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SPLENDOR SOLIS
Alchemical Treatises
OF
SOLOMON TRISMOSIN
ADEPT AND TEACHER OF PARACELSUS
Including 22 Allegorical Pictures Reproduced from the Original
Paintings in the Unique Manuscript on Vellum,
dated 1582, in the British
Museum.
EXPLANATORY NOTES
BY J.K.
CO.. LTD.,
JOSEPH WALLACE
Mystic, Healer, and Revealer of
Occult Truth.
Friend
in
w
forth
of
INTRODUCTORY.
HEN
in the
known Adepts
of
Alchemy, went
the possession
His romantic
Wanderings
although we
may
inclined
to
are, nevertheless
not in a position to
of the
chemical Elements
is
Salt,
Mercury,
and Sulphur,
may
not be so
absurd after
all.
they
may
re-
may
yet be solved.
provided
7
INTRODUCTORY
allegorical pictures, executed
by an unknown
artist,
Tris-
artistic
Symbols
subject
the
Red Tincture
is
the
Philosopher's Stone.
Here then
a rare, and at
why not
give the
book a
It evidently
and without.
As a Guide
to Physical
and
Spiritual Adeptship,
Splendor
by the
text,
and
of Spiritual
pictures.
For
this reason, as
fully
aware of their
Splendor
figures
may
not be overlooked.
INTRODUCTORY
the above-mentioned minute Descriptions will be found to
be very suggestive.
has both
For as
observed,
Splendor Solis
a Physical-Alchemical,
and a Spiritual-Mystic
meaning.
possibly the
The Occult
Alchemy
Sciences,
like
that
it
a Sea-serpent.
may,
maybe
a living
man-
not.
it.
thing
still is,
may
exists.
but, although
we know
it is
as a Science of Occult
INTRODUCTORY
the process Splendor Solis endeavours to communicate
is
As a
Spiritual-Mystic book,
Radioactive
Creative
it
Power
of
Mystic Gold,
as its
name
SOUL-KNOWLEDGE.
Alchemy.
Thus
is
JACOB BEHMEN
an Adept
of
Hermetic
In
is
A study of
the
Works
of
God
in the Soul of
Man.
One
meaning
of his
INTRODUCTORY
Works, as otherwise they are merely curious, but studied
esoterically they are Divine.
Behmen^the name
BoEHME,
preferable to the
German
His
frequently
it is
uses
it
the
word
Tincture.
definition of
that
and colour
and fragrance to
vanishes, pallor
flowers.
and decay
It is
for Life is
the Soul of
all
things
is
the
Sole-Power
all,
in
Nature.
and
of
a part.
The
identity of the
Man-
God with
of all time.
is
based
all
Divine Philosophy.
It
Out
living
is
of the Ether
of the Creator,
capable of knowing
As Man's Mind
and Man's Mind
and
her Forces are invaded, showing that Mind rules the All,
is
The
fact that
One with the All-Mind of the Creator. man can meister Nature, shows, that he
II
INTRODUCTORY
has and
is
man
thinks,
is
Thought
object of
to gain Experience.
affects us.
Knowledge
beyond.
Wisdom
acquired here,
is
Many do not gain Wisdom, but all gain Experience. Those who rise to the height of their being, may, or may not,
Wisdom.
give out their view to the world, or to that portion that
of
knows
and
is
may
be re-born in the
it.
flesh,
of Matter, to master
12
THIS BOOK
IS
NAMED
SPLENDOR SOLIS
OR
AND
IS
WHO
AND
PREFACE
ALPHIDIUS,
" Every one
in
who
making no
" Let
The same
Lights "
:
also says
it
be said then to
hereby admonish
them most
earnestly, that
to understand the
for as
unknown intermixture
:
RosiNUS says
" All
who engage
in
in this Art,
and are
books,
are
erring
immensely
a
natural
have founded
very
this art in
beginning, but of
hidden
operation.'
Though
it is
evident that
all
and
are maintained
and
Time
and Influence
of the Stars
and Planets, as
Sun,
Moon and
working
which
therein,
are
without
intermission,
moving
and
thing in
first
by God, the
Creator, consequently
16
PREFACE
matter produced by the four properties of the four elements,
which generate
in their
force,
under
well described
in the fourth
Quicksilver
a matter
first
common
is
to all metals.
But
must
of
be known that
in
Nature
the
compound matter
Matter Mercurius,
or
Quicksilver.
be mentioned here.
describe
The teachers
based and
of Nature's Philosophy
it sufficiently is
in their books.
Upon such
founded the
Art
of
the
16
we
shall discourse on
it.
THE
fore
Philosopher's Stone
is
produced by means of
Hali
Stone
the
Philosopher,
says
thereof
" This
rises in
is
Where-
reduced to
its
come
must be
That
way
by Art may be
she gives
it,
aided,
putrefies, until
in
also,
with premeditated
Wisdom, a
suitable vessel.
Silver,
it
nor
is
earth,
first
beginning.
different
Art goes
intention
quite another
way
to
and
create.
moment be made
can be done.
perfect,
proper
is
from Nature.
existence c
by
except
form
bthe
f~
human
But
it
soul.
must be borne
in
essential
by the
effect of
an
by
by
virtue
By way
form
of
of allegory,
we take a
can
hen's egg
in this the
the
chicken
not take
shape,
is
without
the inter-
is
the
its real
by
putrefaction, which
we
shall
speak here-
of a /
i
expelled
by an
when the
For then
is
destroyed by cold.
this
kind of Putrefaction,
may
Growing.
quite se-
it
is
necessary to separate
but they
will
is
a drying,
trituration
and
destructive.
