Adept Alchemy - Rex Research · Theophrastus ~ The Sacred Art Arnold de Villanova ~ Rosarium Philosophorum Chapter 3 Arsenic Anon. ~ Hydropyrographum Hermeticum Anon. ~ A Magnificent

AdeptAlchemy

by

RobertA.Nelson

Copyright2000/2005/2017:AllRightsReserved

Acknowledgements:HalRobins~WilliamvanDoren~HansNintzl~ManlyP.Hall~AdamMcLean

Frontispiece:"Alchemia"(HarryS.Robins,1994)~TheGreatWorkbeginswiththeRevelationoftheLostWord(John1:1),andisconsummatedbythededicatedHermeticArtist,whoaccomplishesasynthesisofthePhilosophers'StonebytheGraceofGodandmasterfulmanipulationofArsenic,&c.

TableofContents

PartIArsMagna

Chapter1ThePhilosophers'Stone

Anonymous~TheSecretFireofthePhilosophersAnon.~LightOutofChaosAnon.~TractatusdeLapideAnon./K.Bohemia~ArcanaDivinaP.Bonus~TheNewPearlofGreatPriceCyliani~HermesUnveiledFulcanelli~TheDwellingsofthePhilosophersGeber~TheSumofPerfectionJ.Grashof~TheGreater&LesserEdifyerR.Ingalese~TheyMadethePhilosophers'StoneJ.Juran~Hyle&CoahylH.Lintaut~FriendoftheDawnT.Paracelsus~TheTinctureofthePhilosophersT.Paracelsus~ConcerningtheSpiritsofthePlanetsT.Paracelsus~TheFifthBookofArchidoxiesE.Philalethes~AnOpenEntrancetotheClosedPalaceoftheKingE.Philalethes~RipleyRevivedM.Sendivogius~EpistlestotheRosicrucianSocietyI.Hollandus~OpusculaAlchymica

Chapter2TheShortDryPath

P.Allen~AChristianRosenkreutzAnthologyAnonymous~TheAllegoryofMerlinAnon.~OnthePhilosophers'StoneAnon.~RosariumPhilosophorumAnon.~UntitledS.Bacstrom~TheWorkofPontanus,AccordingtoMr.F.D.Beuther~TheTransmutationofBaseMetals...P.Bonus~TheNewPearlofGreatPriceCyliani~HermesUnveiledA.Eleazar~TheBookofAbrahamtheJewB.Figulus~AGoldenandBlessedCasketofNature'sMarvelsFulcanelli~LaMystereDesCathedralesFulcanelli~TheDwellingofthePhilosophersJ.Grashof~TheGreater&LesserEdifyerC.Grummet~SanguisNaturaeJ.Helvetius~TheGoldenCalfJ.I.Hollandus~DeLapidePhilosophorumJ.I.Hollandus~VegetableWorkK.Jnana~DictionaryofHermeticPhilosophyN.LeFebre~SecretofSecretsR.Lully~LetterorEpitometoKingRupertJ.Muller~HyleandCoahylMyriamProphetessa~HerConversationwithAros,KingofEgyptParacelsus~ThePhilosophicalCanonsEir.Philalethes~RipleyRevivedEir.Philalethes~AnOpenEntrancetotheClosedPalaceoftheKingEugeniusPhilalethes~AShortEnquiryConcerningtheHermeticArtG.Ripley~MedullaAlchemiaeM.Rulandus~ALexiconofAlchemyS.Salztal~FountainofPhilosophicalSalts

Theophrastus~TheSacredArtArnolddeVillanova~RosariumPhilosophorum

Chapter3Arsenic

Anon.~HydropyrographumHermeticumAnon.~AMagnificent&SelectTractonPhilosophicalWaterAnon.~TheBookoftheScienceofBkrtnthAnon.~AnAnonymousTreatiseonthePhilosophers'StoneAnon.~TheCrowningofNatureAnon.~RosariumPhilosophorumAristeus~TurbaPhilosophorumR.Bacon~TheMirrorofAlchemyR.Bacon~TheRootoftheWorldS.Bacstrom~LapisdeTribusM.Berthelot~CollectiondesAnciensAlchimistesGrecsA.Besant&C.Leadbeater~OccultChemistryD.Beuther~Universal&DetailedAccountW.Bloomfield~Bloomfield'sBlossomsP.Bonus~TheNewPearlofGreatPriceA.Coudert:Alchemy~ThePhilosophers'StoneR.Councell~ApologiaAlchymiaeJ.Cremer~TheTestamentofCremerM.Crosland~HistoricalStudiesintheLanguageofChemistryCyliani~HermesUnveiledJ.Dee~RosicrucianSecretsG.DellaPorta~HermeticTreatiseJ.Duchesnes~TreatiseonMetallicMedicineA.Eleazar~AeschMezarephJ.Espagnet~Arcanum,ortheGrandSecretofHermeticsH.Fictuld~AureumVellusB.Figulus~AGolden&BlessedCasketofNature'sMarvelsFulcanelli~TheMysteryoftheCathedralsFulcanelli~TheDwellingsofthePhilosophersGeber~OftheSumofPerfectionGeber~OftheInventionofVerity,orPerfectionJ.Grashof~TheGreater&LesserEdifyerC.Grummet~SanguisNaturaeJ.vanHelmont~ArcaArcaniArtificiosissimiApertaeHermes~TractatusAureusdeLapidusPhysiciSecretoE.Hitchcock~Alchemy&theAlchemistsJ.Hollandus~AWorkofSaturnJ.Hollandus~OpusculaAlchymicaJ.Hollandus~TheCabalaJ.Hollandus~DeLapidePhilosophorumR.Ingalese~TheyMadethePhilosophersStoneF.Jollivet-Castelot~TheChemicalManufactureofGoldC.Jung~MysteriumConiunctionisJ.Juran~HyleandCoahylA.Kirchweger~TheGoldenChainofHomerG.Lacinius~TheNewPearlofGreatPriceF.Libavius~CommentariosumAlchemiaemR.Lully~ApertoriumR.Lully~TestamentA.Magnus~CompoundofCompoundsA.Magnus~LibellusdeAlchemiaP.deMirandola~OnGoldB.Mookerjee~Rasa-Jala-NidhiMorienus~ATestamentofAlchemyJ.Needham~TheTheoreticalBackgroundofElixirAlchemyR,Nelson~ArsenicPentoxidefromOrpimentI.Newton~VersesattheendofB.Valentine'sMysteryoftheMicrocosm

H.Nollius~TheChemist'sKeyE.Nowell~CertainChemicalWorkswithTruePracticeOlympiodorusofAlexandriaOstanes~TheBookofOstanesT.Paracelsus~AuroraofthePhilosophersT.Paracelsus~TheRevelationofHermesT.Paracelsus~TheEconomyofMineralsR.Patai~TheJewishAlchemistsPearcetheBlackMonk~UpontheElixirA.-J.Pernety~TreatiseontheGreatArtA.-J.Pernety~DictionaireMytho-HermetiqueE.Philalethes~PreparationoftheSophicMercuryE.Philalethes~RipleyRevivedE.Philalethes~AnOpenEntrancetotheClosedPalaceoftheKingE.Philalethes~AShortManuductiontotheCelestialRubyP.Ray~HistoryofChemistryinAncient&MedievalIndiaRhasis~TheLightofLightsG.Ripley~TheEpistleuntoEdwardIVG.Ripley~MedullaAlchimaeC.v.Rosenroth~KabalaDenudataM.Rulandus~ALexiconofAlchemyS.Saltzal~FountainofPhilosophicalSaltsW.v.Schroeder~InstructionsRegardingtheArtofTransmutationL.deSt-Didier(A.Toussaint)~HermeticTriumphB.Trevisan~VerbumDismissumUrbigeris~AphorismaUrbigerisB.Valentine~TriumphalChariotofAntimonyT.Vaughan~AquaVitae:NonVitisA.deVillaNova~LucidaryA.deVillaNova~RosariusA.Waite~ParacelsianLexiconJ.Webster~Metallographia:Or,AnHistoryofMetalsZosimos~OntheEvaporationoftheDivineWater

PartIIModernTransmutations

Chapter1TransmutationofSilver

T.TiffereauR.HunterA.WaiteFulcanelliM.RulandusF.Jollivet-CastelotS.EmmensC.LeaJ.ChampionReferences

Chapter2TransmutationofOres

T.MorayDunikovskiA.KlobasaD.HudsonJ.ChampionReferences

Chapter3

TransmutationofCarbon

G.Ohsawa&M.KushiM.JovitschitschM.DeBoismenuJ.HannayS.BrownReferences

Chapter4DecompositionofTungsten

G.Wendt&C.IrionReferences

Chapter5TransmutationofLead

A.Smits&A.KarssenReferences

Chapter6TransmutationofHydrogen

W.Ramsay,etal.References

Chapter7TransmutationofMercury

H.Nagaoka,etal.F.TausendR.Caro&Kamala-JnanaReferences

Chapter8BiologicalTransmutation

EarlyExperimentersL.Kervran,etal.OtherModernResearchersReferences

Chapter9ColdFusion

ColdFusionTransmutationsNuclearWasteRemediationReferences

Chapter10Esoterica

Quabbalah&MagicAstrochemyProphecyReferences

Index

Figures:

I.3.1~ArsenicaccordingtoBesant/LeadbeaterII.3.1-3~Ohsawa&Kushi'sExperimentsII.4.1-2~Wendt&Irion'sExperimentII.5.1~Smits&Karssen'sExperimentII.7.1~GermanPatent#234,670II.8.1-3~AtomsaccordingtoKervran

AeTZI~The"LostWord"(John1:1,&c.),the"SecretNameofGOD":

PartI

ArsMagna

Chapter1

LapisPhilosophorum

Anonymous~TheSecretFireofthePhilosophersAnon.~TractatusdeLapideAnon.~ArcanaDivinaP.Bonus~TheNewPearlofGreatPriceCyliani~HermesUnveiledFulcanelli~TheDwellingsofthePhilosophersGeber~TheSumofPerfectionJ.Grashof~TheGreater&LesserEdifyerL.Grassot~TheLightOutofChaosR.Ingalese~TheyMadethePhilosophers'StoneJ.Juran~Hyle&CoahylH.Lintaut~FriendoftheDawnT.Paracelsus~TheTinctureofthePhilosophersT.Paracelsus~ConcerningtheSpiritsofthePlanetsT.Paracelsus~TheFifthBookofArchidoxiesE.Philalethes~AnOpenEntrancetotheClosedPalaceoftheKingE.Philalethes~RipleyRevivedM.Sendivogius~EpistlestotheRosicrucianSocietyJ.I.Hollandus~OpusculaAlchymica

ThisanthologyofexcerptsfromtheliteratureofAlchemyintendstoillustratecertainaspectsoftheGreatWork:thecorrectuseofthePhilosophers'Stone,theShortorDryPath,andthePrimaMateria.ThisbookwillguideyoudirectlytothegateofthePhilosophers'Gardenandprovideyouwithitskeyandpassword.PrayGodtoallowyouentry,graceyourlabor,andforgiveusourtrespasses.

Donotimagine,however,thatyoucancompletetheGreatWorkwiththeinformationinthisbook,whichpurportstorevealonlythefirststepofthereactionpathway.Suchanignorantpresumptioncouldeasilyresultinyourprematuredeath,ratherthanenhancedhealth,longevity,andwealth.Readeveryalchemicaltextyoucanfind,andlearninorganicchemistryatleast.IfyouarechosentoachievethisMagistery,itwillberevealedtoyouinduetime,andnotonesecondearlier.NorwillyoucompletetheworkanysoonerthanGodallowsyou,evenifyoupracticetheArsBrevis.Festinalente.Indeed,itreallyshouldnotmattertoyouwhetherornotthePhilosophersStoneisaphysical

possibility,orthatyouattainit;"ThetruePhilosophers'Stoneistohavemeansandwastenot".ItisalsosimplytheLostWord,AeTZI.

Alchemyisnottoconfusedwithchemistry,archemy,orspagyry.AdeptusFulcanellimakesthedistinctionsclearinTheDwellingsofthePhilosophers:

"Letusclearlystate,sincesomanyeducatedandsincerepeopleseemunawareofthefact,thattherealancestorofourmodernchemistryisancientspagyricsandnotthehermeticscienceitself.Thereisindeedaprofoundabyssbetweenspagyricsandalchemy...Hermeticwritingsalone,misunderstoodbyprofaneinvestigators,weretheindirectcauseofdiscoverieswhichtheauthorshadneveranticipated...Withtheirconfusedtexts,sprinkledwithcabalisticexpressions,thebooksremaintheefficientandgenuinecauseofthegrossmistakethatweindicate.For,inspiteofthewarnings,theobjurationsoftheirauthors,studentspersistedinreadingthemaccordingtothemeaningthattheyholdinordinarylanguage.Theydonotknowthatthesetextsarereservedforinitiates,andthatisessential,inordertounderstandthem,tobeinpossessionoftheirsecretkey...ItisessentialfirsttounderstandwhattheAncientsmeantbythegenericandrathervaguetermofspirits...Forthealchemists,thespiritsarerealinfluences,althoughtheyarephysicallyalmostimmaterialorimponderable.Theyactinamysterious,inexplicable,unknowablebutefficaciousmanneronsubstancessubmittedtotheiractionandpreparedtoreceivethem.Lunarradiationisoneofthesehermeticspirits.Asforarchemists,theirconceptionprovestobeofamoreconcreteandsubstantialnature.Ouroldchemistsembracedallbodiesunderthesameheading,simpleorcomplex,solidorliquid,havingavolatilequalityliabletomakethementirelysublimable.Metals,metalloids,salts,hydrogencarbides,etc.,bringtoarchemiststheircontingencyofspirits:mercury,arsenic,antimonyandsomeoftheircompounds:sulphur,salammoniac,alcohol,ether,vegetableessences,etc.".

Asconcerns"Lunarradiation",itmaybenoteworthythat17%ofmoonlightisstimulatedemission.Magnetismandintentalsoareeffectiveuponchemicalreactions.TheeffectofintentisseenintheHadoEffect,discoveredbyDr.MasaruEmoto,wherebythegeometryoffrozenwaterismodifiedbythoughts.TheworkofCharlesLittlefieldalsodemonstratesthiseffect.OtherusefulenergeticeffectscanbeachievedwithaSpectralCatalyst(USPatent#6,033,531)which"duplicatestheelectromagneticenergyspectralpatternofaphysicalcatalystandwhenappliedtoareactionsystemtransfersaquantaofenergyintheformofelectromagneticenergytocontroland/orpromotethereactionsystem."

Severalcrediblehistoricalaccountsdescribephenomenalhealings,rejuvenations,andlongevityattributedtotheElixiroftheSages.Asthefollowingadeptsattest,theblessedStonehasmanywonderfulpowers:

Anonymous~TheSecretFireofthePhilosophers

Yetmydearfriend,thethingswhichIhavesaid,dogreatlyconducetoyourdesiredend,forwhosoeveriswellfurnishedinotherthings,andhithertoinstructed,iswelladaptedforthefindingoutofthissecretfire,whichhewillprobablyobtain,ifonlyhecontinueshisinquisition,andGodVouchsafetoblesshim...

ItisworthytobenotedthatsentenceofaChiefFatheroftheChurch:God,inMercy,deniesmanythingswhichhegrantsinhisAnger;forverymanygiftsofGod,aremaderatherpunishmentsthanbenefits...

Anonymous~TractatusdeLapide

IntheuseofthisMedicine,manygreatPhilosophersthemselves,aftertheyobtainedthiswonderfulblessing,desiringtohaveperfectHealth,havebeensoboldastotakeacertainquantityofit,somenomorethanaquarterofagrain,someless,somemore,butallthatdidsowithit,insteadofHealth,tookDeathitself;forthereisnosmallskilltoitforMedicine,thougheveryfoolthinkifhehadit,hecouldcurealldiseases,andhimselftoo,andsettheElementsatunity,whichfewmenhaveknown,neitheristherebutonewaytoitwithsafety;ifthisbenotknown,morehurtthangoodmaybereceivedbyit.ForthemethodofHealth,itisthus:Takethequantityoffourgrains,IdonotmeanthegrainsofWheat,orBarleygrainsorcorns,butfourgrainsofGoldweight,anddissolvetheminapintofwhiteorRhenishwine,butinnohotwine,asSack,&c.putitintoagreatcleanGlass,andinstantlyitwillcolouralltheWinealmostasredasitselfwas,whichisthehighestredintheWorld:letitstandso,closecoveredfromdust,fourdays,forinrespectitisanOyliesubstance,itwillnotpresentlydissolveinWine;thenaddtothispintmorebydegrees,untilitbenotsored,stirringitwithacleanstickofwood,notofmetal,norGlass,andsocontinuethepouringonoffreshWine,untilitbejustofthecolourofgold,whichisashiningyellow.Bewarethattherebenorednessinit;forsolongasthereisanyrednessinit,itisnotsufficientlydilated,butwillfiretheBody,andexhausttheSpirits:neitherisitsufficientlybroughttoyellow,untiltheWinehaveroundaboutthesidesaringlikeHair,ofawhitishfilm,whichwillshewitselfplainwhenitiswelldissolved,ifitstandbutfourhoursquiet.Assoonasyouseethiswhitishfilm,thenletitrunthroughacleanlinenCloth,orPaper,sothewhitefilmwillstaybehindandlooklikeapearlonthepaper:andalltherestwillbeyellowlikeGold.Thisisthetokenoftruth,thatyoucannotwrongyourselfbythisLiquor;andwithoutthistoken,itwillbeeithertooweak,orsostrongthatitwillfiretheBody.KnowthistobearareSecret.OfthisGoldenWater,lettheparty(ofwhatdiseasesoeverhebesickof)takeeachmorningagoodlargespoonful,anditshallexpelthediseasewhatsoeveritbe,byagentlesweat;foritpurgethnot,norvomiteth,norsweatethsomuchastomakefaint,buttocorroborate:Isay,itstrengthenstheparty;andifthediseasebeofmanyyearscontinuance,oraChronicaldisease,itwillthenbeperhapstwelvedays,otherwisebuttwentyfourhours,ortwoorthreedaysatmost.Thusitmustbeusedforalldiseasesinternal:Butforallexternaldiseases,asUlcers,Scabs,Botches,Scores,Fistulas,Nolimetangere's,&c,theplacemustbeanointedwiththeOyloftheStoneitself,notdilatedinwine;andafterthismanneritmustbedonenineortendays,andbeitwhatsoeveritwill,itwillcurealloutwardandinwarddiseases.Andmorethanthis,whosoevercarriesthisStoneabouthim,noevilSpiritcanorwillstayintheplace;naybringingorgivingittoapartypossessed,itdrivesawayandexpelstheevilSpirits:foritisaQuintessence,andthereisnocorruptiblethinginit;andwheretheElementsarenotcorrupt,noDevilcanstayorabide,forheisthecorruptionoftheElements.ThisMedicinetakenninedaysasaforesaid,andtheTemplesoftheHeadanointedwiththeOyloftheStoneeachdayintheMorning,itwillmakeamanaslightasifhecouldfly,andhisBodysoaerialitisnottobecredited,butbyhimwhohathexperiencedit.Thesemostadmirablequalitiesithath,perfecthealthitgiveth,tillGodcallsfortheSoul;andperfectknowledgeitgiveth(ifthetruthbeknown:)buteventhisparthathbeenknownbuttoafewthathavemadeit,foritisaDivine,andasitwereanAngelicalMedicine.ThewhiteisnottobeusedforanydiseasebutMadness,inthesameproportion,andwayorpreparationthattheredStonewas...

Anonymous~ArcanaDivina

Forthisreasonwereporttoyouandtellyouthatitshouldbeunderstoodfromthebeginning,undercircumstanceswhereyouwillbeconsideredanexpertinthismatter,thatevenalearnedphilosopherorpractitioneronthesubjectoffire,willfindthatworkingwithacombustiblematerialisquitedangerousand,evenmore,duringthepreparationofsuchmaterialsinthenaturalcourseofeventsofthings,thedangerisaddedtoandevencompounded.Itcouldbedemonstratedtoyoujustwherewemightwanttodiscontinuesuchprecautionsinanefforttosavetime;sucherrorwillnowbepointedouttoyouasinadvisable.

PetrusBonus~TheNewPearlofGreatPrice

ConcerningtheFerment---ButhowarewetounderstandPlato'sremarkthathewhohasonceperformedthisworkneednotrepeatit,ashisfortuneismadeforever?ThewordsdonotmeansthathewhohasoncepreparedtheTincturecanmultiplyitsquantityindefinitely,justashewhohasoncestruckafireoutofastonecanalwayskeephimselfprovidedwithfiresimplybyaddingfueltoit.TheauthorityofPlatoissupportedbythatofRhasis,whospeaksinasimilarfashion.Theyshouldbeinterpreted,however,notaccordingtotheletter,butaccordingtothespirit.HewhohasoncesucceededinpreparingthisMedicineneednotanymoregothroughtheexperienceofhisfailuresandmistakes:henowknowshowtoperformalltheprocessesofourMagisteryproperly,and,therefore,ifeverheshouldneedafreshsupplyoftheMedicine,hewillbeabletoprovidehimselfwithitwithoutmuchtrouble.

Cyliani~HermesUnveiled

HeavenhavinggrantedmesuccessinmakingthePhilosophers'Stone,afterhavingspent37yearsseekingit,stayedawakeatleastfifteenhundrednightswithoutsleep,sufferinginnumerablemiseriesandirreparablelosses.Ihavedecidedtooffertoyouth,thehopeofthefuture,theheart-rendingpictureofmylife.Thismayservebothasalessonandatthesametimehelptheyoungturnawayfromanartthatatfirstsightmayofferthemostdelightfulwhiteandredrosesthat,however,aresurroundedbythornsandofwhichthepaththatleadstotheplacewhereonecanpickthemisfullofpitfalls.

Theuniversalmedicinebeingafargreaterblessingthanthegiftofriches,toknowitnaturallyattractsstudiousmenwhobelievethemselvestobehappierthanthemultitudes.Thisreasonhasinfluencedmetotransmittoposteritytheprocessestobeundergoneinthegreatestdetails,withoutleavingoutanythingatall,inordertoletitbeknownandtopreventtheruinofhonestpeopleandtorenderaservicetosufferinghumanity...

Beverycarefulthatitdoesnothappentoyou,asitdidtome,tobewounded.AsaresultofthesevariedlaborsIfindmyselfwiththemostessentialorganoflifeaffected,bywhichmeansthatIshallbedenied,consideringtheseriousnessoftheillness,enjoyingalonglife,thevirtueofthemedicinenotbeingsurgical,butonlymedicinal.

Fulcanelli~TheDwellingsofthePhilosophers

TheSalamanderofLisieux(III)---First,letussaythat,accordingtothescaredlanguage,thetermphilosopher'sstone,meansthestonewhichbearsthesignofthesun.Thesolarsignischaracterizedbyitsredcoloration,whichcanvaryinintensity,asBasilValentinesays,"Itscolorrangesfromrosyredtocrimsonred,orfromrubytopomegranatered;asforitsweight,itweighsmuchmorethanithasquantity'.Somuchforcoloranddensity.TheCosmopolite,whomLouisFiguierbelievestobethealchemistknownunderthenameofSeton,andothersunderthenameofMichaelSendivogius,describesinthispassageitstranslucentappearance,itscrystallineform,anditsfusibility:"Ifoneweretofind",hesaid,"oursubjectinitslaststateofperfection,madeandcomposedbynature;ifitwerefusible,likewaxorbutter,anditsredness,itsdiaphanousnatureorclarityappearedontheoutside;itwouldbeintruthourblessedstone"Itsfusibilityissuch,indeed,thatallauthorshavecomparedittothatofwax(64C);itmeltsintheflameofacandle",theyrepeat;some,forthisreason,haveevengivenitinthenameofgreatredwax.Withthesephysicalcharacteristicsthestonecombinessomepowerfulchemicalproperties---thepowerofpenetrationoringress,absolutefixity,inabilitytobeoxidized,whichmakesitincalcinable,andextremeresistancetofire;finally,isirreducibilityanditsperfectindifferencetochemicalreagents.WehearthesamefromHeinrichKhunrathwhenhewritesinhisAmpitheatrumSapientiaeAeternae,"Atlast,whentheWorkwillhavepassedfromashycolortopurewhite,thentoyellow,youwillseethephilosophersstone,ourKingraisedabovethedominators,comeoutofhisglassysepulcher,arisefromhisbedandcomeontoourworldlysceneinisglorifiedbody,thatistosay,regeneratedandmorethanperfect;inotherwords,thebrilliantcarbuncleofagreatlyshiningsplendor,whoseparts,verysubtleandverypurifiedbythepeacefulandharmoniousunionoftheblendareinseparablyboundandassembledintoone;constantanddiaphanousascrystal,compactandponderous,easilyfusibleinfirelikeresin,flowingaswax,andmoreflowingthanquicksilveryetwithoutfumes;piercingandpenetratingsolidandcompactbodies,asoilpenetratespaper;solubleanddilatableinanyliquidcapableofsofteningit;brittleasglass;takingonasaffroncolorwhenitisreducedtopowder,yetredasrubywhenitremainsinoneunadulteratedmass(thiscoloristhesignatureofperfectfixationandoffixedperfection);coloringanddyeingconstantly;fixedinthetribulationsofallexperiences,evenwhentriedbydevouringsulphurandfierywatersandbytheverystrongpersecutionoffire;alwaysdurable,incalcinable,andliketheSalamander,permanentandjustlyjudgingallthings(becauseitisinitsownwayallineverything),andproclaiming:'Behold,Ishallrenewallthings'".

Around1585,theEnglish,theEnglishadventurerEdwardKelley,surnamedTalbot,hadacquired,fromaninnkeeper,thephilosophers'stonefoundinthetombofabishopwhowassaidtohavebeenveryrich;itwasredandveryheavy,butwithoutanyodor.Meanwhile,BerigardofPisasaysthataskillfulmangavehimagros(3.82grams)ofapowderwhosecolorwassimilartothatoftheredpoppyandwhichhadtheodorofcalcinedseasalt(4).

Helvetius(Jean-FredericSchweitzer)sawthestone,showntohimbyaforeigner,anAdept,onDecember27,1666,intheformofametalpowderthecolorofsulphur.Thispowderedproductcame,saysKhunrath,fromaredmass.InatransmutationperformedbySetoninJuly1602,infrontofDrJacobZwinger,thepowderusedwas,accordingtoDienheim,"ratherheavy,andofacolorappearinglemonyellow".Ayearlater,duringasecondprojectionatthehouseofagoldsmith,HansdeKempeninCologne,August11,1603,thesameartistusedaredstone.

Accordingtoseveraltrustworthywitnesses,thisstone,directlyobtainedinpowderform,couldtakeonacolorasbrightasthatofastoneformedinacompactmass.Thisinstanceisratherrare,butitcanhappenandisworthmentioning.Inthisway,anItalianAdept,who,in1658,realizedthetransmutationinfrontoftheProtestantminister,Gros,atthehouseofagoldsmith(namedBureau)fromGeneva,used,accordingtothosewhowereinattendance,aredpowder.SchmeiderdescribedthestonethatBoetticherobtainedfromLascarisasasubstancehavingtheappearanceofafire-redcoloredglass.Yet,LascarishadgivenDominicoManuel(Gaetano)apowdersimilartovermilion,thecolorofcinnabar.ThatofGustenhoverwasalsoveryred.AsforthesamplegivenbyLascaristoDierback,itwasexaminedunderCounselorDippel'smicroscopeandappearedcomposedofamultitudeofsmallgrainsorcrystalswhichwereredororange;thisstonehadapowerequaltoabout600timestheunit.

Jean-BaptisteHelmont,relatinghisexperiencein1618inhislaboratoryatVilvordenearBrussels,writes,"Ihaveseenandtouchedthephilosophers'stonemorethanonce;itscolorislikepowderedsaffron,butheavyandshininglikepulverizedglass".Thisproduct,ofwhichonefourthofagrain(13.25milligrams)furnishedeightouncesofgold(244.72grams),showedaconsiderableenergy:approximately18,470timestheunit...

Inthecategoryoftinctures,i.e.,liquidsobtainedbysolutionsoilymetallicextracts,wehavetheaccountofGodwinHermanBraunfromOsnabrueckwhoachievedthetransmutationin1701,usingatincturehavingtheappearanceofanoil,"ratherfluidandofabrowncolor".ThefamouschemistHenckel(5),accordingtoValentini,reportsthefollowinganecdote:"Onedayastranger,whohadabrowntincturewithasmellclosetohartshornoil,cametoafamousapothecaryofFrankfort-on-Main,namedSalwedel;withourdropsofthistincturehechangedagrosofleadinto7-1/2grainsofgoldof23carats.Thissamemangaveafewdropsofthistincturetotheapothecarywholodgedhimandwhothenproducedidenticalgoldwhichhesavedinmemoryofthatman,withthesmallbottleinwhichitwascontainedandwherethemarksofthetincturecanstillbeseen.Ihadthisbottleinmyhands,andIcantestifyaboutittotheworld".

Withoutdisputingthetruthofthelasttwostatements,weneverthelessrefusetocategorizetheseastransmutationsbroughtaboutbythephilosophers'stoneinitsspecialstateofpowderofprojection.Allthetincturesmeetthiscriterion.Theirsubjectiontoaparticularmetal,theirlimitedpotency,thespecificcharacteristicstheyexhibit,leadustoregardthemassimplemetallicproducts,extractedfromcommonmetalsbycertainprocedurescalledlittleparticulars,whichpertaintospagyryratherthantoalchemy.Furthermore,thesetinctures,beingmetallic,havenootheractionbuttopenetratethemetalswhichhavebeenusedasabasisfortheirpenetration.

Letusleaveasidetheseprocessesandtinctures.Aboveall,itisimportanttorememberthatthephilosopher'sstoneappearsintheshapeofacrystalline,diaphanousbody,redinmass,yellowafterpulverization,denseandveryfusible,althoughfixedatanytemperature,andwhichitsinnerqualitiesrenderincisive,fiery,penetrating,irreducibleandincalcinable.Inaddition,itissolubleinmoltenglass,butinstantaneouslyvolatilizeswhenitisprojectedontomoltenmetal.Here,inonesingleobject,aregatheredphysiochemicalpropertieswhichsingularlyseparatesitfromapossiblemetallicnatureandrenderitsoriginrathernebulous.Alittlereflectionwillgetusoutofourdifficulty.Themastersoftheartteachusthatthegoaloftheirlaborsistriple.WhattheyseektorealizefirstistheuniversalMedicineortheactualphilosopher'sstone.Obtainedinasalineform,whethermultipliedornot,itcanonlybeusedforthehealingofhumanillnesses,preservationofhealth,andgrowthofpants.Solubleinanyalcoholicliquid,itssolutiontakesthenameofAurumPotabile(potablegold,althoughitdoesnotcontaintheleastatomofgold)becauseitassumesamagnificentyellowcolor.Itshealingvalueandthediversityofitsuseintherapeuticsmakesitapreciousauxiliaryinthetreatmentofgraveandincurableailments.Ithasnoactiononmetals,exceptongoldandsilver,onwhichitfixesitselfandtowhichitbestowsitsownproperties,which,consequently,becomesofnousefortransmutation.However,ifthemaximumnumberofitsmultiplicationisexceeded,itchangesformandinsteadofresumingitssolidcrystallinestatewhencoolingdown,itremainsfluidlikequicksilveranddefinitelynotcoagulable.Itthenshinesinthedarkness,withasoft,red,phosphorescentlight,ofaweakerbrightnessthanthatofacommonnightlight.TheuniversalMedicinehasbecometheinextinguishableLight;thelightgivingproductofthoseperpetuallamps,whichcertainauthorshavementionedashavingbeenfoundinsomeancientsepulchers.Thusradiantandliquid,thephilosopher'sstoneisnotlikely,inouropinion,tobepushedfarther;desiringtoamplifyitsigneousnaturewouldseemdangeroustous;theleastthatcouldbefearedwouldbetovolatilizeitandtolosethebenefitofaconsiderablelabor.Finally,ifwefermentthesolid,universalMedicinewithverypuregoldorsilver,throughdirectfusion,weobtainthePowderofProjection,thethirdformofthestone.Itisatranslucentmass,redorwhiteaccordingtothechosenmetal,pulverizable,andappropriateonlytometallictransmutation.Oriented,determined,andspecifictothemineralkingdom,itisuselessandwithoutactioninthetwootherkingdoms.

Itbecomesclearlyevidentfromtheprecedingconsiderations,thatthephilosopher'sstoneoruniversalMedicine,inspiteofitsundeniablemetallicorigin,isnotuniquelymadefrommetallicmatter.Ifitwereotherwise,andifonehadtocomposeitonlywithmetals,itwouldremainsubjectedtotheconditionsrulingmineralnatureanditwouldhavenoneedtobefermentedtooperatetransmutation.Furthermore,thefundamentalaxiomwhichteachesthatbodieshavenoactiononbodieswouldbefalseandparadoxical.Takethetimeandthetroubletoexperiment,andyouwillrecognizethatmetalshavenoactiononothermetals.Betheybroughttothestateofsaltsorashes,glassesorcolloids,theywillalwaysretaintheirnaturethroughouttrialsand,intheprocessoreduction,theywillseparatewithoutlosingtheirspecificqualities.

Onlythemetallicspiritspossesstheprivilegetoalter,modifyanddenaturemetallicbodies.Theyarethetrueinstigatorsofallthephysicalmetamorphosesthatcanbeobservedhere.Butsincethesetenuous,extremelysubtleandvolatilespiritsneedavehicle,anenvelopecapableofholdingthemback;sincethismatermustbeverypure---toallowthespirittoremainthere---andveryfixedsoastopreventitsvolatilization;sinceitmustremainfusibleinordertopromoteingress;sinceitisessentialthatitbeabsolutelyresistanttoreducingagents,wemayeasilyunderstandthatthismattercannotbesearchedforinthesolecategoryofmetals.ThatiswhyBasilValentinerecommendsthatwetakethespiritoutofthemetallicrootandBernardofTrevisanforbidstheuseofmetals,mineralsandtheirsaltsintheconstructionofthebody.Thereasonforitissimpleandself-explanatory.Ifthestoneweremadeupofametallicbodyandaspiritfixedinthisbody,thelateractingontheformerasifitwereofthesamespecies,thewholewouldtakethecharacteristicsformofmetal.Wecould,inthiscase,obtaingoldorsilverorevenanunknownmetalbutnothingmore.Thisiswhatalchemistshavealwaysdone,becausetheydidnotknowtheuniversalityandthenatureoftheagentwhichtheywerelookingfor.Butwhatweaskfor,alongwithallthephilosophers,isnottheunionofametallicbodywithametallicspirit,butratherthecondensation,theagglomerationofthisspiritintoacoherent,tenaciousandrefractoryenvelope,capableofcoatingit,impregnatingallitspartsandquaranteeingitanefficaciousprotection.Thissoul,spirit,orfireassembled,concentratedandcoagulatedinthepurest,themostresistantandthemostperfectofearthlymatters,wecallitourstone.Andwecancertifythatanyundertakingwhichdoesnothavethisspiritforguideandthismatterforbasiswillneverleadtotheproposedobjective.

TheCastleofDampierre(V)---ItisadoublefruitforitispickedfromtheTreeofLifewhenspeciallyreservedfortherapeuticuses,andfromtheTreeofKnowledgeifthepreferreduseismetallictransmutation.Thesetwopropertiescorrespondtotwostatesofthesameproduct,thefirstcharacterizingtheredstone,translucentanddiaphanous,destinedformedicineaspotablegold,andthesecond,theyellowstone,whosemetallicorientationandfermentationbymeansofnaturalgoldhaverendereditopaque....

Accordingtotheartisan'sskill,care,andprudence,thephilosophicalfruitofthetreeofknowledgeshowsamoreorlessimportantvirtue.Foritisundeniablethatthephilosopher'sstoneusedforthetransmutationofmetalsisneverendowedwiththesamepower.Historicalprojectionsprovideuswithcertainevidenceofit.IntheoperationperformedbyJ.B.vanHelmontinhislaboratoryatVilvordenearBrusselsin1618,thestonetransformedintogold18,740timesitsweightinflowingmercury.Richtausen,withthehelpofaproductgivenbyLabujardiere,obtainedaresultequivalentto22,334timesperunit.TheprojectionachievedbySetonin1603atthehouseofthemerchantCochofFrankfurt-am-Mainwasactedonaproportionequalto1,155times.InDippel'sreport,thepowderLascarisgavetoDierbachtransmutedapproximately600timesitsweightofquicksilver.However,anotherpiecegivenbyLascarisdisplayedmoreefficiency;intheoperationperformedatViennain1716inthepresenceofCounselorPantzervonHesse,CountCharles-ErnestvonRappach,CountJosephvonWurbenandFreudenthal,thebrothersCountandBaronvonMetternich,theratioreachedapowerinthevicinityoftenthousand.Furthermore,itisnotuselesstoknowthatthemaximumproductionisachievedbytheuseofmercury,andthatthesamequalityofstonegivesvariableresultsdependinguponthenatureofthemetalsusedasthebasisfortheprojection.TheauthorofLettersoftheCosmopoliteaffirmsthatifonepartofElixirconvertsintoperfectgoldathousandpartsofcommonmercury,itwillonlytransformtwentypartsoflead,thirtyoftin,fiftyofcopperandonehundredofsilver.Asforthewhitestone,itwill,inthesamedegreeofmanipulation,onlyactonapproximatelyhalfofthesequantities.

Butwhilethephilosophersspokelittleofthevariableyieldofthechrysopeus,ontheotherhandtheydisplayedmoreprolixitytowardthemedicinalpropertiesoftheElixir,aswellasonthesurprisingeffectsthatitenablesonetoobtainintheplantkingdom.

"ThewhiteElixir,"saysBatsdorff,"performsmarvelsonillnessesofallanimalsandespeciallyonthosewomensufferfrom...foritisthetruepotablemoonoftheAncients".TheanonymousauthorofTheKeytotheGreatWork,mentioningBatsdorff'stextoncemore,assertsthat"thismedicinepossessesotherevenmoreincrediblevirtues.WhenitisatthewhitestageoftheElixir,ithassomuchsympathywithwomenthatitcanrenewtheirbodiesandrenderthemasrobustandvigorousastheywereintheiryouth...Forthiseffect,abathisfirstpreparedwithseveralfragrantherbswithwhichtheyshouldscrubthemselvesclean;thentheygointoasecondbathwithoutherbs,butinwhich3grainsofthewhiteelixirweredissolvedinapintofwinespiritandthenpouredintothewater.Theyremaininthisbathforaquarterofanhour;afterwhich,withoutdryingthemselves,agreatfireistobepreparedtodrythispreciousliquor.Theladiesthenfeelsostrongwithinthemselves,andtheirbodyisrenderedsowhitethattheycouldnotimagineitwithouthavingexperiencedit.OurgoodfatherHermesagreeswiththisoperation,but,besidesthesebaths,desiresthat,atthesametimeandforsevenconsecutivedays,thisElixirbetakeninternally;andheadds,ifaladydoesthesamethingeveryyear,shewillliveexemptfromalldiseasestowhichotherladiesaresubjectwithoutexperiencinganydiscomfort."

HuginusBarmacertifiesthat"thestonefermentedwithgoldcanbeusedinmedicineinthismedicineinthismanner:onescrupleortwenty-fourgrainsaretobetaken,dissolvedaccordingtotheartintwoouncesofspiritofwine,andtwotothreeanduptofourdropswillbeprescribeddependingontheillness'requirements,inalittlewineorinsomeothersuitablevehicle".Accordingtotheancientauthors,allailmentsareradicallyhealedononedaythatlastedforamonth;intwelvedaysiftheyareayearold;inamonthiftheyappearedmorethanayearago.

Butforthis,asformanyotherthings,wemustknowhowtoguardourselvesagainstexcessimagination;thetooenthusiasticauthorofTheKeytotheGreatWorkseesmarvelseveninthespirituousdissolutionofthestone:"Burninggoldensparks,"claimsthewriter,"mustcomeoutofitandaninfinityofcolorsmustappearinthevase".Itisgoingalittletoofarinthedescriptionofphenomenawhichnophilosopherpointsout.Furthermore,hedoesnotacknowledgeanylimitstothevirtuesoftheElixir:"Leprosy,gout,paralysis,kidneystone,epilepsy,dropsy...couldnotresistthevirtueofthismedicine."Andasthehealingofthesereputedlyincurablediseasesdoesn'tseemsufficienttohim,heeagerlyaddstothelistevenmoreadmirableproperties."Thismedicinecausesthedeaftohear,theblindtosee,themutetospeak,thelametowalk;itcantotallyrenewamanbycausinghisskintochange,histeeth,fingernailsandwhitehairtofallout,insteadofwhichnewoneswillgrow,inthecolordesired".Wearenowdriftingintohumorandbuffoonery.

Goingbywhatthemajorityofsagessay,thestonecangiveexcellentresultsintheplantkingdom,particularlyinwhatconcernsfruittrees.Inthespring,ifwepourasolutionoftheElixirhighlydilutedwithrainwateronthesoilclosetotheirroots,theycanbemaderesistanttoallcausesofdecayandbarrenness.Theyproduceevenmoreandbearhealthyanddeliciousfruits.Batsdorffgoessofarastosaythatitcouldbepossible,usingthisprocess,tocultivateexoticvegetablesinourlatitude."Delicateplants,"hewrites,"whichhavedifficultygrowinginclimatesofanoppositetemperamenttothatwhichisnaturaltothem,bybeingwateredwithit,becomesasvigorousasiftheywereintheirnativesoilproperandsetbynature."

Whentakingexaggerationandlegendaryadditionsintoaccount,itremainstrueneverthelessthatthehermeticfruitcarriesinitselfthehighestgiftwhichGod,throughnature,cangivetomenofgoodwillonearth...

TheCastleofDampierre(IX)---Unlimitedforthespeculativephilosophers,themultiplicationhoweverislimitedforpracticalconsiderations.Themorethestoneprogressesthemorepenetratingitbecomesandthequickeritselaboration;ateachstageofaugmentation,itonlyrequirestheeighthofthetimerequiredfortheprecedingoperation.Generally---andwearespeakinghereaboutthelongway---thefourthreiterationrequiresseldommorethantwohours;thefifththustakesaminuteandahalf,whiletwelvesecondswouldsufficetoachievethesixth;theinstantaneousnessofsuchanoperationwouldmakeitunpractical.Ontheotherhand,theinterventionofthecontinuouslyincreasingweightandvolumewouldforceustokeepasideagreatpartoftheresultingproduct,forwantoftherequiredcorrespondingratioofmercury,thepreparationofwhichistime-consumingandfastidious.Finally,thestonemultipliedtothefifthandsixthdegreeswoulddemand,givenitsigneouspower,animportantmassofpuregoldtoorientittowardthemetallic---otherwisewewouldbeliabletolosethewholething.Fromanystandpoint,itispreferabletonotpushthesubtletytoofarofanagentalreadygiftedwithsuchaconsiderableenergy,unless,leavingasidethescopeofmetallicandmedicalpossibilities,youwanttopossessthisUniversalMercury,shinyandluminousindarkness,inordertomakeaperpetuallamp.Butthepassingfromthesolidtotheliquidstatewhichmustbeaccomplishedhere,asitiseminentlydangerous,canonlybeattemptedbyaverylearnedandmostskillfulmaster...

LikethoseofDampierre,thepanelwiththethreetreessculptedinthepalaceatBourgesbearsamotto.Ontheborderoftheframedecoratedwithflower-bearingbranches,theattentiveobserverindeeddiscoversisolatedletters,verycleverlyconcealed.TheirconnectioncomposesoneofthefavoritemaximsofthegreatartistthatJacquesCouerwas:.DE.MA.JOIE.DIRE.FAIRE.TAIRE.(Aboutmyjoy,sayit,doit,besilent).NowtheAdept'sjoyresidesinhisoccupation.Theworkwhichrendersthismarvelofnaturemoretangibleandmorefamiliartohim---whichsomanyignorantpeoplecallchimera---constitutehisbestdistractionanditsmostnobleexperiment.InGreekthewordchara,joy,derivedfromchairo,torejoice,todelightin,toenjoy,alsomeanstolove.Thefamousphilosopher,thanclearlyalludestothelaboroftheWork,hisdearesttask,ofwhichmoreoversomaysymbolshavecometoenhancetheglamourofhissumptuoushouse.Butwhattosay,whattoadmitofthisuniquejoy,ofthispureandcompletesatisfaction,theintimatecheerfulnessofsuccess?Theleastpossible,ifwedonotwanttobreaktheoath,toattractenvyfromsome,greedfromtheothers,jealousyfromall,andriskbecomingthepreyofthepowerful.Whattodothenwiththeresultaboutwhichtheartist,accordingtotherulesofourdiscipline,promisestouseinamodestfashion?Toalwaysuseitforthegood,toconsecrateitsfruittotheexerciseofcharity,inconformitytothepreceptsofphilosophyandtoChristianethics.Finallywhatshouldwekeepsilentabout?Absolutelyeverythingwhichconcernsthealchemicalsecretandprivilege,thedisclosureofitsprocessremainsforbidden,non-communicableinclearlanguage,onlypermittedwhenveiledbyparables,allegories,images,ormetaphors.

JacquesCouer'smotto,inspiteofitsconcisenessandimplications,turnsouttobeinperfectaccordwiththetraditionalteachingsoftheeternalwisdom.Nophilosopher,trulyworthyofthename,wouldrefusetosubscribetotherulesofconductwhichitexpressesandwhichcanbetranslatedinthisway:

AbouttheGreatWork,saylittle,domuch,andalwaysbesilent.

Thealchemicalscienceisnottaught;everyonemustlearnitbyhimself,notinaspeculativeway,butindeedwiththehelpofaperseveringwork,bymultiplyingtrialsanderrors,soastoalwayssubmittheproductsofthinkingtothecontrolofexperience.Whoeverfearsthismanuallabor,theheatofthefurnaces,thedustofcoal,thedangerofunknownreactions,andthewakefulnessoflongvigils,willneverknowanything…

Geber~SumofPerfection

FortheLordmightfeelinclinedtowithholdthisArtinpunishmentofyoursophisticworkandthrowyouintoadeviouserror,andfromerrorintolucklessnessandeverlastingmisery.ForheisverymiserableandlucklesswhomGoddoesnotshowthetruthafterthecompletionofhisworkandlabor,andhemustendhislifeinsadness.

JohanGrashof~TheGreaterandLesserEdifyer

OurArtandScienceissodivineandsupernatural(understand,aftertheComposition)thatithasneverbeenpossibletounderstandthroughwhichmeansitcouldormightbeabletoexist,evenbythosewhohavebeenorstillarethewisestofthewise,unlesstheyhavebeenpreviouslyenlightenedbyGod.Forinthispointallofoursenseandnaturalreasonshatters.However,inorderthatyoumaybefurtherintroducedtoandinstructedinthis,asIhavepromised,Iwillteachyouthoroughlyandinformyouasmuchasisgrantedandpermittedmenowtodiscloseandreveal.Youmaythenappealfurtherinaccordwithmyguidance,mostdiligentlytotheAlmightyandMostHighwithferventprayer,forfromhimcomealltreasuresofwisdom.Atthattime,withoutdoubt,youwillbeenlightened...However,suchanexaltedgiftisnotgiventoeveryone,andaccordinglyeachmanmustmakehisownreckoningandtesthimselfwell,beforeinjuryovertakeshimandharmshim:lethimheedwhocan...

Behold,withthisyoumaycureallvegetables,makeallunfruitfultreesfruitful,andturnwintertosummerandsummertowinter.Thatis,inwinteryoucanhavealltheplantswhichareotherwiseonlyprovidedbysummer.Indeed,youcanmakeatreebearfiveorsixtimesinayear;youcanmakeagoodplantfromabadone,ayoungfreshtreefromanoldrottenone,abitterapplesweet,turnpearstocherries,andcherriesagaintopears,andthustransformallplantsandtreesintooneanother.

Inthesecondplace,youcanturnallimperfectmetalsintogoodones,thatis,intogoldandsilver,andindeed,intosomuchthatyouarenotabletoexpresstheamount.Foronepartwilltincturenotmerelytenthousandparts,butratherseveralhundredthousandparts,andthisbymeansofmultiplication.

Inthethirdplace,youcanliberatemenfromalldiseases,turnanoldmanintoayoungone,andmakeahealthymanfromasickone.Youcantransformthemindandthoughtsofmen,andmakethemostpiousmanfromthewickedestknave.

Andwhateveryoumightthinkofallofthis,itisnotgreatbutratherinsignificantincomparisonwithwhatfollows,forthewordsofHermeshavenotyetbeensufficientlyexplicated.

Listen,fornowwewilladvancetothesupernatural.Thisisthekeytoopenheavenandearth,thatyoumayenterintothehighestfirmamentofheaven,intothecenteroftheearth,andintothedepthsoftheocean.Youcanseethrougheverymountain,valley,leaf,grass,animal,man,etc,andinshortthrougheverything,asthoughyouwerelookingthroughapieceofglass.Youcanlearnthecharacteristicsofeverything,youwillmasterheavenandearth,allspiritswillbeobedienttoyou,theywillhavetoserveyouanddoyourwill.Youcanalsocometoknoweverything,bothpresentandfuture(asmuchasGodpermits),whichmeansthatyoucancreatetheworldandreceivethepowerofthesame.Howeverthismayseem,itisknowable,foritismagicandsupernatural.AsIhavealreadysaid,whenyouaregrantedthesuccessofattainingthecompletionofthenatural,thenyoumaygoontoexperiencethesupernatural.ThusyounowpossesswhatIhavetaughtyou,and,consideringhowpoorlyyouhavedealtwithitbefore,guardyourselfagainstthis,andbewarned.

LouisGrassot~TheLightOutofChaos

AVindicationoftheGreatWork---TheGrandWorkoftheSagesholdsthefirstrankamongstbeautifulthings;Nature,withoutthehelpofart,isunabletoperformit,andartwithoutnaturecannotventuretoundertakeit;itisamasterpiecewhichbordersonthepowersofthegod;

itseffectsaresomiraculous,thatthehealthwhichitgivesandpreservestothepeople,theperfectionwhichitgivestoallthingsinNature,andthegreatwealthitproducesinamannerwhollydivine,arenottobereckonedtobeitshighestmarvels.

IfthegreatArchitectoftheUniversehasmadeitthemostperfectagentinallnatureonemaysaywithoutfearthatithasreceivedthesamepowerfromHeaveninregardtomortality;ifitpurifiesthebody,itclarifiesthespirit;ifitdevelopscompoundsubstancestothehighestpointofperfection,itcanelevateourintelligenceuptothehighestknowledge;itistheSaviorofthegreatworld,becauseitpurgesallthingsfromtheiroriginalstainsandbyitsvirtuerepairsthedisorderoftheirtemperament.Itsubsistsinaperfectternaryofthreeperfectprinciples,trulydistinct,butwhichtogethermakeoneandthesamenature.Itisnormallytheuniversalspiritoftheworldcorporifiedinavirginearth...Onemayjustlysaythatitproducesmarvelsinnatureintroducingintobodiesaverygreatpurityanditalsodoesmiraculousthingsinmorality,illuminatingourspiritswiththemostpowerfullights.

Ileavethereadersthelibertytosupplementtheseresultsinanymannertheymayjudgefitandconvenient.

TheVirtuesofthePhilosophicalElixir---Itis,accordingtothesayingsofallthephilosophers,thesourceofrichesandofgoodhealth,becausewithitonecanmakegoldandsilverinabundanceandeffectacurenotonlyforallthosemaladieswhicharecurablebutalso,byitsmoderateusetheycanbeprevented.Onesinglegrainofthismedicineorredelixir,willcureparalysis,dropsy,goutandleprosy,iftakendailyduringsomefewdays.

Epilepsy,colic,rheumatism,inflammation,frenzy,andallotherinternalcomplaintscannotresistthislifeprinciple.Itisanassuredremedyforallaffectionsoftheeyes.Allaposthumes,ulcers,wounds,cancer,fistulas,noli-me-tangeres,andalldiseasesoftheskinwillbecuredbydissolvingonegraininaglassofwineorwater,andbathingtheaffectedpart;itwilldissolve,littlebylittle,stoneinthebladder;isanantidoteforallpoisonsbydrinkingitasaboveadvised.

RaymondLullyassuresusthatitis,ingeneral,asovereignremedyforalltheillswhichafflicthumanityfromthefeettothehead;iftheillnesshaslastedonemonthitwillcureitinoneday;ifithaslastedayear,itwillcureitintwelvedayswhileinmonthitwilleliminateanydiseasewhatsoever.

ArnolddeVillaNovasaysthatitsefficacyisinfinitelysuperiortoanyandeveryremedyofHippocrates,ofGalen,ofAlexander,ofAvicinaandofallordinarymedicine;thatitrejoicestheheart,givesstrengthandenergy,conservesyouthandmakesoldpeopleyoungagain;ingeneral,thatitcuresalldiseaseswhetherhotorcoldorhumidordry.

Geber,withoutmakinganenumerationofthemaladieswhichitwillcure,contentshimselfbysayingthatitwillovercomeallthosediseaseswhichareregardedasincurablebythemedicalfaculty;thatitrejuvenatestheoldandpreserveshealthduringmanyyearsbeyondthenormalspan,simplybytakingapiecethesizeofamustardseedtwoorthreetimesaweek,fasting.

Philalethesaddstothis,thatitclearstheskinofallblemishesandwrinkles,etc.thatitwillhelpawomaninlabour,thechildbeingdead,simplybyholdingthepowdertothemother'snose,andquotesHermesashisauthority;heassertsthathehimselfhassnatchedmanyfromthearmsofdeathwhohadbeengivenupbytheirdoctors,YouwillfindprescriptionsforitsapplicationinalldiseasesbyconsultingtheworksofRaymondLullyandArnolddeVillaNova.

RichardIngalese~TheyMadethePhilosophers'Stone

In1917wesucceededinmakingtheWhiteStoneofthePhilosophers.Itlookedlikesoft,whitemarble,anditseffectuponthebodywasstartling.Wedarednottryitonourselvesatfirst,buttherewasathirdmemberofourfamily,abeautifulAngoracatofwhichwewereveryfond...Itsurvivedthefirstdose,andwerepeateditonthetwofollowingdays,withthecatbecomingmorefriskythanusual.Afterthatwetrieditourselves,eachtakingadoseatthesamemomentsowewouldexcarnatetogetherifitshouldprovefatal.Butitprovedbeneficialandenergizedourbodies.

Shortlyafterthatevent,thewifeofaprominentlocalphysiciandied;andthedoctor,knowingofourexperimentsandthatthebooksclaimedthatsuchastone,ifusedwithinareasonabletime,wouldraisethedead,askedustoexperimentonthebodyofhiswife.Halfanhourhadelapsedsinceherdeathandherbodywasgrowingcold.AdoseofthedissolvedWhiteStonewasputintothemouthofthecorpsewithoutperceptibleresult.Fifteenminutesafterwardaseconddosewasadministeredandtheheartcommencedtopulsateweakly.Fifteenminuteslaterathirddosewasgivenandsoonthewomanopenedhereyes.Inthecourseofafewweeks,thepatientbecameconvalescent,afterwhichshelivedsevenyears.

JacobJuran~HyleandCoahyl

Takecommonrainwater,agoodamount,atleasttenquarts,keepitwellsealedinglassesforatleasttendays,anditwilldepositmatterandfecesatthebottom.Pourofftheclearliquidandputitinawoodenvesselthatismaderoundlikeaball,cutitoffinthemiddleandfillthevesselathirdfull,andsetitinthesunatnooninasecretandsecludedspot.

Whenthatisdone,takeadropoftheconsecratedredwine[containingtheStoneinsolution]andletitfallintothewater,andyouwillimmediatelyseeafogandthickdarknessontopofthewater,suchashadalsobeenatthefirstCreation.

Nowpourintwodropsandyouwillseethelightcomingforthfromthedarkness.Thereupon,pourineveryhalfofeachhourfirstthree,thenfour,thenfive,thensixdrops,andthennomore,andyouwillseewithyourowneyesonethingafteranotherontopofthewater,howGodcreatedallthingsinsixdays,andhowthatcametopass,andsuchsecretsasarenottoberevealedandwhichIalsodonothavethepowertoreveal.Letyoureyesbethejudge;forthustheworldwascreated...

BythisyouwillseethesecretsofGod,whichnowarehiddenfromyouasfromachild.YouwillunderstandwhatMoseswroteaboutCreation.YouwillseewhatkindofbodyAdamandEvehadbeforeandaftertheFall,whatthesnakewas,whatthetree,andwhatkindoffruitstheyate,whereandwhatParadiseis,andinwhatbodiesthejustwillresurrect---notinthisonethatwehavereceivedfromAdambutin

thatwhichwereceivethroughtheHolyGhost,namely,suchaoneasourSaviorbroughtfromHeaven...

Stillmorethanthat:IfyoutakeyourStoneateveryfullmoon,whenitisabovethehorizonwhereyouare,andstepasideinagarden,andyoutakealittlepurerainwater,asyoudidinthefirstoperation,andyoudropsomeofthewhitewineinit,justasyoudidwiththered---immediatelyavaporwillriseinapeculiarwaytowardthecircleofthemoon.Ifyoudothisateverymooninduecourse,thereisnophilosopherinthehorizonwhereyouarelivingandwhohasknowledgeoftheStoneaswellasitsuse,whodoesnotalsogooutatthesametime,seekingintheEastandWest,theNorthandSouth.Whenhefindssuchanappearance(ashewillsoonsee),hewillnowthatthisisdonebyanartist,orsomeoneelse,whowouldliketogetacquaintedwiththosewhoknowjustthisart,andhewillansweryouinthesamemannerasyouhavedone.InthiswayyouwillrecognizethosewhoknowtheuseoftheStone.

Tomeetyourphilosophicalsociety,doasfollows:RubyourtemplewiththeWhiteStoneatnight,andprayearnestlytorecognizewhoheis.Putthreefreshlypickedlaurelleavesunderyourhead,andsetyourimaginationonhimwhoyoudesiretorecognize,andgotosleepinthisway.Whenyouawaken,youwillimmediatelyrememberthefaceoftheperson,hisnameandtheplacewherehestays.Ifyoudonotwishtogotohim,hewillcometoyou;forhewillperhapsthinkthatyoudonotknowthissecret.Thecauseofthishappeningisthis:theuniversalspiritoftheAir,whichislockedintheStone,causesit.

Inthisway,youcangettoknowallscholarsintheworld,whowillseemtoyoumorelikebeggarsthanwisepeople,andwhowillperhapsteachyoumorethanIamabletoorhavedonehere,for,truly,allthingsthatarenaturalcantherebybebroughtabout,suchthingsascanhardlybedescribedinabigbook.

HenriLintaut~FriendoftheDawn

Noonecanbringthisworktofruition,orharvestwhoisnotestablishedinpropermentalandpsychicbalancewithin,whichisrequiredinorderfortheastralandmentalGuardiansofthisGreatSecrettoallowonetoproceedwiththisGreatWork.Thisstatementisgivenonlyasawarning.Onemaytry,butneversucceed,withouttheproperauthorizationbyDivinesourcesofinnerandouterguidancegiventothealchemist.Hundredsofobstaclesmustbeconquered.Andonewhoconquersalloftheobstaclesofthe"WayoftheCrucible"isonewhohasbeenchosenandapproved,forvariousDivineandkarmicreasons,tosoachieve.EachoneknowsonlyinhisinnerheartifheorshehasbeengivenpermissiontoachievethisGreatWorkforthebenefitofmankind.

TheophrastusParacelsus~TheTinctureofthePhilosophers

ChapterVI.ConcerningtheTransmutationofMetalsbythePerfectionofMedicine---IftheTinctureofthePhilosophersistobeusedfortransmutation,apoundofitmustbeprojectedonathousandpoundsofmeltedSol.Then,atlength,willaMedicinehavebeenpreparedfortransmutingtheleprousmoistureofthemetals.ThisworkisawonderfuloneinthelightofNature,namely,thatbythemagistery,ortheoperationoftheSpagyrist,ametal,whichformerlyexisted,shouldperish,andanotherbeproduced.ThisfacthasrenderedthesameAristotle,withhisill-foundedphilosophy,fatuous...Thesethings,andmorelikethem,areknowntosimplemenratherthantosophists,namely,thosewhichturnoneappearanceofametalintoanother.Andthesethings,moreover,throughtheremarkablecontemptoftheignorant,andpartly,too,onaccountofthejustenvyoftheartificers,remainalmosthidden...

Butthoughtheoldartistswereverydesirousofthisarcanum,andsoughtitwiththegreatestdiligence,nevertheless,veryfewcouldbringitbymeansofaperfectpreparationtoitsend.Forthetransmutationofaninferiormetalintoasuperioronebringswithitmanydifficultiesandobstacles,asthechangeofJoveintoLuna,orVenusintoSol.PerhapsonaccountoftheirsinsGodwilledthattheMagnaliaofNatureshouldbehiddenfrommanymen.Forsometimes,whenthisTincturehasbeenpreparedbyartists,andtheywerenotabletoreducetheirprojectionstoworkitseffects,ithappenedthat,bytheircarelessnessandbadguardianship,thiswaseatenupbyfowls,whosefeathersthereuponfelloff,and,asImyselfhaveseen,grewagain.Inthiswaytransmutation,throughitsabusefromthecarelessnessoftheartists,cameintoMedicineandAlchemy.ForwhentheywereunabletousetheTinctureaccordingtotheirdesire,theyconvertedthesametotherenovationofmen...

ChapterVII.ConcerningtheRenovationofMen---SomeofthefirstandprimitivephilosophersofEgypthavelivedbymeansofthisTinctureforahundredandfiftyyears.Thelifeofmany,too,hasbeenextendedandprolongedtoseveralcenturies,asismostclearlyshownindifferenthistories,thoughitscarcelyseemscredibletoanyone.Foritspowerissoremarkablethatitextendsthelifeofthebodybeyondwhatispossibletoitscongenitalnature,andkeepsitsofirmlyinthatconditionthatitlivesoninsafetyfromallinfirmities.Andalthough,indeed,thebodyatlengthcomestooldage,nevertheless,itstillappearsasthoughitwereestablishedinitsprimalyouth.

So,then,theTinctureofthePhilosophersisaUniversalMedicine,andconsumesalldiseases,bywhatsoevernametheyarecalled,justlikeaninvisiblefire.Thedoseisverysmall,butitseffectismostpowerful.Bymeansthereof,Ihavecuredtheleprosy,venerealdisease,dropsy,thefallingsickness,colic,scab,andsimilarafflictions;alsolupus,cancer,nolimetangere,fistulas,andthewholeraceofinternaldiseases,moresurelythanonecouldbelieve...

Now,Sophist,lookatTheophrastusParacelsus.HowcanyourApollo,Machaon,andHippocratesstandagainstme?ThisistheCatholicumofthePhilosophers,bywhichallthesephilosophershaveattainedlonglifeforresistingdiseases,andtheyhaveattainedthisendentirelyandmosteffectually,andso,accordingtotheirjudgment,theynamedittheTinctureofthePhilosophers.Forwhatcantherebeinthewholerangeofmedicinegreaterthansuchpurgationofthebody,bymeanswhereofallsuperfluityisradicallyremovedfromitandtransmuted?Forwhenseedisoncemadesoundallelseisperfected.Whatavailstheill-foundedpurgationofthesophistssinceitremovesnothingasitought?This,therefore,isthemostexcellentfoundationofatruephysician,theregenerationofthenature,andtherestorationofyouth.Afterthis,thenewessenceitselfdrivesoutallthatisopposedtoit.Toeffectthisregeneration,thepowersandvirtuesoftheTinctureofthePhilosophersweremiraculouslydiscovered,anduptothistimehavebeenusedinsecretandkeptconcealedbytrueSpagyrists.

Theo.Paracelsus~ConcerningtheSpiritsofthePlanets

ChapterVIII.Conclusion---ThissecretwasaccountedbytheoldFatherswhopossesseditasamongthemostoccult,lestitshouldget

intothehandsofwickedmen,whobyitsaidwouldbemoreabundantlyabletofulfilltheirownwickednessandcrimes.We,therefore,askyou,whoeverhaveobtainedthisgiftofGod,that,imitatingtheseFathers,youwilltreatandpreservethisdivinemysteryinthemostseriousmannerpossible,forifyoutreaditunderfoot,orscatteryourpearlsbeforeswine,besurethatyouwillhearpronouncedagainstyoutheseveresentenceofGod,thesupremeavenger.

Buttothosewho,bythespecialgraceofGod,abstainfromallvices,thisArtwillbemoreconstantlyandmorefullyrevealedthantoanyothers.Forwithamanofthiskindmorewisdomisfoundthanwithathousandsonsoftheworld,bywhomthisArtisinnowaydiscovered.

WhosoevershallhavefoundthissecretandgiftofGod,lethimpraisethemosthighGod,theFatherandSon,withtheHolySpirit.AndfromthisGodalsolethimimploregrace,bywhichhemaybeabletousethatgifttoGod'sgloryandtothegoodofhisfellow-man.ThemercifulGodgrantthatthismaybesoforthesakeofJesusChristHisSon,andourSaviour!

Theo.Paracelsus~TheFifthBookofArchidoxies

ConcerningArcana---...So,then,thePrimaMateriaisthefirstArcanum;thesecondisthePhilosophers'Stone,thethirdistheMercuriusVitae,andthefourthistheTincture...

ConcerningtheArcanumofthePhilosophers'Stone---Inlikemanner,thisPhilosophers'Stonepurifiestheheartandalltheprincipalmembers,aswellastheintestines,themarrow,andwhateverelseiscontainedinthebody.Itdoesnotallowanydiseasetogerminateinthebody,butthegout,thedropsy,thejaundice,thecolic,flyfromit,anditexpelsalltheillnesseswhichproceedfromthefourhumours;atthesametime,itpurgesbodiesandrendersthemjustasthoughtheywerenewlyborn.Itbanisheseverythingthathasatendencytodestroynature,noneotherwisethanasfiredoeswithworms.Evenso,allweaknessesflybeforethisrenovation...

ThepowerandpotencyofthePhilosophicStoneisexaltedtosowonderfulanextentthatitisimpossibletotracehowitcanbenaturallybroughtabout;andunlessthemostevidentsignslayopentooureyes,itwouldbeincrediblethatmencouldperfectandaccomplishsuchwonderfulthings;sincethevirtueofthatoperationpassesfromgenerationtogenerationwithoutanybreak.Ontheotherhand,bythemercyofGod,itexistsinonebody,andatlength,accordingtotheirdeserts,itisdeniedtoothersorconcededasaspecialactofgrace...

EirenaeusPhilalethes~AnOpenEntrancetotheClosedPalaceoftheKing

Solongasthesecretispossessedbyacomparativelysmallnumberofphilosophers,theirlotisanythingbutabrightandhappyone;surroundedasweareoneverysidebythecruelgreedandthepryingsuspicionofthemultitude,wearedoomed,likeCain,towanderovertheearthhomelessandfriendless.Notforusarethesoothinginfluencesofdomestichappiness;notforusthedelightfulconfidencesoffriendship.Menwhocovetourgoldensecretpursueusfromplacetoplace,andfearclosesourlips,whenlovetemptsusattimestoopenourselvesfreelytoabrother.ThuswefeelpromptedattimestoburstforthintothedesolateexclamationofCain:"Whoeverfindsmewillslayme."Yetwearenotthemurderersofourbrethren;weareanxiousonlytodogoodtoourfellowmen.Butevenourkindnessandcharitablecompassionarerewardedwithblackingratitude---ingratitudethatcriestoheavenforvengeance.Itwasonlyashorttimeagothat,aftervisitingtheplague-strickenhauntsofacertaincity,andrestoringthesicktoperfecthealthbymeansofmymiraculousmedicine,Ifoundmyselfsurroundedbyayellingmob,whodemandedthatIshouldgivetothemmyElixiroftheSages;anditwasonlybychangingmydressandmyname,byshavingoffmybeardandputtingonawig,thatIwasenabledtosavemylife,andescapefromthehandsofthosewickedmen.Andevenwhenourlivesarenotthreatened,itisnotpleasanttofindourselves,whereverwego,thecentralobjectofhumangreed...Iknowofseveralpersonswhowerestrangledintheirbeds,simplybecausetheyweresuspectedofpossessingthissecret,though,inreality,theyknewnomoreaboutitthantheirmurderers;itwasenoughforsomedesperateruffians,thatamerewhisperofsuspicionhadbeenbreathedagainsttheirvictims.MenaresoeagertohavethisMedicinethatyourverycautionwillarousetheirsuspicions,andendangeryoursafety.Again,ifyoudesiretosellanylargequantityofyourgoldandsilver,youwillbeunabletodosowithoutimminentriskofdiscovery.Theveryfactthatsomeonehasagreatmassofbullionforsalewouldinmostplacesexcitesuspicion.Thisfeelingwillbestrengthenedwhenpeopletestthequalityofourgold;foritismuchfinerandpurerthananyofthegoldwhichisbroughtfromBarbary,orfromtheGuineaCoast;andoursilverisbettereventhanthatwhichisconveyedhomebytheSpanishsilverfleet...Irememberoncegoing,inthedisguiseofaforeignmerchant,toagoldsmith'sshop,andofferinghim600poundsworthofourpuresilverforsale.Hesubjectedittotheusualtests,andthensaid:"Thissilverisartificiallyprepared."WhenIaskedwhyhethoughtso,hisanswerwas:"Iamnotanoviceinmyprofession,andknowverywelltheexactqualityofthesilverwhichisbroughtfromthedifferentmines."WhenIheardthesewordsItookmyselfawaywithgreatsecrecyanddispatch,leavingthesilverinthehandsofthegoldsmith.Onthisaccount,andbyreasonofthemanyandgreatdifficultieswhichbesetus,thepossessorsofthisStone,oneveryside,wedoelecttoremainhidden,andwillcommunicatetheArttothosewhoareworthilycovetousofoursecrets,andthenmarkwhatpublicgoodwillbefall...

Ipossesswealthsufficienttobuythewholeworld---butasyetImaynotuseitonaccountofthecraftandcrueltyofwickedmen.ItisnotfromjealousythatIconcealasmuchasIdo:GodknowsIamwearyofthislonely,wanderinglife,shutoutfromthebondsoffriendship,andalmostfromthefaceofGod.Idonotworshipthegoldencalf,beforewhichourIsraelitesbowlowtotheground;letitbegroundintopowderlikethebrazenserpent.Ihopethatinafewyearsgold(notasgivenbyGod,butasabusedbyman)willbesocommonthatthosewhoarenowsomadafterit,shallcontemptuouslyspurnasidethisbulwarkoftheAntichrist.ThenwillthedayofourdeliverancebeathandwhenthestreetsofthenewJerusalemarepavedwithgold,anditsgatesaremadeofgreatdiamonds.Thedayisathandwhen,bymeansofthismybook,goldwillhavebecomeascommonasdirt;whenweSagesshallfindrestforthesolesofourfeet,andrenderferventthankstoGod.Myheartconceivesunspeakablethings,andisenlargedforthegoodoftheIsraelofGod.ThesewordsIutterforthwithaherald'sclariontones.MybookistheprecursorofElias,designedtopreparetheRoyalwayofthemaster;andwouldtoGodthatbyitsmeansallmenmightbecomeadeptsinourArt---forthengold,thegreatidolofmankind,wouldloseitsvalue,andwewouldprizeitonlyforitsscientificteaching.Virtuewouldbelovedforitsownsake.IamfamiliarwithmanypossessorsofthisArtwhoregardsilenceasthegreatpointofhonor.ButIhavebeenenabledbyGodtotakeadifferentviewofthematter;andIfirmlybelievethatIcanbestservetheIsraelofGod,andputmytalentoutatusury,bymakingthissecretknowledgethecommonpropertyofthewholeworld.HenceIhavenotconferredwithfleshandblood,norattemptedtoobtaintheconsentofmybrotherSages.Ifthemattersucceedsaccordingtomydesireandprayer,theywillallrejoicethatIhavepublishedthisbook.

Eir.Philalethes~RipleyRevived

AnExpositionuponthePrefaceofSirGeorgeRipley---ThisMercurythusrenovateornewborn,maybythePhilosopherbediverslyhandled;forhemaytakehisworkfromtheFire,andcirculateandcohobatethisMercurybyapeculiaroperation,whichpartlyMechanical,tillhehaveamostadmirablepuresubtileSpirit,inwhichhemaydissolvePearlsandallGems,andmultiplythemorhisRedStone,beforeitbeunitedwithametalinprojectionforthemakingofAurumPotabile.AndinthisMercurythuscirculated,isdoubtlesstheMysteryofthenever-fadingLight,whichIhaveactuallyseen,butyetnotpracticallymade.Inaword,everyonewhohaththisexuberateMercury,hathindeedatcommandthesubjectofwonders,whichhemayimployhimselfmanywaysinbothadmirablyandpleasantly.Andcertainlyhethathaththis,needsnoinformationfromanother;himselfnowstandingintheCentre,hemayeasilyviewtheCircumference,andthenoperationwillbe,nexttotheSpiritofGod,hisbestGuide.Knowthen,thatifthoubeaSonofArt,whenthouartoncearrivedhither,thouaresofarfrombeingattheendofthysearch,(unlessthoumakeGoldtobethyfinalobject,andsothoushaltnevercomehither)thatthouartbutnowcomeintotheMysticalSchoolofthehiddenwondersofGod,inwhichthoumaysteverydayseenewMiracles,ifthoubestudiousanddesirousofknowledge,whichallAdeptiare;theyprizeskillbeforeanyearthlything,andthereforerefuseHonourandPomp,andretireonlytothebehouldingofGodandhisWorks,inthisadmirableLooking-glassofthemosthiddenMysteriesofNature.

MichaelSendivogius~EpistlestotheRosicrucianSociety

XXXVII---TheUseofthePracticeisthis.First,astoamedicineforanimals,dissolveonegrainofthesimpleStonein100grainsofthatmercurywherewiththeStoneismade,orinanyotherliquororconvenientvehicleaccordingtothepresentconditionofthedisease,andthetemperamentofthepatient,givingaduepotionofsuchliquorswithonegrainofdissolvedStone.Butifthestonehasbeenoncemultiplied,thenonegrainofitmustbedissolvedinathousandgrainsofsuchaconvenientliquor;iftwicemultiplied,intenthousandgrainsofliquor,andsoon.Second,astothetransmutationofmetals,takeonepartofthesimpleStoneandtenpartsofthesaidMercury,notofthevulgar;oroftheoncemultipliedStoneonepart,andonehundredpartsofthesameMercury,orlastlyonepartoftwicemultipliedStoneandathousandpartofthesaidMercury.Setthemtodry,firstinagentlefire,thenstrongerandstrongertillitacquirestheconsistencyofstone.AndsuchimbibitionsanddessicationsrepeatuntilonepartoftheStoneconvertstenpartsofcommonmercury,twentyoflead,thirtyoftin,fiftyofcopper,andlastlyonehundredofsilver,intoperfectgoldiftheStonebeforgold.Buthalfofthepart,orthereabouts,ofthesaidproportionsofthosemetals,iftheStonebeforsilver.

ButifyoushouldwantasufficientquantityoftheaforesaidMercury,thenyoucandegradetheStonewithcommonMercuryinthefollowingmanner.ProjectonepartofthissimpleormultipliedStoneupontenpartsofheatedcommonmercury,andyoushallhaveapowderofthesamenatureastheStone,butofalesservirtueandefficacy.Allofthispowderprojectagainupononehundredpartsofthesamecommonmercury,andagainprojectthispowderupononethousandpartofthesamecommonmercury.Andifthenthepowdergrowsmoist,dryitwithfire,anditwillremainapowder,whichlastlyyoucanprojectupontheaforesaidmetals,keepingthesameproportion.

ThisisnowtheuniversalandmostexactTheoryandPracticeoftheStone...

JohannIsaacHollandus~OpusculaAlchymica

Iamtellingyouenough,ifyouwillonlyunderstand;andifyoudonotunderstand,GodAlmightywillnotgrantittoyou,andevenifyoudonotfindit,itisneverthelessfound.

PartI

ArsMagna

Chapter2

TheShortDryPath

P.Allen~AChristianRosenkreutzAnthologyAnonymous~TheAllegoryofMerlinAnon.~OnthePhilosophers'StoneAnon.~RosariumPhilosophorumAnon.~UntitledS.Bacstrom~TheWorkofPontanus,AccordingtoMr.F.D.Beuther~TheTransmutationofBaseMetals...P.Bonus~TheNewPearlofGreatPriceCyliani~HermesUnveiledA.Eleazar~TheBookofAbrahamtheJewB.Figulus~AGoldenandBlessedCasketofNature'sMarvels

Fulcanelli~TheMysteryoftheCathedralsFulcanelli~TheDwellingofthePhilosophersJ.Grashof~TheGreater&LesserEdifyerC.Grummet~SanguisNaturaeJ.Helvetius~TheGoldenCalfJ.I.Hollandus~DeLapidePhilosophorumJ.I.Hollandus~VegetableWorkK.Jnana~DictionaryofAlchemicalPhilosophyN.LeFebre~SecretofSecretsR.Lully~LetterorEpitometoKingRupertJ.Muller~HyleandCoahylMyriam~HerConversationwithAros,KingofEgyptParacelsus~ThePhilosophicalCanonsEir.Philalethes~AnOpenEntrancetotheClosedPalaceoftheKingEir.Philalethes~RipleyRevivedEug.Philalethes~AShortEnquiryConcerningtheHermeticArtG.Ripley~MedullaAlchemiaeM.Rulandus~ALexiconofAlchemyS.Salztal~FountainofPhilosophicalSaltsTheophrastus~TheSacredArtArnolddeVillanova~RosariumPhilosophorum

ThePhilosophers'Stonecanbepreparedintwogeneralways:"wet"(solutions)and"dry"(fusions).Muchhasbeenwrittenaboutthewetway;itislong,dangerous,tediousandexpensive.TheShort,Dry,orRoyalPath,theArsBrevis,islittleknown,havingbeenmentionedonlyafewtimesintheliteratureofAlchemy.Itcanbequick,simpleandeasy,butitisalsoverydangerousanddifficulttocontrol.Herearemostoftheexplicitreferencestothesubject:

PaulM.Allen~AChristianRosenkreutzAnthology

Andthereuponfolloweththemixture,observe!Andsoitcomethtoawondrousstrength,Thefinishedfigureswiththeunfinished.Andifthefirebelikewiserightlycontrolled,ItwillbeentirelyperfectInmuchlesstimethanayear.NowthouhasttheentirewayinitslengthOnwhichtherearenotmorethantwopaths.Fromtheseonesoonwanderethandgoestastray,Elseitallstandethclearandplain.TheoneisthewateroftheWiseMen,WhichistheMercuriusalone.Theotheriscalledavinegar,Anditisknownonlytoaveryfew.AndthisvinegardothcircleAwayfromthephilosophicallion.ItisLordAeswhomitmakesglad.ThereforetheyhavecombinedtosocloselyManyhundredformsandnamesaregivenAftereachhaschosenit.Onewayspringethfromatruesource,AfewhaveworkedonitforawholeyearButmanythroughtheirartandcraftHaveshortenedsolongaspaceoftime.AndquicklyisthepreparationsetfreeAsAlchemydothpointout.

Anonymous~TheAllegoryofMerlin

Brother,keepsecretthistreatiseforitisofanimportanceamongstthefools,andnoimportanceamongstwisemen,andthisistheRoyalwayofthreedays,fortheywillhavebutlittlelabourandgreatlucre.

Anon.~OnthePhilosophers'Stone

Butsome,whowereadeptsintheart,havebypainfulprocessestakengoldfortheirmale,andthemercury,whichtheyknewhowtoextractfromthelesscompactedmetals,forafemale:notasaneasierprocess,buttofindoutthepossibilityofmakingthestonethisway;andhavesucceeded,givingthismethodmoreopenlytoconcealthetrueconfection,whichismosteasyandsimple.

Anon.~RosariumPhilosophorum

AristotleintheSecondBookofhisPolitics---ThereisadoublewayinthisartaccordingtothePhilosophers,thatis---universalandparticular.Theuniversalwayiseasyandrare,anditisthatwhichisbroughtforthfromtrueandnaturalbeginnings,bywhichaspeedyandreformativevirtuedothpresentlyandinamomenthardensMercury,andittincturethanymetalthatisdulyprepared,intotrueGoldorSilver.

Butthesecondwayiscalledparticularanditishardandlaboursome.Notethis,althoughAlchemyintheuniversalwaybepartlynaturalandpartlyartificial,yetitismorenaturalthanotherwise,becausebynaturenostrangeorforeignthingisbroughtinthewayoftrueAlchemy,fornaturehathwhereontoworkbecauseactivesarejoinedtopassivesbyacompetentunionandapplication,buttherestnatureworkethbyherself.

OutoftheLucidaryofArnoldus---IdemandinwhattimethisblessedStonemaybemade,towhichitisansweredasacertainauthorLeliusthePhilosopherwitnesses,thathismagisterywasfinishedineightdays,andthatanotherdiditinsevendays,andanotherinthreemonths,andsomeinfourmonths,andsomeinhalfayear,andsomeinthespaceofawholeyear,andMariasaysshediditinthreedays.TothisIsaythatthecauseofdiversity,thatisofshortnessandlengthoftime,mightbedefectinthevirtueofthewaterofMercuryorbecauseitworkethofSolandLuna.AndsomeofthePhilosophersaddedmoreandsomeless.ButSolisfixedandnotflying,andwiththatonlydidtheywork.

RaymundLullyinhisEpistletoRupert,KingofFrance---WhereforeIspeakthingswhicharemiraculous,whichseemedtobeincredibletoalltheancientPhilosophers,thatis,thatthoushaltknowwelltoseparatethisoilfromthewaterinessandthoushaltlabourinthemannerofthemixtionofthem,andthoushaltbeabletomaketheStonein30days,butthisisnotnecessarybyitselfbecausethesolutionsandcoagulationsofit(ashathbeensaid)arequicklymadeanddone.

Anon.~UntitledMs

Accordinglythereisnow,besidestheworkofthreeyears,aworkofthreemonths,threeweeks,threedays,and,surpassingallofthese,threehours.MarytheProphetesswastrainedinthislastwork;aphilosopherofkeenintellect,orawell-trainedartisan,willbeabletoinvestigatewhatshehaslearnedfromherdiscussionswiththePhilosopherAros.Inaddition,thereareotherworks,calledtheworkofonenaturalday,onemonth,oneyear,andninemonths.Anyonewhodoesnotknowthedistinctionsamongtheseandothersuchthingslaysclaimtothissaying:"Heshouldtakehishandoffthereins."Andthoughalltheseaforesaidworksaretobeunderstoodonlybythetimeofoperationfromfirsttolast,neverthelessitcanhappenthatotherworksaremixedinwiththem,andthenbothoperations,antecedentandconsequent,areincludedinthetimespanlistedabove.Butsincethepurposeherehasbeenmerelytogiveyouacasualwarningaboutthesematters,thereisnoneedtodwellonthemfurther...

WhatfollowsishowthePhilosophersmultipliedtheirworkinthemoistpath,andperhapsalsobythesametokeninthedrypath.Multiplicationtakesplaceinquantityaswellasinquality,alwayswithtenpartsofitswaterorofphilosophicalmercuryduplexandsoontoinfinity.Thefirsttimeitdoesnottinct,butifitisputinfirethesecondtimeitisperfectedintwomonthstime,andoneparttinctsonlytenparts.Ifyouputitinfireathirdtime,itisfinishedinthreeweeksandoneparttinctsahundredparts.Ifyouputitinfireafourthtime,itisperfectedinthreedays,andoneparttinctsathousandparts.Afterthataworkofmultiplicationiscompletedinthreedaysatatime,andthisistheworkofthreedays.

SigismundBacstrom~TheWorkofPontanusAccordingtoMr.F.

PontanushadhisknowledgefromArtephius,thereforefollowedhim,havingreadandunderstoodhim,exceptthatArtephiusworkedbythelonghumidway,butPontanusbythedryshortway,andMr.F.believesthatitcanbedoneinaveryShortTime,probablysoonerthanweareawareof.

DavidBeuther~TheTransmutationofBaseMetalsintoSilverandGold

Ifwenowwishtoproceedfurther,wemustnowgoontoParacelsus'SchoolofWorkandtothebriefpassageswhichfollow,asarereadilytobenotedandlearnedfromhisScriptis.ThenwedesiredtolearnfromtheSubjectumMateriaevelTincturae,whichisreportedclearlyenoughandshownwiththefingers,sohealsosetuptherebythewelcomepreparationsandsaidthatfromone(ofthematerialsnoted)twowouldresult,namely,sulfurandmercury,sinceoneofthem(mercury)givesthebody,onearth,whereinweplanttheseeds,i.e.,theSulfuroftheSun,whichsulfuriscalledtheBloodoftheRedLion,whilethemercuryiscalledtheGlutenoftheWhiteEagle.Hefurtherstatedthatwhenthetwocoagulatedtogether,thenthetincturethuspreparedwasreadytobeused.Thisis,indeed,ashorterwayofpreparation,thoughitgivespoorerandinferiorresults...

