Preface.

The merchant was quite displeased by this, and the Author Auctor; Latin for author himself was also reluctant to see it happen; yet the power and influence of both were too weak to retrieve the writing Scriptum; Latin for a written work from such distinguished hands so quickly. Although the aforementioned noble person, being unable to visit the Author due to ill health, sent word most earnestly requesting him to come and discuss the contents of his writing in more detail, the author—perhaps out of annoyance that his secret Arcanum; a profound mystery or alchemical secret had fallen into strange hands—would not agree to it at all. Instead, without anyone being able to discover who he was or where he had come from, he immediately journeyed away with his returned manuscript Manuscripto; Latin for a hand-written document.

The inquisitive and attentive reader—especially one not unacquainted with Nature and Chymical matters—will find with wonder upon reading this writing that this man possessed an entirely uncommon and extraordinary knowledge of Nature. He was thus a true Magician and Kabbalist original: "Magus und Cabaliste", much like the ancient sages original: "Weltweise"; literally "world-wise ones" of former times, in that he knew how to use the key to open the most hidden things of Nature so wisely and successfully.

The contents of this entire, curious writing consist of two main parts: namely, Nature and supernatural things. Concerning the investigation of Nature, the true sages, naturalists, Chymists, Physicians, and all inquisitive lovers of true wisdom will find the first origin, the foundation, the true causes, and the constitution of all Nature and all things discovered and laid before their eyes as clearly as it is possible to reveal such things to a human being. It is true that the Author sometimes cuts off abruptly regarding the greatest secrets; just when one thinks he is about to throw the door to all secret wisdom wide open, he closes it quite unexpectedly and leaves the reader standing in deep reflection.

However, to anyone who understands the character and nature of such things, this is not strange; for it is neither possible nor permitted—nor even useful—for true Adepts Adepts; those who have mastered the "Great Work" of alchemy to bring everything they know to light. Therefore, they are restrained by something higher, which they do not "know" in a mundane sense but still sense through intuition. For those not inexperienced in such matters, much will be easy to understand regardless, or they will be set upon the trail to investigate the matter further—especially if they are skilled in Geometry and other Mathematics Mathesi; from the Greek 'mathesis,' referring here to the universal science of proportion and order. In these fields, this Author displays truly astonishing wisdom, such as no one before him has been found capable of, creating a cross-section through the entire Universe of Heaven and Earth. Great wisdom is hidden within the figures and diagrams Schematibus; Latin for schemas or diagrams; for this reason, they have been illuminated meaning hand-colored according to the original, using colors that represent the true nature of the subject, though not without great expense.

His main principle is Salt, which is of one nature with Water and Fire; thus, these three distinct things are, in essence—