THE BRITISH ALCHEMICAL THEATER

original: "THEATRUM CHEMICUM BRITANNICUM."

CONTAINING

Several Poetic Pieces of our Famous

English Philosophers In the 17th century, the term "Philosopher" specifically referred to alchemists or natural philosophers seeking the secrets of nature and the Philosopher's Stone., who have written

the Hermetic Mysteries The "Hermetic Mysteries" refer to the secret teachings of alchemy and occult philosophy, traditionally attributed to the legendary figure Hermes Trismegistus. in their own

Ancient Language.

Faithfully Collected into one Volume,

with Annotations on them,

By ELIAS ASHMOLE, Esquire

Who is the English Lover of Mercury. original Latin: "Qui est Mercuriophilus Anglicus." Ashmole used this pseudonym to signal his devotion to alchemy, as Mercury is a central element in the "Great Work."

THE FIRST PART.

An alchemical emblem featuring a winged bird (eagle) at the top shedding droplets of rain. A serpent is coiled below it, encompassing a crescent moon. At the base, a toad sits upon the ground. The central elements are surrounded by a radial sunburst. A scroll at the bottom contains a Latin motto.

The serpent and the toad walking upon the earth, and the eagle

flying, is our Great Work. original Latin: "Serpens et Bufo gradiens sup terra, Aquila volans, est nostrū Magisteriū." This symbolic phrase describes the union of "fixed" (earthbound) and "volatile" (heavenly) substances required to complete the alchemical process, or "Mastery."

Theatrum Chemicum Britannicum

THE BRITISH ALCHEMICAL THEATER

Several Poetic Pieces of our Famous

English Philosophers In the 17th century, the term "Philosopher" specifically referred to alchemists or natural philosophers seeking the secrets of nature and the Philosopher's Stone., who have written

Faithfully Collected into one Volume,

By ELIAS ASHMOLE, Esquire

LONDON,

Printed by John Grismond for NATHANIEL BROOKE, at the

Angel in Cornhill. 1652.