Preface.

race / were it not ordained or set by GOD [to end with the world], it should remain eternally unbreakable / and that for this reason / because this Quintessence original: "Quinta Essentia." The "fifth essence" or purest spiritual essence that exists beyond the four physical elements of earth, air, fire, and water. has been separated from its elemental corruption and superfluity / with which it was once mixed / and has been brought into the highest perfection.

Since then the ancient and true philosophers original: "Philosophi." In this context, referring specifically to alchemists or "natural philosophers" who studied the secrets of matter. have been found to differ only in their description of names and not original: "re ipsa." Latin for "in the thing itself" or in reality. in reality / so the seeker of this science original: "Scienz." Alchemy was historically regarded as the "Sacred Science" or "Divine Art." must look not at the names and words / but at the possibility of nature: For what more subtle seduction and obscuring of this divine science could be invented / than that they all write with one accord / that in two things / namely in Sulfur original: "Sulphur." In alchemical theory, the active, combustible, and masculine principle. and Quicksilver original: "Argentum vivum." Latin for mercury, the passive, metallic, and feminine principle., the mother and matter original: "Materia." / both of our Philosopher’s Stone original: "Philosophischen Steins." / as well as the six metals The six "common" metals known at the time: gold, silver, copper, iron, tin, and lead. consist / when they themselves, in following nature / have used the third / namely the Salt original: "Saltz." Along with Sulfur and Mercury, Salt forms the "Tria Prima" or three primary principles of Paracelsian alchemy. Salt acts as the body or the stabilizing bridge between the soul (sulfur) and spirit (mercury). to bind the other two; as they then often mention the foliated earth original: "folierten Erden." A technical term for a specific stage in the alchemical process where the material takes on a flaky or leaf-like appearance, signaling a transition toward the white or red stone. / into which they have sown the soul original: "Animam." / as well as in others of their parables original: "paraboli." Referring to the allegorical stories and symbolic language used to hide alchemical secrets.