The Microcosmic Animal Stone, or the Supreme Medicine from the Little World of the Human Body

The Microcosmic original: "Microcosmic." In alchemy, the human body is viewed as a "microcosm" or a miniature version of the universe (the macrocosm). This refers to the Animal Stone. stone—its Matter, Solvent, Fermentation, and Multiplication original: "Materia, Menstruum, Fermentatio, Multiplicatio." These are the standard stages of the alchemical Great Work: choosing the substance, dissolving it, refining it, and increasing its power.—must all be applied collectively within their natural limits. Neither the Vegetable nor the Mineral stone can give to or take anything from the perfection of this Animal Stone original: "Animal-Steins.". However, the Animal Stone certainly possesses the power, strength, and authority over both of them, and it may well cooperate in their preparation.

Now these are the three Universal Stones original: "Lapides Universales.", wherein the last one The Animal Stone. has authority over the other two, and the middle one The Mineral Stone. has power only over the first The Vegetable Stone., but not the other way around.

Therefore, every alchemical worker original: "Laborant." must and should diligently weigh his process to see whether it proceeds from the identity and homogeneity of the matter original: "ex identitate & homogeneitate materiæ." This means using materials of the same nature—e.g., using animal substances for animal results., or whether the process indicates a confusion and a wandering operation of one thing into another. If he finds homogeneity Sameness of kind., then let him proceed in God's name. If he fails due to an error in his labor, let him begin anew original: "de novo." and be undaunted until he reaches his goal original: "Scopum.". He must never let himself be tempted to undertake something inconsistent or to jump straight from one thing to another; for that never provides any certainty for building in Nature. He must persist in one thing and complete it; only then can he proceed to another with a joyful and confident heart.

Now there remains the great Philosopher’s Stone original: "Stein der Weisen.", namely the Most General Universal Stone original: "Lapis videlicet Universalis Generalissimus.".