EPISTLE

reading and researching, he will go blindly to the practice. Truly, perpetual diligence is needed for this matter, and thus it will happen that you will perceive the mysteries of the art with profit—namely, the MENSTRUUM OR VEGETABLE G. Menstruum: A technical term in alchemy for a solvent capable of dissolving or "opening" a substance. "Vegetable" here usually refers to a solvent derived from organic matter, such as the "Spirit of Wine" (alcohol), rather than a plant itself., by which alone the perfected metallic bodies are transmuted into prime matter, specifically into sulfur and quicksilver original: argentum viuum; literally "living silver," the common name for mercury: from which the true medicine is then created, and not before, as can be seen in chapter 66.

And by this diligent consideration, it will come to pass that you will despise the recipes of the false alchemists, in which not even a spark of truth shines through, so that you may follow that path which nature prescribes in all her operations. This shall be not only of the highest pleasure to you, but also of the greatest utility. From you, therefore, I most greatly ask and pray that you receive my will and friendly admonition with grateful minds, and when YOU HAVE MADE THE HIDDEN MANIFEST original: occultum feceritis manifestum; a core alchemical maxim referring to revealing the internal essence of a substance,