Even
as
the food
is
it
may
How
its
way
according to
20
MORIENUS
work
plete,
says
You
shall
know
comthis
may
begin and
finish,
their
it.
"
in
SUA Natura " " that Nature produces the Metals from
Mercury and Suphur," and
the
same
effect
we
see
Ferrarius speak
in his "
Treatise on Alchemy,"
in the
it
in the veins or
and
decocts, steams
and
collects it
together so long,
till
at last dryness
Mercury,
first
Matter of
metals,
:
and again he
treats of
it
follows
" Those
who
not to use
rest for
From the
aforesaid
it
will
be seen that he
who
all
will
proceed
Philosophers^,
left off,
and
Sulphur
some Alchemists
calcinate
may
it
dis-
to a
fumes
of
form
Alexander
22
Though
this
Mercury alone
is
this
and
in its
can find out the true meaning from the writings of the
Philosophers, and this
says, " that every one
It is at the
is
done
for the
purpose as RosiNUS
it."
may
not get at
of producing effects
and a
adjustment of
all
and sublimate
ascend,
it,
and then
distil it,
it,
coagulate
it,
it,
make
to
it
make
it
descend, soak
dry
and ever up
an
indefinite
number
"
Alphidius Confirms
and says
that
when we
dissolve
we sublimate
and
if
as well
is
our Corpus
pose of dissolution,
dissolving
itself,
and sublimating,
origin
the spirit
which
It
is
its
and
birth.
all
things in the
mineral or vegetative
23
and
to
all
things
between
among
word "
all
by the Philosophers
in
two
Man
He who
does not understand these does not understand the preparation of this Art.
24
EXPLAINED BY A FEW SUITABLE ILLUSTRATIONS, PARABLES, AND VARIOUS APHORISMS OF THE PHILOSOPHERS
HERMES, needed
but
is
indeed
that at the
End
of this World,
Heaven
many doubts
arise, before
the
Work
is finished.
Thkt
may
AND THIS
God
IS
many
forms.
25
things
earth
has
:
original
first
form,
in
the
following
or to
began to grow
large,
of the
Sun-Heat
formed
Earth a sulphury
vapourous and
through.
damp
heat,
in the cold
and damp
and
gas, all of
which grow
dency
forming
and
dale,
&c.
Where
may
be found.
and vapours,
and there no
the
soil, especially,
fat,
got
and
other ground as gravel and sand, brittle and yet soft, hanging
26
holes, like
badly
prepared pap, or
watered enough
rich
for
be
would remain
brittle
and
fall
to pieces again.
That which
so,
may become
and
which are
by these means
earth,
still
pure, subtle earthy substance, then they form the Philosophers' Mercury
fiery,
;
Sulphur be the
About
this
Sulphur
Hermes
says
force
all
it
overcomes
all
matter and
precious stones."
27
for
by means
and
Warmth,
Fire
is
the
medium between
it
rains water
earth,
on earth, Heaven
has opened
as honey,
and sent
its
Dew on
making
as sweet
and moist.
and
in her interior
itself
On
its
many
kinds of birds,
all
departing at Daybreak,
when the
The same
The
The Second
The Third
are called
is
of Health,
it
and what
is
cold
dry
it
moist what
soft,
dry,
and
is
And
28'
of
the
Herb
it
LuNATiCA or Berissa.'
root
is
a MetaUic Earth;
has a red stem, spotted with black, grows easily and decays
easily,
and gains
it
if it is
put
in Mercury,
changes
and
this again
by
Gold.
Of
this
book
of the
Aeneide,
when he
relates a Fable,
Silvius went
to a tree, which
as often as one
broke a branche
its place.
When Heat
blackness
the
first result."
Fog
rise,
and
how
the latter
further
became
foul
and stinking
of the
They
Earth
"
Whoever saves me
me
for ever in
my
brightness on
my
Night enveloped
all things.
The day
29
saw over
Day
and a sweet perfume from the earth, and the Sun shining Herewith was completed the Time when the King clear.
of the
He was crowned
of pure Gold.
Stars, all of
They
which
saw
in his right
left
hand a golden
and partly
of a golden hue,
which Aristotle so
well spoke of
is
when he
said
Meaning
in this Masterly
Art
with
its
own
become
its
perfection
and Ufe."
"
command
all
my
of
spiritual things
by means
30
"
The
Spirit~\
the body,
and
in
Soul of the Body, and changes this body into Soul, and the Soul
is
Spirit,
and the
Spirit is again
added
has stability."
.
like
and
to his assistance
still
came
more
of
which
the quills were adorned with fine pearls, while the feathers
reflected like golden mirrors.
On
of pure gold,
and on top
of
it
a silver star
feet
were clad
with golden shoes, and from her was emanating the most
splendid perfume, surpassing
all
aromas.
man
ness,
lifted
him up to
herself to
Heaven."
Therefore
dies,
says Senior
" It
is
but
when used
31
; :
two
bodies,
namely
also call
and two
as moisture
wherein there
is
nothing
In
conclusion
Senior
remarks
"
When
One
shall
substance, whereof
:
made
if
"
we may
we
So
The
Philoso-
phers take for example an Egg, for in this the four elements
are joined together.