Onealsoseeshowtheworkisbroughttocompletionfromamaterialinanoven,glasscontainer,orothertypeofreceptacle,inoneexperimentafteranother,byusingincreasedamountstoheat.And,eventhoughtheworkandtheartbyyouyourselfiscompletelyinferiorinquality,thephilosophershavealsopointedoutthat,"Itiswife'sworkandchildren'splay".Evenso,itstillrequiresawell-qualifiedartisantobethefire-master.Moreover,theworkmaybecompletedeasilyenoughwithoutdangerin16weeks...


ThisArtisnoble,brief,andeasy.Itrequiresonething,whicheverybodyknows.Itisinmanythings,yetitisonething.Itisfoundeverywhere,yetitismostprecious.Youmustfixitandtameitinthefire;youmustmakeitrise,andagaindescend.Whenconjunctionhastakenplace,straightwayitisfixed.Thenitgivesrichestothepoorandresttotheweary.Theoperationisgood,ifitbecomefirstdryandthenliquid,andwhatRebis(Twothing)is,youwillfindinthepracticalpartofthiswork.


Atthispoint,Imustwarnyouthatonlytwomattersofthesameoriginareneeded:Onevolatile,theotherfixed.Thattherearetwoways,thedryandthehumid.Ipersonallyfollowthelatterbypreferenceandbyduty,thoughtheformerisknowntome.Itisdonewithonlyonematter.

Theazothuniteseasilywithsulfur,firewithfire,andthedoublemercuryorrebisinpowderoroilformsthetruepotablegoldortheUniversalmedicineinwhiteorred.Finallytheseedofgoldlieswithinthegolditself.

Fewcombustiblesarenecessary;evenlessreceptacles.Theworkcostsverylittletoundertakeandcanbeperformedinanyplace,butitisconvenienttobeginitwiththatofnatureinordertofinishitwell...

RabbiAbrahamEleazar~TheBookofAbrahamtheJew

ThathoweveryouknowandbecomeacquaintedwiththeMateriam;soissuchouroldAlbaonAbacschozdii,isaMinera,sothereinthemountainsisfound,andsuchisofthreedifferentsorts...Thethirdisgreyandwhiteandaverypoisonouskind,arightSaturn,whichhasthepower,withitspoisonousbreathtokill.Thereforeonemustbeverycarefulwhenworkingwiththis,wheninadryform,togetitsweat...andalsosuchamateriaisfoundinthepits,becausetheyoftenthrowsuchaway,becauseitgivesfromitselfastrongsmell,andalsooftenkillsthemen...

FormerlyIhavepointedoutandshowntoyouthewetway,andhowyoucanfindandprepareinsuchawaytheMysterium,andsuchawayiswithoutdanger.

Thisdryway,thatIwilldescribetoyouandteachyou,issomewhatdangerous,yetifyoufollowmyteaching,thenitwillnotfallheavyonyou,forasIhavedescribedtoyouinallmyFiguresthroughout,twoways,sototheintelligentitisnotdifficulttounderstand,andhavealsowishedtoshowthatinthisFigure[3];forhereyouseeflowingfromadesertawhiteLunarWater,whichistheoldprogenitorofallthings,preparedintwoways:

Firstlyhowever,youmustunderstand,whatofthetwowaysistaken;namelythefirstproceedsfromtheFatnessoftheEarth,outofthePrimordialChaos.Theotherfromourblackheavylump;thathowevertheserpentscrawlinthegrass,andisofdiverscolors,thePhytoninthedryway,forthispromptusisverypoisonous,yetsometimesitascendsinthehills,andsobecomesaflower,nearlymedicinal,whilstthenitisnotsopoisonous...

...Thisisthat,whichtheAncientssaid,howtheyfinishedtheirstoneinfourhours.TheyhavetakenofsuchonepartandaddedtofourpartsofOphirisSolinflux,soitwillbecomepuretincture;ofwhichtheyhaveincorporatedhalfofthiswithonepartofColumbaDianae,ashasbeentaughttilltheseventhtime,andinsuchamannerincreasedtheirworkininfinitum,wherebytheysupportedthemselvesintheirneedandcametothehelpoftheirpoorimprisonedbrethren...

...ButthereispreparedfromthegreenLionacrawlingDragon,andyouhaveitbeforeyoureyes,andcancomparewiththeOldonethewetway,andtheDragonsthedryway.Inthepreparatoryworkyougoon,intheDryway,thereisanotherModusthanintheWet...

BenedictusFigulus~AGoldenandBlessedCasketofNature'sMarvels

TheNaturalPhilosopher'sTincture---Theophrastusalsomeansthat,whenyouhaveobtainedthetwothingsbytheshortmethod,viz.,therosybloodandtheEagle'swhitegluten,youshalltheretoaddnothingforeign...

TheNaturalPhilosopher'sTincture[AlexandervonSuchten]---ThisisthefirstprocessofourPhilosophicalBirth,theReturningintotheMother'sWomb,wherebytheRuleofGodisfollowed,andthefirstpreceptsofchemistsarefulfilled,viz.,theReductionintoPimaryMatter,intotheThreeNaturalPrinciples,i.e.,AnimatedSpirit,Mercury,andSulphureousVapourofEarth...whichisnothinglessthan...TheProcesswithDoubleSmokeofParacelsus.Buttheabovemethodentailedheavyexpensesandmuchtimeandlabour,allofwhichtheAncientSagescouldhaveavoided,andobtainedtheLion'streasurebyashortercut,hadtheyenquiredintothematterasdiligentlyasTheophrastus.

Now,Iwotthereisnoonewhowouldnotwishtoknowthisshortermethod;andthatyoumaynothavetocomplainofTheophrastus,heshewsyouanothershortway,admonishingyoualsotolettheabovetediousprocessbe,andtotakefromtheLionnoughtbuthisrosyblood,andfromtheEaglethewhitegluten.Thesetwobodiesyoumustcoagulatetogetherandbringintoonebody,asitweremaleandfemaleseed.

Now,someonemightobjectthus.DearTheophrastus,thatistheoldstorywhichIhaveheardlongago.TheAncientstooknothingmorethantheLion'sbloodandwater,andcoagulatedthem.YetyoutellmethesameisabriefwaytoobtaintheaforesaidtwoMercurialSubstances,withlittlelabourandinashorttime.

Well,thatistruesofar.Theophrastusisnotsoclearhereashemightbe.ButyoumayeasilyimaginewhatthemodeofpreparationmustbeifyouhavediligentlystudiedTheophrastus'sotherbooksandpreparations,andareotherwiseexperiencedinChemicallabours.YouwillthenfindthatChemistry,inthepreparationofallarcana(secrets),hastwomethods,viz.,DistillationandExtraction.WhatsoeveristobepreparedbyChemistryandbroughtintoitsArcanum,itsTincture,orQuintessence(inwhichishepowerandvirtueofallcreatures),oristobecleansedfromimpedingimpurities,thatmustbedonebyDistillationorExtraction(whichisthesameasSolution).Thereisnoothermeans.AsBernhardussays:"TheKingnevergoesforthexcepttheFountainattracthim".

Now,havingalreadyheardthatherejectsthetediousprocessofmuchdistillationandpurificationbyreasonofitsexpense,etc.,youperceivethathemusthaveusedtheonlyothermeans,viz.,ExtractionbySolution.

AccordingtoCalid,sonofJazichus:"SolutionistheExtractionoftheInteriorofThingstotheirSuperficies,sothatthehiddenbecome

manifest".Hencehis(Theo.'s)meaningisthis:Whenyouofonethinghavemadetwo---orhavetakentwothingsdifferentlyconstitutedbyNature---lettheoldprocessalone;takefromtheLionhisbloodonly---i.e.,cutouthisheartwithhisownsharpspear---orasBernhardussays:"SlaytheKingwithhisownsharp,poisonousMercurialWater".Inplainwords:ExtractbutfromtheearthitsTinctureorArcanum,andtheblood,thesunshine,thedryspiritimmediatelyalldistillsover.BysuchextractionorsolutionmorewillbedoneinafewhoursthantheAncientSagescouldeffectinsixmonths.Bytheaboveprocessthewholeworkmaybecompletedintenortwelvemonths,inwhichtimetheAncientscouldbarelyachievethefirststep---i.e.,ReductionintoPrimaryMatter---asallthoseknowwhomGodhasenlightened,andthoughtworthyyouknowthisSolutionandExtraction.

Butmisunderstandmenot!Ispeakhere,notofthesecondsolutionoftheearth,butofthefirstsolutionofthecrudebody...

ThisisalsotheaforesaidshortprocessofParacelsus,wherebyyou,inashorttime,andwithlittletroubleandexpense,mayfindthetwosaidthings(ofwhichoneistheFather,orSun,orRedWater,andtheothertheMother,orMoon,orWhiteWater)whicharenecessaryfortheperpetrationofthemiracleoftheOneThing,andforwhichgoodcounselyouoweTheophrastusmanythanks...

Fulcanelli~LaMystereDesCathedrales

Letusretraceourstepsandpauseatthesouthportal,stillcalledthePorchofSt.Anne.Itoffersusonlyasinglemotif,buttheinterestofthisisconsiderable,becauseitdescribestheshortestpracticeofourScienceandamonglessonsinstoneitthereforedeservesprideofplace.

"See,"saysGrillotdeGivry,"sculpturedontherightportalofNotreDameofParis,thebishopperchedaboveanathanor,wherethephilosophicalmercury,chainedinlimbo,isbeingsublimated.Itteachestheoriginofthesacredfire;andtheChapterofthecathedral,byleavingthisdoorclosedalltheyearinaccordancewithaseculartradition,showsthatthisisnotthevulgarway,butoneunknowntothecrowdandreservedforthesmallnumberoftheeliteofwisdom."

Fewalchemistswilladmitthepossibilityoftwoways,oneshortandeasy,calledthedryway,theotherlongerandlessrewarding,calledthemoistway.Thismaybeduetothefactthatmanyauthorsdealexclusivelywiththelongerprocess,eitherbecausetheydonotknowoftheother,orbecausetheyprefertoremainsilentaboutit,ratherthantoteachitsprinciples.Pernetyrefusestobelieveinthosealternativemethods,whileHuginusaBarma,onthecontrary,assertsthattheancientmasters,suchasGeber,LullyandParacelsus,eachhadhisownparticularprocess.

Chemicallyspeaking,thereisnoobjectiontoamethod,employingthemoistway,beingreplacedbyanother,whichmakesuseofdryreactions,inordertoarriveatthesameresult.Hermeticallytheemblemwearestudyingisaproofofthis.Weshallfindasecondoneinthe18thcenturyEncyclopedia,wheretheassuranceisgiventhattheGreatWorkmaybeaccomplishedintwoways;one,calledthemoistway,beinglongerbutheldmoreinhonourandtheother,ordryway,beingmuchlessesteemed.Inthelatter"thecelestialSalt,whichisthePhilosophers'mercury,mustbeboiledforfourdaysinacrucibleoveranakedfire,togetherwithaterrestrialmetallicbody."

Inthesecondpartofthework,attributedtoBasilValentine,butwhichseemsrathertobebySeniorZadith,theauthorappearstohavethedrywayinmindwhenhewritesthat"inordertoarriveatthisart,neithergreatlabornortroubleisrequiredandtheexpensesaresmall,theinstrumentsoflittleworth.ForthisArtmaybelearntinlessthan12hoursandbroughttoperfectionwithinthespaceof8days,ifithasitsownprinciplewithinitself."

Philalethes,inChapterXIXoftheIntroitus,afterhavingspokenofthelongway,whichhedescribesastiresomeandgoodonlyforrichpeople,says:"Butbyourwaynomorethanaweekisnecessary;Godhasreservedthisrareandeasywayforthedespisedpoorandforabjectsaints."

Furthermore,Langlet-Dufresnoy,inhisRemarquesonthischapter,thinksthat"thiswayisachievedbythedoublephilosophicalmercury"andadds:"Theworkistherebyaccomplishedin8days,insteadoftakingnearly18monthsbythefirstway."

Thisshortenedway,whichis,however,coveredbyathickveil,hasbeencalledbytheWisetheRegimeofSaturn.TheboilingoftheWork,insteadofnecessitatingtheuseofaglassvase,requiresonlythehelpofasimplecrucible."Iwillstirupyourbodyinanearthenwarevase,inwhichIwillinterit",writesafamousauthor,whosaysagainfurtheron:"Makeafireinyourglass,thatistosayintheearthwhichholdsitenclosed.Thisseemstometobetheshorterwayandthetruephilosophicalsublimation,inordertoarriveattheperfectionofthisdifficulttask."ThiscouldbetheexplanationofthebasicmaximofourScience:"Onesinglevessel,onesinglematter,onesinglefurnace."

Intheprefacetohisbook,Cylianireferstothetwoprocessintheseterms:"Iwouldliketowarnyouherenevertoforgetthatonlytwomattersofthesameoriginareneeded,theonevolatile,theotherfixed;thattherearetwoways,thedrywayandthemoistway.Ifollowthelatterforpreferenceasmydutyalthoughtheformerisveryfamiliartome;itisdonewithasinglematter."

HenrideLintautalsogivesafavorabletestimonialtothedrywaywhenhewrites:"Thissecretsurpassesallthesecretsintheworld,forbyityoucaninashorttime,withoutgreattroubleorlabour,arriveatthegreattransmutation.Forinformationaboutthis,seeIsaacHollandois,whospeaksofitmorefully."Unfortunatelyourauthorisnomoreforthcomingthanhiscolleagues."WhenIconsider,"writesHenckel,"thattheartistElias,quotedbyHelvetius,claimsthatthepreparationofthePhilosophicstoneisbegunandfinishedinthespaceoffourdays,andthathehasactuallyshownthisstone,stilladheringtothefragmentsofthecrucible,itseemstomethatitwouldnotbesoabsurdtoaskwhetherwhatthealchemistscallgreatmonthsmaynotbeasmanydays,whichwouldmeanaverylimitedspaceoftime.Andtoaskfurtherwhethertheremaynotbeamethod,whichconsistsonlyinkeepingthemattersinthegreatestdegreeoffluidityforalongtime,whichcouldbeachievedbyaviolentfire,maintainedbytheactionofthebellows.However,thismethodcannotbecarriedoutinalllaboratoriesandperhapsnoteveryonewouldfinditpracticable."


TheManoftheWoods---Ourmercury,webelieveithasbeenmentioned,isthispilgrim,thisvoyagertowhomMichaelMaierhasconsecratedoneofhisbesttreatises![Viatorium:HocestdeMontibusPlanetoriumseptemseumetallorum.Rouen,JeanBerthelin,1651].By

usingthedrypath,representedbytheearthlyroadfollowedatfirstbyourtraveler,onecansuccessfullybutprogressivelyexaltthediffuseandlatentvirtue,transformingintoactivitythatwhichwasonlypotential.Theoperationiscompletedwhen,onthesurface,appearsashiningstar,formedofraysemanatingfromasinglecenter,prototypeofthegreatrosesofourgothiccathedrals.Asuresignthatthepilgrimhassuccessfullyreachedtheendofhisfirsttrip.HehasreceivedthemysticalblessingofStJames,confirmedbytheluminousimprintwhichradiated,itissaid,abovethetomboftheapostle.Thehumbleandcommonshellwhichheboreonhishatturnedintoashiningstar,ahalooflight.Purematterwhosehermeticstarconsecratestheperfection:itisnowourcompost,theholywaterofCompostella(Latincompos,whohasreceived,possesses----andstella,star)andthealabasterofthesages(albastrumcontractionofalabastrum,whitestar).Itisalsothevaseofperfumes,thevaseofalabaster(Greekalabastron,Latinalabastrus)andthenewlybloomingbudoftheflowerofwisdom,rosahermetica,thehermeticrose.

FromCompostellathereturncanbemadeeitherbythesamepath,followingadifferentitineraryorbythewetormaritimepath,theonlywaytheauthorsindicateintheirwritings...

TheCastleofDampierreV(Panel1)---ThetwopathsoftheWorkrequiretwodifferentmannersofundertakingtheanimationoftheinitialmercury.Thefirstbelongstothebriefwayandrequiresonlyonetechniquebywhichthefixedisgraduallydampened---becauseanydrymatteravidlydrinksitsownhumidity---untiltherepeatedaffusionofthevolatileonthebodycausesthecompoundtoswellandturnintoapastyorsyrupymass,asthecasemaybe.Thesecondmethodconsistsindigestingthetotalityofthesulphurinthreeorfourtimesitsweightinwater,decantingtheresultingsolution,thendryinguptheresidueandreiteratingtheoperationwithaproportionalquantityoffreshmercury.Whenthedissolutioniscomplete,thefaeces,ifany,areseparatedandthecollectedliquorsaresubjectedtoaslowdistillationinabath.Thusthesuperfluoushumidityisreleased,leavingthemercuryattherequiredconsistencywithoutanylossofitsqualities,andreadytoundergohermeticcoction.

TheCastleofDampierreV(Panel8)---Twovases,oneintheformofanembossedandengravedflagon,theotheracommonearthenpot,arerepresentedinthesameframeoccupiedbythissayingofSaintPaul:ALIVDVASINHONOREMALIVDINCONTUMELIAM.Onevesselforhonorableuses,anotherforbaseuses.Butinagreathouse",saystheApostle[IITimothy2:20],"Therearenotonlyvesselsofgoldandsilver,butalsoofwoodandofearth;andsometohonour,andsometodishonour."

Ourtwovasesappearwelldefined,clearlymarkedandinabsoluteagreementwiththepreceptsofhermetictheory.OneisthevaseofnaturemadewiththesameredclayGodusedtoformthebodyofAdamwith.Theotheristhevaseoftheart,whoseentirematerialiscomposedofpure,red,incombustible,fixed,anddiaphanousgold,ofanincomparablebrightness.Andtheseareourtwovesselswhichtrulyrepresentonlytwodistinctbodiescontainingthemetallicspirits,theonlyagentsweneed.

Ifthereaderisacquaintedwiththetraditionalmannerofwritingofthephilosophers---whichmannerwetrytoimitatecorrectlysothattheAncientscanbeexplainedthroughusandsowecanbecontrolledbythem,itwillbeeasierforhimtounderstandwhatthehermeticistsmeantbyvessels.Forthesevesselsrepresentnotonlytwomatters,orratheronematterintwostatesofevolution,buttheyalsosymbolizeourtwowaysbasedontheuseofthesedifferentbodies.

Thefirstofthesewayswhichusesthevaseoftheartistime-consuming,painstaking,thankless,accessibletowealthypeople,butitisinaplaceofgreathonorinspiteoftheexpendituresitentails,becauseitistheonewhichauthorspreferablydescribe.ItisusedasasupportfortheirreasoningaswellasforthetheoreticaldevelopmentoftheWork,requiresanuninterruptedlaboroftwelvetoeighteenmonths,andstartswithnaturalgoldpreparedanddissolvedinthephilosophicalmercurywhichisthencookedinaglassmatrass.Thisisthehonorablevasereservedfornobleuseofthesepreciousmetalswhicharetheexaltedgoldandmercuryofthesages.

Thesecondwaydemands,frombeginningtoend,onlythehelpofacoarseclayabundantlyavailable,ofsuchalowcostthatinourtimetenfrancsaresufficienttoacquireaquantitymorethanenoughforourneeds.Itistheclayandthewayofthepoor,ofthesimpleandthemodest,ofthosewhomnaturefillswithwonderevenbyhermosthumblemanifestations.Extremelyeasy,itonlyrequiresthepresenceoftheartist,forthemysteriouslaborperfectsitselfbyitselfandisachievedinseventoninedaysatthemost.Thisway,unknowntothemajorityofpracticingalchemists,iselaboratedfromstarttofinishinonecruciblemadeoffireproofclay.Itisthewaythatthegreatmasterscalledwoman'sworkandchild'splay;itistoitthattheyapplytheoldhermeticaxiom:unare,unavia,unadispositione.Asinglematter,asinglevessel,asinglefurnace.Suchisourearthenvase,adespised,plainvaseofcommonuse,whicheveryonehasbeforehiseyes,whichcostsnothing,whichcanbefoundateveryone'shouse,yetwhichnoonecanrecognizewithoutarevelation.

TheCastleofDampierreVI(Panel3)---Lyingonthealtarofsacrifice,aforearmisconsumedbyfire.Thesignofthisfieryemblemholdsintwowords:.FELIX.INFORTUNIUM.Happyunhappiness!Althoughthetopicseemsaprioriquiteobscureandwithoutequivalentinthehermeticliteratureandiconography,yetityieldstoanalysisandperfectlyagreeswiththeGreatWork'stechnique.

Thehumanforearm,whichtheGreekssimplycalledthearm(brachion),isthehieroglyphfortheshort,abridgedway(arsbrevis).Asamatteroffact,ourAdept,toyingwithwordsasthelearnedcabalistheis,hidesunderthesubstantivebrachion,arm,acomparativeofbrachus,writteninthesamefashion.Thelattermeansshort,brief,ofshortduration,andformsseveralcompounds,includingbrachutes,brevity.Thusthecomparativebrachion,meaningbrief,thehomonymofbrachion,arm,takesonthespecificmeaningofbrieftechnique,arsbrevis.

ButtheGreeksusedyetanotherexpressiontoqualifythearm.Whentheyevokedthehand(cheir),theyappliedbyextensiontheideatotheentireupperlimbandgaveitthefigurativevalueofaskilledartisticproductionofaspecialprocess,ofapersonalstyleofwork,inshort,ofatourdemain,aflickofthewrist,whetheracquiredorrevealed.AlltheseacceptionsofthewordexactlycharacterizethefinepointsoftheGreatWorkinitsswift,simpleanddirectrealization,foritrequirestheapplicationofaveryenergeticfiretowhichtheflickofthewristboilsdown[pouringacrucibleproperly].Nowthisfireonourbas-reliefisrepresentednotonlybytheflames,itisalsorepresentedbythelimbitselfwhichthehandindicatesasbeingtherightarm;anditiswellknownfromtheproverbialexpressionthat"tobetherightarm"alwaysappliestotheagentresponsiblefortheexecutingofthewillofasuperior--thefireinthepresentcase.

Apartfromthesereasons---whicharenecessarilyabstractbecausetheyareveiledintheformofastonewithaconciseimage---thereisanotherone,practical,whichcomestoupholdandconfirminthepracticaldomaintheesotericaffiliationofthefirstones.Weshallstateitbysayingthatwhosoeverbeingignorantoftheflickofthewristoftheoperationyettakestherisktoundertakeit,mustfeareverythingfromthefire;thatpersonisinrealdangerandcanhardlyescapetheconsequencesofathoughtlessandrecklessaction.Whythen,onecouldsaytous,

nottoprovidethismeans?WewillanswerthisbysayingthattorevealanexperimentofthissortwouldbetogivethesecretoftheshortwayandthatwehavenotreceivedfromGodnorfromourbrotherstheauthorizationtouncoversuchamystery.Itisalreadymuchthat,promptedbyoursolicitudeandcharity,wewarnedthebeginnerwhoseluckystarleadstothethresholdofthecave,thatheshouldbeonhisguardandredoublehisprudence.Asimilarwarningisrarelyencounteredinthebooks,andquitesuccintastowhatconcernstheArsbrevis,butwhichtheAdeptofDampierreknewasperfectlyasRipley,BasilValentine,Philalethes,AlbertusMagnus,HuginusaBarma,CylianiorNaxagoras.

Nevertheless,andbecausewedeemitusefultowarntheneophyte,itwouldbewrongtoconcludethatwearetryingtodisheartenhim.Ifhewantstorisktheadventure,letitbeforhimthetrialbyfiretowhichthefutureinitiatesofThebesandHermopolishadtobeputthroughbeforereceivingthesublimeteachings.Isn'ttheinflamedarmonthealtartheexpressivesymbolofthesacrifice,oftherenunciationthesciencedemands?Everythingispaidfordownhere,notwithgold,butwithwork,withsuffering,oftenbyleavingapartofoneself;andonecouldnotpaytoomuchforthepossessionoftheleastsecret,ofthetiniesttruth.Thereforeshouldthecandidatefeelendowedwithfaithandarmedwiththenecessarycourage,wefraternallywishhimtocomeforthsafeandsoundfromthisdifficultexperience,whichmostoftenendswiththeexplosionofthecrucibleandtheprojectionofthefurnace.Andthenhecouldcryout,likeourphilosopher:Happyunhappiness!Fortheaccident,forcinghimtoponderthemistakehehascommitted,willundoubtedlyleadhimtodiscoverthemeanstoavoiditandtheflickofthewristfortheproperoperation.

TheCastleofDampierreVI(Panel7)---Thegeometricfigurewhichweencounterherefrequentlyornamentedthefrontispiecesofmedievalalchemicalmanuscripts.ItwascommonlycalledSolomon'sLabyrinth,andwementionedelsewherethatitwasreproducedonthestonefloorsofourgreatgothiccathedrals.Thisfigurebearsasamotto:.FATA.VIAM.INVENIENT.Thefateswillwellfindtheirway.Ourbas-relief,specificallycharacterizingthelongway,revealstheformalintention,expressedbythepluralityofDampierre'smotifstoprimarilyteachtheWorkoftherich.Forthislabyrinthoffersonlyoneentrance,whileotherdrawingsofthesamesubjectusuallyshowthree,whichentrances,bytheway,correspondtothethreeporchesofthegothiccathedralsplacedundertheinvocationoftheVirginmother.Oneentrance,absolutelystraight,leadsdirectlytothemedianchamber---whereTheseusslayedtheMinotaur---withoutencounteringtheleastobstacle;itconveystheshort,simple,easywayoftheWorkofthepoor.Thesecond,whichlikewiseleadstothecenter,onlyopensontoitafteraseriesofdetours,twistsandturns,andconvolutions;itisthehieroglyphforthelongwayandwehavesaidthatitreferstothepreferredesotericismofourAdept.Finally,athirdgalleryofwhichtheopeningisparalleltothatoftheprecedingones,endsabruptlyasadeadendashortdistancefromthethreshold,andleadsnowhere.Itcausethedespairandruinofthosewhohavegoneastray,ofthepresumptuousones,andofthosewho,withoutseriousstudyandsolidprinciples,neverthelesssetoutonthewayandchancedtheadventure.

TheCastleofDampierreIX(Panel4)---Closedbyitsnarrowlid,withafatalbeitsplitbelly,acommonclaypotfillswithitsplebeianandcrackedmajestythesurfaceofthispanel.Itsinscriptionstatesthatthevaseofwhichweseetheimage,mustopenbyitselfandmanifestbyitsdestructionthecompletionofthatwhichitholds:INTVS.SOLA.FIENT.MANIFESTA.RUINA.(Onlytheinsidemakestheruinmanifest).

Amongsomanydiversefigures,somanyemblemswithwhichitfraternizes,oursubjectseemstobeallthemoreoriginalbecauseitssymbolismrelatestothedrypath,alsocalledtheWorkofSaturn,asrarelytranslatedintoiconographyasitisdescribedintexts.Basedontheuseofsolidandcrystallizedmaterials,thebriefway(arsbrevis)onlyrequiresthehelpofacrucibleandtheapplicationofhightemperatures.Thistruth,Henckelhadglimpsed,whenheremarksthatthe"artistElias,quotedbyHelvetius,claimsthatthepreparationofthephilosopher'sstoneisaccomplished,fromstarttofinish,infourdaystime;andthathehasindeedshowntheshownstilladheringtothesidesofthecrucible;itseemstome,theauthorcontinues,thatitwouldnotbesoabsurdtoquestionwhetherthatwhichthealchemistscalledlongmonths,wouldnotreallyonlybedays---thatistosayaveryshortperiodoftime---andwhethertheredidnotexistamethodwherebytheentireoperationwouldconsistinholding,foraverylongtime,themattersinagreatdegreeoffluiditywhichcouldbeobtainedbyaviolentfiremaintainedbytheactionofbellows;butthismethodcannotbeundertakeninalllaboratoriesandperhapsnoteveryonewouldfinditpractical."[J.F.Henckel,Traitedel'Appropriation(TreatiseonAppropriation)inPyritologieouHistoirenaturelledelapyrite(PyritologyorNaturalHistoryofPyrites).Paris,J-T.Herissant,1760,p.370,para.416.]

Nevertheless,contrarytothehumidway,whoseglassutensilsallowforeasycontrolandaccurateobservation,thedrywaycannotenlightentheoperatoratanytimeintheprocessoftheWork.So,althoughthetimefactorreducedtoaminimumconstitutesaseriousadvantageinthepracticeofthearsbrevis,thenecessityofhightemperatures,ontheotherhand,presentstheseriousinconvenienceofanabsoluteuncertaintyastotheprogressoftheoperation.Everythinghappensinthedeepestmysteryinsidethecruciblewhichiscarefullysealed,buriedatthecoreoftheincandescentcoals.Itisthereforeimportanttobeveryexperiencedandtoknowthefire'sbehaviorandpowerwellasonecouldnotfindinit,fromthebeginningtotheendtheleastofindications.Allthecharacteristicreactionsofthehumidwayhavingbeenindicatedamongtheclassicalauthors,itispossibleforthestudiousartisttoacquireindicationspreciseenoughtoallowhimtoundertakehislonganddifficultwork.Here,onthecontrary,itiswithoutanyguidethatthetraveler,bravetothepointofrashness,entersthisaridandburntdesert.Noroadlaidout,noclue,nolandmark;nothingsavetheapparentinertiaoftheearth,oftherock,ofthesand.Theshinykaleidoscopeofthecoloredstagesdoesnotbrightenuphisuncertainwalk;itisasablindmanthathecontinueshispath,withoutanyothercertaintysavethatofhisfaith,withoutanyotherhopebuthisconfidenceindivinemercy...

Yetattheendofhispath,theinvestigatorwillnoticeasign,theonlyonewhoseappearanceindicatessuccessandconfirmstheperfectionofthesulphurbythetotalfixationofmercury;thissignconsistsinthespontaneousburstingofthevessel.Oncethetimehaselapsed,bylaterallyuncoveringapartofitsside,wenotice,whentheexperimenthassucceeded,oneormorelinesofdazzlingclarity,clearlyvisibleonthelessbrilliantbackgroundoftheenvelope.Thesearethecracksrevealingthehappybirthoftheyoungking.Justlikeattheendofincubationthehen'seggbreaksundertheeffortofthechick,similarlytheshellofoureggbreaksassoonasthesulphurisproduced.Thereis,amongtheseresults,anevidentanalogyinspiteofthedifferentcauses,forinthemineralWork,thebreakingofthecruciblecanlogicallybeattributedtoachemicalaction,unfortunatelyimpossibletoconceiveortoexplain.Letusnotehoweverthattheratherwellknownfactoftenoccursundertheinfluenceofcertaincombinationsoflesserinterest.Thus,forexample,whileleavingaside,afterhavingcleansedthemwell,newcrucibleswhichhaveonlybeenusedonce,forthefusionofmetallicglass,theproductionofheparsulphuris,ordiaphoreticantimony,theyarefoundcrackedafterafewdayswithoutonebeingabletoexplaintheobscurereasonofthislatephenomenon.Theconsiderablespacingoftheirbulgesshowsthatthefractureseemstooccurbythepushofanexpansiveforceactingfromthecentertowardstheperipheryatroomtemperatureandlongaftertheuseofthesevessels.

Finally,letuspointouttheremarkablematchwhichexistsbetweenthemotifofDampierreandthatofBourges(HotelLallemant,intheceilingofthechapel).Amongthehermeticpanelsofthelatter,onecanalsoseeanearthenpottilted,whoseopening,bell-mouthedandrather

wide,isenclosedwithaparchment'smembranetiedontheedges.Itsbellywithholesinitletsbeautifulmaclesofdifferentsizesescapefromit.Theindicationofthecrystallineformofthesulphurobtainedbythedrywayisthusveryclearandconfirmsbyitsaddeddetails,theesotericqualityofourbas-relief.

TheCastleofDampierre(XII)---Butbeforeweleavethismasterfulensemble,wewillallowourselvestoconnectitsteachingstothatofacuriousstonepicturethatcanbeseeninJacquesCouer'spalaceinBourgesandwhichapparentlycanserveasaconclusionto,andsummaryof,ourcollection.Thissculptedpanelformsthetympanumofadooropeningonthemaincourtyard,andrepresentsthreeexotictrees---apalmtree,afigtree,andadatetree---growinginthemidstofherbaceousplants;aframeofflowers,leaves,andtwigssurroundthebas-relief(PlateXXXIII).

Thepalmanddatetrees,ofthesamefamily,wereknowntotheGreeksunderthenameofphoenix,andPhoenixinLatin,whichisourhermeticphoenix;theyrepresentthetwoMagisteriesandtheirresults,thetwowhiteandredstones,whichpartakeofoneandthesamenatureincludedinthecabalisticdenominationofPhoenix.Asforthefigtreeoccupyingthecenterofthecomposition,itindicatesthemineralsubstanceoutofwhichthephilosophersdrawtheelementsofthemiraculousrebirthofthePhoenix,anditisthisworkofrebirthasawholewhichconstituteswhatiscommonlyreferredtoastheGreatWork.

AccordingtotheapocryphalGospelsitwasafigorsycamorefigtree(a.k.a.thefigtreeofthePharoah)whichhadthehonorofshelteringtheHolyFamilyduringtheirflighttoEgyptofnourishingthemwithitsfruitandofquenchingtheirthirst,thankstotheclearandfreshwaterthatthechildJesushaddrawnoutfrombetweenitsroots.FigtreeinGreekissuke,fromsukon,fig,awordfrequentlyusedforkusthos,withtherootkuo,tocarryinthewomb,tocontain;itistheVirginMotherwhobearsthechild,andthealchemicalemblemofthepassive,chaotic,andcoldsubstance,thematrixandvehicleofthespiritincarnate.Sozomene,a4thcenturyauthor,assertsthatthetreeofHermopoliswhichbowedbeforetheinfantJesuswascalledPersea(Hist.Eccl.,Lib.V,ch.21).Itisthenameofthebalanus(BalanitesAegyptica),ashrubfromEgyptandArabia,akindofoak,calledbytheGreeksbalanis,acorn,awordbywhichtheyalsocalledthemyrobalan,fruitofthemyrobalantree.ThesediverseelementsareperfectlyrelatedtothesubjectofthesagesandthetechniqueofthearsbrevisthatJacquesCouerseemstohavepracticed.

ChristopherGrummet~SanguisNaturae

ThisisaShortandSecretwaywhichfewalsohaveknown.Theotherwayislonger...

Thiswayislong,andlastethalmosttwoyears,andisverytedious,whichalsotheAncientPhilosopherstaught...

JohanGrashof~TheGreaterandLesserEdifyer

Lastly,Iwillalsogladlyperformcertainprocesseswhichcomprehendthetruefoundation,sothatyoumayseethatifyouhadunderstoodthephilosophyproperlyatfirst,thenyoucouldhaveattainedtheendinamuchmorerapidtime.SuchafailurewiththeMateriacomesespeciallythroughmisunderstandingofthefirstResolutionordissolvingandalsoofthecorrectcomposition,asyoushallhear.ForseveralphilosophershavefinishedtheWorkandbroughtittoahappyconclusionin378daysandothersin30days.

JohanF.Helvetius~TheGoldenCalf

Hewouldnottellmeanythingaboutthecostandthetime;"Astoitssubstance,"hecontinued,"itispreparedfromtwometalsorminerals;themineralsarebetterbecausetheycontainalargerquantityofmatureSulfur.Thesolventisacertaincelestialsalt,bymeansofwhichtheSagesdissolvetheearthymetallicbody,andthisprocesselicitsthepreciousElixiroftheSages.Theworkisperformedfrombeginningtoendinacrucibleoveranopenfire;itisconsummatedinfourdays,anditscostisonlyaboutthreeflorins.NeithertheMineralfromtheEggnortheSolventSaltareveryexpensive."IrepliedthathisstatementwascontradictedbythesayingoftheSages,whoassignsevenorninemonthsasthedurationoftheWork.HisonlyanswerwasthatthesayingsoftheSagesweretobeunderstoodinaphilosophicalsenseandnoignorantpersoncouldapprehendtheirtruemeaning.

J.IsaacHollandus~DeLapidePhilosophorum

YoumustknowthattheoldalchemistsmadetheStoneinmanydifferentways,andattheenditwasalwaysgood.KnowthattheoldmastersworkedasIhavetoldyou.ButtheirdescendantsdiscoveredmanyotherformsoftheworksbywhichtheycouldshortentheArt,suchasusingaquafort...TheyalsosoughttoshortenthetimeandtotrydoingitaccordingtoNature.Theworkinvolvesgreatworry,muchlaborandmuchexpenseanduncertainty...

J.I.Hollandus~VegetableWork

Know,myson,thatthestoneofthephilosophersmustbemadebymeansofSaturn,andthatonceitisobtainedinitsperfectstate,itperformstheprojectionbothinthehumanbody,internallyaswellasexternally,andinthemetals.Knowalsothatinallvegetableworks,thereisnogreatersecretthaninSaturn,forwefindtheputrefactionofgoldonlyinSaturnwhereitishidden.Saturncontainswithinitthehonestgold,onwhichallphilosophersagree,providedallitssuperfluities,i.e.,itsfaecesareremovedfromit,onlythenhasitbeenpurged.Theouterisbroughtinside;theinnermanifestsouter,andthatisitsrednessandthenthatisthehonestGold.

Besides,Saturneasilyentersintosolutionandcoagulatessimilarly.ItlendsitselfreadilytotheextractionofitsMercury.Itcanbeeasilysublimated,tosuchanextentthatitbecomesthemercuryofthesun.ForSaturncontainswithinitselfthegoldwhichtheMercuryneeds,anditsmercuryisaspureasthatofgold.Forthesereasons,IsaythatSaturnis,forourWork,byfarpreferabletogold;forifyouwanttoextractmercuryfromgold,youwillneedmorethanayeartoextractthisbodyoutofthesun,whileyoucanextractmercuryfromSaturnin27days.

Bothmetalsaregood,butyoucanassertwithmorecertaintyyet,thatSaturnisthestonethatthephilosophersdonotwanttonameandwhosenameuntiltodayhasbeenhidden.Forwereitsnameknown,manywouldhavefoundit,whoareeagerlylookingforit,andthisartwouldhavebecomecommonandvulgar.Thisworkwouldthenbecomebriefandwithoutmuchexpense.Thustoavoidthesedrawbacks,thephilosophershavehiddenitsnamewithgreatcare.Somehaveenvelopeditinmarvelousparables,sayingthatSaturnisthevasetowhichnothingforeignmustbeadded,exceptthatwhichcomesfromit;insuchawaythatthereisnoman,howeverpoor,whocannotbeoccupiedwiththisWork,sinceitdoesnotrequiregreatexpenseandsincelittleworkandfewdaysareneededtoobtaintheMoonfromit,andalittlebitlatertheSun.WethereforefindinSaturneverythingnecessaryfortheWork.Initistheperfectmercury,initareallthecolorsoftheworldwhichcanbemanifested,initisthetrueblackness,thewhiteness,therednessandinitalsoistheweight.

IthereforeconfideinyouthatitiseasyafterthattounderstandthatSaturnisourphilosophicalstone,andthatBronzefromwhichmercuryandourstonecanbeextracted,inlittletimeandwithoutalotofdisbursements,usingourbriefart.AndthestoneweobtainfromitisourBronze,andtheacutewater,whichiswithinit,isourstone.HerearetheStoneandtheWateraboutwhichthephilosophershavewrittenmountainsofbooks.

KamalaJnana~DictionaryofAlchemicalPhilosophy

WetWay:Thisisthemostcommonlyfollowedpath.Itisalsofarmoredescribedthanothersare.Itlastsfor28philosophicalmonths.Thisdictionarywillbemostlyaboutthisway.Itisrelativelyeasier,becausecommentsonitcanbeeasilyfound.Itisalsothelesstoxicandlessdangerous.

DryWay:Thisisalessknownpath,althoughquicker,lastingfourphilosophicalmonths.ThemaindifferenceresidesonthefirstSolveoperations.ThewisementhenusetheirAgentintheformofearth.Thisremainingunalteredbyhumidityintheairismoreactiveandcooksthemattermorestrongly.Itisneverthelessveryharmfulifbreathedandgiventheheatrequireditmayeasilyhappenthatthevesselexplodes.

NicolasLeFevre~SecretofSecrets

TableVII:TheTime~Bythelongfirsthumidbutfinallydryway,sevenmonthsaresufficientfortheArtist,butforthequickdryway,fivehoursareenough.

ThehumidanddrywayisbutOneWay,whichbydiligenceornegligenceoftheoperator,maybeabbreviatedorprolonged.

RaymondLully~LetterorEpitometoKingRupert

YouaskwhichofthethreeStonesismoreuseful,readilyobtained,andefficacious:Well,themineralmethodislongandfullofrisks.Itconsistsintwowaters,oneofwhichmakestheStonevolatilewithoutlabourordanger;theotherfixesit,andisfixedwithit,andthisoperationisattendedwithrisk.Thislatterwaterisextractedfromacertainfetidmenstruum;itisstrongerthananyotherwater,andthedangerconsistsintheeasewithwhich,inablution,itsspiritmayescape.

TheAnimalStoneisfarmoredifficultofcomposition,sothatfargreaterknowledgeisrequiredforit;yetitenablesyounotonlytotransmutemetalsintogold,buttochangeanythingintoanyotherthing,whencethepotencyofthisStoneisinfinite.TheVegetableStonetakesstilllongertoprepare,andhasstillmorewonderfulvirtuesthantheAnimalStone.ItshouldfollowtheAnimalStoneasfarastherectificationofelements,and,ifthusprepared,itseffectpassesintotheanimal.EverythingtransmutedbymeansoftheVegetableStone,fartranscendsNatureinexcellenceandsize,becauseitisimpregnatedwiththequintessencewhichperformssomanywonderfulthingsintheworld.Allalchemicalgoldiscomposedfromcorrosives,andfromtheincorruptiblequintessencewhichisfixedwiththefermentbytheskilloftheartist.SuchquintessenceisacertainmortifiedandempoisonedspiritintheMineralStone.TheAnimalStonemaybethemostmiraculousmedicineforthehumanbody,justasifitwereanextractofhumanblood.ThequintessencewhichisintheVegetableStonerestoresyouth,andpreservesthehumanbodyfromallaccidentalcorruption.Thespiritofthequintessence,asyouknow,isthatwhichtingesandtransmutes,ifitbemixedwithitsproperferment.TheVegetableStoneismorenoble,anduseful,andefficacious,thanalltherest.

Youaskmewhethertheworkcanbeshortened;Itellyouthatallabbreviationdiminishesperfection,sothatthemedicinewhichiscomposedbyaccurtationhaslesstransmutatorypower.Thereis,however,amultiplexaccurtationoftheMineralStone.Inordertocurtailitseffectaslittleaspossible,youshouldafterthefirstcalcinationandputrefaction,whichisperformedwiththemostlimpidandclearfirstwaterduringaspaceof20days,andnotless,separatefromthesubstancearedpowder,anddistillitwiththesecondwatersoastopreventtheescapeofthespirit.Takeonlythelastpartofthiswater,afterrubefactioninthealembic.Dissolvethereinthepowders,byplacingbothinhotwaterinasealedvessel;thensetoveritanalembic,anddistillasmuchaswillascend.Thiswaterpouraway;thatwhichremainswiththebodycoagulateinawell-closedvesselamonghotashes;makeotherwaterandpouroverit,thendistillandcoagulatetentimes.ThustheStonewillbemadeperfect.Ifyouwishtoincreaseitsefficiency,youmaygoondistillingandcoagulatingitasoftenasyoulike,oruntilitisimpossibletocongealthebodyfurther.ThisMedicinewillchangemetalsintogold,andmaybecompletedin80daysatthemost.

InthecaseoftheAnimalStone,thereisnopossibilityofabridgment,except,indeed,thattheearthmayberuledwithfire,andthewaterwithair,whenitsefficacywillbethesame;thisiscalledtheaccurtationofmiddletime.AstotheVegetableStone,thesamemaybesaid.ThefollowingdirectionswillbefoundusefulinthepreparationofthisStone...

WhereforeIspeakthingswhicharemiraculous,whichseemedtobeincredibletoalltheancientPhilosophers,thatis,thatthoushaltknowwelltoseparatethisoilfromthewaterinessandthoushaltlabourinthemannerofthemixtionofthem,andthoushaltbeabletomaketheStonein30days,butthisisnotnecessarybyitselfbecausethesolutionsandcoagulationsofit(ashathbeensaid)arequicklymadeanddone...

IdemandinwhattimethisblessedStonemaybemade,towhichitisansweredasacertainauthorLeliusthePhilosopherwitnesses,thathismagisterywasfinishedineightdays,andthatanotherdiditinsevendays,andanotherinthreemonths,andsomeinfourmonths,andsomein

halfayear,andsomeinthespaceofawholeyear,andMariasaysshediditinthreedays.TothisIsaythatthecauseofdiversity,thatisofshortnessandlengthoftime,mightbedefectinthevirtueofthewaterofMercuryorbecauseitworkethofSolandLuna.AndsomeofthePhilosophersaddedmoreandsomeless.ButSolisfixedandnotflying,andwiththatonlydidtheywork.

Dr.JohanMuller~HyleandCoahyl

Yousee,Ihavetaughtyouthecompleteworkfromitsbeginningtotheend,butmanydon'tlikethiswaybecauseofthelongtimethatittakes;buttheotherway,thesecondway,Iwillteachyouherewith,andinnottoolongatimeyouwillattaintothesecretoftheWorkAdamists.

MyriamProphetessa~HerConversationwithAros,KingofEgypt

Myriam:MydearAros!IcanaccomplishtheworkofourStonenotonlyinoneday,buteveninpartofaday.

Doesttheenotknow,Aros!ThatthereisaWateroraThing,whichWhitenethhendrages?

Hermeshasmentionedthatthephilosophersareaccustomedtowhitenthestoneinonehour.

IfIdidnotfindasteadymindinthee,OAros!Iwouldsaynomore!

TakeAlumfromSpain,theWhiteGum,andtheRedGum,theKibruofthePhilosophers,theirGold,andtheGreatTincture.

MakeamarriageoftheGumwiththeGum,byatrueunion;

Proceedtherewith,thattheymayflowlikewater;thiswellpreparedwaterThoumustvitrify,thatis,thoumustmakeaglassthereof.

ThisglassiscomposedofTwoSubjectsandafixedbody.RenderthismatterfusiblebythesecretoperationofnatureinthePhilosophicalVessel.

TakecareoftheFume,andbeware,thatnothingofthefumemayescape!Attendthework,withagentlefire,suchastheSungivesinJuly.

BenotabsentfromtheVessel,thatthoumaystobserve,howthematterbecomesBlack,WhiteandRed,inlessthan3hoursofaday,andthefumewillpenetratethebody,theSpiritswillkeeptogetherandwillbecomelikeMilk,whichsoftens,andrendersfusibleandpenetrating.

AndthisistheSecret,OAros!

MydearAros!IcouldtellTheeanotherSecret,whichthePhilosophersbeforeme,didnotknowormakeuseof!AndthatwasnotanythingMedicinal.Itisthis:TakethatWhite,Clearandmuch-honouredherb,whichisfoundinthelowHills,pounditfreshandsiftthepowderveryfinely.

Thisisthetruefixtbody,whichdoesnotfleefromthefire,butrathermeltsintoglass.

Aros:Isthisthetruth?

Myriam:Yes,truly.Butveryfewknowthisregimenandthequicknessinthefire.

Vitrifyormakeaglassoverthematter;overtheKibrickandZubreck,overthetwoFumeswhichcontaintwoLights,andwhenitisperfect,throworprojectthereinthefulfillingorfermentoftheTinctureandoftheSpirits,accordingtothetrueWeight.

Thenpulverizeit,itisverybrittle,andmakeuseofitinastrongfire,andthouwiltseestrangethingsperformedthereby.

ThewholeRegimendependsonthemoderationoftheFire.ItwillpassfromoneColourtoanother,inonehour'stime,beforeitbecomesWhiteandRed.WhenthouhastobtainedperfectRedness,letthefiregooutandletthemattergrowcold,opentheVessel.

Andthouwiltfindthebodyappearsnowlikeafinepearl,withatintofthewildPoppyintermixedwithwhite,andthisisthesubstance,whichinceriates,givethingress,mollifiesandpenetrates.

AndthisStonecanbeprojectedon1200partsofLeadorTin.

MyriamsaidfurthertoKingAros:Iwillteachthee,howtoproceedbytheshortestway:withtheClearFixtBody,foundonsmallhills:thisbodycannotbeconqueredbyputrefaction.Takethatbodyfinelypowderedandsifted;rubitupgentlywithGumElsaron,rubitveryfinelyandunitethetwopowders.

Ifyouprojectthisorunitethiswithherspouse,itwillflowlikewater,andwhenitcools,itwillbecoagulatedandTheywillbecomeoneBody;projectsomepartofthisbody,andthouwillseewonderfulthings.

ThebeforementionedTwoFumesaretheWhiteKibrick:butthefixtbodyisfromtheheartofSaturn,whichpreservestheTincture.

ThePhilosophershavegivenvariousnamestothisfixtbody,whichistakenfromsmallhills,anditisaClearWhiteBody.

Thesearetheprinciplesofthisart,whichcanpartlybebought,partlyitisfoundonsmallhills.

InourworkenterFourStones,andtheRegimenisasIhavesaid;thefirstare:Seoyare,AdeandZilket.

ThePhilosophershavealwaysindicatedalongRegimen,andhaveconcealedtheWork,thatnomanshouldeasilyundertakeit,andthey

pretendtobeawholeyearindoingthemagistery;Butallthisisdonewithnootherview,thantohidetheworkfromtheignorant,untiltheycancomprehendit,becauseitisonlyaccomplishedwithfineGold,whichisagreatandDivineSecret.

MyriamsaidfurthertoKingAros:TheVesselofHermesdoesconsistintheDegreeoftheFire.TheRootofourArtisaBrittleLeprousBodyandvenomousmatterwhichdestroysallmineralandmetallicbodiesandreducesthemintoapowder.ItcoagulatesMercurybyitsfumes.

Myriamadded,bysaying:IswearuntotheebythelivingGod,thatifthebefore-mentionedvenomousmatterbedissolvedandopened,itcoagulatesMercuryintoLuna,byitsstrength,andtingesJupiterintoLunaandtheArtisinalltheMetals,butespeciallyintheFixtmetals,whereinlietheTingeingElements.

Paracelsus~ThePhilosophicalCanons

[44]ThePhilosophers'workcanbecarriedonwithoutmuchlabourorexpenseatallties,ineveryplace,andbyall,ifonlythetrueandsufficientmatterbeforthcoming.

[87]Thelongmethodistheopensecretofphilosophy,butitisaveilandanevasion.

[88]ThereisacertainshortmethodbywhichtheSulfurisremovedfromgoldandsilver,wherebyeveryMercuryispermanentlychangedintogoldorsilver.

[119]TheWisereduceyearstomonths,monthstoweeks,weekstodays

EirenaeusPhilalethes~RipleyRevived

AnExpositionUponSirG.Ripley'sEpistle---IknowmanypitifulSophistersdodoteonmanyStones,Vegetable,Animal,andMineral;andsometothoseaddthefieryAngelical,ParadaicalStone,whichtheycallaWonder-workingEssence;andbecausethemarktheyaimatissogreat,thewaysalsobywhichtheywouldattaintheirscope,theymakealsoagreeable,thatisadoubleway;OnewaytheycallViaHumida,theothertheycallViaSicca,(tousetheirlanguages:)thelatterwayistheLabyrinthianpath,whichisfitonlyforthegreatonesoftheearthtotreadin;theothertheDaedaleanPath,aneasiewayofsmallcostforthepooroftheworldtoenterprise.

ButthisIknow,andcantestifie,thatthereisbutoneway,andbitonlyoneRegimen,nomorecoloursthanours;andwhatwesayorwriteotherwise,isbuttodeceivetheunwary:Forifeverythingintheworldoughttohaveitspropercauses,therecannotbeanyoneendwhichisproducedfromtwowayesofworkingondistinctPrinciples.

Thereforeweprotest,andmustagainadmonishtheReader,thatinourformerwritings)wehaveconcealedmuch,byreasonofthetwowayswehaveinsinuated,whichwewillbrieflytouch;ThereisoneWorkofours,whichisthePlayofChildren,andtheWorkofWomen,andthatisDecoctionbytheFire;andweprotestthatthelowestdegreeofthisourwork,is,thatthematterbestirredup,andmayhourlycirculatewithoutfearobreakingtheVessel,whichforthisreasonoughttobeverystrong;butourlinealDecoctionisanInternalWork,whichadvanceseverydayandhour,andisdistinctfromthatofoutwardheat,andthereforeisbothinvisibleandinsensible...

ButtrustmethisisnotforaTyro,norforeveryoneofus,unlesshehavetheSecretfromhisownStudies,andnotbyTraditionfromaMasterorGuide.Knowthenthatthisfore-recitedwayistrue,butinvolvedwithathousandbroileries.

Butourwaywhichisaneasieway,andinwhichnomanmayerre,ourbroadway,ourLinearway,wehavevowednevertorevealitbutinMetaphors;Ibeingmovedwithpity,willhintittoyou.Takethatwhichisnotyetperfect,noryetwhollyimperfect,butinawaytoperfectionandoutofitmakewhatismostnobleandmostperfect:ThisyoumayconceivetobeaneasierReceipt,thentotakethatwhichisalreadyperfect,andextractoutofitwhatisimperfect,andthenmakeitperfect,andafteroutofthatperfectiontodrawaplusquamperfection:andyetthisistrue,andwehavewroughtit,AndbecauseitisanimmenseLabourforanytoundertake,wedescribethatway;butthislastdiscoverywhichIhintedinfewwords,isitwhichnomaneverdidsoplainlylayopen,normayanymanmakeitmoreplain,uponpainofanAnathema...

PraythentoGod,thathewouldbepropitiousuntoyourstudiesandlabours,ingivingtheethetrueknowledgeofthissecretMystery;itisthegiftofGod,IhaveholpentheewhatIcan,butventurenottopracticebarelyuponmywords,forknowthatwhatIhaveonlyhinted,isfarmorethenwhatIhavediscovered;andwhatIhavedeclaredtothyfirstapprehensionmostopenly,hathyetitslurkingSerpentunderthegreenGrass,Imeansomehiddenthingwhichthououghtesttounderstand,whichthoubeingCock-sureatfirstblushwiltneglect;butyetitwillbitetheebytheheelwhenthouapproachesttopractice,andmaketheebeginagain,anditmaybeatlastthrowawayallasamandesperate:forknowthatthisisanArtveryCabalistical,andwedostudyexpressionsuchasweknowwillsuitalmostwithanymansfancy,inoneplaceorother;butbesuretotakethisMaximfromonewhoknowsbestthesenceofwhathehathwritten:Wherewespeakmostplainly,therebemostcircumspect,forwedonotgoabouttobetraytheSecretsofNature;especiallytheninthoseplaceswhichseemtogiveReceiptssoplainasyouwoulddesire,suspecteitheraMetaphor,orelsebesurethatsomethingorotherissupprest,whichthouwilthardlywithoutInspirationeverfindofthyself,whichintryalwillmakeallthyconfidentknowledgevanish;yettoaSonofArt,wehavewrittenthatwhichneverheretoforewasbyanyrevealed...

For'tisaLabourhardlytobeborne,Somanytricksandturningsinitbe,Andhethattryethitissurelyforlorne,UnlessacraftyMaster,creditme;ForIhavetriedboth,yetcouldnotseeHowanyinthiswaycanbesecure:Ithereforewhohavevowedsecrecy

Havewritthisway,whichwecanscarceendureForknowledge-saketotry,itseasewillnoneallure.

OurKinglyroadIalsohintedhave,OurwayinwhichaFoolcanhardlyerre,Oursecretway,whichmuchmadtoylwillsave,Whichissoeasie,thatImayaver,Ifthoushouldstseeit,thouwouldstitpreferToanyearthlypleasure;yetbewareThatyoumistakenot,forIdoaver,AmingledDoctrinetheselinesdodeclare,IorbothwaysinthisBookofminedoclaimashare.

Learntodistinguisheverysentencewell,AndknowtowhatWorkitdothappertain;Thisisgreatskill,whichfewasIcantellByalltheirreadingyetcouldereattain,AndyetofTheorythisisthemain:AlsotoknowaccordinglytogiveDueheat,whichinonewaythoumustbefainT'increaseten-fold,thoumaystmewellbelieve,Forwhatwedecoct,t'otherawaywilldrive.

AlsotheirOperationsdifferentAppear,theonethoumustsublimeandboyl,Otediousway!Inwhichmuchtimeisspent,Andmanyerrours,whichtheWorkwillspoyl:Theothersilentlydothmakenotoyl,LikethestillvoicewhichtoEliahcame,AboutwhichWorkthouneedestnottobroyl,NorwantstthoufieryVulcan'sparchingflame,AfarmoregentleheatbeginsandendsthisGame.

ButifthoucansteachWorkperformapart,Andknowstthemafterwardtoreconcile,ThenartthouMasterofaPrincelyArt,Theverysuccesswillthyhopesbeguile;ThouhastallNaturesWorksranksinaFile,AndallherTreasuresatcommanddostkeep,OntheetheFateshallneverdarebutsmile,NoMysteryisnowfortheetoodeep,Th'artNaturesDarling,whetherthoudostwakeorsleep.

Pardonmyplainness,iftheArtthouknowst,'TwasthefruitofmyuntameddesireToprofitmany;andwithoutaboast,NomanabovemyCandourshallaspire:MyzealwaskindledwithMinerva'sFire,AndthouwhotothisArtwiltnowapply,MyBookinNatureswayshallleadtheehigher,Theneverthoualonemaysthopetofly,Ifonlythoushaltfavour'dbebyDestiny.

Perusetheselines,andbeingread,reviewAndreadagain,andonthemmeditate,EachreadingshallfreshMysteriesandnewDiscover,whicharescatter'dineachGate;Fortheysolinkedare,thatallrelateToeach,andweourwordshavewovenso,ThatthoumaystsoonerrebymisleadingFate,Unlessfortodistinguishthoudoknow;Rememberthat'mongstBriarsthick,sweetRosesgrow.

Eir.Philalethes~AnOpenEntrancetotheClosedPalaceoftheKing

ChapterXIX---ThismethodhasbeenfollowedbymanySages,butitisexceedinglyslowandtedious,andisonlyfortherichoftheearth.Moreover,whenyouhavegotthisSulfurdonotthinkthatyoupossesstheStone,butonlyitstruematter,whichyoumayseekinanimperfectthing,andfinditwithinaweek,byoureasyyetrareway,reservedofGodforhispoor,contemned,andabjectsaints...

ThisistheGreatLabyrinthinwhichmostbeginnersgoastray,becausetheSagesinwritingofthesewaysastwoways,purposelyobscurethefactthattheyareonlyoneway(thoughofcoursetheoneismoredirectthantheother)...Iknowbothways,andprefertheshorterone;butIhavedescribedthelongeroneaswellinorderthatImaynotdrawdownuponmyselfthewrathofthe"Sages".Thegreatdifficultywhich

discouragesallbeginnersisnotofnature'smaking:theSageshavecreateditbyspeakingofthelongeroperationwhentheymeantheshorterone,andviceversa.

EugeniusPhilalethes~AShortEnquiryConcerningtheHermeticArt

"ThereisapureMatter"(saithanother)"whichistheMatterofGold,containinginitselftheheatthatgivethincrease"(FireofGeneration).ThisislockedunderthickFoldsincommonGold;norisittobeextracted,butbyastrongandtediousDecoction,whichisaWorkliabletomanyErrors,andhathalwaysoccasionedthosethatwroughtinittocomplainofthelengthandtroubleofit.ButintheotherWork,theBodyissoondissolved,byasweetandkindlybath,ormoistFire.

AstheformerpathrequiresmuchPainandPatiencetoeffecttheWork,sothisrequiresgreatSkillandApplicationtofinditout,beingdeeplyconcealed.TheMastersoftheseSecretsdoalsoaffirm,thattheseWorks(whicharealloneintheBeginning)maybeconjoined,andmadetheirGrandMedicine.AndIhavebeeninformed,thatthewayofmakingthemoneisbutslenderlyhid...

AndthathewillfindhimselfintheHighRoadofNaturewhichisthatSecretWayofthePhilosophers,viz.,mosteasie,delightfulandspeedy;inwhicharenoStorms,noHeterogeneities,noranyFire,butthegentleoneofGeneration.

Nortonasserts,ThattherearebutfewclerksthatcomprehendthisWork,itbeingtrulyPhilosophical.Andhesaith,ThatinthisWorkyoumustnotbeginwithQuicksilverandMetals,asifinanotherWorkyoumight;whichotherWork,headds,ifitbedoneinthreeyears,wouldbeablessedChance,andwhichbelongstogreatMen;advisingpoorMennottomeddlewithit,forthatErrorsinitmaybecommittedaboveahundredways;thatitisaworkofPainandlabour,aswellasfullofPerils.

GeorgeRipley~MedullaAlchymiae

ThefirstMatterofthisuncleanAlchymicalBodyisaViscousWater,whichisthickenedintheBowelsoftheEarth.AndthereforeofthisImpureBody(asVincentsaith)ismadethegreatElixiroftheRedandWhite,whosenameisAdrop,orAdrup,viz.,thePhilosophers'lead.FromthewhichRaymunduscommandsanOyltobedrawn:fromtheLeadofthePhilosophers(saithhe)lettherebeanOyldrawnofaGoldenColour;ifyoucanseparatethisOyl(whereinisOursecondTinctureandFireofnature)fromitsPhlegm,whichisitswaterishness,andwiselysearchouttheSecretthereof,youmayinthespaceof30daysperformtheWorkofthePhilosophers'Stone.

MartinRulandus~ALexiconofAlchemy

Water---DryWaterwhichdoesnotwetthehands.ItmustberememberedinthisconnectionthatthoseAdeptswhogivethisnametotheirMercuryarefollowersoftheDryWayintheoperationoftheMagisterium;thosewho,likeParacelsus,BasilValentin,etc.,areoperatorsoftheHumidWay,applytothesamesubstancetheappellationofVirgin'sMilk,becauseitisawhiteliquorwhichdoeswetthehands,whiletheotherisafluidMercuryofthenatureofVulgarQuicksilver.

Gold:ItsArtificialProduction---...ThischemicalsecretiscontainedintheHermeticCabinet,andthefacilitywithwhichtheexperimentcanbeperformedhasledmanypersonstoundertakeit.TheauthoritycitedinsupportofitisnolessthanthatofthemostlearnedBasilValentine,whoalsoaffirmsthattheoperationoftheGrandWorkofthePhilosopherscanbeperformedinlessthanthreeorfourdays,thatthecostshouldnotexceedthreeorfourflorins,andafewearthenvesselsaresufficientforthewholeexperiment.

SolinusSalztal~FountainofPhilosophicSalts

Atthispointtheoldmansaid:"Behold,nowIhavedoubledmercuryinmypossession.NowIownit---whitelily,powderofadamantine,chiefcentralpoisonofthedragon,spiritofarsenic,greenlion,incombustiblespiritofthemoon,lifeanddeathofallmetals,moistradical,universaldissolvingnutriment,truemenstruumofthephilosophers,whichwithoutdoinganydamageorharmreducesmetaltofirstmatter.Thisisthetruewaterforsprinkling,inwhichthelivingseedsofmetalsinhere,andfromwhichothermetalscanbeproduced.Throughthiswatertheirpotencyremainsinsolutioninthiswater.Inallkindsofaquafortisandothersuchunknownphilosophicwaters,theyloseandrelinquishthispotency.Inthisexaltedwateristhetruevitriolofthewise,ofwhichRupicessasaid:"Vitriolorsaltistheproperseedtogenerateallmetals,includingboththeremoteandtheproximateseed."Iwillshowyouitspowerasclearlyasinamirror:forthiswaterfromthefountainradically,silently,andwondrouslydissolvesallmetals,whiteandblack,byitsowninnatepowerandmagneticforce.Inaninstantitliquifiesmetalsbyitsowninternalfire.Itopenstheirporesandentersthemlikefeminineseed,attractingthesoulofthemetal.Itleavesthelifelessbodybehindlikerefusethatcannotendurethefire.Certainlyitisaverymarvelousthingthatthiswaterstripsmetalsoftheirdignity.Itisthedrypathofthephilosophers,bywhichmetalsarereducedtotheirfirstmatter.Itisconsideredveryswift,butcompendious.Sincewewanttoproceedonthehumidpath,inwhichcommonwaterisaddedtothiswatertomakeitliquid,wemustfirstmakethemetalsverybright.Thisoperationtakesagreatdealoftimeandeffort,butitisbeautifultolookat...

Theophrastus~TheSacredArt

ThewhiteaugmentedthricewithinafireInthreedaystimeisaltogetherchangedTolastingyellowandthisyellowthenWillgiveitshuetoeverywhitenedform.ThispowertotingeandshapeproducesgoldAndthusawondrousmarvelisrevealed.

ArnolddeVillanova~RosariumPhilosophorum

AristotleintheSecondBookofhisPolitics---ThereisadoublewayinthisartaccordingtothePhilosophers,thatis---universalandparticular.Theuniversalwayiseasyandrare,anditisthatwhichisbroughtforthfromtrueandnaturalbeginnings,bywhichaspeedyandreformativevirtuedothpresentlyandinamomenthardensMercury,andittincturethanymetalthatisdulyprepared,intotrueGoldorSilver.

Butthesecondwayiscalledparticularanditishardandlaboursome.Notethis,althoughAlchemyintheuniversalwaybepartlynaturalandpartlyartificial,yetitismorenaturalthanotherwise,becausebynaturenostrangeorforeignthingisbroughtinthewayoftrueAlchemy,fornaturehathwhereontoworkbecauseactivesarejoinedtopassivesbyacompetentunionandapplication,buttherestnatureworkethbyherself.

PartI

ArsMagna

Chapter3

Arsenic&Gur

Anonymous~TurbaPhilosophorumAnon.~HydropyrographumHermeticumAnon.~AMagnificent&SelectTractonPhilosophicalWaterAnon.~TheBookoftheScienceofBkrtnthAnon.~AnAnonymousTreatiseonthePhilosophers'StoneAnon.~TheCrowningofNatureAnon.~RosariumPhilosophorumR.Bacon~TheMirrorofAlchemyR.Bacon~TheRootoftheWorldS.Bacstrom~LapisdeTribusA.Besant&C.Leadbeater~OccultChemistryD.Beuther~TheTransmutationofBaseMetalsintoGoldandSilverW.Bloomfield~Bloomfield'sBlossomsP.Bonus~TheNewPearlofGreatPriceA.Coudert~Alchemy~ThePhilosophers'StoneR.W.Councell~ApologiaAlchemiaeJ.Cremer~TheTestamentofCremerM.Crosland~HistoricalStudiesintheLanguageofChemistryCyliani~HermesUnveiledJ.Dee~RosicrucianSecretsG.DellaPorta~HermeticTreatiseJ.Duchesnes~TreatiseonMetallicMedicineA.Eleazar~AeschMezarephJ.Espagnet~Arcanum,ortheGrandSecretofHermeticsH.Fictuld~AureumVellusB.Figulus~AGolden&BlessedCasketofNature'sMarvelsFulcanelli~TheMysteryoftheCathedralsFulcanelli~TheDwellingsofthePhilosophersGeber~TheSumofPerfectionGeber~TheInventionofVerity,orPerfectionJ.Grashof~TheGreater&LesserEdifyerC.Grummet~SanguisNaturaeJ.vanHelmont~ArcaArcaniArtificiosissimiApertaeHermes~TractatusAureusdeLapidusPhysiciSecretoE.Hitchcock~Alchemy&theAlchemistsJ.Hollandus~AWorkofSaturnJ.Hollandus~OpusculaAlchymicaJ.Hollandus~TheCabalaJ.Hollandus~DeLapidePhilosophorumR.Ingalese~TheyMadethePhilosophersStoneF.Jollivet-Castelot~TheChemicalManufactureofGoldC.Jung~MysteriumConiunctionis

J.Juran~HyleandCoahylA.Kirchweger~TheGoldenChainofHomerF.Libavius~CommentariosumAlchemiaemR.Lully~ApertoriumR.Lully~TestamentA.Magnus~CompoundofCompoundsA.Magnus~LibellusdeAlchemiaP.deMirandola~OnGoldB.Mookerjee~Rasa-Jala-NidhiMorienus~ATestamentofAlchemyJ.Needham~TheTheoreticalBackgroundofElixirAlchemyR.Nelson~PreparationofFixedArsenicPentoxidefromOrpiment/RealgurI.Newton~VersesattheendofB.Valentine'sMysteryoftheMicrocosmH.Nollius~TheChemist'sKeyE.Nowell~CertainChemicalWorkswithTruePracticeOlympiodorusofAlexandriaOstanes~TheBookofOstanesT.Paracelsus~AuroraofthePhilosophersT.Paracelsus~TheRevelationofHermesT.Paracelsus~TheEconomyofMineralsR.Patai~TheJewishAlchemistsPearcetheBlackMonk~UpontheElixirA.-J.Pernety~TreatiseontheGreatArtA.-J.Pernety~DictionaireMytho-HermetiqueE.Philalethes~PreparationoftheSophicMercuryE.Philalethes~RipleyRevivedE.Philalethes~AnOpenEntrancetotheClosedPalaceoftheKingE.Philalethes~AShortManuductiontotheCelestialRubyP.Ray~HistoryofChemistryinAncient&MedievalIndiaRhasis~TheLightofLightsG.Ripley~TheEpistleuntoEdwardIVG.Ripley~MedullaAlchimaeC.v.Rosenroth~KabalaDenudataM.Rulandus~ALexiconofAlchemyS.Saltzal~FountainofPhilosophicalSaltsW.v.Schroeder~InstructionsRegardingtheArtofTransmutationL.deSt-Didier(A.Toussaint)~HermeticTriumphB.Trevisan~VerbumDismissumUrbigeris~AphorismaUrbigerisB.Valentine~TriumphalChariotofAntimonyT.Vaughan~AquaVitae:NonVitisA.deVillaNova~LucidaryA.deVillaNova~RosariusA.Waite~ParacelsianLexiconJ.Webster~Metallographia:Or,AnHistoryofMetalsZosimos~OntheEvaporationoftheDivineWater

TheArsBrevisrevealedbyMyriamandotheralchemistsismostintriguingandappealing.Yet,manyaspiringalchemistshavediedinvainduetotheircarelessness,ignorance,andhasteinthisoperation,whichapparentlyinvolvesArsenic.Thereisnomarginforerror:arsenicisverytoxic.Asinglebubbleofarsine(thehydridegas)canbefatal.ItbehoovesyoutobefamiliarwithinorganicchemistryandliteraturesuchasJ.W.Mellor'sComprehensiveTreatiseonInorganic&TheoreticalChemistry(IX),ChemicalAbstracts,MerckIndex,etc.,particularlyasconcernsarsenictrioxide,arseniousacidhemidydrateandthetrichloride.

ArsenicisthealchemicalchildofGur,amysteriousterrestrialgelthatisextremelyraretoday,insofarasveryfewpeopleareawareofitsexistence;fewerstillsearchforit,andfindit.Inancienttimes,Guroftenwasfoundinmines(especiallyinleadmines),butthemodernpracticeofexplosiveblastingpreventsitsmanifestation.IthasbeencalledGuronlyinafewbooks.NaturecanandwillmakeagiftofGurtoherLovers,butyoumustbepreparedtocollectandsealitinacleanglassvessel,anduseitimmediately(addgoldandheat).Sendivogius(or,Seton,ifyouprefer),statesinTheNewChemicalLight:"Inthewinterthisunctuousvaporiscongealedbythefrost".Thisistrue,asIhavefounditthus(presentedtomebytheEarth).Otherwise,GuralsofitsthedescriptiongivenbyDioscoridesfor"chalcanthon",andbyPlinyfor"atramentumsutorium"(vitriol,ferroussulfate),fromwhichSulfurTrioxide(thePhilosophicalMercuryofAlbertusMagnus)canbepreparedbydrydistillation,ifyouchoosetoexploreinthatdirection.

Anonymous~TurbaPhilosophorum

16thDictum---Know,also,thatthearcanumoftheworkofgoldproceedsoutofthemaleandfemale,butIhaveshownyouthemalein

lead,whileinlikemanner,Ihavediscoveredforyouthefemaleinorpiment...Now,therefore,Ihavenotifiedtoyouthepoweroforpiment,whichisawomanbywhomisaccomplishedthemostgreatarcanum...

50thDictum---Pandolphus:Thephilosophershaveorderedthatquicksilvershouldbetakenoutofcambar,andalbeittheyhavespokentruly,yetinthesewordsthereisalittleambiguity,theobscurityofwhichIwillremove.Seethenthatthequicksilverissublimedintabernacles,andextractthesamefromCambar,butthereisanotherCambarinsulphurwhichBelushathdemonstratedtoyou,foroutofsulphurmixedwithsulphur,manyworksproceed.Whenthesamehasbeensublimed,thereproceedsfromtheCambarthatquicksilverwhichiscalledEthelia,Orpiment,Zendrio,orSanderich,Ebsemich,Magnesia,KuhulorChuhul,andmanyothernames...

52ndDictum---Thisisthequicksilverwhichisindeedextractedfromallthings,outofwhichallthingsareproduced,whichalsoispurewaterthatdestroystheshadeofcopper.Andknowyethatthisquicksilver,whenitiswhitened,becomesasulphurwhichcontainssulphur,andisavenomthathasabrilliancelikemarble;thistheenviouscallEthelia,Orpimentandsandarac,outofwhichatinctureandapurespiritascendswithamildfire,andthewholeflowerissublimated,whichflowerbecomeswhollyquicksilver...

TheBookofEl-Habibsaysthatthevirtueofeternalwateristhatofaspiritualblood.Itisidentifiedwithaeriformwater,azurewater,andwaterofsulphur.Itisalsoprimalsulphur.Whenboiled,ittransformsthemale(arsenic)intosilver,andafterwardsintogold.Itisalsosaidthatcopperiswaterofsilver,which,afterpreparation,becomeseternalwater...[10thDictum,footnotebyArthurE.Waite]

Moses:Thequicksilveroutofcinnabar(argentumvivumcambar)...istheMagnesia,whilethequicksilveroftheauripigmentumororpiment...istheSulphurwhichascendsfromthismixedcompoundmaterial.Youmust,thereforemixthatthickthingwiththeFieryVenom,andletitputrefy,anddiligentlypoundituntilaspiritisproducedwhichishiddeninthatotherspirit;thenitwillbecomeatinctureforeverythingthatyouwish.[JulianRuska:TurbaPhil.(Berlin1931)]

Anon.~HydropyrographumHermeticum

ThisVirginandblessedWaterthePhilosophersnamedintheirBookswithmanythousandnames;theycallitHeaven,CelestialWater,CelestialRain,thedewofHeaven,May-dew,WaterofParadise,partingWater,AquaRegis,acorrosiveAquafort,sharpVinegar,Brandy,QuintessenceofWine,growthfulgreenjuice,agrowingMercury,aviridescentWater,andLeoViridis,QuickSilver,Menstruum,Blood,Urine,Horse-piss,Milk,andVirginsMilk,whiteArsenick,Silver,Lune,andjuiceofLune...[&c.]

Anon.~AMagnificent&SelectTractonPhilosophicalWater

...Thephilosophershavecalledthismaid(Beja)andblessedwaterbymanythousandsofdifferentnamesintheirbooks.Theycallitheaven,aheavenlywater,aheavenlyrain...milkandvirgin'smilk,waterofarsenic,silver,Lunawater,woman,afemaleseed,asulphuricsteamandsmoke,afiery,burningspirit,adeathlyall-penetratingpoison,aBasilicum,whichkillsallthings,apoisonoussnake,apoisonedworm,adragon...

Anon.~TheBookoftheScienceofBkrtntb

Appendix(Vocabulary)---

'alam~zarnikh[A.arsenic]...

alumin~[I.alumina,alumina]~zarnikh;orpimento...

lutemetalium,limasinas,orpimento~zarnikh...

qatami'a~tusi'ah[I.,tutty,whitearsenic]...

sadaraqah[I.,sandaracca,realgar]~sandarus[A.sandarac,redarsenic]...

sandariai~burntorpimentorburntarsenic...

isawres~arseniqosaruf[I.,arsenico,H.saruf,burnt]...

itutiyah[A.]~tutty,whitearsenic...

zarnikh[A.,arsenic]...

Anon.~AnAnonymousTreatiseonthePhilosophers'Stone

NowtheaforesaidSubjectumisofsuchanaturethatit,ourMagnesia,dothnotonlycontainasmallproportionedquantityoftheuniversalSpiritusVitalisinitself,butalsohathsomeoftheheavenlypowercondensedandcompressedwithinit.Manywhofounditweresointoxicatedbyitsfumesthattheyremainedintheirplaceandcouldnolongerraisethemselves.

Anon.~TheCrowningofNature

Impregnation---WemustknowthatwhentheEarthisalittlemadewhite,thereitistermedPregnation,becausethentheEarthisImpregnated.ForwhentheEarthisjoinedwithanimperfectbody,itiscalledOurEarth,becausetheEarthistheMotherofalltheelements,

andthisisthatwhichtheyterm[unidentifiedalchemicalsymbol],whentheEarthbeginstoretainwithitsomewhatofArsenic,orOurSalt,orArgentvive,forthenitiscalledaConception,becausethemaleactstowardsthefemale,becausetheMysteryofthePhilosophersisnothingelsebutthemaleandfemaleandtheirconjunction.

Watercomingtothem,thatisArsenicorOurSalt,whichincreasesmuchintheEarthandisaugmentedandcomesoutwhentheEarthisdealbated,thenitiscalledaPregnation,becausetheEarthhavingconceivedgoesawaypregnant.

Anon.~RosariumPhilosophorum

OutoftheLucidaryofArnoldus---...Butthepowderascendingupwardsfromthefaecesisashesextractedfromashes,andearthsublimedandhonoured,butthatwhichremainsbeneathisashesofashes,andthelowerashesistobecondemnedanddisposedasfaecesanddross.Make,therefore,adifferencebetweentheclearandbrightthereof,becausewhenitismostwhiteandascendslikesnowthenitwillbeaccomplished.Gatherit,therefore,warilythatitflynotawayinfume,becauseitisagoodthingtobesoughtfor,awhitefoliatedearth,congealingthatwhichistobecongealedandcleansingthatwhichistobecleansed,andpurifyingArsenicandwhiteSulphur,ofwhichAristotlesaysthatitisthebestthingtheAlchemistscantake,thatofittheymaymakeSilver...

Senior---SulfurandArsenicarenotthetruemedicineofthismagistery,becausetheyneitheraccomplishnoreffectfully,ashathbeensufficientlyknownofallthelesserminerals...

OftheSaltofthePhilosophers---AndwhenitwaswhitetheycalleditArsenic,andbythenameofeverywhitething,andalsoVirgin'sMilk,andwhenitwasredtheycalleditSulfur,andJacinth,andbythenameofeveryredthing…

OftheDoubleDifferenceofMinerals---Butmineralbodiesarespeciallydistinguishedintotwoparts.Thatistosay,intoametallicpartandamineralpart.Intoametallicpart,thatis,intometalswhichdrawtheiroriginalfromMercury,andintoamineralpartwhichdoesnotcomefromMercury.Anexamplefrommetals-Sol,Luna,Jupiter,andMarshasitsmixtureofgoldandsilver.Anexamplefromminerals---Salts,Inks,Alums,Arsenic,Auripigment.AllmetalsareductileandliquefiablewhichdrawtheiroriginalfromMercury,becausethematterofthem,outofawaterysubstancemixedwithanearthysubstance,byastrongcommixtionthattheonecannotbeseparatedfromtheother,whereforethatwaterysubstanceiscongealedwithcoldmoreaftertheactionofheatandthereforetheywillbemorefabrileorductile,andthewateronlyisnotcongealedbutonlywiththeearthlydrynesswhichaltersthewateryness,whenasthereisnounctuousmoistureinthem,becausethecongealingofthemisofearthlydryness.Thereforetheyarenoteasilydissolvedunlessbythevehementactionoftheheatinthem,accordingtowhichtheyaremosteasilycommixt.ButtherearelesserandandmiddlemineralswhichtakenottheiroriginalfromMercury,andoftheseareSaltswhicheasilymeltinmoisture,asAlum,simpleSalt,SaltArmonick,stonySaltandallkindsofsalts.Andsurelytheyhavevirtueinthem.Neitherdotheyeasilymeltwithmoistureonly,asAuripigmentum,ArsenicandSulphur,whenasthewaterynessofsulphurousbodiesismixedwithslimyearth,bystrongcommixtion,withthefervencyofheat,untiltheybemadevirtuousandthentheyarecoagulatedofcold.

ThatitisImpossiblefortheLesserMetalstobemadeArtificially---...Formanyoftheignorantsorthavelabouredanddoyetlabourinthesevegetableandsensiblethings,wheretheyhavefoundoutnotruth,butcertainhumilitieswhichwewilldeclaretotheignorantthattheymayavoidthedeceits.Fortheyhaveextractedalongtimeoutofthesethings,afterwardstobespokenof,whichtheycallartificialArgentviveandoilsandwaters,whichtheynamedthefourelements,namelywater,earth,air,andfire,andSaltArmonick,Arsenic,SulphurandAuripigmentum,whichtheycouldhaveboughtcheaperinthemarketandhadsoonerbroughtittopass....AndthereareotherAlchemistslabouringinlesserminerals,thatistosayinfourSpiritsasincommonSulphur,Arsenic,Auripigmentum,andSaltAmmoniacbeingdesiroustomakeatincturebutthistheycannotdoasismanifestbythedefinitionofthetincture...

OftheRejoicingorSpringingorSublimationoftheSoul---Thesecondsublimationisextraction,becauseitisinit,ofthenatureofthefifthessenceseparatedfromtheelementalfaeces.ButIcallthefifthessenceatinctingspiritwhereinwashingisnecessary,thattheunctuousnessofArsenic,ortheoilynatureofthepurestunctuousness,whichboundbyhisfaeces,maybeextractedbyit,whichfaecessufferitnottobesublimed.

RogerBacon~TheMirrorofAlchemy

ChapterIII.OutofWhatThingsTheMatterofElixirMustBeMoreNearlyExtracted---Andifweshouldtakeoneofthesevenspiritsbyitself,asArgent-vive,orSulphuralone,orArgent-viveandoneofthetwoSulphurs,orSulphur-vive,orAuripigment,orCitrineArsenicum,orredalone,orthelike:weshouldnevereffectit,becausesincenaturedoesneverperfectanythingwithoutequalcommixtionofboth,neithercanwe:fromthesetherefore,asfromtheforesaidArgent-viveandSulphurintheirnatureweareexcused.Finally,ifweshouldchoosethem,weshouldmixeverythingasitis,accordingtoadueproportion,whichnomanknows,andafterwarddecoctittocoagulation,intoasolidlump:andthereforeweareexcusedfromreceivingbothofthemintheirpropernature:towit,Argent-viveandSulphur,seeingweknownottheirproportion,andthatwemaymeetwithbodies,whereinweshallfindthesaidthingsproportioned,coagulatedandgatheredtogether,afteraduemanner.Keepthissecretmoresecretly...

Ourquicksilveristheclearestwater,andourarsenicispuresilver,andoursulphurispuregold;andinthesethreethingsisconstitutedtotalperfection.

R.Bacon~TheRootoftheWorld

30.Nowletusreturntotheblackmatterinitsvessel,continuallyclosed.Letthisvessel,Isay,standcontinuallyinthemoistfire,tillsuchtimeasthewhitecolourappears,liketoawhitemoistsalt.Thecolouriscalledbythephilosophersarsenic,andsalarmoniac;andsomeotherscallit,thethingwithoutwhichnoprofitistobehadinthework...

SigismondBacstrom~LapisdeTribus

Takegoodcrudeantimonyandnativeorpiment1/4lborasmuchasyoulike.Powdereachfinelybyitself,andmixthepowders.Bewareofthedust.

Putthemixtureinaglobeglasswithalongneck.Placeyourglassdeeplyburiedinthesand,sothatthebestpartoftheglobeisunderthesand,butthewholeneckremainsfree.Yourfurnacemuststandunderachimney.Thenlightyourfirewhichincreasegradually.Afterthehumidityhasevaporated,putabitofsoftclayupontheopeningoftheneckoftheglassandpressitingently.

Increaseyourfire,untilthesandandglassgrowsointenselyhot,thatthepowdersmelttogetherintheglobe.

Whenyouseethisletthesubstancecontinuemeltinguntilthewholehasbecomeofafinedeepredfluidmassa.Atthelaterendoftheoperation,theironsandpotmustbecomeredhotinthebottom.

Whenyouhaveobtainedtheredfluidmassinfusion,takethefireoutimmediately,thattheglassmaycoolgradually.

Thenextday,breaktheglassandyouwillfindafineredtransparentrubyglass,calledLapisdeTribusbecauseitconsistsofantimony,arsenic,andsulphur.

