Observe and follow nature

Use in the book

The main treatise tells the worker to observe how Nature operates over time and direct labour accordingly. Its timing discussion refuses one certain period and returns to Nature's behaviour in other things as a guide. The conclusion then defines true art as distinguishing bad and impure from good and pure so that weak or damaged Nature can be helped, using ripening fruit and increase from seed as comparisons.

Nature's dialogue is sharper about the limits of imitation. She mocks artificial handiwork that apes her and asks whether the worker thinks heavenly influence can be manipulated like an organ by pressing keys. Mixing, separating, and colouring the worker's own materials does not prove participation in her power. Yet Nature subsequently says “Help me, and I will help you,” assigning the practitioner a real but bounded role in providing suitable conditions. Her exclusivity concerns forming power, not the absence of every human contribution.

Nature also recommends rational following with philosophy as guide. Study of her works precedes the title of master. The Way of Truth similarly insists that understanding metallic Nature must precede proper experience and presents the true route as one rather than the many paths of error. Its final account locates all the apparently separate operations within plain coction, through which the subject acts upon itself.

These agreements should not conceal differences. The main treatise's described successive work and the Via's attack on multiple operation-regimens cannot be reconciled merely by saying both follow Nature. “Nature” is a contested criterion, and each speaker specifies differently what faithful following would entail. The lexicon therefore reads the verbs with their local object, stage, and restriction.

Places to read

1. Part II: matter and the work · unit 15The operator must attend to nature's operation over time and follow it.
2. Part II: matter and the work · unit 26Observation of nature in other things is the guide.
3. Conclusion · unit 6True alchemy assists impaired Nature like helping arrested fruit ripen or multiplying a grain.
4. Nature’s Demonstration to the Erring Alchemist · unit 9Artificial work apes Nature but lacks her internal power.
5. Nature’s Demonstration to the Erring Alchemist · unit 10Human help should be rational and in accordance with Nature.
6. Nature’s Demonstration to the Erring Alchemist · unit 11Reason preserves and philosophy guides the follower.
7. Way of Truth · unit 26One true path opposes many routes of deception.
8. Way of Truth · unit 35Following Nature fittingly is fulfilled through coction.

Translation

The English “imitate” can sound neutral, but the dialogue's Affe makes that particular imitation derisive. Conversely, “assist” preserves the reciprocal Hilff mir without assigning equal powers to Nature and the worker. “Observe” in the main timing passage includes sustained attention and regulated response, not only looking. These distinctions keep a useful English family from becoming one generic command to behave naturally.

Attested forms

merckung; operation; richten; obseruirt; achtung; Natur zu hülff kommen; zeitigung; frucht; körnlein oder Saamen; Affe; nachthun; nachzureten; naturgemeß; Hilff mir; nachzufolgen; Führerin; Weg; einsam vnd einig; bequemlich folgen