Hermetic Philosophy and Alchemy - A Bardon Companion
Hermetic Philosophy and Alchemy - A Bardon Companion
Hermetic Philosophy and Alchemy - A Bardon Companion
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of alchemical writing extant; <strong>and</strong> may be regarded as an exposition in epitome of the whole Art.<br />
Mystical <strong>and</strong> disorderly as this relic is, <strong>and</strong> must especially appear at first to any one unaccustomed to<br />
the antique style, we trust that the short pains may not be grudged that it will cost in passing on with us<br />
to the discovery of its idea. The treatise has been held in high esteem by the alchemists, <strong>and</strong> the<br />
Scholia given in part may assist in the perusal. Whoever the author may have been (for, though it bears<br />
the name of Hermes, the true origin is doubtful), it wears the impress of very great antiquity, <strong>and</strong><br />
claims better than to be frivolously judged of by those who are uninitiated in science <strong>and</strong> ignorant of<br />
the kind of wisdom it unfolds. Prudence, patience, <strong>and</strong> penetration, the author owns, are required to<br />
underst<strong>and</strong> him, <strong>and</strong> more than these for the discovery of his Great Art. Books were not written in<br />
those days for the information of the illiterate, as though any vulgar distiller or mechanic might carry<br />
away the golden fleece; or in such a guise that the covetous, who made gold their only idol, should<br />
readily, without research or the due Herculean labor, gather the apples of the Hesperides: not yet that<br />
any, though learned, as the adept adds, should by once or twice overly <strong>and</strong> slightly reading, as the dogs<br />
lap the waters of Nilus, straightway be made a philosopher. No, the magistery of this science forbids<br />
so great a sacrilege: our books are made for those who have been or intend to become conversant<br />
about the search of nature (50). For this is the first step towards the recovery of truth, to be diligent in<br />
the investigation; other requirements there are <strong>and</strong> reasons for the extraordinary caution that has been<br />
used to keep the Art concealed, which may in the sequel be appreciated when it is intimately<br />
understood.<br />
And ye may trust me ‘tis no small inginn,<br />
To know all the secrets pertaining to this myne,<br />
For it is most profound philosophy,<br />
This subtill science of holy Alkimy... (51).<br />
References ~<br />
(1) See Roger Bacon, Radix Mundi et Speculum Alchemiae<br />
(2) Adverte carissime... Rosar. Abbrev., Tract ii. De Lapide in Thet. Chem., vol iii<br />
(3) Species metallorum... Liber Perfect. Magist., sub initio.<br />
(4) Speculum Alchymiae Arnoldi, Octava Dispositio.<br />
(5) Sciant Artifices Alchimiae, Lib. ii, Tractat. i, Cap. iv, De Operat.Med. Sing.<br />
(6) Metalla autem omnia... Metoer lib. iii cap. iv<br />
(7) Epistle to King Edward, stanza 10<br />
(8) De Arto Magna, part ix<br />
(9) See Vaughan’s Anima Magia Abscondita, p. 30<br />
(10) Lucerna Salis, from the Latin verse<br />
(11) Rosar., Abbrev. Tract. iii <strong>and</strong> iv<br />
(12) Investigation of Perfection, cap. xi<br />
(13) Roasrium Abbrev. Tract. iii <strong>and</strong> v<br />
(14) Aenid, lib. vi 724<br />
(15) De Nat. Deor., lib. ii<br />
(16) Euripides. See Blackwells’s Letters on Mythology<br />
(17) Lullii Theorica et Practica in Theat. Chem., vol. iv<br />
(18) Arnoldi Speculum, Octava Dispositio, etc.<br />
(19) See Bacon, De Sapientia Veterum, Fable of Proteus<br />
(20) See the Sylva Sylvarum, in two places; <strong>and</strong> the History of Rarity <strong>and</strong> Density.<br />
(21) To the Athenians, book i, text 9<br />
(22) Speculum Alchimiae, Octava Dispositio<br />
(23) Medulla Alchimiae, cap. i<br />
(24) To the Athenians, book ii, text 2 <strong>and</strong> 5<br />
(25) Tractatus Aureus, cap. i, prop. 4 See also Lullii Theoriea et Practica, c. iii<br />
(26) Orpheus Hymni<br />
(27) Mercurius Sapeintum est elementum... -- De Mineralibus, cap. ii et Breve Compendium in That.<br />
Chem. vol. ii