Note--Ofyouadmittheairintotheneckoftheglass,themixturetakesfire,andyourungreatriskofyourlife;thereforebecareful.Itisdonein4hourstime.Thisglassisveryvolatile.

(Ihavegivenyousomeofitinaredpowder,which,ifyoumelt,itbecomesaredglassagain.)

OneW.CorneliusdeWinterfromAmsterdamwhowasinLondonabouttheyear1775comunicatedthisandwhattodowithittoW.Lantz.

CorneliusdeWinterworkingtheprocessofMyriamprophetissa,notasshetoldherprocesstoAros,KingofEgypt,butinthefollowingmanner,hadattainedatingingpowderuponsilver,ashetoldW.Lentz,andrecommendedthistohim,untilheshouldfidsomethingofgreaterconsequence,andW.Lentzgaveittome.Ihavenevertriedit.

TheProcessofCorneliusdeWinterwithteforegoingLapisdeTribusfortheShortWay.

Take3ivofLapisdeTribusinpowderand3Joffinegoldinleaves.Mixtheseinamortarbyrubbing.Letitmelttogetherinacoveredcrucibleandsuffernocoalstodropin.Whenthecruciblebeginstogrowredhot,themixturemeltsandatlastinflamed,andtheLapisdeTribusfumesawayandevaporates.WhenyoufindtheLapisevaporated,takethecrucibleoutandletitcool,butdonotbreathethepoisonousfumes.

Takethegoldcalxout.Weighitandmixitanewwith4partsoffreshpowderedLapiddeTribus,byrubbingitinaglass.Putthemixtureintoanewcrucible.Meltagainandkeepitinthefire,untiltheLapisdeTribusisagainevaporated.Repeatthesameoperation,with4partsoffreshLapisandyourgoldcalxiswellopenedforafurtheroperation.

CorneliusdeWintersaidtoW.Lentz,"Youmayproceedinthismannerwithsilver,copper,oriron,andopenandvolatilizethembymeansotheLapisdeTribus,soonerthanthegold,andnotthatonesinglemeltingoffourpartsofthelapistoopenpartoffinesilverinleaves,orofaCrocusMartis,orVeneris,opensandgreatlyvolatilizessilver,ironorcopperinonesingleoperation.Youarealsotonotethatyoufiremustnotbeexcitedbytheblast.Itmustnotbeamelting,butonlyacalciningfire.Otherwiseyourvolatilizedmetalsflyoutofthecrucible,andyoukeeptheemptynest".

TheLapisdeTribushasapowertovolatilizeallmetals,goldandsilvernotexcepted,eitherbythefirst,secondorthirdoperation,accordingtotheirnaturalvolatilityorfixity,andhighlysubtilizesthemandreducesthemintoamercurialprinciple,whichmercurializedmetalscanbeemployedinlaborsofgreatconsequence,asexperiencewillteachyou.Itellyouthetruth,butbewareofthemercurialfumes.

"IhavemadeaTinctureinViaSiccafromthisfoundation,morethanonceatAmsterdam,andalthoughitactsonlyonafewpartsofsilver,yetitisveryprofitable,asitcanbeaccomplishedverywellin3or4days'time,butthisisnotthebrassfounder'swork,byanymeans",saiddeWinter.

Takeofthewhitestandclearestriverpebblesyoucanget,apoundormore,andpowderthemfinelyinacleanironmortar,andsiftyourpowderperfectlyfine.

Ofthisfinepebblepowder,take3/4lb,andgoodyellowlithargepowderedandsifted,onelb.Mixthetwopowders.Putthemintoanewcruciblecovered,andmeltthemixturetoaglassinthewindfurnace.Whendonetakethecrucibleoutandletitcool.Whencold,breakthecrucibleandpowderyourglassandsiftit.

NowtakeonepartofLapisdeTribusinpowderandmixitwith4partsofthepebbleglassbyrubbingthemwelltogetherinaglassmortar.Meltthesesubstancesinanewcruciblefor5or6hours,soastokeepthematterinconstantfusion.Thentakethecrucibleout,breakit,andwhencold,powederit,andyourglasswilllooktingedwithyellowororange.Weighit,andmixitagain,4partsofthistingedglasswithonepartoffreshdeTribus.Meltagain,inanewcrucibleconstantlycovered,for5or6hours.Youcanverywellaccomplish2meltingsinaday.Repeatthisathirdtime,andyourobtainedglassoughttobeofafineorangecolour.ThisisalreadyakindofTincture,whichifyoumeltitwithsilver,itenrichesthesilverwithatomsoffinegold,andifyouseparatessuchsilverwithaquafortis,theblackcalx,whichfalls,whenwashed,dried,andmeltedwithborax,provestobefinegoldof24carats,butthisisnotall.

Takeyourorangecolouredopaqueglass,weighit,andpowderandsiftit.Takeofthis4parts,saydrachms,inproportion,asyouhaveopenedgold,whichyouhavepreparedatfirst,onepartordrachmoffreshLapisdeTribus,andone3ofyouropenedmercurializedgold,andmixthewholediligentlyinaporphyryorglassmortar.Youmustrubfull2hours,anddonotbreathethedust.Meltthiscompositioninanewcoveredcrucibleduring6hourscontinualfusion,yetwithoutanyblastorviolence,asfusionisenough.

Whenthetimeispast,takeoutthepotandletitcool.Breakthecrucibleandseparatetheglass,whichdoesnowlookofadeeperred,likeanewbrick.

Powderandweighthisglass.Takethereof4parts,andaddonepartoffreshlapisdeTribusinpowder.Mixthetwopowdersdiligentlyandmeltthemagaininanewcoveredcruciblefor6hourstime,keepingthematterinconstantfusion.Whencold,youwillfindyourglassdeeperincolourthanbefore.

Repeatthisfusionathirdtime(whichfromthebeginning,isnowthesixthmelting,addingto4partsofthisredglass,onepartoffreshLapisdeTribusandproceedcarefully,asyoudidbefore,butNote:---

1.Ifanycoalsfallintothepot,theoperationisspoiled,whichhashappenedtomeinthebeginning:

2.Bytherepeatedfusionsandfixationsbytheviolentway,addingeachtimea1/5partoffreshLapisdeTribus,i.e.,onepartofthelapisto4partsofthefixedglass,yourtingedglassbecomesmoreandmorepenetrating,morefusibleandmorefixed.Idurstnotgobeyond6or7fusions,astheglassdoesatlastrunthroughtheporesoftheredhotcrucible.InthismannerIoncelostallmytreasure.6or7fusionsmaybesafelydone.

ThisredglassisagenuineTinctureuponfinesilver.After6fusions,ittingessometimes10,sometimes12,sometimes20partsofsilverinfusionintofinegoldof24carats.Icouldnevermakeittwicealike,thereasonofwhichIcannotpenetrate.Itisprofitableenough,butnosoprofitable,asMyriamsaidtoKingAros.AtleastIcouldneverfinditso.

AnnieBesant&CharlesLeadbeater~OccultChemistry

Arsenic---AtomicNo.33.Oncemorethereisnocentralglobe.Funnels:Allsixfunnelsarealike,andtherearenottwoseparatesegments.ArsenicresemblesAluminuminhavingeightinternalsub-divisionsinthefunnels,andtheovoidswhichformthetopringareidenticalwiththoseinAluminiumsavefortheminutedifferencesthatinAluminiumtheovoidsstandthereversewayfromthoseinArsenic.InArsenicthetopandbottomtripletsinthetopovoidspointdownwardsandthemiddleoneupwards,inAluminiumtheoppositeistrue.ThetotalinoneArsenicfunnelis225Anu.

Arsenic=6[Al.9'+8(2N9+Al.9)]~6funnelsof225Anu=1350Anu~Numberweight1350,18=75

DavidBeuther~TheTransmutationofBaseMetalsintoGoldandSilver

Inwhatfollowsinthisreport,asindeedinallreportsonnaturalphilosophy,itisthelackofknowledgeaboutthisprocess,whichinfactdoesnotpertaintoauniversalidea,butinparticularmightfindamajoruseintheknowledgeoftheuniversalnatureofthismaterial,despitesomeabuseandmisleadingstatements.When,however,attentionispaidonlywherethephilosopher'sgold.Thephilosopher'smercury,mercuricores,theelectro-mineralsofParacelsus,redcinnabaroreandwhitearsenic(whichofallofthemalone,onlythetruematerial,andsulfurandmercuryisthatmaterial,isseparableinasalt)areconcerned,itisimpliedfromwhatwassaidthatheindicatedwhatheascribedtotheArtandtomethodofoperationandhowheshowedthepreparationandtestingofthesame,sothathewouldbeable,whenfinallychosenforthatpurposebyGod,toknowimmediatelytheproperandmostpracticalmethodtouseandtoreadilyshowthatallofhisprocessesweredifferent,eventhoughquitesimilartooneanother…

Moreover,theprinciplepreparationofoneoranotheroftheingredientsfromtheuniversalmaterialhadalreadybeencarriedout,ashadbecomeclearlyevidentfromtheabove-mentionedworkofKunkel,page580,whichreads,"ThewhitearsenicpowderisnolongerpreparedfortheElectorofSaxonyandunfortunately,thewholeArtrestsuponit...

Thiswhitearsenicpowder,blacksulfur,andothermaterialwhichallrefertotheprimeuniversalmaterialmentionednowandtheninhisprocess.Hewhoknowshowtomakethissamewhitematerialcanmakehisprocesssuccessful,whileotherscannot.

Whileitmustbeageneralruleinthiswork,asstatedbyArnolddeVilla,andagainonpage66,thatonlyafewminerals,alongwithwhitearsenicandburningsulphur,whichweretobemadeatthesametime,areneeded,asGeberhadsaid:"Thereisonlyonemineral,onemedicine,onedigestion;andinthisourentireworkconsists,towhichweaddnothingunfamiliar,ortakeanythingaway,withoutremovingexcessimpuritiestherefromintheprocess".

WilliamBloomfield~Bloomfield'sBlossoms

ThenfatherTyme&Ibyfavourofthesemen,Suchsightestosee,passedfoorthtowardthecampe

WhereweemetDisguisedphilosophersten,Withporfiries&morters,readytogrind&stamp;Theirheadesshakeing,theirhandsfullofthecramp;Somelamespasums,somefebull,wann,&blind,Witharsneck&sulphur,tothisartmostunkind.


NuncupatoryDiscourse---Lacinius:Butisthisknowledgenotalsosoughtbylearnedmen,nobles,princes,andevenbykings?Bonus:Yes,butthemotivewhichpromptsthemallisanilliberalloveofgold.Theirheartsareashardastheflintswhichtheywishtochangeintothepreciousmetals,andtheyareasignorantwithaloftheelementaryfactsofnatureasthepoorestlaborer.Theconsequenceisthattheyfallaneasypreytoimpostorsanditinerantcharlatans,andspendtheirlivesinfoolishlyexperimentingwitharsenic,sulphur,andallmannerofsolvents.Thus,insteadoflearningtopreparetheStone,theydissipatetheirmoney,andhaveemptypocketsfortheirpains.

ReasonsApparentlyMilitatingAgainsttheRealityofOurArt:ReasonFifteenth---Ifgoldandsilvercouldbeevolvedoutofanymetallicsubstance,theycouldbepreparedmosteasilyoutofthatwhichismostakintothem;butasitisimpossibletopreparethemoutoftheirfirstprinciples,viz.,quicksilverandsulphur,theycannotbeevolvedoutofmetalsspecificallydifferentfromthem.Foritisclearthatoutofthesetwomattersallmetalsarederivedandgenerated;orpiment,salarmoniac,andsecondaryspiritslikemarcasite,magnesia,andtutia,beingallreducibletothesetwoprimaryforms.TherearesevenspiritsinAlchemy,thefourprincipalones,quicksilver,sulphur,orpiment,andsalarmoniac,andthethreesecondaryandcompositespirits,marcasite,magnesiaandtutia;butsulphurandquicksilverincludethemall.TheStonewouldhavetobeobtainedeitherfromthemetalsorfromthesespirits.

Ifgoldandsilvercouldbeevolvedoutofanymetallicsubstance,theycouldbepreparedmosteasilyoutofthatwhichismostakintothem;butasitisimpossibletopreparethemoutoftheirfirstprinciples,viz.,quicksilverandsulphur,theycannotbeevolvedoutofmetalsspecificallydifferentfromthem.Foritisclearthatoutofthesetwomattersallmetalsarederivedandgenerated;orpiment,salarmoniac,andsecondaryspiritslikemarcasite,magnesia,andtutia,beingallreducibletothesetwoprimaryforms.TherearesevenspiritsinAlchemy,thefourprincipalones,quicksilver,sulphur,orpiment,andsalarmoniac,andthethreesecondaryandcompositespirits,marcasite,magnesiaandtutia;butsulphurandquicksilverincludethemall.TheStonewouldhavetobeobtainedeitherfromthemetalsorfromthesespirits.

ChiefDifficultiesofAlchemy:TenthCauseofDifficulty---TheSagesappeartovaryquiteasmuchintheirdescriptionsofthesubstancefromwhichthisStoneiselaborated.Inordertomisleadtheignorantandthefoolish,somenamearsenic,somesulphur,somequicksilver,someblood,someeggs,somehair,somedung,etc.,etc.Inreality,thereisonlyonesubstanceofourStone;nothingelseuponearthcontainsit;itisthatwhichismostlikegold,andfromwhichgolditselfisgenerated,viz.,purequicksilver,thatis,notmixedwithanythingelse,asweshallshewfurtheron.ThesubstanceofAlchemy---thoughcalledbyaperplexingvarietyofnames---isthesubstanceofNature,andthefirstsubstanceofmetals,fromwhichNatureherselfevolvesthem.Wereitotherwise,itwouldbeimpossibleforArttoimitateNature.

AnExcellentIntroductiontotheArtofAlchemy:ChapterI.TheMatterofthePhilosopher'sStone---Note:Hence,fixedsulphurretardsfusionandliquefactioninmetals,andentirelypreventsitwhereitsquantityexceedsthatofthequicksilver.Thelatteristhecaseiniron,andthesaidmetalis,therefore,notfusible.Thefactwearetaughtbyexperience,forwhenwedesiretomakefixedsulphur,wemustcalcineit,andthatwhichiscalcinedisnotsusceptibleoffusion.Butsulphurwhichisnotfixedacceleratesfusion,asweseeinthecaseofarsenic,whichisofthenatureofsulphur,andbringsaboutthefusionofred-hotiron.Thatitisthesulphurwhichpreventsfusion,weseefromthefactthatwhenminerssmeltore,thereascendsasulphureousvapourbeforefusiontakesplace,andifwecollectthissubstanceinavessel,itisfoundtoresembleorpiment.Butbothitssmellanditspropertiesshewthatitconsistslargelyofsulphur...

ThoughinhisbookonTheCoagulationofMercurybyPrecipitationhe[Geber]saysthatthismedicineiselicitedfrommetallicbodieswiththeirsulphurandarsenic,hereallymeansthesamething,butheexpresseshimselfsomewhatobscurely...

ConcerningtheFerment---IftheMercurywerecoagulatedbysomeforeign(non-metallic)substance,itwouldnotbeoftheslightestuse,sinceinNatureonlyhomogeneousthingswillcombine.Thecoagulationbymeansofarsenicandcommonsulphur,thoughtheyaremineralsubstances,tendsonlytocorruption.

TheEpistleofBonusofFerrara---Know,then,thatourarsenicorauripigmentiscomposedbyNatureofsulphurandquicksilver,asitisfoundinitsoriginalnaturalstate.Whenarsenicissublimed,itoftenhappensthattherecomesoutofitquicksilverinsmallglobuleslikegrainsofmillet,aseveryexperimentalchemistwilltellyou.Thisquicksilverisidenticalwithordinaryquicksilver,whichmaybeseenfromthefactthatitaloneofallmetallicsubstanceswillminglewithquicksilver,whilethequicksilverretainsallitsownpeculiarpropertiesandqualities.Henceweconcludethatinthecompositionofarsenicthereisquicksilver.Inthesameway,wecallsulphurthetinctureofrednessproperlyandbyvirtueofitsownnature;quicksilveristhewhitetincture,asallSagestellus.Butifweprojectarsenicorrealgaruponliquidcopper,itwilltingethatmetalwithawhitecolourlikethewhitenessoftheMoon;thiscolourshewsthepresenceofquicksilver.Inallproperlypurifiedmetalswefindthenatureofquicksilverratherthanofsulphur;forsulphurexistsinquicksilverinanoccultmanner.

Commonsulphurisspecificallydifferentfromarsenic,butbelongstothesamegenus.Similarly,allsulphur,andeverythingthatbelongstothesamespecieswithsulphur,hasthepropertyofcoagulatingquicksilver;andsometimessucceedsinimpartingtoitaredcolour,andsometimesfailstodoso.

Wesaidabovethatwhenarsenicissublimeditgivesoutglobulesofquicksilverlikegrainsofmillet,whichisidenticalwithordinaryquicksilver.ForthisreasontheSageshaveendeavored,byacongruousdigestion,tocoagulatethesamequicksilverwithitself,evenasgoldiscoagulatedbyitsintrinsicpower.Arsenic,saysGeber,hasthetwometallicfirstprinciples,sulphurandquicksilver,combined,andbytheirmeansmayitselfbedesignatedasthefirstprincipleofNature,invirtueoftheirpropertiesandqualities.Inthesamebookhesaysthatthefetidspiritandlivingwater,whichisalsocalleddrywater,arethefirstprinciplesofNature.Therecanbenotransitionfromthesoftnessofquicksilvertothehardnessofmetals,exceptinsomeintermediatesubstance.Henceneitherquicksilverbyitself,norsulphurbyitself,isthefirstprincipleofNature,butsomeintermediatematterwhichcontainsboth.Thequicksilverextractedfromsulphurandarsenicis,however,

moreproximatelythesubstanceofourMedicinethanthesamesulphurandarsenicwhentheyremainastheyare.

ThearsenictowhichGeberrefersasthethirdprincipleofNatureinthegenerationofmetalsisacompoundofquicksilverandsulphur,andpossessesthevirtueandpowerofboth.Itcannotbeproperlycalledsulphur,noryetquicksilver,andthusitistruethatthereareonlytwoprinciplesofNature.Noristhisarsenic,whichhasquicksilverforitsmatterandsulphurforitsactivepotency,inanysenseathingsuperfluous,butisasufficingprincipleofnatureinthegenerationofmetals.Hencethequicksilverofwhichwespeakisnotcommonquicksilver,norisoursulphurcommonsulphur;butthereisinourquicksilveranocculthomogeneoussulphur,anditisbymeansofthisinwardsulphurthatallourchangesareaccomplished.

Therefore,donotsupposethatanycompoundbuttheoneIhavementionedistherightsubstanceofourArt,andforebeartospendyourlabourIvainuponmagnesia,marchasite,tutia,antimony,oranyotherheterogeneousmaterial.Oursulphuristhevitalagentwhichdigestsandperfectsourquicksilver;butthesulphurofmarchasite,forinstance(asGebertellsus),isonlydegradingandcombustive;intheseparationthereofthequicksilverofmarchasiteisleftdeadatthebottomofthevessel,andmustafterwardsbesublimedbyfire.Again,wedonotfindinthecompositionofgold,orofanyothermetals,anythingthatsuggestsorresemblesmarchasite.Thougharsenicandmarchasitearegeneratedfromnearlythesameelements,theirdiversityofformhascombinedanddevelopedthoseelementsinawidelydifferentmanner,sincethesamesubstance,ifdifferentlydigested,receivesadifferentform.Thisissufficientlypatentfromthefactthatdifferentlimbsaregeneratedfromthesamesubstance.Aswithmarchasite,soitiswithtutia,magnesia,andallotherlikesubstances.Thus,throughmanymistakes,andbyaprocessofelimination,weatlength,throughthegraceofGod,arriveatthesubstancewhichwefirmlybelievetobetherightone.Thisshortexpositionmustsufficeforthepresent.

OfTheSpirits---Therearethreemineralspirits:quicksilver,sulphurandarsenic.Arsenicishotanddry,ofgreatvirtueandpotency,yetlightlyesteemed.Itburnsupallotherbodies.Therearetwokindsofarsenic,oneisofapalewhite,theotherred.Therediscombustive,thewhiteissolvent,andusefulfortheTincture;withquicksilveritmakessilver.Ithasafierynature,andsublimesquickly.Thisspiritwestrivetorendercorporealandfixed,inorderthatitmaypermanentlycolouroursubstance.Ithasgreataffinityforvinegar...

A.Coudert~Alchemy:ThePhilosophersStone

Itisalsoanunfortunatefactthatintheinitialstagescertainpoisonsdoproducebeneficialeffects.Arsenic,forexample,improvestheappetite,increasesgrowthandstimulatestheproductionofbonemarrow.Uptotheveryendthevictimofarsenicpoisoningconsumeshisfoodwithafairappetite.Becausearsenicproducesamilddilationofthebloodvessels,itwasprescribedasanaphrodisiacregularlyinIndiaandEuropewellintothe19thcenturyandevenappearedinanaphrodisiacpreparationlistedinthe1957editionoftheBritishEncyclopediaofMedicalPractice....

Insomecases,errorsintranslationorcopyingledtodangerousresults.TheByzantineGreekNicolausMyrepsuscompiledabookofremedies,usingArabicsources.HemistranslatedtheArabic"darsini"(cinnamon)forarsenic.Themistakenbeliefthatlargedosesofarsenichadbeneficialmedicinalpropertiesthreatenedalchemistsandtheirpatientsuntilthe17thcentury...

Mostofthenegativeevidencewasaccumulatedbyalchemistswhocontinuedtobelieveinthepossibilityoftransmutation.Oneconvincedadept,forexample,leftananonymousrecordof104alchemicalrecipeshehadmethodicallytested...Inthemidstofallthesefailureshedoesrecordonesuccess:asilverrecipeusingarsenic.Somehowthisworked,forbesideittheadeptwrote,"gewinntmanvilsilberdarpei."

R.W.Councell~ApollogiaAlchymiae

SectionII.ModernCriticism---Inorderthatthestatementsofmoderncriticsmaybeassessedattheirpropervalue,alistisheregivenofthingswhichRipley,endorsedbyEirenaeus,saysareuseless,andeveninjuriousinthework.Othereminentalchemists,intheircandidmoments,warnstudentsagainstusingtheseandmanyotheringredients:Antimony(notworthamite),amalgams,acids,ardentandcorrosivewaters,arsenic,orpiment...

SectionIII:TheSpeechofthePhilosophers---InhisShortWayandRepetition,BasilValentinegivesthefollowingseriatimillustrationofthework,viz.:acrownedlion,acrownedeagle,acrownedserpentwithoutwings,anuncrownedflyingdragon,acroworraven,apeacock,aswan,apelican,feedingitsbroodwithitsownblood.Thecrownedlion,eagleandserpentaretransmuted;theyareoftheprocess.BasilValentinedescribedhisprocess,asifdoneoutofordinarygold;butthismetalhedidnotuseashisbase;for,ashesays,itwouldrequireabouttenpoundsweightofthevitriolofgoldtodoso.Butasgoldistheultimateproductoroffspring,therefore,itispermissibletocalltheparent,orsire,goldalso.Thissubstancethephilosopherscalledimmatureorunripegold,orthe"Green"Lion.Inthesecondstageofthework---theanalysisofthegreenlion---awhitesaltascends,likesnow,andadherestothesidesofthevessel,"muchlikesublimate,"asRipleysays.ThisistheirEagle,Sublimate,Arsenic,SalAlembroth,SalAmmoniac,Nitre,Seasalt,ergoAphroditeorVenus,SulphurofNature,Icarus,etc.Itsimportancecannotbeexaggerated.

JohnCremer~TheTestamentofCremer

ChapterI.HowtoPreparetheLivingWaterwhichConstitutestheLifeofOurArt---Takethreeoz.oftartarofgoodclaret,strongandpure.Addtoitfiveoz.ofPetroleum,twooz.oflivingsulphur,twooz.oforangecolouredArsenic,threeoz.ofRabusenum,twooz.ofwillowcharcoal.Mixanddistilalltheseingredientsinthe"bathofNeptune,"inawell-stopperedglassjar.Letthisjarbeaboutonecubithigh,andcarefullyclosedtopreventanyofthespiritsorsmokefromevaporating.Whenyouseeitturnofapalecolour,takeitoutofthefurnace,andletitcool.Yououghttobeabletoprepareitinaboutfourdays.Becarefulnottoinhaleitssmell,foritisdeadlypoison.Thiswatershouldbekeptinastoutwell-stopperedglassjar,andusedaccordingtothedirectionsgiveninthefollowingchapters.Theotherwatershouldbetwicedistilledoutoftheurineofanunpollutedyouthofeighteen;ifhebepolluted,thewaterwillhavenovitality.[Rabusenumisacertainredsubstanceandearthcomingforthwithwater,whichflowsoutofminerals,andisbroughttoperfectioninthemonthofJulyinaglassjarexposedtotheheatofthesunfor26days.---(N.B.:Vitriol)]

MauriceP.Crosland~HistoricalStudiesintheLanguageofChemistry

AllegoryandAnalogy---...Itisratherdisconcerting,forexample,toencountera'greenlion'whichisexplainedasreferringtoorpiment.[AllegoriaeSapientium,Distinction20;TheatrumChem.,V]

SecretNames---Twohistoriansofalchemy,RuskaandWiedemannhavecompiledalistofthesecretnamesgivenbyArabicalchemiststocommonchemicalsubstances...Realgarandorpimentwerementionedvariouslyas'thetwobrothers','thetwokings',orthe'twofriends'.

ColourasaBasisforChemicalNames---...Metalsulphidestooweresometimesreferredtoinasimilarway,andwereadinthealchemicallexiconsthat'redsulphur'isarsenic(sulphide)and'blacksulphur'isantimony(sulphide)...


Atthispointtheoldmansaid:"Behold,nowIhavedoubledmercuryinmypossession.NowIownit---whitelily,powderofadamantine,chiefcentralpoisonofthedragon,spiritofarsenic,greenlion,incombustiblespiritofthemoon,lifeanddeathofallmetals,moistradical,universaldissolvingnutriment,truemenstruumofthephilosophers,whichwithoutdoinganydamageorharmreducesmetaltofirstmatter."

JohnDee~RosicrucianSecrets

OfArsenick---ArsenickisinthekindredofMercuryandAntimonyasabastardinafamilymaybe.Itswholesubstanceispoisonousandvolatile,evenastheformertwo;initsexternalcolourtotheeyeitiswhite,yellowandred,butinwardlyitisadornedwithallmannerofcolours,liketoitsmetals,whichitwasfaintoforsake,beingforcedthereuntobyfire.Itissublimedpersewithoutadditionsandalsoinitssublimingthereareaddedseveralothermattersasoccasionrequireth.IfitbesublimedwithSaltandMars,thenitlookslikeatransparentcrystal,butitspoisonstayethstillwithit,unfittobejoinedoraddedtometalsandithathverylittleefficacytotransmuteanymetals.

ThesubterraneanSerpentbindethitintheunionoffire,butcannotquiteforceitthatitmightserveforaMedicineformanandbeast.IfitbefurthermixedwiththeSaltofaVegetableStone,whichiswithTartar,andismadelikeuntoanoil,itisofgreatefficacyinwoundswhichareofanhardhealing.ItcanmakeacoatfordeceitfulVenus,totrimherhandsomely,thattheinconsistencyofherfalseheartmaybedisclosedbyherwaveringservants,withoutgain,withherprejudiceanddamage.WhenAntimonyandMarsaremademycompanions,saithArsenick,andIamexaltedbythemtothetopofOlympus,thenIaffordaRubyintransparenceandcolourlikeuntothatwhichcomethfromtheOrientandIamnottobeesteemedlessthanit.IfIamprovedbyaffliction,thenIfallofflikeaflowerwhichiscutoffandwithers,thereforenothingcanbemadeofmetofixanymetalortingeittoanyprofit.

GambiastaDellaPorta~HermeticTreatise

WecanalsoextractGoldoutofSilver,andnotsolittlebutitwillpayyourcost,andaffordyoumuchgain.Thewayisthis:PutthefinefilingsofIronintoaCruciblethatwillendurefire,letitglowredhot,andmelt:thentakeartificialChrysocolla,suchasGoldsmithsusetosolderwith,andredArsenick,andbydegreesstrewthemin:whenyouhavedonethis,castinanequalpartofSilver,andletitbeexquisitelypurgedbyastrongvesselmadeofAshes:allthedregsoftheGoldbeingnowremoved,castitintowaterofseparation,andtheGoldwillfalltothebottomofthevessel,takeit:thereisnothingofmanythingsthatIhavefoundmoretrue,moregainfulor,morehard:sparenolabour,anddoitasyoushould,lestyouloseyourlabour...

JosephDuchesnes(Quercetanus)~TreatiseonMetallicMedicine

ChapterXII:PreparationoftheArsenic---ArsenicisequaltoMercury,bothinitspropertyofwhiteningandintheoccultvirtuesofitsnature,thatiswhyParacelsusreiteratesinhisLibrumdel'AuroreaboutMercuryandallitspreparations,andtakesinitsplacearsenicwellpreparedandwellpurifiedofallitsimpurities.ForthepurificationandpreparationinthemannerofthePhilosophers,takeequalpartsofcrystallinearsenicandofgoodvulgarsandarac,powderthemandputtheminaretortwithaquantityofcommonwater,andgivethefireofdistillationtillthewaterhasjustgoneoverandtakenwithitalltheblacknessandimpuritiesofthearsenic,andeverythingthatcansublimatehasissued,then,whenyouopenyourretort,youwillfindthatallthesublimatetobefalsewhiteflour,whichisalltheimpurityofthearsenic,andatthebottomyouwillfindallthegoodsubstanceintheformofabeautifulcrystallineregulus.Afteritispreparedinthisway,itcansublimatewithantimonyandvitriolinsteadofsublimatedMercury,andthusmaketheTriadofParacelsus.

Topreparethearsenicagainwithgreaterstrength,separatethepowderysubstancefromtheorebysublimationwithMars...

SublimationofArsenic---Takegoodstrongarsenicandfixitbycalcinationwithsaltpeteraccordingtotheart.Takeofthiscalcinedarsenic6ounceswithasmuchgoodsublimate,and4ozofcommonsalt,preparedordecrepitated,puteverythinginasublimationfurnaceorinaproperflaskinanash-fire,andwhenthemoisturehascompletelyvanished,plugitwithcotton,continuingandaugmentingthefireofsublimationbydegreestillthesublimatehascompletelyrisenintotheneckofthevessel,itwillhappenin12hoursifyoumanagethefirecorrectly.Finally,exposethephialortheflasktotheair,sothatitbreaksofitsownandyoucanseparateyourmateriaallthebetter.Takethissublimateandresublimateitanother3or4timeswithfreshmateria.Thisistogiveitacoagulativeimpressionandthewhitetinctureofarsenic,whichisagreatsecret.Whenthissublimatehasbeenpreparedinthisway,mixitwithhalfthepowderedtartar,addingsomevinegarandalwaysproceedingasisdoneinthereunificationofcinnabar.ThusyouwillprepareaMercurywiththissublimatewhich,whencleanandpurified,ispreferabletothevulgarinallkindsofchemicaloperations.

RabbiAbrahamEleazar~AeschMezareph

BytheFornicatorsareunderstoodthe(Masculine)ArsenicalSulphur,andthe(feminine)drywaterundulymixed,togetherintheMineral.

BytheSpearofPhineasismeanttheForceofironactinguponthemattertocleanseitofDross:BywhichIron,notonlyistheArsenicalSulphurkilled,butalsotheWomanherselfisatlengthmortified;sothattheMiracleofPhineasmaybefitlyappliedhere...

...ThenontopoftheGlass,thoushalthaveaWhiteMatter,whichisthePrimaMateriaortingeingArsenic,beingthelivingWaterofmetals,whichallPhilosopherscallDryWater,ortheirVinegar.Letitbepurifiedthus:TakeoftheCrystallineMattersublimed;Letitbegrounduponamarble,withanequalpartofCalxofLuna,andletitbeputintoaVialsealed,andsetinaSandbathagain,thefirsttwohourswithagentleFire,thesecondwithastronger,andthethirdwithoneyetmoreviolent,andincreasedtilltheSandwillhiss,andourArsenicwillbesublimedagain,thestarryBeamsbeingsentforth...

JeanEspagnet~Arcanum,orTheGrandSecretofHermetic

PerfectMetalscontaineinthemtwothings,whichtheyareabletocommunicatetotheimperfect,TinctureandFixation(forthose,becausetheyaredyedandfixedwithpureSulphur,towit,bothwhiteandred,theydoethereforeperfectlytinctandfix)iftheybefitlypreparedwiththeirproperSulphurandArsenick,otherwisetheyhavenotstrengthofmultiplyingtheirtincture.

HermannFictuld~AureumVellus

Inthesameway,AthamasandNephele,throughtheirnuptialandroyalbond,begottworoyalchildren,PhryxosandHelle,thatis,asolarsulphurandaroyalmercury.TheywereborninthekingdomofThebes,thatis,thehigherelements.Someotherplanets,fortheirpart,andespeciallyJupiter,hadsentacontrarycurrent,thatoftheirfeelingsandemotions,whichwerelikethoseofcruelstepmothersandofthemobofpriests;undertheactionofthiscurrentofarsenicalmercuryandsulphur,thechildrenlefttheirdwellinginthehigherregions.Asifbathedinashowerofholygold,theyhadtocomedownwiththeGoldenFleece,thegreatgoldenRam,throughtheairregion,downtotheethericearthlycold,upontheearth,andtheyenjoyedawonderfulwelcomeinthelatter'sthreeprinciplesandelements,thatis,inthekingdomofColchis.Here,misfortunehasdoublystruckPhryxosandHelle;itfelluponavastareainsuchawaythat,throughadivinecurse,thatmostnoblemass(thatwastheuniverse)waschangedintoadespicablewilderness,thefacesoftheearth,undertheinfluenceofthesesulphuricandarsenicalspirits.

BenedictusFigulus~AGolden&BlessedCasketofNature'sMarvels

ConcerningthePhilosopher'sStone---ThisVirginandBlessedWaterhavephilosophersintheirbookscalledbyathousandnames,asaHeaven,CelestialWater,HeavenlyRain,HeavenlyorMayDew,WaterofParadise,AquaRegia...WhiteArsenic,Silver...[&c.]

Fulcanelli~TheMysteryoftheCathedrals

Paris(1)---Thefirstmagneticagentwhichisusedtopreparethesolvent---designated,bysome,Alkahest---iscalledthegreenLion,notsomuchbecauseitisgreenincolourasbecauseithadnotyetacquiredthosemineralcharacteristics,whichinchemistrydistinguishtheadultstatefromthenascentone.Itisagreenandsourfruit,comparedwiththered,ripefruit.ItismetallicyouthonwhichEvolutionhasnotyetworked,butwhichcontainsthelatentgermofrealenergy,whichwillbecalledupontodeveloplater.Itisarsenicandleadinrespecttosilverandgold…

Bourges(2)---Theenigmaitselfconsistsintwoinscriptions:RERE,RER,whichdonotseemtohaveanymeaning.Eachofthemisrepeatedthreetimesontheconcavebackoftheniche...

What,then,isthisRER?---WehaveseenthatREmeansathing,amatter;R,whichishalfRE,willmeanahalfthingorahalfmatter.RER,then,istheequivalentofamatterincreasedbyhalfofanotherorifitself.Notethatitisnothereaquestionofproportion,butofachemicalcombinationindependentofrelativequantities.Inordertomakemyselfbetterunderstood,letmegiveanexample.LetussupposethatthematterrepresentedbyREisrealgar,ornaturalsulphurofarsenic.R,halfRE,couldthenbethesulphuroftherealgaroritsarsenic,whicharesimilarordifferentaccordingtowhetheryouconsiderthesulphurandthearsenicseparatelyorcombinedintherealgar.InthiswaytheRERwillbeobtainedbyaugmentingtherealgarwithsulphur,whichisconsideredasforminghalftherealgar,orwitharsenic,whichisseenastheotherhalfinthesameredsulphide.


TheSalamanderofLisieux(II)---Thissubstance,atoncepositiveandnegative,passivecontainingitsownactiveagent,isthebasis,thefoundationoftheGreatWork.Ofthesetwonatures,takenseparately,theonewhichplaystheroleofthefemininematteristheonlyoneindicatedandalchemicallynamedonthecorbelbearingtheoverhangofasecond-storybeam[attheManorofLisieux].Thefigureofawingeddragoncanbeseen,itstailcurledintoaringlet.Thedragonisanimageandsymboloftheprimitiveandvolatilebody,trueanduniquesubjectuponwhichonemustfirstwork.Thephilosophershavegivenitamultitudeofdiversenamesbesidestheoneunderwhichitiscommonlyknown.Thishascausedandstillcausessomuchdifficulty,somuchconfusion,tobeginners,andespeciallytothosewhoarelittleconcernedwithprinciplesanddonotknowhowfarthepossibilityofnaturecanbeexpanded.Inspiteofthegeneralopinionaverringthatoursubjecthadneverbeennamed,weassertonthecontrarythatmanybooksnameitandthatalldescribeit.However,whileitismentionedbythegoodauthors,itcannotbesaidthatitisunderlinedorexpresslyshown;itisoftenencounteredclassifiedamongthebodiesthathavebeenrejectedasimproperoralientothework.ThisisatraditionaltechniqueusedbyAdeptstodivertthelaypeopleandtohidefromthemthesecretentrancetotheirgarden.

Itstraditionalname,thestoneofthephilosophers,isdescriptiveenoughofthebodytoserveasausefulbasisforitsidentification.Itis,indeed,genuinelyastone,for,outofthemine,itshowstheexternalcharacteristicscommontoallores.Itisthechaosofthesages,inwhichthefourelementsarecontained,butinaconfused,disorganizedmanner.Itisouroldmanandthefatherofmetalswhichowetheirorigintoit,

asitrepresentsthefirstearthlymetallicmanifestation.Itisourarsenic,cadmia,antimony,blende,galena,cinnabar,colcothar,aurichalcum,realgar,orpiment,calamine,tutia,tartar,etc.Allores,throughthehermeticvoice,renderedhomagetoitwiththeirname.Itisstillcalledblackdragoncoveredwithscales,venomousserpent,daughterofSaturn,and"themostbelovedofitschildren".Thisprimalsubstancehasseenitsevolutioninterruptedbytheinterpositionandpenetrationofafilthycombustiblesulphur,whichcoatsitspuremercury,holdsitback,andcoagulatesit.And,thoughitisentirelyvolatile,thisprimitivemercury,materializedbythedryingactionofthearsenicalsulphur,takestheshapeofasolid,black,dense,fibrous,brittle,crushablemassrendered,byitslackofutility,vile,abject,anddespicableintheeyesofman.Yet,inthissubject--poorrelativeofthemetalfamily---theenlightenedartistfindseverythingthatheneedstobeginandperfecthisGreatWork,sinceitispresent,saytheauthors,atthebeginning,themiddle,andtheendoftheWork...

TheSalamanderofLisieux(V)---Fromthecombatthattheknight,orsecretsulfur,engageswiththearsenicalsulfuroftheolddragon,isborntheastralstone,white,heavy,shiningaspuresilver,andwhichappearstobesigned,bearingtheimprintofitsnobility,itsstampesotericallytranslatedasthegriffin,asureindicationoftheunionandpeacebetweenfireandwater,betweenearthandair.However,weshouldnothopetoattainthisdignityfromthefirstconjunction.Forourblackstone,coveredwithrags,issoiledbysomanyimpuritiesthatcompletelyfreeingitfromthemisextremelydifficult.Forthisreasonitisimportanttosubmitittoseverallevigations(whichareNicolasFlamel'slavueresorfirepurifications),soastoprogressivelycleanseitfromimpuritiesandfromheterogeneousandtenaciousstainswhichencumberit,andtoseeittakeon,witheachoneofthesefirepurifications,moresplendor,morepolish,andmorebrilliance...

Ifyouwanttopossessthegriffin---whichisourastralstone---bytearingitfromitsarsenicalganque,taketwopartsofvirginearth,ourscalydragon,andonepartoftheigneousagent,whichisthatvaliantknightarmedwiththelanceandtheshield.Ares,morevigorousthanAries,mustbeinalesserquantity.Pulverizeandaddthefifteenthpartofthispure,white,admirablesalt,washedandcrystallizedseveraltimes,whichyoumustnecessarilyknow.Intimatelymixit;andthen,followingtheexampleofthepainfulPassionofOurLord,crucifyitwiththreeironnails,sothatthebodydiesandcanthenberesurrected.Thisdone,driveawaythecoarsestsedimentsfromthecorpse;crushandtrituratethebones;mixthewholethingonaslowheatwithasteelrod.Thenthrowthismixturehalfofthissecondsalt,extractedfromthedewthatfertilizestheearthinthemonthofMay,andyouwillobtainabodyclearerthantheprecedingone.Repeatthesametechniquethreetimes;youwillreachthematrixofourmercury,andyouwillhaveclimbedthefirstrungoftheladderofthesages.WhenJesusresurrectedthethirddayafterhisdeath,aluminousangelclothedinwhitealoneoccupiedtheemptysepulchre...

Louisd'Estissac(III)---Asforthesecondbody---passiveandfeminine---Louisd'Etissachaditrepresentedundertheshapeofaharelippedgnome,equippedwithbreasts,headcoveredwithascalyhelmet.Wealreadyknewfromthedescriptionsleftbyclassicalauthorsthatthismineralsubstanceasitisextractedfromitsmineisscaly,black,hard,anddry.Somehavecalleditleprous.TheGreeklepis,lepidos(scale),hasamongitsderivativetheGreeklepra(leprosy),becausethisfrightfulinfectioncoverstheepidermwithpustulesandscales.Andsoitisessentialtodriveawaythecoarseandsuperficialimpurityfromthebodybyremovingitsscalyenvelope(lepizo),anoperationwhichweeasilyrealizewiththeaidoftheactiveprinciple,theagentwiththegroovedhelmet.TakingasanexampleMoses'gestureitwillsufficetosharplystrikethisrock(lepas)ofaridanddryappearancethreetimesinordertoseethemysteriouswaterthatitcontains,springforth.Itisthefirstsolvent,commonmercuryofthesages,faithfulservantoftheartist,theonlythingheneedsandthatnothingcanreplaceaccordingtothetestimonyofGeberandofthemostancientAdepts.Itsvolatilequalitywhichallowedphilosopherstoassimilatethismercurytothecommonhydrargyrum,ismoreoveremphasizedonourbas-reliefbythetinylepidopterawings(Greeklepidos-pteron)affixedtotheshouldersofthesymbolicmonster.However,inouropinion,thebestnamethatauthorshavegiventotheirmercuryseemstobeSpiritofMagnesia.Fortheycallmagnesia(Greekmagnes,magnet)thecoarsefemininematterwhichattractsbyanoccultvirtuethespiritenclosedbeneaththehardshellofthesteelofthesages.Thelatter,penetratinglikeaburningflameintothebodyofthepassivenature,burns,consumesitsheterogeneousparts,drivesawaythearsenical(orleprous)sulfur,andanimatesthepuremercuryitcontainsandwhichappearsintheconventionalformofaliquorbothhumidandigneous---thefirewateroftheancients---whichwecallSpiritofMagnesiaanduniversalsolvent.

TheCastleofDampierreIX(Panel6)---Anivyplantisrepresentedcoiledaroundthetrunkofadeadtreewhosebrancheshaveallbeencutbyhumanhands.Theinscriptionwhichcompletesthisbas-reliefbearsthewords:.INIMICA.AMICITIA.(TheEnemyFriendship).

TheanonymousauthoroftheAncienneGuerredesChevaliers(AncientWaroftheKnights)inadialoguebetweenthestone,thegoldandthemercuryhasgoldsaythatthestoneisawormfilledwithvenomandaccusesitofbeingtheenemyofmanandmetals.Nothingismoretrue;somuchsothatothersreproachoursubjecttocontainafrightfulpoisonwhoseveryodor,theyinsist,wouldsufficetocausedeath.Yetitisfromthistoxicmineralthattheuniversalmedicineismade,whichnohumanillnesscanresist,nomatterhowincurableitisthoughttobe.Butthatwhichgivesitallitsvalueandmakesitinfinitelypreciousintheeyesofthesageistheadmirablevirtueitpossesses,ofrevivifyingmetalsthathavebeenreducedandmoltenandoflosingitspoisonouspropertiesbygrantingthemitsownactivity.Andsoitdoesappeartobetheinstrumentofresurrection,andofredemptionofthemetallicbodies,deadbyviolenceofareducingfire,thereasonforwhichitbearsinitscoatofarms,thesignoftheRedeemer,thecross.

Prefacetothe2ndEdition(EugeneCanseliet)---Letussayitstraightforwardly:Thematterofthealchemicalworkoffersitself,evenimposesitself,withsomuchevidencethatthereisnoauthor,behethemostsincere,whohasnotbecome"envious",whohasnotsilenced,veiledorfalsifiedthechoice,goingasfaraswritingthecommonnameofthistrulypredestinedsubjectandfinallydeclaringthatitisnot.

Geber~OftheSumofPerfection

PartII---ChapterVI(OftheReasonsofMendenyingtheArtsupposedinArsnick,andtheirRefutation)---ButothersjudgingthisStonemustnecessarilybefoundinthesame[Sulphur],anditsCompeer,Arsnick,andmoreprofoundlyintentontheConsumationoftheWork,donotonlybyaSublimationcleansetheburningSulphureity,butalsoendeavortoremovetheTerrestreity,leavingtheFlight(orVolatility)init.Theseinlikemanner,comingtoProjection,findaDelusioninit;becausetheirMedicineadheresnotstablyinthoseveryBodies,butsuccessively,andbylittleandlittlevanisheth,leavingsuchaBodyinitsformerCondition.Hencethesealso,condemningArt,argueliketheformer;andtothemWeanswer,asWedidtotheFirst,affirmingtheArt,andthatWeknowittobe,becauseWehaveseenandtouchedtheVeritythereof.

PartIII---ChapterIII(TheDivisionofwhataretobespoken,touchingtheThreePrinciples,viz.Sulphur,Arsenick,andArgentivive)---Now,havingfinishedourUniversalDiscourseoftheNaturalPrinciplesofMetals;itremains,thatweheregiveapeculiarChaptertoeach

oneofthePrinciples.Therefore,seeingtheyareThree,viz.Sulphur,Arsenick,andArgentivive;thefistshallbeofSulphur,thesecondofArsenick,andthethirdofArgentivive...

PartIII---ChapterV(OfArsenick)---ItnowremainsthatweatpresentspeakofArsenick.WesayitisofasubtileMatter,andliketoSulphur;thereforeitneedsnotbeotherwisedefinedthanSulphur.ButitisdiversifiedfromSulphurinthis,viz.becauseitiseasilyaTinctureofWhiteness,butofRednessmostdifficultly:andSulphur,ofWhitenessmostdifficultly:butofRednesseasily.OfSulphurandArsenickthereisatwofoldKind,viz.CitrineandRed,whichareprofitabletothisArt;butthemanyotherkindsnotso.ArsenickisfixedasSulphur;buttheSublimationofeitherisbestfromtheCalxofMetals.YetSulphurandArsenickarenottheperfectiveMatterofthisWork:fortheyarenotcompleattoPerfection;yettheymaybeanhelptoPerfectionintheCase.ButtheLucidandScaly,andScissilemustbetaken.

Geber~OftheInventionofVerity,orPerfection

ChapterVII(OfthePreparationofArsnick)---AfteritsCompeerArsnickisbeatentoPowder,itmustbeboyledinVinegar,andallitscombustiblefatnessextracted,andthenitisdryed.ThenR.ofCopper,lib.1,ofAllomcalcined1/2apound,andofCommonSaltpreparedasmuchasoftheAllom.MixthesewithyourArsnickprepared,andhavinggroundallwelltogether,moistentheMixturewithdistilledVinegar(thatitmaybeliquid)andboylthesame,asyoudidinSulphur;andthensublimeitinanAludel(withoutanAlembeck)oftheheightofoneFoot.Gatherwhatascendswhite,dense,clear,andlucid,andkeepit,becauseitissufficientlypreparedfortheWork.

J.Grashof~TheGreater&LesserEdifyer

MagisterDegenhardus,LulliusandMatthesius,inhisSerpaConcione3,writethatthematerialofthemetalsshouldbelikebuttermilkbeforeithardensintoametallicform,andthatitcanbespreadlikebutter.TheycallitGUR,andIhavefounditmyselfinmineswhereNaturehasmadelead.Andifoneisalsoabletomakesuchamaterialhereabovetheearth,thenthatshouldbeasuresignnotonlythatonehastherightMateria,butalsothatoneisundoubtedlyontherightpath.ThisIcanmake,praisebetoGod,withmyownhands.Whenleftinwarmthanhouritgoesintoastateofputrefaction,sothatitturnsblack,thenreddish,andfinallyred-brown.ThephilosopherscallitLacVirginis,theMilkoftheVirgin.Thus,ifoneputsalittleSalisMetalliciinourwater,itbecomeslikeawhitemilk,andifoneputsalottherein,thenitturnsthicklikebutterandcanbespreadlikefatorasimilarsubstance.Ihavethoughtitwelltomentionthis,inorderthatyoumayharbornodoubtsconcerningtheMateria,andthiswillbeproventoyouwiththehelpoftheonlyCreator.

DeGenerationeMineraliumetVegetabilium---Ifonetakestheoreanddigestsandmaturesitwithhot,corporealfixedspeciesthatareengenderedfromtheconjunctionsofthesun,suchasantimony,vitriol,arsenic,etc.,thenoneobtainsacorrectandpowerfulshowerofblood.Sincethisnotonlymaturestheimmaturegold,butalsotransmutestheotherimmaturemetals,suchaslead,tin,copperandiron,andturnsthemintogoldorsilverwhiletheyarestillinblossom,andthuseasilyaffected,theyshouldbeplacedinanoventhatisproperforthem.Theretheflowerwillbematuredandmadeenduringinashorttime,althoughNaturewouldhavetakenalongtimeonthem,duetoherweakdigestion.Thussuchorescanveryoftennowgiveforththeirspiritual,immaturegoldasmature,corporealandfixed,asIhavesaid,and,indeed,muchmoreofitthanNaturecouldhaveperfected...Onemustbecarefultodigesttheseproperlyandpreserveatemperedheat,whichisnotdestructive,butrathernaturalandfosteringofperfection;for,truly,ifonewantstoperfecttheoreingreatamounts,thisrequiresaspecialdiligenceandunderstanding...

ChristopherGrummet~SanguisNaturae

ChapterIV---ButtheArtist,whoendeavorstosetuponthiswork,mustknowthateveryBodyisdissolvedbyasharpSpirit,andmadevolatilewithaSpirit;andiftheSpiritbesopreparedbythehelpoftheBody,ourMercuryisprepared,whichpurifies,washes,andfixesandinceratesitself,tillatlastitattainstothehighestSubtilityandpurity,andsublimesitselffromthebottomoftheVesselintowhiteStone.ThismustbeseparatedfromitsFeces,bysublimationandreduction;andthenwillbepreparedtheFoliatedEarthmorewhitethanSnow,whichafteritsdueDecoction,coagulatesandfixesvulgarMercury,andtransmuteseveryimperfectBodyintotrueLuna.ThismostpreciousWhitenessisourArsenic,anincomparableTreasure,whichaboveallotherthingsthePhilosopherneeds.ThisSulphurmustbecalcined,tillitbeconvertedintoadryandverysubtilepowder;whichPowdermustbeimbibedwiththewhiteOilofthePhilosophersdiverstimes,tillatlengthitflowslikewaxandthentherewillbepreparedtheWhiteStone,whereofonepartTingesaThousandpartsofanyMetal,intotrueSilver.

JohannBaptistavanHelmont~ArcaArcaniArtificiosissimiApertae

Thereforeitistobeknown,thatNaturehathherpassagesandveinsintheEarth,whichdothdistillWaters,salt,clearandturbulent.Foritalwaysobservedbysight,thatinthePits,orGrovesofMetals,sharpandsaltWatersdodistildown.Whilethereforethosewaterdofalldownwards,(forallheavythingsarecarrieddownwards)therearesulphureousvapoursascendingfromthecenteroftheEarth,thatdomeetthem.Thereforeifthewatersbesaltish,pureandclear,andthesulphureousvapourspurealso;andthattheyembraceoneanotherintheirmeeting,thenapureMetalisgenerated;butindefectofpurity,animpureMetal:inelaboratingofwhich,Naturespreadethnear,oraboutathousandyears,beforethatshecanbringittoperfection;whichcomethtopasseitherbyreasonoftheimpurityofthesaltMercurialwaters,oroftheimpuresulphureousvapors,Whenthesetwodoembraceeachother,shutipcloseintherockyplaces;thenofthemamoist,thick,fatvapourdotharisebytheoperationofnaturalheat,whichtakethitsseatwheretheaircannotcome(forelseitwouldflyaway)ofwhichvapourthenamucilaginousandunctuousmatterismade,whichiswhitelikeButter;whichMathesiusdothcallGur,whichmaybeclam'dlikeButter;whichIalsoshewinmyhand,abovetheEarth,andforthoftheEarth.TheLabourersintheGrovesdooftenfindthismatterwhichiscalledGur;butofitnothingcanbeprepared,becauseitisnotknowwhatwastheintentionofNatureinthatplace;foraMarchasite,aswellasaMetal,mightequallyhavebeenmadeofit.

Hermes~TractatusAureusdeLapidusPhysiciSecreto

Chapter1,Section5---Takeofthehumidity,ormoisture,anounceandahalf,andoftheSouthernRedness,whichisthesoulofgold,afourthpart,thatistosay,halfanounce,ofthecitrineSeyre,inlikemanner,halfanounce;oftheAuripigment,halfanounce,whichareeight;thatisthreeounces.Andknowyethatthevineofthewiseisdrawnforthinthree,butthewinethereofisnotperfected,untilatlengththirtybeaccomplished...

Chapter2,Section5---Returnthen,OmySon,thecoalbeingextinctinlife,uponthewaterforthirtydays,asIshallnotetothee,andhenceforththouartacrownedking,restingoverthefountain,anddrawingfromthenceAuripigmentumdrywithoutmoisture.AndnowIhavemadetheheartofthehearers,hopinginthee,torejoice,evenintheireyes,beholdingtheeinanticipationofthatwhichthoupossesseth...

Commentary(Barrett)---Hermessignifiesthefirstmanifestedresplendenceofthevitaltincture;thewellis,asthecatholicspiritoflife,inexhaustible;atthebottom,orcenterrather,ofwhichsubsiststheoccultCausalityofall;evenfromthis,thetrueefficientwheel,isdrawn,accordingtotradition,thatauripigmentofphilosopherswhichisthemultiplicativevirtueoftheirstone.

Chapter2,Section7---Knowthou,myson,thatthefatofourearthissulphur;thatsulphurisauripigment,siretz,orcolcothar;ofwhichauripigment,sulphurs,andsuchlike,somearemorevileormeanthanothers,inwhichthereisadifferenceordiversity.Ofthiskindalsoisthefatofglewysubstances;towit,ofhair,nails,hoofs,andsulphuritself,oilofPeter,andthebrainormarrow,whichisauripigment...

Commentary(Barrett)---Hermesalludestoherinparttothevariousmanifestationsofthespiritinthisnaturallife,andthevegetablegrowthofitinanimalbodies.Theoccultluminousprincipleoflife,andthevegetablegrowthofitinanimalbodies.Theoccultluminousprincipleofvitalizationhecallssulphur,auripigment,&c,hidingitalsounderavarietyofothercovertures.

SectionIII---OpermanentwateryForm,creatrixoftheroyalelements!who,havingwiththybrethrenandajustgovernmentobtainedthetincture,findsrest.Ourpreciousstoneiscastforthuponthedung-hill,andthatwhichismostworthyismadevilestofthevile.Therefore,itbehoovesustomortifytwoArgentvivestogether,bothtovenerateandbevenerated,viz.,theArgentviveofAuripigment,andtheorientalargentviveofmagnesia...

Inthiswayourpreparedmaterialisalsocalledmaleandfemale,activeandpassive.SoZimonsays,inTheCrowd:"Knowthatthesecretoftheworkconsistsinmaleandfemale,i.e.,anactiveandapassiveprinciple.Inleadisfoundthemale,inorpimentthefemale...

EthanAllenHitchcock~Alchemy&theAlchemists

"Thework,"saysone,"whileyetcrude,iscalledourwaterpermanent,ourlead,ourSaturn,ourJupiter;whenbetterdecocted,thenitisargent,thenMagnesia,andwhitesulphur;whenitisred,itiscalledauripigment,coral,gold,ferment,orstone,alucidwaterofcelestialcolor."

Iamnotdefendingthismodeofwriting,butIaffirmthatthewholesubjectofAlchemyisman.Buteachwriter,forthemostpart,designateshimbyawordofhisownchoosing;henceonewritesofAntimony,anotherofLead,anotherofZinc,anotherofArsenic...

JohannesIsaacHollandus~AWorkofSaturnia

Now,myChild,whyisSaturnasfluxibleasWax?Byreasonofits'aboundingSulphur,whichistherein;forIfindnofluxiblenessorfusiblenessinanythingsavinginSulphur,MercuryandArsenick,andallthesethreeareinSaturn;sothatSaturnisquicklyfluxible,butallthesethreearecleansedwithitfromtheiruncleanness.

Anddoyounotknow,thatthePhilosopherscalltheirStoneArsenick,andawhitething;andtheysaytheirSulphurisincombustible;theycallitlikewisearedthing,allthisisSaturn,initisArsenick;forLunaisprincipallygeneratedofawhiteSulphur,asisplainlytaughtintheBookofSulphur,andallArsenickisinternallyredasBlood,ifits'inwardpartbebroughtoutwards,asisdemonstratedintheBookofColours.SaturnstandsalmostinthedegreeoffixedLuna.SothatinitthereisaredSulphur,asyousee,whenitsinternalisplacedoutwards,itwillberedasRuby;therearenoColoursbutintheSpirits,sothatthereisinitaredandayellowSulphur.InitisMercury,asmaybeseen,forMercuryisextractedoutofSaturninashorttime,andwithitlittlelabour.

SothatallthreeareinSaturn,buttheyarenotfixedtherein,buttheyareclean,pure,incombustible,fluxibleasWax;initareallthingswhichthePhilosophershavementioned.Theysay,ourStoneismadeofastinkingmenstruousthing:Whatthinkyou,isnotSaturndiggedoutofastinkingEarth?FordiversarekilledwiththeillScentsandVapourswhereSaturnisdigged.

J.I.Hollandus~OpusculaAlchymicaia

Chapter86:TheTwenty-FourthWorkofArsenicum---NowIwillteachmychildhowtomakethewhiteStonefromarsenic.Takearsenic,4or5lbs;powderitfinely;thentakealum,eggchalk,calamineandcommonsalt,alldriedatagentlefire,thatis,2partsofcommonsaltto1partofeachoftheothers.Poundthemwelltogether,andforevery4lbsofarsenic,take8lbsoftheothermatters.Mixthemtogetherandputthemintoasublimationvessel;sublimatethearsenic.Poundwhathasbeensublimatedamongitsfaeces,andsublimateitagain.Repeatitoncemore.Nowmixthearsenicumsublimatumwithasmuchfreshmatterasyourarsenicumweighs;sublimateitandrepeat3times.Afterthis,sublimateagain3timeswithasmuchfreshmatter.Thenyourarsenicwillbecomeclear,whiteandtransparentlikecrystal.Dissolvethatinaquafort,madeofalum,eggchalk,calamineandsaltpeter,asmuchasalltheothersweightogether.Drythemtothepointofdusting,putthemintoadistillationpotanddistillasonenormallymakesaquafort.Putthecaputmortuum,powdered,backintothepot,pouryouraquafortagainonit,distillfor36hourstillnothingdripsanylonger.Afterthis,keepitglowingforanother36hours;repeatthatagain,rectifyingitwithitscaputmortuum.Itisachievedwiththethirddistillation.Withthisdissolveyoursublimatedarsenic,drawthewateroff,andsublimatethearsenicagain;andagaindissolveitinthesaidwater.Dothis3times,eachtimedissolvinginfreshwater.

Chapter87---Nowtakeasmuchsilverastheweightofthearsenic,dissolveitincommonaquafort,andbeatitdown.Washthischalk

withcommonwaterofitssaltiness,anddryitonamoderatefire.TakethiscalxLunaeandthepreparedarsenic,poundthemtogetheronastone,putthemintooursublimatorium,andsublimatethemofthechalk,atfirstheatingfairlystrongly,sothatthedistillationpotstandsthereinasoftglow,for2hours.Thenletitcooldown,andremovethesublimate;againpounditwithitsfecibus,andsetitagaintosublimateasbefore.Dothis4times,andyouhavesublimatedallthespiritorquintessenceofthesilverwiththearsenic.Thenputthefaecesofthesilvertoreverberateorcalcinateinthesublimationfurnace,for4daysandnights,inasoftglownottoohotoritwouldmeltandspoileverything.

Thentakeitout,putitintoyourstonejar,pourdistilledwinevinegaronit,setitinthebalneumfor4daysandnights,andproceedineverywayasIhavetaughtaboveintheworkofantimonium,whenIinstructedyouhowtopreparethesalt,earth,orcorpus.Subsequently,poundittogetherintangiblyonastone,andforthattaketwiceasheavyofourburningblessedwatertotheWhite.Puteverythingtogetherintoafixingglass,sealithermetically,putitonafurnaceinadishwithashes,andagaingivemoderatefire,andeverythingwilldissolveintopurewater,alsoriseandfall,untilitstaysfixedasacrystalline,clearoil,whichisaperfectElixir.Ittranslatesmercuryandtinintotruesilver.Putthisintoaglassampuleoregg,sealit,setitfor40daysandnightsinatripod,anditwillcoagulateintothePhilosophers'Stone,whoseprojectionisverygreat.Theverysameworkwhichyouhavedonewithsilveryoucanalsodowithtin,andtheprojectionwillbeequallyhigh.ThankGodandbecharitabletothepoor.

J.I.Hollandus~TheCabala

ChapterII---Mychildshouldknow,ashasbeensaidbefore,thattheSaltsareofmanydifferentkinds,namelyofSaturn,Jupiter,Mars,Sol,Venus,Mercury,andLuna,andthateachofthemcanbecomeasalt...

FromthisnotethatJupiterwouldwellbefixedandstableofithadall3Principleswithoutanylackthereof.Butletthatbeasitmay,itisneverthelessnotduetothiscausealone,asJupiterstillhastheseothertwodeficiencieswhichcauseittobeunstableinthefire.Ofthesethefirstandgreatestdeficiencyisthat,althoughitcontainsSaltandSulphur,itlackstheSaltofSulphur,whichiscalledPhilosophicalRealgarbyitspropername.AndalthoughthecommonmancallsitonlyArsenicum,beityellow,white,orred,itisneverthelessnothingbutthespiritoftheSulphurofJupiter,althoughitisafixedorstableRealgarorarsenic.ThewhiteRealgarcomesfromVenusandJupiter,theredRealgarfrommercury.

J.I.Hollandus~DeLapidePhilosophorum

Youshouldalsoknowthattheoilofallthingsintheworldseparatesfromitsearthinthefire,exceptthatofmineralsandmetals,becausetheiroilstayswiththeearthinthefireanddoesnotseparatefromit.Ifitdoesseparate,theearthrisestogetherwithit,astheiroilscannotbeseparatedfromtheearth,whichcanbedonewithotherthings.TheyknewwellthatiftheywishtofollowNature,theyneededsuchoilstoincreateandmaketheirspiritanddryearthliquid.Theyfoundtheminsulphurandauripigment,buttentimesmoreinmercury.Inthiswaytheartofcerationwasinvented...

Lunahastwosicknesses,likeotherimperfectmetals,butitstwosicknessesdonotgototheinmostrootasdothoseoftheotherimperfectmetals.Onesicknessisthecombustiblesulphur,theotheriscoldandhumidity.Thefirstsicknessiseliminatedwitharsenicandwashing.Knowthatthesubstanceofarsenicissostrongthatitburnsanddestroysallbodies.Thesameisdonebyauripigmentandsulphur;thesethreeareofonenature.

Whenarsenicandauripigmentaredisembodiedandcleansedoftheirimpurity,density,andwildunfixedspirits,andyoutaketheidlespirit,thenwiththisspirityouwilldriveawaythecombustibilityofthesulphurofmetalsbycalcining,washing,purging,reiterating.Consequently,arsenicandauripigmentarecomparabletotheriac.Forifthepoisoninthetheriacisnotprepared,itwillkillman;butwhenitisprepared,itdrivesthepoisonout.Likewisearsenicandauripigment.

RichardIngalese~TheyMadethePhilosophers'Stone

Thiselementisnotcalledmercuryalways.Ithaddifferentnamesindifferentlanguages.InthetimeoftheArabiansitwasfrequentlycalledarsenic,whichisnotthearsenicofmedicine,butanothernameappliedtomercury.

FrancoisJollivet-Castelot~TheChemicalManufactureofGold

BymeansofcatalyticactionIhavesucceededinmanufacturinggoldchemicallybyactingonsilverwitharsenicandantimonysulfides,tellurium,andtin.Theprocessgivesaveryhighyieldwhichhasalreadybeenconfirmedbyseveralchemists...

Imadeamixturecomposedofchemicallypuresilverand1gramofchemicallypureorpimentandplaceditin36onitricacidforseveralmonthscoldandthenbroughtittoebullition.Theliquidwaskeptattheboilingpointforseveraldays.Asmallquantityofthematerialbecamedetachedatthispointandformedapulvurentblackdeposit.Whennofurtheractiontookplace,Idecantedoffthesolutionandcollectedtheinsolubleresidue.Thisresiduewasattackedbyaquaregiaattheboilingpointuntilitwasalmostcompletelydissolved;theliquorwhendecantedandfilteredwasanalyzedandgaveallthecharacteristicreactionsforgold.(December1925)

Iactedon22gramsofpuresilver...andon3.5gramsofpureorpiment...Themixturewasheatedtoabout1600oC.Inametalsmeltingfurnaceforaboutthreequartersofanhour.Theresidueobtainedwasagainmeltedwiththeadditionoforpiment.Afterhavinghammeredforhalfanhourandremeltedwiththeadditionofsmallquantitiesoforpimenteverytenminutes,itwaswithdrawn.

Aftercoolingandtheadditionofchemicallypureantimonysulfide,itwasagainputbackintothefurnace,smallquantitiesoforpimentbeingthrownineveryfiveminutes.Theresidueobtainedhadadarkmetallictint.Afterhammeringitbecameslightlygolden.

Theresiduedissolvedinpure36onitricacidfirstcoldandthenhot,gaveanabundantpulvurentdeposit.Thisdepositafterbeingwashed

andtreatedwithammoniatodissolvethearsenicandantimonysaltswascompletelydissolvedinaquaregia.Theliquorthenbeingchlorinatedandfilteredwassubjectedtotheusualreagentsofplatinumandgold...

Isubmitthehypothesisthatthearsenicactsasacatalystandthesulfurasafermentinthistransmutation...

CarlJung~MysteriumConiunctionis

…Inthefaceofhugenumberseverythoughtofindividualitypales,forstatisticsobliterateeverythingunique.Contemplatingsuchoverwhelmingmightandmiserytheindividualisembarrassedtoexistatall.Yettherealcarrieroflifeistheindividual.Healonefeelshappiness,healonehasvirtueandresponsibilityandanyethicswhatever.Themassesandthestatehavenothingofthekind.Onlymanasanindividualbeinglives;thestateisjustasystem,ameremachineforsortingandtabulatingthemasses.Anyone,therefore,whothinksintermsofmenminustheindividual,inhugenumbers,atomizeshimselfandbecomesathiefandarobbertohimself.Heisinfectedwiththeleprosyofcollectivethinkingandhasbecomeaninmateofthatinsalubriousstud-farmcalledthetotalitarianState.Ourtimecontainsandproducesmorethanenoughofthat'crudesulfur'whichwith'arsenicalmalignity'preventsmanfromdiscoveringhistrueself.

Iwastemptedtotranslatearsenicalisas'poisonous'.Butthistranslationwouldbetoomodern.Noteverythingthatthealchemistscalled'arsenic'wasreallythechemicalelementAs.'Arsenic'originallymeantmasculine,manly,strong,andwasessentiallyanArcanum,asRuland'sLexiconshows.Therearsenicisdefinedasan'hermaphrodite',themeanswherebySulphurandMercuryareunited.IthascommunionwithbothnaturesandisthereforecalledSunandMoon.Orarsenicis'Luna,ourVenus,Sulphur'scompanion'andthe'soul'.Herearsenicisnolongerthemasculineaspectofthearcanesubstancebutishermaphroditicandevenfeminine.ThisbringsitdangerouslyclosetothemoonandthecrudeSulphur,sothatarseniclosesitssolaraffinity.As'Sulphur'scompanion'itispoisonousandcorrosive.Becausethearcanesubstancealwayspointstotheprincipalunconsciouscontent,itspeculiarnatureshowsinwhatrelationthatcontentstandstoconsciousness.Iftheconsciousmindhasacceptedit,ithasapositiveform,ifnot,anegativeone.Ifontheotherhandthearcanesubstanceissplitintotwofigures,thismeansthatthecontenthasbeenpartlyacceptedandpartlyrejected;itisseenundertwodifferent,incompatibleaspectsandisthereforetakentobetwodifferentthings...

JacobJuran~Hyle&Coahyl

Gur---Itssign,however,isthis:inthecavesofthemountainswheretheworkerslaboranddigourgoldorsilver,awhiteoildripsoutandwhenithasdisappearedinthegroundinwhichthereisthisCohyleortheseedandthebeginningofthegold,therewillbesomethingglowingfromtheearthlikeatearorlikeawhiteblood,andlikeatearofaplantoragrapevinewhentheyarecut,anditissimilartodropsoflightwaterinitsseepingout,andafteradayornightitwillcoagulateandbesimilartothesalivaofthemouthorthemilkorwaterfoam.Andafteracertaintimewhenyouseeit,youwillfinditslightlyreddishandthisrednesswillincreaseeveryday,andwhenitisredderthancoagulatedblood,butnotyethardasstone,butsoftandlikeasalveandcream,thenthegoldinitiscompleted,butnotyetstableintheheatofthefire,anditwillnotbestableuntilitcoagulatesandbecomessimilartoahardrock,andthisisthewordofKingSaba,whichhetalksaboutinhisbookKabaThabiban,theoil,thebutterofthewise.Itisabirdintheworldanditiswhitelikesnow,anditisthebirdofallbirdssinceitdoesn'tflyunderneaththeskyandabovetheearthlikeotherbirds,butitcomesdownfromtheheightoftheskyintothedeepestabyssesintheinterioroftheearth,anditsflightgoesthroughstoneandground,throughrockandtheabyssesofthesea;thisbirdinrealityisthePhoenixoftheWiseandalchemists,andifitdoesn'tjoinwiththemotherofthegoldintheearthandthisbecomewhiteandslightlystable,thenthealchemistswillnotbeabletocompleteitinalongtimeexceptifitcomesdowneverydayandfliesintotheinterioroftheearthandhidesanduniteswiththemotherofthegold,andwhenyoufirstseeityouwillcompareitwiththeseedofmen,anditsface,ifwhite,willturnredaftersometime,anditwillbesoftasbutterorasalve;butwhenitssoftnesschangesthegoldisbornandstableinfire.ThisCohylehasnoname,justliketheCohyleofthefirstwayhasnone.ButtheexperiencedofthoseworkinginsidethemountainswhentheyfindthisCohyle,theyanswerandsaywehaveprecededthebirthofthesonandthecompletionofthegoldbecause,see,thesonisreceived,andduetoourhurrywehavefoundnogold…myson,choosethisCohyle,thebutterofthewisemen;youcanfindwhenitisredlikeblood,chooseit,becausewithityouwillhurrytoitsend,andifitiswhitelikesalivaofthemouth,chooseitbecausewithityouwillunderstandevenmore;thereforewhenpossiblechoosetheredoneandthewhiteone,butchooseitsoftlikeafattysubstance...

Inouropinion,thewordGURisnotaGermanbutaHebrewword...Ourmatter,then,sowritestheauthorofthisprocess,isonesinglething,butoftwosubstances,subjecttoSaturn,andsurroundedbyhiscircle,whereinisfoundtheHumidumRadicale,andafixedgrainofgold,stillunhurt,quitealive,withsoulandspirit,anditisacongealedvaporandawhitecoagulatedjuice,whichnatureitselfhasgivenup,orsublimated,intheMinerisSol&Luna,heavybyweight,ofametallickindandquality,andyetnotametalinitself.Itcanbespreadlikelard,oraverysubtleamalgam,itattachesitselfeverywheretothewalls,likefat,quiteglistening.Ineveryviscoussulphur,orwater,therelieshiddeninitscenteraCentrumConcentratum,meaning:ThesaltofNature,whichisthelightoftheworld,andthetrueMateriaPrimagold.

Asproof,takeasmuchofthissubjectasyoulike,pouruponittwicedistilleddewwater,thefirsttimeasis,thenexttimethroughadozendouble-fineblottingpapers,asiscorrectlytaughtandshownintheFamaHermeticamenseFebruario.Oncedistilled,letitstandforafewdaysindigestion,stirringitsomewhateveryday.Then,outofthissubjectwillextractitselfthehiddenCentrumconcentratum,orSalNaturae:Whenthisextracthascooleddown,filterit,andwhenthemoisturehasevaporatedfromitthroughadozendouble-fineblottingpapers,onewillseethisSalNaturaeandLumenMundisobeautiful,splendidandglisteningasthestarsatthefirmamentarealwaysglitteringandglistening.Butifitisfurthertreatedphilosophically,itcanevenbeturnedintoabrightlyshiningoil.

Oftenonebreaksandfindsalsocobalt,whichcontainslittleoralmostnometal.Butbydiggingfurtherinthepits,onewillfindthesamewhitecoagulatedmetallicjuice.Itisformedplentifullyinnearlyallmines,especiallywherethereisgoldandsilver,butthatwhichisminedinHungaryistobepreferredtoallothers.Ourearthisgoldandsilver,butnotthenaturalandcommon.Itisofonethingandroot.AstrumgeritmasculinumetfemininumgenustamenexindepersublimationemArchaelfitcrystallus,quihabitnaturamaquae,cumquaignisetSulphurredigendasuntingratiam.Minersdonotheedit,norisitofusetothemintheirwork.Itisgenerallycalledbythem:aurumimmaturatum,seuastrumSolis,semenSolis,metalseed,alsosometimesArabiangold.Whentheyfindsuchmatter,theysay,wehavecometooearlyortoolate,dicituretiam.Beforeitcongealsintoametallicform,itislikebutterandcanbespreadlikebutter.ThefirstmatterofmetalsisnotMercuriusvivus,butasticky,sulphurousvapor,andaviscouswater,inwhichviscouswaterthethreePrincipia:Salcomm.,SulphurandMercuryare

gathered.Thismatterisknowntoalltruephilosophers,anditisthetrueAgensandPatiens.

AntonKirchweger~TheGoldenChainofHomer

NoteherethatArsenicisasubtildrymercuryfortheformationoftheredmetalschiefly.ModestinFachsandTugelbelieveArsenictobeunripeLuna,andLunatobefixedArsenic.Tugelconfirmsitbyexperiment:LeadfromMercury,TinfromArsenic,SilverfromArsenic,IronfromMercury,CopperfromMercury,andMercuryfromArsenic...

MyteachingswillrepelmanyandtheywillbeastonishedwhentheylearnthatIpreparethegoldwitharsenic...

Sulphurremovesallthepoisonfromarsenicandantimony.Ifamanweretoreflectonthetrueprimeoriginsofgoldandothermetals,orifheweretotaketheMineramSolis,whichisonewiththeothermetals,hecouldimmediatelychangeitbackintoitsprimematter.Fromthisthereaderlearnsofthepropertiesofarsenic,howquicklyitspoisoncanberemovedandthusitistransformedintoabettersubstance.

Thefirstconstituentofallmarcasitesandmetalsisarsenic.Inwhatmineralormetalcanwefindcommonquicksilverexceptveryrarelyandaccidentally?Instead,youwillfindArsenicumandsulphurineachoftheaforementioned,beitlittleormuch,butusuallyinquantity.

SeeJo.AgricolainPopp.Nuremburg1681,4,P.II,Tr.deArsenico,P.997,whereitiswritten:"Withoutareason,oneshouldnotbesurprisedthatthismineralissocloselyrelatedtoSulphur,thattheyarealmostsprungfromonespring,butintheireffectstheyarealmostopposites...ItisaKingofMedicinewhenitiscorrected,onegrainorlessofithasthemostsalutoryeffectincountlessdiseases.Itispenetratingandtingesthebloodandvitalspiritsointenselythatitbecomescapableofdispersingeventhemostperniciousenemyfromthebody;whichothermedicines,lackingthispower,canneveraccomplish.Therefore,youmustsearchineverywaytofindouthowitspoisonousnaturecanbeallayed...".

Isn'titbyexperiencethatweknowthatgoldandsilverburiedundertheeartharearousedwhenthesaltymoistureoftheearthwakensthesourspiritsofgoldandsilverintoaction;thatiswhyonehasfoundonlytheirelectraorevenonlysomedustinsteadofgoldandsilver.Whenthereforegoldandsilverhavebeenputinplaceswheremanyarsenicalormarcasiticalvaporsevaporate,theyaresoonerdestroyedbyNature.WecanseethisintheArt,whichmustnecessarilyfollowNatureinjustthesesteps,whenwemeltsulphur,arsenicandmarcasitetogetherandletthemflow,thenputglowinggoldintoit,sothatthegoldturnsintoallpowderwhichisthenimmediatelydissolvedbythesaltsorsaltyvaporsorspiritsandreducedtoitsfirstnature.

Likewisewithmetalsorminerals:themedicineortincturedoesnotintendtohealthesulphur,arsenicormarcasite,butthemetals,andevenifitwerethrownuponsulphur,arsenicormarcasite,itwouldnotturnthemintopuregoldandsilver,butintoapuresolarorlunarnature.Therefore,suchasolarizedsulphur,arsenicormarcasitecanalsobemadeintogoldorsilverbydigestionandmaturation,butnotintopuregoldandsilverasmetalsaretransmutedbycastingandmelting,etc.

Gur---Theportionoftheearthwhichthecorrosive[vapor]hasbeenunabletodissolvecompletely,ismadesubtle,dirty,andgreasyinpart.Alchemistscallitametallicgur,orthefirstmatterofmetals,butwronglyso,becauseitisthefirstandnearestmattertosulphurandarsenic.Whenarsenicbecomesmarcasite,thatthenistheverynearestmattertometals,becausemetalsspringdirectlyfrommarcasiteandnotfromthisgurwhichisonlythedistantmatterofmetals.Thisgurordirtysubstanceismadeeverfinerbytherisingcorrosivevaporsandismoreandmoredissolved.Andthemoreitbecomessubtle,themoreitcongealsthecorrosivewithinitself,andthatmakesitsulphurousandarsenical.Thisarsenicisincreasinglyripenedintomarcasite,andthemarcasiteinturnintometal.Suchistheprogressofmetals,whichweintendtoshowevermoreclearly.

Whenthevaporsriseintothecracksandcrevicesoftherocks,theyturnintowaterbecauseoftheircondensation(whilemoreandmoreriseunceasingly).Thiswatercontainstheintermingledspiritofsaltandsaltpeter,whichspiritisknownbyallalchemiststobecorrosive.Here,however,inthecenter,itissurroundedanddilutedbymuchPhlegmaandwater.Suchspiritsadheretorocksandearthbytheirsharpness,corrodeanddissolvethem,makethemsubtle,swollen,sticky,greasyanddirty,andturnthemintoamoistgurwhichliesbetweentherocksandtheearthlikemeatinterlardedwithbacon.Butoftenitpenetratesoutsideduetotheswellingandadherestothewalls,asmaybeseeninoldgalleriesandmines.Themoredissolvedandrefinedsuchdissolvedearthbecomesthroughvaporsandsaltyspirits,themoreitswells,pressinganddrivingouttheremainingmoisturebythisswelling.Inturn,thismoisturerunsbacktothecenterorelsewhereintoothercornersandholesoftheearth.Thisswollenearthorgurnowhasnopeace,becausethecontinuallyrisingandsubsequentvaporsareattackingitevermore,adheretoit,congealandcoagulatewiththeearth;andthemoresuchcorrosivevaporsfollow,themorefiery,sulphuroustheearthbecomes.Themoresulphurousitbecomes,thehigheritswells,andmoremoistureitdrivesoff,andbecomesthedrierthelongeritlasts.Thedrieritbecomes,however,themorethesulphurouscomponentpartlosesitscombustibilityandtherebyacquiresthenameofmercury,orrightly,arsenic,whichhasoriginatedinthesulphurousacidity.Itnolongerburns,butisstillvolatile.Thisvolatility,however,isgraduallymoreboundbythecentralheatbetweenthestones,andtherebycongealedandcoagulated,sothatitistransformedintoamarcasite.Ifthedigestionorearthycentralheatisstrong,themarcasiteiscongealedintoametal;butifitisweak,itremainswhatitisorbecomesamarcasiteorarsenicchoke-damp,orpyrite.

Nowonemustknowthatwhennaturehasgotsofarthatshehadmadesulphurorarsenic,shehasalreadyfilledthecrevicesandchasmsanddissolvedandcausedsomuchearthtoswellthatthecrevicesarefulltothebrim.Thentheearthdoesnotadmitanymorevaporsormoisture,andisnolongerindissolution.Nowbeginsthedessication,fixationandcoagulation,andpassesfromtheretoametallicnatureorfixity.

Justastheearthandrockarethemotherandfoundation,orthevessel,ofmineralsinwhichfossilorebodiesaremade,sothevaporistheirfood.Vitriolorvitriolicguristheroot,sulphurandarsenicthestem,marcasitetheflowerorblossom,metals,theseed,thecompletedbirthandoffspring.

Thatvitriolisfirstbornofsulphurandarseniccanbeprovenbygur,ifitislixiviated,filteredandcoagulated.Thenonefindsavitriolicsaltafterthekindofearththathasbeendissolved.Thatsulphurorarsenicoriginateinthisway,canbeseenduringdismemberment.WhentheAcidumorthesourvaporisdrivenbyfire,itdistillsfirst.Itisfollowedbytheflowersofsulphur,thenthearsenic,thenthevolatilemarcasite.

Thefixedmarcasiteflowsintoaregulusandslag.Thatmarcasiteismadefromarsenic,canagainbeseenindismemberment,becausebismuthandantimonydrivenintoflowersarequitearsenicalandvolatile,andalsohavethetotalnatureandqualityofarsenic.

Libavius~CommentariosumAlchymiaem

(T)Herepaintaswanswimmingontheseaandspewingoutofitsmouthawhitefluid.Thisswanisthewhiteelixir,thewhitechalk,thearsenicofthephilosophers,commontobothferments...

RaymondLully~Apertorium

Twoaremorepurethantherest,namelygoldandsilver,withoutwhichtheworkcannotbebegunorfinished;becauseinthemisthepurestsubstanceofsulphur,perfectlypurifiedbytheingenuityofNature.Outofthesetwobodies,preparedwithsulphurandarsenic,ourmedicinemaybeextracted.

RaymondLully~Testament

ButourSecretPhilosophicalWateriscompoundedofthreeNatures,anditisliketoaMineralWater,inwhichourStoneisdissolved,andthereinitisterminated,Whitenedandrubified.Foritisnotjoinedtothework,unlessessentiallymoisteningthepartsofthedissolvedStone,whosePhlegmpreservesthewholeWorkfromcombustion,bymeansoftheArtist'sIndustry.

Butknowthatallitssubstance,thatisthephlegmatical,isbydecoctionseparatedfromthewholeCompound,butourPhlegmisthemiddlesubstance,andthefirstWaterofMercury,inwhichthebeginningoftheStoneis,thatis,itsdissolution,neitherdoesitenterwithit,althoughtheyembraceoneanotherwiththeBondofNature,unlessasaPhlegmmoisteningthepartsofthethings,andnotegeneratingoraugmenting;WhencetheradicalmoisturesaretheessentialpartsoftheStoneimbibedinthethingsthemselves,ofwhichalonethepartsofthethingconsist,thereforebyit,itisaugmentedandnourished.ButitisthetrulygerminatingNature,whichthemoreitisdecoctedbythePhlegm,initsVessel,byaFireforcingisthemoreingraftedintoallandeveryoneoftheParts,itisadorned,andsomadefitterthatmanifoldFruitsmaybegeneratedoutofit:Forthisiscalledthemiddlenature,andtheStone,Mercury,Arsenick,andthenoblespiritpartakingofbothextremes,theWhiteSulphurandtheRed,bindingupMercuryanconvertingitintobetterSilverthanthatoftheMine...

AlbertusMagnus~CompoundofCompounds

TheArsenickisofthesamenatureastheSulphur;bothtinttoredandtowhite.ButthereismorehumidityintheArsenick,anditsublimeslessrapidlyoverthefirethantheSulphur.OneknowshowwellSulphursublimesquicklyandhowitconsumesallthebodies,exceptGod.TheArsenickcanuniteitsdryprinciplewiththatoftheSulphur,theytempereachother,andonceunited,oneseparatesthemonlywithdifficulty,theirtinctureistoneddownbythisunion.

