. It belongs to the highest Creator / who knows the depths of your soul / down to the smallest and invisible corners / [to speak to] the ear of your heart—