PREFACE. 9

Changes of the Air.

[They] communicate to the air, which occupies all that space between the earth and the stars or the Moon, and flying around the globe of the earth with its mobile flow. For this reason, it is subject to wonderful changes. At times it rests in the greatest tranquility. At other times, it is shaken by the horrendous crashes of winds, or it shivers with the sharpest cold, or burns with the most intense heat. Soon it is disturbed by the horrible bellowing of thunder, terrible flashes of lightning, and horrendous strikes of thunderbolts. I pass over
Meteors.

here all kinds of meteors In this period, "meteors" referred to any atmospheric phenomenon, including rain and snow, not just falling stars.: rains, showers, snows, mists, hail, dew, and all the rest. These are the fruits of the heavens and the stars. They are generated in the air, which is intermediate between the starry heaven and the terrestrial globe. For this reason, it exists between both so that by a continuous reciprocation, the ascending and descending forces and powers of Heaven and Earth may be mixed. Once mixed, they descend from the same air into the earth and are communicated to it. For since the astral bodies burn, it also seems likely that by burning they exhale and emit a most subtle and plainly spiritual efficacy. Each does this according to its innate powers and properties. It is entirely believable that these are most diverse among so many and such different bodies.
Astral exhalations communicated to air, water, and earth.

Those most subtle exhalations, variously mixed among themselves from so many different bodies and infused into the air, enter the water and the earth along with this very air. They excite wonderful and incredible effects everywhere, both in the earth itself and in its animal inhabitants who always draw in the air by breathing.
The Elements.

There is no reason why anyone should imagine the Elements to be such simple bodies as they show themselves to us by external appearance. Indeed, one element contains the others within itself and carries them hidden in its bowels. It acquires its name from the first and principal quality that holds the first place in it. The conversion and inversion of the elements clearly teaches this fact.
Water contains earth.

Let the clearest and purest water be an example, whether from rain or a spring. It has neither taste nor smell. In its transparent body, it seems to embrace nothing else at all but pure and simple water. Nevertheless, it fosters the remaining Elements in its embrace. It contains earth, oil, spirit, and salt. All of these can be extracted from this most clear body without the addition of any other thing.
Method of extracting earth from water.

Water from rain, a spring, snow, hail, or even gathered dew, will yield earth. This happens either through closed putrefaction Putrefaction refers to the alchemical process of allowing a substance to decay or ferment in a sealed vessel to separate its parts. or through multiple distillations. From this earth, without adding anything else, you can extract spirit, oil, and salt. Furthermore, by the benefit of art The author uses "art" to refer to the practice of alchemy and chemistry., you will be able to perform admirable
Salt of the earth.

and incredible things with these preparations. This sharp and corrosive salt, by the simplest conversion of elements, is converted into a most sweet salt. This is done without any addition of another thing. It is a most ready cure for many diseases.
They omit their virtues.

We could bring forward countless such examples if our purpose allowed us to wander into this widest field. It would be possible to reveal what the common

people can neither see nor believe. Therefore, like the preceding herd, they stick in their thick ignorance like a mouse in pitch. I do not bring these things forward to despise anyone. I only want to offer an occasion and incentive to others so they do not cling so stubbornly to their preconceived opinions. Instead, they should set aside all opinions and studiously investigate and search out the truth itself. I ask that they set aside their prejudices and preconceived opinions. These are horrendous plagues of the mind that pour dark mists over the truth. They should examine the matter itself with an accurate scrutiny of the mind. Finally, by examining its innermost secrets, they may reach the truth itself and follow it even more clearly.

Air is not simple.

Therefore, I do not think air is so simple as someone might persuade himself. One must weigh these things we have said with an uncorrupted judgment. Endowed with the greatest liquidity and thinness, air is most fit for receiving those most subtle and various forces and virtues.
Effects of the stars in the air and animals.

The stars, flashing with unceasing heat, make the air a participant in these virtues by exhaling them. All animals, and even humans, who draw in the air at every moment of breathing, become participants. Who then would deny that wonderful and various changes, disturbances, and movements of the passions exist in humans? Who would deny that man, who cannot live without air, is bound and subject to the air and the stars? Who would deny that the Upper Waters, separated from the Lower Waters, are still held by a desire for mutual union? Like rejoices in like, and nature delights in nature. The spirit most gladly seeks again the body and the home in which it was born.

Harmony of the Microcosm.

From this, the admirable Harmony of the Microcosm The "Microcosm" or "little world" is the human being, viewed as a reflection of the entire universe or "Macrocosm." and the incredible concord of all its bodies is clearly evident. They were created from one principle and led out from one and the same Chaos. Distinguished into the Upper and Lower Waters, they contribute whatever they have in common by a continuous ascent and descent of forces. Thus, they execute the will of their Creator.
The ascent of moistures from the earth.

The Earth desires the forces of heaven and emits its moisture into the air. This moisture expands itself everywhere in the air by its ascent toward heaven. It goes to meet
The descent of celestial forces.

the celestial forces and receives them most greedily. These forces come out from the Stars and penetrate the Air in their descent. They insert themselves with the greatest desire into the water diffused through the air, even changed into the air itself. With this water, they descend into the earth to work those things they must perform by divine command. Therefore, all the bodies of the entire Universe of All Things are arranged in a certain order. They are placed in certain locations by the most wise command of the Supreme Architect. They maintain that order. By their unceasing operations and actions, they never cease to bring the Divine Will to effect, performing the task imposed upon them.

The Great Lights.

The Holy Text mentions the Sun and the Moon, the two Great Lights, and to them the governance...