Pandora: The Noblest Gift of God, or the Worthy and Healing Stone of the Sages

Preface.

way of writing, which not every traveling salesman, barber, or apothecary’s servant, but only Filij Sapientiæ & ueri Magi Sons of Wisdom and true Magi might bring into their heads: as he excuses himself in his Manuali de Lapide Philosophorum Manual of the Philosopher’s Stone, and in lib. Vexationum Book of Vexations.

That is the reason why he painted much per allegorias, ænigmata & figuras uarias through allegories, enigmas, and various figures. Therefore he also devised such wonderful Kabbalistic and Magical names: which seem magical to many, as when he calls the hidden power or virtue of nature, from which everything grows, is nourished, and is increased, Iliastros the prime energetic force of nature: likewise Ares that which assigns to each thing its own nature, form, and shape, so that it can be distinguishably recognized from others