Of Natural and Supernatural Things / Also of the first Tincture, Root, and Spirit of Metals and Minerals, how the same are Conceived, Generated, Brought forth, Changed, and Augmented.

by Basilius Valentinus

It will lead us to the consideration of higher Mysteries, if we behold and discern that Nature wherein Gold is exalted, even as the Magi have found that this Mineral is by God ordained under the Constellation of Aries, which is the first Celestial Sign, wherein the Sun takes its Exaltation, though this be not regarded by the Vulgar; yet discreet people will know, and the better observe, that even in this place also the Mysteries and Perpetuity may in part be considered with great benefit, and in part discovered.

But some ignorant and indiscreet people think, that when they had Antimony, they would deal well enough with it by Calcination, others by Sublimation, and some by Reverberation, thereby to obtain its great Mystery and perfect Medicine. But I tell you, that here in this place it availes not in the least, either Calcination, Sublimation, or Reverberation, whereby afterwards a perfect extraction can or might be done or effected with profit, to transmute the meaner into a better Metallick virtue; for it is impossible for you.

Be not deluded; some of the Philosophers which have wrote of such things, as Geber, Albertus Magnus, Rasis, Rupecissa, Aristotle, and many others: But observe this: Some say, that if Antimony be made to a Vitrum or Glass, the bad volatile Sulphur is gone, and the Oil which may be prepared out of that Glass, will be a very fixt Oil, and will really give an ingress and Medicine of perfection to the imperfect Metals.

These words and opinion are good and true, but it will not be nor appear such indeed; for I tell you truly, without concealed speeches, that if you lose any of the aforesaid Sulphur in the Preparation or Burning, for a small fire may easily prejudice it, you then have lost the true penetrating Spirit, which should make the whole Body of Antimony to a perfect red Oyl, which should also ascend over the helm with a delightful sent, and curious Colours; observe likewise, that the whole Body of this Mineral, with all its Members, should be but one Oyl, and ascend over the helm without any loss of weight, excepting the feces.

How should the Body be brought to an Oil, or yield its pleasant Oil, if it be brought to the last being of its degree, for Glass is in all things the utmost and last.

You shall likewise know that you shall not obtain that perfect noble Oil in the least, if it be extracted with corrected Vinegar poured upon the Antimony, nor yet by Reverberation; and although its various colours may appear, yet is it not the right way; you may indeed get an Oil, but you must know that it hath no part of the Tincture, or power of transmutation in it.

Now we come to the Manual Operation.

Take in the Name of God, and of the Eternal Trinity, fine and very pure Mineral Antimony, which is fair, white, massie, and inwardly full of yellow Streaks or Veins, and likewise of red and blew Colours, and small Veins, this is the best; pound it to fine Powder, dissolve it by little and little in Aqua Regis, that the Water may conquer it. After Solution take it out immediately that the Aqua Regis may do it no prejudice; for it will quickly dissolve the Tincture of the Antimony; for our Water in its nature is like to the Ostrich, which by his heat can digest Iron, and consume it to nothing; for the Water will consume it, and turn it to a Mud, that it shall remain only as a yellow Earth, and then is it quite spoiled.

Take an Example hereof from Silver, which is dissolved, fair, pure and fine in these our Waters, but if it stand a night therein while the Water is strong and full of Spirits, I tell you, your good Silver will be corroded to nothing in these our Waters; and though you would reduce it into a Massie Body, you cannot; for it will remain as a pale yellow Earth, and sometimes it will run together in the form of Horn, or of a white Horse Hoof, which you can by no Art reduce into a Body.

Wherefore you must remember to take the Antimony out presently after the Solution, precipitate and adulterate it according to the custom of Alchymists, that it may not be corroded with its perfect Oil by the Water, and burnt up to nothing.