Lumen de Lumine

Separation

A differentiation or resolving activity that can make hidden principles distinct. Aphorism 8 presents a separating craftsman as the agent of ordered regions.

Spirit

A subtle, active or mediating nature. Its range includes natural and explicitly theological language; identify its local relation before equating it with soul, breath or an alcoholic spirit.

Star-soul

The name of a late section on an animating or celestial principle. The compound belongs to Vaughan’s account of life and influence, not to modern astronomy’s description of stars.

Thalia

The named guide in the opening vision. Her narrative role, her speech and the philosophical exposition should be considered together before assigning her a single abstract equivalent.

Tincture

A colouring or transforming virtue or preparation. A colour word can describe an appearance and also belong to a sequence of philosophical change.

Treasure

The sought good enclosed in the emblem and approached in the mountain letter. Its meaning includes the work’s own philosophical and religious valuations rather than wealth alone.

Water

A visible element, a generative receiver or a named philosophical principle according to context. The aphorisms present water as the female partner of brooding fire and mother of formed things.