The
first
or the shell
is
Earth, and
the White
is
White
is
Air,
is
the Yolk
Fire,
too
is
air,
which
subtle,
Water.
Yolk there
is
the
Fifth
Element, out
an egg
all
he had of a
like Salt.
had a
fine
and so were
the limbs
man
of
edged sword
murderer.
In his
"
have
life,
thou
may est
receive a superabundant
hide, that the worldly
I will carefully
wantons
I
may
will bury,
may
fruit."
and decoct to a
reunite
and then
his limbs
would
in plenty of strength.
33
ARISTOTLE
"
in the
Book
create a
Man,
and
But
Sun,
so
as
to
create
the
before-mentioned
Stone,
For such a
work
melt these parts of the earth that have become thick, hard
that
Secondly
its
The Heat
is
necessary,
because through
that
34
fire
and
also
through the tinging Spirit she receives from the force of the
fire,
shall
Thirdly
trated
by a
Turba
is
Fixed.
Light of Lights," as
light
"A
without
the help of a light body, nor can a light body be kept pressed
down
Fourthly
It
The Heat
is
unclean.
throws
ofi
In mention of which
Hermes
advises
Separate the gross from the Subtil, the earth from the
fire.
Purifications
the
perfect
preparation,
35
elevatingly, for
by
its force
air,
The same
" he
also
is
who can
recreate the
:
Sout
is
and
by Alphidius saying
upwards, or
:
" Hence
shall
that this
it.
Combat
raises
else
you
not gain by
Sixthly
When Heat
it is
makes
come
to
no
final
form while
Destil
seven
destructable moisture
and
it
Seventhly
Is the
has
made
the Moon, " Extinguish the Fire of one thing with the Coldness of another " says Calid.
36
method
is
"
When
the Sun
Grade of the
Firie,
is
in Leo, then
indicates the
is
In the Sign
of Saggitarius
heat,
and Pause.
37
PART
I.
WORK
IN
FOUR CHAPTERS
DISSOLUTION
of
is
Alchemy,
the
much spoken
of
Mercury.
dissolves
This Dissolution
is
Matter
black.
38
I.
Coagulation, which
is
turning the
Water
into
itself.
For
if
must the
thing operated on
is
active,
Wherefore
is
this
play,
distilling
is
the before-mentioned
the water
and
rises
above
is
the earth, as an oblong cloudlet, like an egg, and this the Spirit of the Fifth Essence, which
is
called the
is
Tincture,
I.
which by virtue
own
by a moderate
which earth of a
fiery
nature
of the glass.
carried out.
And
this is
why
this
consists
in cooking
and roasting
until
it is
done.
or fourth thing
if
the Stone
to be
made
perfect.
all
body
is,
that there
may
be a united composition.
is
all
contained wherewith
40
DESCRIPTION
OF THE SPLENDOR SOLIS PICTURES
THE FIRST PICTURE
TWO
the
men
doorway
at
left side of
a Landscape
Behind Them,
building
come
in
One
of the
vance of and
is
addressing the
adred
The other
more luxuriously
staff at his right
The
floor
tiled,
or tesselated,
From
this
archway forward
flat
stone-steps,
upon which
(heraldic).
On
is
lies aslant,
about 45 degrees.
The
mouth
face,
is
rounded and
is
so painted as to resemble a
;
human
the One.
mouth
as
if
the tongue
was
slightly protruding
face blotched or
living.
The rays
at
the
circumference
are
in
in the
serious.
and is
and
alternately straight
as
the lowest
others
one
of
all
being longer
the
as
than the
of
and pointing
in
centre
three
The
:
picture
is
surmounted by
the motto
Arma Artis
in red
margin, on whi<ih
one giving a
other
is
fish to
an
owl,
a hoopoe, and
42
In his
left
flagk,
one-third
filled
with a
he
is
The
is
painted Deer,
Red
From
which
"
"
drawn sword
and
is
in his left
he holds a
:
"
Et
Mortuum.
Deinde
"
de Aqua Terra
43
That to the
surmounted by a
fluid
little
nude
figure of
left
fountain which
also
surmounted by a
nude
figure of a girl,
which transmutes by
into
its
all
golden
water.
This
is
is
fountain overflows and forms a large golden lake, which seen stretching
away
in the distance,
fire,
is
letters.
He
is
talking
Queen robed
scroll
a blue
feet,
over her
its
head
in the air
is
eyes
and hopefully.
its
Above
head
is
lies
behind.
On
top of picture
is
the motto
:
" Particularia."
At
the
bottom
inscribed
" Via
Universalis,
Particularibus Inclusis."
at a rock
and digging
the water
" Esther,",
lies floating in
on the foreground.
the word
of
two nude
figures
having
root.
Upon a
;
ladder with
stands a man,
in black,
with golden
man
below,
is
He
45
two
one
is
dressed in yellow and the other in red, each holds out some
way
and to the
two men
in green.
On
man
a King in
looking
down towards
the bath.
two
Upon
away
to the
air.
Ap humble
up out
of the
robe, loose
and
flowing, holding in
Stars,
and
is
seen
swimming
if
and reaching
his
arms out as
Golden Sun
Queen.
