From the Golden Key of the Gate by G. R. original: "Ex Clave Aurea Portæ G. R." "G.R." likely refers to an author or initiate associated with the "Golden Key" tradition of alchemy.

Our Stone, presents itself basely in a form which is in every thing and in every place. What does this mean? For many, understanding this literally, take for themselves various and especially foul substances Alchemists often used "filth" as a metaphor for the "prima materia" (first matter), leading many misguided "puffers" to literally experiment with waste products., which they distill and mix with much sweat and labor. But let them hear the words of the Philosophers:

If you seek the secrets of the Philosophers in filth,
You waste your effort because there is only deception at the end of your labors.

There is another point, almost like a delusion, that drives those occupied in this art: namely, that Our Stone is born between two little mountains, cast out into the dung-heap, trodden upon, and defiled by the feet of men. It is held as the most vile and contemptible thing, within itself and among us, etc. Our Stone cannot exist in things of a different kind from its own, namely, those differing from the nature of the Sun (Gold) ☉ and the Moon (Silver) ☽. For nothing gives what it does not possess. A nettle does not sprout roses. It is established that nothing in this world, whether animal, vegetable, or mineral, can be generated without natural heat and a specific appetite. Therefore, according to the doctrine of the Philosophers, which explains everything through examples, it must be understood: The Stone can be in every thing and everywhere, since it is nothing other than a specific virtue and quality, provided that the natural heat has brought the composite matter to its perfect and necessary Limit.

For the Stone is the purest matter, containing within itself the vegetable heat of the nature of the Sun (Gold) ☉, from which it has the power of multiplying seeds in its specific and natural form. Because of this, it is called the Secret of Nature's Fire Δ, exciting the composite and perfecting it in our glass vessel into the stone, in exactly the same way that a seed—by reason of its own natural heat and radical moisture Water 🜄—leads to putrefaction, and then to a wondrous generation and multiplication.

Various Treatises, Pertaining to the secret work of Hermetic Philosophy.

A central alchemical diagram consisting of an inverted triangle outlined in red. Inside the triangle is a circle containing a crescent moon symbol. Above the triangle is Greek text: "In unity and trinity" original: "ἐν μονάδι καὶ τριάδι". Below the triangle is Greek text: "is everything" original: "ἐστὶν ἅπαντα".

Qualities of the Planets.