An ornate rectangular woodcut headpiece. In the center, an oval medallion depicts a basket or chalice overflowing with fruit or flowers, positioned against a background of water and a distant shore. The medallion is flanked by two winged cherubs (putti) seated within elaborate acanthus leaf scrolls.

To the Kind Reader.

Many years have already passed during which I was solely and exclusively occupied with learning about the true fountain of wisdom: the Salt of Wisdom original Latin: Sal Sapientiæ; refers to the spiritual and physical catalyst in the alchemical process, [the salt] of Nature, or to speak more correctly, discovering what the true and only Subject original Latin: Subjectum; the base material upon which the chemist works or Prime Matter original Latin: prima materia; the primordial substance required to begin the "Great Work" of alchemy of the Philosopher’s Stone original Latin: Lapidis Philosophorum; the legendary substance capable of turning base metals into gold and providing an elixir of life might be;

Or, from what the Stone should, could, or must be made.

Throughout these many years, I searched among vain, useless, and incapable things; for which no one was more to blame than the great multitude of published writings which the Sophists In an alchemical context, "sophists" refers to "puffers" or deceptive authors who wrote intentionally misleading or fraudulent instructions to trick seekers. had forged together—