To the Sun's
left is
is
The margin
flowers.
is
and
EntagUos
sents a
woman
who
is
up
their
arms to ward
off
is
the blow:
very similar,
a fourth male
who
hill,
is
stay the
man
other two.
and walk on
fore-
very beautiful.
Golden tipped
is
one
would not
upon.
attempting to improve
47
foliage pattern
and red
holding
man who
left
is is is
a black
mud
pool.
His
arm
blood red.
He
if
holds his
to cover
hand over
towards and as
his nakedness.
He
on the
profile is seen
all
covering head
but
is
to be encouraging
is
seen
48
Two
Deer,
and
flowers
upon Gold
picture.
an exquisitely formed
figure of a
man
dressed
and
and
'of
gold in front.
He
hair
and blue
head just as
He
white wing.
In the
left
which
an inner
circle
and
49
a tiny landscape,
Birds,
In his
left
fair
man which
lies
at his feet
and
clean,
is
This
scene
Castles
and was
in her glory,
strolling
and
lingering
Some golden
which this
upon
ghastly scene
represented.
represents a
river horses,
The
left
hand, guiding
latter sits
a Merman.
picture.
is
an iron vessel or
is
copper boiler
a naked
man
On
his
A man
is
blowing at
is red, his
black and edged with blue, slippers black, apron white, hair
longish
and
careless.
The whole
Two
on a distant raised
corridor.
One
man
Alongside of the
workman
is
51
In
two niches
Jupiter.
Mercury and
is
of a
column
an intaglio
arm
raised with
hammer,
fijiish
as
if
assisting.
one-fourth
down from
seen
is
pouring
its
contents
down the
throat
The
legs
In the
hand the
child holds
An
allegorical
figure
left
of
Mercury
hand and a
him on
the car, and driving two green and gold Dragons or Monsters)
52
On
is
seen a
is
man draws
is is
A man
An
old
in
of him.
man
soliciting
alms from a
the right
On
is
woman
feeding a pig.
man
if
is
by the
is
by the
a
seen pent
up
a box as
is
away, or slaughtered.
Beyond
seen
man
another
a brown one,
three of
and one
is
Beyond
one
man
back,
and further
where a
off still is
is
man
being hanged.
cripples seeking
beyond them
is
in
is
carried
shaped like the roof of a cottage, painted white with two black
bands across
it.
53
One
is
back and
it is
throwing up
its
WHITE pecks
it
UNDER THE
Golden
scintillations
Half
way up
this stair is
a wide landing
space,
On
bottles,
of the table.
is
A man
upon a black
large book,
table, apparently
conversing together.
The one
is
the
is
un-
Two
up
to the
left, is
man on
54
his knees,
upon a crimson
He
is
the Pope robed in red and gold with his triple golden
The Pope
are seen
is
etc.
Others
seen
as
conversing
farther
back.
Two
are
working a
still
One
is
soliciting
of
some authority.
a m57thological picture of a
man
with two arrows in his hand and sitting upon a car which
is
of the car is
is
Saggitarius
knight
upon one
etc.
The radiance
of the
Sun
(Jupiter in Saggitarius
and
Pisces).
Inside the
standing upright
is
is
is
up serpent
before him.
On
is
Capri-
The car
is
is
drawn by
two Foxes.
War
going
and gold
skirts
War
Eman-
The heads
one
is
is
The niche
sur-
mounted by an
allegorical representation of
light green
a King in golden
two-wheeled chariot
There
is
is
Before
the King
emantion or halo
is
all
around.
Sun
in
Leo.
robes with black inner clothing and cap, sitting upon a dais
on a lawn.
upon a horse
The
archery,
well dressed
men at athletic sports, stone heaving, wrestling, etc. On the left margin is a King with crown on
at
two men
in their
sword
exercise,
in attendance
upon
them.
From
other
this point
are
suspended two
golden
chains,
the
ends
of
the
it.
of musicians below.
One
of
them
is
another a
viol.
the picture
and
and
eating grapes.
At the
various
To
the
left is
many
people are
bathing.
surmounted by the
figure of a lady
and
sitting in
a red golden
car.
On one
wheel
is
Aries
and
is
in Aries
and Libra.
The car
clouds.
Before
bow and
by the
in picture
number
In the Cucurbit
upper part of her body naked, but with a pale blue robe
rest of the
is
feet
bare.
Around her
58
Beneath her
feet is
a golden
margin
is
figure of a
man
rod,
upon a blue
the car
is
drawn by two
cocks,
Mercury
Under-
is
sitting
To
the table
is
is
being blown by a
man
keys in front.
Two
choristers
this
represented
by
and
chisels
upon a short
same
is
and
gold.
part of calves.
He
holds a golden
He
stands
all
The niche
surmounted
figures in red
and
gold.
Moon
is
hand concave
On
fishermen
and shooting,
boating
and ships
and a mill-wheel
foreground.
being
moved by
trees
foreground.
is
in great
part sunk below the ground, yet visible and partly rising
or middle
black sun,
The
rising
of
this
pall-like
bristly
overspreads and hides totally the body of the true sun, which
Ues beyond
;
for,
behind
is
60
off (in
tance)
and glowing.
all this
foreground blackness,
lies
behind
The margin
snails,
hals
caterpillars,
butterflies,
small
birds,
flowers, etc.,
on a
golcien ground,
which completes
the picture.
and one
in yellow.
