OPERIS MINERALIS

Paracelsus makes mention of it, and much indeed ought to be said, but the nature of the undertaking does not allow it. He and other philosophers have treated it at length, with which we are satisfied. I add this: Paracelsus intends the V. Essentia Fifth Essence to be a thing not subject to the four elements, but a permanent and incorruptible one. By this he wishes to intimate that, since the fluidity of Mercury leads its origin from the Fifth Essence and not from elemental fire, its coagulation must similarly be performed through the Fifth Essence and not through elemental fires, whether hot or cold. What sort of Fifth Essence this is that coagulates Mercury and converts it into Gold or Silver—and that it should not be sought from vegetables or animals, but extracted from metals, and must be much purer, more fixed, and more liquefiable than they are—is easily conjectured. Paracelsus wrote much concerning this Fifth Essence, attributing distinguished powers to it. Whoever desires this, let them read those things in his writings. Many other philosophers also testify that it is a thing reduced by the benefit of art into a most pure and supreme substance. Some also attribute the name of Fifth Essence to that Tinctura Tincture by which projections are accustomed to be made. Whence it is sufficiently clear that by the name of Fifth Essence, the purest, best, and most powerful part of a thing is always understood. Whatever the case may be, it is certain that Mercury is a wonderful subject, and not as easily coagulated and fixed as many have wrongly believed, and to their great loss have experienced the contrary. In fixing it, many coals have been consumed in vain, and are still being consumed, albeit with an ever-fruitless attempt, which I myself have also not infrequently with tedium treated—not fixing it permanently, yet observing many singular things in it, of which I judge some worthy to report.