"TheArsenick",saysGeber,"containsmuchoftheMercury;itcanalsobepreparedlikeit".KnowthattheSpirithiddenintheSulphur,theArsenickandtheanimaloil,isnamedbythephilosophersTheWhiteElixir.Itisunique,misciblewiththevolatilesubstance,fromthisoneweextracttheredElixir;ituniteswiththemeltedmetals,thusaswehaveexperimentedwithit,itpurifiesthem.Notonlybecauseoftheaforementionedproperties,butalsobecausethereisonecommonproportionbetweenitselements...

Accordingtophilosophy,theElixiralsoiscalledMedicine,becauseoneassimilatesthebodyofmetalsinthebodyofanimals.AlsowesaythatthereisahiddenSpiritintheSulphur,theArsenickandtheoilextractoftheanimalsubstances.Itisthatspiritforwhichwesearch,withwhoseaidwewilltintalltheimperfectbodiestoperfection.ThisSpiritiscalledWaterandmercurybythePhilosophers."Themercury",saysGeber,"isamedicinecomposedofthedryandthehumid,thehumidandthedry".Youunderstandthesuccessionofoperations:extracttheearthfromthefire,theairfromtheearth,thewaterfromtheair,sincethewatercanresistthefire.Itisnecessarytomarkwelltheseteachings,theyareUniversalSecrets.

NoneoftheprincipleswhichenterintotheWorkhavestrengthbythemselves;fortheyarelinkedinthemetals,theycannotbeperfected,theyarenotveryfixed.Eachlackstwosubstances,onemisciblewiththemetalsinfusion,theotherfixedwhichenablesittocoagulateandfix.AlsoRhasessaid:"Therearefoursubstanceswhichchangeinseason:eachoneoftheseiscomposedofthefourelementsandtakesthenameofthedominantelement.Theirmarvelousessencewasfixedinonebody,and,withthislast,onecannourishtheotherbodies.Thisessenceiscomposedofwaterandofair,combinedinsuchawaythattheheatliquefiesthem.Hereitis:amarveloussecret.ThemineralsemployedinAlchemymust,inordertoserveus,haveanactionuponthemeltedbodies.Thestonesweusearefourinnumber,twotinttowhite,thetwootherstored.Also:thewhite,thered,theSulphur,theArsenickandSaturnhaveonlythatonesamebody!Butinthissinglebody,whatobscurities!Andatfirstitiswithoutactionupontheperfectmetals"...

Iwilladdthatfromthefourimperfectbodies,onecanextractall.AsforthemannerofpreparingtheSulphur,theArsenick,andtheMercurymosthighlyacclaimed,onecanbringitforthhere.

Indeed,wheninthispreparationweheatthespiritoftheSulphurandoftheArsenick,withtheacidwatersortheoil,forinextractingthisvolatileessence,theoilorunctuosity,weraisethemabovethatwhichissuperfluoustothem;itleavesthevolatileforceandtheoil,thesethingsalonearethosewhichareusefultous;buttheyaremixedintheacidwaterwhichservedusinpurifying,thereisnomeansofseparatingthese,butatleastweareridoftheuseless.Itisnecessarytherefore,tofindanothermeanstoextractfromthesebodiesinordertoobtainthewater,theoil,andtheverysubtlespiritoftheSulphurwhichisthetrueveryactiveTinctureforwhichwesearch...

OfthePurificationoftheSpirits---Thepurificationofspiritsconsistsintheremovalofallsuperfluities,butwithoutthecorruptionofessentials.Therearethreekindsofspirits,mineral,vegetable,andanimal.Themineralspirits,again,areproperlythree:sulphur,quicksilver,andarsenic,whichoperatenaturallyinmetals,andtowhichmetals,preparedbyArt,arenaturallyjoined.Ofthese,sulphuristhegreatactive,

quicksilverthegreatpassiveprinciple,whilearsenicrepresentsthesecondaryoperationsofquicksilver;butallthreeuniteinthecompositionoftheElixir...

OfArsenic---Arsenicisamineralbodycomposedofearthandwater;itisoleaginous,likesulphur,buthavingmoreearththanoil,andcontainingamoregrossandearthysulphur.Itspurgationforthefirstsublimationisbymeansofsubstanceswhichdryupandconsumeitsoleaginoussuperfluity,whichisthefirsthumidity.Theaqueoussuperfluity,whichisthesecondhumidity,mustbeevaporated.

InGod'sname,takeponderous,lucid,redoryellowarsenic,poundsmallwithanequalweightandahalfofironorcopperfilings;sprinklewithvinegar,dry,placebetweenlayersofitssedimentoverafire,tilltherebenomoresteam,closeupvessel,increasefiremoreandmoretillallissublimed;cool,collectwhatappearsoutsidethesediment,placebetweennewlayers,ineachcaseaboutthethicknessofoneinch;sublimeasbefore,tillitiswhite,pure,crystalline,andfreefromallhumidityandsuperfluity.Thismaybedonebymeansoffiveorsixsublimations;dissolve,andthencoagulate,asinthecaseofsulphur,whetherforthewhiteorred.ArsenicisoflesspotencyinthecoagulationofMercurythansulphur,butitispossibletoextractfromitanigneousvirtue.

AlbertusMagnus~LibellusdeAlchimia

10.TheFourSpiritsofMetalsWhichColor---Notethatthefourspiritsofmetalsaremercury,sulphur,auripigmentumorarsenicum,andsalammoniac.Thesefourspiritscolormetalswhiteandred,thatis,inGoldandSilver:yetnotofthemselves,unlesstheyarefirstpreparedbydifferentmedicinesforthis,andarenotvolatile,andwhenplacedinthefireburnbrilliantly...

15.WhatisAuripigmentumandWhatisitsOrigin?---Auripigmentumisamineralstoneandismadethus.Earthendungpitsinthebowelsoftheearththroughlongprocessesofdecoctiontransformitintothesubstanceofauripigmentum.Itsviscosityistwofold:oneisfineandtheothercoarse:oneisfreedthroughwashinganddecoctioninurine;anotherthroughsublimation,asstatedbelow.

Addition.Auripigmentumisactiveandburning,unlesswhitened.Aftersublimationitmaywhitencopperintoaspeciesofsilver:thisisdonebyaddingtwopartsofsalammoniactofourofrocksalt,placingthelatterontopoftheformer,andrepeatingtheprocessthreetimesuntilyouaresatisfied.

16.WhatisArsenicum?---Arsenicumisasubtlesubstanceofasulphurouscolorandoccursasaredstone[Realgar].Bynatureitislikeauripigmentum:theflowersarewhiteandred.Itiseasilysublimedandiswhitenedintwoways:throughdecoctionandsublimation.

33.WhatisFixationandinHowManyWaysareBodiesFixed?---Fixationistheappropriatetemperingofavolatilesubstanceinfire.Itwasdevisedsothateverycoloring,andeveryalterationisperpetuatedinanotherandisnotchanged:forbodies,whoseperfectionhasbeendiminishedthroughcalcinations,arefixedwhentheyarefreedfromcorruptingandvolatilesulphureity.Sulphurandarsenicumarefixedintwoways:onemethodistherepetitionoftheirsublimationfromonestatetoanother,oruntiltheyachievestability.Spiritsarealsofixedinanotherway,eitherwiththesolutionsofmetalsorwithoiloftartar,asIshallsaybelow.

Addition.Takesublimedmercury,anequalamountofsalammoniac,andsublimeseventimes,oruntilmelted,letthestoneremainatthebottom;crushitandexposetodampairsoitwillbecomealiquid.Soakmetallicarsenicuminthiswater,dissolveindistilledvinegar,anddistillseventimes,orcongeal,anddissolve,andastonewillresult.

Metallicarsenicumismadebymeltingonepartofarsenicumwithtwopartsofwhitesoap.AnotherprocedureisgiveninGeber'sLiberFornacum:whereyoumayreaditifyouwish.Eithersublimemercury,orsulphur,orpreparedarsenicum,orseveralofthese,atthesametime,alongwithsaltartarumorsaltpeter,orsalammoniac.Dothismanytimesuntiltheyremainfixed,thenextractwithwarmwater.

39.HowisAuripigmentumWhitened?---Youshouldgrindauripigmentumandboilitonedayinvinegar,andanotherinurine.Thenaddtoitalikeamountofblackironpowder,mixwell,thensublime,doingeverythingasItaughtconcerningsulphur,anditwillbecomewhite.

Addition.Auripigmentumiscalledyellowarsenicum.Auripigmentumispreparedfromvinegarandsaltuntilitrisesclear;thereisnobetterwayofpurifyingit.Rhasessaysthesameelsewhere:saltisthebestofallforthispreparation.

40.HowisArsenicumWhitened?---Arsenicumisofthesamenatureasauripigmentum,butitisnotnecessarytoboilit.Therefore,grindwellandimbibewithstrongvinegar(Rogersayswithdistilledvinegar,asyouwillsee,whenhespeaksofthecalcinationsofbodies)twoorthreetimes,orfour,anddryasmanytimes.Thenitcanbereservedasapowderwhichwillbesuitableforcalciningbodies.Butifyouwishtosublimate,grindwellbyitselfandaddtoitthesameamountofblackironpowder.Sublimateseventimesormore,followingallIhavetaughtconcerningmercury,anditwillbewhiterthansnow.

Fr.PicoDellaMirandola~UponGold

Ihaveexperiencedthetruthofthismatterofteninvariousways...

NorshallIomittomentionwhatacertainpoormantoldmeoccurredtohimduringsleep,whichhesoonprovedbyexperiment.Whenhewasanxiousanddidnotknowwheretoturntobearhishunger,forhewasoppressedbyveryhightaxes,byaforeigntreasuryandbyalargenumberofchildren,hewenttosleepandsawacertainheavenlybeingwhosenameisinthecatalogueofthesaints,whotaughthimtheartofmakinggoldinriddlesandthenhintedatthewaterheshoulduseformakinggold;heusedit,atfirstbyhimself,tomakegold,notagreatweight,however,butenoughtofeedhisfamily,andhealsomadegoldtwicefromiron,fromorpimentthreeorfourtimes,andbyexperimenthethereforeprovedtomethattheartofmakinggoldisnotanemptyone,buttruthful...

BhudebMookerjee~Rasa-Jala-Nidhi

Haritalam(Orpiment)---Haritalam,properlypurified,curesphlegm,vataraktam,poison,excessofair,andfearfromghosts.Itstopsmenstrualdischarge,issoothing,pungent,andproducesawarmeffectonthesystem.Itincreasestheappetiteandcuresleprosy...

EvilsofUsingHaritalam,notproperlypurified---Haritalam,notproperlypurified,shortenslifeandgivesrisetoanabnormalexcessofphlegm,air,spermatorrhea,gonorrhea,inflammation,boils,andcontractionofthelimbs.Itshouldthereforebepurifiedverycarefully...

TestofIncineratedHaritalam---Haritalamisconsideredtobeproperlyincinerated,ifitdoesnotemitanysmokewhenputuponthefire;otherwiseitistobeconsideredun-incinerated.

Meritsofincineratedharitalam:(1)Incineratedharitalamcures80differentkindsofdiseaseduetoanabnormalexcessofvayu(viz.,paralysis,etc.)...

(2)Haritalammaybeusedinasthma,bronchitis,leprosy,ringworm,itches,carbuncle,anddiseasesduetoanexcessofvayu.

TransformationofbasemetalsintogoldbyHaritalam---Haritalamistoberubbedwiththejuiceofrudanti.Copperleaf,smearedwiththisharitalam,turnsintofinegold.Theleafofametalconsistingof16partsofsilverand12partsofcopperistobesmearedwithanamalgammadeofharitalam,mashikam,hingula,manas-shila,andmercury,allrubbedtogetherforthreedayswiththejuiceofkakamachi,theweightofthesemetalsbeing3/2partoftheleaf,whichistobeheatedafteritissosmeared.Theproductisgold...

Morienus~ATestamentofAlchemy

Nowconsiderwhatanauthoritysaid,thatthismagisteryiscustomarilyaccomplishedwithasinglematter.Attendwelltothisandapplyyourselftoit,andyouwillfindnocontradictionsamongthenatureswhichyouwillperceive.Knowthatsulfurandorpimentburn,butdonotlongwithstandcombustion.Quicksilveralwayslongwithstandscombustion,whileallsubstanceswhichapproximatethenatureoffireburnquickly.Thusyoumayexpectbestresultsfromsomethingwhichburnsquicklyinthefireandisreducedtocoals...

Butthatwhichpreparesthisbodyisblood,orvirgin'smilk,foritunitesandjoinsallthevarioussubstancesandpropertiesintoonebody,itbeingonlynecessarytoapplytothemagentleheatthatlongcontinuesatthesamedegree,neitherincreasingnordecreasing...Nowthefoulearthreadilyreceivesthewhitesparksandpreventsdestructionoftheblood,orair,orvirgin'smilk,duringdecoction.Butsuchistheblood'sstrengththatitmustbebrokeninordertopromoteratherthanimpede,andthisisdoneafterwhateverstilldarkoftheconfusedmineralshasbeenwhitened,thusaccomplishingthefullfruitofthismagistery,thetruthofwhichyoumaywellnotatfirsthaveseen.Thatisinsumthesecretofyouroperation,asIhavecondenseditandsetitforthforyou...

Thephilosophersreferredtotheimpurebodyaslead.Thepurifiedbodyistin.Thegreenlionisglassandalmagraislatten,althoughitmayhavebeencalledredearthearlier.Andbloodisorpiment,andfoulearthisfoulsulfur.Eudicaisapartfromalltheseandiscalledglaze,orthedregsorimpurityofglass.Theredvaporisredorpiment,thewhitevaporquicksilverandtheyellowvaporyellowsulfur.

JosephNeedham~TheTheoreticalBackgroundofElixirAlchemy

(iii)TimeastheEssentialParameterofMineralGrowth---TheproteanmetallinemetamorphosesoftheHuaiNanTzubookwereavoidedbylateralchemists,whoacceptedmuchmorestraightforwardlythearchaicideaofthegradualperfectionofmineralswithintheterrestrialmatrix.Heretheideaisexpressedwithpristinesimplicityinoneofthemostinfluentialofallalchemicalwritings,thesupplementaryinstructions(chueh),probablyoftheearlySung,whichnowaccompanytheHanYellowEmperor'sCanonoftheNine-VesselSpiritualElixir:

Realgaroccursinthesamemountainsasorpiment,andisformedbythetransformationoforpiment.(Thislatter)greatmedicineofheavenandearth(i.e.,ofthenaturalorder)iscalled'doeyellow'(tzhuhuang).Wheneightthousandyearshavepassed,ittransformsintorealgar,thevariantnameofwhichis'imperialmaleseminalessence(tinanching).Afteranotherthousandyearshavepassedittransformsintoyellowgold,withthevariantname'VictualsofthePerfected(orRealized)Immortals'(chenjenfan)...

AmongthescripturestakendownbyYangHsi,Thaohadalsofoundactualinstructionsforalchemicalpreparations.Twooftheseformulaestillexistintheirentirety.One,calledThai-ShangPa-ChingSsu-JuiTzu-Chiang(Wu-Chu)ChiangShêngShenTanShangChing(ExaltedManualoftheEight-RadiancesFour-StamensPurple-FluidCrimsonIncarnationNuminousElixir,aThai-ShangScripture),ispreservedintheShang-ChhingThai-ShangTiChünChiuChenChungChing(NinefoldRealisedMedianCanonoftheImperialLord,aShang-ChhingThai-ShangScripture);aworkotherwisedevotedtotechniquesforencounteringvariousdeitiesinmeditation---makingthemappearfromwithinone'sbody,fromthesunandmoon,andfrominsideunusuallycolouredcloudsthatconcealtheimmortalsastheytravelthroughthesky.Theelixirrecipeitself,forallitstwenty-fouringredientsand104daysofheating,isclearlyphrasedinthelanguageofthelaboratory,andcouldbecarriedoutinonetoday.Theingredientsaregivenelaboratecover-names,butallaredefinedinnotesrecordingoralinstructions(khouchüeh)ascribedtothefirstPatriarchofTaoism,ChangTao-Ling(+2ndcentury):e.g.CrimsonTumulusVermilionBoy(chianglingchuerh=cinnabar,HgS),ElixirMountainSolarAnimus(tanshanjihhun=realgar,As2S2),ArcaneBelvedereLunarRadiance(hsüanthaiyüehhua=orpiment,As2S3).Theformulaisnotdissimilaronthewholetolateralchemicalrecipesinterminologyandtechnique...

Examplesofspatialorientationhavealreadyappearedinseveralofthedocumentsabove.Alchemicalspecificationsoflocationweresotiedconceptuallytotemporalcorrespondencesthattheyarepracticallyneverfoundinisolation.Oneoftheveryfewexceptionsisparticularlyinterestingbecauseitisearly,itscontextismedical,anditisconcernedimplicitlybutunmistakablywithemplacingthereactantswithinthereaction-vesselinsuchawayastocreateamicrocosmicconfiguration.Thisisnotanalchemicalelixirbuta'PanacealSublimedYellowPowder'(kuangchifeihuangsan),prescribedforsoresandulcerationsinoneofthegreatmedievalcompendiaofmedicalprescriptions,WangThao'sWaiThaiPiYao(ImportantMedicalFormulaeandPrescriptionsrevealedbyaprovincialgovernor)of+752.Thatitsultimatesourcewasalchemicalismorethanlikely.YoshidaMitsukunihaspointedout,similaritiestoarecipeintheThai-ChhingShihPiChi(RecordsoftheRockChamber;aThai-ChhingScripture---before+806),apracticalcollectionofalchemicalandiatrochemicalformulaewithMaoShanassociations.WhatWangThaosaysisasfollows:

Take:Laminarmalachite(tshêngchhing)Magnetite(tzhushih),Orpiment(tzhuhuang)Realgar(hsiunghuang),Fibrousarsenolite(paiyüshih)Cinnabar(tansha),oneounceofeach.Grindtheabovesixingredientstofinepowders,andemplacethemaccordingtothecolourcorrespondencesofthedirections:laminarmalachitetotheeast,cinnabartothesouth,whitearsenolitetothewest,magnetitetothenorth,andrealgarinthecentralposition.Twoearthenwareurns(wawêng)arecoatedinsidewithyellowclaytwoorthreetimesinordertomake(alining)five-orsix-tenthsofaninchthick.Thenplacepowderedorpimentinthebottom.Combineandsievetheotheringredientsandputthemontop,afterwardslaying(theother)halfoftheorpimentontopasacover.Spreadclaycloselyonthejoint(betweenthetwovessels,themouthsofwhicharenowjoined);anddonotallowanyofthechhitoleakout...

NotlongafterWuWu'stimesomeonewhowastryingtoreasonoutthebestpossiblewayofmakingacontainerrepresentanegghitupontheunsurpassablesolution:heusedahen'seggitself.Thismayhavecomeearlier,asearlyasthe+9thcentury,butmoreprobablyitwasalittlelater,intheSouthernSung.The'CompleteCompendiumontheLead-MercuryPerfectedTreasure'(ChhienHungChiaKingChihPaoChiChhing)byChaoNai-An,cites'SecretDirectionsfortheYellowSproutsGreatElixir'(HuangYaTaTanPiChih).Onestageofthepreparationgoesasfollows:

Orpiment,1/2ounce,Salammoniac,andWhitearsenic,1/4ounceeach.Firstgrindtheorpiment;thengrindthearsenicandsalammoniacseparately,fineasflour.Takeaneggandmakeaholeinit.Getridoftheyolkbutkeepthewhite.Spreadhalfthearsenicandsalammoniaconthebottominsidetheegg;puttheorpimentinthemiddle,andhalfthearsenicandsalammoniactocoverit.Takesomewhatlessthanhalfanegg-shelltocoverthehole,andsealitonwithironoxidesolution(chiangfanshui)whichhasbeenmixed(withtheegg-white?).Thentakeapoundofminium(huangtan)andanironreaction-vessel(ting).Puthalftheminiumintothevesselandplaceinitscentrethemedicinesintheegg.Thencoverthemwiththerestoftheminium,applyingalittlepressure.Fillthevesselwithlime(shihhui,evidentlyraw)andluteittightly.Usinghalfapoundofcharcoal,heatitgentlyinanashbath.Whenitistakenoutitwillbefinished.Foreachounceofpaihsi(zincortin)useapiecethesizeofaredmungbean(hsiaotou).Firstmeltthemetal,andwhenitisliquidprojectthemedicineuponit.Pouritoutandwaitforittocool.Itwillthenbethecolourofgold.

Exactlywhatformofaurifactionwastakingplacehereisnotimmediatelyobvious.Thereagentsheatedtogetherwerearsenictrisulphide,ammoniumchloride(orcarbonate),arsenictrioxide,ferricoxide,leadtetroxideandcalciumoxide,withorwithout,asthecasemaybe,aproteinassourceofcarbon,nitrogenandhydrogen.Whetherornotthetinorzincwastingedgoldenonlysuperficiallyisnotclearfromthedescription:ifso,arsenicalandothersulphidesmighthavedonejustaswellbythemselves(cf.pt.2,p.252above).If,ontheotherhand,copperwasmeantthoughtinorzincactuallystated,thenauniform-substrategoldenalloyofarsenicalcoppercouldeasilyhavebeenproducedbyprojectionasdescribed(cf.pt.2,p.223above).

RobertNelson~ANovelPreparationofArsenicOxidesfromOrpiment/Realgar

Sincethebeginningofmetallurgy,arsenictrioxidehasbeenpreparedbyoxidationoforesandcollectedfromthechimneysoffurnaces.Arsenicpentoxidehasbeenpreparedbyreductionofthetrioxidebynitricacid.

Hereisanewmethodforpreparationofarsenicoxidesfromorpimentorrealgar,thatissimple,safe,fast,easy,efficient,andrequiresonlyonevessel.Theyieldisquantitative.

Orpiment/realgarispulverizedandboiledwithammoniawatertoliberatethearsenicsulfidesfromganque.Afterdecantingfromtheresidue,nitricacidisaddeduntilthesolutionisclearofvisibleammoniumnitrate.

Themixtureisheatedforafewhoursuntilitformsawhiteprecipitate.Decant,filter,wash,anddrytoyieldarsenicpentoxide,andasmallamountoftrioxidedependingonreactionconditions.

IsaacNewton~VersesattheendofB.Valentine'sMysteryoftheMicrocosm

Arsenicum

ThesootofmeltinghousesismynameBeinganoysomefierce&poys'noussteamIcanpretenduntonofurthermightSinceImybodyhaveforsakenquiteThereforenomanasoncetwasheretofore.CannowattainmybodytorestoreButwhensoerewithdextrousart&skill.Mynoysomvenomyoushalltame&killThenman&Beastmaybothbecur'dbymeAndoftfromdangeroussicknessessetfree.ElsIampoysonstill&soremainPuttingrashheads&heartstodeadlypain.YettakegoodheedyourightlymeprepareTowatch&wardmehavingaduecare.

HenryNollius~TheChemist'sKey

HethatknowsnothowtofixArsenic,totakeawaythecorrosivenatureofsublimate,tocoagulatesulphureousspirits,andbyaconvenientspecificalMedicinetobreakandanalyzestonesinthegreaterworld,willneverinthebodyofManallayandtametheArsenicalspiritsofthe

MicrocosmicSalt,norquitetakeawaythevenomousindispositionoftheSulphur,nordissolvetheStoneinthebladder,anddriveitoutbeingdissolved.Itisanoble,safeandpiouscourseweexamineandtrytheforceandvirtuesofMedicinesuponMicrocosmicalsubstances,beforeweapplythemtoourfellowcreatures,andtherarefabricofMan.

EdwardNowell~CertainChemicalWorksWithTruePractice

Preface.

...LikewisedolearnourmineralspiritsthreeFromwhencetheyrise,Arsenickofwhichbeingone,TheotherSulphur,yelastMercury.TheFumingSpiritschiefestofourStoneOneofthosepoisonouswithhispiercingbreathCongealsQuicksilvertoasolidEarth...

OfTruePrinciples.

11.OurArsenickdothoftheseparticipateWhereforeHermaphroditewedoitcallButofitselfnoMetalmaybegetOurTinandLeadareSaltsetherealMarsandVenustwofumesfromSulphurriseThewhichfromVitrioldissolvedcomes...

TheTrueWork.

...ThisLeaddissolvelikebuttersomewhatsoft,DissolveinBalneowhatwillthencearise.WhenfireofSandwillrisetwofumesaloftAWhite,andRed,calledArsenickoftheWise.TheFaecesblack,calcineinfireyoumayTilltheybeWhiteorelselooksomewhatGrey...

...ThisWhiteleavedEarth,divideitintotwoAndinoneparttheSoulagainmustgrowThisSoulisArsenicwhichlikewisedivideFromgreatestpartsever,thewhitefromRedIntofixedOilswithfireletthembefriedWhicharetheLights,trueLeavensforourBread...

Microcosmus.

...OurStonebeingrawwewatercallwhereincontainedisSaturn,Jupiter,andVenusourfilthofSilvercleanedWhichbeinginQuicksilver,MagnesiaIdomeanWhiteSulphurwedocallitbutbeingboiledredIsGold,Coral,andOrpimentandLeavenforourbread...

ToTheDeridersofAlchemy.

...NotcommonbrimstoneorQuicksilvercrudeButfoliateEarthandArsenicktoconclude,OfwhichbylongconcoctionwedoframeAPowderRedwhichElixirname...

OlympiodorusofAlexandria~

FirstTincture,ColoringCopperWhitebyMeansofArsenic,asfollows:

Arsenicisakindofsulphurwhichvolatilizesquickly;thatistosay,volatilizesoverthefire.Allsubstancessimilartoarsenicarealsocalledsulphursandvolatilebodies.Nowthepreparationismadethus:taking14ouncesoflamellararsenicthecolorofgold,cutitintopieces,grinditsoastoreduceittoparticlesasfineasdown;thensoakitinvinegarfor2or3daysandasmanynights,thematerialbeingclosedupinaglassvesselwithanarrowneck,carefullylutedatthetopatthetopsothatitshallnotbedissipated.Shakingonceortwiceaday,dothisforseveraldays;then,emptyingthevessel,washwithpurewater,onlyjustuntiltheodorofvinegarhasdisappeared.Guardthemostsubtlepartofthesubstance;anddonotletitbethrownoutwiththewater.Afterallowingthemasstodryandcontractintheair,mixandpulverizeitwithfiveouncesofsaltofCapaddocia[commonsalt].

Nowtheuseofthesaltwasdevisedbytheancientstoavoidthearsenicstickingtotheglassvessel.ThisglassvesseliscalledasympotonbyAfricanus.Itislutedwithclay;aglasscoverintheshapeofacupisplacedabove.Attheupperpart,anothercoverenvelopesthewhole;itisfastenedtightlyonallsides,sothatthedistilledarsenicmaynotbedissipated.

Thendistillitrepeatedlyandpulverizeit,untilitbecamewhite;thusweobtainawhiteandcompactalum.Thenmeltthecopperwithsome

hardNiceancopper;thentakesomeoftheflowerofsodaandthrowitintothebottomofthecrucible2or3partstofluxit.Nextaddthedrypowder(sublimedarsenic),withanironladle;putintheamountofoneounceto2poundsofcopper.Afterthat,putintothecrucibleforeachounceofcopperalittlesilver,withaviewtomakingthecoloruniform.Thenthrowintothecrucibleagainasmallamountofsalt,Thusyouwillhaveaveryfinealloy.[M.Berthelot~CollectiondesAnciensAlchimistesGrecs]

Ostanes~TheBookofOstanes

Andothershavesaidthatarsenicitselfisthestoneofthenations,oflittleworth,andrejectedandcastoutofdoorsandintothedunghillsandsewers...[Berthelot~MoyenAgeIII]

TheophrastusParacelsus~TheAuroraofthePhilosophers

Beingthereforemovedwithcompassiontowardsthewell-meaningoperatorsofthisart,Ihavedeterminedtolayopenthewholefoundationofphilosophyinthreeseparatearcana,namely,inoneexplainedbyarsenic,inasecondbyvitriol,andinathirdbyantimony;bymeansofwhichIwillteachthetrueprojectionuponMercuryanduponimperfectmetals.

ChapterIX.ConcerningThoseWhoHaveSoughtTheStoneInMinerals---Now,herenotethatNaturehasdistributeditsmineralspermintovariouskinds,as,forinstance,intosulphurs,salts,boraxes,nitres,ammoniacs,alums,arsenics,atraments,vitriols,tutias,haematites,orpiments,realgars,magnesias,cinnabar,antimony,talc,cachymia,marcasites,etc.InalltheseNaturehasnotyetattainedtoourmatter;althoughinsomeofthespeciesnameditdisplaysitselfinawonderfulaspectforthetransmutationofimperfectmetalsthataretobebroughttoperfection.

ChapterX.ConcerningThoseWhoHaveSoughtTheStoneAndAlsoParticularsInMinerals---Somehavetakenarsenicseveraltimessublimated,andfrequentlydissolvedwithoiloftartarandcoagulated.Thistheyhavepretendedtofix,andbyittoturncopperintosilver.This,however,ismerelyasophisticalwhitening,forarseniccannotbefixedunlesstheoperatorbeanArtist,andknowswellitstingeingspirit.Trulyinthisrespectallthephilosophershaveslept,vainlyattemptingtoaccomplishanythingthereby.Whoever,therefore,isignorantastothisspirit,cannothaveanyhopesoffixingit,orofgivingitthatpowerwhichwouldmakeitcapableofthevirtueoftransmutation.So,then,IgivenoticetoallthatthewhiteningofwhichIhavejustnowspokenisgroundedonafalsebasis,andthatbyitthecopperisdeceitfullywhitened,butnotchanged.

NowthesophistshavemixedthiscounterfeitVenuswithtwiceitsweightofLuna,andsoldittothegoldsmithsandmint-masters,untilatlasttheyhavetransmutedthemselvesintofalsecoiners---notonlythosewhosold,butthosewhoboughtit.Somesophistsinsteadofwhitearsenictakered,andthishasturnedoutfalseart;because,howeveritisprepared,itprovestobenothingbutwhiteness.

ChapterXI:ConcerningtheTrue&PerfectSpecialArcanumofArsenicfortheWhiteTincture---SomepersonshavewrittenthatarseniciscompoundedofmercuryandSulphur,othersofearthandwater;butmostwriterssayitisofthenatureofSulphur.But,howeverthatmaybe,itsnatureissuchthatittransmutesredcopperintowhite.Itmayalsobebroughttosuchadegreeofperfectionastobeabletotinge.ButthisisnotthewaypointedoutbysuchevilsophistsasGeberinTheSumofPerfection,AlbertusMagnus,RhasisandPolydorus;forthesewriters,howevermanytheybe,areeitherthemselvesinerror,orelsetheywritefalselyoutofsheerenvy,andputforthreceiptswhilstnotignorantofthetruth.Arseniccontainswithinitselfthreenaturalspirits.Thefirstisvolatile,combustible,corrosive,andpenetratingallmetals.Thisspiritiscrystallineandsweet.Thethirdisatingeingspiritseparatedfromtheothersbeforementioned.Truephilosophersseekforthesethreenaturalpropertiesinarsenicwithaviewtotheperfectprojectionofthewisemen.Butthosebarberswhopracticesurgeryseekafterthatuseinthecureofwounds,buboes,carbuncles,anthrax,andothersimilarulcers,whicharenotcurablesavebygentlemeans.Asforthattingeingspirit,however,unlessthepurebeseparatedfromtheimpureinit,thefixedfromthevolatile,andthesecrettincturefromthecombustible,itwillnotinanywaysucceedaccordingtoyourwishforprojectiononMercury,Venus,oranyotherimperfectmetal.Allphilosophershavehiddenthisarcanumasamostexcellentmystery.Thistingeingspirit,separatedfromtheothertwoasabove,youmustjointothespiritofLuna,anddigestthemtogetherforthespaceofthirty-twodays,oruntiltheyhaveassumedanewbody.Afterithas,onthefortiethnaturalday,beenkindledintoflamebytheheatofthesun,thespiritappearsinawhitebrightness,andisendowedwithaperfecttingeingarcanum.Thenitisatlengthfitforprojection,namely,onepartofituponsixteenpartsofanimperfectbody,accordingtothesharpnessofthepreparation.FromthenceappearsshiningandmostexcellentLuna,asthoughithadbeendugfromthebowelsoftheearth.

Theo.Paracelsus~TheRevelationofHermes

ThisspiritinitsfieryformiscalledaSandaraca,intheaerialaKybrick,inthewateryanAzoth,intheearthlyAlcohophandAliocosoph.Hencetheyaredeceivedbythesenameswho,seekingwithoutinstruction,thinktofindthisSpiritofLifeinthingsforeigntoourArt.Foralthoughthisspiritwhichweseek,onaccountofitsqualities,iscalledbythesenames,yetthesameisnotinthesebodiesandcannotbeinthem.Forarefinedspiritcannotappearexceptinabodysuitabletoitsnature.And,byhowevermanynamesitbecalled,letnooneimaginedifferentspirits,for,saywhatonewill,thereisbutonespiritworkingeverywhereandinallthings

Theo.Paracelsus~TheEconomyofMinerals

ChapterXVIII.ConcerningArsenicusedforAlchemy---ItseemsrighttoconnectArsenicgenericallywithSulphursratherthanwithMercuries,andtotreatitimmediatelyafterSulphurs.Someoldchemists,orrathersophists,labouringatchemistry,swellingwithjaundice,thatis,withdesireforgold,asortofyellowdropsy,whentheysawinArsenicthewhiteTinctureofVenus,andtheredtinctureinthecalaminestone,believing,too,thatthetruearcanumofthestonewascontainedinthese,thoughtthewhiteandredelectrumweresilverandgolduntiltheyfoundoutthecontrarybytests,andlearntthattheyhadbeenengagedinavainwork.Andnotcontentwiththattheywentonperverselyinordertoarriveatafixation,andpersevereduntiltheyhadneitherhousenorpossessionleft.Theyhadwroughtatransmutationinthemselvesratherthaninthemetal!Andwhatwonder?Theyapproachedthisworkwithoutjudgment,andpossessingnoknowledgeofmineralsand

metals,assomanyofthosewhoembarkintheArtatthepresentdaydo.Sincethetimewhenthenameofelectrumgivenbytheancientspassedintooblivion,therehasforthwithfollowedtheruinofthosewhochangedthatnameintofictitiousgoldandsilver.Thathasbeenthedestructionofmodernchemists.TodefineElectrum:itisametalmadefromsomeotherbyArt,andnolongerresemblingthatFormfromwhichitwasmade.Forexample:arsenicalmetal,preparedaccordingtotheformofmetallicpreparation,cementedwithVenusintheaccustomedmanner,convertsthewholecopperintowhiteelectrummoreworthlessthanitsowncopper.Whatneedistheretodepravemetalsatgreatexpense?Woulditnotbebettertoleavethecopperinitsownnaturalessence,tokeepone'smoney,anddevotetimeandlabortoamoreusefulwork?TheancientscalledElectrumbyitspropername,themodernsfalselycallitsilver.Theancientswerenotlosers,becausetheyknewtheElectrumitself;themoderns,becausetheyhavenoknowledgeofElectrum,throwawaytheirfaculties,labour,andtime.Now,sinceinAlchemyallmistakesareconstantlyproppedupwithsomenewhope,itwastriedtofixArsenicbymeansofreverberationsforsomeweeks,andbyotherdevices.ThenceitensuedthattheArsenicbecameredandbrittlelikecoral,butofnouseinAlchemyexceptforElectrum,aswasjustnowsaid.Thenbydescentandprecipitationtheyeffectednothingmorethanbytheircalcinations.ThusithappensinAlchemyobduratemenaredeceivedbecausetheydonotlearnthoroughlyfromthefoundationallthetermsoftheArt.ItistruethatArsenicdoes,initsownnaturalcondition,containgold,andthatthisgold,bytheindustryoftheartist,cansometimesbeseparatedinacement,oraprojection,orotherwise,intosilver,copperorleadbyattraction,butitdoesnotthereforefollowthatthisisproducedbyhisoperationsandhistinctures.Itmeansonlythatthegoldwhichwastherebeforehasbeenderivedbyaprocessofseparation,asitgenerallyis,fromitsore.Itisnearlyalwaysfoundgolden,andveryseldomlacksgold,asisthecasewithmanyothersubstances.Sofar,then,haveIgivenconcerningArsenicwhatIknow,orwhatitisadvisabletowrite.Leteverybodyfirstofalldiligentlyexamineitsname,sothathemayunderstand.Otherwiseerrorisapttoariseeasilyinbothfaculties,whichisonlyatlengthdiscoveredbytheresult.

RaphaelPatai~TheJewishAlchemists

Thegreensuspitamentionedinconnectionwithgoldhadgivenrisetovariousinterpretations.TheZoharcommentaryNososeOrotexplains:"ItiscalledinArabiczarnikh[arsenic],andinLa'azorpimento,anditcausesmen'shairtofallout."Latercommentatorsexplaineditas"greencopperwhichiscalledallatun".RobertEisler,ina1925articleontheterminologyofJewishalchemy,emendedthereadingofthewordtosusepta,andsuggestedthatitstoodfortheGreeksussepte,meaningdecayedorputrefiedgold...

PearcetheBlackMonk~UpontheElixir

InArsenicksublimedthereisawaystraight...RealgarandArsenickIdefende...

DomAntoine-JosephPernety~TreatiseontheGreatArt

WhentheMercuryoftheSagesismixedwithsilverandgold,itiscalledtheElectraofthePhilosophers,theirbrass,theirlatten,theircopper,theirsteel:andinoperations,theirvenom,theirarsenic,theirorpiment,theirlead,theirlattenwhichitisnecessarytowhiten:Saturn,Jupiter,Mars,Venus,theMoonandtheSun...

Alphidiusteachesusthatthismatter,orthisWhiteSmoke,istherootoftheArt,andtheQuicksilveroftheSages...ThePhilosophershavegivenit,amongothernames,thosewhichfollow:WhiteCopper,Lamb,SpotlessLamb,Albathest,Whiteness,Alborach,HolyWater,HeavyWater,Talc,Argent-Vive,CoagulatedMercury,Purifiedmercury,Silver,Zoticon,Arsenic,Orpiment,Gold,WhiteGold,Azoch...

DomAntoine-JosephPernety~DictionaireMytho-Hermetique

Arsaq---Arsenic.

Arsaneck---Sublimatedarsenic.AlsocalledArcanec,&Artanech(Johnson).

Arsenic---intermsofHermeticChymistry,istakentobenowthemercuryoftheWise,nowthemateriawherefromitbedrawn,&againforthemateriainputrefaction.CertainhavingdiscoveredintheversesofoneoftheSybils,thatthenameofthemateriafromwhenceistakenthephilosophicmercury,wascomposedofnineletters,whereofarefourvowels,therestconsonants,whereofisonesyllablecomposedofthreeletters,andtherestoftwo,believedtheyhaddiscoveredthatmateriainthenameArsenicum,themoresointhatthePhilosophersholdtheirmateriatobeapoisonofthemostdangerousnature;butthemateriaofthestoneistheverysameasthatwhenceareformedarsenic&theotherscompounds,&themercuryofthewiseisnotdrawnfromarsenic;forarsenicissoldbyApothecariesandDruggists,andtheoreofmercuryiseverywheretobefound,inthewoods,inthemountains,invalleys,inwater,onearth,&inalllands.Philalethes&variousotherPhilosophersgavealsothenamearsenictotheirmateriainputrefaction,foritisthenapoisonmostsubtile&ofthegreatestviolence.Attimesalsobyarsenictheyunderstandtheirvolatileprinciple,thewhichdoesofficeasthefemale.ItistheirMercury,theirLuna,theirVenus,theirvegetableSaturne,theirGreenLion,&c.Thisname,arsenic,comesofthefactthatitblanchestheirgold,asdoesvulgararsenicblanchcopper.

ArsenicoftheWise---ItistheMercuryoftheWise;again,thematerialfromwhenceisdrawnthePhilosophicMercury;again,themateriaoftheHermeticswhenthatithascometotheblack;again,thesulphurormaleseed&agent.CertaindobythisnameintendthesaltthatislinkbetwixtSulphur&Mercury,andwhich,allthree,aretheprinciplesofnature&ofallcompounds.

IncombustibleArsenicoftheWise---TheStoneoftheHermeticsperfecteduntothewhite.

EirenaeusPhilalethes~ExperimentsforthePreparationoftheSophicMercury

(1)TheSecretofthePhilosophickArsnick---ItookonepartoftheFieryDragon,andoftheMagneticalBodytwoparts;Ipreparedthem

togetherbyastrongFire,andinthefirstfusiontherewasmadeabouteightouncesofthetrueArsnick.

(2)TheSecretofPreparingtheMercurywithHisArsenick,fortheSeparatingitsFaeces---IdidtakeonepartofthebestArsnick,andImadeamarriagewithtwopartsoftheVirginDianaintooneBody;Igrounditveryfine,andwiththisIhavepreparedmymercury,workingthemalltogetherinheat,untilthattheyweremostexquisitelyincorporated:thenIpurgeditwiththeSaltofUrine,thattheFaecesdidseparate,whichIputaway.

(5)TheSecretofthejustPreparationoftheSophicMercury---EverysinglepreparationoftheMercurywithitsArsnickisoneEagle,theFeathersoftheEaglebeingpurgedfromtheirCrow-likeblackness,makeittoflytheseventhflight,anditispreparedevenuntilthetenthflight.

(6)TheSecretoftheSophicMercury---IhavetakentheproperquantityoftheMercury,andImixeditwithitstrueArsnick,towit,aboutfourouncesofMercury,andImadeathincommixedconsistence;Ipurgeditafteraduemanner,andIdistilledit,andIhadapureBodyofLune,whenceIknewthatIhadrightlypreparedit:afterwardsIaddedtoitsweightofArsnick,andIincreaseditsformerweightofMercury,insomuchthatthemercurymightprevailtoathinflux,andsoIpurgedit,tothewastingoftheblacknessalmosttoaLunarywhiteness:thenItookhalfanounceoftheArsnickofwhichImadeadueMarriage,andtherewasmadeatemperaturelikePottersLoam,butalittlethinner;Ipurgeditagain,afteraduemanner,thePurgationwaslaborious:ImadeitwiththeSaltofUrine,whichIhavefoundtobethebestinthisWork.

(9)AThreefoldTryaloftheGoodnessofthePreparedMercury---TakethyMercurypreparedwithitsArsnickofseven,eight,nineorteneagles,putitintoaPhial,andthoushaltluteitwiththeLutumSapientiae:placeitinaFurnaceofSand,andletitstandinanheatofSublimation,sothatitmayascendanddescendintheGlass,untilitbecoagulatedalittlethickerthanButter:continueituntoaperfectCoagulation,untilitbeaswhiteasSilver.

Eir.Philalethes~RipleyRevived

AnExpositionuponSirGeorgeRipley'sThirdGate---NotethenthatSublimation,whichotherwiseiscalledSeparation,Division,AscensionandDescension,istheKeyoftheWork;itisplacedforthethirdGate,andyetitisthelastandthefirst;thelastitiscalledbyRipley,andItoEchohisVoiceassuretheeitisthefirstandlast.

AndastheKeyofallourOperationsisSeparation,sotheKeytoitisourtrueMercury,trulypreparedandproportionedasitoughttobe.NowtheproportionofthyWater,isinreferencetoitsinternaladditionalSulphur,whichisaddedbythePhilosopher;whichisdonebysuccessiveEagles,whicharemadebyourPhilosophicalArsnick,thenumberofwhichoughttobeseven.Thedarknessvanishing,andthelightappearing,aftermanyshowers,beforetheflightofeachEagle,ourWaterbeingthusactuated,isbyAcuationpurged,andthenitbecomespowerfulindissolvingtheBody,whichwillbedonewithafewernumberofeagles,oragreater,butwith7or9mostdesiredly.

ThisactuatedWaterisalsotheInstrumentwhichdothmovethegoldtoputrefie,whichnootherAgentintheWorldcando;forbythistheBodyisground,softenedandmollified,theporesofitaresoftened,andtheSulphurinvisibleissetatliberty,whichcauseththeBodytorot,changecolours,andatlengthbecomeblacklikeuntomeltedPitch.

Butifthouomitanyofthenumberofeagles,orfailinthegoodnessofthyArsnick,orerrinthepreparationoftheWaterwiththyArsnick,eitherinConjunction,orPurification,orDigestion,oranyothererrour,ofwhichexperiencewillwarnthee,donotthenexpectthatthemostexactRegimenofheatofthyexternalFurnacewilldotheWork.

AnExpositionuponSirGeorgeRipley'sPreface---Andnowindeedifanybeignorant,lethimbeignorant;Iknownotwhatmoretosay,andnottransgressthesilenceofPythagoras.Ihavetoldyouthatourmatteristwo-fold,crudeandfixed;thefixedisbyNatureperfectedtoourhands,andweneedonlytohaveitmademorethenmostperfect,whichNaturealonecouldneverperform;noristhereanythingthatcanthusexaltTinctures,butourdissolvingWater,whichItoldyouflowethfromthreeSprings;theoneisacommonWellatwhichalldraw,andofwhichWatermanyuse;thisWellhathinitaSaturninedrossiness,whichmaketoWatersunuseful;thesefrigidsuperfluitiesarepurgedbytwootherSprings,throughwhichtheWaterofthisWellisartificiallycausedtorun:theseSpringsmakebutoneWell,whoseWatersappeardry,thehumiditybeingsealed;theWellitselfissurroundedbyanArsenicalWall,theslimybottomaboundswiththeFirstEnsofMineralSaltandSulphur,whichacuatetheWaterofthefirstWell,whoseprimaryqualityisColdness;beingthusactuated,itbecomessopowerfulaMenstruum,andsopleasanttotheMetals,thatforitspeculiarVertueitischosenfortobetheBathoftheSunandMoon.

AnExpositionuponSirGeorgeRipley'sFifthGate---Ifthenthouaccendthisheatsomuchasthatitpredominate,itwillnotthendissolvetheBodies,asthouexpectest,butcontrariwiseburntheFlowersbeforetheyareextractdfromthedepthsoftheirmarrow:thisthoumaysteasilydo,eitherifthyArsnickbenotmadeasitought,orelsethenumberofEaglesexceeded,ortheproportionofthyWatertothyBodynotagreeingtothenumberofEagles,orthyGlassnotwellproportionedtothyMatter;itwilleasilyburn,ifthyGlassbetoobig,forsothemoisturewillsomuchbedispersedabouttheConcave,thatitwillnotreturnbeforetheearthbelowbelefttoodry.IhavegivenRuleseasilytoavoidalltheseinconveniences.

Andontheotherhand,besurethatthoudonoterreintoolittleheat;letthyWaterhaveFireenoughwithinit,tomakeatruedivisionandcorruption,whichifeitherthyArsnickhavesufficientFieryvirtue,oriftheunionofthisandthyWaterbenotwellattended,butslightlyperformed,orthePurgationofthywaterbenotthoroughlymadeeacheagle,forsotwoorthreeeaglesmaynotaddthevirtueofone,orifthynumberofeaglesbenotjust,orthyproportionofquantitybenotdulyobserved...

PraythentoGod,thathewouldbepropitiousuntoyourstudiesandlabours,ingivingtheethetrueknowledgeofthissecretMystery;itisthegiftofGod,IhaveholpentheewhatIcan,butventurenottopracticebarelyuponmywords,forknowthatwhatIhaveonlyhinted,isfarmorethenwhatIhavediscovered;andwhatIhavedeclaredtothyfirstapprehensionmostopenly,hathyetitslurkingSerpentunderthegreenGrass,Imeansomehiddenthingwhichthououghtesttounderstand,whichthoubeingCock-sureatfirstblushwiltneglect;butyetitwillbitetheebytheheelwhenthouapproachesttopractice,andmaketheebeginagain,anditmaybeatlastthrowawayallasamandesperate:forknowthatthisisanArtveryCabalistical,andwedostudyexpressionsuchasweknowwillsuitalmostwithanymansfancy,inoneplaceor

other;butbesuretotakethisMaximfromonewhoknowsbestthesenceofwhathehathwritten:Wherewespeakmostplainly,therebemostcircumspect,forwedonotgoabouttobetraytheSecretsofNature;especiallytheninthoseplaceswhichseemtogiveReceiptssoplainasyouwoulddesire,suspecteitheraMetaphor,orelsebesurethatsomethingorotherissupprest,whichthouwilthardlywithoutInspirationeverfindofthyself,whichintryalwillmakeallthyconfidentknowledgevanish;yettoaSonofArt,wehavewrittenthatwhichneverheretoforewasbyanyrevealed.

Eir.Philalethes~AnOpenEntrancetotheClosedPalaceoftheKing

ChapterII.OftheComponentPrinciplesoftheMercuryoftheSages---ItiscalledourArsenic,ourAir,ourMoon,ourMagnet,andourChalybs:thesenamesrepresentingthedifferentstagesofitsdevelopment,evenuntothemanifestationofthekinglydiadem,whichiscastoutofthediademofourharlot.Learn,then,whoarethefriendsofCadmus;whoistheserpentthatdevouredthem;whatthehollowoaktowhichCadmusspittedtheserpent.LearnwhoarethedovesofDiana,thatovercomethegreenlionbygentleness:eventheBabyloniandragon,whichkillseverythingwithitsvenom.Learn,alsowhatarethewingedshoesofMercury,andwhoarethosenymphswhomhecharmsbymeansofhisincantations.

Eir.Philalethes~AShortManuductiontotheCelestialRuby

ThereforeyoumusttakeCarethatyoudon'tErrinthisfirstEntrance,fortheWorkisspoiledunlessyoubewaryhere.ThecommonErrorsonthisOperationaremanyandvarious;Firstly,ofthemwhoknownotwhatistobeCalcined,butseekthePrincipleofGold-makinginExtraneousthings.SomebringinfortheirMaterialPrinciple,thosethingswhicharenotofthesameImpositionwithMetals,suchareBorax,Alloms,Attrement,Vitriol,Arsnick,SeedsofPlants,Wine,Vinegar,Urine,Hair,Blood,Gums,andtheRosinsoftheEarth;somedoendeavor(suchistheirBlockishness)toGenerateSaltsofeverykind,outoftheflame,IpassbytheseunderstandingnothingatallinthisArt...

P.Ray~HistoryofChemistryinAncient&MedievalIndia

ChapterII.ChemistryinRasaratnasamuchchaya---Talaka(orpiment)isoftwokinds:theoneisofaleadystructure,theotherisfoundinballsorcakesandisofgoldencolor...andbright.Itispurifiedbybeingdigestedinthejuiceofcucumberandthealkalinewateroftheashesofsesamum,orinlimewater.

Talakaistoberubbedwithbuffalo'surineandthricemaceratedinthedecoctionofButeamonospermaoftheconsistencyofhoney,andthentoberoastedinacoveredcrucibleandpowdered.Thisoperationistoberepeatedtwelvetimes.Thenitisfittobeusedinmedicines.[Mostlikelyasulpharseniteofpotashisformedintheprocess]

Manassila(realgar)ismixedwithone-eighthpartofitsweightofiron-rust,molasses,bdelliumandclarifiedbutter,andthenenclosedinthekoshthiapparatusandstronglyheated,whenityieldsitsessence...

Allthegemswiththeexceptionofdiamondarekilledwhenroastedeighttimeswithamixtureofrealgar,sulphurandorpiment,rubbedinthejuiceofArtocarpuslakoocha.

Dhatuvada---IntheHimalaya,thereisaverygoodandwell-knownplantcalledkustha(Costusspeciosa),fromtheleafofwhichdropstowardstheearthafluidhavingacolourlikebrightgold...Pureorpimentistoberubbedwiththisoilfor20days.Theformeriskilledtherebyandlosesitsvolatility.Theeightmetalsinthemoltenstatebeingtreatedwiththisorpiment,acquirethepoweroftransmutation...

Rhasis~TheLightofLights

OftheSpirits---Therearethreemineralspirits:quicksilver,sulphur,andarsenic.Arsenicishotanddry,ofgreatvirtueandpotency,yetlightlyesteemed.Itburnsupallotherbodies.Therearetwokindsofarsenic,oneisofapalewhite,theotherred.Therediscombustive,thewhiteissolvent,andusefulfortheTincture;withquicksilveritmakessilver.Ithasafierynature,andsublimesquickly.Thisspiritwestrivetorendercorporealandfixed,inorderthatitmaypermanentlycolouroursubstance.Ithasgreataffinityforvinegar.

Thisspiritmustbecleansed,sublimed,andexalted;thenitwilldowhatnomanwouldthinkpossible.Takepallidarsenic,poundwellintopowder,placeinaglazedpot,pouroveritfourtimesasmuchclearstrongvinegar.Whenmostofthearsenicisdissolved,afterthreedays,placeoveragentlefire,steamofftheliquid,takeitout,placeinadish,washwellofallsaltnesswithpurewater,anddryinthesun.Placeagaininaglazedpot,pouroveritfourtimesitsquantityofwaterofalum,andletitevaporateoverthefire.Putinanaludel,addtwiceitsquantityofcommonpurifiedsalt,closethevessel,andsealitupcarefully.Sublimecoverfirefrommorningtillnoon.Cool,openthevessel,andyouwillfindinitabrilliantsubstance.Placeitinaglassvessel,pouroverititsownquantityofwaterofalum,andleaveforeightdays.Takeupwhatfloatsonthesurface,putitinasmallnarrow-neckedbottle,coagulate,andyouwillfindacrystallinestone;keepuntilnecessarytouse,andseethatitisfreefromdust.Ifyoudigestthisarsenicwithmilkoroilofbitteralmonds,andafterwardswithwaterofalum,itwillbeverybrilliantandbeautifulinthesublimation;andthenitdissolvesveryeasily.Ifarsenicbecookedwitholiveoil,andthenwithwaterofatrament,itwillbefoundinthesublimatebrilliantlyredandeasilysoluble.Redarsenic,whenitsfermentisadded,makesgladtheheartoftheAlchemist;butitisnotsoeasilydissolvedaswhiteflakyarsenic.Henceyoushouldusethelaterfordissolvingandsublimation.Tosublimewithquicksilver,cookinthemannerdescribedonepoundofarsenicwithoneounceofquicksilver.

OfSulphur---Thedecoctionofsulphuristhesameasthatofarsenic.Butassulphurhasmuchair,aswellasmuchhotnessanddryness,itisnoteasilysublimed.Toeffectthispurpose,cookitwell,anddissolveit;youwillthenbeontheroadtoperfection.WithoutthethreesubstanceswhichIhavementioned,therecanbenosilverorgold,arsenicbeingbestforsilver,andsulphurforgold.Somesaythatifsulphurbemixedwithlivingcalx,itcanbeeasilysublimed;butIdonotwishyoutowasteyourlabour.Know,however,thatarsenicismorevaluableintheLunar,andsulphurintheSolarwork.Sulphurispartlywhitewithout,andpartlyredwithin.Ofarsenictheoppositeholdsgood...

OfGold---TheSagescallgoldtheproductofthesun.Whenitisperfect,thefirecannothurtit,butratherintensifiesitscolour.Ifyouwishtomakegold,youmustfermentit,orallyourlabourwillbeinvain.Moreover,thefermentmustbepure.Nevertheless,itdoesnotrequiremuchpurification,sinceitisinitselfsufficientlypure,butitmustbepreparedsothatitmaybeeasilyincorporatedandfermented,andforthispurposeitmustbecalcinedaswewillshewfurtheron.

Beatpuregoldintothinleaves;thentakeredarsenic,pound,addathirdpartofcommonsalt(i.e.,one-thirdpartofthearsenic),takesevenouncesofsteelfilings,poundthethreetogether;takeasmall,new,glazedpot,putalittleofthispowderatthebottomofthepot;overitplaceaplateofgold,covertheplatewithmorepowder,andsofillupwithalternatelayers.Takeanotherglazedpot,putinonepoundoliveoil,boiloveragentlefire,addfourouncesofclearyellowsulphur;removeatoncefromthefire,stirwithanironrodtillthesulphurismelted,andallowtocool.Addsomeofthisoiltothecontentsoftheotherpot;simmerovergentlefire,tillabsorbed;addmore,placeagainonthefire,andsoon,littlebylittle,tillalltheoilhasbeenabsorbed.Thenleaveitonthefiretillquitedry.Allthiscanbedonein24hours.StopupthepotwiththeclayofSages;nextmorning,placethepotamongthecoalsofagentlefire,sothatitisentirelycovered,from6to9a.m..Takepot,cool,breakit,pounditscontents;afterwardspoundthegold,placethewholeindish,addsweetandclearwater,andstirit.Whenthepowderhassettledatthebottom,removethewater(foritissalt);addmorewater,tillthepowderhasquitelostitssaltness.Dryitinthesun,orbyafire,placeinasmallpot,stopupwithclay,placeinfurnaceforthespacerequiredforbakingbread.Thenrejoice,foryouhavepulverizedandfermentedgold...

OfSilver---Silver,thoughcomposedinthesameway,isnotquitesopureorwelldigestedasgold,andsuffersfromtwokindsofhumidity,sulphureousandphlegmatic,orevaporant.Yetsilvermaybeproperlypurifiedbyfire;butifbeingcookedwithcommonsalandorpiment,itgrowsblack,whilethereisnoblacknessinthesaltortheorpiment,thisisasignthatitissufferingfromthefirsthumidity.Thesignofthesecondhumidityisdiminishmentinthefire.Bypurificationanddigestionitcanbetransmutedintogold,foritsinfirmityisofanegativekind.Thefollowingisthebestwayofchangingsilverintogold...Takethinplatesof[pure]silver,fivepoundsofarsenic,andoneounceofsteelfilings;poundthemwelltogether.Takesomeofthispowder,coverwithitthebottomofapot,putoverthatplaceasilverplate,overthatsomemoreofthepowder,andsofillthepotwithalternatelayersofplatesandpowder.Lettherebepowderoverthetopofall.Placeonaslowfire,overthecoals,pouroveritstrongvinegar,andleaveitfrom6to9a.m..Letthemoistureevaporate,stopupwithclayofSages,andplungepotamongred-hotcoals;keepupapowerfulfireor12hours.Thenopenthepot(aftercooling),separatethesilverfromthepowder,poundinmortar,washwithcleanwaterinadish.Dryinthesun.Addtothepowderedsilverequalquantitiesofsalarmoniac,ofsublimedcoagulatedquicksilver,andofwhitesublimedarsenic;pound,putinabottle,pouroveritfourtimesasmuchwaterofalum,andleavefortwodays.Plungebottleuptoneck,whichshouldbenarrow,inapotfullofashes;theboleshouldbeunstoppedillitscontentsarecoagulated.Thenstopitup,andplaceoverfirefor24hours.Letitcool,andthenbreakbottle;ifanythingbesublimeduptotheneck,combinealltogether;pounditscontents,placeinglassvessel,pouroverittwiceasmuchwaterofalum,andleavefor8days,shakingittwiceorthriceeveryday.Skimoffwhatfloatsonthesurfaceintoasmallnarrowneckedbottle;evaporatetheliquidfromtheremainingfaeces,addone-halfounceofitto20ouncesofcopper,anditwillbecomethepurestsilver.Coagulatethecontentsofthebottleinapotfullofashes,thenaddone-halfounceofitto250ouncesofcopper,150ouncesoftin,or50ouncesoflead,andyouwillwitnessawonderfultransformation.Thereisanotherwayofcarryingoutthisoperation,buthereisthemostefficacious,andhoweverthecoagulatedsubstancethepreparationofwhichIhavedescribedmaybeobtained,ithasthepropertyoftransmutinglargerorsmallerquantitiesofcopper,tinorleadintothemostirreproachablesilver.

OfArsenic---Arsenicisamineralbodycomposedofearthandwater;itisoleaginous,likesulphur,buthavingmoreearththanoil,andcontainingamoregrossandearthysulphur.Itspurgationforthefirstsublimationisbymeansofsubstanceswhichdryupandconsumeitsoleaginoussuperfluity,whichisthefirsthumidity.Theaqueoussuperfluity,whichisthesecondhumidity,mustbeevaporated.

InGod'sname,takeponderous,lucid,redoryellowarsenic,poundsmallwithanequalweightandahalfofironorcopperfilings;sprinklewithvinegar,dry,placebetweenlayersofitssedimentoverafire,tillthereisnomoresteam,closeupthevessel,increasethefiremoreandmoretillallissublimed;cool,collectwhatappearsoutsidethesediment,placebetweennewlayers,ineachcaseaboutthethicknessofoneinch;sublimeasbefore,tillitiswhite,pure,crystalline,andfreefromallhumidityandsuperfluity.Thismaybedonebymeansoffiveorsixsublimations;dissolve,andthencoagulate,asinthecaseofsulphur,whetherforthewhiteorred.ArsenicisoflesspotencyinthecoagulationofMercurythansulphur,butitispossibletoextractfromitanigneousvirtue.

GeorgeRipley~TheEpistleuntoKingEdwardIV

ForthenbothBodyandSpiritalsobothOilandWater,SoulandTinctureonethingbothWhiteandRed,AfterColoursvariableitcontainethwhatsomenclatter;WhichalsoiscalledwhenhehathoncebeenDead:AndisrevivedourMarcasite,ourMagnet,andourLead,OurSulphur,ourArsenick,andourtrueCalxvive...

G.Ripley~MedullaAlchimia

Anotherway,bywhichtheBodyofgoldisElixiratedbythepoweroftheFireagainstNature,whichisthus.DissolvetheBodyofpureGoldintheFireagainstNature,thesamefirebeingwellrectifiedArsenickasthemanneris;fromwhichGoldbeingtodissolvedintoaCitrine,clearandshiningWater,withoutanyHeterogeneityorSandremaining,letthewaterbeabstracted,tilltheBodydoesremaininthebottomoftheGlass,likeafixtOyl...

ChristianKnorrvonRosenroth~KabalaDenudata

Chapter3---AboutmetallicthingsR.Mordecaiwrote:Lettheredmineralofsilverbetaken,letitbegroundmostfinely,thenaddtosixouncesofitanounceandahalfofthecalxofLuna.Letitbeplacedonasandbathinasealedvial.Letitbegivenweakfireforthefirsteight

dayslestitsradicalhumiditybeburntup.Inthesecondweek,onedegreestronger,andinthethird,yetstronger;andinthefourthsothatthesandshouldnotberedhot,butthatwhenwaterisdrippeduponit,itshouldhiss.Thenontopoftheglass,youwillhaveawhitematter,whichisthemateriaprima,thedyeingarsenic,thelivingwaterofthemetals,whichallphilosopherscalldrywater,anditsvinegar.Thisishowitispurified:Takesomeofthissublimatedcrystallinepurematter.LetitbegroundonmarblewithcalxofLunainequalparts.Letitbeputinasealedvial,againinsand,inthefirsttwohourswithgentlefire,inthesecondwithstronger,inthethirdyetmoreviolent,andincreaseduntilthesandwillhiss:andourarsenicwillagainbesublimated,withstarryraysbeingsentforth.Andsincealargequantityisrequiredofthis,augmentitthus:Takesomeofthissixounces,andofthepurestfilingsofLunaoneounceandahalf,andletitbeanamalgam,andletitbedigestedinasealedvialinhotashes,untilalltheLunaisdissolved,andconvertedintoarsenicalwater.Takeofthispreparedspiritoneounceandahalf,putitinaclosedvialofhotashes,anditwillascendanddescend;whichheatshouldbecontinueduntilitnolongersweats,butliesatthebottom,havingthecolorofashes.Thusthematterisdissolvedandputrefied.Takeofthisashymatteronepart,andoftheaforementionedwaterhalfapart,mixthemandletthemsweatinaglassasbefore,whichwillhappeninabouteightdays.When,thereafter,theashyearthbeginstowhiten,takeitout,andletitbeimbibedwithfivewashingsofitslunarwater,andbedigestedasbefore.Letitbeimbibedthethirdtimewithfiveouncesofthesamewater,andcoagulatedasbefore,foreightdays.Thefourthimbibitionrequiressevenouncesofthelunarwater,andoncethesweatingisendedthispreparationisfinished.

Nowforthewhitework.Takeofthiswhiteearthtwenty-onedrachmas.Oflunarwater,fourteendrachmas.OfthecalxofpurestLuna,tendrachmas.Letthembemixedonmarble,andcommittedtocoagulationuntiltheyharden.Imbibeitwiththreepartsofitsownwater,untilithaddrunkupthispotion,andrepeatthisuntilitflowswithoutsmokeonaglowingcopperplate.Thenyouwillhaveatinctureforthewhite,whichyoucanincreaseintheaforementionedmanner.Forthered,calxofsol,astrongerfiremustbeapplied.Andthisisaworkofmoreorlessfourmonths.Thussayshe.ThisshouldbecomparedwiththewritingsoftheArabphilosopher,inwhichhedescribesthearsenicalmaterialinmoredetail...

BytheSpearofPhineasismeanttheForceofIronactingupontheMattertocleanseitofDross:BywhichIron,notonlyistheArsenicalSulphurkilled,butalsotheWomanherselfisatlengthmortified;sothattheMiracleofPhineasmaybefitlyappliedhere...

MartinusRulandus~ALexiconofAlchemy

AesHermetis---isthesameasMercury.ItisalsoSolarDust,theHeadoftheRaven,ourcopper,citrineearth,thethingcontainingandthethingcontained,ourlead.MireriuscallsitGoldextractedoutofMetals;itisalsotermedVenus;Vitriol;Orpiment;Arsenic;Money;theSoul;theGreenLion;GreenWater,becauseitgerminates;PermanentWater;Wine;Blood.Butitistrulyandproperlyanimperfectbody,notyetprepared,andinitsoriginalstate.

Alernet---Orpiment.

Aquala---PhilosophicalArsenic.

Arsag---Arsenic.

Arsaveile---SublimedArsenic.CalledalsoArcanecandArtanec.

Arsenic---IncombustibleArsenicofthePhilosophers---theHermeticStoneperfectedtothewhitedegree.

ArsenicofthePhilosophers---TheMercuryoftheWise---otherwise,thematterfromwhichthisMercuryisextracted.ItisalsotheHermeticMatterwhenithasreachedtheblackstage,andtheSulphuroractiveandmasculineseed.SomealsounderstandbythistermthatSalt,whichisthebondbetweenSulphurandMercury,andisoneofthethreeprinciplesofNature,andofallcomposites.

ArsenicumistheGreekNitre,EffulgenceofMetals;SaltofMetals,andofSaturn.CalledalsoArtanek,orArtanech...ItisalsoLuna,andourVenus.AccordingtoGeber,itisSulphur'scompanion.Itisthesoul,thehermaphrodite,themeanswherebySulphurandMercuryareunited.Ithascommunitywithbothnatures,andis,therefore,calledSunandMoon.

Artaveck,Artaneck---Arsenic,ofwhichtherearethreespecies:White,Yellow,andCitrine.Yelloworpiment,goldendye;crystallinearsenic.Item:RedGreekSandaracawhichisoftwokinds,roughandmanufactured;theformerwasaredarsenicmixedwithbrimstone,thelatterakindofvermilion.

AuripigmentumisOrpiment,ArsenicalEarth...Itisanativemetallicsubstance,andisfoundincombinationwithSandarac[yellowOrpiment].Itiscoveredwithacrust,andglitterswithagoldcolour.Initsfundamentalnatureitisacertainkindofsulphur,andis,sotospeak,aterrestrialexcrementinthecavernsoftheearth,whichinthelongprocessoftimeisturnedintoOrpiment...TheArabs,however,confoundSandaracwithArsenic,and,infact,givethenameofArsenicindiscriminatelybothtoSandaracandOrpiment,and,distinguishingonlytheirvarietyaccordingtocolour...OrpimentisalsotheBloodoftheStone.TheTurbacallsitthefemalewhichweusetocolortheSunandtocookwithMercury.Itis,however,genuineSulphur.QuicksilverOrpimentisSulphurwhichrisesfromthecomposition...

Cal---PhilosophicalArsenic,ortheMatteroftheChemists,notonlyduringtheperiodofitsdissolution,whenitisavirulentpoison,butalsowhenithasarrivedatthewhitestate.

Cerusa---i.e.,RustofLead,WhiteLead,thePsimytim,Psimytion,orAphidegi,oftheGreeks,aPoisonousBody,accordingtoDioscoridesandNicander,whichiscoldanddryintheseconddegree...Itshouldbenotedthatthereissomeconfusionbothofnamesandideasinregardtothissubstance.Sandaracs,orSandaracha,isakindofredcolour;therearetwospecies,roughandmanufactured;theformerwasaredarsenicmixedwithbrimstone,otherwiseredorpiment;thesecondwasakindofvermilion…

Chambar---Poison,thefruitofPoison,orMagnesia.TheTurbasays:ItistheWhiteStone,andcallsitOrpiment,Zendrio,Abaemech,Chalul.Butwhenithasbecomewhiteandinnocuous,thenitiscalledLead,Exobmich,Magnesia,Martech,WhiteCopper.

Disposition---APhilosophicalConfectionso-calledbyMaria,butTrevisantermsitWeightorProportion,andothersnameitComposition.Itisasynthesisofthethreeprinciplesphilosophicallycombined.InhisVadeMecum,Philalethessaysthatwemusttakeonepartoftheredorthewhitebody,whichanswertothemale,twoorthreepartsofarsenic,whichfulfilstheofficeofthefemale;andfourpartsormore,uptotwelve,ofthesea-wateroftheSages;thewhole,beingwellmixed,mustbeplacedinthevase,whichmustbewellsealed,andthevaseplacedintheathanor,whereitmustbesubjectedtotherequiredregimen.

Eloanx---isOrpiment.

Elome---isOrpiment.

Falcanos---OtherwiseArsenic;vulgarlyOrpiment.

FilumArsenicale---i.e.,SublimedArsenic.

FuligoMetallorum---ProperlyArsenic,butitoftensignifiesMercury.

FumusRubeus---isOrpiment.ItisalsocalledGoldbecauseitisbright.

GazaFumi---i..e.,CrystallineArsenic.

Gold:ItsArtificialProduction---ItisnotonlybythecommonoperationsofmininganddiggingintheprofunditiesoftheearththatitispossibletoobtainGold.ItisquitewithinthepowersofArttoimitateNatureinthismatter,forArtperfectsNatureinthisasinmanyotherthings.Weproposetoprovideinthisplaceanaccountofaformalexperiment,theworthofwhichhasbeentestedoverandoveragain,andhasinfactbecomelittlelessthanfamiliaramongoperatorsinthepursuitoftheGrandWork.Inordertoperformitalargecruciblemustbeprovided,anditmustbeofsuchaqualityaswillbeabletoresisttheactionofintenseheat.Thiscruciblemustbesetoveraburningfurnace,andatthebottomofthevesseltheremustbestrewnPowderofColophony(akindofresin)toaboutthethicknessofthelittlefinger.AbovethisundermostlayertheremustbeanotherlayerofFinePowderofIron---thatis,theFinestIronFilings---whichshallbeofthesamethickness.Subsequently,thefilingsmustbecoveredwithalittleRedSulphur.Thenthefireinthefurnacemustbeincreasedtilltheironfilingshavepassedintoaliquidcondition.ThenextoperationistothrowinBorax---thatkindwhichismadeuseofbygoldsmithsformeltinggold.TothismustbeaddedalikequantityofRedArsenic,andasmuchPureSilveraswillbeequivalenttotheweightoftheIronFilings.Lettheentirecompositionundergococtionbydrivingthefurnace,takingcareatthesametimenottoinhalethesteam,onaccountofthearsenicinthevessel.Takethenanothercrucibleintowhich,byincliningthefirstvessel,youmustpourthecoctedmatter,havingpreviouslystirrediteffectuallywithanironspatula.Proceedinsuchamannerthatthecompositionwillflowintothesecondcrucibleinapurifiedstate,anddevoidofrecrementalmatter.BymeansoftheWaterofSeparation,theGoldwillbeprecipitatedtothebottom.Whenithasbeencollected,letitbemeltedinacrucible,andtheresultwillbegoodGold,whichwillrepayallpainsandexpensewhichhavebeendevotedtoitsproduction.Thischemicalsecretiscontainedinthe'HermeticCabinet',andthefacilitywithwhichtheexperimentcanbeperformedhasledmanypersonstoundertakeit.TheauthoritycitedinsupportofitisnolessthanthatofthemostlearnedBasilValentine,whoalsoaffirmsthattheoperationoftheGrandWorkofthePhilosopherscanbeperformedinlessthanthreeorfourdays,thatthecostshouldnotexceedthreeorfourflorins,andafewearthenvesselsaresufficientforthewholeexperiment.

GumaParadisi---Orpiment.

Hernec---TheOrpimentofthePhilosophers.

KibriusorKebrick---isArsenic.

LapisPhilosophicus---SublimationoftheStone:…Turbasays:SublimateChambarofMercury;thusSulphurbecomesmixedwithSulphur,andiscalledEthelia,Orpiment,Zendrio,Chulul,Magnesium,andundermanyothernamesishiswhitenaturesetforth…TheRednessoftheStone:…Whenitisred,itiscalledHeaven,Gold,RedSulphur,Carbuncle,andhasthenamesofeverythingthatisredandcostlybetweenheavenandearth,suchas…RedOrpimentofthePhilosophers…TheWhitenessoftheStone:…Itisalsocalled…bythenamesofallthingsthatarewhite---Salt,AlumandMarble,Crystal,Ethelia,Alba,whiteSilverLitharge,Arsenic,Nitre…TheDigestionoftheStone:…Whenthemixtureiscompleted,itiscalled…Orpiment…

Lempnias---SomecallthisOrpiment,butwrongly,foritisaRedSigillatedEarth.

LempniasLempnia---i.e.,Orpiment.

LeoCitrinusFoliatus---Orpiment.

MarcasitaAlba---WhiteMarcasite,i.e.,WhiteArsenicalPyrites.

Mercury---ismentionedeverywhere,ineveryalchemicalwork,andissupposedtoperformeverything.Everybodywasteshisbrainandhismoneyinendeavoringtoproduceaquantityofit…itisalsocalled…Orpiment[etc.]…

Ozo---i..e.,Arsenic.

Pompholix---Concerningthissubstanceandthevarietiesofthesame,seeDioscorides,whoseemstoconfoundPompholix,Spodon,andAntispodon.Inthefirstplace,Pompholixisthesameasthatwhichiscalledwhitenothingornilbyvendorsofmedicines.HencetheproverbthatnothingisgoodfortheeyesTheyalsocallitWhitePompholigum,whichiscoarser.Ontheotherhand.SpodiumiswhatthechemistscallBlackPompholix…PompholixisaMetallicAsh,whichproduceduponthetopsorwallsoffurnaces,orofhutswherethereareextinguishedfurnaces.ThisAshvarieswiththemetalsandtheplaceofproduction.GreyPompholixisobtainedfromPyritesratherthanfromStone…ThatwhichadherestothetopsandwallsoffurnacesSpodion.Ontheotherhand,thatwhichhangsfromthetopisPompholixdifferingfromthefirstinwhitenessandpolish.Dioscoridesstatesthatdifferenceisspecific,notgeneric.Spodonis:(1)Black,(2)Heavy,(3)FullofStraws,(4)

SweptfromthefloorsofLaboratories.

PompholixisWhitelikeaBubble,orlikethatGreekvesselofglobularshapefromwhichitobtainsitsname.Itisfat,light,andpure,andisproducedonthetopoffurnaces.Thereare,however,properlyspeaking,twokindsofPompholix:

1.Somewhatthick,andofacopperishhue.Itspropernameisgreynothing.

2.Exceedingwhite,ofthehighestpolish.ProducedeitherinperfectingCopper,whentheCadmiapurposelystrewnuponthesurfaceisrubbedoff;orfromCadmiameltedbymeansofbellows.Dioscoridesgivesalengthydescriptionofthemethod.ThethinandverylightmatterwhichfindsitswaytothetopofthefurnaceandadherestothewallsandroofisPompholix,buttheheaviersubstancewhichbetakesitselftothelowerpartsisSpodion.

DioscoridesgivesusfurtherinformationastogenuineandadulteratedPompholix,themethodofwashingit,itsvirtuesasanastringent,cooling,purifying,obstructing,anddryingagent.Hedescribesitstorrefactionorroasting,andtellsusfromwhatsubstancesitispreferablyobtained---namely,Gold,Silver,Lead,andBrass.NexttoPompholixfromCyprianOrecomesPompholixfromLead.Plinyendorsesthesestatements.GalenascribesmorepowerfulvirtuestoPompholixthantoSpodion.

Indeed,Pompholixhasacombinationofvirtues.UnderCadmiawehavementionedthatCadmiaBotryitis,orGrape-shapedCadmia,iscalledArabianTutty.Accordingly,thatofAlexandriaiscalledDryorSolid.ButBotryitisCadmiaisnotthesamesubstanceasCadmia,towhichtheArabsandSerapiontestify.FortheSpodionheretreatedofisTuttyandamatterofimportance.BotryitisisnotTutty.DioscoridesmentionsSpodionandnotTutty.WhatiscalledTuttybytheArabsandPompholixbytheGreeksisbyustermedSpodion.Avicennatestifiestothisfact.WecanuseBotryitisCadmiainsteadofTutty,thatis,ofSpodion,ifithasbeenprepared.ThedifferencebetweenBotryitisandCapnitisCadmia,andbetweenPompholixandSpodion,whichareallmadeofthesamematerial,dependsupontheplaceswheretheyaremade.CadmiaBotryitisismadeordepositedonthewallsorthehighestroofsofthefurnaces.Ontheotherhand,Capnitisis,properlyspeaking,obtainedfromtheedgesofthefurnaces.GenuinePompholix,orWhiteNothing,anexceedinglylightMetallicAsh,isproducedonthetopsoffurnaces,orevenonthetopsofthehutsinwhichthefurnacesaresituated.Ifobtainedfromthemouthofthefurnace,itisCadmicCapnitis;iffromthesidesandroofs,itisPompholix;thatwhichadherestothewallsisSpodion.Youngstudentsshoulddiligentlyobservethesepoints.TheArabsdistinguishtwovarietiesofTutty:NativeTutty---White,Green,orCitrine---foundamongmineralsontheshoresoftheIndianOcean;alsoManufactured,ofwhichwetreathere.ObservealsothatbesidestheSootySpodionofSerapion,Dioscorides,Pliny,andGalen,whosays:IhaveneverusedSpodion,becauseIhavealwaysfoundPompholixinabundance...

Pompholix---(1)TheSootwhichiscollectedinCompartmentsofFurnace;(2)PompholixfromSilver;(3)Slimy,stickingtothewallswhereSilverisseparatedfrombead.Yellow,Poisonous,CrystallineArsenic;(4)FromMansfeldCopper;(5)ThatwhichiscollectedwhereSilverisseparatedfromCopper;(6)ObtainedfromFurnaceswhereWhiteLeadissmelted;(7)PurestWhite.BestCrystallineArsenic;(8)ThatwhichisSolidifiedfromPiecesofStoneroastedwhenCopperiscooked;(9)WhitePompholix,termedbytheMetallurgistsWhiteNothing.

Pompolix,Tutty,andSpodius---areoneandthesame.

PompholixLursa---CrystallineArsenic.

Quebricum---is,accordingtosome,Arsenic,but,accordingtoStephanus,itisSulphur.

Realgar---RedOrpiment.RealgarisproperlyaMineralSmoke,whichhassomethingofthenatureofOrpiment,orArsenic.Metaphorically,itisthatpoisonofthebodywhichgenerallyisthecauseofUlcers.Itisoffourkinds,correspondingtothefourelements,sothereistheRealgarontheSurfaceofWater,theArsenicalRealgaroftheEarth,theTerebinthineRealgarofAir,andthatSaturnineConjunctionwhichistheRealgarofFire.

SalFactitium---ThereisTragesiumSalt,ArsenicalSalt,orSublimatedArsenic...

Sandaraca,otherwiseErythace---AFoodforBees.Astoitsproduction,seePliny(1.11,c.7).Butinthisplacewearedealingwithanativemetallicsubstance,whichtheGermanscallOrpiment,Realgar,ArsenicalOrpiment,RedSulphur,FireSulphur,RedOrpiment.Itishotanddryinthesecondgrade.

SandaracisaMetalandaPurpleEarth.ItisfoundinthesamemetalsasNativeOrpiment,ofwhichthereisaspeciesresemblingthisinsmell,substance,andproperties,thoughitdiffersincolour,correspondingthereintoCinnabar,whichisred.HencePlinysaysthatArsenicisacompoundofthesamematterasSandarach,meaningOrpimentbyArsenic...

Sandaracha---Orpiment,CrystallineArsenic,YellowOrpiment.Therearefourspecies:(1)nativeSandarach,YellowOrpiment;(2)TheartificialnamedVitruvius,theSandixoftheGreeks,Minium,RedLead.

Sanderich---LunarSpittle,WhiteOre,WhiteMagnetwhichattractsiron,YellowOrpiment---thethingweseek---Realgar,Minium,SpiritwhichmakesRed,alsoaWhiteSandarach.

Sandix---AWildHerb,RedEarth,PhilosophicalPaul,RedOrpiment.

Sanguis---BloodisOrpiment,thatis,theStonewhichisnotyetperfect,thePhilosophicalWaterwhichgiveslifeandunites,accordingtoMorien...

Sira---Orpiment.

SootofMetals---Arsenic.

SpeculumAlbum---PrecipitatedArsenic.

SpeculumCitrinum---CitrineArsenic.

SpiritusChymicae---TheSpiritsofChemistryareseveninnumber:(1)BlackQuicksilver;(2)RedSulphur;(3)YellowOrpiment;(4)GreenSalAmmoniac.Thesefourarelivingastheycomefromtheore,ordeadwhentheyaremelted.Marcasite,Bismuth,andTutty(outofVenusandMercury)completethelist,andarecalledspirits,becausetheyadmitofelevation,andbecausetheyescapefire.

Spodos---(1)Ash-colouredSoot,heavierthanPompholix.Agrayish-black,CrystallineArsenic;(2)YellowCrystallineArsenic,fromtherefiningfurnacesofmetals...

Sulphur---Sulphuristheseedofthestone,andisoftwokinds---anexternal,wherebytheinternalisborninMercury,which,beingearthy,combustible,useless,isremovedasmenstrualwaterfromachild.TheinternalSulphuristhepowerwhichmakesandpreparesthebodyandcannotbeseparatedfromit,becauseitisinherent,congenitalinitsveryheartandsubstance.Itisoriginallywhite,becomesredbymeansofheat,justasfoodinthebellybymeansoftheliver,andistheformofthematter,thesoulandfermentofthestone,thehusband,theking,andbridegroom---RedArsenic,BurntAshes,ourGold[etc.]...

SulphurRubeum---Arsenic.

TerraRubea---i.e.,Orpiment.

Thaphneus---ACleansedandPurgedMedicine,aPreparationofArsenic(?).

VentusRubeus---RedOrpiment.

Virgin---TheMoonorMercurialWateroftheSages,afterithasbeenpurifiedfromtheuncleanandArsenicalSulphurswithwhichithasbeencombinedinthemines…

Water---ArsenicalWater.TheGreenLionofthePhilosophers.[N.B.:---Orpimentinammoniawater].

Yridis,orYride---Thatis,Orpiment.

Zanere---Orpiment.

Zarnich---Thatis,Orpiment,calledalsoZarnec,Zarneck,andZarne.

Zericum---Thatis,akindofArsenic.

Zernic---TheOrpimentofthePhilosophers.

SolinusSaltzal~FountainofPhilosophicalSalts

Behold,nowIhavedoubledmercuryinmypossession:NowIownit---whitelily,powderofadamantine,chiefcentralpoisonofthedragon,spiritofarsenic,greenlion,incombustiblespiritofthemoon,lifeanddeathofallmetals,moistradical,universaldissolvingnutriment,truemenstruumofthephilosophers,whichwithoutdoinganyharmreducesmetaltofirstmatter.Thisisthetruewaterforsprinkling,inwhichthelivingseedsofmetalinhere,andfromwhichothermetalscanbeproduced...

WilliamvonSchroeder~InstructionsRespectingtheArtofTransmutation

Pliniusinhis33BookofNaturalHistory,says:thatthereexistsaprocesswherebyGoldismadebymeansoforpiment,aprocesswhichinvitedtheEmperorCaligula,aprinceverycovetousofRiches,tocausesomementoworkagreatquantityoforpiment;bywhichoperationperfectGoldwasprocured,butsosmallaquantitythattheEmperorhadreasontorepentofhisavarice...

Itisyetfreshinmemory,thatnotlongagoaHollander,agoldsmith,ofthenameofSommerresidedinVienna,whofixedoutofaTinctureofmercuryintopureSilver.

IhavemadetheExperimentwithmyownhands;IhaveseenhisMedicineundertwoforms...IhaveonceseentheoperationofpreparingtheMedicine,whichwasperformedin16hours,inastrongfire,intheopenair,onaccountofthepoisonousfumes.