Toy hobby
little
paper windmills.
upon,
etc.,
cushion
made
The mother
She
sits
in her lap
is
dressed
is
and
jackdaw
seen
The
bath
floor
A servant
girl is
busy at work.
61
moths,
flies,
snails,
fruit
and
flowers
this picture.
Has a
fire
underit
are
etc.,
and
flowers,
on a golden ground
and severe
looking.
as
if
The
and
is
of a blackish
grey
tint.
city
is
Yet it
life
There
nothing like
sleep,
stirring,
if
and any
and
as
the
Sun had
upon them
to give
62
show
Birds, strawberries
and
flowers
on a golden ground
is
in the
a thing
is
deprived of
its
heat, then
is
there no motion
in
it.
materialised,
and the
" I
made permanent
or that
home.
am
a hot and dry Sun, while thou, luna, art cold and moist, and
when we
Whereby he
is
in-
and mastery
of the
ancients the
treats
of the
is
fire as
uniform,
regimen shall be as
it
the
warmth
ought to be
as the natural
warmth
and nourish-
es
of the Sun,
when
and further
till
it
This
heat
is
of the
Sun when he
is
in aries
When
the White
this heat
is
in
taurus and
is
And when
the stone
perfectly
and
be made more
and
this heat is
;
compared
that
is
her highest
is
dignity,
in her
own
house.
This
much
enough
64
the
:
philosopher,
says
in
the
twice,
it,
for in the
many And
colours,
and
all
although
most noticeable
amongst
all.
The
and red
said
by miraldus, to be a
it
not
perfect,
visible.
and
But
first red,
and
is
II
But
perfect
colour
is
mildest heat.
a mild heat,
till
"Beware
of great
fire
then
the
first
will it arise
its
useless, for in
commencement
turba "
" Decoct
it
you
see
it
white,
and quench
in
Vinegar and separate the white from the black, for the
white
is
it
needs to be ex-
by means
leaving
like
coarse black ball, not capable of mixing with the pure and
subtle matter of the Stone."
is
say
is
" the red must be extracted from the white, for there
it,
nothing superfluous in
all
nor
is
but
make a
" The
II
more the colours change the stronger you must make the
of which
afraid.
fly
is
fixed
in the White,
not from
"
When
made
white,
it
its species."
may
Hermes,
father
of
Philosophers
says,
that
" one
all
when
it
will
to one.
One
third of
it
moisture.
It
a Sap
of the Philosophers,
its
Wine
in the Third,
and
in proper
For
itself.
in Decoction
it
it
forms
In all this
is
Therefore
;
in
seven days
in
in
one year.
67
II
The
Spring,
One Week
or in
One Month.
:
in
Three
times, weights
and names
in consequence,
well, otherwise
must know
68
CALCINATION
two
of
is
Work
and
is
of three kinds
The
First
is
a preparation
burnt, and
is
The other
is
The Third
is
it
is
little
in bulk,
and
clear as glass.
Thus
is
ACCERRIMA.
in
This
is
proved by Hermes,
all
when he says
The water
the beginning of
soft
69
the in^dication of a
fiery
and
of
an application of a foreign
life
originates.
For
this reason
it is
Water
which in reality
and thus
is
extracted
This
takes place that those parts, which got dried and compressed
by the
is
Fire,
spirit,
which
which
is'^the
There-
fore
it is
of this water,
fire, is
QUINTA ESSENTIA
QUINTA ESSENTIA
tinging infinitely.
It
the
elementary
faeces.
And
this
further
is
geber says
is
"
and
changed
it
For out of
arises
70
is
in vain.
For
it
is
a
It
making
it alive.
volatile spirit.
In this
Work
also
or
Dead
will
be made
again to live
by the
which
by means
faction,
of
is
what was
and bringing to
:
light that
is
Putrefaction
It
is
the
and demands
utmost secrecy.
elements, reversing
further
:
them
in
Operation,
turba says
elements,
the
it,
moist
make
dry,
it all
and
fix
that which
is
volatile,
powder
and prepare
carefully."
This
is
Wherefore
as a powder.
It is as well
when he
For the
among
all
Alchemy, because
and formation.
moisture
is
is
consumed by a mild
fire
with
its
own
essential moisture,
is its
foster mother,
its
power
is
effects, as
we
Nothing
else
can yet be
followed
effected
in truth
this art,
when
and not
in
:
This senior
confirmed saying
no man
as has
72
IT
common saying of the Philosophers, that whoever knows how to kill the living silver, is a master of this
is
art,
manyfold.
is
a Water.
If
you can
know
by
enough,"
He
further says
"
The Soul
is
extracted
Putrefaction,
then have you well washed the Body, that they both again
are one."
Then
it
is
called
essence, or a Spirit,
in the
body
bum, and
dissolve
and
in
73
red,
and thus
colour,
it
of a white
it
becomes red."
it
TuRBA
it will
as follows
is
"
Lay
in
become an
that
his Tincture,
and
it
it is
ful
many
tinctures,
gives
and
colour to
whom
it is
given to take."
is
continues
"
after that
and
it
a genuine Tincture."
all
From
this
sufficiently to
be seen, that
Philosophers,
Hermes, the
"
I
it
thus
orsan, which
when
in the Signs
of ARIES,
cancer,
may
receive for
eternity
stones.
in
many
men
call
it
"
"
plumbum."
