A New Light of Alchemy

22But lest I direct everything towards beginners, I shall also say something to you who have already passed through these troubles. Have you seen that region where the husband brought his wife to himself, whose wedding was celebrated in nature's house? Have you understood how the common people saw this sulphur with you? If you wish old women to practise your philosophy, show the whitening of these sulphurs. Tell the common people: Come and see; the water is now divided and sulphur has come out. It will return white and congeal the waters. Burn away sulphur, therefore, from incombustible sulphur; wash, whiten and redden until sulphur becomes mercury and mercury becomes sulphur, which you will afterwards adorn with gold's soul. For unless you sublime sulphur from sulphur, and mercury from mercury, you have not yet found the water which is created and distilled as a quintessence from sulphur and mercury. He who has not descended will not ascend. Many people lose what is noteworthy in this art at the preparation stage. Our mercury is sharpened with sulphur; otherwise it would be useless. A prince without a people is wretched; so is the alchemist here without sulphur and mercury. If you have understood me, I have spoken.

22.2Afterwards the alchemist returned home and mourned the lost stone. Above all he grieved that he had not asked Saturn what salt this was, since so many different kinds of salts are found. He told the rest to his wife.