RAYMOND

LULL, THE MOST LEARNED

AND FAMOUS PHI-

LOSOPHER’S BOOK

OF MERCURIES.

CHAPTER ONE.

A decorative woodcut initial letter F depicts a figure, perhaps a king or a deity, within a landscape characterized by clouds and blowing wind.

SON, it is necessary that you understand the operations by which the nature of quicksilver original: "argenti vivi". Commonly known as mercury, this substance is central to alchemical transformation. is created. If you then have the knowledge to recognize our quicksilver, you will possess the entire art. This is because all operations are nothing more than one single process. This process is performed in the way we will describe to you. Take as much of the liquid of lunaria original: "liquore lunariae". This literally means "liquid of the moonwort" (a plant), but in alchemical code, it often refers to a silver-based solution or a specific watery solvent. as you wish. Separate its elements through distillation. First, you must separate the phlegmatic water original: "aquam phlegmaticam". In early chemistry, this refers to the watery, tasteless, and inactive portion of a distilled substance.. The mortified spirit A "spirit" (volatile substance) that has been "killed" or fixed so it no longer evaporates easily. remains in this water. Continue its distillation in a bath original: "balneo". Likely a water bath or bain-marie, used to provide gentle, even heat.,