A New Light of Alchemy

13To return to our subject, I say quicksilver is the first matter of this work, and truly nothing else. Whatever is added to it arises from it. I have said several times that all things in the world are made and generated from three principles. We, however, cleanse certain things of their accidents, join them again when cleansed, add what must be added to supply deficiencies, and, imitating nature, cook them to the utmost perfection. Nature could not perfect this because of an accident, and stopped where art should begin. If you desire to imitate nature, then, imitate her in those things in which she works. Do not be disturbed if our writings seem to contradict themselves in some places. This is necessary lest the art be betrayed. Choose what agrees with nature; take the roses and leave the thorns.

13.2If you intend to make metal, let metal be your foundation. Nothing is generated from a dog but a dog; from metal, metal. Know for certain: unless you take radical moisture well separated from metal, you will never accomplish anything. Without a grain of wheat, you till earth in vain. One thing, one art, one operation. If you wish to produce metal, ferment with metal; if a tree, let tree-seed be your ferment. As I have said, there is one operation, outside which no other is true. Everyone therefore errs who says that a particular work is true outside this one way and natural matter. A branch is obtained only from a tree's trunk. It is impossible and foolish to wish to produce a branch before a tree. It is easier to make the stone itself than even the simplest particular product that is useful and withstands testing alongside a natural one.