Alchemy and the Alchemists (Volume 1); Giving the Secret of the Philosopher's Stone

This historic book may have numerous typos, missing text or index. Purchasers can download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. 1907. Not illustrated. Excerpt: ... of the Universe, and contains within himself the greatest of secrets--which those ought to believe who regard him as the image of God,) for we do not find that perfection in gold which is found in Saturn; because, internally, it is good gold (it contains an immortal spirit); herein all of the philosophers are agreed; and it wants nothing else but that first you remove what is superfluous in it; and then, that you turn its inside outwards, which is its redness; then it will be good gold. (This is only another way of teaching with that of Isaiah. We do not say it is as good a method, but we affirm that Hollandus has the meaning of Isaiah, where the latter says [chap, i]: 'Wash you, creators, only lesser than God. In the Eleusinian Mysteries, in their Initiation, at one time the greatest Mysteries known, the following Evocation was used: TO SATURN. "Etherial father, mighty Titan, hear, Great sire of Gods and men, whom all revere; Endued with various counsel, pure and strong, To whom increase and decrement belong. Hence matter's flowing forms thro' thee that die By the restored, their former place supply. The world immense in everlasting chains, Strong and ineffable thy power contains; and make you clean; put away the evil of your doings from before mine eyes,' etc." Verse 22 of this same chapter is in the language appropriated by the Alchemists: "Thy silver is become dross, thy wine mixed with water.") "For," says Hollandus, in continuation, "gold cannot be made so easily from anything as from Saturn; for Saturn is easily dissolved and congealed, and its mercury may be more easily extracted from it. (The theory is, that Saturn stands for man in his humility, and the conscience will manifest itself and become active, where the superfluities in which it lies buried a...