The Ripley Scroll (c. 1450) - Page 4

Labels on the top fountain structure

The White Sea

The White Moon original: "luner"; refers to the silver or lunar stage of the work

The White Sun original: "sol"; refers to the purified gold-to-be

Labels on the tiers and figures within the top fountain

Spirit

Soul original: "Anima"

Labels around the middle diagram of the Red King and Queen

Labels on the scattered feathers

spirit original: "spire"; likely a variant of spirit or aspiration

Labels on the figures

Spirit
Soul original: "Anima"

Labels on the platform

The Red Sea

The Red Moon original: "luner"

The Red Sun original: "sol"

Labels on the bottom creature

The Dragon In alchemy, the dragon often represents the "Prima Materia" or the volatile chemicals that must be "tamed" or fixed.


On the ground there is a hell	Sink you shall in putrefaction putrefaction: the breaking down of matter into a black mass
also a fair fountain is set	through the fire of calcination calcination: heating a substance to high temperatures to oxidize it
the water of life it runs out	then he shall be black as a crow
of the well so fair & bright	though as a bone shall be full low
beware you well of that about	Blast of bleeding & the sun so yonder
lest the serpent save nor hour	there shall you in the of the full plain
for if that he do there a sore	the stone of philosophers
you lose the water of your son	you shall change color many a one
and so the ground is most honored	cunning of work it will be of honor
and also why much thin is the stir	be you aware of the fire with the stone
of the stone dragon with ill will	and also of the water of the stone
with all the dragon's waste of malice	the stone drunk it will a skill
the water is most set all unto the well	and if you make it well to hear
the well must learn to know how to dress	you shall make it both a king
Take your heed for your force	in a way full cunningly
thy face & lot bright shall be	so you shall bring
and of fire's wrath sets he	it to the end.
thin pity and fire thick by fineness
& what so ever shall be high