PREFACE.

...must have and bear; also that the Below (which they called the Woman) should hold itself in natural grace toward the upper Firmament The heavens or sky, viewed by alchemists as a physical sphere of influence (which they called the Man), and that neither can act without the other. Therefore, the heavenly rays original: "Radii" (the first part)—which, through the conjunction The alignment of stars or planets of the stars, shoot from the upper firmament onto the earth, and then through the pores original: "Poros" of the earth down to the center of the earth original: "centrum terræ"—are to be considered the active principle Latin: "agens"; the force that initiates action or change. These rays are then received by the Terrestrial Archeus The vital, "inner craftsman" or spirit believed to govern the formation of minerals within the earth, who, through its swift motion, drives them back upward to mix with the earthly liquid substance (the other part), acting as the passive principle Latin: "patiente"; the material that is acted upon. According to the different nature and quality of the various places in the earth which harmonize with the influence of that star original: "Astri influens", they give birth to various forms of metals and minerals.

SENDIVOGIUS

It is necessary to seek a certain thing, which is hidden, from which is made (in a wondrous way) such a moisture that [dissolves] gold without violence...