TheBasisoftheMedicinewasafixedArsenic,whichfixation,Ifound,hadbeenmadewithBoraxinacrucible...

InregardtotheMostUniversalSubjectoutofwhichRaymundusLully,BernhardusTrevisanusandBasiliusValentinushavemadethemostUniversalTincture,itiscalledElectrumImmaturatum...

NotefurtherthatSulphurandMercuryorSulphurandArsenicarethefirstseminalprinciplesofallthemetals.ThesetwoprinciplesarecertainlythemostheterogeneousandmostnaturalKeystodissolvethemetalsradically,inorderthatdeathandRegenerationmayfollow.

WhensuchaRegulusismelted,itimbibesalltheMetals,whichyouputintoit,andthosemetals,whenafterwardstreatedanddistilled...formametallicoilinthesamemannerasifyouhadusedRegulusAntimony-Mars.TheRegulusofRealgarorOrpimentabsorbsmetalsquickerthantheRegulusofAntimony,andrendersthemetalsmorevolatile...

[SigismundBacstrom'sNotes(1797)]---BaronSchroedercalledhissubjectanunripeElectrum,sodoesParacelsuswhonamesitElectrumMineraleImmaturatum.AuripigmentumaswellasCinnabarandAntimonyisanImmatureElectrum,wherethefirstmetallicprinciplesarefound.

LimojondeSt.Didier(A.Toussaint)~HermeticTriumph

Eudoxus---Theseexpressionsshouldnotseemstrangetoyou,thePhilosophersthemselvescalltheirStonedragon,andserpent,whichinfectsallthingswithitsvenom.Itssubstanceineffect,anditsvapour,areapoison,whichthePhilosopherknowshowtochangeintoanTheriacbythepreparation,andbycoction.ThestonealsoistheEnemyofMetals,sinceitdestroysthem,anddevoursthem.TheCosmopolitesaysthatthereisametal,andasteel,whichisasthewaterofmetals,whichhasthepowertoconsumethemetals,thatnothingbuttheradicalmoistureofthesunandofthemooncanresistit.Takecarehowever,nottoconfoundheretheStoneofthePhilosophers,withthePhilosophicalStone;becauseifthefirstlikeaveritabledragon,destroys,anddevourstheimperfectmetals;thesecondasasovereignmedicine,transmutesthemintoperfectmetals,andrenderstheperfectmorethanperfect,andfittoperfecttheimperfect.

BernharddeTrevisan~VerbumDismissum

AllthisbusinessthenisnothingelsebuttocreateSulphurofNatureandreducethecompositiontoitsFirstMatteroftheMetallickkind,forasAlbertussaithinhisBookofMinerals;"WemustnotsomuchalterordistanceourStonefromthenatureofMetals".KnowthenthatthisCompoundisthesubstanceoutofwhichoughttobedrawntheSulphurofnaturebycomfortingit,andnourishingitinjoiningtothissubstancetheMineralVirtue,totheenditmaybemadeanewNaturestriptfromallitsSulphureousterrestreityandcorruptionandallphlegmatichumidity,hinderingdigestion.ItisfurthertobeobservedthataccordingtothediversalterationsorchangeoftheoneandthesameMatterindigestion,diversnamesareimposedonitbythePhilosophersaccordingtoitsdiverscomplexions,somehavecalleditacoagulatingpressure,someAzoc,Arsenic,othersAlbumandtinctureilluminatingallbodies,somehavecalledit,PhilosophicalEgg,foraEggiscomposedofthreeparts,viz.,Shell,White,andtheYolk,soiscompoundedoutPhilosophicalEgg,orBody,SoulandSpirit.AlthoughintruthourStoneisbutonethingaccordingtoBody,SpiritandSoul,butaccordingtothediversreasonandintentionsofPhilosophy,isnowcalledoneThing,andthenanother,whichPlatomeantwhenhesaid,"TheMatterflowsinfinitelyoralways,iftheFormstaynotitsflux",soisitTrinityinUnity,andUnityinTrinity,forthereisBody,SoulandSpirit.ThereisalsoSulphur,MercuryandArsenick,fortheSoulbreathing,thatiscastingoutitsVapoursbyArsenickWorksinconjoiningMercuryofwhichphilosopherssaythatthepropertyofArsenickistobreathe,orrespire,thepropertyofSulphuristocoagulateorcongealMercury,neverthelessthisSulphur,thisArsenickandthisMercuryarenotthosethevulgarthinkofwhicharenotthosevenomousSpiritstheApothecariessell,buttheSpiritsoftheApothecariesarethosevulgarSpirits,theirsaremoreofimperfectionandcorruption,toprejudiceratherthanrepairimperfectMetals.Whereforeitcannotgiveperfectionandincorruptiontothem,whichperfectionoughttobegivenbyourMedium,VainlythereforedothoseSophisterswork,whoendeavortomaketheElixir,fromsuchvenomousSpiritsfullofcorruption.Forcertainly,innootherthingislodgedtheTruthoftheSovereignsubtilityofNature,butinthethreemattersabovesaid,towit,Sulphur,ArsenickandMercuryPhilosophicalwhereinthereparationandtotalperfectionofBodiesthataretobepurged,lodges,onlyallthePhilosophershaveimposeddiversnamesonourStone...

ThisSulphursosublimed,nowhitenessintheworldexceedsit,foritisdivestedofallcorruptiblethings,andisanewnature,aQuintessencearisingfromthepurepartsofthefourElements.T'istheSulphurofNature,Arsenic,notburning,theincomparabletreasure,theJoyofPhilosophers,andtheDelightsomuchdesiredbythem,theWhite,ClearandFoliateearth,theBirdofHermes,theDaughteroftheGreatSecret,andthenewWhiteBlackBirdwhoseFeathersexceedCrystallineBrightness,WhiteasSnow,ofcleansubtilityandagility...

Anothertranslation(byPatrickSmith)---KnowthereforethatthisCompoteisthatSubstancefromwhichtheSulphurofNaturemustbewithdrawnbycomfortingandnourishing,byputtingthemineralVirtueintothisSubstance,sothatfinallyanewNatureismade,striptofallsuperfluousandcorruptingterrestreities,andofallphlegmatichumidities,whichhindertheDigestion.Atwhichpointitistobeobservedthat,accordingtothediversealterationsormutationsofonesameMatterinitsDigestion,diversenamesareimposedonitbythePhilosophers;andaccordingtodifferenttempers,somehavecalledthisCompotecoagulatingorthickeningRennet,whileothershavenamesitSulphur,Arsenic,Azote,Alum,TinctureilluminatingallBodies,andtheEggofthePhilosophers:ForasanEggiscomposedofthreethings,namely,oftheshell,thewhiteandtheyellow;likewiseourphysiciscomposedofBody,Soul,andSpirit,althoughourStoneisindeedonesamething,accordingtotheBody,theSoul,andtheSpirit;butaccordingtodiversereasonsandintentionsofthePhilosophers,itispresentlycalledonething,andanonanother;whichPlatohasustounderstandwhenhesaidthattheMatterflowsendlessly,thatistosay,always,iftheformdoesnotarrestitsflux.

ThusitisaTrinityinUnity,andaUnityinTrinity;becausethereareBody,SoulandSpirit;therearealsoSulphur,MercuryandArsenic:fortheSulphur,breathing,thatistosay,castingoutitsvaporintoArsenic,operatesbycouplingtheMercury;andthePhilosopherssaythatthepropertyofArsenicistobreath,andthatthepropertyofSulphuristocoagulate,tocongealandtoarresttheMercury.YetthisSulphur,ArsenicandmercuryarenotthosevenomousSpiritswhichtheApothecariessell;buttheyaretheSpiritsofthePhilosopherswhichshouldgiveourMedicine;whereastheotherSpiritscangivenothingfortheperfectionofMetals.

ItisthereforeinvainthatlaborthoseSophistswhomaketheirElixirfromsuchvenomousSpiritsfilledwithcorruption.ForcertainlythetruthofthesovereignsubtletyofNatureisinnootherthing,thaninthesethreeThings---viz.,Sulphur,Arsenic,andPhilosophicMercury---inwhichaloneisthereparationandcompleteperfectionoftheBodies,whichmustbepurgedandpurified.

Urbigeris~AphorismaUrbigeris

Theimperfectmetalscontaintwofactorswhichtheycanimparttotheimperfect:tinctureorfixation.Forsome,becausetheyaretingedwithapureSulphur,thatis,withawhiteandredone,andarefixed,canthereforealsotingeperfectlyiftheyarepreparedwiththeirownSulphurandArsenic.Otherwise,theydonothavethepowertoaugmenttheirtincture.

BasilValentine~TriumphalChariotofAntimony

AgainsttheseIdoinaspecialmannerexclaimandprotest,againstthese,Isay,who(ignorantofPreparation)exhibitPoisontoMen:forMercury,Auripigment,Antimony,andsuchlike,arevenomsintheirSubstance,andunlessrightlypreparedremainVenoms.Yetaftera

LegitimatePreparationalltheirVenenosityisbroke,extinguishedandexpelled,sothatnopartofthemremains,butwhatisMedicine,whichresistsallinternalVenoms,althoughmostdeeplyrooted,andradicallydestroysthesame.ForVenom,beinginsuchamannerprepared,asitcannolongerhurt,resistsallPoison,whichisnotasyetprepared,andsoverywellpreparesandsubjugatesit,asitiscompelledwiththesametoputoffitsownvenomousNature.

Thomas&RebeccaVaughan~AquaVitae:NonVitis

TheWholeArt---Thereisoneuniversalway,thatisall,anditismadeasfollows,norbyanyotherway.Takewaterfromthebathandcongealitwithitspreparedsulphur,properandbriny.Sublimethecongealedair,afterthefluidhasbeenfirstcastoff,andyouwillhavesalammoniacofthephilosophers.

Now:Takeourarsenic;letitflowthroughresin,andberarifiedinitschamberswithmoderatefire.Grindwhathasbeenrarifiedwithcausticmagnesia,andconcoctitintocinnabar.

OfthisCinnabar,Joinonepartwithahalfpartofoursalammoniac;andletthemixturebethickenedwithproperphlegm,anddistilledwithabareflame,anditwillbemade.Thisissophicmercury,andtheuniversalmenstruum,andfirstphilosophicalwater,withoutwhichnothingismade...

Arnold'sStonefromtheJuiceofThreeHerbs---Takesublimatedarsenic,oritsspittle.Grinditwithcalcinatedmagnesia,dissolved,dried,andextracted,asyouknow.Addcongealedmercury,asfollows.

Dissolvemercuryinaquafortisanddrawout;decoctitincolddistilledwater,andthendrawout,andsublime.Becauseitwillsettle,dissolveindistilledvinegar,drawout,anddry.Thenjoinwithsulphurandarsenic,anditwillbemade...

VariousandTrueWaystotheFirstMetallicWater---Theaccustomedmethodis,Thatcalcinatedjuicebegroundwithsublimatedarsenicorwithwhiteprecipitatedpowder...

OurMineralTartarFixesallsublimatedspiritsandmakeswonderfulthingswithammonia,mercuryandarsenic...

ArnolddeVillaNova~Lucidary

...Butthepowderascendingupwardsfromthefaecesisashesextractedfromashes,andearthsublimedandhonoured,butthatwhichremainsbeneathisashesofashes,andthelowerashesistobecondemnedanddisposedasfaecesanddross.Make,therefore,adifferencebetweentheclearandbrightthereof,becausewhenitismostwhiteandascendslikesnowthenitwillbeaccomplished.Gatherit,therefore,warilythatitflynotawayinfume,becauseitisagoodthingtobesoughtfor,awhitefoliatedearth,congealingthatwhichistobecongealedandcleansingthatwhichistobecleansed,andpurifyingArsenicandwhiteSulphur,ofwhichAristotlesaysthatitisthebestthingtheAlchemistscantake,thatofittheymaymakeSilver...

Anexamplefromminerals:Salts,Inks,Alums,Arsenic,Auripigment---AllmetalsareductileandliquefiablewhichdrawtheiroriginalfromMercury,becausethematterofthem,outofawaterysubstancemixedwithanearthysubstance,byastrongcommixtionthattheonecannotbeseparatedfromtheother,whereforethatwaterysubstanceiscongealedwithcoldmoreaftertheactionofheatandthereforetheywillbemorefabrileorductile,andthewateronlyisnotcongealedbutonlywiththeearthlydrynesswhichaltersthewateryness,whenasthereisnounctuousmoistureinthem,becausethecongealingofthemisofearthlydryness.Thereforetheyarenoteasilydissolvedunlessbythevehementactionoftheheatinthem,accordingtowhichtheyaremosteasilycommixt.ButtherearelesserandmiddlemineralswhichtakenottheiroriginalfromMercury,andoftheseareSaltswhicheasilymeltinmoisture,asAlum,simpleSalt,SaltArmonick,stonySaltandallkindsofsalts.Andsurelytheyhavevirtueinthem.Neitherdotheyeasilymeltwithmoistureonly,asAuripigmentum,ArsenicandSulphur,whenasthewaterynessofsulphurousbodiesismixedwithslimyearth,bystrongcommixtion,withthefervencyofheat,untiltheybemadevirtuousandthentheyarecoagulatedofcold...

Formanyoftheignorantsorthavelabouredanddoyetlabourinthesevegetableandsensiblethings,wheretheyhavefoundoutnotruth,butcertainhumilitieswhichwewilldeclaretotheignorantthattheymayavoidthedeceits.Fortheyhaveextractedalongtimeoutofthesethings,afterwardstobespokenof,whichtheycallartificialArgentviveandoilsandwaters,whichtheynamedthefourelements,namelywater,earth,air,andfire,andSaltArmonick,Arsenic,SulphurandAuripigmentum,whichtheycouldhaveboughtcheaperinthemarketandhadsoonerbroughtittopass...

AndthereareotherAlchemistslabouringinlesserminerals,thatistosayinfourSpiritsasincommonSulphur,Arsenic,Auripigmentum,andSaltAmmoniacbeingdesiroustomakeatincturebutthistheycannotdoasismanifestbythedefinitionofthetincture...

ArnolddeVillaNova~Rosarius

ChapterII.WhencethePhysicalStoneisExtracted---OurphysicalStone,orMedicine,maybeobtainedfromallmetals;butitisfoundinthehighestperfectioningoldandsilver.WithouttheSunanditsshadow,theMoon,wecanhavenotingeingquicksilver,andheisfoolishwhoattemptstoaccomplishourMagisteryintheirabsence.OntheotherhandhewhoknowshowtotingequicksilverwiththeSunandMoonisinpossessionofourarcanumwhichmaybecomeredsulphur,butatfirstiscalledwhitesulphur.Goldisthefather,andsilverthemotheroftheproximatesubstanceofourStone,foroutofthesebodies,preparedwiththeirsulphurorarsenic,isourmedicineelicited.Itmay,indeed,bepossibletoderiveitfromotherbodies,butitisfoundnearertothehand,andmoreeasily,inquicksilver,whichisthefatherofthoselightsandtherootofallmetals.Ofthisweretheyallmade,andintothesameallofthemreturn.ThatwhichisnowourStoneisnotquicksilver,butonceformedpartofit,anditisthiswhichimpartstoititsbrightness,preservesitfromcombustion,andisthecauseofitsperfection.DonotworkwithanythingexceptMercuryandtheSunfortheSun,andMercuryandtheMoonfortheMoon.

ArthurE.Waite~ParacelsianLexicon

Arsenic---ThearcanesenseofthetermrefersittotheMercuryofthePhilosophers,andattimestothematterofthephilosopherswheninthestageofputrefaction.Itisstated,orsupposedtobestated,inoneoftheSibyllineverses,thatthenameofthematterwhencephilosophicalMercuryisextractedconsistsofnineletters.Ofthese,fourarevowelsandtherestconsonants.Oneofthesyllablesiscomposedofthreeletters,therestareoftwo.HenceitwasconcludedthatArsenicumwasthenameinquestion,moreespeciallyasthephilosophersaffirmthattheirmatterisadeadlypoison.However,thematerofthestone,accordingtootherauthorities,isnotarsenic,thoughitisthematterofwhicharsenicandallmixedbodiesareformed.NorcantheMercuryoftheSagesbeextractedfromarsenic,forarsenicissoldbyapothecariesandthemineraofMercuryisfoundeverywhere.Thenamehasbeengivenbysomeotherwriterstothematterinputrefaction,becausethenitisamostsubtleandviolentpoison.Sometimesitreferstothevolatileprincipleofthesages,whichperformstheofficeoffemale.ItistheirMercury,theirMoon,theirVenus,theirvegetableSaturn,theirgreenLion,etc.Thearsenicofthephilosopherswhitensgold,evenasthecommonarsenicwhitenscopper.

FuligoMercurii---ThefuligoMetallorumisproperlyarsenicinalchemicalsymbolism,butitoftenstandsforMercury.

OgertumorOgertinum---i.e.,Orpiment.

Yliadum,YliadusYleidus,etc.---Theinteriorspiritwhichinformsthemembersofeverybody.Outwardlyitgenerateshealth,butinwardlydiseaseinhumanity.Italsoleadsontothecrisisindiseases.DiseaseistheresolutionofYliadus.Thereasonofthisseemstobethattheinteriorspiritcontainsmanyspeciesofsalts.Theresolutionofarsenicinthebodycausesplague;theresolutionofogertinum,ororpiment,causespleurisy...

JohnWebster~Metallographia:Or,AnHistoryofMetals

III.OftheGenerationofMetalls,andwhethertheyGrow,andhaveVegetability---TheauthorofArcaeArca.[Theatr.Chym.]fromLullyandMathesiustellsusthis...'Thatthematter(viz.ofMetals)beforeitbecoagulatedintoametallickform,islikeuntoButtermadeoftheCreamofmilk,whichmaybeclamedorspreadasButter,whichhe(hemeanethMathesius)callethGur,whichIalso(saiththeAuthorquoted)havefoundintheMines,whereNaturehathproducedLead'.Toratifiethis,andtoputitforthofdoubt,IshallrelatewhatImyselfhavefound,andhowhavesomepoundsofitbyme.InquiringafterthisGurofallpersonsthatIcouldhearofthatwroughtinMines,therecouldsomeofthemtellme,thatofteninthesuddenbreakingofsomeStone,therewouldbealiquorspurtforthbrightandshining,whichtheyregardednot,becausetheyknewnousenorbenefittobemadeofit,norknewhowtosaveorkeepit.Atlast,meetingwithaningeniousyoungman,whoseFatherhadallhisdaysbeenexperiencedinworkingintheMinesofLeadinDarbyshire,andhethereinalsohadbeentrainedupfromhisyoungyears:onewhomIhadformerlymuchimployedinseekingandprocuringforme,severalsortsofOars,Minerals,StonesandEarths,whereinIhadfoundhimveryfaithfulanddiligent;anddiscoursingwithhimaboutwhatliquidjuicesorwatershehadeverobservedindiggingintheMines,andinstructinghiminallthatIunderstoodofsuchthings,accordingasIhadreadinParacelsus,Helmont,orotherwriters,hethoughtthethingmightbefeasible.Soaccordingtomydirections,providinghimselfwithsomewoodendishestotakewithhim,itwasnotverylongerehebroughtmealargequantity,foundinatrench;wherethehegotgoodstoreofLeadOre,suchastheMinersaccountthebestfortheirpurpose;thatis,suchaswillmosteasilyrun,ormelt,andyieldthemostLead:thedescriptionofwhichIshallheregiveasfullyasIamable.Itwas(ashemostfaithfullyaffirmed)whenhefirstbrokethehardstoneinwhichitwasenclosed,someofitespeciallyverythinandliquid,soashecouldhardlypreserveit;andtheotherassoftasButter,andtheinmostpartofthathebroughtwasassoftasButter,tomytouchandfeeling,andtheoutsidemorehard;forthelongeritlaytotheair,theharderitgrew.Itwasofagrayishorwhitishcolour,andwouldspreadwithonesfingeruponatable,orsmoothpieceofwood,aslikeButterascouldbe,butnotsofatty,orgreasie:andasHelmonssaith,waslikeuntosoftsoap,butmostofitsomethingharder,forhehadbroughtitneartwomilestome,andthoughhehadmadehaste,yetithadhardenedbytheairintheway.Healsobroughtdiverspiecesofthehardgreystone,inwhoseholesandcavitiesitlay,andsomeofitinthemidst,littlepiecesoflead,brightandpureOre.Sothatifamanmaygiveanyreasonableconjecture,onewouldverilyimaginetatthepieceofLeadinclosedinthissoftmatter,didincontinuanceoftime,change,orripenitintoitsownNature;whichIwillnotpositivelyaffirm,butcommendittofurthertrialandinquiry,fortherehadneedbeanycarefulexperiments,beforeanOpinionberaisedfromthe.ButIrememberthattheColliersandthosethatseekforCoal-mines,findintheirboringorotherworking,suchmatterastheycallCrow-stone,Coal-stone,andSoap-stone;thelastofwhichisablacksubstancelikefatClay,andwhich(astheGur)spreadlikeButter,butwillsoonhardenintheair,intoanhardmaterthatwillhardlybecutwithaknife,andsomewhatharderthentheotherby:whichbothmakememoreandmoreadmiretheskillandknowledgeofParacelsusandHelmont,andtowonderatourignoranceinthesethings.

Anobservationagreeabletothis(asIconceive)thatIhaverelatedofmineownexperience,isthatofHelmont,whichhegivesusthus…'ForitoftenhappeneththataMine-maninthePitsbreakingstones,thewallisopenedandshewsachinkfromwhenceawaterhathflowedofasomewhatwhitishgreenness:whichbyandbyhaththickened,likesoftSoap(IcallitBur)andforthwiththesoemwhatgreenishpalenessbeingchanged,itgrowethyellowish,orwhitish,ormorefullygreenish.ThisIwouldhavetheReadertoconsiderseriouslyof,incomparingitwiththeformerrelation;andtonote,thatwhereashecallsitBur,IsuspectthePrintisfalse,andthatitoughttoreadGur...

Zosimos~OntheEvaporationoftheDivineWater

Takingtheorpiment,whitenitinthefollowingmanner.Makeafattypaste,ofthesizeofasmallverythinmirror,pierceitwithsmallholes,inthemannerofasieve,andplaceaboveitasmallreceptacle,welladjusted,containingsomesulphur.Putintothesievesomearsenic,asmuchasyouwish.Afterhavingcovereditwithanotherreceptacle,andhavingsealedthepointsofjunction,aftertwodaysandtwonightsyouwillfindceruse[usuallywhitelead;here,arsenictrioxide]...Thisistheconstructionoftheapparatus...

PartII

ModernTransmutations

Chapter1

TransmutationsofSilver

(1)M.Rulandus(2)T.Tiffereau(3)R.Hunter(4)A.Waite(5)Fulcanelli(6)F.Jollivet-Castelot(7)S.Emmens(8)C.Lea(9)J.Champion(10)References

Goldcanbemanufacturedfromotherelementsbyseveralmethods.Thetransmutationofsilvertogoldistheleastdifficulttoaccomplish.ThemethodsdevelopedbyFrancoisJollivet-Castelotofferagoodchanceofsuccess,albeitwithgreatdangerduetotheuseofarsenic.ThepenultimatemeansoftransmutationisthePhilosophers'Stoneofanydegree,butthatisanothermatteraltogether.

FulcanelliandothersAdepts,however,affirmthatexperimentssuchasthesearenotAlchemy,butrather"hyper-chemistry"or"archymy".Thefollowingproceduresareincludedinthiscollectioninordertoaffordawiderperspectivetoallinquirers,andtoconsolethosewhofailtocompletetheArsMagna.

Mostofthe19thand20thcenturyexperimentersinthisgenreusedavarietyof"wet"techniques(refluxingwithnitricacid,etc.),or"dry"transmutationswithalloysinthefurnace.Dr.StephenEmmensusedhigh-pressurehammering(500tons/sq.in.)ofsilveratlowtemperature,followedbyfluxing,granulation,morehammering,treatmentwith"modifiednitricacid",andrefining.

(1)MartinRulandus~ALexiconofAlchemy

Gold---ItsArtificialProduction~ItisnotonlybythecommonoperationsofmininganddiggingintheprofunditiesoftheearththatitispossibletoobtainGold.ItisquitewithinthepowersofArttoimitateNatureinthismatter,forArtperfectsNatureinthisasinmanyotherthings.Weproposetoprovideinthisplaceanaccountofaformalexperiment,theworthofwhichhasbeentestedoverandoveragain,andhasinfactbecomelittlelessthanfamiliaramongoperatorsinthepursuitoftheGrandWork.Inordertoperformitalargecruciblemustbeprovided,anditmustbeofsuchaqualityaswillbeabletoresisttheactionofintenseheat.Thiscruciblemustbesetoveraburningfurnace,andatthebottomofthevesseltheremustbestrewnPowderofColophony(akindofresin)toaboutthethicknessofthelittlefinger.AbovethisundermostlayertheremustbeanotherlayerofFinePowderofIron---thatis,theFinestIronFilings---whichshallbeofthesamethickness.Subsequently,thefilingsmustbecoveredwithalittleRedSulphur.Thenthefireinthefurnacemustbeincreasedtilltheironfilingshavepassedintoaliquidcondition.ThenextoperationistothrowinBorax---thatkindwhichismadeuseofbygoldsmithsformeltinggold.TothismustbeaddedalikequantityofRedArsenic,andasmuchPureSilveraswillbeequivalenttotheweightoftheIronFilings.Lettheentirecompositionundergococtionbydrivingthefurnace,takingcareatthesametimenottoinhalethesteam,onaccountofthearsenicinthevessel.Takethenanothercrucibleintowhich,byincliningthefirstvessel,youmustpourthecoctedmatter,havingpreviouslystirrediteffectuallywithanironspatula.Proceedinsuchamannerthatthecompositionwillflowintothesecondcrucibleinapurifiedstate,anddevoidofrecrementalmatter.BymeansoftheWaterofSeparation,theGoldwillbeprecipitatedtothebottom.Whenithasbeencollected,letitbemeltedinacrucible,andtheresultwillbegoodGold,whichwillrepayallpainsandexpensewhichhavebeendevotedtoitsproduction.Thischemicalsecretiscontainedinthe'HermeticCabinet',andthefacilitywithwhichtheexperimentcanbeperformedhasledmanypersonstoundertakeit.TheauthoritycitedinsupportofitisnolessthanthatofthemostlearnedBasilValentine,whoalsoaffirmsthattheoperationoftheGrandWorkofthePhilosopherscanbeperformedinlessthanthreeorfourdays,thatthecostshouldnotexceedthreeorfourflorins,andafewearthenvesselsaresufficientforthewholeexperiment.

(2)TheodoreTiffereau

Between1854-55,TheodoreTiffereausubmittedsixmemoirstotheFrenchAcademiedesSciencesconcerningtransmutationsofsilvertogold.Hepublishedacompilationofthepapers(LesMetauxsontdesCorpsComposes)in1855.(25-27)

TiffereauconductedhisexperimentsatconsiderableexpensewhilesupportinghimselfmakingdaguerotypesinMexico.TiffereauclaimedthatMexicansilverpossessespeculiarqualitiesthatlendtoitsaugmentationasgold(Dr.EmmensalsousedMexicansilverinhiswork).Whileheclaimedsuccessinprinciple,hemadenocapitalgains.TiffereaudemonstratedhisprocessattheFrenchMintinParisbeforetheassayerM.Levol,buttheresultswereunsatisfactory.

Tiffereauattemptedmanymodificationsofhistechniques,andclaimedthatcertainexperimentalconditionsinfluencethetransmutationofsilvertogold:

1)Puresilverfilingswereused,sometimesmixedwithpurecopperfilings(Ag9:1Cu)andtracesofzinc,iron,aluminaandsilica;

2)Traceamountsofgoldcatalyzethereaction;

3)Thesilverwasrefluxedwithconcentratednitricacid,hyponitrousacid,andnitrogenprotozideordeuteroxide;

4)Concentratedsulfuricacidwasusedattimes;

5)Theacidswereexposedtosunlightto"solarize"them.TiffereaucomplainedthattheFrenchsunwasnotsoeffectiveastheMexican;

6)Halidesandsulfurinthepresenceofoxidesofnitrogenimprovedthereaction,andsodidozone;

7)Prolongedreactiontimeincreasedyields.

Tiffereauattributedtheproductionofgoldintheearthtotheactionofthe"microbeofgold".Thiswasconfirmedinthe1980sbythediscoverythatplacergoldnuggetsformaroundanucleusofbacilluscereus.

ThefollowingexperimentistypicalofTiffereau'sgeneralmethods:

"Afterhavingexposed,overtwodays,purenitricacidtotheactionofsolarrays,Iaddedpuresilverfilingswithpurecopperfilingsintheproportionsofthealloyofmoney(9:1).Alivelyreactionmanifested,accompaniedwithaveryabundantdepositofintactfilingsagglomeratedinamass.

"Thedisengagementofnitrousgascontinuedwithoutinterruption,andIlefttheliquidasisovertwelvedays.Inotedthattheaggregatedepositwasaugmentedsensiblyinvolume.Ithenaddedalittlewatertothedissolutioninwhichtheproducthadprecipitated,andagainabandonedtheliquidtorestfivedays.Duringthistime,newvaporsunceasinglydisengaged.

"Thefivedayshavingpassed,Iraisedtheliquidjusttoebullition,whichImaintaineduntilthenitrousvaporsceaseddisengagement,afterwhichIevaporatedittodryness.

"Thematterobtainedfromthedessicationisdry,dull,blackish-green;itdidnotofferanappearanceofcrystallization...

"Placingthematteragaininpurenitricacidandboilingsixhours,Isawthematterbecomecleargreenwithoutceasingtoaggregateinsmallmasses.Iaddedanewquantityofpureconcentratednitricacidandboileditanew;itisthenthatIfinallysawthedisaggregatedmattertakethebrillianceofnaturalgold...

[Thethirdtestinthisseries]"presentedanextraordinaryphenomenontobenoted:thequantityofthealloythatIusedexperiencedatransformationentirelytopuregold."

CareyLeasuggestedthatTiffereauandotherexperimentershadmerelypreparedagold-coloredformofallotropicsilver.

(3)R.M.Hunter

In1908,SirHenryBaskervillemadementionofacontemporaryclaimtotheproductionofartificialgold:

"Amongthemanycommunicationsreachingthewriter,oneisofmorethanpassinginterest.Mr.R.M.Hunter,ofPhiladelphia,haswrittenconcerning'syntheticgold'asfollows:

"Ihavesoperfectedtheprocessthatinmyjudgment,basedonmyactualexperience,goldmaybemanufacturedatenormousprofit,andtothisendIhavedesignedaplanttobeerectedinPhiladelphiaandamatthismomentnegotiatingfor$500,000capitalforitserection.Irealizethatthepublicandmostscientificmenareadversetothebeliefinthepossibilityofsuchanenterprise,butIknowwhatIamdoingandcanaffordtoallowpublicsentimenttofollowitsowncourse.

"Enclosedwiththeletterwasanaffirmativeaffadavit.Onrequest,Mr.Hunterpromptlyforwardedmesamplesofsilverinwhichthegoldis'growing'andsome'grown-up'gold,saidtohavebeenproducedbyhissecretprocess.Ihavenotmadeanalysesofthesamples."(5)

(4)ArthurE.Waite

TheeminentoccultistArthurE.WaitewroteACollectionofAlchymicalProcesseswhichincludesasegmententitled"SilverTransmutedIntoGoldByTheActionOfLight":

"InthefocusofaBurning-Glass,12inchesindiameter,placeaglassFlask,2inchesindiameter,containingNitricAcid,dilutedwithitsownvolumeofwater:

"PourintotheNitricAcid,alternately,smallquantitiesofaSolutionofNitrateofSilverandofMuriaticacid,theobjectbeingtocausetheChlorideofSilvertoformaminutelydividedstate,soastoproduceamilkyfluid,intotheinteriorofwhichthebrilliantconvergentconemaypass,andthecurrentsgeneratedintheFlaskbytheHeatmaysodriftalltheChloridethroughtheLight.

"TheChloride,ifotherwiseexposedtotheSun,merelyblackensonthesurface,theinteriorpartsundergoingnochange:Thisdifficulty,therefore,hastobeavoided.TheBurning-Glasspromptlybringsonadecompositionofthesalt,evolving,ontheonehand,Chlorine,anddisengagingametalontheother.Supposingtheexperimenttolasttwoorthreeentirehours,theeffectwillthenbeequaltoacontinuousmiddaysunofsome72hours.TheMetalbecomesdisengagedverywell.Butwhatisit?Itcannotbesilver,sinceNitricacidhasnoactiononit.ItburnishesinanAgateMortar,butitsreflectionisnotlikethatofsilver,foritisyellowish,likethatofGold.

"TheLightmustthereforehavesotransmutedtheoriginalsilverastoenableittoexistinthepresenceofNitricAcid."(28)

(5)Fulcanelli

TherenownedmasterFulcanellipublishedthistransmutationofsilverinLesDemeuresPhilosophales:

"Thesimplestalchemicprocedureconsistsinutilizingtheeffectofviolentreactions---thoseofacidsonthebases---toprovokeinthemidstoftheeffervesencethereunionofpureparts,theirnewarrangementbeingirreducible.Inthismanner,startingfromametalclosetogold---preferablysilver---itispossibletoproduceasmallquantityofthepreciousmetal.Hereis,inthisorderofresearch,anelementaryoperationwhosesuccessweguarantee,providingtheinstructionsarecarefullyfollowed.

"Emptyintoaglassretort,tallandtubular,one-thirdofitscapacityinpurenitricacid.Adapttothereceiveranescapetubeandarrangetheapparatusinasandbath.

"Gentlyheattheapparatusshortofreachingtheboilingpointfortheacid(83oC).Turnoffthefire,openthetube,andintroduceasmallportionofvirginsilver,orofcupel,freefromgoldtraces.Whentheemissionofperoxideofazotehasstoppedandwhentheeffervesencehasquieted,letdropintotheliquorasecondportionofpuresilver.Repeatintroducingmetal,withnohurry,untiltheboilingandissuingofredvaporsmanifestlittleenergy,whichisindicativeofthepropertyofsaturation.Addnothingmore.Letitrestforhalfanhour,thencautiouslydecantyourclearsolutionintoabeakerwhileitisstillwarm.Youwillfindathindepositintheformofblacksand.Washthiswithlukewarmwater,andletitfallintoasmallporcelaincapsule.Youwillrecognizebymakingtheassaysthattheprecipitateisinsolubleinhydrochloricacid,justasitalsoisinnitricacid.Aquaregiawilldissolveitandyieldsamagnificentyellowsolution,exactlylikegoldtrichloride.Usedistilledwatertodilutethisliquor;precipitatefromazincblade.Anamorphouspowderwillbeobtained,veryfine,matte,ofreddishbrowncoloration,identicaltothatgivenbynaturalgoldreducedinthesamemanner.Washwellanddessicatethispulvurentprecipitate.Bycompressiononasheetofglassormarble,itwillgiveyouabrilliant,coherentlaminawithabeautifulyellowsheenbyreflection,greenbytransparence,havingthelookandsuperficialcharacteristicsofthepurestgold.

"Toincreasewithanewquantitythisminisculedeposit,youmayrepeattheoperationasmanytimesasyouplease.Inthiscase,takeupagaintheclearsolutionofsilvernitratedilutedfromthefirstwashingwater;reducethemetalwithzincorcopper.Decantthissilverintoapowderanduseitforyourseconddissolution."(14)

(6)FrancoisJollivet-Castelot

FrancoisJollivet-CastelotwastheSecretaryGeneral(andlaterPresident)oftheAlchemicalSocietyofFrance(foundedin1896).HealsoeditedtheSociety'sjournalL'Hyperchemie,andservedasaspecialdelegateoftheSupremeCouncilofMartinists.Heauthoredseveralbooksandarticlesonalchemyand"hyperchemistry",asystemofnon-occultchemicalmethodsoftransmutation.(17-20)

Jollivet-Castelotbeganexperimentingwithtransmutationsofsilverin1908.In1920,hepublishedLaFabricationChimiquedeL'Ortoreporthissuccessesusingboth"wet"and"dry"methodsoftransmutation:

"BymeansofcatalyticactionIhavesucceededinmanufacturinggoldchemicallybyactingonsilverwitharsenicandantimonysulfides,tellurium,andtin.

"Thisprocessgivesaveryhighyieldwhichhasalreadybeenconfirmedbyseveralchemists,inparticularbyMr.Ballandras,ChemicalEngineerofLyons,andMr.Outon,ChemicalEngineerofBuenosAires...

"Theobjectofthepresentleafletistoenablechemiststorepeatandcheckmyexperimentsintheirturn...

"Imadeamixturecomposedof3grofchemicallypuresilverand1grofchemicallypureorpimentandplaceditin36onitricacidforseveralmonthscoldandthenbroughtittoebullition.Theliquidwaskeptattheboilingpointforseveraldays.Asmallquantityofthematerialbecamedetachedatthismomentandformedapulvurentblackdeposit.Whennofurtheractiontookplace,Idecantedoffthesolutionandcollectedtheinsolubleresidue.Thisresiduewasattackedbyaquaregiaattheboilingpointuntilitwasalmostcompletelydissolved;theliquorwhendecantedandfilteredwasanalyzedandgaveallthecharacteristicreactionsforgold....[December1925]

"Iactedon22grofchemicallypuresilver...andon3.5grofchemicallypureorpiment...Themixturewasheatedtoabout1600oCInametalsmeltingfurnaceforaboutthreequartersofanhour.Theresidueobtainedwasagainmeltedwiththeadditionoforpiment.Afterhavinghammeredforhalfanhourandremeltedwiththeadditionofsmallquantitiesoforpimenteverytenminutes,itwaswithdrawn.

"Aftercoolingandtheadditionofchemicallypureantimonysulfide,itwasagainputbackintothefurnace,smallquantitiesoforpimentbeingthrownineveryfiveminutes.Theresidueobtainedhadadarkmetallictint.Afterhammeringitbecameslightlygolden.

"Theresiduedissolvedinchemicallypure36onitricacidfirstcoldandthenhot,gaveanabundantpulvurentdeposit.Thisdepositafterbeingwashedandtreatedwithammoniatodissolvethearsenicandantimonysaltswascompletelydissolvedinaquaregia.Theliquorthenbeingchlorinatedandfilteredwassubjectedtothereagentsofplatinumandgold.Mr.AndreVandenberghewhowasactingaspreparatorforthisexperiment,hadthoughtthatinaccordancewiththelawoftheevolutionofmatter,thetransmutationofbodiesintogoldshouldbeprecededoraccompaniedbytheirtransmutationintoplatinum...

"Thereactionsofgoldwerequitecharacteristic;thereactionsofplatinumalsoseemedtorevealitspresence.

"Thequantityofgoldobtainedinthisexperimentwasaboutonegramme.

"Isubmitthehypothesisthatthearsenicactsasacatalystandthesulfurasafermentinthistransmutation."(December1925;Douai,France)...

"Asasequeltomypreviousworkontheartificialsynthesisofgold,IhaveintroducedtinintothesenewtestsasitisalsooftenassociatedwithgoldinNature.Thefollowingisadescriptionofthisnewprocess,thankstowhichthepercentageofgoldobtaineddestroysalltheobjectionsthatareraisedwithregardtoimpurities.

"Imadeanintimatemixtureof6grofchemicallypuresilver...2grofantimonysulfide,1groforpiment,andonegroftin...Ithenaddedtheusualfluxesandthenheatedthewholeinacrucibleinthefurnacetoabout1100oCforaboutonehour,twiceaddingasmallquantityofSbS.

"Theresidueobtainedwastreatedforalongtimein36onitricacid,firstcoldandthenattheboilingpoint;theinsolubleresiduewasnextwashedwithdistilledwater,treatedwithammonia,washedagainandfinallytreatedforalongtimewithboilingaquaregia.

"Theliquorwhenfilteredandsubjectedtothereagentsofgoldshowedthepresenceofthismetalintheformofabundantdepositswhichmaybeestimatedat0.05grinall,whichisveryhighconsideringthe6grofsilveremployed.Thedepositswhencollectedanddriedhadayellowgreenmetalliccolorandpossessedallthecharacteristicsofgold...

"Theadditionoftintotheotherbodieshascertainlyfacilitatedthereactionsofthegoldandincreasedtheyieldofthismetalwhichcanbemanufacturedartificiallybymyprocess,i.e.,bysynthesisandinmeasurablequantities.

"Itwouldbeveryeasytoshowthat,giventherespectivepricesofgoldandoftheothersubstancesthatareusedinmyprocesstoproduceit,aprofitcouldbeobtainediftheprocesswereworkedindustrially,allthemoresoasthegreaterpartofthesilveremployedcanberecoveredateachtest..

"IbelieveInowholdthekeytotheregularandevenindustrialmanufactureofgold.

"Buttheindustrialquestionisvoluntarilyputasidefrommythoughts,formyonlyobjectisthesearchforpurescientifictruth."

InacorrespondencetoJollivet-Castelot,Mr.Ballandrasreportedon"HowISucceededInMakingGoldAccordingToTheProcessofMr.Jollivet-Castelot:Dosageofgoldobtainedbythesecondmethod":

"Fromamixtureof10grsilver,3groftin,3grofarsenicsulfide,and3grofantimonysulfide,theresiduewhichhadbeenobtainedwascrushedasmuchaspossibleandsubjectedtoatreatmentofpurechloricacidlikeinthefirstmethod.However,inordertocompletelyeliminatethesilverandthetinemployed,Iscrupledtobeginagaintheindicatedtreatments,thatisasmuchtosaythatthepowderwhichwasobtainedhavingbeensubduedfirsttotheactionofazoticacid,thenwashedwithdistilledwater,thensubduedtotheactionofchloricacid,thenwashedwithdistilledwater,thenoncemorewashedwithdistilledwater,andthesedifferentoperationswerebegunonceagainwithanotherportionofpurechloricacid...Theinsolubleresiduewassubduedtotheprolongedactionofaquaregia...

"Itmustbenotedthatthisthinghappenedduringtheebullition.Thewashedresiduecontainedtheslighterpartofgold;thisthingwouldbefounddissolvedinthelastliquorwhichIobtained.

"After18hoursofdigestionatabout25o,Isubduedthemixturetoebullitionduring3hours.Afterrefrigeration,IfilteredonglasswoolandIlookedifpartswerenotdrawnalonginsuspense.Ifoundnothing.Then,IdecidedtoproceedtoacircumstantialanalysisoftheliquorwhichIobtained...

"Thequantityofgoldwhichwasobtainedwas0.476grfor10grofsilveremployed,or0.0476grofgoldpergramofsilver."

Jollivet-CastelotreadthismemorandumtotheAcademieRoyaldesSciences(Belgium)onJune6,1926:

"ARecentExperimentInTransmutation---Allmyresearchworkontransmutationsince1908hasstartedfromthefactthatgoldisfoundinnatureassociatedwithantimonyandarsenicsulfidesaswellaswithtellurium,whichisconsideredasamineralizerofgold.IthereforeconsideredthatitwaslogicaltointroducetelluriumintotheartificialcombinationofsilverandarsenicandantimonysulfidesthatImake...

"Ipreparedamixturecomposedof6grofsilver,1grofnativeorpimentfreeofgold,1grofantimonysulfideand2groftellurium...Iaddedpuresilicatotheusualfluxes.Thismixturewasheatedinthefurnaceintheusualwayforonehouratabout1100oC.Theresidueobtainedwasofablackish-greycolorwithvioletreflections.Itweighed6.42grams.

"Whensubjectedtotheactionofnitricacid,theresiduewasattackedwithdifficultyandgreenishmetallicparticlesbecomedetached.Thesolutionwasthendecantedandagreenish-yellowresidueremainedwhichwaskeptattheboilingpointofnitricacidforseveralhours.Afterdecantingofftheliquoronceagain,theresidue,whichhadnotchanged,waswashed,treatedwith

ammoniaandthensubjectedtotheactionofboilingaquaregiainwhichitwasentirelydissolvedafterboilingforseveralhours.

"[Thesolutionwaschlorinatedandsubjectedtothereagentsofgoldwithpositiveresults,although]acertainamountofgoldwascertainlylostinthistestjustasinallmyprevioustests,foritisknownthatarsenic,antimony,andtelluriumentraingoldintheirfusionandtheirvolatilization.

"Inordertoobviatethisdisadvantage,Ihadthoughtofmakingthevaporsofarsenicacidandantimonysulfidesandoftelluriumactonthesilverinfusioninaclosedvesselbymeansofaspecialdevice...

"Iconsideritcertainthatifthevaporswereallowedtobubblethroughthemeltedsilver,amuchhigheryieldofgoldwouldbeobtainedthanthatIhaveobtainedhithertobyanimperfectandtoorapidcontactofthebodiesinpresence,whileitisundoubtedlynecessarytomakethemreactononeanotherinthevaporstateinaclosedvessel."

Mr.LouisOuton,apharmaceuticalchemistinBuenosAires,reportedtoJollivet-Castelotinaletter(July26,1927):

"DearSir...Ihaverepeatedtheexperiments...inmylaboratoryandamamazedattheresults.Forthemoment,itisonlythescientificsidewhichinterestsme,sincethecostofthegoldobtainedisoftengreaterthanthevalueofthemetal..."

Mr.A.Ballandrasalsoreplicatedtheexperimentsandreportedtheresults:

"IwillnotconcealthefactthatIhaveoftenheardironicalremarksaboutprocessesbywhichhesucceededinmanufacturinggold.Ideterminedtocheckhistestswiththegreatestpossibleaccuracy...

"Inanewquartzcrucible,Iplaced15grsilver,6grarsenicsulfide,6grantimonysulfide.Thecruciblewasheatedatatemperatureof500oCandthenforonehourandahalfat1100oC.Atthismomentthemasswasfairlyliquid...Thecruciblewasthenallowedtocooldown.Thereddish-brownresidueobtainedweighedexactly23.742gr,oralossof3.258grams.

"Iallowedthisresiduetocoolinpurenitricacidinwhichthegreaterpartwasdissolvedfairlyeasily.Afterprolongedboilingtheliquorwasfilteredonanewglasswool.Theresultantliquorwasveryclearandabsolutelyfreeofanyparticles.

"Theglasswoolwasthenmaceratedinaquaregiarichinhydrochloric;after18hoursmaceration,thewholewasboiledfor3hours.Iagainfilteredonglasswoolinordertoseparateanytracesofthefilterfromtheliquor...Anygoldthatmighthavebeenobtainedwouldnecessarilybefoundinthelastliquor...Itwasofimportancetoproveitsexistencequalitativelyatleast.

"Forthispurpose,Itriedthevariousstandardreagents,theresultsbeingthefollowing:1)Oxalicacid:flakeyprecipitate;2)Ironsulfate:glossymetallicblack;3)Tinchloride:peachpinkprecipitate;4)Formol:ratherlightbluishcoloration;5)Sodiumcarbonate,potassiumcarbonate:lightcolorationafterboiling;6)Sodiumhydroxide,potassiumhydroxide:yellowishcoloration,cloudy.

"Thesereactionsaresufficientlycharacteristicandclearlyprovetheexistenceinthelastliquorofametalwhich,evenifitisnotgold,mustneverthelessbeplacedveryclosetothelatter...themetalobtainedandgoldmustbeperfectlyisotopic.

"IhaverepeatedthistestseveraltimesandIhaveobserved:1)Thattheproductionofgoldisafunctionoftherapiditywithwhichthenecessaryheatisobtained;2)Thatitisalsoafunctionofthedegreeoftightnessofthecrucible.Acruciblethatisclosedastightlyaspossiblegivesbetterresults;3)Thattheamountofgoldobtainedwasnotalwaysuniform;someofthetestswereabsolutelysterileandIinferredthatthiswasduetosomedefectinthemounting.

"Ithinktheremustbeacertaintemperaturethatshouldnotbeexceededandthattheexternalconditionsofpressureandelectricitymustbeofconsiderableimportance."

Inanotherexperiment,Ballandrasusedsilver(10gr),tin(3gr),orpiment(3gr),andantimonysulfide(3gr):

"Afterhavingoperatedaspreviously,Iobtainedaquantityofgoldcorrespondingto0.05grpergramofsilveremployed...ThisIconsidertobeahighlyinterestingresult."

FrancoisJollivet-Castelot

(7)Dr.StephenEmmens

Earlyin1897,theBritishchemistStephenH.Emmens,thenresidinginNewYork,announcedthediscoveryofanewelementwhichfillsthe"vacantspaceexistinginthesub-groupofGroupI",andwhichhethoughttobetheintermediatematterfromwhichsilverandgoldareformed.Dr.Emmenssaid:

"Ourclaimisthattheelementinquestionisthereforeneithersilvernorgold,butwhichmay,byournewphysicalmethods,beconvertedintogold."(14)

In1897,Dr.Emmens'ArgentaurumLaboratoryonStatenIslandproducedover660ouncesofgoldfromsilverandsoldittotheU.S.AssayOffice.Herevealedafewhistoricalandtechnicaldetailsofhistransmutationprocessinhisbook,ArgentaurumPapers#1:SomeRemarksConcerningGravitation:

"Ourwork,whichconvertssilverintogold,haditsorigininthecourseofcertaininvestigationswhichIundertookforthepurposeofpreparingchemicallypurenickel...in1892.Inattemptingtopreparethesepuremetals[nickelandiron],acertainproductwasobtainedwhichseemedtodifferfromanythingrecordedinthetextbooks.Thesameproductwassubsequentlyfoundwhentheinvestigationwasextendedtothecaseofmetalliccobalt...ThephenomenaobservedaffordedindicationsoftheexistenceofsomesubstancecommontothewholeoftheelementsinwhatisknownasSeries4ofGroup8oftheclassificationofChemicalElements...Itappearedtousalmostself-evidentthatifwewererightinsupposingacommonsubstancetobepresentinanysingleseriesofelements,thesamewouldholdgoodforeachgroup.

"AndasGroupIoftheclassificationcontainsthepreciousmetals---goldandsilver~itwasobviousthatourtimeandattentionshouldbedirectedtothesemetalsratherthantoanyother...

"Ourstartingpoint,sofarassilverandgoldwereconcerned,wasaffordedbytheremarkablediscoveriesofMr.CareyLeawithregardto[colloidalsilver]...Itwasfoundthat...thissubdivisionofmetallicsilverwasattendedbyveryconsiderablechangesinthephysicalpropertiesofthesubstance...Bycertainphysicalmethodsandbytheaidofacertainapparatus,wesucceededinbringingaboutafurthersubdivisionofthesilver.Wewerenotsurprisedtofindthatthesubstanceobtaineddifferedsofarfromordinarysilverthatitcouldnolongerberegardedasthesameelementarysubstance.Itseemedtorequireanewnameandanewchemicalsymbol.Inasmuch,therefore,asourtheorywasthatthissubstancewascommontobothgoldandsilver,andinrealitywastherawmaterialoutofwhichbothgoldandsilverwereconstructedbythehandofnature,wenamedthesubstanceArgentaurum...

"Thenextstepwastoascertainwhetherthissubstancecouldbesotreatedastobegroupedintomoleculesofgreaterdensitythanthoseofsilver...Wefoundthat...Argentaurumcanbeaggregatedintomoleculeshavingadensityconsiderablysuperiortothatofordinarygoldmolecules.Whetherwearerightastothisornot,thecondensedArgentaurumpresentstheappearanceandisendowedwiththepropertiesofordinarymetallicgold...

"Wedonotconsumeanychemicalsandothercostlymaterialsinourprocess;whatweuseismainlyenergyinsomeofitsvariousforms,suchasheat,electricity,magnetism,gravity,cohesion,chemicalaffinity,x-raysandthelike...Ourchiefsourceofexpenseisthetimerequiredforbringingaboutthedesiredmolecularchanges...Oneounceofsilverwillproducethree-quartersofanounceofgold..."(6)

HerbertFyfereportedthatDr.Emmens'processcomprisedfivestages:1)mechanicaltreatment;2)fluxingandgranulation;3)mechanicaltreatment;4)treatmentwitha"modifiednitricacid",and5)refining.Dr.Emmenssaid:

"Iregardthemechanicaltreatmentasthecausacausans.Thefluxingandgranulationserve,Ithink,merelytorenderthemolecularaggregatesusceptibleofdisplacementandrearrangement."(15)

ThemechanicaltreatmentwasaccomplishedbymeansofDr.Emmens'"ForceEngine",whichexertedpressuresinexcessof500tons/in2atverylowtemperatures.Step4,using"modifiednitricacid",contradictsthestatementmadeelsewhere,that"wedonotconsumeanychemicals...inourprocess."(4,7-12,15,16,23)

Dr.EmmensincludedasampleofArgentaurumandtheseinstructionsinaletter(21May1897)toSirWilliamCrookes:

"TakeaMexicandollaranddisposeitinanapparatuswhichwillpreventexpansionorflow.Thensubjectittoheavy,rapid,andcontinuousbeatingunderconditionsofcoldsuchastopreventevenatemporaryriseoftemperaturewhentheblowsarestruck.Testthematerialfromhourtohour,andatlengthyouwillfindmorethanthetrace(lessthanonepartin10,000)ofgoldwhichthedollaroriginallycontained."

SirCrookeswasunabletoreplicatetheexperimenttohissatisfaction.Hereported:

"AspecimenofArgentaurumsentmebyDr.Emmenshasbeenexaminedwiththespectrograph.Itconsistsofgoldwithafairproportionofsilverandalittlecopper.Nolinesbelongingtoanyotherknownelements,andnounknownlines,weredetected."

Thisanalysisresemblesthatofordinarybulliongold,whichcontainssilverandcoppertomakeitharderandmorefusiblethanpuregold.

Inarejoinder,Dr.Emmensnoted:

"IhavereceivedaletterfromaveryeminentFellowoftheRoyalSocietyinformingmethathehasperformedthecrucialexperimentsuggestedinmyletterofMay21,1897,toSirWilliamCrookes.ThegoldcontainedintheMexicandollarafter40hoursofintensecoldandcontinuoushammeringwasfoundtobe20.9%morethanthequantityofgoldcontainedinthesamedollarbeforethetest."

In1898,EmmensfloatedtheArgentaurumCompany,asyndicatewhichpromisedthatforoneounceofsilver(thenworth

about50cents)entrustedwithpaymentof$4.50perounceforconversioncosts,theinvestorwouldberepaidwith3/5ounceofgold(thenworthabout$11).Dr.Emmens'applicationforapatentonhisprocesswasrefused,however,soproductionneverbegan,sincehewouldnothavebeenabletoprotecthismethodsfromunscrupulouscompetitors.(24,29,30)

Dr.EmmenswasissuedseveralU.S.Patentsforinventions;atleasttwoofthemmayberelatedtohisprocess:#501,996(25July1893),Electrolyticbath;and#501,997(25July1893),ApparatusforElectrolyticExtractionofMetals.Dr.Emmens'ForceEngineproducedhammeringpressuresinexcessof500tons/in2atverylowtemperatures.Theseeffectscanbeachievedbyavarietyofmodernmethods.

SemanticambiguitiesinDr.Emmens'writingsconfusetheunderstandingoftheprocess.Attimes,Argentaurumreferstoanewelement,ortothegoldproducedfromit,ortoLea'sintermediateallotropicsilver.

(8)CareyLea

CareyLeadiscoveredthepreparationofso-called"allotropic"and"intermediate"silverin1889whilehewasstudyingreductionsofsilvernitrate."Allotropic"isamisnomer,however.In1925,Dr.RichardZsigmondy,ProfessorofChemistryattheUniversityofGoettingen,receivedtheNobelPrizeinChemistryforhisstudyofLea's"allotropic"silverundertheultramicrosope.Dr.Zsigmondyfoundthatsuchsilveractuallywasamonoatomiccolloidofordinarysilver,notanotherisotope.

Leadeterminedthatsilveroccursin"allotropic","intermediate",andordinaryforms.Ordinarysilverisproteaninnature.Theaqueoussolutionsarecolloidalmonoatoms,andgiveperfectlyclearsolutions.Theseveralformsof"allotropic"silver(a-Ag)drywiththeirparticlesinopticalcontactwitheachother,thusformingcontinuousfilmsthatarebeautifullycolored,perfectmirrors.Strongacidsandpressurewillconverta-Agtothenormalform.Therearethreeformsofa-Ag,andallareunstable.(21,22)

Thereisalsoaverystable"intermediateform"ofsilver(i-Ag)whichiseasytoprepare.Itoccursasbrightgold-yelloworgreencrystalswithametallicluster.Treatmentwithaverydilutesolutionofferricchloridewillenhancetheappearanceofitsfoliarstructure,interpenetratingwithplant-likeramifications,orfineacicularcrystalsupto1inchlong.

Intermediatesilverishard,tough,andunaffectedbypressure.Itisnearlyasindifferenttooxidizingandchlorizingagentsasisnormalsilver.Intermediatesilvercanbeformedfromtheallotropicvarietiesbylight,heat,orchemicalaction.Thesimplestpreparationisasfollows:

"Ithaslongbeenknownthatgolden-yellowspeckswouldoccasionallyshowthemselvesinsilversolutions,butcouldnotbeobtainedatwillandthequantitythusappearingwasinfinitesimal.Probablythisphenomenonhasoftenledtoasuppositionthatsilvermightbetransmutedintogold.Thisyellowproduct,however,isonlyanallotropicformofsilver,butithasallthecolorandbrilliancyofgold,afactwhichwasapparentevenintheminutespeckshithertoobtained...

"Itisalittlecuriousthatitspermanencyseemstodependentirelyondetailsinthemodeofpreparation.Ihavefoundmanywaysofobtainingit,butinafewmonthsthespecimenspreservedchangedspontaneously,tonormalsilver...Thenormalsilverproducedinthiswayisexquisitelybeautiful.Ithasapureandperfectwhitecolorlikethefinestfrostedjewelers'silver,almostinfactexceedingthejeweler'sbestproducts.Ifound,however,oneprocessbywhichaquitepermanentresultcouldbeobtained...thefollowingproportionsgivegoodresults:

"Twomixturesarerequired:No.1containing200ccofa10%solutionofsilvernitrate,200ccof20%solutionofRochelleSalt[Sodiumpotassiumtartrate]and800ccofdistilledwater.No.2,containing107ccofa30%solutionofferroussulfate,200ccofa20%solutionofRochellesaltand800ccofdistilledwater.Thesecondsolution(whichmustbemixedimmediatelybeforeusingonly)ispouredintothefirstwithconstantstirring.Apowder,atfirstglitteringred,thenchangingbacktoblack,falls,whichonthefilterhasabeautifulbronzeappearance.Afterwashingitshouldberemovedwhilstinapastyconditionandspreadoverwatchglassesorflatbasinsandallowedtodryspontaneously.Itwillbeseenthatthisisareductionofsilvernitratebyferroussulfate...

"Althoughthegold-coloredsilver(intowhichthenitrateusediswhollyconverted)isverypermanentwhendry,itislesssowhenwet.Inwashing,thefiltermustbekeptalwaysfullofwater;thisisessential.Itdriesintolumpsexactlyresemblinghighlypolishedgold...

"Ifwecoatachemicallycleanglassplatewithafilmofgold-coloredallotropicsilver,letitdry,firstintheair,thenforanhourortwoinastoveat100oC,andthenheatthemiddleoftheplatecarefullyoveraspiritlamp,weshallobtainwithsufficientheatacircleofwhitishgraywithabright,lustrousgoldenringroundit,somewhatlighterandbrighterthantheportionoftheplatethathasnotbeenchangedbyheat.ThisringconsistsofwhatIproposetocallthe"intermediateform"...

"Withsulfuricaciddilutedwithfourtimesitsbulkofwaterandallowedtocool,animmersionofoneortwosecondsconvertsafilmonglassoronpurepaperwhollytotheintermediateform...

"Itspropertiesarebetterseenbyusingafilmformedonpurepaper,oneendofwhichisheatedoveraspiritlamptoatemperaturejustbelowthatatwhichpaperscorches.Thechangeissuddenandpassesovertheheatedportionofthesurfacelikeaflash.Examiningthechangedpart,wefind:

1st.Thatithaschangedfromadeepgoldtoabrightyellowgoldcolor.

2nd.Whensubjectedtoashearingstressitdoesnotwhitenorchangecolorintheslightestdegree.

3rd.Itismuchharder,asisreadilyperceivedinburnishingit.

4th.Itnolongershowsthecolorreactionwithpotassiumferricyanideandferricchloride,changingonlybyaslightdeepeningofcolor.

"Ofthesecharacteristicchangesthesecondisthemostremarkable.Thegold-coloredsilverinitsoriginalconditionchangeswithsingularfacilitytowhitesilver;almostanytouch,anyfriction,effectstheconversion...

Theintermediateformisdistinguishedfromnormalsilveralmostsolelybyitsbrightyellowcoloranditshigherluster."

(9)JoeChampion

In2004,JoeChampionpresentedanon-toxicmethodtoconvertmicroscopicamountsofsilvertogoldbytheactionofphonons:

"IntheformationofAg(orotherelements)fromadimensionalreaction,theconversionwilloccurwithoutexcessenergiesornuclearsignatures.ByheatingAgtoatemperatureof43.2°C.Theprincipleisstraightforwardandsimplewithouttoxicity,byutilizingaheatsourcethatisstableandcapableofheatingintherangeof100-120°C.Allowthetemperatureofthesilvertostabilizeat43.2°C.Itisimportantthatyoumeasurethetemperatureofthesilverandnotthatofthesand.Thefunctionofthesandistoprovideaneveninfluxoftemperaturetotheentireareaofthesilveranditprovidesanexcellentinsulator.

"Thetemperatureof43.2°Cisoptimumunderidealconditions.Itis,however,possiblethatthetemperaturemayvarywithinthestatisticallimitsshowninTable1.Whenthetemperatureisexactforthereactionthesilverwithbecomeendothermic.Thismeansthatthetemperaturewillbeslightlygreaterthanthatofthesurroundingsand.Apointofinterest-thisreactionisthesameasobservedintheworkingColdFusioncellsofthepast.Thescientistswerenotobservingalowenergynuclearevent;rather,theywereobservinganinter-dimensionalphenomenon.

"AchievementofthemaximumconversionofAgtoAuwilldependonthedwelltimeatresonancetemperature.ConversionofAgtoAucanocurinaslittleassixhours;2%conversiontakesupto24hours.

Theory~"Theconversionofoneelement(specificallyoneisotope)toanotherthroughadimensionalreactionoccursunderselectconditionsofphononresonance.Dimensionalphononresonanceoccurswhenthespaceoccupiedbyoneisotopeisexactlythesameasthatofanotherisotopeinitsreststate.Thiseventonlyoccurunderthefollowingtwoconditions:(1)theexpansionofanisotopebyheating;or,(2)thecontractionofanisotopebycooling.

"Duetothenaturalcharacteristicsofelementalproperties,thiseventisextremelyrareandonecanonlyforcetheeventunderselectconditions.Todeterminethephononresonanceofanisotope,itisnecessarytoapplythefollowingformula:

wheredisDensityingm/cm3,NaisAvogadro'sConstant,andmismass.

"Bydeterminingtheinverse,onewillobservethelinearatomicspacing.

"Sincetheresonancefrequencyandspacingisrequiredforallisotopes,thecalculationsformostisotopesmaybedetermined:

"Whenanelementisheatedorcooled,theatomicspacingwillchangeproportionallytothecubeoftheproductofthetemperature(increase/decrease)andtheexpansioncoefficient.Tounderstand,followingisthemathematicalmodelfordeterminingthelinearspacinginreferencetotemperature:

wheretisthetemperatureincrease,Stisthestandardizedtemperature,andEcistheexpansioncoefficient

"Toplacethisinperspective,todeterminetheexactingtemperatureforadimensionalphononreactiontooccur,requiresknowingthestartingelement(specificallytheisotopeofthestartingelementifmorethanone)andtheelementtobeproduced.Oncethisisknown,youcanapplythefollowingformula:

"Thiswillprovidethetemperaturerequiredwithinstatisticalprobabilities.Astatisticalprobabilitydealswiththeleastsignificantdigit(LSD)ofeachvariable.Inthecaseofphononresonance,thisislimitedtothedensity.Forexample,thedensityofAgis10.50gm/cm3.Takingthattheaccuracyis±1LSD,wecanestablishavariablerangebyapplyingthefollowing:

Or,+/-0.0009524

"Toplacethemathematicsinperspective,followingisthecalculationsfortheconversionofAg107toAu:

"Tofindthemostlogicalprofilerequiresdeterminingthebasicphononfrequenciesofallofthestableisotopes.

ConversionofAltoAu~"TheconversionofAltoAuisanabsoluteapplicationofdimensionalscience.Inthisreaction,goldisproducedinitsultra-purestateonacontinuousbasis.Thisproceduremaybeutilizedformostelements.Thebasisofthisdimensionaloccursinthecollectionofatomicsizeparticlesthatformneartheresonantmetal(inthiscasealuminum).Duetothesizeoftheparticlestheyappearinwhatnormalchemistrywouldconsideragasphase.Thetargetedelement(isotope)formsinitssingularstateandduetothelackofenergiespresent.Thereareinsufficientenergiestobindtheatomsintoacolloidalstate.

"Intheproductionofgoldfromaluminum,theidealtemperatureis302.9°C.ThesetemperaturesareoptimumfortheAl(theAlmustbeallowedtocomeintoequilibriumwiththefurnace).Onceresonanceisestablished,productioniscontinuous.TheAuiscapturedinwaterasitisremovedfromanegativepressureappliedtothefurnaceestablishedbythevacuumpump.However,pleasebeawarethatAlwillalsoconverttoAg107atatemperatureof283.7°C.Tounderstandthis,thefollowingchartissupplied:

"ThealuminumreachesthephononresonanceofAuitpassesthroughtheresonanceofAg.Duetotheatomicspacing,Alwillnotformanyotherelementnearthistemperaturerange.

"Alloftheprocedureslistedwereconfirmedbyindependentlaboratorytesting..

"AtthetimeofprintingthePhononConversionofAgtoAu,thegenesismappingofelementswasnotcomplete.Basedontheabove,thefollowingallowstheotherpotentialformationpatternsforAgandAu:

z~e~Dgm/cm3~M~%abundance~Hz~phononspacing/cm313~Al27~2.6989~26.981~100.00%~39,200,637~2.55098E-08

47~Ag109~10.5~108.904~48.16%~38,722,676~2.58247E-0847~Ag107~10.49~106.905~51.84%~38,950,170~2.56738E-0879~Au197~19.3~196.967~100.00%~38,931,830~2.56859E-08

"Thisprocedureisnondescript.Aseasilyaszinc,aluminum,titaniumorsilverconvertsintogold,sodoesgoldconvertintotitaniumandsilver."

In1997,Championreportedthereplicationofoneofhistransmutationexperimentsbya16-yearoldhighschoolstudentforasciencefairproject.TheoriginalexperimentwasperformedbyDrBockrisatTexasA.M.University(www.transmutation.com/tamu.htm).Theingredientsoftheexperimentalformulawere:

300grCarbon;900grPotassiumNitrate;80grSulfur;100grIronSulphate;30grCadmium;100grMercuryChloride;50grLitharge(PbO);5grSilver(Ag);30grCalciumOxide.Theingredientsweremixed,placedinacoffeecan,andignitedwithatorch.Thesilverincreasedfrom5to8.7grams,andasmallamountofgoldalsowasproduced.X-rayflourescenceandmassspectrometryexaminationsweremadeofthematerialsbeforeandaftertheignition.

JoeChampion

(10)References

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8.Emmens,Dr.S.H.:Science5(112):314,315(19Feb.1897);ibid.,5(113):343-344(26February1897);"TheArgentaurumPapersNo.1,SomeRemarksConcerningGravitation"

9.Emmens,Dr.S.H.:Argentaurana;G.DuBoistel(Bristol,1899).

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12.Emmens,Dr.S.H.:ArgentaurumPapers#1:SomeRemarksConcerningGravitation;PlainCitizenPubl.Co.(NewYork,1896)

13.Fletcher.E.A.:FrankLeslie'sPopularMagazine(March1898)

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21.Lea,Carey:Amer.Sci.J.(Series3)37(222):476-491(June1889);ibid.,38(223):47-50(July1889);ibid.,38(224):129(August1889);Ibid.,38(225):237-241(September1889);ibid.,41(243):179-190(March1891);ibid.,42(250):312-317(October1891);ibid.,48(148):343(October1894);ibid.,51(24):259-267(April1891);ibid.,51(246):282-289(April1891).

22.Lea,C.:Zeit.Anorg.Allgem.Chem.7:340-341(1894)

23.MacKenzie,J.:SpokaneMines&Electrician(17February1897)

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25.Tiffereau.Theodore:LesMetauxSontDesCorpsComposes;Vaugirard(Paris,1855)

26.Tiffereau,T.:L'OretleTransmutationdesMetaux

27.Tiffereau,T.:ComptesRenduAcad.Sci.Paris38:383,792,942(854);ibid.,39:374,642-644,743,1205(1854);ibid.,40:1317(1855);ibid.,41:647(1855);ibid.,123:1097(1896)

28.Waite,ArthurE.:ACollectionofAlchymicalProcesses;S.Weiser(NewYork,1987)

29.Woodward,Dr.R.S.:Science5(112):343-344(19February1897)

30.Young,C.A.:Science5(113):343-344(26February1897)

PartII

ModernArcana

Chapter2

TransmutationofOres

(1)T.Moray(2)Dunikovski(3)A.Klobasa(4)D.Hudson(5)J.Champion(6)References

Thesynthesisofelementsbyhigh-energybombardmentofotherelementsiscommonknowledgeandpracticeamongnuclearphysicists.Intheirfashion,modernphysicistsalsohaveaccomplishedoneofthegoalsofalchemy:theproductionofartificialgold.Theyieldsarelow,however,andtheproductisunstableandveryexpensive.Suchnuclidesfindonlylimiteduseinmedicineandchemistry.

Forexample,R.Sherr,etal.,reportedthe"TransmutationofMercurybyFastNeutrons"oflithiumanddeuterium.Theseformedthreeradioactiveisotopesofgoldbythen-preaction,andthreeisotopesofplatinum.(11)

In1980,agroupofresearchersatLawrenceBerkeleyLaboratory(GlenT.Seaborg,etal.)reportedtheproductionofafewbillionatomsofgoldasthe"trivialresult"ofanexperimentwithaBevalacaccelerator.Abismuthtargetwasbombardedwitha"relativisticprojectile"thatchippedsomeprotonsfromtheBinuclei,forminggold.Theexperimentproducedlessthanone-billionthofacentworthofgold.(1,6,12)

AndrewMelchanovpublishedthisnoticein1980,butnothinghasbeenreportedaboutitsincethen:"Sovietphysicistsatanuclearresearch

facilitynearLakeBaikalinSiberiaaccidentallydiscoveredafusionreactionforturningleadintogold[in1972]whentheyfoundtheleadshieldingofoneoftheirexperimentalreactorshadchangedtogold."(8)

Severalresearchersinthe20thcenturyhavereportedtheirmethodsofproducingprofitableamountsofvaluesfrombasemetalsandlow-gradeoreswithouttheuseofnuclearreactors.Someofthemethodsaregenuinelow-energyalchemicaltransmutations.

(1)ThomasH.Moray

TheMorayprocessisaprimeexampleofwhatispossible.In1950,ThomasH.Moraywasapproachedwitharequesttoinvestigatethepossibilityofimprovingtheextractionofuraniumores.Asamatterofcourse,theMorayResearchInstitute(MRI)proceededbybombardingtheoreinan"environment"withx-raysashighas24MeVbeforeattemptingtoextractthevalues.Theaverageorecontained0.23%uraniumoxide.Afterirradiation,theoreyieldedfrom7-75%uraniumoxide!

In1953theMRIproposedthattheAtomicEnergyCommission(AEC)investigatesuchaprojectforthe"aging"ofatomicoresbya"breedingtypereactionwithhigh-energyparticlesorx-raysinthepresenceofaproperenvironment."TheAECdeclinedtograntacontract.(7,9,10)

In1958,theMRIadapteditsprocesstotheaugmentationofpreciousmetalores.theMorayprocessusesthreemaincategoriesofores,containingtracestoafewhundredthofanounceofgoldandsilverperton:1)low-gradeunprocessedgoldore;2)milltailings---especiallyadvantageous;thismaterialcostsverylittle,isgroundalready,andyieldsexcellentresults.Highgradeoresseemtobelessadaptabletothisprocess;theyyieldmuchlessofanincreaseinvaluesthandolowgradeores:

"Earlytestsgaveyieldsof50-100oz.gold/tonore.Whilevirtuallynogoldorsilvervaluescanbedeterminedintherawore,afterirradiationanddryingthegoldandsilvercanbeidentifiedbystandardfireassayoranyothernormaldeterminationmethods...

"Metalsnototherwisedetectedarefreedforaseparationbynormalseparatingprocesses.Thisprocessdoesnotpurporttobeaseparationprocessinanywayinthatuponcompletionofirradiationthesampleswillhavetobedisposedofexpediently."(9)

TheMorayprocessutilizesan"environmentalsolution",developedin1949.Agingbecameaproblemaschemicalreactionscontinuedtotakeplaceduetohydrationandtemperaturechanges.By1961,theMRIhadrefinedseveralformulasofsolutions,oneormoreofwhichworkwellwithmostoretypesanddonotrequireanyaging.Theycanbeusedimmediatelyaftermixingandcanbestoredwithoutadverseeffects.Theircostisapproximately$50/100gallons(thevolumeofsolutionrequiredtoprocessonetonofore).Thesolutionisheatedtoanunspecified"elevatedtemperature"duringirradiation.

InatelephoneinterviewwithKenJones(September1981),JohnMoraysaid:

"Theenvironmentalmaterialconsistsofacombinationofchemicalswhoseatomicnumbersadduptotheatomicnumberofsilverorgoldandyieldsilverandgolduponirradiation[Theformulasincludearseno-andiron-pyritesinalkalinesolution].Antimonyhaspeculiarproperties--ithasfloatingelectronswhichcomeinveryhandy.Itisbelievedthatthisenvironmentfurnishesparticlessimilartothecosmicrayreactionontheatmosphere.Researchworkindicatesthattheradiationmustbecomposedofbothhigh-speedelectronsandx-rays.Consistentresultsundercontrolledmethodswereobtainedwiththeadditionofacatalyst(afluxorreductionagent,anenvironment)combinedwithbombardmentofthematerial...byanenergybombardmenttubedevelopedfortheResearchInstitute."

The"bombardmenttube"maybeapreferredembodimentofDr.T.H.Moray's"Electro-TherapeuticApparatus"(USPatent#2,460,707)Theinventionisdescribedasfollowsinthepatentabstract:

"Anapparatusforapplyingradiantenergytherapeutically,comprisingmeansforproducinghighpotential,highfrequencyelectricity;ahighcapacitysparkingcondensor;andatreatmentelectrodeconnectedincircuitwiththeforegoing...

"Theinventionhasbeendescribedintheforegoingwithsolereferencetoitsusefortherapeuticpurposes.Itshouldbenoted,however,thatinorganicmattermayalsobetreatedtoadvantagepursuanttothemethodsandwiththeapparatus...Ithasbeenfoundthatmetals,forexample,lead,havechangedphysicalpropertiesaftertreatmentinaccordancewiththeabove..."

T.R.DolphpublishedanarticleabouttheMorayprocess(Fate,February1976),inwhichhestated:

"Dr.Morayengagedmyfather-in-law,attorneyVictorG.Sagers,Midvale,Utah,torepresenthiminofferingthedevicetotheUSGovernment...Transmutationofmetals(yes,turningleadintogold)wasdemonstratedseveraltimes;thegovernmentsuppliedtheleadandkeptthegold."(5)

JohnMoraycommentedonthisinalettertoKenJones(18January1982):

"ThearticlebyT.R.Dolph,Garland,TX,isoneofthosearticleswrittenbyacrackpotthathasinfactmixedtogetheranumberofunrelatedfacts.ThereisnosuchdeviceasdescribedinFatemagazine...Thebombardmenttubedoesexist.However,thishasnothingtodowiththerecoveryofmineralsfromlowgradeore.Thebombardmenttubeisapartofthetherapydevice.

"ThestoryofgoldandleadsuppliedbytheUSGovernmentisacompletefabrication.MyfatherandIalwaysdetestedliars,andthismanDolphisacompulsiveliar.Hisfather-in-law,VickSagers,wouldneverhavesaidanythingsimilartowhatthismanhassaid."

JohnMorayaddedthisnoteinalaterlettertoKenJones(11February1982):

"Thebombardmenttubeiselectrotherapyanddoesnotapplytotheminingormineralrecoveryprocess,regardlessofhowyouinterpretthepatent.

"Thepatentapplicationisspeakingofa"method"andhastodowithanindividualtrainedintheartofthat"method"whichisallthelawrequires,andtherefore,changingthephysicalpropertiesoflead,i.e.,makingitpossibletobealloyedwithcopperordevelopingaleadsemi-

conductorhasnothingtodowiththemineralprocessagain."

TheservicesoftheeminentphysicistW.J.Hooper(Prof.EmEritus,PrincipiaCollege)andotherscientistsweresolicitedinanefforttodiscoverwhatwasproducingsuchresults.Itappearedtobecausedby"arapidbuildupofatomsofrelativelylowatomicweightstothoseofmuchhigheratomicweights"suchassilver,gold,andplatinum.

Inaprogressreportatthe68thNationalWesternMiningConference(Denver,CO;Feb.4,1965),Dr.Hooperannounced:

"Firstofall,Iwillciteoneofseveraltestscarriedoutinanefforttoascertainwhetherthemodusoperandiwasactuallyoneoftransmutationfromelementsoflowatomicweightstothoseofthenoblemetals.Asolutionwasprepared---madeupofBaker'sreagentqualitychemicalsofthehighestpurityandwater,distilledbyboiling.Thesebottledchemicalslistthetracematerialswhichmightbeexistentinthem.Golddidnotappearonanyoftheselistsevenintraceamounts.Noatomsofhigheratomicnumberthan19(K)werepresentinquantityinthissolution.Silverhastheatomicnumberof47,andgold79.Thispreparedsolutionofpurechemicalsinglasscontainersisirradiatedbyhighenergyphotonsforaboutoneminuteandthenbyevaporationtheresiduewasdriedandsenttoanindependentassayerforanalysis...Itreads939.76ozgold/tonand113.04ozsilverperton...

"ApointofgreatinterestintheexperimentaltestIhavedescribedisthatthespecksofgoldfoundintheresidueofthesolutionsrevealamarkedcrystalstructureundermicroscopicexamination.ItisacoincidencethatMiethe,backaround1925,foundhisformationofgoldtobeinsmallcrystalsalso...Theprocesswehavedescribedisinrealityacrystalgrowingbathactivatedbyirradiation.Asthegoldatomscomeintobeingbytransmutation,theybecomegregarious,whichresultsinthecrystalformation.

"Fromthisobservationthereiseveryreasontosuspectthatlowgradeoresandminingtailingsprovide,notonlytheseedforcrystalgrowth,butalsoanucleienvironmentwhichiswelladvancedoruniquelyfavorable,fortheformationofthepreciousmetalsbytransmutation."

Dr.Hoopercontendedthattheprocessisoneofnuclearreaction.Dr.HansFrauenfelde(Univ.Illinois)opinedthattheenergylevelsweretoomuchofadeparturefromtheacceptedstandardstoverifythispoint.Anothertheoryproposesthatcolloidalgold,lostinthedilutionoforeintheenvironmentalsolution,isconcentratedbythebombardment.TheMRIinsiststhatisnotthecase.

In1963,MRIconductedexperimentswithalinearacceleratorattheElectronizedChemicalsCorporation(Rockford,IL)atenergylevelsof11.4-20meVwithdosesof1megarad.Theaverageyieldswere8-9%gold!Itwasestimatedthataproductionrateof5tonsoforeperdaywaspossiblewiththeavailableequipment.Computerizedriskanalysisindicatedthatyieldsover11.5ozAu/tonorecouldbeexpectedwith99.5%certainty.Ahigheraverage(15ozAu/ton)couldbeexpectedinmassproductionunderoptimumconditions.Otherexperimentsshowedevenmorepromise,yielding100-200ozAu/ton(128ozAu/tonaverage):

"Thestandarddeviationofyieldswasratherhighduetotheconstantmodificationofexperimentalconditions."

MRIrentedtimeontheVarianAssociates'8MeVLINACinordertotestparameterssuchasdose,doserate,slurrydepth,shieldmaterial,electronvoltsetting,shieldheight,andthedistanceofthetargetfromtheirradiationsource.Theshieldwasathinsheetofunspecifiedmaterialplacedoverthesamplewhileirradiatingit:

"Inmaineffects,onlyelectron-voltagesettingshowedupassignificant,withhigh-voltagesettingbeingbetterthanthelow.Inaddition,severalinteractionsbetweenvariablesshowedupasbeingsignificant.Aninteractionbetweentwovariablesmeansthatwheneithervariableischangedsingly,asignificantdifferenceresults.Someinteractionsbetweenthreevariables,orperhapsevenmoremaybepresent.Thefollowinginteractionsseemedtobesignificantonesandseemtoindicatethatahighervoltagewouldgivemuchbetterresults:1)Shieldheight/Voltage;2)Doserate/Voltage;3)Dose/Voltage;4)Distanceofsamplefromradiationsource/Shieldheight;5)Solutiondepth/Shieldmaterial;6)Slurrydepth/Voltage.

"X-raysperformphoto-disintegration,andtheelectronsfurnishtheenergyandamperagetothereaction.Itissuspectedthatbecausetheescapingelectronshaveacertainamountofenergy,acertainamountofx-rayswillbeproducedinthematerialbytheelectrons'reactions(ComptonEffect).Theidealreaction,itisindicated,isforthex-raytobeproducedatatargetlocatedsomewhereoutsidetheacceleratortubewherelossesofenergywouldbeminimal.Thisreactionisdependentonthefollowingfactors:

"1)Theisomersoftheisotopesreacteduponmustbepresentintheorebeforetheorewillreacttothereaction;2)Thesereactionsaredependentuponthetypetargetinordertocontrolthefrequencyofthequantumenergylevel;3)High-energyelectronsmustbepresentintheoreaswellasx-rays;4)Thecompositionoftheenvironmentalsolutionfurnishesotherparticlesthatarefreedbytheactionoftheresonantfrequencyofthex-raysandtheelectronsproducedbytheparticleaccelerator;5)Thereactionisadose-ratereactionandnotdependentuponvelocity.Thevelocityoftheoriginalparticleswilldeterminethedepthandtimeofthereactiononly.Over-radiationgivesadeteriorationrateandlossofvaluesreported...

"Asthesizeofthesamplevaries,thereactionvariesonaninverselineallevelwhereindoublingthesizeofthesamplewouldcutthetotalreactioninhalf."

Radiationdosagesof0.16,0.5,and2.0Megarads/minutegavepeaksonthedosagecurve.FourMegarads/minutegivesthehighestyield.Irradiationlastedoneminute.Thereactionalsoiswattage-dependent.Theminimumwattagerequiredis200watt-secondspergramofore:

"Theprocesshastobeadjustedtothecharacteristicsofdifferentores.Thechemicalformulasandtheresonantenergylevelsmustbeestablishedforeachore."

Consistencywasachievedin1970byaddingtotheprocessacontrolresonantchamber(MagneticUndulator)whichactstobringallvariablesintophase,orintoaresonantrelationship,withtheradiationsource,toapointwhereaconsistencywasobtainedhigherthananyobtainedpriortothattime.Therearedefinitepeaksatwhicheachorethatisofvaluewiththisprocess,releasesthemetalsfoundwithinit.Therearepeaksforeachmetalionwithintheore.

TheMagneticUndulatorestablishesnon-propagating,resonantstandingwaveswiththex-raydiffractionwavelengthofgold(2.042

Angstroms)intheenvironmentalsolution.Thechemicals(incopperpans)werebombardedfromabove.Eachbombardmentincreasedtheamountofgold9-fold,buttheyieldlaterdiminishedtoonlythreetimestheoriginalamount.Consistentlyhigh,stableyieldswereobtainedbyfirstirradiatingthetraysfrombelowandthenapplyingx-raysfromoverhead.Theyieldsincreased9-foldandremainedatthatlevelwithoutdeteriorating.Theprocessasdevelopedproduceslittleincreaseinplatinumvalues,probablydueto:a)theenergyleveloftheirradiationsource;b)thechemicalcompositionoftheenvironmentalsolution;c)targettype.Thesilverproducedinthisprocessassayedashighas426oz/ton.Accordingtothereport,thefollowingconditionsalsoapply:

"Thereactionissensitivetointerferencefromnearlyeverymaterialotherthanglassorporcelain.Plasticscannotbeused,norstainlesssteel,andmostvarietiesofrubberorbrass.Coppercanbeusedifitisinonecontinuouspiece.Indicationsarethatinterferenceisduetoelectrostaticchargeorparticlepositioninthesolution."

Betterresultsalsowouldbeobtainedwithsuctionpumpingoftheslurryinanall-glasssystem,ratherthanthemakeshiftconveyerbelt/copperpansystemusedbyMRI.

