Amphitheater of Eternal Wisdom

A detailed alchemical emblem or philosophical engraving. The top two-thirds of the page features a circular diagram superimposed over a landscape. Within the landscape, winding paths lead to various structures: a church in the foreground, a manor or castle on a hill in the distance, and various figures traveling on foot, horseback, or by carriage. The circular border and its internal divisions contain numerous inscriptions in Latin and Early Modern German. To the right, within the circle, is a text block discussing the "Athanor" and the "Lapis" (Philosopher's Stone). The perimeter of the lower half of the circle is divided into segments labeled with vices and failures, such as "STULTITIA" (Folly), "LABOR INANIS" (Useless Labor), "DOLUS" (Deceit), and "GEHENNA." Below the circular image is a dense block of text in Latin with interspersed German phrases, serving as a key or explanation for the "ARCIS Primaterialis" (Citadel of First Matter).

PROGNOSIS of the Primaterial, Catholic, Natural Citadel, regarding its Matter and Form, in its whole Constitution and Being

to all (whose characteristic is to love vanity, and to rejoice in lies, To love the vain thing very much, and to love lies so gladly) NATURÆ as if buried, eternally unknown, and impregnable: Which to approach, and also Philosophically to Know, And which intensely to know and the purest Tri-material, Catholicon, Mercurial, Saline, Triumvirate, that is, MERCURY of the Philosophers, First of WISDOM, NATURE, ART & the MERCURIAL of the WISE, by Volcanic and Neptunian Preparation (the Secret of Art) [mystical], by the help of Art, to sublimate: The Wise born of ELOHIM (inspired by God and their) faithful sons of DOCTRINE [are] alone [those] to whom the exercise of this Work [belongs], or the FIRST (Which by true philosophers, to whom as wisdom-loving artists, primarily with [truth]) is, from all time remains, namely the First highly hidden mystery, or Beginning, of the excellent Art, toward the Universal [if you wish]:) or BOTH together, each according to his gift, persevering, could [achieve]. Showing and demonstrating in a graphic and orthodox manner the central ABUSE of COGNIZING the ART, the Stone of the Philosophers, and its origin and handmaidens, [through] the broad way of FALSITY and [its] circle.

Transcription of text labels within the circular diagram and its right-hand text box:
Right-hand Interior Box:
ATHANOR the alchemical furnace OR AIR
which [is the] PAN The "All," a god representing nature of the greater World of Nature, before
the sons of Wisdom, &
[the] uncombustible [matter], the STONE
[of] vegetables, the sons of Art [in] matter
[of] metals, and [the] sacred witness
of all material XEIR Greek: hand/work, great
having a Seminary [as] the way, [the] true
having [the] waters of Nature [for the] foundation
into the blessed life; [the] universal medicine
in Nature, no one can [find]
One & Sole Divinity that which is placed
his crowd of that GOD & Servant
orthodoxly philosophizing [of] JESUS CHRIST, in
Nor is there in the Being a symbolic Effigy, [but] Nature
[through] which this salvation:
[of] things not [present]
to adversities

Circular Segments (labels of vices/failures):

• CINOBER (Cinnabar)
• ALBATIO (Whitening)
• CHRYSOPEIA (Gold-making)
• PUPPER TAS (Falsehood/Appearance)
• STULTITIA (Folly)
• LABOR INANIS (Useless Labor)
• DOLUS (Deceit)
• FALSITAS (Falsity)
• MALIGNITAS (Malice)
• VANITAS (Vanity)
• SOMNIA VANA (Vain Dreams)
• IDOLOLATRIA (Idolatry)
• GEHENNA (Hell)
• GLASTA (Woad)

Lower right segment near the heart-shaped vessel:
THEOSOPHIC
GRACE
MATTER from which
due KNOWLEDGE