Magico-Cabbalistic and Theological Work

ON THE ORIGIN OF COMMON SALT.

...differ only in their operation) for which purpose we must especially employ such experiments that can be denied by no one other than the insane. And we wish, first of all, to bring forward Holy Scripture as the most firm and indissoluble foundation of truth, beginning with the strongest and most thought-provoking passages, as it is written in 2 Peter 3:

Letter p. verses 5, 6, 7.

But they willfully will not know this: that the heavens were of old, and the earth (which consisted out of the water and in the water) by the word of God. Whereby the world that then was, being overflowed with water, was thus destroyed. v. 7. But the heavens and the earth, which are now, are by the same word kept in store, and are reserved for fire original symbol: $\triangle$ until the day of judgment and the perdition of ungodly men, etc.

This text is placed here entirely for the pleasure of the wise, and not for fools. Furthermore, it is undeniable that the Holy Spirit in Genesis 1, verses 1 and 2, provides a completely general description of Creation—namely, of the Schamajim original Hebrew: "Heavens," often interpreted by alchemists as a compound of fire (Asch) and water (Majim), out of which all things were brought forth according to the purpose and will of God.

Letter q. v. 3.

In verse 3, the most wonderful essential things are briefly mentioned: namely, Light and Darkness (or as they are subsequently called, Day and Night); for the following will prove that both

Letter r. v. 4.

the Light as well as the Darkness—or the Day and also the Night—are two distinct spiritual, essential things. In verse 4, the separation of Light and Darkness is mentioned, from which subsequently water original symbol: $\nabla$ and Earth were to be brought forth: namely, from the Darkness or Night came the Moon and the Water; and from the Day or the Light came the Earth—specifically when the Light (the Sun) would concentrate itself in the Water (as the outflow of the Moon) and give birth to the Terram virgineam Latin: "Virgin Earth," referring to the pure, primordial matter before it was corrupted or specialized into different minerals. For this reason, it always says in the text: And so the evening and the morning were the first day. Thus, the essential quality of the Darkness or Night and its births—namely, the Waters—are always the first, though they all originate from the Fiery Light of the Schamajim The Heavens, as was mentioned in § 10.

In verse 5, these essential properties of Light and Darkness are given their right names: namely, Day and Night. Verse 6 recounts the third secondary quality and its creation or separation: namely, the Fire original symbol: $\triangle$ as the more subtle part of the Water original symbol: $\nabla$. In verse 9, however, the separation of the foundations is described (namely the water original symbol: $\nabla$ of the seas, rivers, etc., and this, our inhabited surface of the earth). Upon these foundations, the power of the Spirit of God immediately worked that which was previously mentioned in verse 2 (and the Spirit of God moved upon the face of the waters), for which purpose the Sun, Moon, and all stars were afterwards created on the fourth day. Namely, it generated the sand-making waters, and from them simultaneously the Terram virgineam Virgin Earth, from which waters were generated (as mentioned in this verse) the coarse

Letter s. v. 9.

sand (commonly and generally called "earth"), together with all mountains, rocks, chasms, and subterranean passages. However, the superfluous water original symbol: $\nabla$ of this coarse earth was all gathered together and called the Seas. Thus, it is again crystal clear from verses 6 and 9 of Genesis 1, as Peter says so clearly and profoundly in the previously cited passage: namely, that water was the first secondary quality. Furthermore, it says in Psalm 24, verses 1 and 2: The earth is the Lord’s, and all that is therein: the world, and they that dwell therein. v. 2. For

Psalm 136, v. 6.

He hath founded it upon the seas, and established it upon the floods. This would indeed sufficiently prove what was said in § 13, letter o: namely, that water original symbol: $\nabla$ is the first secondary quality; and thus, what is written in Genesis 7, verse 11, may be well understood: On that same day all the fountains of the great deep were broken up,

spread out upon the water

and the windows of heaven were opened. On this matter, we could extend ourselves further with other testimonies and clearly show how these fountains of the great deep, through the vengeance of the living God—often for the sake of man's wickedness—burst forth during unusual storms as a general punishment. But enough of this; we will now also prove from Physics what was said at the beginning of this section.

§ 14. And we say, therefore, that all waters—choose whichever one you will (we are speaking now of so-called "fresh" waters)—carry sand with them, or have the potential to make sand, even if they were filtered a thousand times. The simple man can prove this thus: let him take rain, well, or river water; put it in a glass vessel and seal it well, yet so that enough air remains within; and place it in the sun or in a warm place. He will find that after a certain time, through such steady warmth, this water has gone into a state of putrefaction The alchemical process of "putrefaction" or "rotting" was considered a necessary stage of breakdown before a substance could be transformed or reborn and has formed a sediment. This sediment is in truth nothing other than a delicate earth or sand. And he who knows this sand according to its innermost nature, and not merely superficially, will perhaps see something more. Namely, he would begin to recognize what is meant by Genesis 2, verse 7:

Letter t. v. 7.

And the Lord God formed man of the dust of the ground original Hebrew: Eth Ha-adam Aphar Min Ha-adamah. Of this mystery, more shall be said later, as much as is permitted. We must also mention one thing here that is not unhelpful to our proof: namely, that if one correctly handles this putrefied water during distillation, one will obtain a bright and clear

Letter u. v. 7.

wonderful oil, very beautiful and flammable, which is sought by few and recognized by even fewer; therefore, we do not wish to speak further of it at this time. Furthermore, it is known to the curious through sea voyages that when ships here in our Europe load good fresh water for their needs and then come under the Equator literally "the Ecliptic", where the solar rays are diametrical and consequently at their most intense, such water then becomes thick, viscous, and as it were gluey

B