The Prime Matter according to Martin Ruland* has at least 50 different descriptions. Which of these are necessary to learn? Why are there so many? Alchemy is about changing states. The process of heat has an effect on matter. The names given in the lexicon indicate the steps required and the necessary guides involved in the transformation. *Confer, Martin Rulandus Lexicon Alchemiae A listing of alchemy terms, including some definitions. Published in Frankfurt,1612 English translation A Lexicon of Alchemy translated by A. E. Waite. The original text is in Latin and is also available. The full title is A Lexicon of Alchemy or Alchemical Dictionary containing a full and plain explanation of all obscure words, Hermetic subjects, and arcane phrases of Paracelsus. How to gather a handle about the basic substance known in the literature as the prime matter? Ruland writes "The philosophers have greatly admired the Creature of God which is called the Primal Matter, especially concerning its efficacy and mystery. The application of heat to cinnabar can transform by our EYES a reddish brown stone into a silvery liquid mercury and vapors of sulfur. This is a spectacular feat for the eyes. Processes of the mind will not bear testimony to the senes relaying on miracles in order to proceed or stop any endeavor. The real laboratory work of the alchemist cannot be observed in the same fashion. The stone was known originally by a much different name. The wise call it the Microcosmos. This is a smaller world. Here exists Heaven and Earth along with the elements of Fire, Air, and Water. Also included in this system are birth, sickness, death, dissolution, creation, and resurrection. The Solid Properties Later on a new name was given. This is name of the Philosophical Stone. The reason being that it was made of one thing. In the beginning it is truly a stone. The properties behave similarly to a stone. It is dry and hard, and can be triturated just like a stone. There are of course differences. It is more capable of resistance and more solid. Unlike a stone it is resistant to the effects of the elements. No fire or other element can destroy it. In mining it is necessary to remove rocks. The method called fire-setting was employed. The author of De re metallica (On the nature of metals), Georg Agricola describes this method. The Liquid Properties It is also no stone, because it is fluid, can be smelted and melted. They further call it the Eagle Stone, because it has stone within it, according to Rosinus (This is the Latin name ascribed to the alchemist Ζώσιμος ὁ Πανοπολίτης Zosimos of Panopolis). His era was between the 3rd and fourth century AD. It is also called Water of Life, for it causes the King, who is dead, to awake into a better mode of being and life. It is the best and most excellent medicine for the life of mankind. The Medicinal Properties Venom, Poison, Chambar, because it kills and destroys the King, and there is no stronger poison in the world. Spirit - because it flies heavenward, illuminates the bodies of the King, and of the metals, and gives them life. Medicine - the one most excellent medicine, for it speedily and marvelously heals all of the maladies and infirmities of mankind and of metals. The Celestial Properties Heaven, for it is light and bright, indestructible, and is Heaven in operation. Clouds - for it gives celestial water and rain upon its own earth. Nebula, or Fog - for it ascends from the earth, and makes the air dark. Dew - for it falls from the air and stimulates the soil, together with that which grows upon it. Shade - for it casts a shadow over the earth and the elements, and causes darkness. Moon - for she is in her nature and quality cold and moist; her influence extends to the Under World; she receives her light from the sun; hence she ministers to the time of darkness, by means of the shade of the earth. Stella Signata and Lucifer - the pre-eminent and morning star, for she gives the sign in operations, she shines first, then comes the sun, both evening and morning, which is a marvel to behold. The Alchemical Properties Permanent Water - metallic water of life, leafy water. It remains in fire, air, and earth, and cannot be destroyed by any element. Fiery and Burning Water - for it is exceeding hot, melts up all metals more quickly than fuel and flame, yea, melts that which resists fire. Salt of Nitre and Saltpetre - for it possesses their nature and kind. It also rises with greater strength and violence than any saltpetre whatever. It is, moreover, extracted from the earth. Lye - for it washes and cleans the metals, and the garments of the King. The Sacred Properties Pure and Uncontaminated Virgin - for she remains pure and unimpregnated, notwithstanding that she bears children. She is a most extraordinary mother, who slays her husband and offspring, and revivifies them by means of her breasts. Assidous says: The Mother of our Stone, which is now