A New Light of Alchemy

Dialogue of Mercury the Alchemist and Nature

1At that time the chymists gathered and held a council about how they should make and prepare the philosophers’ stone. They voted that each person should state his opinion. Their gathering took place outdoors, in a meadow, on a clear day. Many agreed that Mercury was the stone’s first matter; some named Sulphur, and others something else. The majority favoured Mercury, especially because of the philosophers’ sayings: the philosophers regard it as the true first matter, and also as the first matter of metals. They cry out, “Our Mercury,” and so forth. While they were disputing their various operations, each eagerly and happily awaiting the conclusion, a tremendous storm arose, with squalls, rain clouds and an unheard-of wind. It scattered the assembly into different provinces, each man separately, without a conclusion. Nevertheless, each impressed upon his own mind what the debate’s conclusion ought to have been. Each therefore resumed his work as before, one seeking the philosophers’ stone in one thing and another in something else. This continues unceasingly to the present day.

1.2One of them remembered the discussion: the philosophers’ stone must necessarily be sought in Mercury. He said to himself, “Although no conclusion was reached, I shall work on Mercury and reach the conclusion myself by making the blessed stone.” He was a man who habitually talked to himself, as alchemists do. He began reading the philosophers’ books and came upon Alan’s book, which treats of Mercury. At this point the alchemist became a philosopher—but still without a conclusion.