The Archidoxes and Medico-Chemical Works of Paracelsus

likeness of heat or dryness. For it has no peculiar operation, but its predestination is Water, and it is the unique element of water, under which there is no dryness, no heat according to its own inborn nature. Although all these things are so, yet there are still three other elements with it, but not born from those three which are not perfect, nor having principle or help from them, but obtaining their origin from the predetermined element which is united and impressed upon that kind.

And although it fights against common Philosophy, namely that one predetermined element has the other three adhering to it from its own nature, it is nevertheless credible that the element and the substance are different among themselves. And this is to be understood thus: The substance is not from that element which tinges and elementalizes the substance; nor are these elements from the substance, but they meet together uniformly, like body and soul. Now, indeed, every body, like that of something growing, has a complexion, and similarly an element. Although the element itself in the body of a growing thing is not visible, nor tangible, nor demonstrable, it is so because this element is stronger due to its subtlety, and subjugates the other elements of the growing thing. Yet all things are present in the body, but imperceptibly, just as when water is mixed with vinegar; it becomes like it. And although the vinegar has changed all its essence, the complexion of the water nonetheless remains uncorrupted, nor is it vinegar for that reason, but just as much water as before. And although it does not exert the virtues of water, it does not stand by this that it does not still have them.

The practice of separations.

By these propositions we desire to declare by what way the separations of the elements ought to be made, where two practices come to be understood by us: one, to which the separation of the predetermined element is suitable, which we shall declare in the book on the Quinta Essentia Fifth Essence. The other, to which the four substantial elements existing in growing things pertain. By that it is understood that the predetermined element is the Fifth Essence, and cannot be separated from itself, only from the three elements, as follows below concerning the Fifth Essence. But where we speak of the separations of the four elements, we understand those four which are in the body essentially. Hence various errors have arisen, because four elements were sought in the predetermined element, and besides even the Fifth Essence, which cannot be done at all.

Furthermore, it must also be known, when the elements of bodies are to be separated, so that one might exist as fire, another as water, the third might be like air, and the fourth like earth, according to their complexions, that the elements sometimes with their forms