perfected, is still a virgin, never having reclined in the nuptial couch, because this hermaphrodite and universal matter of the Sun and Moon, has intercourse only with itself, and is not yet impregnated in any special manner, such as the golden, silver, or mercurial process, etc. Consequently it is a pure, virginal birth. Milk of Virgin, or of the Fig, for it renders things sweet, white, delicious, and wholesome. Boiling Milk, for it warms, cooks, whitens, and matures. Honey, for it sweetens, confers a pleasant smell, and renders things delicious and wholesome. A Spiritual Blood - for it is like blood, and so remains, it reddens, vivifies, and has the spirit therein. Bath - for it washes and cleanses the King, and metals, and causes them to perspire. The Healing Properties A Syrup - for it is acid, and produces strength and courage. Vinegar - for it macerates, makes spicy, pickles, renders savory, strengthens, preserves, corrodes, and yields a tincture. Lead, for it is heavy, and is at first impure; gives color and weight. Lead is made from the stone. Tin - on account of its whiteness. Sulphur of Nature, Lime, Alum, for it consumes and burns up. Spittle of the Moon, incombustible saliva. Burnt Copper, black Copper, Flower of Copper, i.e. Ore, as also is the Ore of Hermes. The Serpent, the Dragon, for he devours and destroys. Marble, Crystal, Glass - which is all clear and intelligible. Scottish Gem. Urine of boys, urine of the white calf, on account of its acrid nature. White Magnesia, a Magnet, because it attracts gold, or the King, unto itself. White Ethesia, a white Moisture. Dung, for it manures the earth, which renders it moist, fat, and fruitful. White Smoke, for it renders white and glistening. Metallic Entity-for it is the true Essence and Quintessence of Metals. The Virtue of mineral Mercury. The Soul and Heaven of the Elements. The Matter of all Forms. Tartar of the Philosophers. Dissolved Refuse. The Rainbow - on account of its colors. Indian Gold, Heart of the Sun, Shade of the Sun, Heart and Shade of Gold - for it is stronger than Gold; it holds the gold in its heart, and is itself Gold. Chaos - as it is in the beginning. Venus - On account of the fruitfulness of Nature. Completeness We return to the original meaning of the stone. Microcosmos - because it is a likeness of the great world, through heaven, the sea, and all elements. The Stone Appears in Many Forms, but can be easily recognized. The Blackness is Black. The color of Black is the color of Saturn. The darkness of the souls. This statue is of 惭愧, the words cánkuì translate as Shame. The alchemical properties involve protection, limitation, restraint, and judgement. The Karmic laws are carried out in the sphere of Saturn. The tight relationship to harvest and aeon cycles are the responsibilities of Saturn. The stage of putrefaction is a necessary step. Our Lead is the prima materia. The term father of time is another description for Saturn. The 慚愧祖師 is called the patriarch of the Tang Dynasty. His Full Moon Festival calls forth the preparation for the coming of Spring. In order for Spring to arrive work must be done. One of the names for the stone is Isis. Before these beautiful sculptures were ever made. Long ago in the past a simple black stone was presented. Later inscriptions were chiseled bearing grand titles. Virgini pariturae. I dedicate to. Virgin about to give Birth. Isidi, seu Virgini ex qua fillus proditurus est. Virgo paritura is the Earth before receiving the Sun's rays. Matri deum magnae ideae. The Mother of the Gods. Our Lady Underground. It is important to know the names of stone for it transforms successively. By knowing the name you will understand the process. A name is more than a mere label. Other names of the stone include: Adarner, Adrop, Asrob, Agnean, Eagle, Alartar, Alabar, Aevis Alkaest, Alcharit, Alembroth, Alinagra, Almisada, Aludel, Alun, Abzernad, Amalgra, Anathron, Androgyne, Antimony, Aremaros, Arnec, Arsenic, Asmarcech, Azoth, Borax, Boritis, Caduceus, Cain, Chyle, The Cock, Dragon, Ebisemeth, Embryo, Euphrates, Eve, Feces, Flower of the Sun, Hermaphrodite, Hyle, Infinite, Isis, Kibrish, Laton, Lion, Magnes, Magnesia, Mars, Menstruum, Mother, Orient, Salamander, Sonig, Sulphur, Tincture of Metals, Vapour, Lord of the Stones, The Bull, The Sea, The West, Bird of Hermes, Shadow of the Sun, Philosophical Stone, Animal Stone, Lead, Spring, Vegetable Liquor, The Moon, The Garden, The Spouse, Summer, The Woman, The Son of the Sun and the Moon, Water of Life, Water of Gold, The Belly of the Ostrich, Anger, Butter, May Blossom, Golden Wood, The Tree, Silver, Whiteness, Soul of Saturn, The Lamb. This is an extremely valuable list not only to the researcher, but also to the student. How do you prepare yourself? How do you qualify for the search for the Holy Grail? The author Francis Barrett of the book The Magnus provided some very useful advice. The right frame of mind is essential.
