Chapter outline

Title and attribution

The title joins hieroglyphic figures, poetic fables, Christian mysteries, chemistry, and pharmacy under an explanation according to numbers. Its address and greeting establish the authority claimed for the book.

Locations: H001-S009; manuscript Title page; scan 9

The guarded art

The unheaded opening enforces secrecy through curses and biblical maledictions, then describes the disposition required of the recipient. It places transmission of the art within a religious obligation.

Locations: H001-S015; manuscript 1r; scan 15; editorial division

Prayer for the work

The prayer seeks protection against spells, possessions, and magical arts. Its invocations frame the undertaking as dependent upon divine aid.

Locations: H001-S022b; manuscript 4v; scan 22

Model of the hieroglyphic figures

The account describes the book’s sevenfold arrangements and the scenes represented in its figures. Description establishes the visible details that later explanations interpret.

Locations: H001-S026b; manuscript 6v; scan 26

The first figure and preparation

The first and second agents are explained through winged figures, Saturn, Mercury, the caduceus, and intertwined serpents. The first septenary contains preparation; repeated sublimation, duration, and the conjunction of fixed and volatile powers supply the operative argument.

Locations: H001-S031b; manuscript 8r; scan 31

The flower on the mountain and solution

The flower and mountain present a tree of metallic growth. Mercury gives the power of vegetation, while fixed matrices and a fixing spirit give stability. The north wind and surrounding dragons develop the subject’s dissolving and active powers.

Locations: H001-S049; manuscript 15r; scan 49

Fables and the philosophical work

The manuscript proposes alchemy as an explanation of classical fables. Its mythological persons, weapons, rescues, and transformations give an account of material powers within the work.

Locations: H001-S058; manuscript 19v; scan 58

The dragon on the cross and corruption

The brazen serpent and the crucified dragon introduce the relation between poison and medicine. The commentary explains laton, volatile sulfur, the vessel, and the corruption that prepares a changed condition.

Locations: H001-S071; manuscript 25r; scan 71

The garden and the spiritualization of waters

The garden becomes a metallic tree whose parts express growth, fixity, nourishment, and tincture. Mercury’s mythological offices and thefts extend the explanation of water and the mercurial principle.

Locations: H001-S083; manuscript 30r; scan 83

Herod and the reduction of the elements

The massacre scene is read through the principles of the philosophers’ art. The commentary assigns different actions to the ruler, soldiers, women, blood, Sun, Moon, and receiving vessel, and expressly redirects a literal reading of human blood toward the work’s materials.

Locations: H001-S097b; manuscript 36r; scan 97

The wilderness rivers and fixation

The final emblem of the early sequence shows serpents and four rivers in a deserted landscape. Its explanation develops fixation and the relation of natural places, waters, and materials to the subject of the work.

Locations: H001-S109b; manuscript 41r; scan 109

The labors of Hercules

The labors receive a physical explanation in the hermetic philosophical sense. Descent, struggle, victory, and return are interpreted through the powers and transformations of the art.

Locations: H001-S120b; manuscript 46v; scan 120

Good and evil angels

The author arranges divine names, angelic orders, celestial spheres, and their effects within created nature. The discussion distinguishes immaterial angels from elemental or natural spirits and gives material and planetary associations to favorable and adverse powers.

Locations: H001-S129b; manuscript 51r; scan 129

Spirits of orpiment

Orpiment’s adverse spirits enter the account of destructive powers. Cerberus, Geryon, Nessus, and the Furies supply comparisons for venom, conflict, and death.

Locations: H001-S152; manuscript 62v; scan 152

Spirits of armoniac

Moist spirits associated with the salts of Mercury and the Moon dissolve and alter bodies. The text distinguishes corruption that prepares generation from destructive alteration.

Locations: H001-S156; manuscript 64v; scan 156

The two natures of natural spirits

The argument joins theology, nature, and art in an inquiry into beatification and punishment. Light is called the essence of spirit; the properties of perfected bodies, contrary qualities in quicksilver, and the purification and reunion of bodies and souls develop the explanation.

Locations: H001-S159; manuscript 66r; scan 159

Saint John and the apocalyptic figures

The discussion turns to the figures attributed to Saint John, beginning with the Son of Man and seven lampstands. Their visible details are interpreted within the same natural and theological account.

Locations: H001-S178; manuscript 75v; scan 178; editorial division

Theological explanations and Egyptian hieroglyphs

The author states his view of the relation between theologians’ explanations and hieroglyphic representation. The section prepares the sustained comparisons between the work and Christian mysteries.

Locations: H001-S187; manuscript 79r; scan 187

The Incarnation and the birth of the stone

The first operation and the stone’s birth are placed in relation to the Incarnation. The argument follows the union of natures through the material language of spirit, body, and quintessence.

Locations: H001-S189b; manuscript 80r; scan 189

The second operation and the death of Christ

The heading presents the second operation as a possible symbol and proof of Christ’s death. Corruption, the grain’s death before renewed life, and the relation of gold to quicksilver extend the comparison. Apocalyptic riders then express the conflict and reconciliation of elemental powers.

Locations: H001-S212b; manuscript 90v; scan 212

The Sun Moon and mercury

The intercourse of Sun and Moon with the chemists’ mercury develops through the royal wedding, the two sexes attributed to each metal, and purified watery seeds. A properly tempered fire preserves the desired complexion of elements while requiring careful regulation of its action.

Locations: H001-S236b; manuscript 101v; scan 236

The third operation and the Resurrection

The resurrection of the King or sulfur allegorically figures the resurrection of Christ. Corruption prepares regeneration; universal spirit, seminal forms, and the purification of compounds extend the explanation of renewed and glorified bodies.

Locations: H001-S249; manuscript 107r; scan 249

Lucretius Ovid and the parts of the human being

The author introduces poetic quotations, then distinguishes corpse, shadow, manes, spirit, and rational soul. Death and mortification receive different definitions. The section continues the account of regeneration and glorification through material examples.

Locations: H001-S260; manuscript 112v; scan 260; editorial division

Multiplication and the Eucharist

The nature and multiplication of the stone supply a figure and symbol of the Eucharist. Biblical examples of increase and transformation support the comparison. The closing discussion explains the stone’s claimed powers through fusibility, subtlety, penetrability, fixity, and tincture, then gathers the diversity of natural forms into one matter.

Locations: H001-S290; manuscript 127v; scan 290