74
fix till it
till
and imbibe
it
it,
flows
till
make
it
dead and
alive again
file it
and break
them
Further rectify
Body and
Spirit
them
till it
perfect."
They
turns red,
when
like
they
distil
it
all
is
Gum
drawn
off
gum and
and a
again
fire
to
home
those
after
Further,
Turba says
the Gold
also
"
you make
it
first
white,
will
red,
from the
75
" It
is
a peculiar thing,
you throw
it
will
after that
;
it
and makes
it
it
white
makes
Citrine
Golden coloured
it
then
it
of a white colour."
:
is
and further
blackness."
is
Hence
different to
common Gold
it
or
for
some reasons,
not only to
common Gold or Silver, but even to all metals. SENIOR says "I am a dry and hard Iron, and nothing is
:
like
me,
for I
am
Philosophers."
TuRBA
Lead become
Red Lead,
make
is
therefore
some
say
"
From
red lead
iron, or
make a white tincture, or tin, from tin make copper, from copper make white lead, from white lead make Minium,
from Minio make a Tincture, and you have begun the
76
but this
is
not meant of
common
also
Lead.
compared
to
many
all,
Four Comlike
and such
superfluous things,
among
and other
things,
all
on account of
manyfold
qualities.
:
Above
beware of
spirits,
find guidance
of metals,
salts are
bodies."
Of
this
SENIOR says
it
it
" that at
first
it
turns to ashes,
afterwards
of labour,
becomes a
Salt,
and
the Philosophers.
command-
almisadir,
that
is
sal amoniac,
7^
you
only, for
it
and
spiritual."
"
Know
is
that
hidden
be extracted, when
will
become a water
and a body
of a thin nature,
spirit of
and an
all
mixed with
all
the metals.
is
their noblest
and
it
on the
fire
would always be
like
molten wax.
Wherefore
Quick-
common
genuine Gold.
is
On
78
; ;
forces axe
named
;
Spirit,
when
Earth
is
the
the
ultimate
TINCTURE.
root,
In the
last part is to
to
its
opponents
like
a strong
of various
diseases
Secondly,
it
it
makes
Thirdly,
changes
all
and
Fourthly,
it
Of the
first
if
taken in a
warm
palsy,
will
fever,
when used
takes
as a salve.
It strengthens
an unhealthy stomach,
mental diseases
;
cures
all
it
it
relieves catarrh
it
and
restores the
lame limbs,
it
heals
bums and
gangrene, as well
79
it
it
fresh, healthy,
a medicine above
ALEXANDER,
Physicians.
AvicENNA,
and
Surpasses
all
the
learned
with
water
all
virtue
it is
written that
it
;
changes
im-
and
this is evident
for eyer5rthing
becomes Gold
in colour,
substance, weight
and
and hardness.
this
Thirdly, according to
what
is
written
(!)
medicine
changes
all
and Red
Coral,
Emerald,
ChrysoUte,
Sapphires,
further
much
fuses
and
And FOURTHLY, in mixing this medicine with molten glass, the latter may be cut and changed into all colours. The rest may be learnt by experience by any skilful
artist.
80
CONCLUSION
The most noble Art and comforter
of the poor,
above
all
natural arts, which man may ever have on earth, the noble Alchemy, is to be esteemed as the gift of God for it is hidden mostly in manifold proverbs, figurative sayings and parables
;
So says the Philosopher senior "A sensible man, if he but tries this art, will soon perceive it from the books, ind get a knowledge of this art, if his mind and intellect are
:
illuminated."
Whosoever therefore will act wisely should search for the Wisdom of the old Philosophers, which is shown in the wit and Artfulness of the manifold parables and roundabout sa5dngs, thus hiding the proper operations and thus rendering their unriddling difiicult. To think over these things requires a very subtle mind, and only those with suitable faculties and knowledge will find it easy and natural. But as senior says " For those who have no natural understanding of these things, there is nothing so precious in Nature as he who possesses this Art he is like one " who had a flint from which he strikes fire
:
likes,
is
This Art is also better than all commerce, Gold and Silver, and her fruits are better than the wealth of all the world. For by means of this Art, is obtained that which furthers long life, health, her youngest fruit being the true AURUM, the most powerful balm and most precious gift of God, which the old Philosophers could find in Nature with
their Art.
End of Splendor
81
Solis
TRISMOSIN'S ALCHEMICAL
WANDERINGS
AND ADVENTURES
Translated from the
IN SEARCH OF
THE
PHILOSOPHER'S STONE
AURUM
VELLUS. ROHRSCHACH.
fellow, I
1498
WHEN
with
was a young
Flocker,
came to a Miner
an Alchemist,
named
who was
also
secret,
and
could
He
it
used a Process
commom
and
later
Lead, adding to
it
a peculiar Sulphur, or
on
soft like
Wax.
he took 20 Loth (10 ounces), and
put both materials in flux
Of
1
Silver,
an hour.
Therehalf of
Silver, cast it in
an
ingot,
when
was Gold.
I
he refused to
could
tell
artifice
he had used.
82
TRISMOSIN'S ALCHEMICAL
As
I
WANDERINGS
had seen
it
really
done by
and where
derings
I
heard of one
in these
wan-
kinds of Alchemical
some
of the
my own money, nevertheless I would not give up the search. thought of boarding with some of my friends, and took a
I
There
assis-
a year.
Then
I travelled about,
up and down
in Italy,
and came
to an Italian tradesman,
and sold
it
largely.
me
as
was
them
well.
