A New Light of Alchemy

4Investigators of nature should resemble nature herself: truthful, simple, patient, steadfast, and so on; above all, devout, fearing God and doing no harm to their neighbour. They should then carefully consider whether their purpose agrees with nature and whether it is possible. Let them learn from visible examples what is made from which things, how nature works, and in what kind of vessel. If you simply want to make something as nature herself makes it, follow nature. But if you undertake something more excellent than nature, observe in what and through what it is improved; this will always take place in its own like. For example, if you wish to advance a metal in its power beyond what nature has done—which is our intention—you must take a metallic nature, in both male and female. Otherwise you will accomplish nothing. If you intend to create a metal from herbs, your labour will be vain, just as you will not produce wood from a dog or another beast.