A New Light of Alchemy

A Philosophical Enigma to the Children of Truth by the Same Author

1Children of knowledge, I have now disclosed everything to you from the welling of the universal spring, so that nothing remains. In my preceding chapters I sufficiently explained nature through examples, and made theory and practice manifest as far as was permitted. Yet so that no one may complain that I have omitted something through excessive brevity, I shall also describe the whole art to you enigmatically, so you may see how far I have advanced under God’s guidance. Countless books treat this art, but in hardly any will you find the truth disclosed so fully. I wished to do this because I have conversed with many who thought they understood the philosophers’ writings well, and found that they explained those writings much more subtly than nature, who is simple, required. Indeed, all my truthful statements seemed commonplace and incredible to people always thinking lofty thoughts. Several times I explained the art word by word to some of them, yet they could not grasp it. They did not believe that there was water in our sea, although they wished to appear as philosophers. Since they could not understand my spoken words, I do not fear, as other philosophers feared, that someone will grasp the matter so easily. It is God’s gift, I say. Certainly, if subtle intellectual penetration were required in chymical study, and if the matter could be seen by common eyes, I have found their minds well suited to investigating such things. But I tell you: be simple, and not too clever, until you discover the secret. Once you possess it, discernment will necessarily be present. Then you will have no lack of ability to write countless books. This will be far easier for someone who is at the centre and sees the thing than for someone walking at the circumference with nothing but hearsay.