In this
way
corrosive
and poisonous
and
fourteen weeks.
Then
There he sold
While
TRISMOSIN'S ALCHEMICAL
Silver,
WANDERINGS
who spoke
Latin,
and brought
it
to a Goldsmith,
I
and
Silver.
He
directed
me
who
He had
it
three
German Assaybut
did not
on the Cupel
in the
fire.
it
stand the
test,
all
flew
away
harshly to
I
me
them
tested, that I
might know
if it
When
saw the
and
to get into
if
me two
The Rector
told
me
of a Hospital
we
was
an Institution
nations
for
destitute strangers,
and people
of all
came
there.
I
me
where
got that
of
it ?
Why
rid of
had
it
tested,
and
if
I said I
had no more
it,
of that silver,
I
and that
and
I
was glad to
have got
but
had the
84
art
TRISOMSIN'S ALCHEMICAL
telling
it
WANDERINGS
?
to him.
me
if
told
him
was a
work
in
alchemical
vastly,
and he told me of
a nobleman
Assistant.
who kept a
I
laboratory,
readily accepted,
and he took me
named
Tauler, a German,
and he was
So he engaged
me on
as well.
wage
of
He
took
me
about
mansion called
in
all
Ponteleone.
and ready
his
own
private
staff of
Laboratory assistants.
at once
all
kinds of
to get
it
dirt, just
my
me
test
gave
85
TRISMOSIN'S ALCHEMICAL
That was
WANDERINGS
of luck.
my
first
it
The
Chief
Chemist reported
to the nobleman,
who came
out un-
expectedly, spoke to
me
in Latin, called
me
his
Fortunatum,
tapped
me on
me
twenty-nine crowns.
He
but
To make a
as
it
should be.
someone boasts
of his art,
let
he has
Therefore be
silent,
even
if
saw
and
all
tory,
all
me
paying
manner
which
process
brought that
I
Therewith
tinged
secret.
and
this
Mere Metallurgy.
J.K.
86
when once
throwing
Gem
many others
ship,
of the Venetian
went out
in his
grand pleasure
when suddenly
many
family, the
men
Then
for
still
better place
in
my
purpose,
my
care, these I
had
into Latin.
There
Egyptians
with,
I also saw
All these
is
had the
and
it
surprising that
very secret.
then
87
TRISMOSIN'S ALCHEMICAL
root),
WANDERINGS
Work
I
when
came
found such a
no
scarlet
tell,
infinitely
augmented.
I will
not
tell
how
after manifold
ties of Silver
tion.
was amazed.
ART,
WHAT THOU
ART.
ALL THAT
ALSO
IS
IS
WITHOUT THEE
WITHIN,
88
one thing
4.
is
Dealbation is necessary that the putrefied Matter may be washed and purified from all corruption and impurity. But the Philosophers say that the longer the Water remains on the surface of the Earth, the more thoroughly
will the latter
be washed.
5 Now follows the coagulation, for through the moderate warmth and boiling of our Sun, our Water has to be dried into Earth, and has thus to become a powder. After this it must be calcinated, as the calcined 6. materials are of more use in our work, than the raw ones
calcination
is
the same as
go through Sublimation..
7.
work is being perfected in and that all goes into one, and upon
89
know that the whole of our one way or manner, in one vessel,
one,
TRISMOSIN'S ALCHEMICAL
PROCESS
CALLED THE RED LION,
AND GIVEN
as at
length in the
History of
in the Pictures
and Treatises
SPLENDOR soLis
is
aureum vellus
"
SPLENDOR
1.
SOLIS, is as follows
(4ozs.) calcined
Take 8 Loth
Salpetre,
and
triturate with
Sublimimg
2.
it
Vessel.
and resublimate
During
90
in a Glass Retort,
and cover
it
behind.
distilled
The Alcohol
over
is
on the residue
breadth.
5.
it is
the
it
MERCURY
as
This Mercurial
in a closed 'Phial,
Take
put
it
in
a glass
retort
upon
but
it
will
not be reduced to a
like
a greasy
be used again.
7.
divide into
two
parts.
Take one
half
let
will
this
and give
it
will at
is
firist
when heat
This
!
increased
and at
deep red.
is
the
first
Tincture.
(A)
Provided
will
a fulminate
(or
(?)
triturate
in
a glass Mortar.
it
part)
thereof,
wrap
in
on 1000
Grains
(or parts) of
Gold
in fusion.
When
it
for f of
10.
of
Tincture
it
B. project
will
on one
it
thousand
fine gold.
11.
transmute
into
fumes
be changed
of Tincture
C, wrapped
Quicksilver,
in paper,
project the
and
it will
on 1000 parts
will
92
of Tincture B,
and project
it
on Copper
in fusion,
colour.
15.
Project
some Tincture
on red hot
iron,
inslert
it will
be transmuted into
will
and
women
18.
prolific.
morning
will cure
Leprosy or
any skin
Thus
far the
they
fail
left
they
will
make those
who
while those of us
personal experience in
93
statements,
we can only
:
but forgotten
DOMINIE Sampson
or doubting, that
" prodigious
we have
learned
itself,
some Truth.
no one but a practical
from the poisonous
for apart
sufi&cient antidote,
Sublimation
Fulminating
^there
is
that
lovely
booby-trap,
the
Gold,
left
wide open.
