Coelum Terrae

blessed water, potent water, water of the wise, philosophers' vinegar, mineral water, dew of heavenly grace, virgin's milk, bodily mercury. It is called by these and countless other names in the philosophers' books. Although these names vary, they always signify one and the same thing: the mercury of the wise alone. From it alone all the power of the alchemical art is drawn, and in its own manner the white and red tincture.” [Vaughan’s own English rendering:] “The mercury of the wise is a watery element, cold and moist. This is their permanent water, the spirit of the body, the oily vapour, the blessed water, the potent water, the water of the wise, the philosophers' vinegar, the mineral water, the dew of heavenly grace, virgin's milk and bodily mercury. It is called by these and countless other names in the philosophers' books. These names, though various, always mean one and the same thing: the mercury of the wise. From this mercury alone all the power of the art is extracted, and according to its nature the tincture, both red and white.” Rachaidibi the Persian agrees. [New translation of the Latin:] “The seed of the stone is cold and moist in what is manifest, and hot and dry in what is hidden.” [Vaughan’s own English rendering:] “The seed, or first matter of the stone, is outwardly