Sal Lumen and Spiritus Mundi Philosophici

Short Glossary

These concise definitions explain terms as they function in this volume. French forms and fuller discussions appear in the Contextual Lexicon. Linked passages take precedence over any single general definition.

Air

Air bears celestial influences, mediates between elements and nourishes life. In the particular work it can also name the volatile vapour opposed to fixed earth. SL_I_06S001; SL_I_06S002.

Ascent and Descent

Ascent and descent include changes between spiritual subtlety and earthly consistency. The author expressly distinguishes this meaning from simply raising material to a vessel’s top. SL_II_04S023; SL_II_04S023.

Body

Body is the determinate material condition in which powers operate. The spirit mediates its union with soul, while bodily composition also carries the possibility of corruption. SL_I_02S001; SL_IIIS012.

Centre

Centre names the inward source of life and effective powers, as well as the earth’s central storehouse in the cosmological account. Its contrast with surface also describes depth of knowledge. SL_I_01S001; SL_IIIS018.

Chaos

Chaos is the undifferentiated mixture from which forms and powers become manifest through separation. The book applies this pattern both to cosmic formation and to salt still dissolved in its water. SL_II_02S008; SL_II_03S030.

Corruption

Corruption may name a generative loss of form or an impurity destructive of existing life. The distinction is local, especially when natural operations enter medical and religious comparisons. SL_I_05S002; SL_II_04S001.

Earth

Earth receives influences, holds seeds and nourishes generated bodies. It also names the fixed portion or residue in particular operations, according to context. SL_I_07S001; SL_IIIS002.

Embodiment

Embodiment is the spirit’s acquisition of determinate bodily form without the loss of its powers. Vapour, water, mucilage and solidity describe successive relations within that account. SL_II_01S001; SL_II_04S008.

Experience

Experience tests and teaches, but includes failed trials and must be interpreted with reason. The author’s practical and medical reports remain historical testimony, rather than independently replicated results. SL_PREFACES003; SL_II_04S033.

Fire

Fire is the active mover of generation, maturation and dissolution. It acts with coessential moisture and can name central, innate, celestial or ordinary fire in different contexts. SL_II_01S002; SL_II_01S003.

First Matter

First matter may name the universal source or a particular matter derived from it. The phrase must be read at the level specified by the surrounding argument. SL_I_04S005; SL_I_09S004.

Fixed and Volatile

Volatile matter rises or escapes; fixed matter endures and remains. The intended result combines subtle penetration with lasting fixation, rather than simply discarding one side. SL_II_04S012; SL_II_04S023.

Form

Form gives a thing its specific character and generative relation, exceeding outward shape. The soul supplies formative causes and the spirit embodies them in matter. SL_I_09S001; SL_II_01S007.

Gift

Natural life and knowledge are offered as gifts, but their possession requires discernment, labour and favour. The imagery combines generosity with the difficulty of qualified reception. SL_II_04S026; SL_IIIS013.

Knowledge

Knowledge proceeds through first causes and inward relations, rather than stopping at appearances or the outer wording of authorities. Reason, experience and illumination all figure in its proposed acquisition. SL_II_04S005; SL_II_04S015.

Light

Light denotes both visible manifestation and the insight through which causes become intelligible. Universal light grounds understanding without making reasoning and experience unnecessary. SL_PREFACES001; SL_II_04S005.

Magistery

Magistery names the philosophical work or its accomplished preparation. Its intended subject and end depend on the local distinction between universal medicine and the particular metallic work. SL_I_06S002; SL_II_04S008.

Matrix and Womb

A matrix or womb receives and supports generation. The earth is the general womb, while particular sites affect the form and condition of what is generated there. SL_I_04S001; SL_II_01S007.

Medicine

The sought medicine preserves and prolongs life by drawing upon its universal source. The text retains particular remedies and expressly denies that bodily life thereby becomes immortal. SL_II_04S007; SL_IIIS012.

Mercury

Mercury can name the universal generative spirit or a particular mercurial subject derived from it. Its local action and specification take precedence over identification with ordinary quicksilver. SL_I_03S002; SL_II_01S006.

Microcosm

A microcosm is a little world whose organised powers reflect the greater whole. The term applies to generated bodies generally, while humanity receives a particular intellectual dignity. SL_I_01S008; SL_II_04S005.

Moon

The moon nourishes radical moisture as a maternal contribution to generation. The particular philosophical moon is expressly distinguished from ordinary silver and joins body with seed. SL_I_05S003; SL_I_05S004.

Motion and Rest

Natural motion includes growth and movement towards form. Universal self-renewing activity is distinguished from the finite course of particular bodies and from the stability sought through fixation. SL_I_01S001; SL_II_04S016.

Nature and Art

Nature originates the species whose powers art develops, purifies and multiplies. Art may exceed ordinary natural completion while remaining dependent on Nature’s materials and order. SL_I_09S004; SL_II_04S014.