Treatise on the Philosopher's Stone

Concerning the Philosopher's Stone

A iiij

...and child's play / and the ignorant cannot understand it / because this work is so simple original: "schlecht"; in this context, it means plain or uncomplicated rather than bad or of poor quality. / for the Great Work dissolves, purifies, coagulates, sublimes, fixes itself / and makes itself meltable as wax / and perfects itself into what it is meant to become.

Now, dear Sons original: "Filij"; a traditional alchemical term for students or initiates., I have indicated to you all the defects that arise in your work / and you may well encounter a thousand more of them / which I do not write for the sake of brevity / therefore be wise / so that you do not fall into ruin / if such things should happen to you / I have told you before with plain words / without parables I write to you concerning all things original: "per omnia" of Sebbal / of Carabric / of Marmeth / and of a true thing / of Sebai / of Mirrath / Alleb / and Raphirib / and the like These are "Decknamen" or cover-names—cryptic, often pseudo-Arabic terms used to hide the identity of alchemical ingredients from the uninitiated. / how difficult it would be for you to understand. But I have revealed your sense and understanding / so that you should not fail there.

Therefore, let the Great Work be recommended to you / for in it there is no failure / worry / labor, nor sleepless nights / it also cannot be ruined / unless it happens by will / you also need no foreign spirits / or conjurations / nor many glasses / but one vessel original: "Faß"; literally a vat or cask, here referring to the alchemical vessel. and no more / one kind of material / and no more. One furnace and no more / therefore Geber Geber is the Latinized name of Jabir ibn Hayyan (c. 721–815), a foundational figure in alchemy whose works were central to European practice. says: our stone is one kind / one thing / therefore the ignorant cannot understand nor grasp a single thing / for our...