Chapter 1

...I will mention only a few for the sake of brevity. In ancient times, the Pythoness original: "Phitonissa"; a reference to the Pythia or Oracle of Delphi, sometimes associated with ancient prophetic wisdom and Rebecca were famous among others; although these were women, they were held in high regard. Also Ambagaser, Philomacedon, and Pythagoras—the disciple of Hermes—who composed the Assembly of Philosophers The Turba Philosophorum is one of the oldest alchemical texts in Latin, framed as a debate between ancient sages., which is called by some the Codex Veritatis original: "Codex Veritatis"; translated as "Book of Truth". Likewise Plato, Avicenna, Bendegit, Jessit, King Haly, Geber in Arabia, Morienus a Roman, Lully a Spaniard Ramon Llull, a 13th-century polymath to whom many alchemical works were later attributed., Roger an Englishman Roger Bacon, the 13th-century friar and philosopher., Calid, Aros, and his brother Nephandin, Saturnus, Amilcaber, and his sister Medrodora, and many other ancients whom I pass over for brevity's sake. Of the modern philosophers In this context, "philosopher" specifically means an alchemist or "Philosopher by Fire.", I will make no mention here at all.

However, Hermes was, as previously stated, the first; and his Tablet, which he made concerning this Art The "Art" refers to the practice of alchemy., reads as follows:

It is true, without falsehood, certain, and most true: that which is below is like that which is above, and that which is above is like that which is below, to accomplish the miracles of the one thing. And just as all things were created from one, by the counsel, will, and command of the One, so all things spring and come from this one thing through a special inclination and disposition. The Sun is its father, the Moon is its mother, the wind has carried it in its belly, its nourisher or nursing mother is the Earth. This is