The Secret Work of the Hermetic Philosophy

131Take three weights of red earth, or red ferment, and a double weight of water and air together. Let them be finely ground and mixed together into an amalgam like butter or metallic paste, so that the softened earth is imperceptible to touch. Add one and a half weights of fire. Let these be digested in their own very tightly sealed vessel by fire of the first degree for as long as suffices. Then let the elements be extracted in order by their own degrees of fire, and, turned downwards by slow motion, fixed in their own earth so that no volatile things can be raised from it. The matter will at last end as an illuminated, red and transparent rock. Take as much of it as you wish and cast it into a crucible; over a gentle fire, give it its own red oil to drink drop by drop and cerate it until it melts completely and flows without smoke. Do not fear flight: softened by the sweetness of the drink, the earth will receive and hold it within its entrails. Then keep the completed elixir in your possession and guard it diligently. Rejoice in God and be silent.