PREFACE

But to return to where we departed from our course, we now present to you, dear Reader original: "amice Lector", the principal authors of this art—men who were learned and truly philosophers. And in the first place, we provide the opinions and, as it were, the Aphorisms of the Pythagorean Synod of philosophers; if you study original: "incubueris". Literally "to lie upon," but here meaning to apply oneself with intense devotion or to brood over the text like a scholar. these diligently and pray to God, the giver of all good things (as they themselves frequently advise), I do not doubt that you will both attain very many secrets of nature and fulfill your own desire. They call this Synod the Assembly of the Philosophers original: "TURBAM Philosophorum". One of the oldest and most famous Latin alchemical texts, it takes the form of a debate between ancient sages, including Pythagoras., of which we have printed two versions because of the differences in names, opinions, and the arrangement of the text, so that each reader may follow whichever version most appeals to him. Following this are the Exercises original: "Exercitationes". These are supplemental commentaries or practical elaborations intended to resolve the difficult points found in the "Assembly.", by which many difficulties are unraveled. To these is joined the Rising Dawn original: "Aurora Consurgens". A famous 15th-century alchemical treatise known for its deep spiritual allegories and biblical references, often attributed to Thomas Aquinas., which [explains] the philosophers’ ways of speaking, their obscurities, riddles, and metaphors...