Restored Hermetic Science of the Ancient Philosophers

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insinuating themselves with great lords, presenting one Particular original: "Particular"; a minor alchemical procedure or recipe that aims for a partial result or specific transmutation, rather than the complete "Universal" medicine. and Process original: "Process"; a specific set of chemical instructions or a recipe. after another. Yet, very few true Particulars are found; instead, all the Philosophers original: "Philosophi"; in this context, the true alchemical masters or "Sages" of antiquity. point only toward the true Universal original: "Universal"; the Great Work or Philosopher's Stone, which acts upon all things generally rather than on a specific substance.. And such reckless fellows create a burden original: "Überbein," literally a bony growth or cyst; used here metaphorically to mean a nuisance or an obstacle. for pious, experienced Artists Artists original: "Artisten"; skilled and honest practitioners of alchemy. (see Bernard, Count of Trevise Bernard Trevisan (1406–1490), a famous alchemical author who traveled extensively and spent his fortune seeking the Stone, often writing about the frustrations and frauds encountered in the search.), so that—even though they know the foundations of the art original Latin: "Fundamenta artis." alongside good manual techniques—they are not believed, and often must cease their Practice Practice original: "Practicam"; the actual labor in the laboratory, as opposed to theoretical study. due to poverty.

These deceivers are always distressed whenever an expert original Latin: "peritus." is present, for they fear they might be sent away and that their so-called lies and deceptions would no longer carry weight. Or, they act like the lazy herd original Latin: "Ignavum pecus"; a reference to Virgil’s description of drones in a beehive.—the bumblebees and dung-beetles—stealing the honey from the poor little bees because they themselves know how to make nothing. They pass off the work of others as their own, yet in the end, they come to shame through their cunning and deceit, and must leave the ring on the door A German idiom meaning to leave a place empty-handed or to be forced to flee a household in disgrace.. For Note Well original: "NB," abbreviation for "Nota Bene.": this noble art wants no deceiver.