The Saturnian Kingdoms Converted into the Golden Age

TO THE READER

Madder original: "Rubra"; likely referring to Rubia tinctorum, the plant root used since antiquity to create deep red dyes. In this analogy, it represents the "soul" or essence of the work. is the soul; and alum original: "alumen"; a mineral salt used as a "mordant" to fix dyes to fabric. is the spirit. For if the alum were not added, the Madder would not enter into the cloth original: "pannum"; representing the physical "body" or base material. and remain fixed original: "fixa"; an alchemical term for a substance that has become stable and resistant to heat or fading.: it would fly away invisibly, and the cloth would grow pale.

For the color of the Madder is the spirit: alum partakes of both The alum acts as a mediator, sharing the qualities of both the volatile dye and the solid cloth to bind them together., so that once they are gathered together, they may enter one into the other. Or rather, you must have the water of the clouds Aqua nubium; historically, alchemists preferred rainwater or dew because it was believed to contain "celestial" virtues and was a purer solvent than well water., in which all these three things may boil; and by that boiling...