A New Light of Alchemy

10If you wish to follow my advice, I counsel you, before approaching this art, first to learn to restrain your tongue and investigate the nature of ores and metals, and of plants too. In every subject you will find our mercury, and the philosophers' mercury can be extracted from all things, although it is nearer at hand in one subject than another. Know for certain too that this science rests upon real knowledge, not luck or accidental discovery. There is only this one matter in the world through which and from which the philosophers' stone is prepared. It is indeed in all things, but a lifetime would fail in extracting it. Without knowledge of natural things, especially in the mineral kingdom, you will resemble a blind man who walks by habit. Such a person seeks the art only by chance. Even if, as often happens, someone chances to handle the matter of our quicksilver, he finishes his work where he should begin. As it is found by chance, so it is lost by chance, because he does not know upon what he should base his intention.

10.2This science is therefore the gift of the Most High God. Unless God reveals it to someone through a good understanding or through a friend, it is difficult to know. We cannot all be Gebers or Lulls. Although Lull was a man of subtle understanding, if he had not received the art from Arnold, he would surely have resembled others who seek it with difficulty. Arnold too confesses that he received it from a friend. It is easy to write when nature herself dictates. There is a proverb: It is easy to add to discoveries. Every art and science is easy for a master, but not for a beginning pupil. To investigate this science requires much time, many vessels, great expense, daily labour and immeasurable meditation, although everything is easier for one who knows.