℞. Of Tartar, calcined unto Whiteness ℔ i, or ij, which reduced to Powder, put into a Glass Body, on which set an Head with its Hole and Tunnel in it, well luted; then apply a Receiver, and lute the Junctures exactly. When the Body and Head is placed in warm Sand, through the Tunnel, at one time pour on about one or two Lotones of the sharp Spirit of Vitriol, upon the Tartar calcined; whence will be caused so great Ebullition, as by its own proper Power the Spirit will ascend from it. This Duel or Fermentation being ended, again pour in some Ounces of that Spirit; which also leave, till all the Ebullition ceaseth. Afterward reiterate the like injection, until that Acidity contends no more with the Tartar: Which will be an Argument, that the Salt of Tartar is sufficiently mortified. When you see this, administer Fire, and by Degrees draw forth all Humidities, untill the Vessel and Matter is Red hot. The Water that ascended (which in Taste will be almost like Spirit of Urine) must be rectified; in which Rectification the ☿ of the Vitriol ascending, is rendred more subtile and more pure. This pure Mercurial Water bears in it self invisibly contained, a living Metallick Mercury, which is made conspicuous thus,
The Conjunction of Philosophick Mercury with Gold.
Dissolve common ☉ in a sharp Aqua Regis, and separate the dissolved from the undissolved. Then leisurely, and at times, drop after drop, pour of your subtile Mercurial Water upon the Solution of ☉, so long, as until the Spirit of the Mercury hath no more Action upon the Solution of Gold, but ceaseth, and all the ☉ shall be precipitated from the Water. In which Precipitation, the ☉ attracts to its self the Mercury of the Vitriol, from the Mercurial Water, in such a manner, as it settles to the bottom of the Vessel, in the form of Slime, or a yellow Powder. Let the Precipitate be filtred through brown Paper, that the Saline Water may pass through; and the precipitate ☿ remain in the Filter mixt with the Gold; which must be very well washed with sweet Water, and, being edulcorated, dryed. This being done, you will have the ☿ of Vitriol united with the ☉: Both which will suffer themselves to be fixed into a true Tincture, for Humane and Metallick Bodies, as follows.
The Fixation of Mercury with Gold.
Note: Before the Mercury is put in to be fixed with the Gold, it must be proved, whether it be duly prepared, or not. For if the Mercurial Water was rightly prepared, it will contribute Mercury enough to the Gold; by which ☿ the precipitated Gold is so augmented, as tis no more common ☉. But if the Mercurial Water was not legitimately prepared, and consequently could not contribute much ☿ to the ☉, the Gold will remain poor, and, as soon as it is sensible of any heat, will fulminate, like any other fulminating Gold, and so be altogether unfit for Fixation, being destitute of a tinging ☿, which should have converted the whole Body of ☉ into Tincture. Wherefore, after Precipitation of the ☉ and ☿, you must make a small part of the Precipitate hot, in a very small Crucible, for Tryal, whether it be fit to be fixed. For if it fulminates, like fulminating ☉, it is a sign your Mercurial Water was not perfect, and could not give unto the Gold ☿ enough. But if after it shall be Red hot in the Fire, it comes forth with a delicate purple Colour; it is to be supposed, the ☉ hath imbibed ☿ enough, and they both be fixed together into one Tincture.
Note: Beware of too strong a Fire. For this way the Mercury will leave the Gold untouched, and fly away; so as, thence you can have no certain Tryal. Therefore, in all parts of the Work proceed Warily and Prudently. The Fixation of ☿ with ☉ is thus made:
The Fixation of the Mercury of ♂ and ♀, into one Tincture.
℞. So much as you have ready prepared of this our Mercury impregnated with Gold, although there be no more of it, than half a Loton: For here no great quantity is desired. Put it into a small Glass Phial, which place in hot Sand; yet take heed, you give no stronger Fire, than your Volatile Bird can bear. This Fire you must continue in a moderate degree for some Weeks: For by that means, your Mercury will by little and little, be able to brook the Fire, adhere to the Gold, and convert the same into Tincture. But if any one, contrary to the serious Interdiction of all Philosophers, make too much haste, and persuade himself, he may in a shorter space of time acquire the Tincture; his Mercury will fly away, and leave the Gold pale behind it; because the ☿ in its flight substracts the Colour of the ