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On Alchemy (1541) - Page 22 - Source Library

On Alchemy

Geber; Roger Bacon; Hermes Trismegistus · 1541

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English

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§ IX.	On Fixation. Fixation is the process of making a volatile substance stable so that it remains solid and does not evaporate when exposed to fire.	leaf 318
X.	On Distillation.	in the same place
XI.	On Solution. The process of dissolving a solid into a liquid state.	in the same place
XII.	On Ceration. Derived from the Latin "cera" for wax. This involves softening a hard substance until it reaches a wax-like consistency.	319
XIII.	On Coagulation.	in the same place
XIV.	On Particular works for the white in general. "Particular" works refers to chemical processes intended to produce a specific result, like silver, rather than the universal Philosopher's Stone. "The white" refers to the production of silver.	in the same place
XV.	On particular works for the white in specific.	321
XVI.	On particular works for the red in general. "The red" refers to the production of gold or the final stage of the Philosopher's Stone.	323
XVII.	A particular work for the red in specific.	324
XVIII.	Address to the reader, and a prayer to God.	325
XIX.	The composition of strong water, which is the key of the Rosary. Strong water, or aqua fortis, is nitric acid. It was essential for dissolving metals.	326
XX.	Praises of the aforementioned strong water.	327
XXI.	Unlocking the Rosary through the same water.	329

The second chapter has six sections.


§ I.	That Mercury alone is the cause of perfection.	330
II.	On the difference between Mercuries.	332
III.	A comparison suggesting the universal way.	in the same place
IV.	The practice covered in darkness. The author refers to alchemical procedures described in obscure or "dark" allegorical language to hide secrets from the uninitiated.	333
V.	On the properties of the perfect tincture.	335
VI.	Epilogue or a summary of all that has been said.	336

End of the Lesser Rosary.

OF THOSE THINGS WHICH

are contained in the Book of Secrets of Calid. Calid refers to Khalid ibn Yazid, an Umayyad prince credited as one of the earliest patrons of Arabic alchemy. This text was highly influential in the Latin West.


	Preface on the difficulty of the art.	336
I.	On the four masteries of the art, namely Solution, Coagulation, Whitening, and Reddening.	342
II.	On the things and instruments necessary and suitable for this work.	346
III.	On the natures of the things belonging to this work.	347
IV.	On decoction and its effect. Decoction is the process of extracting the essence of a substance through prolonged heating or boiling.	348
V.	On Refining, Solution, Coagulation, and the Mixing of the stone, and their cause and purpose.	in the same place.

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