(2)Dunikovski

In1931,aPolishengineernamedDunikovskiannouncedthathecouldproduceartificialgoldbytheactionof"Z-rays"onamixtureofsilicaandfeldsparmeltedinbronzecruciblesundertheinfluenceof110kilovolts.Dunikovskiclaimedtohaveperfectedaprocessheinheritedfromhisfatherandgrandfatherwhohaddevelopedit.Dunikovskitheorizedthatallmineralscontain"embryonalatoms"or"mineralites"thatcanbeartificiallymaturedinminutes.

SeveralFrenchinvestorssyndicatedandsubscribed2,000,000francswhichDunikovskiusedtobuildalaboratoryinParis.Butnogoldwasproduced,andhewaschargedwithfraud.Hedemonstratedhisprocesstothecourt,buttheresultswereambiguousandinsufficienttoprovehisinnocence.Dunikovskiwassentencedtofouryearsimprisonment,buthisattorneysecuredhisreleaseaftertwoyears.DunikovskirelocatedtoSanRemoandrenewedhisexperiments.Heimprovedtheprocess,gainingsignificantincreasesinyields.

Hisattorney(JeanLegrand)visitedDunikovskiwiththeeminentchemistAlbertBonntoinvestigatethenewsituation.M.Bonnwitnessedandreplicatedtheprocess.Onetypeofsand,whichcontained11gramsAu/tonbeforetreatment,assayed859grams/tonaftertreatmentwiththeimprovedapparatus.

Dunikovskilaterestablished"Metallex,SocieteAnonyme"withBelgianstockholdersandestablishedafactoryonLakeNeuchatel.Nothingmoreisknownabouttheaffairbecauseallsubsequentproceedingwerekeptsecret.(4)

(3)AdalbertKlobasa

About1937,anAustrianchemistnamedAdalbertKlobasaclaimedtohaveproducedgoldusinganelectromagnetandinductioncoilwithwhichhetreatedamixtureoftitanium-potassium-oxalate(36gr),ferroussulfate(84gr),coppersulfate(50gr),sodiumsulfide(50gr),ammoniumchloride(100gr),ammonia(250ml),sodiumsilicate(20cc)andsilica(440gr).Thereactionwascatalyzedwith100mgofsilver.Twohoursoftreatmentaffordeda1%yieldofgoldwhichappearedasbrown-redscales.Klobasaclaimedthatgoldisbuiltupfromiron,titanium,andsodium.Hedeclinedtoenterintobusinesswithhissynthesis:

"Iamtooold,andnotfitenoughtoworrymyselfchasingaroundaftercapitalists."(4)

(4)DavidHudson

Inthe1980s,DavidR.HudsondiscoveredtheexistenceofORMEs(OrbitallyRearrangedMonoatomicElements),whicharevirtuallyundetectablebyconventionalmeans(exceptforadistinguishingIRdoubletlocatedbetweenabout1400and1600cm-1)becausetheylackad-orbitalelectron.HudsonandassociatesdevelopedamethodtorecoverORMEsandconvertthemintotheirmetallicforms.Whileitisnotatransmutationofoneelementintoanother(butrather,theconversionofanallotropeintothecommonvisibleformoftheelements),theextractionandconversionofORMEstometalmayexplaintheclaimsofsomeotherexperimenters.Certainores,particularlysodicandcalcidicplagioclase,containlargeamountsofORMEswhichcanbeextractedbyHudson'sprocess,asdescribedinhisBritishPatent#2,219,995for"Non-Metallic,MonoatomicFormsofTransitionalElements"(Dec.28,1989):

"300grofdriedmaterialassayedbyconventionaltechniquestoshownogoldpresent,groundtolessthan200mesh,isplacedina1-gallonvessel,fittedwithelectrodes,with120grNaCl,10grKBr,and2litersoftapwater.

"Theanodeconsistsofapairof3/8"x12"carbonweldingrodswrappedtogetherwithNo.10copperwire.Thecathodeconsistsof1-5/8"IDx14"glasstubewithamediumporosityglassfritwitha1"x14"x1/16"stainlesssteelstripinsideinasolutionof36gr/literNaCl(approx.500ml).Bothelectrodesareplacedintothesamplevesselandsupportedbyclampsextendingabout5"intothesamplesolution.

"Thesampleisplacedonarollertableatapprox.10rpm.Theelectrodesareconnectedtoa(120V)powersupplyinconjunctionwitha2-3amp400-600PIVrectifier.A100Wlightbulbandtheelectrodesarehookedinseries.Therectifierloadisconnectedtotheanodesincetherectifierfiltersoutallnegativevoltageandonlypassespositivevoltage.

"Thesampleiskeptunderloadforaperiodof6-1/2hours.ThefinalpHisintherangeof3-6.5.Thevoltageacrosstheelectrodeis5volts.Afterdisconnectingtheload,thesamplewasallowedtosettleandthesolutionoverthesettledoutmaterialwasremovedbydecantation...

"800mlofthesamplewasplacedina1000mlbeakerand20mlconcentratedsulfuricacidwasaddedtothesolution.Withstirring,thesolutionwasboileddownslowlyonahotplateuntilthesolutionwasjustdry(notbaked).Thejustdrysaltcontainssodiumgoldchloride.Thejustdrysaltwastakenupin400mldeionizedwaterandagainboileddowntothejustdrycondition.Thereshouldbenodiscolorationatthispoint,i.e.,aclearsolutionisformed.

"Thejustdrysaltwasthentakenupin400ml6MHCl,andthereafterboileddowntothejustdrycondition.Thedilutionandboilingdownstepwasrepeatedfourtimes,alternatingwithdeionizedwateranda6MHClwash,withthesequencecontrolledtothatthelastwashingwas

with6MHCl.Thepurposeistoremovealltracesofhypochloriteoxidant.

"Thejustdrysaltsaretakenupin400mlanhydrousethanolandstirredforapproximately10minutes.Thisstepistodissolvethegoldchloridesalt,toremovethesodiumchloride.Afterstirring,theslurrywasfilteredthrough#42paperonaBuchnerfunnel.

"5mlofconcentratedsulfuricacidwasslowlyaddedtothefiltrate,mixed,andthefiltratewasthenallowedtositforapproximately1hour.Thefiltratewasfilteredthrough#42paperonaBuchnerfunnel,handthenpassedthroughafilterof0.5micronTeflon.Thesulfuricacidprecipitatesoutanycalcium.Filtrationremovestheprecipitantandalightyellowfiltrateisrecovered,withalltracesofcalciumsulfateremoved.

"Thelightyellowsolutionwasagainboileddowntojustdry,takingcaretoavoidanycharring.Atthispointthereshouldbenofurtherevaporationofethanolandthejustdryresidueshouldbefreeofcolor.Theresidueshouldhaveasweetsmellsimilartoburntsugar.Theoccurrenceofthesweetsmellindicatestheendpointoftheboil-down.

"Thejustdryresidueistakenupin600mldeionizedwatertoprovideawater-solublegoldformwhichisthegoldauride.Ifdesired,theG-ORMEcanberecoveredatthisstageorconvertedintometallicgold.Forgoldrecovery,thesolutionisputintoa1000mlbeakerandanelectrolysisunitwassetup...Theanodeisagoldelectrode,2cm2insize,uponwhichgoldsolutionwillplateout.Thecathodecomprisesa6.8cm2platinumelectrodecontainedinaNafion117chamber...InsidetheNafionchamberis200mlofelectrolytesolutioncontaining5mlsulfuricacidper600mlofelectrolytesolution.ItisimportanttokeeptheNafionchamberwetatalltimes.Thepotentialwasmeasuredacrosstheelectrodesandthenanadditional-2.2voltspotentialwasappliedandmaintainedforaperiodof2hours.

"Afterthetwohours,thepotentialwasraisedto3.0voltsandmaintainedforapproximately18hours.Bubblesformedonboththegoldandplatinumelectrodes.Ablackmaterialformedonthegoldelectrodeafter3-4hours.Thegoldelectrodewasremovedfromsolutionwhilevoltagewasstillbeingapplied.Theelectrodewasdriedinavacuumovenovernightat115oC.Theelectrodewasweighedbeforeandaftertheplatingtodeterminetheamountofgoldcollected.

"Themetallicgoldis,therefore,producedfromanaturallyoccurringorewhich,whensubjectedtoconventionalassaying,doesnottestpositiveforgold."

TheORMEsareproducedfromsodiumgoldchloride,whichisreducedtosodiumauride:

"Continuedaquationresultsindissociationofthegoldatomfromthesodiumandtheeventualformationofaprotonatedaurideofgoldasagreyprecipitate.SubsequentannealingproducestheGold-ORME.TheG-ORMEhasanelectronarrangementwherebyitacquiresd-orbitalholeorholeswhichshareenergywithanelectronorelectrons.Thispairingoccursundertheinfluenceofamagneticfieldexternaltothefieldoftheelectron.

"G-ORMEsarestable[as]demonstratedbyuniquethermalandchemicalproperties.Thewhitesalt-likematerialthatisformedwhenG-ORMESaretreatedwithfumingHClO4orfumingH2SO4aredissimilarfromthetransition(T)metaloritssalts.TheG-ORMEwillnotreactwithcyanide,willnotbedissolvedbyaquaregia,andwillnotwetoramalgamatewithmercury...TheG-ORMEsremainasapowderat1200oC...

"G-ORMEscanbereconvertedtometallicgoldfromwhichtheywereformed.Thisreconversionisaccomplishedbyanoxidativerearrangementwhichremovesallpairedvalenceelectronstogetherwiththeirvacancypairelectrons,withasubsequentrefillingofthedandsorbitalswithunpairedelectronsuntiltheproperconfigurationisreachedfortheT-metal.

"ThisoxidativerearrangementiseffectedbysubjectingtheG-ORMEtoalargenegativepotentialinthepresenceofanelectron-donatingelement,suchascarbon,thusformingametallicelement-carbonchemicalbond.Forthatmetal-carbonbondtooccurthecarbonmustprovideforthehorizontalremovalofthedorbitalvacancyoftheORME.Thecarbonactsasachemicalfulcrum.Whentheelement-carbonbondisreducedbywayoffurtherdecreasingthepotential,thecarbonreceivesareducingelectronandsubsequentlyverticallyinsertsthatreducingelectronbelowthesorbitalsoftheelement,thusformingmetallicgold.

"TheabovedescriptionforthepreparationofG-ORMEfromcommerciallyavailablemetallicgoldisapplicableequallyforthepreparationoftheremainingORMEs,exceptforthespecificpotentialenergyrequiredandtheuseofnascentnitrogenratherthancarbontoconverttheotherORMEstotheirconstituentmetallicforms.Thespecificenergiesrangebetween-1.8Vand-2.5Vdependingontheparticularelement.AlternativelythisarrangementcanbeachievedchemicallybyreactingNOgaswiththeT-metalORMEsotherthangold.Nitricoxideisuniqueinthatitpossessesthenecessarychemicalpotentialaswellasthesingleunpairedelectron."

(5)JoeChampion

Inthe1990s,JoeChampionannouncedavarietyofmethodsoftransmutationsofblacksandsbythermalburns,meltsandkineticmethods.HewasconvictedoffraudinArizonaafterbeingaccusedbyanirateinvestorwhofailedtoachievesatisfactoryresults.Otherresearchers(includingthephysicistsBockrisandSundaresan,1994)validatedhisprocesses,however,sothequestionremainsopenforexperiment.

Theprocesswasdevelopedfromamethodof"growinggold"inanelectrolyticcellthatwasoriginallydevelopedbyDr.WalterLussage,aCzechoslovakiangeologist(d.1977).Dr.LussagerevealedhisprocesstoMr.JackKeller,whotaughtittoJoeChampionin1989.Championsubsequentlydevelopedthemethodfurther.

Theoriginalformulaisquitesimple:blacksand(90gr),charcoal(90gr),andsodiumnitrate(270gr),pulverizedto200meshandmixedthoroughly.Thereagentsmustbepulverizedseparatelytoavoidignition.Themixtureisignitedwithatorch;itburnsabout90seconds,reachingatemperatureofabout700oC.Inoneassay,themixturecontained0.18mgAuand1.35mgAgbeforeignition;afterignitionitcontained212.7mgAuand856.8mgAg.

Blacksandtypicallyiscomposedof40%magnetite(Fe3O4),hematite(Fe2O3),orchalcopyrite(CuFeS2).Thenecessaryparentalisotopes(cobalt,iron,manganese,nickel,andcalcium)mustbepresent,accordingtotheformula:

Co59+Ca40-44=Ag99-103Ni60-64+Ca44=Cd104-108

Theadditionofamolarproportionofleadenabledtheatomsofgoldtobecollectedastheyformed,andservedasanabsorptiveshieldforradioactivityreleasedinthereaction.

Anotherformulaforthethermalburnprocesswascarbon(300gr),potassiumnitrate(900gr),sulfur(80gr),silica(120gr),ferroussulfate(100gr),cadmium(30gr),mercurychloride(100gr),leadoxide(50gr),silver(5gr),andcalciumoxide(30gr).

InonetestthatChampiondescribed,thethermalmeltprocesswasaccomplishedinagas-firedorinductivelyheatedfurnace,ventedtoreleasegasesliberatedintheprocess.Amixtureofblacksands(1kg),mineralcoal(1kg),sodiumnitrate(3kg),lead(300gr),silver(200gr),andmercurychloride(HgCl2,1kg)inagraphitecrucibleyielded44grgold,6grplatinum,and35grrhodium.

Anothergas-firedmixturetestedbyChampionwascomposedofblacksands(100gr),charcoal(300gr),sodiumnitrate(900gr)andpoweredsilver(500gr).Whenaninductivefurnacewasemployed,theformulaneededtobemodified:blacksands(100gr),charcoal(350gr),sodiumnitrate(150gr),silver(50gr),andcopperpowder(50gr).

Thegasorelectricitywasreducedduringtheignitionperiod.Aftertheignitionwascompleted,thetemperaturewasraisedto2000oCfor90minutes.Ifnecessary,boraxorpotassiumnitratewasaddedtomaintainfluidityofthemixture.Whentherewasnomoreapparentreaction,themixturewaspouredintoamoldtocool,andtheslagremoved.Boththereactionmixtureandtheslagshouldbeassayed.

Anothermethodwasdiscoveredin1993,utilizingthekineticenergyofaballmillwith40kgofcarbonsteelballs.Thelinermustbemadeofiron-coatedsteelandthereagentsmustbethoroughlydryforthismethodtoworkproperly.Theballmillalsomusthaveanairtightseal.24%ofthemineralweightshouldbeferricoxygen,whichisrequiredforthekineticexcitationtransmutationtooccur.

OneofChampion'sresearchassociates,GregIseman(MesaAZ),usedamicrowavedigestionprocesstoperformanalysesoftheformula;thismethodalsoproducedtransmutations.

"Ifthereactionmixtureexceeds15kg,theyieldisreducedbecausethetransmutationcycleistoolongandbeginstoproducebaseelementsinsteadofpreciousmetals.Itwasfoundnecessarytoaddtracesofthetargetelementstothestartingmixtureinorderfortheresonanceofthoseelements(i.e.,Au)toactasa"stoppingagent".

Championalsonoted:

"Thefollowingreagentswererequiredtoproducesyntheticpreciousmetalsbythisprocess:silica,ferroussulfate,leadoxide,calciumoxide,mercurysulfide,andcadmium.Themixturewascombinedwithcarbon,sodiumorpotassiumnitrate,sulfur,mercurychloride,andsilver.Theformulaproducedsyntheticgold,iridium,platinum,palladium,andrhodium...

"Whenthechemicalmixtureisproperlyprepared,ithasareproductivefactorofover60%.Thiswaslaterincreasedto90-pluspercentwhenanerrorwasdeterminedinthecrystallinestructureoftheferroussulfate.Thedifferencesdealtwithamagneticsusceptibilityathightemperature,i.e.,greaterthan750oC...

"Thecoincidencefactorisextremelyimportantindeterminingtheeffectivenessofanynuclearoccurrence...Thefollowingparametersmustbeweighed:

1.Naturaloccurrence(%)ofparentalisotopes;2.Percentrelationshipofparentalisotopestototalmass;3.Compositionoftotalmass;4.Thermalnuclearcrosssectionofparentalisotopes;5.Magneticsusceptibilityofnuclearmoment;6.Typeandlengthofenergyexcitation;7.Parentalisotopes'complacencywithadditives...

"Thecoincidencefactorisalsorelatedtothe"treeingeffect":itisanuclearreaction,suchascausedbylowenergytransmutationsituations,whereaparentalelementhasmultipleisotopes,butwhencombinedwith10aand(10a+ao),producemoredaughterisotopesthanparents.Ifcharted,thiswouldresemblelimbsonatree..."

(6)References

1.AmericanBusiness(April1980),p.16.

2.Champion,Joe:ProducingPreciousMetalsatHome;1994,DiscoverPublishingP.O.Box67,WestboroWI54490);seealsoBockris,J.:FusionTechnology26:261,266(1994)

3.Conrad,Arnold:CaliforniaMiningJournal(February1973),p.13.

4.Doberer,K.K.:TheGoldmakers;1948,Nicholson&Watson,London.

5.Dolph,T.R.:Fate29(2),#311(February1976).

6.Garretson,Fred:OaklandTribune(Sat.,22March1980),p.A-7.

7.Hendricks,RuthL.:"Affidavit"(5November1975).

8.Melchanov,Andrew:ChicagoElite(January1980).

9.Moray,T.H.:I."RecoveryofMineralsfromLow-GradeOrebyHighEnergyBombardment";(68thNationalWesternMiningConf.(Denver,CO;4February1965);II.Hooper,W.J.:"StartlingPossibilitiesinArtificialTransmutation",p.5-7;III.Hendricks,RuthL.:"HistoryofResearchProject",p.8-9;IV.Rudolph,Th.E.:"StatisticalEvaluationResearchReport",p.10-12.

10.Olsen,Prof.L.M.:Financial&StatisticalEvaluation:RecoveryofMineralsfromLow-GradeOrebyHigh-EnergyBombardment.

11.Sherr,R.,etal.:PhysicalReview60(7):473-479(October1941).

12.Star(12February1980).

PartII

ModernArcana

Chapter3

TransmutationofCarbon

(1)G.Ohsawa&M.Kushi(2)M.Jovitschitsch(4)J.B.Hannay(5)S.Brown(6)References

Nuclearphysicistsbombardtargetswithhigh-energyparticlesinorder(orchaos)toprovetheschematicoftheirmindsetwithappropriateexperimentalresults.Inrecentyears,however,thediscoveryofcoldfusionhasquiteupsettheworldviewofconventionalphysicists,whogenerallydenythepossibilitythatNatureallowsforothermeansoftransmutation.Yet,thereisconsiderablehistoricalevidencethatmanytypesoftransmutationshavebeenaccomplishedwithoutparticleaccelerators,longbeforePonsandFleischmanannouncedtheirdiscoveryofcoldfusion.Thereissomuchcredibledocumentationoflow-energytransmutationthat,inthewordsofRupertGould,"diditrelatetoanymoreprobableevent,weshouldbecompelledeithertoacceptitorceaseputtinganyfaithinrecordedtestimony."

Amongthemanyexamplesthatcanbecited,"biologicaltransmutation"isthebestdevelopedandwellknown.Aboutfortyyearsago,Dr.LouisKervranpresentedtheideathatsodium,potassium,anddozensofotherelementschangeintoeachotherundercertainnaturalconditionsinthemineral,vegetable,andanimalkingdoms.Biologicaltransmutationshavebeendemonstrated,crucialexperimentsreplicated,andthetheoreticalprinciplesverifiedbymanyscientistswhoarefindingnewindustrial,medicalandagriculturalapplicationsofthediscoveries.

(1)GeorgeOhsawa&MichioKushi

InspiredbythepioneeringworkofDr.Kervran,Dr.GeorgeOhsawasoughttotransmutesodiumintopotassiuminvitro.Themethodrevealeditselftohiminasymbolicdream.Thusinspired,Dr.OhsawaandMichioKushi,etal.,constructedanexperimentalelectricdischargetubewithcopper(Yin)andiron(Yang)electrodesandavalvethroughwhichtodrawavacuumoradmitoxygen(Fig.3.1).ThefirsttransmutationwiththisequipmentwasachievedonJune21,1964.Afterapplying60wattsofelectricityfor30minutestoheatsodiumtoaplasma,amolarequivalentofoxygenwasintroduced.Viewedwithaspectroscope,theorangebandofsodiumgavewaytotheblueofpotassium,accordingtotheformula:

Na23+O16=K39

Analysisofthereactionproductconfirmedtheresultandrevealedanunexpectedextra:atraceofgoldwasproducedbythecombinationofNa,O,andKwiththeCuandFeelectrodes.Severaldifferentmetalsweretestedaselectrodematerials.Neonandargonatmosphereswerefoundtoenhancetheyieldofpotassiumandotherelements.Externalheatingofthereactiontubealsoservedtoionizethesodium.

Dr.LouisKervrannotedtheseexperimentsinhisbookTransmutationsAFaibleEnergie:

"Professor[Masashiro]Torii,onacircuitdesignedbyProf.Sakurazawa,andunderthecontrolofProf.Odagiri,observedinthespectroscopethepassageofsodiumtopotassiumupontheadjunctionofasmallquantityofoxygentosodiumvapor...

"Prof.Torii[ofMusashinoInstituteofTechnology,Tokyo]hasinformedmeofhavingobservedon21June1963,inthespectroscope,thepassageofsodiumtopotassium,thedisappearanceoftheyellowlineofsodiumbeingreplacedbythered-violetrayof7699Aopotassium;theexperimentwasrepeatedJune22beforefivescientists...

"Intheproductionofsteelinelectricfurnaces,theincomprehensibleappearanceofboron[hasbeenobserved].Weseenowthatwecannotexclude,undertheeffectofapowerfulelectricfieldandofthehightemperatureofthesefurnaces,the'reduction'ofcarbonfromthelossofhydrogenandinkeepingwith:C-H=B...

"Theexperienceissimpletorealize,asitsufficestotakeaplateofsteel---orofiron--ananodeofmagnesium,placetheminajarcontainingdistilledwaterrenderedconductivebyasaltofmagnesium---inordernottointroduceanymetallicionotherthanmagnesium,andthesetwoelectrodesarereunitedbyametalwire,totheexteriorofthejar;thustheyrealize(inpart)abatterywithmagnesiumatthenegative,ironaspositive;throughtheproductionofhydrogenattheelectrode,magnesiumisatapotentialof1.9voltsmorenegativethaniron.Leaveit

fortwoorthreemonths;fromtimetotimeaddalittledistilledwaterinordertocompensateforevaporation.Onanalysis,calciumisobtained...inanoperationinwhichcalciumwasnotintroduced!"

Thecalcium(asoxide)accumulatesinscalesonthecathode.

KushiandOhsawa,etal.,proceededtodeveloptheirprocessforindustrial-scaleproduction.Theyestimatedthatpotassiumcouldbemanufacturedfor1%ofthecurrentprice.InacorrespondencetoKenJones(12October1980),MichioKushistated:

"AfterGeorgeOhsawaandmyselfsucceededinproducingKoutofNaandO...wepresentedtheexperimenttoseveralchemicalcorporations.Atthattime,PfizerInternationalbecamemostactivelyinterested.Wehadconferencesonseveraloccasions;however,soonafterwedecidednottobecomeinvolvedwiththesecorporations,asaresultoftheconsiderationsofthevasteffectsthiswouldhaveontheindustry."

Theresearchersalsohadnopatentwithwhichtoprotecttheirinterests.OhsawaandKushithenturnedtheirattentiontothemanufactureofsteelbytransmutationofcarbonandoxygenaccordingtotheformula:

2(C12+O16)=2Si28=Ni56=Fe56

Theexperimentalarrangementsworkedaspredicted,andproducedseveralotherelementsfromcombinationsofCandOwithatmosphericnitrogen,etc:

"TheFeproducedbythistransmutationisstainless;itdoesnotrusteasily.AlsoitreactsmuchlesstoheatthandoesordinaryFe...AllresultsofthetransmutationforFehavebeencarefullyexaminedandanalyzedbyseveralmethods,as:(1)magneticinspection,(2)spectroscopicanalysis,(3)chemicalanalysis,(4)examinationbyreagents,etc,andconfirmedbyauthoritativetestingagencies.

"ThenewformofironwascalledGOS(GeorgeOhsawaSteel).Theexperimentalmethodisasfollows:

"Method1:TransmutationinAir[Fig.3.2]---Twographitecrucibles(approx2.5"x5")covereachothertopandbottom.Theuppercruciblehasa10mmHole,surroundedbyaceramicring,whichactsasaninsulator.Intothisholeacarbonrod(0.25"diam)isinserteduntilitreachesthe2or3gramsofcarbonpowderplacedatthebottomofthelowercrucible,whichhasoneortwosmallholesatthelowerpartofitssidewallforcirculationofair.Anironbaseplacedunderthelowercrucibleactsasanotherelectricpole.Asthecarbonrodapproachesthepowder,theelectricarcarises.Continuingtheoperationfor20to30minutes,thecarbonpowderchangestoiron.Inthisexperiment,theappliedelectricityisabout35to50volts/8to18amps,eitherACorDC.

"Method2:TransmutationinWater---Usingtwocarbonrods(0.25"diam.),createanelectricarcbetweenthem,strikingthemononeanotherinwater.Thisoperationisperformedfor1to5seconds.Then,brown-blackmetallicpowder(whichcontainsiron)fallsdowntothebottomofthewater.

"Method3:TransmutationinAir---Carbonpowderisplacedonacopperplate,approximately12"long,6"wide,and0.5"thick.Thisplateworksasanelectricalground.Acarbonrod(0.25"diam.)usedastheotherelectricalpole,isstruckrepeatedlytothecarbonpowderontheplate,producinganelectricarc.Thecarbonpowderchangesintoiron.

"Duringtheprocessofthistransmutation,nickelistemporarilyproducedasashort-livedradioactiveisotope.ThedegreeoftransmutationfromCandOisapproximately5%to20%immediately,withalargerpercentoftransmutationoccurringgraduallyintheair,whichhastheeffectofcoolingthemetallicpowdertobelowroomtemperature."

Inanotherexperimentalconfiguration(Fig.3.3),thereactionwascooledbydryice.Whensparkedwithcarbonrods,theCO2vaporsalsoyieldediron,etc.

In1994,R.SundaresanandJ.Bockris(TexasA&M)reportedthattheyhadobserved"AnomalousReactionsDuringArcingBetweenCarbonRodsInWater:

"Spectroscopicallypurecarbonrodsweresubjectedtoacarbonarcinhighlypurifiedwater.Thearccurrentvariedfrom20to25Aandwaspassedintermittentlyforseveralhours.Theoriginalcarboncontained~2ppmFe.TheCrodsremainedcooltothetouchat>2cmfromtheirtips.Adsorptionofironfromwaterorthesurroundingatmospherewasestablishedasnotbeingthecauseoftheincreaseofiron.Thereisaweakcorrelationbetweentheironformedandthetimeofpassageofcurrent.

"WhendissolvedO2wasreplacedbyN2inthesolution,noironwasformed.Hence,themechanism

26C12+28O

18=26Fe56+2He

4

wassuggestedastheoriginoftheiron.Theincreaseintemperatureofthesolutionwasconsistentwithexpectationbasedonthisreaction."

Alsoin1994,anothergroupofresearchers(M.Singh,etal.)attheBhabhaAtomicResearchCentre(Bombay)reportedtheir"VerificationoftheG.OhsawaExperimentforAnomalousProductionofIronfromCarbonArcinWater:

"Adirectcurrentarcwasrunbetweenultrapuregraphiteelectrodesdippedinultrapurewaterfor1-20hours.ThegraphiteresiduecollectedatthebottomofthewatertroughwasanalyzedforFecontentbyaconventionalspectrographicmethod...TheFecontentwasfairlyhigh,dependingonthedurationofthearcing...TheresultsshowedlargevariationsinFecontent(50to2000ppm)intheCresidue.Inthesecondseriesofexperiments...withthewatertroughfullycovered,theamountofFeinthecarbonresiduedecreasedsignificantly(20-100ppm).Herealsotherewerelargevariationsintheironconcentrationintheresidue,althoughtheexperimentswereperformedunderidenticalconditions.WhetherFeisreallybeingsynthesizedthroughtransmutationfromCandOassuggestedbyGeorgeOhsawaorisgettingconcentratedtodifferentdegreesthroughsomeotherphenomenonisnotcurrentlyclear.TheFeintheCresiduewasalsoanalyzedbymassspectroscopyfortheabundanceofvariousisotopes...BesidesFe,thepresenceofotherelementslikeSi,Ni,Al,andCrwasalsodeterminedintheCresidue,

anditwasfoundthatthevariationoftheirconcentrationsfollowedthesamepatternasthatofFe."

In1996,KenjinSasakireportedhissuccessfulexperimentalreplicationofthecarbonarcproductionofiron.Heuseda99.9999%puregraphitecrucibleandrodwitha100V/10Aelectricwelder.Thecruciblewascooled.Thearc(8-10A)struckhigh-puritycarbonpowder4timesfor1minuteeachtime.Theyieldofironwasrecoveredwithamagnet.FurtherexperimentsconductedbyC.Akbar(KushiResearchInstitute)"indicatethatvoltagepotentialandcurrentdensityareimportantintheformationofironinchemicallypurecarbon."

TobyGrotzalsoconductedthisexperimentandreportedtheresultsindetailin1996.Hetestedactivatedcharcoal,activatedcarbon,andcoal.Noironwasproducedfromcharcoal,butactivatedcarbondidyieldmagneticmaterial.Testswereperformedwithcopperandaluminumplatesandrodstoeliminatethepossibilitythatthecarbonrodandcopperplatemightbereleasingiron:

"Thisamount[0.22gr]ofironisanorderofmagnitudelessthanthatwhichoccursnaturallyinthesample...Theexcessweightappearstobeduetomagneticmaterialthatispartoforencasedinparticlesofcarbon...Thereisapointatwhichnomoremagneticmaterialmayberemovedfromthesampleusingthearcdischargeprocess.Itisproposedherethatthehighcurrentdensityofthearcdischargemagnetizesmagneticmaterialthatexistswithintheparticlesoftheactivatedcarbon.Thisthenallowsseparationofthemagneticmaterialfromthesampleusingamagnet..."

J.Bockrisandassociatesreplicatedtheexperimentusingtheunderwaterarcingmethod,andfoundonlymicrogramamountsofironafter24hours.Whentheexperimentwasrepeatedwiththereactionvesselcoveredtoexcludeair,noironwasfound.

ThoseresultssuggestthatatleastsomeofthereportedyieldsofironmightbeduetothearccoagulatingORMEs(OrbitallyRearrangedMonoatomicElements)existingintheEarth'satmosphere.ORMEsarevirtuallyundetectablebyallconventionalmethodsexceptinfraredanalysis,whichcandistinguishacertaincharacteristicdoublet.AsDavidHudsondiscoveredinthe1980s,ORMEscanbeconvertedtometallicformbycertainprocessesinvolvingcarbonornitrogen,whichareusedtoinsertanelectroninthedorbitalshelloftheatoms.ThecompleteprocessisdescribedinhisAustralianpatent.

Dr.JosephMcKibbenhaspublishedhissuggestionthatthetransmutativeproductionofironfromcarbonmaybeduetowhathecallsasubquarkparticle,whichhasamassofabout1.15nucleons:

"Thesubquark,whenattachedthe4Heseemedtometobeanidealcandidateforanidealcatalyticagent."

Inthe1980s,MichioKushiresumedhisexperimentswiththe"aimoffindingmethodsofmassproduction":

"AtthattimeIshallbeabletoconsiderhowtopresenttotheworldthetransmutationoftheatomusingtheprinciplesofYinandYangforthefutureworldindustry.

"Thetransmutationoftheatomcanbeachievedifelementsarechangedintothestateofplasma,andiftheseelementsarewellunderstoodintheirantagonisticandcomplementaryrelationstootherelements,accordingtotheprinciplesofYinandYang.

"Theatomicnumber,mass,density,andgravity,physicalreactiontotemperaturesuchasmeltingandboilingpoints,chemicalreactionstootherelements,reactionstospecificenvironmentalfactors,suchasultravioletandinfraredwavelengthsappliedtotheelements,aswellasspectroscopiccoloranalysis---allofthesecharacteristicsoftheatomcancontributetoclassifytheatomintotheYingrouporYanggroup...

"NothingissolelyYinorYang:everythinginvolvespolarity.Thereisnothingneuter.EitherYinorYangisinexcessineveryoccurrence.LargeYinattractssmallYin;largerYangattractssmallYang.Atextremes,YinproducesYang,andYangproducesYin.AllphysicalformsandobjectsareYangatthecenterandYinatthesurface."

"Hydrogen,thecenteroftheatomicspiral,isYang.Itgathersparticlestoitself,formingthefirstoctaveofcreation.Theconditionsbecomeapparentuponstudyingthemeltingandboilingpointsofthefirsteightelements.

"Withinthefirstoctave,thegreatestattractionisbetweencarbonandoxygen,whichrepresentYinandYangrespectively.Itisthefugateinteractionofthesetwothatformtheotherelements.Carbonisoftenreplacedbyboron.IntermsofYinandYang,thesearelikebrothersinthattheyreactinsimilarwaysinformingnewelements."

SinceGeorgeOhsawaandMichioKushiconductedtheirinitialexperimentsinthe1970s,severalotherresearchershavereportedthesameresultsandmore,thankstomodernanalyticalequipment,computers,andcommunication.Theworldsoflow-energytransmutationshavebecomemuchmoreaccessibletous.Newdiscoveriesarebeingreportedatanincreasingrateinthescientificliterature,particularlycoldfusionandbiologicaltransmutations.Perhapswithinafewdecadesweshallseethemassproductionofelementsondemand.(1,7,10-18,22,23)

TheFugateofCarbon

1(C+O)=Si5(C+O)=Ce2(C+O)=Fe6(C+O)=Er3(C+O)=Kr7(C+O)=Pt4(C+O)=CdAfterPttheelementsbecomeincreasinglyYin

ClassificationYinYang

TendencyExpansionContractionPositionOutwardInwardStructureSpaceTimeColorPurpleRedTemperatureColdHot

WeightLightHeavyCatalystWaterFireAtomicElectronProtonElementsK,O,P,Ca,NH,As,Cl,Na,C

(2)MiloradJovitschitsch

In1908,MiloradZ.Jovivitsch(Bergau-AkademieinBelgrad)publishedtwouniquearticlesinthejournalMonatschriftfurChemie,describing"TheMysteriousDeficiencyofCarbonintheCondensationProductsfromEthyleneandAcetylene."

Jovivitschhadbeenexperimentingwithelectricaldischargesinthesegases,followingthemethodsusedbyBerthelot.Thelatterhadshownthattheactionofasilentelectricdischargeuponsaturatedorunsaturatedhydrocarbonswillsplitoffhydrogenandproducecondensationproducts.(4,6,12)

Jovivitschintroducedpuredryethyleneoracetyleneandoxygenintoanozonizercontainingcopperoxide,andelectrifiedthemixturewith100volts/3ampsfor3daysand2nights.Hisanalysisoftheresultingcompoundsshowedadeficiencyinthetheoreticalamountofcarbonandhydrogen,andanexcessofoxygen.Severaldeterminationsofthecarbonandhydrogentakentogetherindicateda7%deficiencyintheethylenereactionproduct,anda22%deficiencyinthecaseofacetylene.

Berthelothadaccountedfortheselossesbyattributingthemtooxygenabsorptionfromtheatmosphere.Jovivitschexcludedthatpossibilitybyemployingpuregases,andheimmediatelypreservedtheproductsinhermeticallysealedtubes.Therewaspracticallynopossibilityofabsorbinganysignificantamountofatmosphericoxygen.Healsodeterminedthatthecondensedethylenelosesnocarbononexposuretoair,andthatthecondensedacetyleneremainsunchangedaftermanyweeks.Comparativeanalysisofthereactionproductspreservedintubesandthoseexposedtoairshowedthemtobeincloseagreement.

Jovivitschattemptedtoexplainthescientificriddleofthischemicalanomalybyattributingiteithertoexperimentalerrororthetransformationofelements.Becausehetookgreatcareandmadeverypreciseanalyses,Jovivitschwasconvincedthatatransmutationhadoccurred.Hisopinionwasreinforcedbythefactthatthecondensationproductswereradioactive.

(3)M.E.DeBoismenu

In1913,theFrenchengineerM.E.DeBoismenu,thedirectorofanelectriccarbidefurnaceplantinParis,announcedtheissuanceofhispatentforaveryeasynewmethodtoproduceartificialdiamondsinanelectricfurnace.Thelargestspecimensproducedatthattimewas2-1/2millimetersindiameter;itwas"cutwith32facetswithremarkabledexterity."

Thefurnacewasbuiltofrefractorybrickandhadtwocarbonelectrodes(6-1/2"diam.),oneofwhichcouldbeadjustedmanually.Thebedwaspackedwithamixtureofpowderedlimeandcarbon;thiswasfoundtobethebestwaytosupportatrough,madeoffusedcalciumcarbide(CaC),inwhichthecarbonelectrodesoperated.Thetroughwasfilledwith8lbofCaCfragmentsandmelted(34V/800A/6hr).MoreCaCwaspiledonthetrough,andthewholewascoveredwithmoreofthelime-carbonmixture,andfinallywithrefractorybricks.Thefurnacewasrunforanother12hours.Thenegativepolebecamecoveredwithablackcarbonaceousdepositweighingabout700gr.Themasswassoakedinwaterandthediamondswerepickedout;theirsizevariedfrom1/2to2-1/2mmdiameter.Thelastreportedrunofthefurnace(12hr/700-800A/24-25V)producedoveradozendiamonds,someaslargeas1/10inchdiameter.Theywereindistinguishablefromnaturaldiamonds.(21)

AsimilarmethodwasdevelopedbyFelixSebba,achemicalengineerattheVirginiaPolytechnicInstitute&StateUniversity(Blacksburg,VA).HeimprovedonthetechniquedevelopedbyCharlesV.Burtonin1905(CdissolvedinmoltenPb-Ca,thencooled).Sebbadissolvedcalciumcarbideinmoltenlead.Steamat550oCwaspassedoverthemeltandreactedwiththeCa(butnotthePb),formingcalciumhydroxidewhichformsaslagonthesurface.Someofthecarboncrystallizesasdiamonds.Althoughthesemethodsarenottransmutations,theycertainlyaremostinterestingallotropisms.(5,19)

LeaPottswasfeaturedinLifemagazine(March1993)forhisproductionofdiamondswithablowtorch.

(4)J.B.Hannay

In1880,J.B.HannayofGlasgowmadediamondsfromDippel'sOil,catalyzedbylithiummetalinthickirontubesatredheat.Theminuteyield(14mg)ofTypeBbluediamondsexhibitedallthecharacteristicsandpropertiesofnaturaldiamonds.Hannaywasattemptingtoproducenascentcarbon.HefoundthatwhencarbonisliberatedfromanitrogenoushydrocarboninthepresenceofLi,Na,MgorKatredheatandhighpressure,themetalhydrideisformed,andthecarbonreactswith(orisstabilizedby)thenitrogenandassumesdiamondform.NodiamondswerefoundinexperimentswithoutN.(8,9)

Dippel'sOilisanitrogenousby-productofthedrydistillationmanufactureofbonechar.TheprincipalN-ingredientispyridine.Theirontubeswere20"x4"o.d.x1/2"i.d..Mostofthemrupturedduringtheexperiments.

Thelargestyieldwasobtainedfromamixtureof"paraffinspiritboilingat75o[amixtureoflightparaffins],90%,togetherwith10%ofcarefullyrectifiedbone-oil[Dippel'sOil,bp115-150o];thesewereplacedwithmetallicLi(4gr)inanirontube"(20"x4"o.d.x1/2"i.d.)whichwasheatedtorednessfor14hours.Thetubesusuallyexploded,orthevaporsescapedthroughtheporousiron,orcombinedwithit.Only4experiments(outof34)weresuccessful.

InhisBakerianLecturefor1918,SirCharlesParsonsreportedthathehadrepeatedHannay'sexperimentswithoutsuccess.HedoubtedthatHannayhadmadegenuinediamonds.BannisterandLonsdale,however,obtainedsamplesofHannay'sdiamondsfromtheBritishMuseum;

X-rayanalysisshowedtheyaregenuine.(2,3,20)

Hannay'sapproachtodiamondsisinteresting,butitisnotfeasibleforindustrialapplication.Severalothermethodsofmanufacturingdiamondshavebeendevelopedsincethen,butnonearesosimpleasthetechniquedevelopedbyDeBoismenu.

(5)Dr.SamuelBrown

Dr.SamuelBrownpresentedareporttotheRoyalSocietyofEdinburginMay1841concerninghis"ExperimentalResearchesontheProductonofSiliconfromParacyanogen":

"Iventuretoannounce,astheresultofmyinquiries,thatcarbonandsiliconareisomericbodies,andthattheformerelementmaybeconvertedintoasubstancepresentingallthepropertiesofthelatter."

Dr.Brownpreparedparacyanogenandreacteditinvariouswaystoyieldresiduesofsilica.TheexperimentswerereplicatedbyDrGeorgeWilsonandJohnC.BrowninAugust1843.Althoughtheyobtainedresiduesofsilicainseveralruns(8.4grinonetest),itwasprobablyacontaminantinthepotassiumferrocyanide.Theystated:

"WetriedthegreaternumberofDrBrown'sprocesses,andrejectedthemoneafteranother,withoutpursuingtheirinvestigationfarther,onfindingtheywouldnotyieldquantitativeproofsoftheconversionofcarbonintosilicon...Inconclusionweneedscarcelysay,thatwehavebeenunabletosupplyanyproofofthetransmutabilityofcarbonintosilicon."

ProfLiebigalsoreportednegativeresults:

"WehaverepeatedalltheexperimentsofDrBrownontheproductionofsiliconfromparacyanogen,butwehavenotbeenabletoconfirmoneofhisresults.Whatourexperimentsproveis,thatparacyanogenisdecomposedbyastrongheatintonitrogengas,andaresidueofcharcoal,whichisexceedinglydifficultofcombustion."(24)

(6)References

1.Anonymous:TheOrderoftheUniverse3(10):12,14-17.

2.Bannister,F.A.,&Lonsdale,K.:Nature151(#3829):334-335(20March1943);"Lab.Synth..."

3.Bannister,F.A.,&Lonsdale,K.:MineralogicalMag.26:315-325(1941-43);"AnX-RayStudy..."

4.Berthelot:Ber.d.DeutschenGes.15:988(1882).

5.Burton,CharlesV.:Nature72(#1869):1(24August1905);"ArtificialDiamonds"

6.ChemicalAbstracts2(1):1410(20May1908).

7.Gardiner,Bruce:East-WestJournal(February1975),p.15.

8.Hannay,J.B.:Proc.RoyalSoc.London30:461(1880);ibid.,32:407(1881)

9.Hannay,J.B.:ChemicalNews86:173(1902)

10.Grotz,T.:Fulcrum4(3):6-10(Oct.,1996).

11.Harris,P.M.:Unpublishedlabnotes(March1965).

12.Jovivitsch,MiloradZ.:Monatschriftf.Chemie29:1-4,5-14(1908).

13.Kervran,Louis:TransmutationsAFaibleEnergie;1964,Libr.Maloine,Paris;ibid.,PreuvesRelativesAl'ExistencedeTransmutationsBiologiques(1968);ibid.,TransmutationsBiologiquesenAgronomie(1970);ibid.,BiologicalTransmutations;1972,SwanHouse,NY,&c...

14.Kushi,Michio:East-WestJournal(February1975),pp.22-26.

15.Kushi,Michio:KushiInstituteStudyGuide#10:"AtomicTransmutation".

16.Mallove,E.:InfiniteEnergy,March-April1996(#7).

17.McKibben,JosephL.:InfiniteEnergy#11(Nov.-Dec.1996),p.37

18.Ohmori,T.&Enyo,M.:J.NewEnergy1(1):15-22(1996).

19.Peterson,Ivars:Nature(3August1985),p.75;"DiamondsinNature"

20.Parsons,SirCharlesA.:Proc.RoyalSoc.London220-A:67--93(1918)

21.ScientificAmerican(7June1913),p.515;"ANewWayofMakingDiamonds"

22.Singh,M.,etal.:FusionTechnology26:266(Nov.,1994).

23.Sundaresan,R.&Bockris,J.:FusionTechnology26:261(Nov.,1994).

24.Mackenzie,J.:Chemistry&Industry(22Sept1945),p.290-292;"TheSadStoryofDrSBrown..."

FigureII.3.1

TheOhsawa-KushiTransmutationofCarbon

PartII

ModernArcana

Chapter4

DecompositionofTungstentoHelium

(1)G.Wendt&C.Irion(2)References

(1)GeraldWendt&ClarenceIrion

GeraldL.WendtandClarenceE.Irion(UniversityofChicago)reportedtheir"ExperimentalAttemptstoDecomposeTungstenatHighTemperatures"toameetingoftheAmericanChemicalSocietyinIllinoisinApril1922.(4,5)

WendtandIrionclaimedtohavecompletelydisintegratedtungstenwireintoheliumbymeansofahigh-voltagedischargeinglassbulbs.Inthemeanof21experiments,1.01ccofheliumwasobtainedfromawirelengthof39.62mmwithaweightof0.713mg,explodedwith29.6kilovolts.Theprocedureconsistedofchargingacondensorto100Kvanddischargingitathighspeedthroughanextremelyfinewire.Theresultingexplosiongeneratedapressureofabout1,000lb/in2andatemperatureover50,000oF.Themethodintroducedasmuchasacoulombofelectricityintothetungstenwirewithin1/300,000thofasecond.Theaccompanyingflashoflightwasabout200timesasbrightassunlight,andlastedlessthan1/100,000ofasecond.Nosmokeorotherresiduewaseverfoundaftertheexplosions.

WendtandIriondescribedtheelectricalcircuitandbulb(Fig.4.1,4.2)asfollows:

"Theprimarycircuitofthetransformer,T,operatesona220-voltalternatingcurrentpowerlinethroughaninductiveresistance,E.Inordertopreventadestructiveback-pulseintothepowerlineshouldthechargedcondenseraccidentallybedischargedthroughthesecondarycircuit

ofthetransformer,2condensersof1microfaradcapacityeacharebridgedacrosstheprimarycircuitwithagroundconnection,asshownatA.Theprimarycircuitwasheavyenoughtocarry40amperesduringthebriefperiodnecessarytochargethelargecondenser;thesecondarycircuitfurnished100,000voltsthoughordinarilyonlysome30,000wereused.Thesecondarycircuitwasconnectedtothetwosidesofthelargecondenser,C,onesideleadingthroughthehotcathode'kenotron'rectifier,R,whichwasespeciallydesignedforheavyserviceandalargefactorofsafety.Itscathodefilamentwasheatedbythebatteryofdrycells,B.Thedischargecircuitledfromthetwosidesofthecondenserandcontainedonlythesparkgap,S,andthewiretobeexploded,H.Thisdischargecircuitwasmadeasshortandcompactaspossible,ofheavycopperstrip,inordertoreduceresistanceandinductancetoaminimumandthusallowarapidandnon-oscillatingdischargethroughthewireintheminimumtime,thusconcentratingtheenergyinputandgivingthemaximumtemperatureinthematerialtothewire.Togivemaximumcapacityandholdmaximumvoltagethecondenserwasbuiltof100glassplates60by75cmcoveredwithheavytinfoilandcastintosolidparaffinwithagapof5mmbetweenplates.Thecondensershowedbrushingattheedgesoftheplatesat30,000voltsbutheld45,000voltswithoutpuncturing.Thecapacitywasabout0.1microfarad.Thesparkgapconsistedoftwo2cmbrassspheres,theirseparationadjustabletothemaximumvoltageofthecondenser.Itsuseisimportantsinceitistheonlymeansforprotectingthecondenserfromexcessivechargebythetransformer,andforinsuringacompleteandsharpdischargeatthepropermoment.

"Tungstenwaschosenforthematerialofthewiretobeexplodedchieflybecauseitshighatomicweightmadeitsdecompositionprobableonthehypothesisadopted,andalsobecauseitishardenoughtoallowconvenientmanipulationandsupporteveninexcessivelythinwires.Thewireswere0.035mmindiameter,about4cmlongandweighed0.5to0.7mg.TheyhadsufficientstrengthtobesprungintoplacebetweenthelargerelectrodesshowninFig.[4.2]withoutweldingorclamping.

"TheconstructionoftheexplosionbulbisshowninFig.[4.2].Ithasavolumeofabout300cc,andwasconstructedofheavyPyrexglasswithoutstrainandingoodsphericalform,foritwasrequiredtowithstandmomentarilyatremendousoutwardpressure.Thickbulbsinvariablybrokeduringtheexplosionbecauseofinsufficientelasticity.Thinbulbsmaybeusedisthebulbisimmersedinavesselofwater,whichgivessufficientsupporttogetherwithelasticity.Thelargeside-tubeistheneckatwhichthebulbwassealedfromthepumpsystemafterevacuation,andthroughwhichthewirewassprungintoplacebetweentheelectrodesbymeansofpincers.Thesmallersidetubecontainedathirdsealed-inelectrode,andservedforthespectroscopicexaminationofthegaswithin,oneoftheelectrodesbeingusedfortheotherterminaloftheexcitinginductioncoil.

"ThethreeelectrodeswereconstructedasisshownindetailinFig.[4.2].Bwastheelectrodeitself,madeof...#20tungstenwire.ThiswasfirmlysealeddirectlythroughthePyrexwallsinthemannershown,formechanicalstrength.TheentiresurfaceoftheelectrodeswasfirstcoveredwithathicklayerofPyrexglass,A.Thetipwasthencarefullygroundoffuntilthetungstenwasexposed.Thenahole,C,wasdrilledintheendwitha#80drill,0.343mmindiameter,theholebeinglessthan0.76mmdeep,toreceivethefinewireforexplosion.Theelectrodeswerethensealedintothebulb.Thismethodofsealingintheelectrodeshadthetwopurposesofexcludingthechanceofleakageofairinwardthroughthesealafterevacuationandofpreventingtheliberationofgasfromtheseelectrodesbytheheatingeffectoftheexplosionitself.Withsuchelectrodesonlythesurfacesofthethreesmallholeswereexposedtotheeffectsoftheexplosions,andoneofthese,inthespectroscopiccapillary,wasfarremovedfromthesceneoftheexplosion.Insomeoftheearlyexplosionsbrasselectrodeswereusedweldedtoatungstenwiresealedthroughtheglass.

"Thebulbwasvacuum-evacuatedfor15hoursbyamechanicalpumpandtwomercury-vapordiffusionpumpsinserieswithaliquid-airtraptocaptureanymercuryvapor.Thebulbwassupportedinafurnaceandheatedtoabove350oCtodriveoffanygasescontainedintheglass,andout-gassedcoconutcharcoal(immersedinliquidair)wasemployedinlinetoabsorbgasesjustpriortosealingthebulb.Inaddition,about0.2amperesfromabatterywaspassedthroughtheelectrodesandthefilamenttoheatthemabove2000oCfor15hourstodriveoffanyotherabsorbedgases.Bulbspreparedinthismannershowednospectrum,florescence,orconductance."

Afterthewirewasexploded,spectroscopicanalysisofthegasrevealedthestrongyellowlineofhelium,andthefaintgreenlineofmercury.Otherfaintlinesweredetectedbutnotidentified:twored,onebrightblue,andonepaleviolet.Onsomeoccasions,twounidentifiedfaintyellowlinesandasecondvioletlineweredetected.Hydrogenandneonwereabsent.WendtandIrioncommented:

"Theappearanceofheliumandtheabsenceofhydrogenisinterestingfortworeasons.Inthefirstplace,itseemstodisposeoftheobjectionthattheheliumarosefromgasremaininginthewire,forinthatcasehydrogenshouldalsohavebeenvisible,foritwasprobablyoriginallypresentinthewireinmuchlargerquantitythanwashelium.Inthesecondplace,iftheheliumdoesarisefromadecompositionofthetungstenatoms,theabsenceofhydrogenisalsointerestingbecausetheatomicweightoftungstenisexactly46timestheatomicweightofhelium,andRutherfordwasalsounabletodetecthydrogenfromthebombardmentwitha-raysofcarbon,oxygen,magnesium,silicon,andsulfur,whoseweightsaremultiplesof4,thoughhediddetectitwithboron,nitrogen,fluorine,sodium,phosphorusandaluminum,whoseweightsarenotsuchmultiples."(2,3)

Thepossibilitythatheliumcouldhavebeenpresentinthetungstencouldhavebeenexcludedbyexplodingthewireusingagreaterinductancetoobtainaslowerexplosionatalowertemperature,givingcompletevaporizationwithoutdecomposition.However,therewasnotenoughtimeavailabletoconductsuchtests.Thevacuummethodofpreparingthetubesrigorouslyexcludedcontamination,butdidnotallowthecollection,measurementandanalysisofthegasproduced.Therefore,WendtandIrionalsoconductedexplosionsincarbondioxideatatmosphericpressureinslightlymodifiedbulbs;thisenabledthemtostudytheheliumtheyproduced.Thecarbondioxidewascarefullypurifiedandblank-tested.Thismethodalsoexcludedthepossibilityofcontaminationfromleakageofairintothebulbs,orbythereleaseofgasfromtheglassbulbortheelectrodes,becausetheexplosionwastoorapidtoliberateanyheliumfromthosesourcesbyheatfromthetungstenvapor.Thebriefdurationofthehightemperaturecouldnotcausethecarbondioxidetodecomposeintocarbonmonoxideandoxygen,andthescientistsperformedpertinentteststoprovethepoint.

Unfortunately,theAssociatedPresswidelypublishedanexaggeratedaccountofthe"transmutation"experiment,basedontheoralpresentationwhichWendtandIrionhadmadetotheAmericanChemicalSocietyinApril,1922.InafootnotetotheirarticlepublishedintheJournaloftheACS(September1922),theyemphasizedthat,"thisreportispreliminary,andthatnothingisprovedbeyondtheimportanceoftheproblemandthepromiseofthismethod...Forthesakeofclarityitissuggestedthatthetermdisintegrationbereservedforthespontaneousprocessesofradio-activity,thatdecompositionbeappliedtothesplittingofcomplexatomsintosimplerparts,andthattransmutationbeunderstoodtoimplysomedegreeofsynthesisofatomicnuclei."

WendtandIrionplannedacompeteanalysisofthegastheycollected,butthesamplewaslostinanaccident."Thentheworkwasstoppedbythefailureofhealthoftheseniorauthor..."Twoyearslater,S.K.AllisonandWilliamHarkinsreportedinconclusivenegativeresultsfromtheirversionoftheexperiment.ScientificAmericanmagazine,however,sponsoredatestoftheexperimentandpublishedthesuccessfulresults!Theissueremainsunresolvedtothisday.(1)

(2)References

1.Allison,S.K.&Harkin,WilliamD.:J.Amer.Chem.Soc..46(4):814-824(April1924)"TheAbsenceofHefromtheGasesleftafterthePassageofElectricalDischarges:I,BetweenFineWiresinaVacuum;II,ThroughHydrogen;III,ThroughHgVapor"

2.Rutherford,SirErnest:Nature109(2735):418(1April1922);"DisintegrationofElements""

3.Rutherford,E.:Science55(1425):422-423(21April1922);"DisintegrationofElements"

4.Wendt,GeraldL.&Irion,ClarenceE.:J.Amer.Chem.Soc.44(9):1887-1894(September1922);"ExperimentalAttemptstoDecomposeTungstenatHighTemperatures"

5.Wendt,G.E.:Science55(1430):567-568(21April1922);"TheDecompositionofTungsten"

FigureII.4.1

FigureII.4.2

PartII

ModernArcana

Chapter5

TransmutationofLead

(1)A.Smits&A.Karssen(2)References

(1)ArthurSmits&A.Karssen

Prof.ArthurSmitsandDr.A.Karssen(Univ.ofAmsterdam)publishedreportsoftheirallegedtransmutationofleadintomercuryandthalliumin1924.TheirworkwasinspiredbythatofProf.Miethe,whoclaimedtohavetransformedmercuryintogoldinamodifiedJaenickemercuryultravioletlamp.(4,5)

Thelampwasconstructedofleadquartz.Twolegs(A,B),endinginnarrowtubes,containtwosteelelectrodescementedwithsealingwax.Theelectrodeswereinsertedintwosmallremovablecopperwatercoolers(G,H).PureliquidleadwaspouredintostoragevesselC,afterwhichtheopenendwassealedoff.Theleadwaskeptliquidat350oCbyanelectricfurnacearoundC.TubeDcontainedcapillaryFandterminatedinstopcockK,whichwasconnectedtoamercurydiffusionpump(Fig.5.1).

Whenahighvacuumwasattained,vesselCwasfurtherheatedwithaBunsenburnertodissociatealltheoxideandgases.StopcockKwasthenclosedanddisconnectedfromthepump.Theapparatuswastiltedsotheliquidleadranintothetwolegs(A,B)ofthelamp.Thelegsofthelampwereheatedtorednesstodriveoffthegasesfromtheelectrodes,andthelampwasevacuatedagain.Thencopperwatercoolerswereplacedaroundthelegs,andthelampwasreadytouse.Attheendoftheexperiment,theliquidleadwasreturnedtovesselC,whichwascontinuouslyheated.TheleadwasspeciallypreparedandpurifiedbythefirmofKahlbaumofBerlintopreventeverycontamination,especiallymercury.

Theexperimentwasmonitoredwithaquartzspectroscope.Afteracurrentof30-35amperes/8voltswaspassedthroughthesystemfor6hours,afewmercurylinesbegantoappearinthespectrum.After10hours,theentireseriesoflinesofmercury,plusthoseofthallium,wereapparentinthevisibleandultravioletspectrum.

In1926,SmitsandKarssenreportedfurtherdevelopmentsoftheirexperimentalprotocol.Thelampwasredesigned,andthemercurydiffusionpumpwasreplacedbyamechanicalpumptoeliminatethepossibilityofcontaminationfromthatsource.Theuseofamercurymanometerwasavoidedbyemployingaglassspringmanometer.Alltheequipmentwasexaminedwithaspectroscopetomakecertainitwasfreefrommercuryandthallium.Theydescribedtheirmethodasfollows:

"Afterfillingthestoragevessel,thelampandtheleadwereheatedinhighvacuumtoredness.Theleadoxidebeingdissociated,theliquidleadwasasbrilliantasmercury.Thentheleadwasbroughtintothelamp,andafterignitionthespectrumwasobservedat25V/36A,byaHilgerquartz-spectrograph.Further,thespectrumofaquartzmercurylampwasobserved,andalsothescaleinsuchawaythat,tofacilitatecomparison,thedifferentspectrawereadjacent.Thusweobtainedthespectrumoftheleadinitsinitialstate.Afterthatweburnedthelampat40A/80Vfor10hours.Afterhavingdonethistheleadwaspouredintothestoragevesseltoobtainthoroughmixing;theleadwasthenbroughtintothelampagain,andafterignitionthespectrumwasobservedat25V/36A.Theresultwasthat,whilstinitiallytheleadspectrumshowedonlyveryweaklythemercuryline2536intheultra-violet,after10hours'burningthestrongestmercurylineshadappearedinthevisibleaswellasintheultra-violetpartofthespectrum,andalsothemostcharacteristicthalliumline,indicatingatransmutationofleadintomercuryandthallium.

"Sinceourexperimentsshowedthatahighcurrentdensityisveryfavourabletothistransformation,weusedcurrentsupto60A,butthatseemedtobedangerous,becauseonlybyintensiveaircoolingcouldmeltingofthequartz-lampbeprevented.

"Wethoughtitbetter,therefore,tochangeourmethodalittle,byapplyingnotacontinuouselectricalcurrentbutsparksofhighcurrentdensities...Whilethelampwaskeptoscillatingbyamechanicalarrangement...acurrentofhigh-density[60-100A]wasbreakingandmaking...Thismethodwasverysuccessful...After9-1/4hours'sparkingallmercurylines,eventheveryweakones,werepresent...

"This,however,doesnotyetprovethetransmutationtobestrong,asitisknownthatarelativelystrongquantityofmercurycancausethespectrumofanotherelementtodisappear.Butatalleventsourspectrashowinaveryconvincingwaythetransmutationofleadintomercury..."

Theresearchersalsoconductedexperimentswithanitrogenatmosphereatvariouspressuresandaliquiddielectric(carbondisulfide)with100kv/2milliamperesfor12hours.Themercurywaschemicallydetectedastheiodide.Similarresultswereobtainedwith160kv/10-20milliamps.Insixsuchexperiments,0.1-0.2mgofmercurywasrecovered.TheresearcherssuspectedthattheCS2hadcontainedatraceofsomeorganicmercurycompound.Positiveresultswerestillobtained,however,evenafterithadbeenthoroughlypurified.

Smitsofferedthisexplanationforthetransmutations:

"Inthecaseofthetransmutationofleadintomercury,theinactiveisotopeshavingtheatomicweights206,208and210,wemayassume,forexample,thattheisotope206suffersatransmutationgivinganisotopeofmercury:

Pb-a=Hg

201-4=202

82-2=80

"Butwemayalsoassumethattheotherisotopes208and210undergoatransmutation.Inthatcaseweobtain:

Pb-2a-2q=Hg

208-4=202

82-2=80,and:

Pb-2a-2q=Hg

208-8=200

82-4+2=80

"Inthecaseofthetransmutationofleadintothalliumwecanassume,forexample,thefollowingprocess:

Pb-a-q=Tl

208-4=204

82-2+1=81

"Weseethatofthedifferenttransmutationpossibilities,[thefirst]ismostsimple.Moreover,Isuspectedthisprocesscouldbeexpectedfirst,asleadistheend-productofthespontaneousradioactivetransformations...Thebestmethodoflearningthenatureofthetransmutationistoexaminespectroscopicallywhethertheprocessisaccompaniedbytheformationofheliumorhydrogen,andtodeterminetheatomicweightsoftheheavierproducts...

"Whileusingtheoldquartz-leadlamp,negativeresultswereobtainedonlyifthecurrentstrengthwaslowerthan15amperes,butnow,withournewlamps...spectroscopicallynegativeresultswerefoundevenusing60amperes.Thelampshoweddistinctlydifferentpropertiesinburningandsparking.Thisprovesthatthephenomenatakingplaceinthequartz-leadlampdependoninfluencesunknownuntilnow,sothattransmutationinthequartz-leadlampisnotsoeasytoreproduceasweexpected."(2)

In1926,A.C.DaviesandFrankHortonreportedthattheyhadbeenunsuccessfulintheirattemptstoreplicatetheSmits-Karssenexperiments.Theyofferedthesespeculations:

"Inthecaseofthetransmutationoflead(82)intomercury(80),thechangemayoccureitherbytheintermediateproductionofthalliumbyoneoftheprocessesalreadysuggested[viz,"theentryofanelectroninto,orbytheremovalofaprotonfrom,thenucleusofthemercuryatom."],andthesubsequentconversionofthethalliumintomercurybyasecondsimilarprocess,oritcanoccurasaone-stagechangebytheejectionfromtheleadnucleusofeitheronedoublychargedpositiveparticle(presumablyana-particle)ortwosinglychargedpositiveparticles(presumablyprotons)simultaneously.Iftheprocessoccursbytheintermediateproductionofthallium,onewouldexpecttofindevidenceofarelativelylargeamountofthalliumcomparedwiththeamountofmercuryproduced.Prof.Smitsdoesnotseemtohavefoundsuchaneffect,forherecordsstrongerevidenceoftheproductionofmercurythanoftheproductionofthallium...

"Whenatomsarebombardedbyelectrons,itispossiblethatinafewinstancesanelectronpenetrateswithintheKshellofextra-nuclearelectrons,thoughitiscertainlysurprisingthatthisispossibleinthecircumstancesoftheseexperiments.Whensuchapenetrationdoesoccur,theelectronwillbeattractedtowardsthenucleusandmaypossiblybeabsorbedbyit.Evenso,insomecasestheabsorptionofanelectronbythenucleusmayrenderthelatterunstableanddisruptionmayoccurwiththeejectionofaprotonandanelectron,eitherseparatelyortogether,inwhichcasethefinalchemicalstateofthedisturbedatomwillbethesameasiftheelectronhadbeenabsorbedbythenucleusandastableconditionattained."

Forsomeunknownreason,theseexplorationswerenotcontinued,andtheissuedisappearedfromthescientificliteratureafter1928.Thislineofresearchremainsopentoexploration,sincethequestionsitraisedremainunansweredtothisday.

(2)References

1.Anonymous:Science-Supplement62(1602):14(11Sept.1925);"TheTransmutationofLead";ibid.,63(1623):10(5Feb.1926);"TransmutationoftheElements"

2.Davies,A.C.,&Horton,Frank:Nature117(2935):152(30Jan.1926);"TheTransmutationofElements"

3.Nature117(2952):758-760(29May1926).

4.Smits,A.,&Karssen,A.:ScientificAmerican133(4):230,231(Oct.1925);"CrackingtheLeadAtom";ibid.,134(2):80,81(Feb.1926);"TheTransmutationofElements"

5.Smits,A.:Nature114(2869):609,610(25Oct.1924);"TransformationsofElements";ibid.,117(1931):13-15(2Jan.1926);ibid.,117(1948):620(1May1926);"TransmutationoftheElements";ibid.,Nature120(3022):475,476(1Oct.1027);"TransmutationofElements"

6.Thomassen,L.:Nature119(3005):813(4June1927);TransmutationofElements"

7.Smits,A.&Karssen,A.:DieNaturwissenschaften13(32):699(7August1925);"VorlaufigeMitteilungubereinenZerfalldesBleiatoms"

PartII

ModernArcana

Chapter6

TransmutationofHydrogen

(1)W.Ramsay,etal.(2)References

(1)WilliamRamsay,etal.

Dozensofscientificpaperswerepublishedbetween1905and1927concerningthemysteriousappearanceofhydrogen,heliumandneoninvacuumtubes.Thematterhasnotbeenresolved.

Thefirstsuchreport,writtenbyClarenceSkinner,waspublishedinThePhysicalReviewinJuly1905:

"Whilemakinganexperimentalstudyofthecathodefallofvariousmetalsinheliumitwasobservedthatnomatterhowcarefullythegaswaspurifiedthehydrogenradiation,testedspectroscopically,persistentlyappearedinthecathodeglow..."

Skinnereventuallylocateditssourceinthecathode.(26)

In1912,SirWilliamRamsayreported"ThePresenceofHeliumintheGasfromtheInteriorofanX-RayTube",andJ.J.Thomsonpublishedanarticle"OntheAppearanceofHeliumandNeoninVacuumTubes"in1913.ThomsonwasinvestigatinganewgascalledX3(atomicweight3:tritium),apolymerizedformofhydrogen.Heusedthepositiveraymethodtodetecttheheliumandneonbecauseitismoresensitivethanspectralanalysisandprovidesmuchmoredefinitedata.Therewasnoapparentconnectionbetweenthetypeofgasusedtofillthetubesandtheappearanceofthenewgases(X3line3inH,N,He,O,andair;Neline20inH,N,O,HCl,andair).Anotherlineoftenappearedcorrespondingtoatomicweight10;itisprobablyduetoneonwithtwochargesofelectricity,butbrighterthanexpected.(22,23,29,30)

Theexperimentalapparatuswasalargeglassbulbfittedwithaluminumelectrodes;thedischargewasproducedbyaninductioncoil.Thomsondescribeditasfollows:

"Thepositiveraysfortheanalysisofthegaseswereproducedinavesselcontaininggasesatalowpressure.Ishallcallthisthetestingvessel;thevesselinwhichthevariousprocessesforgeneratingX3,weretried(theexperimentingchamber)wassealedontothetestingvessel,butseparatedfromitbyatap.Thusthepressureintheexperimentingchamberwasnotrestrictedtobeingthesameasthatinthetestingvessel,butmighthavethevaluewhichseemedmostappropriateforanyparticulartypeofexperiment.Aftertheseexperimentswereover,thetapwasturnedandsomeofthegasfromtheexperimentingchamberletintothetestingvessel;aphotographwasthentaken,andbycomparingitwithonetakenbeforeturningonthetapthenewgasespresentintheexperimentchambercouldbedetected."

Thomsonfinallydeterminedthatthegaseswerebeingoccludedbytheelectrodes.Heconcluded:

"Thesegasesarepresentinthemetalindependentlyofthebombardment,andareliberatedbytheactionofthekathoderays.

"Iwouldalsoliketodirectattentiontotheanalogybetweentheeffectsjustdescribedandaneverydayexperiencewithdischargetubes---Imeanthedifficultyofgettingthesetubesfreefromhydrogenwhenthetestismadebyasensitivemethodlikethatofthepositiverays.Thoughyoumayheattheglassofthetubetomeltingpoint,maydrythegasesbyliquidairorcooledcharcoal,andfreethegasesyouletintothetubeascarefullyasyouwillfromhydrogen,youwillstillgetthehydrogenlinesbythepositiveraymethod,evenwhenthebulbhasbeenrunningseveralhoursadayfornearlyayear.Theonlyexceptioniswhenoxygeniskeptcontinuouslyrunningthroughthetube,andthis,Ithink,isdue,nottolackofliberationofhydrogen,buttotheoxygencombiningwiththesmallquantityofhydrogenliberated,justasitcombineswiththemercuryvaporandcausesthedisappearanceofthemercurylines.IthinkthisproductionofhydrogeninthetubeisquiteanalogoustotheproductionofX3,ofhelium,andofneon."(31)

Prof.N.J.CollieandH.Pattersonconductedtheearlystagesoftheirworkindependentlyandfromdifferentpointsofview.Theybegancollaboratingwhentheylearnedtheyweregettingthesameresults.Pattersonwasinterestedinthepurephysicsoftheelectron,andhaddevelopedahypothesisthat"bydoublingtheelectricalchargeonhydrogenatoms,itmightbepossibletoconvertthisintoanaparticle,andsointohelium."Hegotneoninstead.Theexperimenterstookalldueprecautionsagainsterror,yettheyrepeatedlyobtainedtracesofheliumandneon.Thetubesweresurroundedbyanexteriorvesselwhichwasevacuated,orcontainedneonorhelium;thesameresultswereobtained.Inonesuchexperiment,Prof.Collietestedthevacuum-evacuatedexteriorvesselandfoundheliumwithneon.Pattersonreplicatedtheexperiment,andthenrepeateditwithanoxygenatmosphereintheexteriortube.Neonwasfoundtherein.Itappearedthatneonwasformedbyaunionofheliumandoxygen.Theyalsoperformednumerousblankexperimentstoexcludethepossibilityofcontaminationfromvarioussources.(4,9,21)

R.J.Struttandotherworkersfoundnoheliumintheirexperiments.(11,15,27)

In1914,Colliereportedhis"AttemptstoProducetheRareGasesbyElectricDischarge."Finelypowdered,heateduraniumwasplacedinacathodedischargebombardmenttube;theequipmentwascarefullypurgedinseveralways.1-2hoursofelectricaltreatmentyieldedtracesofheliumandneonin11experiments.Collieconcluded:

"Iftheneonandheliumfoundwereduetoanairleak,itisdifficulttoaccountforthedisappearanceoftheargon,whichshouldhavebeenpresenttotheextentofonethousandtimesasmuchastheneonandheliumfound.Theamountofargonpresent,however,wastoolittletobemeasured,asitmadenodifferenceinthevolumeofneonandhelium...Thepresenceofthenitrogenisprobablyduetoanitrideofuranium...Thatcomparativelylargeamountsofneonandheliumshouldcomeofffromuraniumbybombardmentwiththecathoderays,andnotbyheating,isamatterofinterest;alsothatinoneexperimentachangeofcoilshouldaffecttheresultisanobservationthatmustifpossibleberepeated...

"Thatthepresenceofneonandheliuminvacuumtubes,aftertheelectricdischargehasbeenpassed,isduetoanairleakseemsmostimprobable.Wherethegasescomefromhasyettobeproved.TheyhavebeenfoundbySirJ.J.Thomson,bySirWilliamRamsay,byMr.G.Winchester,andbytheauthor[J.N.Collie],Mr.HubertS.Patterson,andMr.IrvineMasson...Whateverthesourcemaybe,itisonlybyfurtherexperimentsthatthequestionwillberesolved..."

Collie,Patterson,andMassondescribedtheelectricalcircuit,dischargetubesandtestingapparatus,precautionsandcontrols,bombardmentexperiments,results,andpossiblesourcesofthegasesintheProceedingsoftheRoyalSocietyofLondon(1914).

"Thecoilsgave12-inchsparkswitheitheramercuryorahammerinterrupter.Thenatureofthebreakhassomeinfluenceontheresultoftheexperiment;inthecaseofamercurybreak,betterresultswereobtainedwitharectifier.Thecurrentinthesecondarycircuitaveragedafewmillamperes.Theformofthedischargetubesvariedfromsimplespectrumbulbswithdiscelectrodestoelaboratejacketeddesigns.Thegasesemployedweregeneratedbychemicalandelectricalmethodsandweretestedforpurity."(7)

Thetestingapparatuswaseitherdirectlyconnectedtothedischargetube,orthegasesweretransferredbymeansofaninvertedsiphonovermercuryafterbeingpumpedfromthereactionvessel.Hydrogenwasremovedbyexplodingitwithoxygeninaburetteorinthecollectiontube,whichhadplatinumwiressealedinit.Insomedesigns,thehydrogenwasremovedbycopperoxideandphosphoruspentoxide.Oxygenandmoisturewereremovedbycooledcharcoal,liquidair,andNa-Kalloy.TheHeandNewerecollectedinafinecapillarytubewithafineplatinumwiresealedthroughthetop:

"Itisfoundthattheminimumquantityofneondetectableprobablyequalsthatcontainedinafewcubicmillimetersofatmosphericair.If,owingtodefectiveworking,theneonactuallywasatmospheric,theaccompanyingargonwouldbeveryeasilyseen(astheratioAr:Neinairisabout700:1)whentheparticularmethodusedwassuchasmighthaveeliminatednitrogenbeforehand;intheapparatusdepicted,nitrogennaturallymadeitspresenceatonceevidentifaverysmallpartofacubicmillimeterofairwaspresent...Inmanyoftheexperiments,thetotalvolumeofgasusedwassosmallthatevenifithadbeenallatmosphericair,itcouldnothaveaccountedforthequantitiesoftheneon,andstilllessforthoseofthehelium,whichwereobtained...Wewishtopointoutthatagreatmanyofourexperimentshaveyieldednegativeresults,forasyetunexplainedreasons."

TheelectrodesweremadeofPd,Cu,Pb,Tl,Li,Na,K,Al,andMg.Somebombardmentexperimentswereconductedwithanti-cathodesofPt,Tl,U,KF,KCl,KI,RbCl,Cs2CO3,CaO,andBeO.(14)

Besidestheseveralprecautionsagainstair-leaks,Collie,etal.,testedfornitrogen;TheratioofN2:Neinairisabout80,000:1;therefore:

"IftheNedetectedinanexperimentcamefromair,thenitrogenaccompanyingitwouldbefoundinrelativelyoverwhelmingquantity...

"Ifatmosphericcontaminationoccursatanypointaftertherun,nitrogenmustinfalliblybedetectedduringtheexamination.Ifanycontaminationoccursbeforetherun,itwouldlikewiseinstantlybemademanifestonthefirstpassageofthedischargethroughtheexperimentaltube.Itisonlywhenaninfinitesimallyslowleakgoesonduringtherunthatitispossiblethatnonitrogencouldbeseenatanytime;andtoprovideagainstthiscontingencyanadditionalcontrolisnecessary,namelytheabsenceofargonfromthegas...Theargontestisinrealitysuperfluouslydelicateasacontrol;neverthelessitwasused.

"Inallexperimentswhereheliumwasthechiefproduct,atmosphericcontaminationisipsofactoexcluded...contaminationseemstobe

thoroughlyexcludedinalltheexperiments."

TwohypothesesremainedtoexplaintheoriginoftheHeandNe:permeationthroughthewallsofthetubes,andpreviousocclusionfromthem.Sincepositiveresultswereobtainedwithelectrodelesstubes,theelectrodescanbeeliminatedasasource.Inaddition,whenAlandothermetalsweremeltedinvacuo,nogaseswereoccluded,butdidsowhenthemetalswerebombarded;noHepre-existedinthemetals.WhenAlwasdissolvedinKOHsolution,noHeorNewasliberated.MeltingtheglasstubesinvacuoyieldednoHeorNe.Twospecimensofoldglass(oneEgyptian,approximately1500yearsold;another,Kien-lungChinese)wereexamined;neitheryieldedHeorNe.

Theauthorsclosedtheirreportwiththisnote:

"Wehaveendeavoredtoputthefactsofthecaseasfullyaspossible,withoutreferencetoanypreconceivedtheory.Itisnotourviewthatourexperimentsrigidlyexcludeallthepossibilitieswhichhavebeenmentioned;butitisevidentthatthetrendoftheresultsistowardconclusionswhich,iftheyturnouttobetrue,wouldbeofveryobviousimportance."

Theissuethenlaydormantforseveralyears,butresearchwasresumedafterWorldWarOne.In1926,Prof.FritzPanethandDr.K.Petersdeterminedthatpalladiumhadeffectedthetransmutationofhydrogentoheliumintheirexperiments.PanethandPetersabsorbedHincolloidalPd(sponge,black,orpalladinisedcharcoal)for12hours,afterwhichtimetheydetectedthemainspectrallinesofHe.NoHeproductionwasobservedwithPdpreparationsthathadnotabsorbedhydrogen.PreparationsofPdstoredatroomtemperatureshouldthereforeproduceHe;thiswasfoundtobethecase.AftertheHehadbeenremoved,thesamplewasstoredagain,thenexamined;moreheliumwasobtained.Theexperimentwasrepeatedthreetimeswiththesameresults.(17-20)

Theauthorsexcludedallthepossiblesourcesoferrorintheirexperiments,suchastheingressofatmosphericHe,absorptioninglassorelectrodes,preferentialabsorptionofHebyPd,andthepossibilityofHebeingformedasaproductofradioactivedisintegrationofPd.Notracewasdetectedofanyenergyliberatedduringthetransformation,eitherasheatorradiation.

Itwouldseemworthwhileanddesirabletoreplicatetheseexperimentswithmodernequipmentandtechniques.

(2)References

1.Allison,S.K.&Harkins,WilliamD.:J.AmericanChemistrySociety464:814-824(April1924);"TheAbsenceofHeliumfromtheGasesleftafterthePassageofElectricalDischarges..."

2.Baly,E.C.:Ann.ReportsontheProgressofChemistryfor1914,Vol.II:41-49(1914);"ElectricDischarge";ibid.,1920,Vol.17:28-35(1920);"AtomicTheory"

3.Baskerville,Charles:PopularScienceMonthly72(2):46-51(Jan.1908);"RecentTransmutations"

4.Collie,JohnN.:&Ramsay,William:ProceedingsRoyalSocietyLondon59:257-270,356(3Feb.1896);"OntheBehaviorofArgon&Helium..."

5.Collie,J.N.&Patterson,HubertS.:Proc.ChemicalSoc.29(410):22,23(6Feb.1913);"ThePresenceofNeinH...";ibid.,29(417):217-221(19June1913);PartII,"ThePresenceofNeinH..."

6.Collie,J.N.:Proc.RoyalSoc.London90-A(621):554-556;"NoteonthePaperbyT.R.Merton..."

7.Collie,J.N.,etal.:Proc.RoyalSoc.London91-A(623):30-45(2November1914);"TheProductionofNeon&HeliumbytheElectricalDischarge"

8.Collie,J.N.,&Patterson,H.:Chem.Soc.Trans.103:419(1913)

9.Collie,J.N.,&Patterson,H.:Chem.Soc.Proc.29:271(1913)

10.Davis,Watson:CurrentHistory25(3):393,394(Dec.1926)

11.Egerton,A.C.G.:Proc.RoyalSoc.London91-A(627):180-189(1March1915);"TheAnalysisofGasesafterPassageofElectricDischarge"

12.Harkins,WilliamD.&Wilson,ErnestF.:TheLondon,Edinburgh&DublinPhilosophicalMagazine&JournalofScience30(179):723-734(Nov.1915)

13.Hirshberg,L.K.:Harper'sWeekly57(2938):21(12April1913);"TransmutationExplainedAway"

14.Masson,Irvine:Proc.Chem.Soc.29(417):233(19June1913);"TheOccurrenceofNeon..."

15.Merton,ThomasR.:Proc.RoyalSoc.London90-A(621):549-553(1August1914);"AttemptstoProducetheRareGasesbyElectricDischarge"

16.Nature90(2259):653,654(13Feb.1913);"OriginsofHelium&Neon";ibid.,118(2971):526,527(9Oct.1926);"TheReportedConversionofHydrogenintoHelium"

17.Paneth,Fritz:Science64(1661):409-417(8Oct.1926);"Ancient&ModernAlchemy"

18.Paneth,F.:Nature119(3002):706,707(14May1927);"TheTransmutationofHydrogenintoNeon"

19.Paneth,F.&Peters,K.:Ber.d.DeutschenChem.Ges.59:2039(1926)

20.Paneth,F.:Ber.d.DeutschenChem.Ges.60:808(1927)

21.Patterson,H.S.:ChemicalSocietyProceedings(1913),p.233.

22.Ramsay,William:Nature89(2229):502(18July1912);"ExperimentswithCathodeRays"

23.Ramsay,W.:Proc.Chem.Soc.29(410):21,22(6Feb.1913)

24.Riding,R.W.&Baly,E.C.C:Proc.RoyalSoc.London109-A(749):186-193(1Sept.1925)

25.ScientificAmericanSupplement75(1940):150(8March1913);"TheBirthoftheAtom"

26.Skinner,ClarenceA.:PhysicalReview21(1):1-15(July1905);"TheEvolutionofHydrogen..."

27.Strutt,R.J.:Proc.RoyalSoc.London89-A(613):499-506(2Feb.1914);"AttemptstoObservetheProductionofNeonorHeliumbyElectricDischarge"

28.Sullivan,J.W.N.:ScientificAmerican108(10):226(8March1913)

29.Thomson,J.J.:Nature90(2259):645-647(13Feb.1913);"OntheAppearanceofHelium&NeoninVacuumTubes";ReprintedinScience37(949):360-364(7March1913)&ScientificAmericanSupplement75(1940):150(8March1913)

30.Thomson,J.J.:Nature91(2774):333-337(29May1913);"FurtherApplications...ofPositiveRays"

31.Thomson,J.J.:Proc.RoyalSoc.London101-A(711):290-299(1July1922)

32.Tolman,RichardC.:JournalAmericanChemicalSociety44(9):1902-1908(Sept.1922);"ThermodynamicTreatmentofthePossibleFormationofHeliumfromHydrogen"

33.Walden,Paul:Science66(1714):407-417(4Nov.1927);"WhatcantheModernChemistLearnfromtheOldAlchemy?"

34.Winchester,George:PhysicalReview3(4):287-294(April1914);"OntheContinuedAppearanceofGasesinVacuumTubes"

PartII

ModernArcana

Chapter7

TransmutationsofMercury

(1)H.Nagaoka,etal.(2)F.Tausend(3)R.Caro&Kamala-Jnana(4)References

(1)HantaroNagaoka~AdolfMiethe~HansStammreich

Prof.HantaroNagaoka

InMarch1924,Prof.HantaroNagaoka,etal.(TokyoImperialUniversity),describedtheirstudiesonsatellitesofthespectrallinesofisotopesofmercuryandbismuth,inwhichtheydetectedgold.InMay1925,theyreportedsomeofthetechnicaldetails:Nagaokaandhisco-workersdischargedabout15x104volts/cmfor4hoursbetweentungstenandmercuryterminalsunderadielectriclayerofparaffinoil.TheyusedthePurpleofCassiustesttodetectgoldintheviscousresidueofC,Hg,etc.Theblackmasswaspurifiedinvacuo,thenbycombustionwithoxygenandextractionwithHCltoyieldAu,eitherinaquaregiasolutionorasruby-redspotsintheglassware.MicroscopicfilmsofAuwerefoundonoccasion.(19,22)

NagaokastatedthatwhenadischargewaspassedthroughdropsofHgfallingbetweenironelectrodes,theformationofsilverandotherelementswasobserved.AnotherrunoftheHglampformorethan200hoursat226voltsproducedamilligramofgold,plussomeplatinum.Henotedthatitwasessentialtodistillthemercuryrepeatedlybelow200oCtoensuresuccessoftheexperiment.

