A New Light of Alchemy

3A vision appeared in his sleep. An old man approached, greeted him, and said, “Friend, why are you sad?”

3.2He replied, “I would very much like to make the philosophers’ stone.”

3.3Old Man: Friend, from what do you intend to make it?

3.4Alchemist: From Mercury, sir.

3.5Old Man: But from what kind of Mercury?

3.6Alchemist: There is only one Mercury.

3.7Old Man: It is true that Mercury is one, but it varies in different places. One portion is purer than another.

3.8Alchemist: Sir, I know very well how to purify it, with vinegar and salt, nitre and vitriol.

3.9Old Man: I tell you, this purification is not the true one, nor is Mercury true in that condition. Wise men have another Mercury and another way of purifying it.

3.10With that he vanished. Waking from sleep, the alchemist pondered the vision and what this Mercury of the philosophers must be. He could imagine nothing beyond his own common Mercury. Nevertheless, he wished he could have spoken longer with the old man. He kept working, now with animal and children’s dung, and afterwards even with his own. Every day he went to the place where he had seen the vision, hoping to speak to the old man again. Sometimes he pretended to sleep and lay with closed eyes, waiting. When the old man would not come, he supposed he was afraid and did not believe he was asleep. He therefore swore, “My dear old gentleman, do not be afraid. I am certainly asleep. Look at my eyes if you do not believe me.”