The First Chapter.

...many wonders are likewise found and perceived therein, which are entirely supernatural. Understand thus: that the heavens work upon the earth, and the earth gives correspondence to the heavenly realms. For the earth also has seven planets within itself, which are worked and born from the seven heavenly planets, solely through a spiritual original: "Spiritualische" or ghostly The German "Geistlich" here refers to a non-material, pneumatic influence rather than a haunting apparition. impression and infusion, just as the stars original: "Astra". In alchemical philosophy, the "Astra" are the celestial influences that govern the growth of metals. work upon all minerals original: "Mineralia".

This process occurs in an incomprehensible and spiritual manner; therefore it is to be considered supernatural, in the same way as two people who love each other. The people are visible, but the love they carry toward one another is invisible. The human body is spiritual and natural Valentinus likely refers here to the "astral body" or "Spiritus," a semi-material bridge between the soul and the physical flesh., but love is invisible, spiritual, incomprehensible, and supernatural, and is to be compared to nothing other than a magnetic attraction original: "Magnetische Anziehung". This was a popular 17th-century metaphor for any invisible force that exerts a physical pull, such as gravity or chemical affinity.. For invisible love, which has been drawn in spiritually through the imagination original: "Imagination". To the alchemist, "Imagination" was not mere fantasy, but a potent, creative power of the mind that could direct spiritual forces., is brought to completion through desire by means of its fulfillment. In like manner, when the heavens have...