LESSON I. The preparation for this work is simply this:--Learn to cast away from thee all vile affections--all levity and inconstancy of mind; let all thy dealings be free from deceit and hypocrisy; avoid the company of those seeking vanity; hate all profligacy, and profane speaking. LESSON II. Keep thy own, and thy neighbors' secrets; court not the favors of the rich; despise not the poor, for he who does will be poorer than the poorest. LESSON III. Give to the needy and unfortunate what little thou canst spare; for he that has but little, whatever he spares to the miserable, God shall amply reward him. LESSON IV. Be merciful to those who offend thee, or who have injured thee; for what must that man's heart be, who would take heavy vengeance on a slight offence? Thou shalt forgive thy brother until seventy times seven. LESSON V. Be not hasty to condemn the actions of others, lest thou shouldst, the next hour, fall into the very same error; despise scandal and tattling; let thy words be few. LESSON VI. Study day and night, and supplicate thy Creator that he would be pleased to grant thee knowledge and understanding; and that the pure spirits may have communication with, and influence, in thee. LESSON VII. Be not overcome with drunkenness; for, be assured, that half the evils that befall mankind originate in drunkenness: for too great a quantity of strong liquors deprive men of their reason; then, having lost the use of the faculty of their judgment, they immediately become the recipient of all evil influences, and are justly compared to weathercocks, that are driven hither and thither by every gust of wind; so those who drown the reasonable power, are easily persuaded to the lightest and most frivolous pursuits, and, from these, to vices more gross and reprobate; for the ministers of darkness have never so favorable an opportunity of insinuating themselves into the minds and hearts of men, as when they are lost in intoxication. I pray you to avoid this dreadful vice. LESSON VIII. Avoid gluttony, and all excess--it is very pernicious, and from the Devil these are the things that constantly tempt man, and by which he falls a prey to his spiritual adversary; for he is rendered incapable of receiving any good or divine gift. Besides, the divine and angelic powers or essences delight not to be conversant about a man who is defiled, and stinking with debauchery and excess. LESSON IX. Covet not much gold, but learn to be satisfied with enough; for to desire more than enough, is to offend the Deity. LESSON X. Read often these ten preparatory Lessons to fit thee for the great work, and for the receiving of higher things; for the more pure thou art in heart and mind, by so much quicker shall you perceive those high secrets we teach, and which are entirely hid from the discernment of the vicious and depraved, because it never can happen that such a source of treasure can be attained merely to satisfy our more gross, earthly, and vain desires and inclinations, because here nothing must be thought to be grasped, or wrested out of this book, but to the fulfilling of a good end and purpose. When thou shalt have so far purified thy heart, as we have spoken is indispensably necessary for the receiving of every good thing, thou shalt then see with other eyes than thou dost at present--thy spiritual eye will be opened, and thou shalt read man as plain as thou wilt our books; but, for all this, depend not on the strength of thy own wisdom, for even then, when we think our hearts secure, if we do not watch them that they sleep not, the Devil, or his ministers, immediately take us at this unguarded moment, and tempts us into the actual commission of some sin or other: either he excites our appetite for lust and concupiscence, or any other deadly sin; therefore, using our blessed Redeemer's words--"What I say unto you, I say unto you all--watch!" This is again repeated in another form by Paul in Ephesians 3:18 Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith. Then you, being rooted and grounded in love, will have power, together with all the saints, to comprehend the length and width and height and depth of the love of Christ, and to know this love that surpasses knowledge, that you may be filled with all the fullness of God. This reminds the reader that higher dimensions are possible provide LOVE is rooted and grounded. What of these words. It calls attention to the mind being anchored in LOVE. This root also tips us to the role of the nerve centers along the roots of the nervous system. A one united mind. With the the transmutation of the metals. In Christ, that is the Gold.
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