PREFACE

of water for its nourishment original: "alimoniam"; in alchemical theory, the "stone" or substance is often described as a living thing that must be "fed" or "nourished" by specific liquids, a small vessel containing it, a smaller furnace original: "furnellus"; a specialized alchemical stove, often called an athanor, designed to maintain a very steady temperature over long periods enclosing the same, and—so that its heat may be fostered—an invisible fire original: "ignis inuisibilis"; a philosophical term referring to a heat source that is not a literal flame, often understood as the internal energy of the matter or a specific chemical heat are required; nevertheless, because a longer time is needed (at least a span of two years), excessive activity and haste toward the end could bring about the loss original: "iacturam"; literally a throwing away or a shipwreck of everything for you. A prudent and solid observation will be a barrier to this, as will the introduction of this Harmony original: "Harmoniae"; likely referring to the title of the treatise or the "Harmonic" arrangement of the elements, which teaches that there is but one way and one matter original: "materiam"; the "First Matter" or Prima Materia, the single starting substance required for the Work for this undertaking: With the names thus known,

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