ConsiderationsofthesatellitesofthespectrallinesofHgledNagaokatotheconclusionthataprotonis"slightlydetached"fromthenucleusofHg,anditcanberemoved:

"IftheaboveassumptionastotheHgnucleusisvalid,wecanperhapsrealizethedreamofalchemistsbystrikingoutahydrogen-protonfromthenucleusbya-rays,orbysomeotherpowerfulmethodsofdisruption[toproduceAufromHg]."(21,26)

Ataboutthesametime,ProfessorAdolfMietheofthePhotochemicalDepartmentattheBerlinTechnicalHighSchoolfoundthatthemercuryvaporlampsusedasasourceforultra-violetraysceasedtoworkafteratimebecauseofasootydepositthatformedinthequartztubes.Miethetestedthesedepositsanddetectedgold.Subsequently,Dr.MietheandDr.HansStammreichwereissuedGermanPatentSpecification#233,715(8May1924)for"ImprovementsinorRelatingtotheExtractionofPreciousMetals":

"Anelectricarcisformedbetweenmercurypoles,inthesamewayasisdoneinmercuryquartzlamps.Withsufficientdifferenceinpotential,goldisthenproducedinthemercury.Itisadvisabletocondenseagaintheevaporatedmercury.Thequantityofgoldproduceddepends,allotherconditionsbeingequal,onthequantityofcurrentandalso,amongothers,onthevaporpressureofthemercuryoronthedifferenceofpotentialinthearc.Thedifferenceofpotentialinthearcmustthereforebesufficientlygreat.Ifitdropstoexcessivelysmallamounts,theefficiencywillbegreatlyreduced.Ifthedifferenceofpotentialisincreased,thequantityofgoldformedwillbeconsiderablyincreased,beginningwithacertaindifferenceofpotential."(12)

InJulyof1924,Drs.MietheandStammreichannouncedthattheyhadchangedmercuryintogoldinahigh-tensionmercuryvaporlamp.Theexperimentproduced$1ofgoldatacostof$60,000,equivalenttoover$2million(goldthensoldfor$330/lb).Mietheusedapotentialof170voltsappliedfor20-200hours.Thelampconsumed400-2,000watts.Aminimumpotentialdifferenceisnecessary.Theyieldofgoldwasminute:0.1-0.01mg.Themercuryandtheelectrodeswereanalyzedanddeterminedtobefreeofgoldbeforetheexperiments.Miethewasnotabletoattempttoprovetheproductionofalphaorbetarays,hydrogenorhelium.(22)

O.HonigschmidandE.ZintldeterminedtheatomicweightofMiethe'smercuricAu,usingpotentiometrictitrationofauricsaltwithTiCl2.Itwasfoundtobe197.26,whichisheavierthanordinaryAu(197.2).Theyemphasizedtheneedforamassspectrographicanalysis.(10)

FrederickSoddysuggestedthatsuchachangemightbeeffectedbyattachinganelectrontothemercurynucleus:

"Considerthecollisionofhigh-speedelectronswithmercuryatoms.Asmallproportionoftheseelectronsmustbedirecteduponthenucleus.Iftheypossesssufficientenergytopenetratetheexternallevelsofelectronsinthemercuryatom,theymustreachthepositivelychargednucleusandbecapturedbyit.Sincethelossofanelectron(asab-ray)bythenucleusofanelementresultsintheatomicnumberoftheelementinquestionbeingincreasedbyone,thegainofanelectronbyanatomicnucleusmustresultinthediminutionoftheatomicnumberbyone.Thisisquitegeneral.Inthecaseofanisotopeofmercuryofatomicnumber80,theproductwillbeanisotopeofgoldofatomicnumber79.Uponexistingknowledgeitissimplyaquestionof(1)thepotentialsufficienttodrivetheelectronthroughtheouterlevelsofelectronssurroundingthemercurynucleusuntilitcomeswithinthesphereofattractionofthepowerfullychargednucleus;(2)whethertheexceedinglysmallfractionofdirectcollisionswiththenucleusthatistobeanticipatedwillbesufficienttoenablethegoldproducedtobedetected.

"Asregardsthefirst,itmaybeexpectedthattherepulsionoftheexternalshellofmercuryelectronswilldiminishratherthanpreventaltogetherthechanceoftheradiantelectronreachingthenucleus;foroncetheshellispenetrated,theresultantforceontheradiantelectronmustbeontheaverageanattraction...Thechemicaldetectionofthegoldproducedwouldprobablybethemoreformidableexperimentaldifficulty."(30)

A.S.Russellofferedthisopinion:

"TheexperimentsonthetransformationofHgintoAusuggestthepossibilityofthetransformationofanucleusintothatoftheelementnextbelowitbytheabsorptionofoneelectronwhenbothnucleiarestable.Thisoccursmostobviouslyasanisobare.Thepossibilityoftheexistenceoftwoisobaresofoddmass-number,Tl205andAu199,amongnon-radioactiveelementsmaybeinferredfromexperimentalwork...AstonhasshowntheexistenceoftheHgisotope199...ThistypeoftransformationmayoccurinthetwopairsofelementsPbandTl,HgandAu...ThemassesoftheTlandAuproducedare205and199respectively".

AstonadvancedstrongargumentsagainsttheprobabilityoftheallegedHg-Autransmutation.ConceivablyitcouldbeeffectedbytheadditionofanelectrontothenucleusofHg,orbyremovingaprotonfromit,butthechanceofanelectronhittinganucleusisextremelyremote,anditsweightwouldnotmakeasignificantcontribution.Theoretically,aHgisotopeofatomicweight197couldabsorbanelectronandproducecommonAu,butnoneofthesixHgisotopes(198,199,201,202,204,209)identifiedbyAstonhavethatweight.AccordingtoAston,theremovalofaprotonfromthenucleusbyMiethe'smethodisuntenable:

"Theforcesemployedareludicruouslyinadequate."(1,22)

Theprocesscanbeshownas:

Hg-a-q=Au

At.wt.201-4=197

80-2+1=79,or:

Hg-4H-3q=Au

At.wt.201-4=197

80-4+3=79

InDecember1924,thejournalScientificAmericanannouncedthatitwouldarrangeforacomprehensiveandexacttestoftheMietheexperiment.ItwasconductedatNewYorkUniversitybyProf.H.H.SheldonandRogerEstey.Theyusedaquartzlampthatcontainednogold,andpuretungstenwiresweresealedintothequartztoprovideelectricalcontacts.Themercurywastestedforpurity.Threerunsweremadelastingfrom30-50hourseach,atabout170volts/13amperes.Themercurywasremovedandtested:

"Innoinstancewasanytraceofgolddetected...AccordingtoProf.Miethe'sreports,takeninconnectionwiththetheoreticalinterpretationofProf.Soddy,thisexperimentshouldhaveproducedasubstantialquantityofgold;atleasttentimesasmuchascouldeasilyhavebeendetectedbytheanalyticalmethodsused.Thenegativeresultofthethreeexperimentsestablished,therefore,astrongprobabilitythatthetransmutationannouncedbyProf.Miethecouldnotbeconfirmed."(27)

TheresearchersprocuredfromthemanufacturersinGermanyareplicaofthelampusedbyMiethe,andrepeatedtheexacttechniquedescribedbyhim.Thefinalrunlasted172hours,at165-174volts/12amps,dependinguponthetemperatureofthelamp:

"Aftertherunthemostcarefulanalyticaltestsfailedtoshowanytracewhatsoeverofthepreciousmetal.Itisnecessarytoconclude,therefore,thattheexperimentdescribedbyProf.Miethedoesnotalwaysresultinthetransmutationofmercuryatomsintogoldatoms.TheexperimentsrecordedbyProf.Mietheandouronexperiments,conductedasfarashumanlypossibleinexactlythemethoddescribedbyProf.Miethe,areentirelydiscordantwitheachother.

"Itwouldbeimpropertoassertonthebasisoftheseresultsalone,thatProf.Miethe'sexperimentshavebeenprovedtobedefinitelywrong.Allthatispropertosayisthatacareful,competent,andlongcontinuedefforttoconfirmtheGermanresultshasresultedinanentirefailuretodoso."

TheScientificAmericanofferedasuggestion:

"Oneveryvitalpossibilityofmistakeinexperimentsofthischaracterliesintheaccidentalpresenceofasmallimpurityofgoldinthemercuryemployed...Itisatleastpossiblethatsuchwasthecase...PerhapsitwillbediscoveredthatsomeminorandunnoticeddetailinthearrangementsorintheconductoftheexperimentwasreallyresponsibleforasuccessfultransmutationinProf.Miethe'scase...Wemustconfess,however,thatwedonotbelievethatthiswillprovetobethecase.Onthebasisofalltheevidencenowavailable,includingtheexperimentsofDr.SheldonandMr.Estey...itisourbeliefthatatransmutationofmercuryatomsintogoldatomsdoesnotoccurandwillnotoccurundertheconditionswhichhavebeendescribedbyProf.Miethe.

"Itistobefreelyadmitted,ofcourse,thatatransmutationofmercuryatomsintogoldatomsisatheoreticalpossibility.Theinternalstructuresofthetwoatomsaresimilar.Theremovalofoneunitofpositiveelectricchargefromthenucleusofamercuryatom,ortheinsertionofoneadditionalelectronintothisatomicnucleuswouldresult,itisbelieved,intheconversionofthemercuryatomintoanatomindistinguishablefromtheordinaryatomsofgold.QuiteasidefromthefailuretoconfirmtheresultsofProf.Miethe,itremainsentirelypossiblethatoneofthesechangesofatomicstructurecanbeaccomplishedbysomephysicalorchemicalmethodyettobediscovered...

"Goldcanbeextractedfrommercury,butmercurycannotbetransmutedintogold."

SheldonandEsteyalsocommented:

"Thesuggestedexplanationofachangeofthenumberofelectronsinthenucleuschangingmercurytogoldseemsgoodintheory,butincredibleinfact,forthepotentialdroppermeanfreepathofaHgmoleculeisonlyabout0.1voltinthesearcs."(28)

ScientificAmericanpublishedanotherreportof"MoreMercuricGoldfromGermany"inApril1926,announcingthata10,000-foldincreaseinyieldhadbeenobtainedintheproductionofmercuric-goldprocess.Inhisfirstexperiments,Miethefound1partAuper100millionpartsHg.TheSiemensWorksinBerlinbombardedHgwithelectronsinextremelyhighvacuum,andobtained100mgAufrom1kgofHg.(27)

Siemens&HalskeAkt.-Ges.registeredtheirGermanPatentSpecification(#243,670)inJune1925for"TreatingMercury"withsparkdischarges,cathoderays,andcanalrays.Thedifferenceofpotentialcouldbebetween100-150,000volts;capacitancewasadjustable.Paraffin,ether,orcarbontetrachloridewereusedasdielectrics.(29)

Otherresearcherswerenotsooptimistic.ErichTiede,etal.,reported"ThetransmutationofHgintoAuisconsideredtheoreticallypossiblebutallexperimentscarriedoutunderstrictcontroloftheoriginalHgprovedtobefailures.WhentheHg,whichwaspurifiedaccordingtoMietheandStammreich,wasdistilledinanall-glassapparatussimilartotheoneusedbyBronstedandvonHeveseytoseparatetheisotopesofHg,itshowedstillupto10-9%Au.Opticaldetectionisnotsufficientlyaccurate,sotheyconsidereditnecessarytomelttheAugranule,whichstillheldHg,andweighitonamicrobalance.(32)

MilanGarrett(ClarendonLab,Oxford)publishedcompletelynegativeresultsofhisrepeatedattemptstoreproducetheHg-Autransmutationexperimentbyseveralmethods.Garrettalsoattemptedtoprepareindiumfromtin,andscandiumfromtitaniumbyX-raybombardment,alsowithoutsuccess.(5)

ErichTiede,etal.,reportedthenegativeresultsoftheirexperiments:

"MercurydistilledaccordingtoMiethestillhad0.3mgAuperkgHg.Aftertwohigh-vacuumdistillations,nomoreAucouldbedetected.WiththispreparationtheexperimentsofMiethewererepeatedinseveralforms;noresultantAuformationwasobservedinanycase."

E.DuhmeandA.Lotzconfirmedthisnegativefinding.DuhmeandLotzalsoconductednumerousexperimentswiththeinitialcooperationofMietheandStammreich.Theyusedverylargearcscarrying10kwat40kv/800A/cm2throughHgvapor.Goldwasfoundinsomeinstances,suchaswhenasufficientlypowerfulcurrentwaspassedbetweenelectrodesdippedinmercury,butthoseexperimentswererejectedbecausetherehadbeentoomuchcontactwithforeignmetals.TheyfoundthatAuwillescapedetectionifcertainimpuritiesarepresent,producinganinhomogenousdistributionofAuthatbecomesdetectableonlyafterthearctreatmenthascoagulatedit.(3,4,31)

Prof.FritzHaber,etal.,madecarefulattemptstorepeattheworkofNagaokaandMiethe.MercuryinwhichnoAucouldbedetectedwassubjectedtosixdifferenttreatments,butnoAuwasformed.Insomecases,Auwasfound,butonlyinamountssmallerthanwhatcouldhavecomefromthematerials,orfromcontamination.Norcouldtheyieldbeincreasedatwill.Theappliedtreatmentsweremadewithliquidandsoliddielectricswithhigh-tensiondischarges,arcsinlow,normalandhighpressures,andhigh-vacuumelectronbombardments.

Theextraordinarysensitivityoftheirdetectionmethodswasexemplifiedbytheinstanceofaco-workerwhosuddenlyfoundtracesofgoldinsomematerialhewasanalyzing.NooneelsecoulddetectAuintheothersamples.Itwasfoundthatthechemisthabituallyremovedhisgoldframeeyeglassesbeforemakinganobservation;onthisoccasion,hehadremovedtheglassesandthenpickedupastripofultra-pureleadtoperformananalysis.AnotherincidentoccurredwhenalabworkerwasmeltingsomeAu;soonafterwards,anotherworkerinthenextroomfoundAuinmaterialwhichpreviouslyhadnoneinit.Theauthorsproved"merelythatnomethodhasyetbeenpublishedwherebyanalyticallydetectableamountsofAucanbeformedinHg."(8)

ScientificAmerican(April1926)reportedonarecentmeetingoftheGermanChemicalSociety,atwhichpositiveresultswereannounced:

"Prof.Haber,whopreviouslycherishedthegreatestdoubtastotheaccuracyoftheexperiments,congratulatedProf.Mietheandrelated...thathehimselfcouldconfirmtheresultsbyrepetitionoftheexperiment."

Haberapparentlymadethecommentbeforehehadcompletedhisanalysesoftheelectrodes,etc,anddeterminedthemtobethesourceoftheAu.

MostofthecriticismofMiethe,Stammreich,andNagaoka'sexperimentalworkfocusedonthequestionablepurityofthemercurytheyused.TheirHghadbeenpurifiedbydistillationandbydissolvingitinnitricacid(1:4)andfusingtheresiduewithborax(0.1gr).TheresultingbeadofAu,ifany,wasexaminedunderthemicroscope.UsuallytheydistilledtheHgtwice,butinsomecasesasmanyas15times.OtherresearchersshowedthatnomatterhowcarefullyoroftenHgwasdistilled,Aucouldbedetected.

MietheandStammreichshowedthattheformationofAufromHgdependsontheapplicationofintermittentelectricaldischarges.NogoldformswhenHgisexposedtodirectcurrent.TheyalsodescribedaHg-turbinewhichallowed2,000breaks/minutewithapotentialof110volts;thecurrentvariedfrom1-12amps.TheexperimentsshowedalinearproportionalitybetweentheyieldofAuandtheproductofwattageandtime.Theaverageyieldofgoldwas0.0004mg/amp/hour.TheproductionofAuwasfacilitatedbyhigh-pressure.WhenthedischargewaspassedbetweenHgpolesinaparaffindielectric,thegoldwasfounddispersedalongthelineofdischarge,butnotintheHgpoles.(15)

AloisGaschlerattemptedtoreversetheMiethe-Nagaokaexperimentbytreatinggoldwithhigh-speedhydrogennuclei.HeassumedthatoneofthemmightpenetratedeeplyintotheelectronshellsofAu,beheldbytheinnermostshellsasa"paranucleus",andforma"Tiefenverbindung".After30hoursbombardment,thespectrumofthetubebegantoshowHglinesthatsteadilyincreasedinintensity.GaschlerpostulatedthatHgisagoldhydrogencompound,similartoManley's"Hg-Helide".(6,7,13)

ThescientificcommunitygaveafairandthoroughreviewoftheclaimsofMiethe,StammreichandNagaoka,whoalsoskillfullymanagedthecriticism.Theentireissue,however,wasneverdefinitivelyresolved.Theseexperimentsoughttoberepeatedwithmodernequipmentandanalyticaltechniques.

The"conventional"transmutationofHgbyfastneutrons(Li+D)wasfirstaccomplishedbyR.Sherr,etal.,atHarvardUniversityin1941;threeshort-livedradioactiveisotopeswereformed.

(2)FranzTausend

TheGermanalchemistFranzTausendbegantoproducegoldfrommercuryinthe1920sundertheauspicesofGeneralLudendorff.Hisworkwasbasedonacirculartableof180elementsarrangedaccordingtoasystemofharmonicfrequenciesandatomicweights.

TheingredientsofTausend'sformulaareknowntobe:(Part1)---PbCl2(111gr),KOH(60gr)and(Part2)---K(76gr),Na(55gr)amalgamatedwithHg(131and365gr)meltedunderparaffin.ReactionofPart1(17.4gr)withPart2(5.4gr)yielded5.4grAu.

Tausendalsoemployedotherreagents,butitisnotknownhoworwhytheywereused:ammoniumcarbonate,lime,potassiumnitrate,soda,borax,sulfuricacid,andpotassiumcyanide,oxalicacid,uranylnitrate,aluminumchloride,potassiumarsenide,leadsulfate,tinoxide,silica,andasbestos.

Thefollowingprocesswasdescribedintherarebook,"DasGoldmacherFranzTausend":25.2grKOHweremeltedinaceramiccrucible.Apointedpieceof("male")quartzwasusedtostirtheKOH.After5minutes,1.45grFe2O3(ferricoxide)wereaddedandmixeduntilcompletelydissolved.Then3.15grofsilicawasaddedandheatingcontinueduntildissolutionwascomplete.Themasswasremovedfromthefireandallowedtocool.After90minutes,thecruciblewasheatedtoredness.Whencooled,themasshadametallic-mirrorsurface.Whencutincross-section,alumpofgoldwasfound,weighing1.9grams.

(3)RogerCaro&Kamala-Jnana

TheFrenchalchemicalschooloftheTempleofAjuntapublishedafewsmallhermetictexts(PleiadeAlchimique,ConcordancesAlchimiques,etc)inthe1960s.TheCompleteGreatWorkPhotographedincludes40photographsoftheArsMagnaasitwasperformedbyKamala-JnanaandRogerCaro.

Themethodisdescribedinclassicalalchemicallanguage,butmostofthematerialsandmethodsareclearlydescribed.MercurywasusedtoproduceaspeciesofPhilosophers'Stone.Theprocesscanbedescribedinchemicaltermsasfollows:Prepare(1)b-meta-cinnabarite(a-cinnabaritewillnotproducethesameresults,inmyexperience),(2)aconcentratedsolutionofamixtureoflimeandpotashand(3)sulfuretedpotash(potassiumpolysulfide).Saturatethecinnabaritewiththelime-potashmixturesolution,thendryit.Repeatseveraltimesuntilalbedoappears.Thensaturatewithaconcentratedsolutionofpotassiumpolysulfide,andstripthesolvent(methylorethylalcoholalsocanbeused).Repeatthisstepuntilwhiteneedlesappear(theDragon'sTeeth).Thecolorchangesfromyellowtoorangetored.TheStoneismultipliedbygrindingittopowderandrepeating(7x)thewashwithlime-potash.Atthispoint,theStoneemitslights---probablyfromthecalciumsulfidebyproductofthereactionmixture.FurtherelaborationandtransmutationofleadtogoldcanbeaccomplishedaccordingtotheskilloftheArtist.

(4)References

1.Aston:Nature116(2929):902-904(19December1925);"Atoms&X-Rays"

2.Davies,A.C.,&Horton,Frank:Nature117(2935):152(30Jan.1926);"TheTransmutationofElements"

3.Duhme,E.&Lotz,A.:WissenschaftVeroffentlichSiemensKonzern5:128-151(1926

4.Duhme,E.&Lotz,A.:Chem.Ber.Deutsch.Ges.59(7B):1649-1651(7July1926);"ZurFrageGoldausQuecksilber";Chem.Abstr20:3264(1926)

5.Garrett,MilanW.:Nature118(2959):84(17July1926);"TransmutationExperiments"

6.Gaschler,AloisZeit.Elektrochem.32:186-187(1926):"TransmutationofAuintoHg"

7.Gaschler,A.:ScientificAmerican(August1926)

8.Haber,Fritz,etal.:ZeitschriftfurAnorganischeundAllgemeineChemie153(3):153-183(10June1926);"UberdieAngeblicheDarstellungkunstilchenGoldesausQuicksilber";Chem.Abstr.20:2614;ibid.,19:3443;

9.Haber.F.:Nature(29May1926).

10.Honigschmid,O.&Zintl,E.:DieNaturwissenschaften13(29):644(1925);"UberdasAtomgewichtdesvonMietheundStammreichausQuecksilberGewonnenGoldes"

11.Honigschmid,O.:Zeit.Anorg.Allgem.Chem.147(1-3):262-264(17Aug.1925).;"UbverdasAtomgewichtdesvonA.Miethe&H.StammreichausQuecksilberGewonnenGoldes"

12.LiteraryDigest(14March1925);"AttemptsatArtificialAu";ibid.,(12December1925);"NegativeEvidenceintheHg-AuCase";ibid.,(6February1926).

13.Manley,J.J.:Nature114:86191924);ibid.,115:337(1925)

14.Miethe,Adolf:DieNaturwissenschaften12(29):597,598(July18,1924);"DerZerfalldesQuicksilberatoms";ibid.,13:635-637(1925);"TransmutationofHg"

15.Miethe,A.&Stammreich,H.:ZeischriftfurAnorgansicheundAllgemeineChemie150(4):350-354(8Feb.1926);"BildungvonGoldausQuecksilberinAbreibendenLichtbogen"

16.Miethe,A.&Stammreich,H.GermanPatentSpecification#233,715[Class82(i).],(8May1924).

17.Miethe,A.&Stammreich,H.:FrenchPatent598,140(1925);"Procedepourlaproductiondel'or"

18.Nagaoka,H.:Chem.Abstracts19:3209(1925)

19.Nagaoka,H.:DieNaturwissenschaften13(29):635-637(17July1925);"GoldausQuecksilber";ibid.,13(31):682-684(31July1925);"DieUmwandlungvonQuecksilberinGold";ibid.,14:85(1926)

20.Nagaoka,H.:Nature116(2907):95,96(18July1925);"PreliminaryNoteontheTransmutationofHgintoAu"

21.Nagaoka,H.:JournaldePhysiqueetlaRadium6:209(1925)

22.Nature114:197(9August1924);ibid.,117(2952):604(29May1926);"TransmutationofHgintoAu";ibid.,117(2952):758-760(29May1926);"ThePresentPositionoftheTransmutationControversy"

23.Piutti,Arnaldo,&Boggio-Lera,Enrico:Giorn.chim.ind.applicata8:59-61(1925

24.Reisenfeld,E.H.,&Haase,W.:DieNaturwissenschaften13(35):74528Aug.1925);"UberdieHerstellungvonGoldFreiemQuecksilber"

25.Russell,A.S.:Nature116(2913):312(29Aug.1925);"TransformationofHgintoAu"

26.Science61(#1581),17April1925;"TheTransmutationofHg"

27.ScientificAmerican131(6):389(Dec.1924);"WhyWearetryingtomakeGold";ibid.,132(3):157(March1925);"OurArtificialGoldInvestigation";ibid.,133(5):296,297(Nov.1925);"TestsFailtoConfirmTransmutationtoGold";ibid.,135(2):151,152(August1926);"TransmutationofGoldintoQuicksilver:ANewMethodofAttack";ibid.,p.90(17April1926);ibid.,138(3):208(March1928);"TheRetreatoftheModernAlchemists"

28.Sheldon,Horton&Estey,RogerS.:Phys.Review27(2):515(1926);"ReportontheFailureoftheMercurytoGoldTransmutationExperiment"

29.Siemens&HalskeAkt.-Ges.:GermanPatentSpec.#243,670[Cl.39(i)&82(i)];"TreatingHg";UnitedKingdomPatentSpecification233,715(7May1925):"ImprovementsinorRelatingtotheExtractionofPreciousMetals";UKPatentSpecification243,670(12June1925);"AProcessforConvertingMercuryintoAnotherElement"

30.Soddy,Frederick:Nature114:244(16August1924);"TheReportedTransmutationofHgintoAu"

31.Tiede,Erich,etal.:DieNaturwiss.13(35):745-746(28Aug.1925);"ZurFragederBildungvonGoldausQuecksilber"

32.Tiede,E.,etal.:Chem.Ber.Deutsch.Ges.59:1629-1641(1926);"TheFormationofAufromHg..."

PartII

ModernArcana

Chapter8

BiologicalTransmutations

(1)EarlyExperimenters(2)L.Kervran(3)OtherModernExperimenters(4)References

(1)EarlyExperimenters

Longbeforethediscoveryof"coldfusion"byPonsandFleischman,otherscientistshadvariouslyfoundphenomenalevidenceofnon-radioactive,low-energytransmutationoflightelementsinplant,animalsandminerals.Thesereactionshavecometobeknownas"biologicaltransmutations"or"nuclido-biologicalreactions".Thisclassofnuclearreactionsisofgreatimportancetotheprogressofhumanknowledgeinthefieldsofphysics,cosmology,biology,geology,ecology,medicine,nutritionandagriculture.Theexactmechanismsofbiological

transmutationsremainunknown,thoughafewtheorieshavebeenproposedtoexplainthem.Biologicaltransmutationsexistandcannotbedenied;theyaretheverycoreoflivingnature,whichcouldnotfunctionwithoutthem.

Thestudyofbiologicaltransmutationcanbesaidtohavebeguninthe17thcenturywiththefamousexperimentbyvonHelmont,whogrewawillowtreeinaclayvasewith200poundsofsoil.After5years,hedriedthesoilandfoundthatitsweighthaddecreasedbyonly2ounces:"Wateralonehad,therefore,beensufficienttoproduce160poundsofwood,barkandroots"(plusfallenleaveswhichhedidnotweigh).Presumably,thereweresomemineralsinthewaterhefedtothetree.Nowadaysweknowthatplantsformcarbohydratesfromatmosphericcarbondioxide,buttheirmineralcontentisderivedfromsoil,notair.Itmaybepossible,however,thattheORMEs(OrbitallyRearrangedMonoatomicElements),discoveredbyDavidHudsoninthe1980s,existintheatmosphereandareutilizedbyplants.

In1799,theFrenchchemistVauquelinbecameintriguedbythequantityoflimewhichhensexcreteeveryday.Heisolatedahenandfeditapoundofoatsthatwasanalyzedforlime(CaO).VauquelinanalyzedtheeggsandfecesandfoundfivetimesmoreCawasexcretedthanwasconsumed.Heconcludedthatlimehadbeencreated,butcouldnotfigureouthowithappened.

In1822,theEnglishphysiologistProutstudiedtheincreaseofcalciumcarbonateinsideincubatingchickeneggs,andwasabletoshowthatitwasnotcontributedbytheshell.

In1831,Choubardgerminatedwatercressseedsincleanglassvesselsandshowedthatthesproutscontainedmineralswhichdidnotpreviouslyexistintheseeds.

In1844,Vogelalsofoundevidenceofbiologicaltransmutation.J.J.BerzeliusreportedtheexperimentinhisTreatiseonMineral,PlantandAnimalChemistry(1849):

"Hesproutedseedsofcress...incrushedglassdeprivedofsulfateorofanyothersulfurouscompound;hewateredthemwithdistilledwater,coveredthemwithaglassclocheandanalyzedtheairoftheroom,soastodeterminethesulfur...Afewmonthslater,theadultplantswithripeseeds,weredriedandburntwithamixtureofpotassiumnitrateandpotassiumcarbonate;theresultwasthataquantityofsulfuricaciddoublethatwhichwascontainedintheseedswasproduced.Theseexperimentsdemonstratethateithersulfurisnotasimpleelementorthatthesourcewhichproducedthesulfurhasremainedunknown,despiteallthecarewhichhadbeentakentodiscoverit..."(1)

Circa1850,LauwesandGilbertobservedaninexplicablevariationintheamountofmagnesiumintheashesofplants.

From1875-1883,vonHerzeeleconducted500analysesthatverifiedanincreaseinweightintheashesofplantsgrownwithoutsoilinacontrolledmedium.Heconcludedthat,"Plantsarecapableofeffectingthetransmutationofelements".Hispublicationssooutragedthescientificcommunityofthetime,thattheywereremovedfromlibraries.Hiswritingswerelostformorethan50yearsuntilacollectionwasfoundinBerlinbyDr.Hauscka,whosubsequentlypublishedvonHerzeele'sfindings.

M.Baranger(EcolePolytechnique,Paris)becameintriguedwithVonHerzeele'sexperiments,buthethoughtthatthenumberoftrialshadbeentoolimitedandtheprecautionsagainsterrorwereinsufficient.Barangerdecidedtorepeattheexperimentswithallpossibleprecautionsandaverylargenumberofcasesthatwouldallowastatisticalstudy.Hisresearchprojectlastedfouryearsandinvolvedthousandsofanalyses.BarangerverifiedthecontentofP,K,andCaofvetchseedsbeforeandaftergerminationintwice-distilledwatertowhichpurecalciumchloridewas/wasnotadded.Hundredsoflotsof7-10gramseachwereselected,weighedto1/100thmilligram,andgraded,thengerminatedinacontrolledenvironment.BarangerfoundasignificantdecreaseinPintheCa-seriesoftests.Non-germinatedseedsandseedsgerminatedinthedistilledwatershowednosignificantchangeintheirlevelsofK.ThoseseedstreatedwithCaCl2showeda10%increaseintheirKcontent.

NoneofthespecialistswhoexaminedBaranger'sworkwereabletofindanyexperimentalerrors.Barangerconcluded:

"Theseresults,obtainedbytakingallpossibleprecautions,confirmthegeneralconclusionsproposedbyV.Herzeeleandleadonetothinkthatundercertainconditionstheplantsarecapableofformingelementswhichdidnotexistbeforeintheexternalenvironment.

"[Thepracticalconsequences]cannotbeunderestimated...Certainplantswouldbringtothesoilsomeelementsusefulforthegrowthofotherplants;thiswouldleadusespeciallytodefineandrevisethecurrentnotionsonfallows,rotations,mixedcrop,fertilizersandthemanuringofinfertilesoils.Nothingpreventsusfromthinkingthatcertainplantsarecapableofproducingrareelementsofindustrialimportance....

"Inthesub-atomicfield,theplantsuppliesuswithanexampleoftransformationwhichwearenotcapableofperforminginthelaboratorywithoutbringingintoactionparticlesofhigh-energy...Itseemsthatthetheoreticalconsequencesinthefieldofsub-atomicphysicsarenotnegligible."

In1946,HenriSpindler,(DirectoroftheLaboratoireMaritimedeDinard)investigatedtheoriginofiodineinseaweed,andfoundthatthealgaeLaminariamanufacturediodineoutofwaterwhichcontainednoneoftheelement.(16)

Prof.Perrault(ParisUniversity)foundthatthehormonealdosteroneprovokedatransmutationofNatoK,whichcouldbefataltoapatient;heartfailureoccurswhenbloodplasmaKreachesapproximately350mg/liter.

In1959,Dr.Julien(Univ.ofBesancon)provedthatiftenchesareputinwatercontaining14%NaCl,theirproductionofKClincreases36%within4hours.(5)

(2)LouisKervran

LouisKervran(Univ.ofParis)wasthemostavidresearcherofbiologicaltransmutation,andhisworkinthefieldearnedhimanominationfortheNobelPrize.Kervranelucidatedseveralofthesenuclearreactionsandverifiedthem:

Thevitalphenomenonisnotofachemicalorder...Thenucleusoftheatominlightelementsisquitedifferentfromwhatnuclearphysicsregardsastheaveragetype,thelatterhavingvalueonlyfortheheavyelements...Naturemovesparticlesfromonenucleustoanother---particlessuchashydrogenandoxygennucleiand,insomecases,thenucleiofcarbonandlithium.Thereisthusatransmutation...Biologicaltransmutationisaphenomenoncompletelydifferentfromtheatomicfissionsorfusionsofphysics...itrevealsapropertyofmatternotseenpriortothiswork.(4,7-13)

Kervranfoundthatinnuclido-biologicalreactions,oxygenisalwaysintheformofO,neverO2;reactionswithnitrogenoccuronlywithN2,insofarasisknown.Thefollowingreactions(showninsimplisticform)havebeenobserved:

Na23+H1=Mg24Na23+O16=K39Na23-O16=Li7

Na23=Li7+O16K39+H1=Ca40Mg24+Li7=P31

Mg24+O16=Ca40F19+O16=Cl35C12+Li7=F19

Cl35=C12+Na23Fe56-H1=Mn552O16-H1=P31

O16+O16=S322N14=C12+O16N14+Mg12=K19

Si28+C12=Ca40Si28+C12=Ca40P31+H1=S32

CostadeBeauregard(ResearchDirector,CentreNationaledelaRechercheScientifique,Paris)learnedofKervran'sworkin1962andbegantocorrespondandmeetwithhim.Heofferedthefollowingobservationsandexplanationfortheprocesses:

"AlltransmutationsproposedbyKervranhavetwotraitsincommon:(1)Theinitialandfinalnucleidifferbytheadditionorsubtractionofapieceofmatter,e.g.,aproton(ahydrogennucleus...),analphaparticle(aheliumnucleus),anucleusofoxygenoroneofitsisotopes,orperhapssomeotherfamiliarnuclei;(2)Thereisanenergyexcessordeficitintheorderof0.01atomicmassunits(a.m.u.)...or20electronmasses,or10MeV,or1.6x10-12joules.ThemassequivalentofthisenergygapisofcourseneededinordertohavetheLavoisierprinciplesafe...Thisenergygapisverymuchlargerthanthoseoccurringinchemicalreactions.Forexample,if...hensareindeedtransmutingpotassiumintocalcium(whichisanexo-energeticreaction),thepowertheyareradiatingissohugethatitwould,ifintheluminous(electromagnetic)form,seteverythingonfireallaround![Inenergeticterms,suchfluxwouldbeequalto1015MeV/cm2/second,or160watts/cm2]Canwethenimaginesomesortofquasi-occultformintowhichthe'Kervranpowergap'mayberadiated(orfromwhichitmaybeabsorbedinthecaseofendo-energeticreactions)?Noreasonableanswerwasavailableuntil...aboldtheoreticalassumption,duetoWeinbergin1967,turnedoutasexperimentallytrue.Duetothis'neutralcurrenthypothesis'weareallowedtowritesuchnuclearreactionsas:

p+v<<p'+v';or:p+v<<.p'+v';or:p<<p'+v+v

wherepdenotesaproton,vaneutrino,andvtheanti-neutrino.Weevenhavetwosortsofneutrinostoplaywith:theelectronicandthemuonicone.

"WiththiswecaninprinciplehandletheprotontypeofKervran'sreactions(andalsotheotheroneinanalogousfashion.Oneofthetwoprotonsinthereactionwouldbeaquasi-freeone,thatis,onewithonlythetrivial,chemicalbinding.Theotheronewouldbeboundinsidethenucleus.Ofcoursewethenhavetheproblemofgettingtheproton,withitselectriccharge,throughthepotentialbarrierofthenucleus,bytheso-called'tunneleffect'(atypicaleffectofwavemechanics).Butthisispartofaproblemalreadymentioned:Lifeplayingtheinformationgame,thefieldbeingthenucleus,andtherulesbeingthoseofthewavelikeprobabilitycalculus...IftheKervranhendoesradiatethepowergapintheformofneutrinosand/oranti-neutrino,thiswillbedoneinthequietestfashion,andgooncompletelyunnoticed.

"Canwealsohandleinthiswaytheendo-energeticreactions?FortunatelyNatureprovidesuswithanappropriatesupply,becausetherearequiteafewneutrinosandanti-neutrinosflyingaroundusaspartoftheso-calledcosmicrays.Byanotherchancetheupperlimitoftheenergypercosmicparticleissohighthatthe0.01a.m.u.Kervranneedsareveryeasilyavailable.

"Finally,liketheprotonorthea-particle,theneutrinooranti-neutrinoissomethingabundantlyavailable...whichmakesitconvenientforusebyLife.

"Ontheotherhand,theextremely'weakinteraction'oftheneutrinowithotherparticles,whichwehavejustfoundsoconvenientforavoidingtheadverseeffectsoftheKervranpowergap,now...facesuswithgreathostility.Forhowarewetoreconcilethiswiththehypothesisthatthehenisafuriousneutrinosource...?Howcanwesimultaneouslyexplainthatthepoultrykeeper,andindeedthehenitself,donotfeeltheneutrinoNiagaraandthatthesourceofitisinsidetheeggfactoryofthehen?

"ThisistheveryGordianknotoftheinformationgameproblem,thenuclearphysicsanalogon,ifyoulike,oftheso-calledcatalysisproblemofordinarybiochemistry.TheonlytentativeanswerthatIcanthinkof,oneIdeemquiteacceptableinprinciple,isthatwhatlookslikeaflatself-contradictioninthephysicalrealmof'blindstatisticalprediction',retardedwavesandcausality,isnomoreacontradictionatallifweassumethatLifeisplayingwithfinality,advancedwaves,and'blindstatisticalretrodiction'...Lifeknowshowto...induceprobabilitydecreasingprocesses."(2)

Kervrancommentedonthatopinioninanunpublishedmanuscript:

"ForCostadeBeauregard,theapparentdiscordancewiththepostulateoftheequivalencebetweenmassandenergycanbereplacedbythepostulateofemission-absorptionofanoccultmassboundtoaparticleofcompletespin;itisthusthattheneutrinowitha1/2spinwasinvented...youwouldneedaparticleofcompletespinwithnormallyveryweakinteractionswithmatter,but'catalyzed'biologically;itwouldnotdispleaseme,withinthisperspective,totrytheclassic'graviton'withspins2or0,oranon-classicalneo-gravitonwithspins2,1,and0...

"Simplyput,ifanoccultparticleisemittedorabsorbedinKervran-typereactions,theconservationofangularmomentumwouldrequire

thatithaveacompletespin."

InletterstodeBeauregard(20Januaryand17October1873),Kervrannoted:

"Thisparticleseemstohaveamassof0.011a.m.u.or1.8x10-26graminreactionswith+H+...

"Ihadnotbeenspeakingofenergy,forhereitwasaquestionofanequivalence,notanidentity...Iprefertoholdtothenotion,asmeasuredatthemassspectrometer,ofadifferenceofmasses,fortheproblemofenergy,inmyreactions,canbewrittenonlyinaverysimplisticwaybyapplicationtoEinstein'slaw.Thereiscertainlysomethingelsehere,andthereinliesthewholeproblem."

DeBeauregardlaternoted:

"Intheterrestrialatmospherethereexistsaparticleinabundancewitharestmassm,andamaupertusienmass(orkineticmass)...whichismorethansufficienttoassuretheKervranbalances:themumesonofcosmicrays...

"Itisquiteadmissibletoconceiveofitasabsorbed,then,re-emittedduringthecourseofanucleartransitionoftheKervrantypewhich,moreover,impliesa'virtualneutrino'(emitted,thenreabsorbed)."

HealsoofferedthelogicalpossibilityofareactionwithiN+1H+nu=pN+nu'.Inaletterof31December1973,deBeauregardwrote:

"Thereisasecondimportantproblemtosolve.TogettheHtofusewiththeNthereisanenormousbarrierofrepulsingelectricpotentialtopassthrough.Evidentlythisisbythetunneleffect.ThetheorywhichIamworkingup...thusunitesaspectsofthetheoryofbetadisintegration...andthetheoryofalphadisintegration...Likeyou,Ibelievethattheconfigurationofanatomicormolecularelectroncloudhasarealwordtosayonthesubject."

Inhisresponse(7January1974),Kervranattributedthetransmutationsinplantsinparttothepowerofenzymes:

"InaPetridish9cm.indiameterIstartedgerminating50oatseeds.Theculturecontinuedfor6weeksor3.6millionsecondsgiveortakeafewtenthousandsofseconds...Theareaof'cosmicinteraction'was63cm3...Duringthistimeonthissurface3.9mgofKweretransmutedintoCa;thismustbe~6x1019atomsofKtransmutedin3.6x106secondsor1.8x1013atomspersecondor2.6x1011percm2/second.TheproportionofKtransmutedwas~46%in6weeks.Thisintegrationofresultsforthephenomenonisnotconstant:itisimperceptibleduringthefirstdayswhenonewitnessesthesynthesisofenzymeswhichwillprovokethetransmutations;evenattheendofaweektheeffectishardlytobenoticed.Itdevelopsrapidlyduringthe2ndand3rdweeks,thenslowsdownduringthe4thweek...Thephenomenonseemstobeasymptoticandattheendofthe6thweektransmutationprogressesonlyveryslowly..Whichdemonstratesyetonceagainthattheactionoftheambientisinsufficient,thatthereisanenergyregulatedbythemetabolismofthegerminationandgrowthwhichisattheoriginofthesetransmutations...Obviouslythiscalculationwasoneforamacro-sectionandnotfortheeffectivesection...Moreover,thereisinbiologyanimportantphenomenonwhichmustnotbeoverlooked:somemoleculesassembleinhelixshapes(DNAandRNAforexample).Therearealsosomeorientedassemblageswhichpolarizelight,mostoftentotheleft.Theseorientedconstructionshaveanorientedelectromagneticfield,andamoleculesuchasDNAcanbecomparedtoasolenoidinwhichchargedparticles(mu-forexample)aresomehowpartlychanneledintheinterior,andthusconcentrated..."

DeBeauregardmadeasuggestion:

"Themicroorganismsresponsibleforthephenomenonwouldfindinthenaturalradiationasufficientstoreofneutrinosof10MeVandmorethantheyneed...Adiminutionofthisalimentationwouldconsistofanequalnumericalfluxofneutrinosofverylowenergytobeputinthefreeintersticesofthenaturaldistribution.Itisaproblemofthesymmetricinformation...inwhich(inthermodynamicterms)thedifferencebetweenthe'heat'gainedfromthehotsource(highenergyneutrinos)andthatgiventothecoldsource(lowenergyneutrinos)isconvertednotintowork,butintointernalenergy,orintotherestmassofthemachine,whichisnotcyclical...Analogouscommentsapplytothecase...implyinganabsorptionofapair,neutrinoandanti-neutrino,ofanaverageenergyof5MeV...[Thereactions]availthemselvesofanabundanthotsourcelikeageyser(theneutrinosofaverageenergyofthecosmicradiationwithintheatmosphere)andofanimmensecoldsourcelikeanocean,'Fermi'slake'ofverylowenergyneutrinos."

Kervranalsoproposedarevolutionarytheoryaboutthegenesisofcoalandoil:

"Coalcomesfromschists,fabricatedinsitu,byhighcompressionthatproducedthereactions:Si=C+O.IfOcouldnotescape,andwascompressedaswell,onewouldhaveO+O=S,fromwhichonegetssulfurouscoals.Iftherewasnodeformation,thecoalremainsmixedwithargiltoproduceampelite."

Thepresenceofcarboninmetamorphicandsilicaterocks,formedlongbeforetherewasanyvegetationonEarth,isacleardemonstration:

"Graphitecannotbeofvegetalorigin,inwhichcaseanotheroriginmustbefoundforit,andIproposethesiliciumoftheseArchaeanrocks.Asfordiamonds...here,too,oneobservesthepresenceofsilicates,thusofsilicon...Inthiswayonecanexplainwhyallcoaldepositscontainsilicon(upto20%,oreven40%,andmore)whichform'ashes'.ThegreatamountsofsiliconmightbeanindicationthatthetransmutationfromSitoC+Owasimperfect,incomplete."

Kervranclaimedthatpetroleumwasnotformedfromfleshorplants,butfromthereactionMg=C+Catgreatdepth.Ifwaterispresent,thehydrogencombineswithcarbon,andtheoxygenformssulfur(O+O=S),givingsulfurousoil.TheMgcancomefromapocketofsalinewaterwhenNa+H=Mg.Otherwise,MgalsocancomefromCaorfromadjacentlayersofdolomiticrock.OildepositsintheSaharahavebeenfoundinpre-Carboniferousrocks(DevonianandCambrian-Ordovician)andindolomite.Usuallythereisnocommunicationbetweenlayersofpetroleumdepositsofdifferentcompositionthatarewidelyseparatedbyhundredsofmetersofimpermeablerock.Kervranconcluded:

"Thewholeproblemofprospectionshouldbethoughtoutalloveragain."

(3)OtherModernExperiments

In1965,H.Komaki(Prof.ofappliedmicrobiology,MukogawaUniv.,Japan),publishedtheresultsofhisresearch,andsuggestedtheprobableoccurrenceofanuclearreactioninthecellsofAspergillusniger,Penicilliumchrys.,Saccromycescerv.,andTorulautilisgrowninpotassium-deficientmedium.HisexperimentsrevealedthatPcanbeformedthroughthepathway:N+OinsometwodozenstrainsofmicroorganismsculturedinP-deficientmedium.(14)

In1971,theLaboratoryoftheFrenchSocietyofAgriculturesproutedryeseedsundercontrolledconditions,withtheseresults:

TotalInputinSeeds&Water|Output|Difference

Mg:13.34mg3.20-10.14(-335%)

K:7.3616.67+9.31(+133%)

In1971,J.E.ZundelstudiedtheutilizationofCabygerminatinggrainsandobserved54-616%augmentationofCa.Inanotherexperiment,hegrew150grainsofoatsinacontrolledenvironmentfor6weeks.1243sproutswereanalyzedbyatomicabsorptionspectrophotometryforMgandCa.Potassiumwasanalyzedbyflameemission.TheKwasdeficientby0.033%,theCawas0.032%inexcess,andMgwas0.007%deficient.ThevariationofMgwasnotsignificant,butthedecreaseinKequaledtheincreaseofCa.TheincreaseinCawasfargreaterthanthemarginofexperimentalerror.(17)

InFebruary1977,Prof.J.A.Jungerman(Univ.ofCalifornia,Davis)reportedtheresultsofanexperimentwith4growthsofoatseedlingsundercarefullycontrolledconditions.RandomsamplesofgerminatedseedswereanalyzedbyatomicabsorptionandX-rayfluorescenceforCaandK.Hefoundnoevidenceoftransmutation.

In1978,CarolynE.Damon(U.S.CustomsTech.ServiceDiv.)rantestsforbiologicaltransmutationwithAspergillusterreusandRhizopusnigricans,withnegativeresults.

In1978,SolomonGoldfein(U.S.ArmyMaterialTech.Lab,Ft.Belvoir)studiedthebiologicaltransmutationof39K+1H40Ca.Hisanalysisofthousandsofreferencesledhimtoconcludethatthemostpromisingapproachtotestingthetheoryofbiologicaltransmutationwouldinvolveanorganicmoleculewithacentralmetalatom:thechelateMagnesiumAdenosineTriphosphate(Mg-ATP).GoldfeinpostulatedaconformationalstructureofastackofMg-ATPmoleculesformingahelicalchain.TheMg-ATPchelateproducesoscillatingelectricalcurrentsthatactasamicromini-cyclotronthataccelerateshydrogenionstorelativisticspeedswithsufficientpotentialtotransmuteanelementtothenexthighernumber.(3)

DrHisalokiKomaki(TheBiologicalandAgriculturalResearchInstitute,Japan)workedwithDrLouisKervrantodevelop"Anapproachtotheprobablemechanismofthenon-radioactivebiologicalcoldfusion..."In1996,KomakireportedtheresultsofarecentexperimentinwhichhedeterminedtheamountsofK,Mg,FeandCainstrainsofAspergillusnigerIFO4066,PenicilliumchrysogenumIFO4689,SaccaromyascarevisaeIFO0308,andTorulopsisIFO0396,culturedinnormalmediaandinmediadeficientinthoseelements.Theresultsshowedthatthemoldsapparentlyperformedbiologicaltransmutationstoproduceusefulquantitiesofthemissingelements.

In1999,PanosT.Papaspublishedanarticlesuggestingthatbiologicaltransmutationoccursasaformofcoldfusioninthecellularmembranesodium-potassiumpump(SPP).AccordingtoPappas,theionsarenotpumpedbackandforththroughthemembrane,butinsteadtransmutebackandforthbetweenNaandK.(15)

Researchintothephenomenonofbiologicaltransmutationcontinuesinobscurity,practicallyunknowntomostscientists.Yetinevitably,thesubjectwillbecomeestablishedasafertilefieldofresearchyieldingharvestsofvaluablepracticalknowledge.

(4)References

1.Berzelius,J.J.:TreatiseonMineral,Plant&AnimalChemistry(1849,Paris)

2.deBeauregard,Costa:IsKervranaFalseorTrueProphet?;unpublishedmanuscript,1963

3.Goldfein,Solomon:MERADCOMReport2247(May1978)

4.Jeuneman,FrederickR.:IndustrialResearch/Development(Dec.1977),p.11;ibid.,(May1978),p.202;ibid.,(November1978),p.15.

5.Julien:AnnalesScientifiquesdel'UniversitedeBesancon,Series2(1959)

6.Jungerman,J.A.:LettertoL.Kervran(11February1977)

7.Kervran,C.Louis:NaturalNon-RadioactiveTransmutations:ANewPropertyofMatter;1963,LibrairieMaloine,Paris.

8.Kervran,C.L.:PreuvesRelativesal'ExistencedeTransmutationsBiologiques;1968,LibraireMaloine

9.Kervran,C.L.:TransmutationsBiologiques:MetabolismesAberrantsdel'Azote,lePotassiumetleMagnesium;1963,LibraireMaloine

10.Kervran.C.L.:TransmutationsaFaibleEnergie;1964,LibraireMaloine

11.Kervran,C.L.:TransmutationsNaturelles,Non-Radioctives;1963,LibraireMaloine

12.Kervran,C.L.:BiologicalTransmutations;1972,SwanPubl.Co.,NY;MichelAbehsera,translator.

13.Kervran,C.L.:LaRevueGeneraledesSciences,Paris(July1960).

14.Komaki,H.:RevuedePathologieCompareeetdeMedicineExperimentale(Sept.1965)

15.Pappas,P.:PlanetaryAssociationforCleanEnergyNewsletter10(1):21-24(December1998)

16.Spindler,Henri:Bull.Lab.MaritimeDinard(15June1948);ibid.,(December1946)

17.Zundel,J.E.:ComptesRenduAcad.D'AgriculturedeFrance58:288-293(1972)

FigureII.8.1AtomsAccordingtoKervran

FigureII.8.2AtomsAccordingtoL.Kervran

FigureII.8.3AtomsAccordingtoL.Kervran

PartII

ModernArcana

Chapter9

ColdFusion

(1)ColdFusionTransmutations(2)NuclearWasteRemediation(3)References

(1)ColdFusionTransmutations

SoonafterthephenomenaofColdFusion(CF,discoveredbyB.StanleyPonsandMartinFleischmanin1989)becamewidelyreplicated,researchersbegantoannouncetheanomalousproductionofelements,beginningwithheliumandtritiumandcontinuingintotheheavyatoms.By1995about120papershadreportedtheproductionoftritiuminexperimentswithpalladium.Forexample,severalpapersonLow-EnergyTransmutation(LET)werepresentedataconferenceheldatTexasA&MUniversityonJune19,1995,asdescribedbelow:

Dr.ThomasPassell(ElectricPowerResearchInstitute,PaloAltoCA)gavean"OverviewoftheEPRIPrograminDeuteridedMetals"inwhichhenoted:

"Aftercompletionoftheexperiment,thethree6mmdiameterby60mmPdcathodeswerefoundtobemildlyradioactive.Uponanalysisitwasfoundthatallthreecathodescontainedabout100billionatomsofAg,Pd,Rh,and(inonecathode)Ruisotopeshavingratiosunlikeratiosthatcouldhavebeenobtainedfrombombardmentbyhighenergydeuteronorprotonbeams..."(6,7)

Dr.T.Ohmori(HokkaidoUniv.)announced"Ironformationingoldandpalladiumcathodes",withtheformationofFebeingafunctionoftheexcessheatproduced.TheratioofFe57toFe54wasmuchlargerthanisnatural.

Dr.JohnDash(PortlandStateUniv.)madea"MicroanalysisofPdcathodesafterelectrolysisinaqueousacids"andfoundsilverandcadmiumintheactiveareas,plusconcentrationsofgoldinspikesthatprotrudedfromthePdelectrodes.Cr,FeandCawerefoundinexperimentswithaTicathode.

DrRobertBush(CalPoly)reportedthe"Electrolyticallystimulatedcoldnuclearsynthesisofstrontiumfromrubidium"byprotoncapturethatheaccomplishedwithProf.RobertEagleton.ThenaturalabundanceratioofSr86toSr88waschangedbyafactorofalmost22times.(4)

DrReikoNotoya(CatalystResearchCenter,Hokkaido)describedherlight-waterexperimentsinwhichsomeoftheKintheelectrolytewasconvertedtoCa,andNa23becameNa24.

T.Mizuno,etal.,confirmedthatreactionproductswithmassnumberrangingfrom39to81,104to136,and177to208wereproducedbyonemonthofhighamperageelectrolysis(0.2to0.6A/cm2)withPdcathodesinaheavywatersolutionathighpressureandhightemperature.Isotopicdistributionsdifferedradicallyfromthenaturalorder.Forexample,thecopperfoundinthecathodewas100%Cu63;noCu65wasdetected.Naturalisotopicdistributionvariesbylessthan0.001%forcopper(70%Cu63,and30%Cu65).Ingeneral,heavyisotopesincreasedcomparedtothenaturalratio,andlightisotopesdecreasedincomparison.Thephenomenonishighlyreproducible;differentisotopedistributionsareobtained,dependingamperage.Evenallimpuritieswereaccumulatedinthecathode,theamountwouldbe10to100timessmallerthanthetotalamountdetectedbyMizuno,etal.Theshiftsintheisotopicdistributioncannotbeexplainedaway:

"Itmustbeconcludedthatsomenovelreactionsoccurred,resultinginthereactantswhichwerefoundabundantintheelectrolyteandelectrodematerial.Weassumethatthecathodepalladiumwasthestartingpointforthesereactions,butispossiblethatimpuritiesandothercellcomponentssuchasLi,D2O,Pd,Pt,K,Na,Ca,B,C,AgandFemayhaveprovidedthestartingmaterialforthenuclearreactions..."

Inanotherreportontheirresearch,Mizuno,etal.,wrote:

"Itwasconfirmedbyseveralanalyticalmethodsthatreactionproductswithmassnumbersrangingfrom6to220aredepositedonpalladiumcathodessubjectedtoelectrolysisinaheavywatersolutionathighpressure,hightemperature,andhighcurrentdensityforonemonth.Thesemasseswerecomposedofmanyelementsrangingfromhydrogentolead.Isotopicdistributionsfortheproducedelements(Pt,Cr,Fe,Cu,Ze,Br,Xe,Pd,Cd,Hf,Pt,Ir,Hg,O,C,Ca,Na,MgandAl)wereradicallydifferentfromthenaturalones."(13,14)

T.Mizunoetal.alsoobservedthe"Formationof197PtradioisotopesinsolidstateelectrolytetreatedbyhightemperatureelectrolysisinD2gas":

"Aprotonconductor,asolidstateelectrolytemadefromoxideofstrontium,cerium,niobium,andytrrium,waschargedinahotD2atmosphere.Anomalousradioisotopesweredetectedinallsampleschargedwithanalternatingcurrentwithvoltagesrangingfrom5Vto45V,attemperaturesrangingfrom400to700oC.NoradioisotopeswereobservedinsampleschargedinahotH2atmosphere."

In1996,T.Clayton,D.Jackson,andD.TuggleofLosAlamosNationalLaboratoryannounced"TritiumproductionfromalowvoltagedeuteriumdischargeonPalladiumandothermetals":

"Overthepastyearwehavebeenabletodemonstratethataplasmaloadingmethodproducesanexcitingandunexpectedamountoftritiumfromsmallpalladiumwires.Incontrasttoelectrochemicalhydrogenordeuteriumloadingofpalladium,thismethodyieldsareproducibletritiumgenerationratewhenvariouselectricalandphysicalconditionsaremet.Smalldiameterwires(100-250microns)havebeenusedwithgaspressuresabove200torratvoltagesandcurrentsofabout2000Vat3-5A.Bycarefullycontrollingthesputteringrateofthewire,runshavebeenextendedtohundredsofhoursallowingasignificantamount(>10'snCi)oftritiumtoaccumulate...Tritiumgenerationratesfordeuterium-palladiumforegroundrunsareupto25timeslargerthanhydrogen-palladiumcontrolexperimentsusingmaterialsfromthesamebatch...

"Wehavefoundthatthetritiumoutputdependsonthetemperature,pressureandcurrentappliedtothecells.Yet,thetritiumyieldismost

sensitivetothepurityandmetallurgicalconditionofpalladiumusedintheexperiments...CO2additionshadaremarkableeffectontheproductionoftritium...Theeffectseemstoberelatedtoanenhancementofthehydridingofthepalladium..."(5)

Atthe3rdRussianConferenceonColdFusionandNuclearTransmutationinOctober1995,Dr.YuriN.BazhutovannouncedthesurprisingdiscoveryofC14inthewaterusedinthevortexcavitationmachine(YUSMAR)inventedbyDr.YuriS.Potapov(Kishinev,Moldova)

In1997,A.YoshirakiandY-C.Zhangreportedtheseresultsoftheirlongexperiments:

"Inaseriesofstudies,asignificantlylargeamountofhelium(4He/D2~(1~0.2)x10-2and4He/3He>>4,D2:"fuel"helium:"ash")was

clearlydetectedwithaquadrupolemassspectrometer(QMS)asthedeuteriumnuclearreactionproduct("ash")releasedfromthehighlydeuteratedpalladiumhost-solid(Pd-blackdistributed0.02~0.06[m]:average0.04[m])thathadproducedlargeamountsofexcessenergy(200-500[MJ/cm3])throughlongperiodssuchas5000hours...

"Adeuteriumnuclearreactionwascontinuouslygeneratedinsideahighlydeuteratedsolidbyshowingboththeexcessenergyandcorrespondingamountofheliumasthereactionproductgeneratedsimultaneously..."

GeorgeMileyandJamesPattersonfoundevidenceofnucleartransmutationsinthin-filmnickelcoatingsintheirelectrolyticexperiments:

"Experimentsusing1-mmplasticandglassmicrospherescoatedwithsingleandmultilayersofthinfilmsofvariousmetalssuchaspalladiumandnickel,usedinapackedbedelectrolyticcell(PattersonPowerCell)configuration,typicallyemployingPdandheavyorlightwaterwithvariouselectrolytessuchasNa2CO3andLiOH),haveapparentlyproducedavarietyofnuclearreactionproducts...Followingatwoweekelectrolyticrun,theNifilmwasfoundtocontainFe,Ag,Cu,Mg,andCr,inconcentrationsexceeding2atom%each,plusanumberofadditionaltraceelements.Theseelementswereatthemost,onlypresentintheinitialfilmandtheelectrolyteplusotheraccessiblecellcomponentsinmuchsmalleramounts.Thatfact,combinedwithotherdata,suchasdeviationsfromnaturalisotopeabundances,seeminglyeliminatethealternateexplanationofimpuritiesconcentratinginthefilm."(12)

R.KopacekandJ.DashexperimentedwithPdandTicathodesintheircoldfusionheavywaterelectrolysiscellandproducedheat(1.2watts)andtransmutationswhichproducedS,K,Ca,V,Cr,Fe,Ni,andZn.(10)

Ohmori,T.,etal,foundanomaliesinthe"Isotopicdistributionsofheavymetalelementsproducedduringthelightwaterelectrolysisongoldelectrodes"in0.5Mlightwatersolutionsofsodiumsulfateandsodiumcarbonatefor3-4weeksat300mA/cm3.Theisotopicdistributionsdeviatedfromtheirnaturalabundance.(16)

SomeColdFusionPatents

JohnDash:USPAppln.#2005/0276366---LowTemperatureNuclearFusion.HeinrichHora&GeorgeMiley:USPApplication#2003/202623---MethodandArrangementforNuclearReactionsatLowTemperatures.JohnKelly:GermanPatent#4,123,995---ColdNuclearFusionGeneration.HeinrichHora:GermanPatent#4,027,784---ColdFusionDeviceforEnergyGeneration-withMetalLayersFormingInterfaces.HeinrichHora:GermanPatent#4,009,604---ColdFusionEnergyGeneratingSourceforNuclearReactionControl.HeinrichHora&GeorgeMiley:GermanPatent#3,910,806---MethodandArrangementforNuclearReactionsatLowTemperatures.GeorgeMiley:USPApplication#2003/230481---Flake-ResistantMultilayerThin-FilmElectrodesandElectrolyticCellsIncorporatingSame.GeorgeMiley:USPatentApplication#2003/159922---ElectricalCells,ComponentsandMethods.JamesPatterson&GeorgeMiley:WO#9919881---LowTemperatureElectrolyticNuclearTransmutation.JamesPatterson&GeorgeMiley:WO#9803699---NuclearTransmutedElementsHavingUnnaturalIsotopicDistributionsbyElectrolysis&MethodofProduction.JamesPatterson&GeorgeMiley:WO#9740211---ElectrolyticCell&MethodforProducingExcessHeat&forTransmutationbyElectrolysis.HeinrichHora,etal.:USP#4,027,784---ColdFusionDeviceforEnergyGeneration-withMetalLayersFormingInterfaces.HeinrichHora&GeorgeMiley:GermanPatent#3,910,806---MethodandArrangementforNuclearReactionsatLowTemperatures.ReikoNotoya:JapanPatent#6,317,686---LowTemperatureNuclearFusionMethod.ReikoNotoya:JapanPatent#10039096---ProductionofPositronEmissionIsotope.ReikoNotoya:JapanPatent#9,197,077---ElectrodeforColdNuclearFusion&MethodforManufacturingRadioactive&NonradioactiveElement...ReikoNotoya:JapanPatent#6,317,686---LowTemperatureNuclearFusionMethod.ReikoNotoya&MasyukiKobayashi:JapanPatent#2,094,364---ElectrodeforOxygenElectrodeReaction&ManufactureThereof.ReikoNotoya&TatsumiNagayama:USP#4,917,972---ElectrodeforUseinOxygenElectrodeReaction.ReikoNotoya:JapanPatent#7,174,878---NegativeElectrodeforOrdinaryTemperatureNuclearFusionChainReaction.

(2)NuclearWasteRemediation

Thedispositionofnuclearwasteisoneofthemostserioustechnicalchallengesfacinghumanity.Long-termstorageisnotacceptable,yetitisallthatwecandowiththemessatthistime.Meanwhile,manyphysicistsaredevelopingmethodstorendernuclearwasteinactivebyvariousformsoftransmutation.

Therapidtransmutationofradioactiveelementstostabledaughterelementscanbeaccomplishedinseveralways.ThefirstsuchmethodwasproposedbyDr.RadhaRoy(PhysicsDept,ArizonaStateUniv.)in1979.Heusedalinearacceleratortogeneratex-raysthatknockednucleifromthetargetelements(Cesium-137andStrontium-90),resultinginshort-livedisotopes.HisworkreceivednoticeintheNewYorkTimesin1982(April6&13).Only20yearlater,theLosAlamosNationalLaboratoryisdevelopingaprojectfor"AcceleratorTransmutation

ofWaste".Aprototypeplantwillbeconstructedwithinfiveyears.TwoUSPatentshavebeengrantedforthetransmutationofnuclearwastewiththermalneutronflux:#5,160,696and#4,721,596toCharlesBowmanandRichardMarriott,etal.,respectively.

ScientistsatEurope'sCERNfacilityalsoareexperimentingwith'sub-critical"nuclearreactions(theyceasewhennotbeingtriggeredbyalinearaccelerator)thatcurtailradioactivity.TheproposedEuropeansystemhasbeennamed"EnergyAmplifier"byCarloRubbia,theNobelPrizewinningphysicistwhodesignedit.TheCERNwebsiteoffersthisexplanationfortheirefforts:

Intenselinearacceleratorswouldallowtransmutationoflong-livednuclearwastewhichrapidlydecaystobecomeharmlessoralternativelyprovidethebeamwhichdrivestheEnergyAmplifier,afailsafeformofnuclearreactorusingrelativelyinnocuousthoriumasitsfuel.

TheCERNEnergyAmplifierwouldworkbyinsertingtubesofradioactiveisotopesintoablockoflead.Protonsfiredintotheleadbyalinearacceleratorwouldgeneratehigh-energyneutronsthatwouldfissionthetargetwaste.Whentheneutronspassthroughtheresonantenergylevelsofthetargetisotopes,theytriggertransmutationreactions.Themoltenleadalsowouldservetocoolthesystembyitspassagethroughaheatexchanger,andthewasteheatcouldbeusedtogenerateelectricity.Thecorrosiveleadwillbebubbledwithoxygentoallowtheformationofaprotectivecoatofoxideonthereactorwalls.Thesystemhasbeencriticizedastoocomplex,andtodatetheresearchershaveonlyperformedsimulationsandconductedafewexperimentsonisolatedaspectsofthesystem.Forexample,theCERNscientistshavetransmutedTechnetium-99inaleadblock.

TheAmericansandEuropeansrefusetocooperateontheproject;eachgroupclaimstheotherhascopiedtheirideas.Fortunately,thereareseveralother,simplerwaystosolvetheproblem.

Intheearly1990s,physicistKennethShouldersreceivedfiveUSPatentsforhisHighDensityChargeCluster(HDCC),"arelativelydiscrete,self-contained,negativelycharged,highdensitystateofmatter...[abundleofelectronsthat]appearstobeproducedbytheapplicationofahighelectricalfieldbetweenacathodeandananode"(i.e.,2-10kvatthetipofasharplypointedelectrode).Itcanalsobedescribedas"asphericalmonopoleoscillator".Shouldershasgivenitthename"ElectrumValidum"(EV),meaning"strongelectron",fromtheGreek"elektron"(electroniccharge)andtheLatin"valere"(tobestrong,havingpowertounite).EVshavebeencreditedwithaccomplishingtheaforementionedcoldfusiontransmutations.(19)

ShouldersalsoinventedamethodofPlasma-InjectedTransmutationfortheremediationofnuclearwastebyEVs.Theyapparentlyfunctionasacollectiveacceleratorwithsufficientenergytoinjectalargegroupofnucleiintoatargetandpromotenuclearclusterreactions.ThecompositionofEVsallowsfortheinclusionofsome105nuclides.IonscanbeaddedtoEVsuntilthenetchargebecomespositive.SuchEVsarecalledNEVs(Nuclide-EVs).Shouldersstates:

"TheNEVactsasanultra-massive,negativeionwithhighcharge-to-massratio.Thisprovidesthefunctionofasimplenuclearaccelerator.Suchnuclearreactionsarefundamentallyaneventinvolvinglargenumbersandnotoneofwidelyisolatedeventsworkingatanatomiclevel."

NEVscanbeproducedbymechanicalenergythatisstoredinandreleasedfromabrittlemetallatticebyfracto-emissionofelectrons.Inthecaseofacoustic/aqueoussystems,theyaregeneratedbychargeseparationinacollapsingbubble.AnalysisofpalladiumfoilsaftertheywerestruckbyNEVshasrevealedincreasedquantitiesofMg,Ca,Si,GaandAu.Locallyproducedfracto-emissioninducedbyNEVstrikescontributeaconsiderableamountofenergytothereactionsandcaninitiatea"wildfire"propagationofenergywhicheithertriggersorfuelstheevents.Theseeventsoccurwithinafewtenthsofapicosecond.Thefirststepisaloadingprocessthatrendersthematerialbrittle.ThenaveryrapidfracturegeneratesaNEV,compression-loadedwithavailablenucleons(i.e.,100,000deuteronsinanelectrolyticcoldfusioncell).TheNEVisacceleratedintotheparentmaterialbytheappliedvoltagewhich,thoughitisonlyinthekilovoltrange,hasavelocityequivalenttomegavoltsduetothemechanismoftheaccelerationinthefracture.Shouldersoffersanadhocexplanationoftheseresultsasbeing"duelargelytoanuclearclusterreactionhavinganunknownformofcoherence."KenShouldershasdemonstratedthecompleteeliminationofradioactivityinhigh-levelnuclearmaterial.(14,20)

Otherresearchers(RodNeal,StanGleeson,"TheCincinattiGroup",WilliamBarker,etc.)alsoappliedforpatentsonsimilarapplications.TheNeal-GleesonProcesshasbeenshowntostabilizenaturallyradioactivesolutionsofthoriumanduraniumcompoundsupto70%withinafewhoursinanelectrochemicalreactor.Thoriumcanbefissionedintomercuryandneon.Valvemetals(whoseoxidesemitelectron)canbeexcitedtoproducegalvano-luminescenceinaqueoussolution.Whenthechargegradientexceedsacriticalthreshold(i.e.,1millionvolts),sparksareproducedintheformofchargeclustersthatarebelievedtobetheactivemechanisminthismethodoftransmutation.

Intheirreportsoftheexperimentalresults,NeelandGleeson,etal.,noted:

"Becausethereisacloseagreementbetweenthereductioninthoriumandthereductionofradioactivityofthethoriumdaughterproducts,itisassumedthattheNeal-GleesonProcesshasaboutthesamecapabilitytochangeboththoriumnucleiandthenucleiofthedaughterproductsintootherelementswhicharenotradioactive...

"Aprocesswhichcancausethehigheratomicnumberelementstobesplitintosmallerelementsappearstobeadesirablemethodbywhichcertainradioactiveelementscanbehandled.Itishighlydesirabletobeabletoselectprocess-controlparameterssothatonlystabledaughternucleioftheparentelementsareproduced.Inthisway,theradioactivityoftoday'shighlyradioactiveslurriescanbeameliorated."

HalFoxandAtulBhadkamkarreviewedthetechnologyandconcluded:

"Sparkingattheelectrodeisnecessarybutnotsufficientfortheproductionofnuclearevents.Apparentlyachargecanproduceanobservedsparkbutfailstohavesufficientenergytopromoteanuclearreaction...Thechargeclustermustcarrypiggybackpositivechargesandmustachieveacriticalenergyleveltopromotenuclearreactions.

"Themolarity(andtheresultingconductivityoftheelectrolyte)maybeanimportantoperationalparameter.Thechargeclustermustbeabletopersistforsomeshorttimeperiodandenergeticallyimpactanucleusintheelectrolytetobeabletoproduceanuclearreaction....Thepotentialgradientbetweentheelectrodesmustbekeptatsomecriticalvaluefornuclearreactionstobefavored.Alowerfieldgradient(higherconductivity)intheelectrolytemayleadonlytoJouleheatingandnottothedesiredlevelofnuclearreactions.

"Experimentalevidencesuggeststhatthehydrogenandoxygennucleiareinvolvedinthesometimesmultipleorsequentialnuclearimpactsthatresultinthenuclearreactions..."(3,21)

TheAustralianinventorYullBrowndevelopedanovelmethodofelectrolyzingwatertoproduceacompressed(upto100psi)stoichometricmixtureofhydrogenandoxygenions(popularlyknownas"Brown'sgas")thatisburnedina2:1ration.Sincetheearly1980s,longbeforecoldfusionwasdiscovered,YullBrownclaimedtobeabletotransmuteradioactivematerialintoinertformsbyfusingitintheflameproducedbyhisformofhyfuel.His1977patentmentionsthat,"Theinventionalsorelatestoatomicwelding..."(USPatents#4,014,777;seealso#4,081,656).

YullBrown'sfirstsuccessfulexperimentwithCo60radionuclidesreducedtheactivitybyabout50%in10minutes.TheprocesswasreplicatedbytheBaotouNuclearInstitute(China)in1991.

InademonstrationwitnessedbyUSCongressmanBerkeleyBedell,theradioactivityofAmericiumwasquicklyreducedby2500%withBrown'sGastorch.TheGeigercounterreadingregistered16,000curies/minutebefore,andlessthan100curies/minuteafterwards.CongressmanBedellsaid:

"IthasbeenmygoodpleasuretowitnessexperimentsdonebyProf.YullBrowninwhichitappearedtomethathesignificantlyreducedtheradioactivityinseveralnuclearmaterials.Underthecircumstances,IbelieveitisveryimportantforourfederalgovernmenttocompletelyinvestigateDr.YullBrown'saccomplishmentsinthisarea."

IftheUSgovernmentiscompletelyinvestigatingBrown'sGas,itisdoingsosecretly.

InAugust1992,YullBrownmadeanotherdemonstrationbeforeseveralmembersoftheDepartmentofEnergyandHon.DanHaleyattherequestofCongressmanBedell.ThegeigercounterreadingfromCo60wasreducedto0.04%oftheoriginallevel.

AnotherdemonstrationwasconductedforagroupofJapanesenuclearscientists,atwhichtimeCo60wasreducedfrom24,000mR/hrto12,000mR/hrwithonebrieftreatment.(2,8,17)

Dr.PaulBrown(NuclearSolutions,AuroraCO)hasdevelopedanovelmethodtoremediatenuclearwastebyphotonuclearreactionwithgammarays.Thetechnologyutilizesprinciplesofphysics---giantdipoleresonance---thathavebeenoverlookedintheirpossibleapplicationintreatmentofnuclearwaste.Brownstates:

"Photonuclearreactionsinducedbygammarayabsorptionbythenucleus,donotsuffertheshortcomingsofneutronreactions.Simplystated,theprocessisgammairradiationwithenergiesgreaterthanthebindingenergyoftheneutrontothenucleus.Thatis,agammaphotonofanenergyequaltoorgreaterthanthebindingenergywhichcomesclosetothenucleusisabsorbedthroughgiantdipoleresonanceresultingintheemissionofaneutron.Thiswell-knownnuclearreactionhasdramaticapplicationtowasteremediation...

"Theneutronsproducedbytheprocessingmayinturnbeusedforneutrontransmutationbytheprocesses...Formanyfissionproductstheneutroncapturecrosssectionsinathermalspectrumcangivesubstantialtransmutationrates..."

Brownhasproposedanotherapplicationofgiantdipoleresonanceinatheoretical"PhotonReactor"thatwouldproducepowerbyburningnuclearwaste:

"Alinearaccelerator,preferablyofthemonochromatictype,accelerateselectronswhicharedirectedontoahighZtargetsuchastungstentogenerategammaraysabout9MeV,whicharedirectedontothefuelmaterialsuchasU-238whichresultsinthe...reaction,thusreleasingabout200MeV.Areactorbuiltaccordingtothisprinciplerequiringanacceleratordrivenby1MeVwilldevelopabout20MWofpower.Thereactionisnotself-sustainingandstopswhenthebeamisturnedoff.Thisacceleratordrivenreactormaybeusedtoburnupspentfuelfromfissionreactors,ifsimplyoperatedat10MeV.Thephoto-fissionresultsintypicalspentfuelwasteproductssuchasCs137andSr90,whichundergophotodisintegration...resultinginshort-livedorstableproducts.Chemicalseparationofthespentfuelisotopesisnotnecessary..."

GerardoInternational,Inc.isdevelopinganAcceleratedDecayEnergyConverter(ADEC).Thesystemutilizesstimulatedradioactivedecaytoextractelectricalenergydirectlyfromtheatom:

"ADECdoesnotchangethemechanismofspontaneousradioactivedecay;itchangestheprobabilityofwhichatomswillundergodecayandwhenthedecaywilloccur.Asatomsexhibitnostatisticalmemory,theeventofaneighboringatom'sspontaneousdecayinnowayinfluencethelikelihoodorunlikelihoodofdecayofaselectedatom.Astheextractionofpowerfromthenuclearisaccelerated,thematerial'snaturalemissivelifetimewillbeexhaustedindirectrelation."

RonaldBrightson(ClustronSciences)haspresentedtheoreticalandexperimentalevidenceforthevalidityofhisown"NucleonClusterModel"(NCM),whichpredictsthatarelativelylow-energyphotoncanpromoteanuclearreactionundercertainspecificconditions.Brightsonanalyzedtheperiodicitiesandsystematicsofatomicnumbersandmassesanddeducedthatallb-stablenuclidesarecomposedofdeuterons(NPclusters),tritons(NPN),andHe3(PNP)nuclei.

Brighton'spatentapplicationincludesamethodofremediatingnuclearwastebytheinductionoffissionintheradioactiveisotopes.Theimpositionofanexternalmagneticfieldthatisinresonancewiththemagneticmomentofaparticularnucleoncluster(NP,NPN,PNP)canexcitetheselectcluster(withoutdisturbingotherclustersinthetarget)toburstfromthenucleusandperformatransmutationtodaughterproductsofsmallermassandgreaterstability.

AcatalyticprocessfortransmutativeremediationofnuclearwastewasinventedbyJackKellerin1993.

RobertoMonti(BurnsDevelopmentLtd.)announcedamethodoftransmutationtoneutralizeradioactivematerialatacongressonlow-energytransmutation(ICCF-5inMonaco)in1996.HeutilizedignitionmethodssuchasthosedevelopedbyJoeChampion.Whenappliedtoradioactivematerials,theradioactivitywasgreatlyreducedaftertheignition.

Intheiranalysisofthe"energygainandnucleartransmutationbylowenergyp-ord-reactionsinmetallattices",HeinrichHora,GeorgeMiley,andJ.Kellyofferedhopeforthe"programmedtransmutationofaddednuclides,especiallylong-livednuclearwasteandplutonium":

"Onecanactivelyincorporatenuclidesintothesurfaceareaoftheactivemetalsornearby.Theseadditionalnuclidescanthenbesubjecttolow-energynucleartransmutation...

"Oneapplicationofthementionedtransmutationisthelong-livednuclearwastefromnuclearfissionreactors...Itisanimportantaimtomakeplutoniumfullyextinctbynucleartransmutationintochemicallydifferentnuclei...Thesekindsofnucleartransmutationsareindeedpossiblebyusingionbeams...ofmorethan10MeVpernucleonorspallationprocesseswithupto10GeVprotons.Inviewoftheveryexpensiveacceleratorsneededforthispurpose,and[because]theioncurrentsareverysmall,thereisnoeconomicpossibilityinsightfromthismethod.Theinventiondescribedinthis(CleanEnergyTechnology)patent[for]thelow-energytransmutationbyprotonsprovidesalowcostmethodforconvertingthelong-livedwastenuclidesandplutoniumintoharmlessnon-radioactiveelements."(9)

Beginningin1958,RussiangeophysicistDr.GeorgiyS.Rabzidevelopedmethodsoftransmutationthatcombinedgeo-electricandartificialfieldsandtemperaturecontroltodirecttransmutationinsolidsandliquids.Forexample,a99.5%Pbwastreatedat650oCtoyieldupto3%Ag,plusCdandGe(15March1994).Noradioactivitywasobservedinanyoftheexperiments.AttheICCF-5meeting,DrRabziclaimedthathis"naturalcoldfission"isasafemethodwithwhichtostabilizenuclearwaste.

Numerousreportsintheliteratureofphysicsdescribedeviations(from0.1to5%)fromthestandardconstantdecayratesofnaturalradioactivity,somebyextra-nuclearinfluences(includingthehumanmind).PhysicistsElizabethRauscher,GlenRein,andassociateshaveinvestigatedtheinteractionsofCo60withnon-Hertzianenergiessuchasthescalarfieldsgeneratedbythe"SmithCoil"(aCaduceus-woundcoilinventedbyCanadianengineerWilburB.Smithinthe1960s).Whenenergized(3mA/5W),Thenon-inductiveSmithCoil(8.2ohms)reducedthebackgroundradiationby97%(from0.5mR/hrto0.0015mR/hr).YetwhenappliedtoCo60,theradioactivityincreasedfrom150to250mR/hr!(11,18)

Otherpossibilitiesmayexistforthetransmutationofnuclearwaste.Forexample,itisreasonabletohopethatthelegendaryPhilosophers'Stoneiscapableofperformingthisfeat,buttheStoneremainsagiftofGod,whodetermineswhenandtowhomitisbestowed(despitetheobjectionsofconventionalphysicists).Afewexotichumantechnologiesareimmediatelyavailableforresearchanddevelopment,suchastheradionictransmutationsdemonstratedbytheamazingDeLaWarrCamera.TomBeardonandothershaverecommendedtheuseofscalarinterferometrytoextractenergyfromthenucleusinagentlemanner,orbyoutrightdematerialization.

Theradioactivityofelementsalsocanbeincreasedbyrelativelysimplemeans.TheGermanDr.AloisGaschlerappliedforaBritishpatentin1925(Specification239,509)fortheenrichmentofuranium:

"Thisinventionrelatestoaprocessofandmeansfortransformingelementaryatomsparticularlyofuraniumandthoriumwithaviewtohastentheirspontaneousdisintegrationandtoincreasetheirradioactivity,andtheinventionconsistsinsubjectingsmallquantititesofthemetalinavaporizingchambertoveryhighpressureandtemperatureandinsubjectingthevaporizedmetalvapourtotheelectrostaticorelectrolyticeffectofstrong,preferablydirectelectriccurrents.

"Successfulexperimentshavebeenmadewithanelectricenergyofabout100kilowatt-secondspergrammeofuraniumorthorium.Theelectriccurrentcanbeusedfortheheatingofthemetalasweallasfortheelectricsplittingupoftheatoms.

"Inordertogenerateaveryhighpressureduringtheheatingofthemetalandtoobviateheatandlightradiationasfaraspossible,athinfilamentofmetal,weighingabout1gramme,isplacedinaductinamassiveblockofquartzorgraniteorotherrefractorymineralinsulatingsubstance.Thetwoendsofthefilamentareextendedthroughtheblockandclampedbetweentwothickmetalplateswhichatthesametimeactasclosuresfortheduct.Terminalsareprovidedonthemetalplateforconnectiontotheelectriccircuit.Thedurationoftheindividualelectricshocksisgenerallyabout1-2seconds.Aftertheconclusionoftheprocess,theevaporatedmetalisrecoveredmechanicallyorchemicallyandwillbefoundtobemuchmoreradioactivethantheoriginalsubstance.

"Themoretheseparatedmetalvapourcomesintocontactwiththepolesurfacesandthehighertheelectricpressure,thegreateristhetransformationeffect.Itisadvisable,therefore,toemployaheatingcircuitoflowvoltageandhighamperage,andaseparateelectrolyzingcircuitofrelativelylowamperageandhighvoltage.Forthispurposeapairofelectrodeshavingalargesurfaceisarrangedinthevaporizingchamberandconnectedtothehigh-pressurecircuitwhich,inordertoproduceahighresistance,includesaCrooke'sorGeisslertube.

"Whenartificialmetalsaretobeproducedonalargescale,theuseofafilamentisnotpracticableasitrequirestoofrequentreplacement.Itisthereforebettertosupplymetallicvapourthroughavalveintothespacecontainingtheelectricarcandtowithdrawittherefrominthesameway."

Dr.GaschlergavemoredetailsofhisprocessinanarticlepublishedinthejournalNature:

"Thebehaviorofuraniumandthoriumandtheirsaltsintheelectricarcandintheglowdischargehasbeenexamined.Innocasecouldtherebeobservedanalterationintheradioactivityorinthechemicalactivity.Aperceptibletransmutationeffectwas,however,unexpectedlyfoundwhenstrongrushesofmomentaryhigh-tensioncurrentsweresentthroughanarrowfusedquartztubeprovidedwithtungstenelectrodesandcontainingmercuryanduraniumoxide.Thetubewasfixedverticallyinastand,sothatthemercuryfilledthelowerpartofthetubeandonetungstenelectrodewascompletelycoveredbyit.Onthesurfaceofthemercurywasarelativelythincoatingofuraniumoxidewhichhadbeencarefullyfreedfromradioactiveby-products,especiallyfromuranium-X,beforeitwasintroducedintothequartztube.Thesparkingdistancebetweenthetungstenelectrodeandthemercury-uraniumoxideelectrodewasabout15cm.Theintensityoftheelectricdischargevariedbetween0.3and0.4amps.

"Undertheinfluenceofrepeatedelectricdischargesduringabout30hours,relativelystrongandincreasingradioactivity[bandlrays]showeditself.Thebandlrayactivityvariedbetween1.4and20timestheradioactivityofanequallylargeamountofuraniumoxideinequilibriumwithitsdecayproducts,andincreasedproportionallytotheenergyappliedandtothetime.

"OneobtainsanevengreaterproportionofuraniumXifonemakestheelectricdischargespasswithinathick-sidedquartzorporcelainvesselbetweenatungstenpointandmercurycoveredwithathincoatofvaselineanduraniumoxide.Thiscoatingpossessessuchahighelectricresistancethat,evenwhenapplyingthehighesttensionswhichcanbeobtained,oneisobligedtodiminishgreatlythesparkingdistanceinordertoobtainadischarge.Thisproceedingofferstheadvantagethattheenergyisconcentratedintoaverysmallspace.Consequentlyonecanshow,afterhalfanhour'swork,theproductionofrelativelylargequantitiesofuraniumX.

