On the Secrets of the Adepts

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...established Completing a word such as "constituted" or "instituted" from the previous page., as if prepared by that liquid Alkahest Alkahest: A hypothetical "universal solvent" sought by alchemists, said to be capable of reducing any body into its primary liquid matter., or by a similar liquid, I saw more and more that they varied from the authentic sources; indeed, they even contradicted them. For this reason, I began to abstain from the preparation of these medicines; in fact, I ceased to inquire further into the obscure matter, preparation, and use of that Alkahest liquid, since I find it described in only one single place by Paracelsus The influential 16th-century physician and alchemist who pioneered the use of chemicals and minerals in medicine. as a medicine, and not at all as a menstruum Menstruum: An alchemical term for a solvent used to extract the essential properties of a substance, named for its supposed cyclical or "monthly" power of transformation..

Therefore, with such a great obstacle removed, it was an easy transition for me from Paracelsus to Lully Ramon Llull (c. 1232–1316), a philosopher whose name became synonymous with "pseudo-Lullian" alchemical texts focusing on the Spirit of Wine., Basil Basil Valentine, the legendary 15th-century author of "The Triumphal Chariot of Antimony.", and other Philosophers of the same rank. I saw that they all "breathed through one horn" original: "spirare... in unum cornu." A Latin idiom meaning to be in complete agreement or to act in perfect unison. in their confirmation of Paracelsian menstruums. Indeed, such a great light appeared—adding light unto light—that their preparation, variety, and simple literal sense became accessible all at once, with only a single word remaining unknown; but it is that which is the universal basis of all the secrets of the Adepts Adepts: Philosophers or alchemists who have reached the highest level of knowledge and successfully performed the "Great Work."...