A New Light of Alchemy

Conclusion

1Conclusion

1.2Every seeker of this art should first examine with mature judgment the creation, operation and powers of the four elements, together with their actions. If he is ignorant of their origin and nature, he will not reach knowledge of the principles or recognise the stone's true matter, much less attain a good end. Every end comes to rest upon its own beginning. Whoever knows well what he begins will know well what he will finish.

1.3The elements originate in chaos. From it God, the maker of things, created and separated the elements: this belongs to God alone. From the elements nature produces the principles of things: by God's will this belongs to nature alone. From the principles nature then produces ores and everything else. From these an artist too can do many wonderful things by imitating nature. For from the principles—salt, sulphur and mercury—nature produces ores, metals and every kind of thing. She does not produce metal simply from elements, but through the principles, intermediaries between elements and metals. If nature does not do it, much less can art. Not only in this example but in every natural process the intermediate disposition must be observed.

1.4Therefore in this treatise I have described sufficiently fully the elements themselves, their actions and operation, and the origin of the principles—no philosopher has yet given a clearer account—so that a good seeker may more readily consider how far the stone stands from metals, and metals from elements.