The Secret Work of the Hermetic Philosophy

51The philosophical sublimation of mercury is completed by two things: removing what is superfluous from it and introducing what is lacking. The superfluities are external accidents that cloud shining Jupiter with Saturn's dark sphere. Separate, therefore, Saturn's emerging lividness until Jupiter's purple star smiles upon you. Add nature's sulphur, of which mercury indeed has within itself a grain and ferment sufficient for itself, but see that it also suffices for others. Multiply, therefore, that invisible sulphur of the philosophers until the virgin's milk is expressed; then the first gate lies open to you.