On Alchemy

TO THE READER.

They have suggested it enigmatically original Greek: "αἰνιγματικῶς" (ainigmatikos), meaning in riddles or enigmas.. For what else is the Golden Fleece original: "Vellus aureum" sought by the Argonauts from Colchis than the investigation and sketching out of this art? Regarding this, Suidas A 10th-century Greek encyclopedist. says elsewhere: "This is not told as a poetic fiction, but was a book written on skins, containing how gold must be made through chemistry original Greek: "χυμείας" (chymeias). In this context, it refers to the art of transmutation.. Therefore, the people of that time reasonably called it a Golden Fleece, because of the power obtained from it."

The Golden Fleece is not given to Jason unless he first undergoes certain and dangerous labors. This means he must first learn practice original Greek: "πρᾶξιν" (praxin). This refers to the physical work in the laboratory as opposed to mere theory. by working with his own hands. For he possesses a book written about this art in vain if he is ignorant of practice. Moreover, the dangerous voyage indicates the difficulty of searching for the material of the philosophers' stone original: "lapis philosophorum." The legendary substance used to transform base metals into gold..

Because this material takes the place of earth and is metallic, it is called the Field of Mars original: "Ager martius." Mars is the planetary and alchemical name for iron, but here it represents the site of the chemical reaction., named for Mars the god of metals. Because it must be purged, prepared, and perfected in fire so that it is fit to receive the seed, the story says it must be plowed and cultivated by bulls breathing fire. These bulls are the furnaces. If these are not built correctly or do not provide a continuous fire in the proper amount, either the material is spoiled, the vessels are destroyed, or the craftsman is harmed by a poisonous smell or even dies in a fire.

Next, the ever-watchful Dragon is quicksilver original: "Argentum uiuum." This refers to mercury in its liquid state.. The Dragon's teeth are sublimated mercury original: "Mercurius sublimatus." This is mercury that has been heated into vapor and then solidified into a white, crystalline crust.. This is because it possesses the whiteness of ivory, the hardness of bone, and an incredible biting sharpness, and it is not without poison. While it is being sublimated in a glass vessel shaped like a helmet (which the Arabs call an alembic), the Dragon's teeth are brought to Jason in the helmet so that he may sow them as seed in the Field of Mars.

For mercury must be sublimated from that earth many times until it is fixed within it. While this happens, it rises from the earth like little spears. Some are upright, some are bent, and some are completely horizontal, as if aimed at the throats of enemies. They grow continuously in length so that they seem to move, showing the appearance of a very dense army fighting fiercely. Therefore, men...