The Most Secret Rosary of the Philosophers

quicksilver, permanent water, lead, spittle of the Moon, tin, etc. When, however, it is cooked, it is called silver, magnesia, and white sulfur: when, however, it is red, it is called orpiment, coral, gold, and ferment; for these and similar names are imposed because of the excellence of its nature. However, in whatever way its names may be diversified, it is always one single nature; to which you shall not introduce an alien thing, neither powder, nor water, nor any other thing. Your will also should be constant in the work, lest you presume to attempt now this, now that; because our art is not accomplished in a multitude of things. For it is one stone, one matter, one vessel, one regimen, and one disposition of the same, to which we add no extraneous thing, nor subtract, except that in preparation we remove the superfluous: for that which has not arisen from it does not enter into it, neither in its part nor in the whole: but if any extraneous thing is imposed upon it, it is immediately corrupted, and there will not be made from it