"TheproductionofuraniumXconsiderablyinexcessofthatproducedbyspontaneousdecayistobeexplainedonlybythefactthat,undertheinfluenceoftheelectricforce,anaccelerationoftheradioactivetransmutationofuraniumtakesplace."(23)

Inthe1950s,ThomasH.Moraydevelopedamethodforenrichinguraniumbyhigh-energybombardment.Heproceededbytreatingtheore(inachemicalsolution)withx-rays(upto24MeV).Theaverageorecontained0.23%uraniumoxide.Afterirradiation,theoreyieldedfrom7-75%uraniumoxide!In1953,MorayproposedthattheAtomicEnergyCommissioninvestigatethe"aging"ofatomicoresbya"breedingtypereactionwithhigh-energyparticlesorx-raysinthepresenceofaproperenvironment."TheAECdeclinedtograntacontract.

Fortunately,thetechnologiesinventedbyGaschlerandMorayaredormant.Meanwhile,itisimperativethatwedevelopeverypossiblepathwaytothedeactivationofnuclearwasteandweapons.

NuclearWasteRemediation/TransmutationPatents

PaulM.Brown:USPApplication#2002169351---RemediationofRadioactiveWastebyStimulatedRadioactiveDecay.RonaldBrightsen,etal.:WOPatent#9,403,906---MethodsforManufacturing&ProducingProducts.JohnDash:WO03/098640---ProcessingRadioactiveMaterialswithHydrogenIsotopeNucleiHeinrichHora:GermanPatent#19803629---TransmutationofIsotopeswithLongHalfLife.ReikoNotoya:JapanPatent#9,197,077---ElectrodeforColdNuclearFusion.WilliamBarker:USPatent#5,076,971---MethodforEnhancingAlphaDecayinRadioactiveMaterials.V.S.Buttsev,etal.:RussianPatent#2,169,405---MethodforTransmutationofLong-LivingRadioactiveIsotopesintoShort-LivingorStableOnes.SidneySoloway:USPatentAppln.#2002186805---AcceleratedRadioactivityReduction.Vladimirovich,Kinderevich,etal.:USPatentAppln.20040238366---Method&SystemforAccelerationofActivityDecreaseandRadioactiveMaterialDeactivation.

(3)References

1.Arata,Yoshiraki,&Zhang,Yue-Chang:Proc.JapanAcad.72,Ser.B1996):"Deuteriumnuclearreactionprocesswithinsolid";ibid.,73(Ser.B)1997:"HeliumwithindeuteratedPd-black"

2.BatouNuclearInstituteReport#202(24August1991):"TheresultsofexperimentstodisposeofradiationmaterialsbyBrown'sGas"

3.Bhadkamkar,A.&Fox,H.:J.ofNewEnergy(1996),p.62-68.

4.Bush,R.&Eagleton,R.:Trans.ofFusionTechnology26(4-T):344(Dec.1994)

5.Claytor,T.N.,etal.:InfiniteEnergy(March-April1996)#7,p.39-42;"TritiumproductionfromalowvoltagedeuteriumdischargeonPd..."

6.Fox,H.:FusionFacts(July1995)

7.Fox,H.:InfiniteEnergy(July-August1995),p8-11.

8.Haley,Dan:PlanetaryAssociationforCleanEnergyNewsletter6(4):8-9July1993);"TransmutationofradioactivematerialswithBrown'sGas"

9.Hora,H.,etal.:InfiniteEnergy#12:48-52(January-February1997);"Energygainandnucleartransmutationbylowenergyp-ord-reactionsinmetallattices"

10.Kopecek,R.&Dash,J.:J.ofNewEnergy,pp.46-49(1997);"ExcessheatandunexpectedelementsfromelectrolysisofheavywaterwithTicathodes".

11.Michrowski,A.:J.ofNewEnergy(1996),p.122-129

12.Miley,George,&Patterson,JamesA.:J.ofNewEnergypp.5-30(1997);"Nucleartransmutationsinthin-flimnickelcoatingsundergoingelectrolysis".

13.Mizuno,T.(HokkaidoUniv.),etal.:InfiniteEnergy(March-April1996),10-13:"AnomalousisotopicdistributioninPdcathode..."

14.Mizuno,Tadahiko,etal.:InfiniteEnergy(September-October1995),p.9-11;"Formationof197Ptradioisotopesinsolidstateelectrolyte..."

15.Nelson,Robert:InfiniteEnergy18:58-63(1998);"KenShoulders'EVs"

16.Nester,Dennis:4510E.WillowAve,PhoenixAZ85032;AgentforDrRoy(deceased)

17.Ohmori,T.,etal.:J.ofNewEnergy,p.90-99(1997);"Isotopicdistributionsofheavymetalelementsproducedduringthelightwaterelectrolysis..."

18.PlanetaryAssoc.f.CleanEnergyNewsletter6(4):10-11(July1993);"Brown'sgas"

19.Rauscher,E.,etal.:BulletinoftheAmer.PhysicalSoc.37(1992)

20.Shoulders,KennethR.:U.S.Patent5,018,180(Cl.378/119);"EnergyConversionUsingHighChargeManipulationofHighDensityCharge"(Oct.1,1991);ibid.,U.S.P.5.054,047(Cl.378/119);"CircuitsResponsiveto&ControllingChargedParticles"(Oct.1,1991);ibid.,U.S.P.5,123,039(Cl.378/119);"EnergyConversionUsingHighChargeDensity"(June16,1992);ibid.,U.S.P.5,148,461(Cl.378/119);"CircuitsResponsivetoChargedParticles"(Sept.15,1992).

21.Shoulders,K.:EV:ATaleofDiscovery;1987,JupiterTechnology,AustinTX.

22.Tajima,S.:ElectrochimicaActa22:995-1011(1977)

23.Gaschler,Alois:Nature116(#2915),12September1925;"TheTransmutationofUraniumintoUraniumX";Seealso:BritishPatentSpecification#239,509.

PartII

ModernArcana

Chapter10

Esoterica

(1)FranzBardon:QBL&Magic(2)JohnKeely(3)Abiogenesis&Astrochemy:Littlefield&Crosse(4)Prophecy(5)References

Alchemyhastakenseveralnovelformsinmoderntimes.Someresearchersarepioneeringthearcanaofphysicalalchemyincoldfusionandbiologicaltransmutation,nuclearwasteremediation,etc.Otherscontinuetorediscovertraditionalmethodsandphilosophy,andtotransmitrevelation.Thereisconsiderableoverlappingofdomains,suchasacousticmanipulationofforcefields(Quabbalah,JohnKeely'sdiscoveriesandinventions,cymatics,acousticrefrigeration,sonochemistry,sonoluminesence,&c),Astrochemy(Aether,phlogiston,gur,WilhelmReich'sorgone,orene&c),Astrobiochemy(Reich'sbions,AndrewCrosse'sabiogenesisofacari,homeopathy,spagyry,&c),andMagnetism(Nuclearmagneticresonance,para-&dia-magnetism,&c).Alchemyalsofiguresinfuturehistory,accordingtoMichelNostradamusandotherprophets.

1.QBL&Magic

QuabbalahandAlchemyareconcomitantandeveninseparableinsomeregards.TheAeschMezareph("PurifyingFire")istheclassictextinthisfield.TheJewishAlchemistsbyRaphaelPataiisthedefinitivereviewofthegenre.(11)

FranzBardon~

Practicalquabbalah(causalityengineering)comprisesthecombinationofspecificcolors,frequencies,elements(fire,air,water,earth&akasa;O,N,H,Si,C)andgeometriestoproducespecificeffectsinakasaandinthemental,astralandphysicalworlds.Thisformofquabbalah(basedontheSephirZohar,ShortVersion)istaughtbythegreatHermeticadeptFranzBardoninhisKeytotheTrueQuabbalah,excerptedhere:

C[Tone:D...Color:Vermilion...Element:Fire/Air...#:3...Organ:Stomach]

Material:"Bythe"C"oscillation,thequabbalistlearnstoenliventhewholeofthematterandtoequipitwithmentalaswellaswithastralvirtues,powers,etc.Bythisletter,healsolearnstoimpregnatequabbalisticallyanymaterialformatwill.Furthermore,thetruequabbalisticalchemyisalsoinfluencedbythisletteroscillation.Bytheterm"quabbalisticalchemy"the"modificationofmatterbytheword"istobeunderstood,whichisequivalenttogivingitanotherquality."

OE[Tone:D#~Color:Orange~Element:Akasa/Earth~Organ:Gonads]

Akasa:"Intheakasaprinciple,the"OE"oscillation,evokesthemostprofoundcognitionwhichcanonlybebroughtaboutbylovedivine,

apartfromtheknowledgethatiscalledthequabbalisticquintessence.Bythehelpofthisoscillation,thequabbalistgetstoknowallthepossibilitiesoftransformationofthespirit,allthesystemsandwaysservingthisend,andallknowledgeconcerningtransformationinallotherfields.Heisinformedabouteverythingthat,derivingfromtheactofcreation,hadtopassthroughallthemodesoftransformationtobereunited.Thequabbalistmustattainallthefacultiesthatareofferedbythe"OE"oscillationintheakasaprinciple,mustmakeuseofallthepossibilities,inordertogetconvincedthattheycannotbedescribedbywords,butmustbeexperienced,livedthrough.

"Ihavementionedtheletters"AE"and"OE"asthelastonesinthisseriesofexercises,becausebythehelpoftheiroscillationsoneisabletocomprehend,fromtheakasaprinciple,thecrownofallwisdominthemicro-andmacrocosms,fromtheactofcreationtothepresentstateofevolution,andeventothefinaldevelopment.

Mental:"Evokedinthementalkingdom,the"OE"oscillationwillsecuretheperfectmasteryofquabbalisticalchemy.Bythis,oneunderstandsthetransformationofideas,virtues,etc.,bythequabbalisticallypronouncedword,whichisaverygreatandcomprehensivefield.

Astral:"Intheastralkingdom,the"OE"oscillationdevelopsthefacultyofperfectastralprojectionandthemasteryofalloccultandmagicalphenomenathathavereferencetotransformation,sothatthequabbalistmay,forinstance,assumeanydesiredformintheastralbodywithoutbeingrecognizedbyotherbeingsandwithonlyDivineProvidenceseeingthroughhim.Apartfromthis,thequabbalistisabletotransformanyastraloscillationintotheoscillationhewantsandtodothesamewithanyelement.

Material:"Whenmasteredinthephysicalbody,the"OE"oscillationwillleadtoperfectknowledgeofquabbalisticalchemyinthematerialworld.Thequabbalististaughtthetruepreparationandchargingofthephilosopher'sstoneinthephysicalsense.Ashecaninfluence,atwill,anyoscillation--atomicoscillation,electronicoscillation--byquabbalah,andasheisabletotransformitintotheoscillationdesiredbyhim,henaturallyalsoperfectlymastersthelawsoftransmutation.Therefore,heisabletotransformanymetalintogold,anystoneintoapreciousstone,etc.,ifhewishestodoso.Bythehelpofthisoscillationthequabbalistwillbefurnishedwithmanyotherfacultiesofwhichhecannotevendreamnowandwhichnon-initiateswouldregardasabsolutelyimpossible.

A-OE~"Thistwofoldkeyimpartsthefacultyofsolvinganyproblemofquabbalisticalchemywitheffortlessease.Theformulamagicianusesthisformulaforhisstudentswhohavedifficultiesindelvingintotheproblemsofquabbalisticalchemy.Ifoneisindoubtaboutaformula,particularlywhenexperimentingonalchemistictransformationbasedonquabbalah,concerningthechangeofapowerorability,etc.,oriftherearedifficultiesinapplyingaformula,thenoneshouldresorttothisformula,foritwillevokethedesiredfaculty.

B-OE~"Usingthisformula,theformulamagicianprojectstheelectromagneticfluidintheformoflightandwarmth,inordertobeabletoevokeanyphenomenaofastralprojection.Bythistwofoldkey,heisalsoabletoenlivenanykindofmedicineandtomakeitbringonbetterresults.Sincethisformulaalsocontainsthesecretofformingthementalmatrixfortheproductionofthephilosopher'sstone,theformulamagicianwillbegiventhefacultyofenliveninganymaterialobjecttohisownliking.

C-H~"Throughthistwofoldkey,theformulamagicianmayobtainmercyfromDivineProvidenceandinfluencehisownorsomebodyelse'sfateatwill.Ifembodiedintofoodanddrink,the"C-H"formulawillbringontherealizationofallwishes.Ifclearwaterisinfluencedbythisformulaafter4dropsofquintaessentiauniversalis---alchemisticuniversaltincture---weregivenintoit,thepersonwhodrinksthisimpregnatedwaterwillbegiventhedonationofhavinganymaterialwishfulfilledthatheorshemayutterinconnectionwiththisformula.Atthesametime,arejuvenation,aprolongationoflifeandperfecthealthmaybeobtainedbyembodyingthe"C-H"formulaintothequintaessentia,i.e.,byenliveningthesame.Alchemistswhodonotknowallthis,usuallyfailinpreparingthequintaessentia,sincetheyarenotabletoenliventhesamementally.Theuniversaltincturehasnotonlytobechargedmaterially,butitmustalsobechargedandinfluencedwiththeanalogousconnectionsinanastralandmentalmanner,apartfromotherirradiationsconnectedtothequadripolarmagnet.

C-OE~"Inthementalbody,the"C-OE"formularevealsthesecretsofalchemyinallitsphases,andmakesoneseethetrueconnectionstotheuniversallaw.Intheastralbody,itarousesthefacultyofpermanentastralprojection,nomatterwhethertheprojectionofuniversallight,fluids,elementsoranyotherphenomenaoftransformationisinquestion.Inthematerialworld,thisformula,ifembodiedinfoodanddrink,turnseveryformulamagicianintoaperfectalchemistwhoisequippedwithallrelevantknowledge,abilities,etc.Thisformulaisparticularlyimportantforthoseformulamagicianswhowanttobecomeperfectalchemistsoneday."(1)

TheAngelicStone,theultimatedegreeofthePhilosophers'Stone,isthequabbalisticformularevealedbytheGraceofGodin"Alchemia",thefrontispiecetothisbook.

FranzBardonalsopublishedThePracticeofMagicalEvocation,inwhichheintroducedseveralgeniiwhoareconcernedwithalchemyintheEarthzoneandotherplanetaryspheres.Thesespiritscanprovideinvaluableassistancetothemagician-alchemistwhocontactstheminthecorrectmanner.Anyerrorinthisregardcantrapthemagus-alchemistinaFaustianbargain,whichiscompletelyunnecessaryandavoidable:

Andimo~"Sinceheiswellacquaintedwithalchemyhemayalsoassist,theoreticallyandpractically,themagicianinthisrespect.MyownexperiencemakesmepointouttoeverymagicianthatAndimomayeasilytempthimtoprojectphysically,eitherdirectlybyhimselforbythehelpofoneofhisubjects,aburningstone,theso-called"livingsulfur".If,insuchacase,themagician,duringtheprojectionofthestone,takesthestoneintohishand,hewillgetbadlyburnedbyit.Andimolikestoplacesuchstonesbeforethemagician'sfeetorbeforethemagiccircle.YoumustleavethisstoneuntouchedandorderAndimototakeitaway.IfthemagiciantouchestheburningsulfurtransmutedbyAndimofromtheprincipleoftheearth(i.e.,transmutedbytheprinciplesofAlchemy),withthesignofAndimo'sseal,whichheearlierdrewonapieceofparchment,thesealwillcatchfireandthesulfurstoneatonceturnsintothetruealchemicalprojectionpowderofaredcolor,theso-called"redlion".Thispowderthenisquitesafeandmaybegatheredupwithaglassspoonandstoredawayinawellshut-upglass.Thiskindofprojectionpowderusuallyhasaprojectioncapacityof1:10,000andisthephilosopher'sstoneinitspurestform.However,themagicianmaythenbetemptedtousethispowderformakinggoldorprolonginghisownlife.Ifthemagicianismisledbysuchtemptationshewouldconclude,bysuchalchemicaloperations,aformalpactwiththesaidbeing.Themagicianisthereforewarnedinadvancenottodosucharashnessandnevertopracticealchemyinsuchamanner.Notevenincaseheassumesthatheismatureandexperiencedenoughineverythingthathastodowiththescienceofmagic,forhemight,nevertheless,bemisledtotakeanill-consideredstep.WhendealingpersonallywithAndimoIhadtheopportunityofconvincingmyselfofthesefacts,butIorderedAndimototakethepowderbacktohiskingdom.Atthatmomentitdisappearedatonce,withahissingsound.

Armiel~"Knowsaboutallalchemicalprocesses.Hecanteachthemagicianthesecretsofthetransmutationsofmetals;thatis,hecan,forinstance,informhimhowthephilosopher'sstoneistobemadeinadryprocessandwhatpreparationsarenecessaryforthis...

Malacha~"Cangivegoodadviceinrespectofalchemy,i.e.,hecanprocuretheprimamateriaforthepreparationoftheGreatElixirinadryprocess...

Yromus(12oAries)~"FromYromusthealchemistlearnstopreparevariousherbsandrootsinaspagiricandalchemicalmanner,andhowtomaketheseespeciallydynamicbytheapplicationofanelectromagneticfluidandaspecialkindofvolting...

Nablum(1oCancer)~"Willbewellpleasedtoinformthemagician,byinspirationandintuition,onthevariousdegreesofwarmth~temperature~inrespectofalchemicorspagiricmethods...Nablumisanexpertinalchemicandspagiricoperations,andthemagiciancanprofitmuchinthisrespectbyhisinspirations.

Tmako(12oCancer)~"Initiatesthemagicianintothesecretsoftransmutationofpowers,effects,andthelike,inthezonegirdlingtheearthandintothesecretsofplants,mineralsandmetalsinourphysicalworld.Thisintelligencemaybecalledaguardianoftruealchemy.

Corocona(20oLeo)~"Makesthemagicianacquaintedwiththepreparationofalchemisticsubstancesmadeofmetals.Themagicianistaughtbythisintelligencehowtoproducethetruealchemicgoldtincture,andhowtouseitfordiversediseases.HeisalsoinstructedbyCoroconainmeasuringoutdosagesofalchemicalmedicines.

Kirek(9oVirgo)~"Isknownasanexcellentinitiatorintoalchemicalmagic...

Buriuh(10oVirgo)~"Isanexcellentinitiatorintoalchemicalsecretsandentruststhemagicianwithmethodsbywhichhecanachievediversefacultiesandpowersbytheapplicationofappropriatealchemicalmeans...

Eralier(11oScorpio)~"Willconvincethemagicianthatthemakingofthephilosopher'sstoneisnoallegoryandnosymbolic-esotericspeculation.Themagicianlearnsfromthisheadthepreparationofthephilosopher'sstoneinitsmostdiversegradesforthemostvariouspurposes.Furthermore,hewillbetoldthemethodsoftransmutingmetals,especiallybydryprocedure.Thepersontosomeextentinformedonalchemywillalreadyperceivewhatismeantbythis.Thepreparationandrealizationofthephilosopher'sstonerestsonmanymethods.Eraliercanentrustthemagicianwiththese..."

ItshouldbenotedthattheforementionedentitiescanbecontactedbyevocationorinvocationwithHermeticmagicalmeans,orthespirit'snamecanbeusedinaquabbalisticmannertoeducethesameinformationandeffectswithoutkarma.FranzBardonteachesmethodsbywhichmagicalauthoritycanbeattainedinhisbookInitiationIntoHermetics.(2,3)

2.JohnKeely

Lateinthe19thcentury,JohnE.W.Keelypublished40LawsofHarmony,whichservedasthefoundationfortheSympatheticVibratoryPhysicshediscoveredanddeveloped.ThefollowingrepresentationwascribbedfromDalePond'swebsite,www.spvril.com:

(1)LawofMatterandForce~"Coextensiveandcoeternalwithspaceandduration,thereexistsaninfiniteandunchangeablequantityofatomoles,thebaseofallmatter;theseareinastateofconstantvibratorymotion,infiniteinextent,unchangeableinquantity,theinitialofallformsofenergy."

(2)LawofCorporealVibrations~"Allcoherentaggregateswhenisolatedfromlikebodies,orwhenimmersedorconfinedinmediacomposedofmatterinadifferentstate,vibrateatagivenascertainablepitch."

(3)LawofCorporealOscillations~"Allcoherentaggregatesnotisolatedfromlikebodies,oscillateataperiod-frequencyvaryingwiththetensionsthataugmentanddiminishthestateofequilibrium."

(4)LawofHarmonicVibrations~"Allcoherentaggregatesareperpetuallyvibratingataperiod-frequencycorrespondingtosomeharmonicratioofthefundamentalpitchofthevibratingbody;thispitchisamultipleofthepitchoftheatomole."

(5)LawofTransmissiveVibraicEnergy~"Alloscillatingandvibratingcoherentaggregatescreate,inthemediainwhichtheyareimmersed,outwardlypropagatedconcentricwavesofalternatecondensationandrarefaction,havingaperiod-frequencyidenticalwiththepitchoftheaggregate.

Scholium:Allformsoftransmissiveenergycanbefocussed,reflected,refracted,diffracted,transformed,anddiminishedinintensityinverselyasthesquareofthedistancefromtheoriginatingsource."

(6)LawofSympatheticOscillation~"Coherentaggregatesimmersedinamediumpulsatingattheirnaturalpitchsimultaneouslyoscillatewiththesamefrequency,whetherthepitchofthemediumbeaunison,oranyharmonicofthefundamentalpitchofthecreativeaggregate."

(7)LawofAttraction~"Juxtaposedcoherentaggregatesvibratinginunison,orharmonicration,aremutuallyattracted."

(8)LawofRepulsion~"Juxtaposedcoherentaggregatesvibratingindiscordaremutuallyrepelled."

(9)LawofCycles~"Coherentaggregatesharmonicallyunitedconstitutecentersofvibrationbearingrelationtothefundamentalpitchnotmultiplesoftheharmonicpitch,andtheproductionofsecondaryunionsbetweenthemselvesgeneratepitchesthatarediscords,eitherintheirunisons,orovertoneswiththeoriginalpitch;fromharmonyisgenerateddiscord,theinevitablecauseofperpetualtransformation."

(10)LawofHarmonicPitch~"Anyaggregateinastateofvibrationdevelopsinadditiontoitsfundamentalpitchaseriesofvibrationin

symmetricalsub-multipleportionsofitself,bearingratiosofone,two,three,ormoretimesitsfundamentalpitch."

(11)LawofForce~"Energymanifestsitselfinthreeforms:Creative,thevibratingaggregate;Transmissive,beingthepropagationofisochronouswavesthroughthemediainwhichitisimmersed;Attractive,beingitsactionuponotheraggregatescapableofvibratinginunisonsorharmony."

(12)LawofOscillatingAtomicSubstances~"Coherentatomicsubstancesarecapableofoscillatingatapitchvaryingdirectlyasthedensity,andinverselyasthelineardimensionsfromoneperiodoffrequencyperunitoftimetothe21stoctaveabove,producingthecreativeforceofSonity,whosetransmissiveforce(Sound)ispropagatedthroughthemediaofsolids,liquids,andgases,andwhosestaticeffect(Sonism)producesattractionsandrepulsionsbetweensympatheticallyvibratingbodiesaccordingtotheLawofHarmonicAttractionandRepulsion."

(13)LawofSono-Thermity~"Internalvibrationsofatomicsubstancesandatomicmoleculesarecapableofvibratingataperiod-frequencydirectlyastheirdensity,inverselyastheirlineardimensions,directlyasthecoefficientoftheirtensionfromthe21sttothe42ndoctaves,producingthecreativeforce(Sono-thermity),whosetransmissiveforce(Sono-therm)ispropagatedinsolid,liquid,gaseous,andultra-gaseousmedia,staticallyproducingadhesionsandmolecularunions,ordisintegration,accordingtotheLawofHarmonicAttractionandRepulsion."

(14)LawofOscillatingAtoms~"Allatomswheninastateoftensionarecapableofoscillatingatapitchinverselyasthecubeoftheiratomicweights,anddirectlyastheirtensionfrom42to63octavespersecond,producingthecreativeforcce(Thermism),whosetransmissiveforce(Rad-energy)propagatedinsolid,liquid,andgaseousether,producesthestaticeffects(CohesionandChemism)onotheratomsofassociation,ordissociation,accordingtotheLawofHarmonicAttractionandRepulsion.

Scholium:Darkradiantheatbeginsatabsolutezerotemperature,andextendsthroughlight,chemicalrays,actinicrays,andinfra-violetrays,uptothedissociationofallmoleculestothe63rdoctave."

(15)LawofVibratingAtomolicSubstances~"AtomsarecapableofvibratingwithinthemselvesatapitchinverselyastheDyne(thelocalcoefficientofGravity),andastheatomicvolume,directlyastheatomicweight,producingthecreativeforce(Electricity),whosetransmissiveforceispropagatedthroughatomolicsolids,liquids,andgases,producinginductionandthestaticeffectofmagnetismuponotheratomsofattractionorrepulsion,accordingtotheLawofHarmonicAttractionandRepulsion.

Scholium:ThephenomenonofDynamicElectricitythroughametallicconductorandofinductionareidentical.Inametallicconductor,thetransmissionisfromatomtoatom,throughhomologousinterstices,filledwithether,presentingsmallareasincloseproximity.Incrystallinestructures,heat,whichexpandstheatoms,bytwistingthemproducesstriae,increasestheresistance,etc.Betweenparallelwiresandthroughairtheinductiontakesplacefromlargeareasthroughararefiedmediumcomposedofamixtureofsubstances,whoseatomsareseparatedbywavesofrepulsionofvariouspitches,discordanttoelectricvibrations;thesaidatomssympatheticallyabsorbthevibrationsanddissipatefromthemselves,ascenters,concentricwavesofelectricenergywhichproducesheatandgravism."

(16)LawofOscillatingAtomoles~"Atomolesoscillatingatauniformpitch(determinedbytheiruniformsizeandweight)producethecreativeforceAtomolity,whosetransmissiveform,Gravism,ispropagatedthroughmorerarefiedmedia,producingthestaticeffectuponallotheratomoles,denominatedGravity."

(17)LawofTransformationofForces~"AllforcesaredifferentformsofUniversalEnergyunlikeintheirperiod-frequency,mergingintoeachotherbyimperceptibleincrements;eachformrepresentingthecompassof21octaves.Eachformorpitchmaybetransformedintoanequivalentquantityofanotherpitchaboveorbelowitinthescaleof105octaves.Thetransformationcanoccuronlythroughitsstaticeffect,developingvibrationsofharmonicpitchesaboveorbelowtheirfundamentalvibration,ordevelopingwithjuxtaposedaggregates,resultantanddifference,orthirdorder,asthecasemaybe.

Scholium:Atableoftheintervalsandharmonicsofthenormalharmonicscalewillindicatetheratiosinwhichthetransformationofforceswilloccur."

(18)LawofAtomicPitch~"Atomshaveeachadifferentanddefinitepitch,atwhichtheynaturallyvibrate.

Scholium:Atomicpitchisdetermineddirectlyfromitssimplespectrum.

Scholium:Atomicpitchisdeterminedbycomputationsfromitsassociatespectrumwithallotheratoms,asinknownspectra.

Scholium:Atomicpitchesaremoreimportantworkingdatathanatomicweights;tablesofatomicpitchesmustbeprecise."

(19)LawofVariationofAtomicPitchbyRad-Energy~"Thehigherharmonicsandovertonesofprojectedrad-energyareofapitchsufficientlyhightocausetheatomtoexpand;bycausingtheatomolestovibratesystematicallythesameinfluencewillcausetheatomtocontract,andthusbychangingthevolume,atomicpitchisvaried."

(20)LawofVariationofAtomicPitchbyElectricityandMagnetism~"ElectricityandMagnetismproduceinternalvibrationsintheatom,whicharefollowedbyproportionalchangesinvolumeand,therefore,pitch."

(21)LawofVariationofAtomicPitchbyTemperature~"Atomsinchemicalcombinationoscillatewithincreasingamplitudedirectlyasthetemperature,andsimultaneouslyabsorbovertonesofhigherharmonics,producingexpansionofvolumeanddiminutionofpitch.

Rule:Thegradualapproachofthetemperatureofharmoniccombinationcanbeobservedbymutuallycomparingsuperimposedspectra;chemicalcombinationcommenceswhenthefundamentallinesofeachspectrumbearharmonicratiosbylinearmeasurement."

(22)LawofPitchofAtomicOscillation~"Atomsnotisolatedandinastateoftensionbetweenforcesthatopposeandincreasetheequilibriumoscillatebodilyatapitchthatisaresultantoftheatomicweight,atomicvolume,andtension."

(23)LawofVariationofPitchofAtomicOscillationbyPressure~"Thefrequencyofatomicoscillationincreasesanddiminishesinversely

asthesquareofthepressure."

(24)LawofVariationofAtomicOscillationbyTemperature~"Theforceofcohesiondiminishesinverselyasthesquareofthedistancetheatomsareapart,andtheforceofthechemicalaffinitydiminishesinthesameratio.Heatincreasestheamplitudeoftheoscillationsinadirectratiotothetemperatureofthenaturalscale.

Scholium:Newthermometersandaccuratethermometrictables,onthenaturalbase,whereindoublingthetemperaturedoublesthepitchofthetransmissiveenergy,arerequired.Suchatableoftemperaturewillbearnaturalrelationstoatomicweights,pitches,specificheats,chemicalaffinities,fusions,solubilities,etc.,andwilldisclosenewlaws.Onetableforeachmustbeconstructed."

(25)LawofVariationofAtomicOscillationbyElectricity~"Theelectriccurrentdestroyscohesionandchemicaltensiondirectlyassquareofcurrentinamperes,inverselyastheresistanceinohms,inverselyasthechemicalequivalent,andconverselyasthecoefficientofthedifferencebetweenthefreezingandvolatilizingtemperatureofmassactedupon."

(26)LawofVariationofAtomicOscillationbySono-Thermism~"Diminishesthetensionsdirectlyasthequantityofheatdeveloped,andinantitheticalproportiontotheharmonicsabsolved."

(27)LawofChemicalAffinity~"Atomswhoseatomicpitchesareineitherunison,harmonicorconcordantratios,unitetoformmolecules.

Corollary:Whentwoatomsareindifferent,theymaybemadetounitebyvaryingthepitchofeither,orboth.

Scholium:Thisnecessitatestheconstructionoftables,representingvariationofatomicpitchesbytemperature,pressure,etc.

Scholium:Tablesofallharmonicsandconcords,andharmonicsfoundeduponanormalharmonicscale,areequallyessential.

Scholium:Opticalinstrumentsmaybemadetomeasurepitchesofenergy."

(28)LawofChemicalDissociation~"Ifthepitchofeitheratom,inamolecule,beraisedorlowered;or,iftheybothbeunequallyraisedorloweredinpitchuntilthemutualratiobethatofadiscord;or,iftheoscillationamplitudebeaugmentedbyheatuntiltheatomsarewiththeconcentricwavesofattraction,-theatomswillseparate."

(29)LawofChemicalTransposition~"Newmoleculesmustbeharmonicsofthefundamentalpitch."

(30)LawofChemicalSubstitution~"(toocomplexforbriefstatement)"

(31)LawofCatalysis~"Thepresenceofharmonicsanddiscords."

(32)LawofMolecularSynthesisandCombination(Organic)~"Themolecularpitchmustbeaderivedharmonyoftheradicals.

Scholium:Reconstructionofelectricunitstorepresentpitchesandamplitudes."

(33)LawofChemicalMorphology~"Theangleofcrystallizationisdeterminedbytherelationbetweenthemolecularpitchofthecrystallizingsubstancetothevariation-densityoftheliquiddepositingit."

(34)LawofAtomicDissociation~"Overtonesofhighrad-energypitchesproduceseparationoftheatomolesandrecombinationsamongtheatomolicmoleculesoftheatoms."

(35)LawofAtomolicSynthesisofChemicalElements~"Harmonicpitchesofatomolityproduceassociationofetheric-atomolicparticlestoformatoms;thekindofatomisdeterminablebythepitchesemployed."

(36)LawofHeat~"Atomsunderthetensionofchemicalcombinationoscillatewithanamplitudedirectlyasthetemperature,inverselyasthepressure,andasthesquareofthespecificheat.Diminishingthepitchofoscillationinverselyasthesquareofthedistanceoftheatomsapart,andsimultaneouslyincreasingthevibratingpitchoftheatombyabsorptionofovertonesandhigherharmonics."

(37)LawofElectro-ChemicalEquivalents~"Anatomvibratessympatheticallyundertheinfluenceofelectricenergy,suchundertonesofwhichareabsorbedasareaharmonicorharmonyoftheelectricpitch;theamountofenergyabsorbedbeingdirectlyasthearithmeticalratiooftheundertoneofthefundamentalelectricpitch.

Scholium:Atableofelectro-chemicalequivalentsonthenormalbasiswillindicatetheelectricalconditionsandamountofchemicalchange."

(38)LawofCohesion~"Thecohesionbetweenatomsdiminishesdirectlyasthesquarerootofthepressureandtemperature,andasthesquareofelectricintensity."

(39)LawofRefractiveIndices~"Atableoftherefractiveindicesofsubstancesindicatestheirmolecularpitch;andinconnectionwithcrystallineformthephaseofmolecularoscillation."

(40)LawofElectricConductivity~"Electricenergyistransmittedthroughhomogeneousbodieswithacompletenessindirectproportionastheatomsaremoreorlessperfectharmonicsoftheelectricpitch,butnotatallthroughsubstanceswhoseatomsarediscordanttotheelectricpitch;alsothroughmolecularsubstances,whentheirresultantnotesareharmonicsoftheelectricpitch,-thetransmissionsbeinginverselyasthetemperature,directlyasthedensitydiminishedinproportiontotheamountofcrystallization,andinverselyasthecubeofthedyne,alsodirectlyasthereciprocalofthelocalmagneticintensity."(12)

ThephenomenaofCymatics,thewavephenomena,vibrationaleffects,andharmonicoscillationsrevealedbytheChaldniplate,etc.,wasresearchedbyHansJennyinthe1960s.Hedemonstratedthebasicunifiedtriadicphenomenonofvibrational,kineticanddynamiceffectsin

acousticinteractionswithmatter.Thetriadicphenomenonoccursinmanyotherfields(biology,mineralogy,astronomy,atomicphysics,etc)andisaskeletonkeythatunlocksmanygatesofknowledge.Certainlyitaidsinunderstandingandpracticingquabbalistictransmutation,andpertainstotheworkofJohnKeelyandDrStephenEmmens.Forexample:thesacredword"Om"formstheSriYantrageometrywhenspokenintoaChaldniplateorTonoscope!(6)

ItshouldbenotedthatFranzTausend,whomadegoldfrommercuryfortheNazis,developedacircularperiodictableoftheelementswithPythagoreanmusicalcorrelations,basedonhisunderstandingofatoms.

Sacredgeometryisanotherrewardingareaofstudyforalchemists.Thephiratio(5/8,0.618,&c)enablesthealchemisttoimpregnateandenlivenmatterwithcosmicenergiesinasimplemanner.Forexample,amodeloftheGreatPyramid(incorporatingphiinitsbaseangleof51o

51')willexertphenomenaleffectsonsubstancesplacedwithinit(i.e.,mummification,sharpeningdullrazorblades,enhancedgerminationofseeds,&c).

3.Abiogenesis&Astrochemy

CharlesLittlefield~Atthebeginningofthe20thcentury,DrCharlesW.Littlefieldexperimentedwiththeeffectsofmentalconcentration(visualizationandprayer)onthecrystallizationoftissuesaltsolutions.Hewasabletoproducemanymicroscopicimagesoflifeforms,alphabets,structures,etc,someofwhichhepublishedinhisbookMan,MineralsandMasters.DrLittlefieldconductedlongseriesofexperimentswithvitalizedmineralsalts.Thevitalizationswereaccomplishedbyrepeatedevaporations.Littlefieldofferedtheseguidelinesforexperimentation:

"Thenumberofevaporationsnecessarytoeffectthis[radiatestructure]witheachsalt,isgenerallyoneevaporationforeachtenthpartofthemolecularweightorfractionthereofasshownbythefollowingtable:

Salt:Molecularweight:NumberofEvaporations:

Na-Chloride58.376Si-Oxide60.227K-Chloride74.28Ca-Fluoride788Ca-Sulfate135.7314K-Phosphate17418K-Sulfate17418Mg-Phosphate24625Fe-Phosphate301.3631Ca-Phosphate309.3331Na-Sulfate321.4233Na-Phosphate357.3236

"Anotherinterestingandimportantfactwiththisprocessofvitalizationis,thosesaltsthatareotherwiseinsolubleinwaterarebytheevaporationofwaterrenderedsoluble.Thisisamostvaluablediscoveryfromthestandpointoftreatingdisease,asallthemineralsaltsmustbedissolvedinthebloodbeforetheyareavailabletothetissuecellsasfood.

"Ibeganmyexperimentsbyattemptingmindcontrolofoneormoreofthesesaltsdissolvedindistilledwater.First,adropofthemineralsolutionwasputontheglassslideofmymicroscope,thenplacedinatemperaturenearlythatofthehumanbody.Asthewaterdriedaway,Iwouldrepeatthe[unspecifiedBiblical]versereferredtoabove,themysticthreetimes.

"WhiledoingthisIwouldimage,ormentallypicture,theformofsomefowloranimalasthevictimofthebleeding.Finally,Isucceededinmakingthecrystalsofcommontablesalt,whichisthemostabundantsaltintheblood,groupthemselvesintheformofachicken.

"LongbeforeIsucceeded,therebuiltupfromthemineralsolutionsagreatvarietyofmicroscopicorganismsintheshapeofoctupi,fish,andreptiles.Idonotknowwhy.

"Continuedexperimentsdemonstratedthatformsofdifferentkindscouldbepredeterminedbytheproportion,number,andkindofsaltsused.ThusIdiscoveredthatmineralcompositionisthelawoflivingforms...Theselawsmaybestatedasfollows:

"1.Amentalimageisthebeginningofeverycreatedthing.Withwhateverfunctions,facultiesorqualitiesthisimagemaybeendowedbythemindcreatingit,thesamewillbeexpressedbythecreature.

"2.Thismentalimagehasthepowertogroupthetwelvemineralsaltsnormallyfoundinorganicnature,intheexactproportionnecessarytobuildtheform,andallthetissuesandorgansnecessarytoexpressallthefunctions,facultiesandqualitieswhichthemindimagemaybeendowed.Hencecompositionbecomesthelawofformandfunction.

"3.Evaporationofwater,aprocessuniversalonseaandland,generatesasubtlemagnetismwhichisthevitalforceofplantsandanimals.Thisforcesaturatesthemineralsaltsoforganicnaturemakingthemsusceptibletomentalcontrol,sothatanypicturethatthemindacceptsastrueinprinciplemaybefixedinthem...

"Procuretwelveone-ouncebottleswithfresh,cleancorks.Labeleachbottlewiththenameofthesaltitistocontain.Intoeachbottleputabout10grainsofoneofthesaltsandfillwithpuredistilledwater.Shakefrequently.Notallthesaltsareequallysoluble,someinlargeamountsandothersonlyslightly.

Fromtimetotimeremoveadropofanyoneofthesolutionswithacleantoothpicktotheglassslideofthemicroscope.Heattheslidecarefullyuntilthewaterisevaporated.Thenexaminethecrystalformedfromthesalt.Dothiswitheachofthetwelvesaltsuntilyoubecome

familiarwiththeirformsanddifferences.Thencombineoneormoreofthesolutionsinacleanbottle.Placeadropofthisontheglassslide,thenevaporateandexamine.Itwillbeseenbytheseexperimentsthattheslightestdifferenceintheamountsofeachsolutionwillmakethewidestpossibledifferenceintheresultingcrystals...

"InmyownexperimentsIusesulfateofpotashandsulfateofsoda,onepartofthepotashtotenpartsofthesoda.WhenthiscombinationformscrystalslikethelettersC,D,orO,thenthesolutionofthesesaltsissusceptibletomentalmasterybymymind...

"Intheformationofmantrasanystatementordescriptionofanyscenemaybechosen.Threeofthewordsselectedfromitmustagreeinnumber,orfourofthemmaybeoftwodifferentnumbers.Forexample:"Veda(5)Yoga(2)Pyramid(5)Wisdom(2)"asgivenbythemasterstoindicatethesystemofphilosophytheytaught,twoofwhichcorrespondtothesamenumber.Orthemantramaybeformedbyacombinationofnumbersandletters,astheoneforMountZion:"144,000(9)Symbolize(9)Your(7)Church(7)"..."

DrLittlefieldalsoclaimedtohaveproducedmicrobialflorawithsimpleexperimentsthatanyonecouldtest.ScientificAmericanmagazine(30September1905)offeredthefollowinginstructionsanddescriptionoftheoperation:

"Thesupplies...comprisealargebutshallowglassvessel,havingacapacityofonequart,severalsmallerdishes,abelljarsufficientlylargetoinclosethosereceptacles,andfinally,agoodhigh-poweredmicroscope.Thechemicalsusedaresodiumchloride,alcohol,ammonia,anddistilledwater.Inthelargervessel2ouncesofthesaltaredissolvedin6ouncesofthewater,andwhenthisisdone6ouncesof90%purealcoholisadded.

"Aportionofthesolutionthusformedispouredoutofthelargerintothesmallerdishes,when2ouncesofaquaammoniaisstirredinwithacleanglassrod,andthebelljaristhenplacedoverthem.Achemicalreactionissetupandinthecourseofafewminutesbubblesofhydrogenwillbegintoformonthesurfaceofthefluid,andacloserobservationwillshowtheselittlespherestobegyratingwithhighvelocity.Inthecourseofhalfanhourthebubbleswillceasetoform;theliquidisthenreadyforthecrucialtest.Withthemicroscopeathandandpreviouslyfocusedsothataglobuleoftheunstablesolutionmaybequicklyobserved,averysmallportionistransferredfromthedishtotheglassslide...Onexaminationthedetachedparticlesofmatterareseenmovingthroughthemediumfromthecentertothecircumferencewithextremerapidity,andcontinuedinvestigationindicatesotherchangestheliquidisundergoing.Crystalsbegintoappear,andthosefirstformedarethecharacteristictransparentcubesofsodiumchloride,andhencetheseareincapableoffurtherdevelopment.Afterthese,othercrystalsfollow,andsomeassumeahexagonalformonthesurfaceofthesaturatedsolution,anditisfromthesethatthegrowthoftheelementaryorganismsissaidtotakeplace...

"Thegrowthofthissupposedrudimentaryvitalelementnextfollowsinsequence,andasitmetamorphosedfromthehexagonalcrystalintoafree,smooth,disk-shapedcell,weareinformedthatitbearsacloseresemblancetoared-bloodcorpuscle.Thecellulardisknowgraduallyexpandsinadirectionatrightanglestoissurfacesandanovoidformresultsfromwhichpseudopodiaortemporaryextensionsprotrudesimilartotheamoeba...

DrLittlefieldwentsofarastoclaimthathehadproducedamicroscopicinsectformerlyunknowntoentomology:

"Itresembledacommonhouse-fly,havingtwoantennaeprotrudingfromitshead,whilefromitsbodygrewsixattenuatedlegs,thetwonearestitsheadbeingofthecomparativeformandlengthofagrasshopper,whileitstransparentwingswerecoveredwithlighthair.Thisnewinsectistheoutcomeofthousandsofexperiments,andithasnocounterpartinthetextbooksdealingwiththatbranchofzoology."

TheobviouscriticismisthatDrLittlefieldfailedtoconducthisexperimentswithsterileequipment.(8,13)

AndrewCrosse~In1837,AndrewCrossereportedtotheLondonElectricalSocietyconcerningtheaccidentalspontaneousgenerationoflifeformswhilehewasattemptingtoproduceartificialcrystalswiththeinfluenceofavoltaiccell.Heproducedacariinsectsrepeatedlyinmanycarefullycontrolledexperimentsunderawidevarietyofconditionsutterlyinimicaltolifeasweknowit.Theexperimentaldetailsarerepeatedhereinextendedquotationtofacilitateyourownexperiments:

"Inthecourseofmyendeavorstoformartificialmineralsbyalongcontinuedelectricactiononfluidsholdinginsolutionsuchsubstancesaswerenecessarytomypurpose,IhadrecoursetoeveryvarietyofcontrivancewhichIcouldthinkof,sothat,ontheonehand,Imightbeenabledtokeepupanever-failingelectricalcurrentofgreaterorlessintensityorquantity,orboth,asthecaseseemedtorequire...Amongstothercontrivances,Iconstructedawoodenframe,ofabouttwofeetinheight,consistingoffourlegsproceedingfromashelfatthebottom;supportinganotheratthetop,andcontainingathirdinthemiddle.Eachoftheseshelveswasabout7inchessquare.Theupperonewaspiercedwithanaperture,inwhichwasfixedafunnelofWedgwoodware,withinwhichrestedaquartbasinonacircularpieceofmahoganyplacedwithinthefunnel.Whenthisbasinwasfilledwithafluid,astripofflannelwettedwiththesame,wassuspendedovertheedgeofthebasinandinsidethefunnelwhich,actingasasiphon,conveyedthefluidoutofthebasin,throughthefunnel,insuccessivedrops.Themiddleshelfoftheframewaslikewisepiercedwithanaperture,inwhichwasfixedasmallerfunnelofglass,whichsupportedapieceofsomewhatporousredoxideofironfromVesuvius,immediatelyunderthedroppingoftheupperfunnel.Thestonewaskeptconstantlyelectrifiedbymeansoftwoplatinawiresoneithersideofit,connectedwiththepolesofavoltaicbatteryof19pairsof5-inchzincandcoppersingleplates,in2porcelaintroughs,thecellsofwhichwerefilledatfirstwithwaterand1/300ofhydrochloricacid,butafterwardwithwateralone...Thelowershelfmerelysupportedawidemouthbottle,toreceivethedropsastheyfellfromthesecondfunnel...ItwasbymerechancethatIselectedthisvolcanicsubstance,choosingitfromitspartialporosity;nordoIbelievethatithastheslightesteffectintheproductionoftheinsectstobedescribed.ThefluidwithwhichIfilledthebasinwasmadeasfollows.

"Toaportionofthesilicateofpotassa...Iaddedsomeboilingwatertodiluteit,andthenslowlyaddedhydrochloricacidtosupersaturation...Myobjectinsubjectingthisfluidtoalong-continuedaction,throughtheinterventionofaporousstone,wastoform,ifpossible,crystalsofsilicatooneofthepolesofthebattery,butIfailedinaccomplishingthisbythosemeans.Onthe14thdayfromthecommencementoftheexperiment,Iobserved,throughalens,afewsmallwhitishexcrescencesornipplesprojectingfromaboutthemiddleoftheelectrifiedstone,andnearlyunderthedroppingofthefluidabove.Onthe18thday,theseprojectionsenlarged,and7or8filaments,eachofthemlongerthantheexcrescencefromwhichitgrew,madetheirappearanceoneachofthenipples.Onthe22ndday,theseappearancesweremoreelevatedanddistinct,andonthe26thday,eachfigureassumedtheformofaperfectinsect,standingerectonafewbristleswhichformeditstail.TillthisperiodIhadnonotionthattheseappearanceswereanyotherthananincipientmineralformation;butitwasnotuntil

the28thday,whenIplainlyperceivedtheselittlecreaturesmovetheirlegs,thatIfeltanysurprise,andImustownthatwhenthistookplace,Iwasnotalittleastonished.Iendeavoredtodetach,withthepointofaneedle,oneortwoofthemfromitspositiononthestone,buttheyimmediatelydied,andIwasobligedtowaitpatientlyforafewdayslonger,whentheyseparatedthemselvesfromthestone,andmovedaboutatpleasure,althoughtheyhadbeenforsometimeaftertheirbirthapparentlyaversetomotion.Inthecourseofafewweeks,aboutahundredofthemmadetheirappearanceonthestone.Iobservedthatatfirsteachofthemfixeditselfforaconsiderabletimeinonespot,appearing,asfarasIcouldjudge,tofeeditselfbysuction;butwhenarayoflightfromthesunwasdirecteduponit,itseemeddisturbed,andremoveditselftotheshadedpartofthestone.Outofaboutahundredinsects,notabove5or6werebornonthesouthsideofthestone.Iexaminedsomeofthemwiththemicroscope,andobservedthatthesmalleronesappearedtohaveonly6legs,butthelargerones8...ItseemsthattheyareofthegenusAcarus,butofaspeciesnothithertoobserved...

"Ihaveneverventuredanopinionastothecauseoftheirbirth,andforaverygoodreason---Iwasunabletoformone.."

Crosserepeatedhisexperimentswithmorecarefullycontrolledconditionsandobtainedsimilarresults.Otherexperimentsutilizedcoppernitrateandsulfate,ironandzincsulfates,hydrochloricacid,andarsenic;theacariappearedineverycellbutthosecontainingarsenicandpotassiumcarbonate.Inoneofthesimplestexperimentsthatproducedacari,Crosseproceededthus:

"Abentwire,1/5thofaninchindiameter,intheformofaninvertedsiphon,wasplungedsomeinchesinto[aconcentratedsolutionofsilicateofpotassa]andconnectedwiththepositivepole,whilstasmallcoiloffinesilverwirejoineditwiththenegative.

"Aftersomemonths'electricalaction,gelatinoussilicaenvelopedbothwires,butinmuchgreaterquantityatthepositivepole;andinabout8monthsfromthecommencementoftheexperiment,onexaminingthese2wiresveryminutely...Iplainlyperceivedoneoftheseincipientinsectsuponthegelatinoussilicaonthesilverwire,andabouthalfaninchbelowthesurfaceofthefluid,whenreplacedinitsoriginalposition.Inthecourseoftime,moreinsectsmadetheirappearance,till,atlast,Icountedatonce3onthenegativeand12onthepositivewire.Someofthemwereformedonthenakedpartofthewires,thatis,onthatpartwhichwaspartiallybareofgelatinoussilica:buttheyweremostlyembeddedmoreorlessinthesilica,with8or10filamentsprojectingfromeachbeyondthesilica...Imustnotomittostate,thattheroom...waskeptalmostcompletelydarkened...

"Ihavenotobservedaformationofaninsect,exceptonamoistandelectrifiedsurface,orunderanelectrifiedfluid...Theseinsectsdonotappeartohaveoriginatedfromotherssimilartothemselves,astheyareformedinallcaseswithaccessofmoisture,andinsomecases2inchesbelowthesurfaceofthefluidinwhichtheyareborn;andifafull-grownandperfectinsectbeletfallintoanyfluid,itisinfalliblydrowned.Ibelievetheyliveformanyweeks:occasionallyIhavefoundthemdeadingroups,apparentlyfromwantoffood...

"Ihaveobtainedtheinsectsonabareplatinawireplungedintofluo-silicicacid,oneinchbelowthesurfaceofthefluidatthenegativepoleofasmallbatteryof2-inchplatesincellsfilledwithwater.Thisissomewhatasingularfluidfortheseinsectstobreedin,whoseemtohaveaflintytaste,althoughtheyarebynomeansconfinedtosiliceousfluids...

"Ihavecloselyexaminedtheprogressoftheseinsects.Theirfirstappearanceconsistsinaveryminutewhitishhemisphere,formeduponthesurfaceoftheelectrifiedbody,sometimesatthepositiveend,andsometimesatthenegative,andoccasionallybetweenthetwo,orinthemiddleoftheelectrifiedcurrent;andsometimesuponall.Inafewdaysthisspeckenlargesandelongatesvertically,andshootsoutfilamentsofawhitishwavyappearance,andeasilyseenthroughalensofverylowpower.

"Thencommencesthefirstappearanceofanimallife.Ifafinepointbemadetoapproachthesefilaments,theyimmediatelyshrinkupandcollapselikezoophytesuponmoss,butexpandagainsometimeaftertheremovalofthepoint.Somedaysafterwardsthesefilamentsbecomelegsandbristles,andaperfectacarusistheresult,whichfinallydetachesitselffromitsbirthplace,andifunderafluid,climbuptheelectrifiedwireandescapesfromthevessel...Ifoneofthembeafterwardsthrownintothefluidinwhichhewasproduced,heisimmediatelydrowned...Ihaveneverbeforeheardofacarihavingbeenproducedunderafluid,oroftheirovathrowingoutfilaments;norhaveIeverobservedanyovaprevioustoorduringelectricization,exceptthatthespeckwhichthrowsoutthefilamentsbeanovum;butwhenanumberoftheseinsects,inaperfectstate,congregate,ovaareproduced."

TheabiogenesisofacaridiscoveredbyAndrewCrossewasinvestigatedcarefullybyWeeks;hetookeveryprecautiontoensurethesterilityoftheequipmentandreagentsinaseriesofelectrifiedexperimentsconductedwithunelectrifiedcontrols.Acarieventuallyandinvariablyappeared,innumbersdependingapproximatelyonthepercentageofcarboninthemotherliquor.WeeksreportedhisresultstotheElectricalSociety.(5)

In1837,MichaelFaradaystatedinapaperreadtotheRoyalInstitution,thathetoohadencounteredmanifestationsofsimilarinsectsinthecourseofsomeofhisownelectricalexperiments.Hewasuncertain,however,whethertheirappearancewasduetorevivificationofdormantova,orformationinvitro.

Inthe1940s,DrWilhelmReichannouncedhisdiscoveryoftheOrgonelifeforceandthetechnologytoutilizeit.Oneoftheareasheinvestigatedinvolvedtheabiogenesisof"Bions".Reichalsomanagedtocrystallizetheatmosphericorgoneinvacuumtubeorgoneaccumulators.Henamedthisform"Orene".ApollutedformoforgonecalledDOR(DeadlyOrgone)wasfoundtobeassociatedwithradioactivity.Itcanberectifiedwithgeometry,etc.ThediscoveryoforgonegivesnewcredencetotheoldalchemicalconceptofPhlogiston,anditservesasabasisforsomeastraltechnologies.

Decadeslater,theCanadianDrGustafNaessansalsodiscoverednovellifeformsreminiscentofReich'sbions,andimplicatedtheminthepathologyofcancer.Naessansdevelopedarevolutionarycure(lymphaticinjectionsof"camphorminiumchloride")basedonhisdiscoveries.

TheconceptofanaetherwasdefinedbyLarousseas"animponderablefluid,fillingspaceandformingthesourceoflight,heat,electricity,etc."TheaetherwasacornerstoneofmanyphysicstheoriesuntilEinsteinprevailedwithhisTheoryofRelativity.Modernquantummechanicsandotherpost-relativisticphysicstheories,however,requireanaetherorsomethingjustlikeit.

ProfessorD.Mendeleeff,developeroftheperiodictableofatomicelements,publishedafascinatingbookletin1904:"AnAttempttowardsaChemicalConceptionoftheEther".Mendeleeffexplainedtheetherasfollows:

"Theethermaybesaidtobeagas,likeheliumorargon,incapableofchemicalcombination...Thispointliesatthebasisofourinvestigationintothechemicalnatureofether,andincludesthefollowingtwofundamentalpropositions:(1)thattheetheristhelightest(inthisrespectultimate)gas,andisendowedwithahighpenetratingpower,whichsignifiesthatitsparticleshave,relativelytoothergases,smallweightandextremelyhighvelocity,and(2)thatetherisasimplebody(element)incapableofenteringintocombinationorreactionwithotherelementsorcompounds,althoughcapableofpenetratingtheirsubstance,justashelium,argon,andtheiranaloguesaresolubleinwaterandotherliquids.

"Whenin1869Ifirstshowedtheperiodicdependenceofthepropertiesoftheelementsupontheiratomicweights,noelementincapableofformingdefinitecompoundswasknown,norwastheexistenceofsuchanelementevensuspected.Thereforetheperiodicsystemwasarrangedbymeingroups,series,andperiods,startingingroupI.andseriesI.,withhydrogenasthelightestandleastdenseofalltheelements.Guidedbythissystem,Iwasabletopredictboththeexistenceofseveralelementsandalsotheirphysicalandchemicalpropertiesinafreeandcombinedstate.Theseelements,gallium,scandium,andgermanium,weresubsequentlydiscoveredbyLecoqdeBoisbraudan,Nilson,andWinklerrespectively.Imadethesepredictionsbyfollowingwhatisknowninmathematicsasamethodofinterpolation,thatis,byfindingintermediatepointsbymeansoftwoextremepointswhoserelativepositionisknown.Thefactofmypredictionshavingprovedtrueconfirmedtheperiodicsystemoftheelements,whichmaynowbeconsideredasanabsolutelaw.Solongasthelawremainedunconfirmed,itwasnotpossibletoextrapolate(i.e.todeterminepointsbeyondthelimitsoftheknown)byitsmeans,butnowsuchamethodmaybefollowed,andIhaveventuredtodosointhefollowingremarksontheether,asanelementlighterthanhydrogen.Myreasonfordoingthiswasdeterminedbytwoconsiderations.Inthefirstplace,IthinkIhavenotmanyyearsfordelay;andinthesecondplace,inrecentyearstherehasbeenmuchtalkaboutthedivisionofatomsintomoreminuteelectrons,anditseemstomethatsuchideasarenotsomuchmetaphysicalasmetachemical,proceedingfromtheabsenceofanydefinitenotionsuponthechemismofether,anditismydesiretoreplacesuchvagueideasbyamorerealnotionofthechemicalnatureoftheether...Thosephenomenainwhichadivisionofatomsisrecognizedwouldbebetterunderstoodasaseparationoremissionofthegenerallyrecognizedandall-permeatingether.Inaword,itseemstomethatthetimehasarrivedtospeakofthechemicalnatureoftheether,allthemoresosince,sofarasIknow,noonehasspokenatalldefinitelyonthissubject.WhenIappliedtheperiodiclawtotheanaloguesofboron,aluminumandsilicon,Iwas33yearsyoungerthannow,andIwasperfectlyconfidentthatsoonerorlatermypredictionwouldbefulfilled.NowIseelessclearlyandmyconfidenceisnotsogreat.ThenIriskednothing,nowIdo.Thisrequiredsomecourage,whichIacquiredwhenIsawthephenomenaofradioactivity.IthensawthatImustnotdelay,thatperhapsmyimperfectthoughtsmightleadsomeonetoasurerpaththanthatwhichwasopenedtomyenfeebledvision...

"IftheratiooftheatomicweightsbeXe:Kr1.56:1;Kr:Ar=2.15:1;andAr:He=9.5:1,wefindthattheatomicweightofx=0.17.Thismustbeconsideredthemaximumpossiblevalue.Mostprobablytheatomicweightofxisfarless...

"Itsmassis50.129.1018ornearly65.1029,anditsradiusnearly698.106...or26.108HencethevelocityrequiredwillbenearlyÖ2.65x1020/26x108=2,240,000meterspersecond,or2,240kilometerspersecond...

"Theatomicweightofxasthelightestelementarygas,permeatingspaceandperformingthepartoftheether,mustbewithinthelimitsof0.000,000,96and0.000,000,000,053,ifthatofH-1.

"Ithinkitisimpossible,underthepresentconditionsofourscientificknowledge,toadmitthelattervalue...Iconsiderthemajorityofphenomenaaresufficientlyexplainedbythefactthattheparticlesandatomsofthelightestelementxcapableofmovingfreelyeverywherethroughouttheuniversehaveanatomicweightnearlyonemillionththatofhydrogen,andtravelwithavelocityofabout2,250kilometerspersecond."(9)

Mendeleeff'sEthermighthavebeendiscoveredbyCharlesBrush(d.1929),whoclaimedtohavediscovered"Etherion:ANewGas",whichhereportedtotheAmericanAssociationfortheAdvancementofScienceinAugust1898:

"Thepurposeofthispurelypreliminarypaperistoannouncethediscoveryofanewgas,presumablyelementary,andpossessedofsomeextraordinaryproperties.Itisaconstituentoftheatmosphere,andisoccludedbymanysubstances.Itschiefcharacteristicthusfarascertainedisenormousheatconductivityatlowpressure...

"Ihadobservedthatglassapparatus,whenhighlyexhaustedandheated,involvedgasforanindefinitelengthoftime,rapidlyatfirst,thenslower,butneverstoppeduntilthetemperaturewasreduced.Oncooling,rapidre-absorptionalwaystookplace,butwasnevercomplete;indicatingthattwoormoregaseshadbeenevolvedbyheating,oneofwhichwasnotabsorbedoncooling.Inotherwords,theabsorptionwasselective...

"Itestedtheconductivityoftheresidualairfromtimetotimeasthepreliminaryexhaustionprogressed.Whentheexhaustionapproachedagoodvacuum,anastoundingphenomenondeveloped.At36-millionthspressure,theresidualgasconductedheattwiceaswellasair,andnearlyaswellashydrogen,at3.8-millionthsitconducted7timesasrapidlyashydrogen,at1.6-millionths14times,andat0.96ofonemillionth20timesasrapidly...

"Believingthatthenewgasisverymuchlighterthanairorhydrogen,andmaythereforebeseparatedfromtheatmospherebysuccessivediffusions,Ihavespentseveralmonthsinexperimentswiththisendinview...

"Thebestresultshavebeenobtainedwithporousporcelainhavingitssuperficialporesnearlyclosedbysuitabletreatment.Atubeofthistype,closedatoneend,wasconnectedwiththeapparatus,andthewholekeptexhaustedtoapressureof1.3mm.About19ccofgaswasdiffusedperhour...Asbothphosphoruspentoxideandsoda-limeabsorbthenewgas,theycannotbeusedfordessication..."(4)

4.Prophecy

Prophecyisthememoryoffuturehistories,echoingacrosstimeandspace.Thefutureisrevealedtousthroughdreams,drugs,religiousepiphany,magicalritualsandthemanticarts.Prophecyhasexertedapowerfulinfluenceonthecourseofhistory.Alchemyhasbeenthesubjectofseveralpredictionsthatawaitpossiblefulfillmentinproximalfutures.

Paracelsus~ThegreatadeptTheophrastusvonHohenheim,orParacelsus,wasaprolificwriter;hispublicationsrevolutionizedmedicineinEurope.HemademajorcontributionstoWesternmysticism,includingasmallbookof32propheciescalledPrognosticatioeximiidoctorisTheophrastiParacelsi(ca.1530).Thoughthepredictionswerewritteninsymbolicterms,severalofthemhavebeensatisfiedbyhistory.Severalotherscanbeinterpretedeasilyandofferaclearviewoftheapparentfuturehesaw.(10)

Paracelsusassociatedthe4thMonarchy(themillennialnewage)withtherediscoveryofthealchemicalPhilosophers'StonebytheGrandMonarch,assuggestedbythefollowingsectionofalongerprophecy:

"Thepeopleoftheearthshallthenbeincommotion,andnotiesofbrotherhood,marriage,orfriendshipwillberespected.Thelionwilljoinhimselftothefishes.Andthecrownwillbesubjecttothefinehat.Thenwilltherue-wreathbesoiledwithmilk.Andthepelicanshallbedevouredbyhisyoung.Butthephoenixshallbeconsumedinthefire,andwhenthedewmoistenstheasheshewillreviveagainaccordingtohisnature.Buthewillbecomeanoblephoenix,andwillpressharduponthetoad,andhewilltaketothelionandgivehimachoice.Thelionwillselectthebestandnomore.Upontheotherwildhorsethisphoenixwillplaceabridleandwillrideitwithspursbutwithoutasaddle.Thenanewgenerationofbeastswithvariousstrangeheadsshallbeborn.Theywillhavemanymouthsandstomachs,butonlyonenaturaldraught.Themostprofligatewillmaintainhismagnificence,andhisangelswillbeclothedinblood.Theywillbeintentupononeworkalone.Apairofhorseswillappearandinallplacesthewailofthefugitiveswillbeheard.Thedragonofsleepwillcausetheeagletobecomewearyofallmagnificence.Thefountainoflifewillcommencetoflow.Andawhiteeaglewillbechangedintoblack.Milkandbloodwilldecrease,andtheanimaltreewillbegintogrow.Anoldlionwillbeboundandayounglionwillbecomefree.Hewillpleaseallthoseanimalswhichtheoldhadvexed.Hewilldoevenmore,forhewillchangehismaneandhairintosilk.Thebearwilllaysnares,andtheox-headwillseektogorehim.Thegriffinwillflyoverhimbutwillnotharmhim.Thenshallthepearl,solonglost,befoundbyoneofhumbleestate,andwillbeset,asajewel,ingold.Itwillbegiventotheprinceofallbeasts,thatis,totherightlion.Hewillhangitaroundhisneck,andwearitwithhonor.Hewillresistthebearandthewolf,andrendthemasunder;sothatthebeastoftheforestshallbesafe.Thenwilltheoldartflourishandnoheedwillbegiventothenew.ThenwilltheNewWorldbegin,andthewhiteandblackshalldisappear.Allvainglorywillbeended,andtheplumesofthebirdoftheEastshallbeburnedbythesunofthesouth.Howthenwillitbewiththee,ohthoulionandearthlyonewhoartpaintedandboundwithgold?Allthydoingshallbechanged,andthesevenheadsshallbecomeonehead.Outofthisone,aheadshallbebornthatshallbearmedwithahorn.ThishornshallbruiseallthatwhichhassolongbroughtsorrowtoIffinos.Andthegreatcityshallbetheheadofthelessandshallbecomefreefromservitude.Europeshallbethehead,Asiathecrown,butAfricashallbethejewel."

Thisprophecyisdifficulttointerpret,butsomeofthesymbolsareobvious:thephoenixisthealchemistking,whowillbegracedwiththePhilosophers'Stone,"thepearl,solonglost."ThetoadisFrance:thatanimalwastheglyphfromwhichthepresentfleur-de-lyswasderived.ThebearisRussia,thelionisEngland,andthegriffinmighttheUSA.TheoxrepresentstheMuslims.

InChapter8ofhistreatiseDeMinerabilis,ParacelsuspredictedtheadventofEliasArtista(EliastheArtist),MasterofAlchemy.ElsewhereintheliteratureofHermeticscience,EliasArtistaisreferredtoas"asymboloftheripenessoftheage!Heisthegreatdaytocomewhenallsecretsshallbebroughttolight,andthingsnowrootinginthedarkearthshallbebroughttolight,andthingsnowrootinginthedarkearthshallcomeforthtofullgrowthandflowerandbearatreasure,whichisforthehealingofnations...asymbolicrepresentation,thecollectivebreathofgenerousvindications.SpiritofLiberty,ofscienceandlovewhichmustregeneratetheworld!"

Paracelsus,Glauber,ThomasNorton,AlexanderSetonandotheralchemistswroteofEliasasifhewereanindividual.Paracelsuswrote:"Whatissmallandhumble,Godhasrevealed,butthemoreimportantisstillinthedarkandshalllikelyremainsountilthearrivalofEliasArtista...Oneshallcomeaftermewhosesplendorisnotyetinthislife,andwhoshallrevealmuch."AccordingtoGlauber,"ThisEliasArtistashallrestorethetruespagyricmedicineoftheoldEgyptianPhilosophywhichwaslostoverathousandyears.Heshallbringitwithhimandshowittotheworld."

ThomasNorton~The15thcenturymasteralchemistThomasNortontransmittedapoeticprophecyaboutEliasArtistainhisOrdinalofAlchemy:

"ArisebySurnamewhenthechangeofCoinwashad,Madesomemensorry,andsomemenglad:Andastomuchpeoplethatchange,Seemedathingnewandstrange;Sothatseasonbefellawonderousthing,TouchingthisSciencewithoutleaving.ThatthreemastersofthisScienceallLayinoneBednightoLeadenhall,WhichhasElixirsperfectWhiteandRed,

AwondersuchThreetorestinoneBed,AndthatwithinthespaceofdaysTen,WhileharditistofindoneinMillionsofMen.OftheDukedomofLorraineoneIunderstandWasborn,thatothernighinthemiddleofEngland,UnderaCrosse,intheendofShiresthree,Thethirdwasborne;theyoungestofthemishe.WhichbyhisNativityisbyClerksfound,ThatheshouldhonorallEnglishground;AManmightwalkalltheWorldabout,AndfailsuchThreeMastertofindout;Twobefleeting,theYoungestshallabide,AnddomuchgoodinthisLandataTide.ButsinofPrincesshallletordelayTheGracethatheshoulddoonaday.TheeldestMasterchangedofhimasong,AndsaidthatheshouldsuffermuchwrongOfthemwhichweretohimgreatlybeholden.AndmanythingsmorethisMastertold,Whichsincethattimehathtrulybefall,Andsomeofthemhereaftershall,Whereofoneistruly(saidhe)AfterTroublesgreatJoyshallbeIneveryquarterofthisLand,WhichallgoodMenshallunderstand:Theyoungeraskedwhenthatshouldbe,TheoldMansaidwhenmenshallseeTheHolyCrosshonoredbothdayandnight,IntheLandofGodintheLandofLight;Whichmaybedoneinrightgoodseason,Butlongdelayeditiswithoutreason:Whenthatbeginsnotewellthisthing,ThatScienceshalldrawtowardstheKing;AndmanymoreGracesyemaybetold;GraceonthatKingshalldescend,WhenheoldMannersshallamend:Heshallmakefullsecretsearch,ForthisSciencewithdulcetspeech;AndamongtheSolitary,Heshallhavetidingscertainly.SosoughtKingKalidofmanymen,WhichhelpedKalidathisneed,Hisvirtuescausedhimtospeed.'"

TheeminentBritishoccultistArthurE.WaitereprintedtheprophecyininterpretiveproseforminTheHermeticMuseum:

"ThisknowledgewouldoftenhavebeenthegloryofEngland'skings,iftheirhopeshadbeenfirmlyplaceduponGod.OnewhoshallhaveobtainedhishonorsbymeansofthisArt,willmendoldmanners,andchangethemforthebetter.Whenhecomes,hewillreformthekingdom,andbyhisgoodnessandvirtuehewillsetaneverlastingexampletorulers.Inhistimethecommonpeoplewillrejoice,andrenderpraisetoGodinmutualneighborlylove.OKing,whoaretoaccomplishallthis,praytoGodtheKing,andimploreHisaidinthematter.Sothegloryofthymindwillbecrownedwiththegloryofagoldenage,whichshallnotthenbehopedforasfuture."

MichelNostradamus~The16thcenturyprophetMicheldeNotredame(Nostradamus)isconsideredtobeoneofthegreatestprophetsoffuturehistory.Thefollowingquatrainscontainalchemicalthemesthatmayinspireaspiringadepts,andcertainlyconfusethem:

"Thedivinewordwillgivetothesubstance,Includingheaven,earth,goldoccultedinthemysticmilk:Body,soul,spirithavingallpower,AsmuchunderitsfeetastheHeavenlysee."(C.3.2)

"WhenVenuswillbecoveredbytheSun,Underthesplendorwillbeahiddenform:Mercurywillhaveexposedthemtothefire,Throughwarlikenoiseitwillbeinsulted."(C.4.28)

"TheSunhiddeneclipsedbyMercuryWillbeplacedonlysecondinthesky:OfVulcanHermeswillbemadeintofood,TheSunwillbeseenpure,glowingredandgolden."(C.4.29)

"ElevenmoretimestheMoontheSunwillnotwant,Allraisedandloweredbydegree:

Andputsolowthatonewillstitchlittlegold:Suchthatafterfamineplague,thesecretuncovered"(C.4-30)

"SomuchsilverofDianaandMercury,Theimageswillbefoundinthelake:Thesculptorlookingfornewclay,Heandhisfollowerswillbesteepedingold.'(C.9.12)(7)

Finally,intheclosingpassagesoftheBiblicalRevelationofJohn,wearepromisedthat,"Tohewhoovercomes,IwillgiveaWhiteStone,andinitaNewNamewritten,thatisknownonlytohewhomitisrevealed."ThissuggeststhattheChristiansurvivorsoftheTribulationwillreceivethePhilosophers'Stoneinitsphysicalandangelicforms.Amen.

5.References

1.Bardon,Franz:TheKeytotheTrueQuabbalah(1971,DieterRuggeberg,Wuppertal,Germany

2.ibid.,:InitiationIntoHermetics;1962,D.Ruggeberg

3.ibid.,ThePracticeofMagicalEvocation;1967,D.Ruggeberg

4.Brush,Charles:ChemicalNews(21October1898),pp.197-198;"Etherion:ANewGas"

5.Crosse,Andrew:Amer.J.ofSci.&Arts35:125-137(1839);ibid.,32:374-377(July1837);ibid.,Ann.Electr.Magn.,&Chem.3:69(July1938-April1939);ibid.,2:355-360(Jan.-June1838).

6.Jenny,Hans:Cymatics(vol.1,2);1967,BasiliusPresseAG,Basel;ISBN3-85560-009-0

7.Leoni,Edgar;Nostradamus:LifeandLiterature;1961,Nosbooks,NY

8.Littlefield,CharlesW.:Man,MineralsandMasters;1980,SunBooks,SantaFeNM

9.Mendeleeff,D.:AChemicalConceptionoftheEther;1904,Longmans,Green&Co,London

10.Paracelsus,Theophrastus:ThePropheciesofParacelsus;1974,SamuelWeiser,NY.

11.Patai,Raphael:TheJewishAlchemists;1994,PrincetonUniv.Press

12.Pond,Dale:UniversalLawsNeverBeforeRevealed:Keely'sSecrets;1998,DeltaSpectrumResearch,P.O.Box1363,InolaOK74036;www.svpvril.com

13.Tingley,C.:ScientificAmerican(30September1905),p.263

NameIndex

PartI~ArsMagna

Allen,P.:Ch.2,AChristianRosenkreutzAnthologyAnonymous:Ch.1,TheSecretFireofthePhilosophers~Ch.1,LightOutofChaos~Ch.1,TractatusdeLapide~Ch.1,ArcanaDivina~Ch.2,RosariumPhilosophorum~Ch.2,AllegoryofMerlin~Ch.2,OnthePhilosophers'Stone~Ch.2,Untitled~Ch.3,TurbaPhilosophorum~Ch.3,HydropyrographumHermeticum~Ch.3,AMagnificent&SelectTractonPhilosophicalWater~Ch.3,BookoftheScienceofBkrtnth~Ch.2,3,RosariumPhilosophorum~Ch.2,3,OnthePhilosophers'Stone~Ch.3,CrowningofNatureArsenic:Ch.3Bacon,R.:Ch.3,MirrorofAlchemy~Ch.3,TheRootoftheWorldBacstrom,S.:Ch.2,WorkofPontanus,AccordingtoMr.F.~Ch.3,LapisdetribusBerthelot,M.:Ch.3,CollectiondesAnciensAlchimistesGrecsBesant,A.:Ch.3,OccultChemistryBeuther,D.:Ch.2,3,Universal&DetailedAccountBloomfield,W.:Ch.3,Bloomfield'sBloosomsBohemia,K.:Ch.1,ArcanaDivinaBonus,P.:Ch.1,2,3,NewPearlofGreatPriceCoudert,A.:Ch.3,Alchemy~ThePhilosophers'StoneCouncell,R.:Ch.3,ApologiaAlchemiaeCremer,J.:Ch.3,TheTestamentofCremerCrosland,M.:Ch.3,HistoricalStudiesintheLanguageofChemistryCyliani:Ch.1,2,3,HermesUnveiledDee,J.:Ch.3,RosicrucianSecretsDellaPorta,G.:Ch.3,HermeticTreatise

Dry(Short)Path:Ch.2Duchesnes,J.(Quercetanus):Ch.3,TreatiseonMetallicMedicineEleazar,A.:Ch.2,BookofAbrahamtheJew~Ch.3,AeschMezarephEspagnet,J.:Ch.3,Arcanum,ortheGrandSecretofHermeticsFictuld,H.:Ch.3,AureumVellusFigulus,B.:Ch.2,3,AGoldenandBlessedCasketofNature'sMarvelsFulcanelli:Ch.2,3,TheMysteryoftheCathedrals~Ch.1,2,3,TheDwellingsofthePhilosophersGeber:Ch.1,3,OftheSumofPerfection~Ch.3,OftheInventionofVerityGrashof,J.:Ch.1,2,3,Greater&LesserEdifyerGrassot,L.:Ch.1,LightOutofChaosGrummet,C.:Ch.2,3,SanguisNaturaeHelvetius,J.:Ch.2,GoldenCalfHelmont,J.B.v.~Ch.3,ArcaArcaniArtificiosissimiApertaeHermes:Ch.3,TractatusAureusdeLapidusPhysiciSecretoHitchcock,E.:Ch.3,Alchemy&theAlchemistsHollandus,J.I.:Ch.1,2,3,DeLapidePhilosophorum~Ch.2,VegetableWork~Ch.3,AWorkofSaturn~Ch.1,3,OpusculaAlchymica~Ch.3,TheCabalaIngalese,R.:Ch.1,3,TheyMadethePhilosophers'StoneJnana,K.:Ch.2,DictionaryofHermeticPhilosophyJollivet-Castelot,F.:Ch.3,ChemicalManufactureofGold)Jung,C.:Ch.3,MysteriumConiunctionisJuran,J.:Ch.1,3,Hyle&CoahylKirchweger,A.:Ch.3,GoldenChainofHomerLeadbeater,C.:Ch.3,OccultChemistryLeFebre,N.:Ch.2,SecretofSecretsLibavius,F.:Ch.3,CommentariosumAlchemiaemLintaut,H.:Ch.1,FriendoftheDawnLoverofPhilalethes(Eugenius):Ch.2,AShortEnquiryConcerningtheHermeticArtLully,R.:Ch.3,Apertorium~Ch.3,Testamentum~Ch.2,LetterorEpitometoKingRupertMagnus,A.:Ch.3,CompoundofCompounds~Ch.3,LibellusdeAlchimiaMirandola,P.d.:Ch.3,OnGoldMookerjee,B.:Ch.3,Rasa-Jala-NidhiMorienus:Ch.3,ATestamentofAlchemyMuller,J.:Ch.2,HyleandCoahylMyriamProphetessa:Ch.2,HerConversationwithArosNeedham,J.:Ch.3,TheTheoreticalFoundationofElixirAlchemyNollius,H.:Ch.3,Chemist'sKeyNowell,E.:Ch.3,CertainChemicalWorkswithTruePracticeOlympiodorusofAlexandria:Ch.3Ostanes~Ch.3TheBookofOstanesParacelsus,T.:Ch.1,TinctureofthePhilosophers~Ch.1,ConcerningtheSpiritsofthePlanets~Ch.1,FifthBookofArchidoxies~Ch.2,PhilosophicalCanons~Ch.3,AuroraofthePhilosophers~Ch.3,RevelationofHermes~Ch.3,EconomyofMineralsPatei,R.:Ch.3,JewishAlchemistsPearcetheBlackMonk:Ch.3,UpontheElixirPernety,A.:Ch.3,TreatiseontheGreatArt~Ch.3,DictionaireMytho-HermetiquePhilalethes,Eir.:Ch.1,2,3,AnOpenEntrancetotheClosedPalaceoftheKing~Ch.3,PreparationoftheSophicMercury~Ch.2,3,RipleyRevived~Ch.3,AShortManuductionoftheCelestialRuby.Philosophers'Stone:Ch.1Ray,P.:Ch.3,HistoryofChemistryinAncient&MedievalIndiaRhasis:Ch.3,TheLightsofLightsRipley,G.:Ch.3,EpistleuntoEdwardIV~Ch.2,3,MedullaAlchimaeRobins,H.:Alchemia(Frontispiece)Rosenroth,C.v.:Ch.3,KabalaDenudataRulandus,M.:Ch.2,3,ALexiconofAlchemySaltzal,S.:Ch.2,3,FountainofPhilosophicalSaltsSchroeder,W.v.:Ch.3,InstructionsRegardingtheArtofTransmutationSendivogius,M.:Ch.1,EpistlestotheRosicrucianSocietyShort/DryPath:Ch.2StDidier,L.de(A.Toussaint):Ch.3,HermeticTriumphTheophrastus:Ch.2,SacredArtToussaint,A.:Ch.3,HermeticTriumphTrevisan,B.de:Ch.3,VerbumDismissumUrbigeris:Ch.3,AphorismaUrbigerisValentine,B.:Ch.3,TriumphalChariotofAntimonyVaughan,T.:Ch.3,AquaVitae:NonVitisVillaNova,A.de:Ch.3,Lucidary~3,RosariumWaite,A.E.:Ch.3,ParacelsianLexiconWebster,J.:Ch.3,Metallographia:Or,AnHistoryofMetalsZosimos:Ch.3,OntheEvaporationoftheDivineWater

PartII~ModernTransmutations

Aston:Ch.7Baranger,M.:Ch.8Bardon,F.:Ch.10Bazhutov,Y.:Ch.9Beauregard,C.de:Ch.8Berzelius:Ch.8Bhadakamkar,A.:Ch.9Boismenu,E.de:Ch.3Brightson,R.:Ch.9Brown,S.:Ch.3Brown,Y.:Ch.9Bush,R.:Ch.9Caro,R.:Ch.7Champion,J.:Ch.2Choubard:Ch.8Clayton,T.:Ch.9Collie,N.:Ch.6Conrad,A.:Ch.2Crookes,W.:Ch.1Crosse,A.:Ch.10Damon,C.:Ch.8Dash,J.:Ch.9Davie,A.:Ch.5Dolph,T.:Ch.2Duhme,E.:Ch.7Dunikovski:Ch.2Emmens,S.:Ch.1Estey,R.:Ch.7Fox,H.:Ch.9Garrett,M.:Ch.7Gaschler,A.:Ch.7,9Gilbert:Ch.8Gleeson:Ch.9Goldfein,S.:Ch.8Haber,F.:Ch.7Hannay,J.:Ch.3Harlow,G.:Ch.1Helmont,v.:Ch.8Herzeele,v.:Ch.8Hitchcock,E.:Ch.3Honigschmidt,O.:Ch.7Hooper,W.:Ch.2Hora,H.:Ch.9Horton,F.:Ch.5Hudson,D.:Ch.2Hunter,R.:Ch.1Irion,C.:Ch.4Jackson,D.:Ch.9Jones,K.:Ch.2Jovitschitsch,M.:Ch.3Julien,D.:Ch.8Jungermann,J.:Ch.8Kamala-Jnana:Ch.7Karssen,A.:Ch.5Keely,J.:Ch.10Keller,J.:Ch.9Kelly,J.:Ch.9Kervran,L.:Ch.8Klobasa,A.:Ch.2Komaki,H.:Ch.8Kopacek,R.:Ch.9Kushi,M.:Ch.3Lauwes:Ch.8Lea,C.:Ch.1Littlefield,C.:Ch.10Lotz,A.:Ch.7Melchanov,A.:Ch.2Masson,I.:Ch.6Mendeleeff,D.:Ch.10Miethe,A.:Ch.7Miley,G.:Ch.9

Mizuno,T.:Ch.9Monti,R.:Ch.9Moray,T.:Ch.2Naessans,G.:Ch.10Nagaoka,H.:Ch.7Neel:Ch.2Norton,T.:Ch.10Nostradamus,M.:Ch.10Notoya,R.:Ch.9Ohmori,T.:Ch.9Ohsawa,G.:Ch.3ORMEs:Ch.2Outon,L.:Ch.1Paneth,F.:Ch.6Passell,T.:Ch.9Patterson,H.:Ch.6Patterson,J.:Ch.9Perrault,Prof.:Ch.8Peters,K.:Ch.6Prout:Ch.8Rabzi,G.:Ch.9Ramsay,W.:Ch.6Rauscher,E.:Ch.9Reich,W.:Ch.10Rein,G.:Ch.9Roy,R.:Ch.9Russell,A.:Ch.7Sheldon,H.:Ch.7Shoulder,K.:Ch.9Siemens&Halske:Ch.7Silver,allotropic:Ch.1Skinner,C.:Ch.5Smits,A.:Ch.5Soddy,F.:Ch.7Spindler,H.:Ch.8Stammreich,A.:Ch.7Tausend,F:Ch.7Thomson,J.:Ch.6Tiede,E.:Ch.5Tiffereau,T.:Ch.1Tuggle,D.:Ch.9Vauquelin:Ch.8Vogel:Ch.8Waite,A.:Ch.1Wendt,G.:Ch.4Yoshiraki,A.:Ch.9Zintl,E.:Ch.7Zundel,J.:Ch.8.

SubjectIndex

Abiogenesis:PartII.,Ch.10Acari:II.,PartCh.10"Alchemia":FrontispieceAngels:II,PartCh.10Arsenic:PartI,Ch.3Astrochemy:PartII,Ch.10BiologicalTransmutation:PartII,Ch.8ColdFusion:PartII,Ch.9Cymatics:PartII,Ch.10ElectrotherapyApparatus:PartII,Ch.2Elixir:PartI,Ch.1Ether:PartII,Ch.10Etherion:PartII,Ch.10Gold:PartII,Ch.1Helium:PartII,Ch.4,PartII,Ch.6,PartII,Ch.9Lead:PartII,Ch.5Magic:PartII,Ch.10MagneticUndulator:PartII,Ch.2Mercury:PartII,Ch.5

Neon:PartII,Ch.6NuclearWaste:PartII,Ch.9Ores,Transmutationof:PartII,Ch.2Orgone:PartII,Ch.10ORMEs:PartII,Ch.2Philosophers'Stone:PartI,Ch.1-3Phlogiston:PartII,Ch.10Prophecy:PartII,Ch.10Quabbalah:PartII,Ch.10Radioactivewaste:PartII,Ch.9Silver:PartII,Ch.1Thallium:PartII,Ch.5Tungsten:PartII,Ch.4ViaSiccaBrevis:PartI,Ch.2Z-Rays:PartII,Ch.2

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