Some
arises
is
FULMEN
it ?
not
deprived
of
its
power of
Transmutation
question
:
Which
Is
aurum fulminans
of the Tincture
is
ARUM VELLUS
in
particular
restoration
to health,
and of
94
Solis ,"
apart from
merit,
I
is
its
am
that
if
order,
and under
Amateur Alchemist,
the Artist
possibly a Fugger,
may have
by
encouraged
who produced
of
this Manuscript,
his patronage,
and
"
all
exception
sous "
and
his
Alchemical
WANDERINGS "
with.
it is
related in the
he lived by virtue of
medicine to
I
so mote it be
96
EXPLANATORY NOTES
1.
is
the state
lustrous,
glittering
;
exceeding
brilliancy
39),
light,
Splendour
called,
has revived
It differs
Sol
in
Alchemy,
simply
means Sulphur
of
the
Philosophers,
4.
is
and
in
common
moon
Chemistry, gold.
They
6.
of the
same
is
the Father
96
EXPLANATORY NOTES
6.
The Sun
the
is
illumines
World with
and Energies,
does the soul sustain the body with Life and Thought.
are formed
by the
and
Soul.
Albertus MAGNUS
Philosopher
(1193-1280)
Dominican monk,
His
collected
Theologian,
Alchemist.
Works
He was
Latin MS.
Alchemy.
8.
Alphidius.
"Alphidi,
philosophi,
COMPONENDO,"
is
according to
schmieder's history of
ALCHEMY preserved
the
name probably a
whose
real
versed
in
Mathematics,
Physics, Medicine,
Casiri,
in
Alchemy
and
Astrology.
Michael
his
bibliotheca
i,
ARABICO-HISPANO ESCURIALENSIS,
p. 363, gives
MADRID,
1760-7, vol.
is
list
ii,
of his works.
p. 339,
Al kend
not as kopp
97
EXPLANATORY NOTES
9.
is
Fourth Book,
is
METEOROLOGicoRUM,
of the
of course, spurious.
of great value.
The
wisest Adepts,
siNA,
equally
famous
as
Philosopher
and
Physician.
Some
mangeti bibliotheca
theatrum chemicum.
of Sultan
calid, or kalid,
morienus,
or
DE LA PHiLOSOPHiE HERMETiQUE,
ch.
21,
and
In
See
also
in
morienis
romani
de
compositione
ALCHEMIAE, &C.,
vol.
i,
No.
28,
bibliotheque
des
PHILOSOPHES CHIMIQUE,
No.
2.
98
EXPLANATORY NOTES
11.
in the second
Christian
No
alchemical
works
are
attributed
to him.
He
of
Pharmacy.
teacher
who
at Basle
by
lighting
some sulphur
in a dish
:
and burning
burn in
p. 52.
12.
hell."
AL
SOFI, the
MANGETI
BIBLIOTHECA
CHEMICA
CURIOSA,
is
Vol.
his "
sum of
No.
4.
is
'The best
pp. 126-224.
foregoing.
turba philosophorum,"
99
EXPLANATORY NOTES
attributed to a Latin writer
century.
The
title of
The
in
a form
of of
by an assembly
others
are
Philosophers.
writers
Some names
foisted
are
fictitious,
The sayings
&c,,
may
of
Philosophy,
identical
No
supposed to have
is
is
lived,
:
ever.
The emerald
and without
is
TABLE OF HERMES,
falsehood
;
as foUows
It is true,
whatever
is
below
is
is
like that
which
is
above
:
above
below
to
As
all
things
all
things be improved
The sun
carries
it
is
moon
Wind
It is
in its belly,
and
it is
100
EXPLANATORY NOTES
all
the Father of
Its virtue is
from the
and
Above
of the
World
This
will
is
be thine,
the force
darkness shall
from thee.
and penetrates
and only by
solid.
is
created,
finished."
differ slightly
The Lives
The
of the Alchemystical
London,
1815.
Golden
Treatise
CHEMICA CURIOSA,
16.
vol.
i,
No. 19.
bom
by the Sydenham
purely medical.
J
101
EXPLANATORY NOTES
16.
Rhases
(860-940),
who
to
are lost.
p. 341, says
describes
of
Iron,
'
way
similar to the
Nordhausen Process.
p. 95,
the
Lumen Luminum
an error to attribute
physician.
a recent work
17.
when Splendor
Solis appeared.
first
quoted by
1610,
basil,
(1)
ad euthiciam.
and
Female
AD SARANTANTAM EPISCOPUM.
allegorical
LIBER DEFINITIONUM,
giving
descriptions
of
the
Male
Principles,
of the Philosopher's
Stone.
18.
is
attributed to guido
He
quoted
102
EXPLANATORY NOTES
by Ripley and
other 15th Century Artists.
The book
is
No. 74. " AuTOR TRIUM VERBORUM," the author of " The 19.
of
Book
is
Alchemist,
who
lived
about
that
all
Latin
is
No. 79.
20.
The
"the
are
largely
taken
from
avicena
de
No. 36.
wanderings
" that he
may
artist.
when he
when the
This
and
lived in retirement as
fraud,
an Adept.
If
and only a
why
cabn sensible
103
EXPLANATORY NOTES
writing,
Why
the artistic
As
in the
Introductory,
Keys
of the
same
M3^tic meaning.
The End.
Co.,
High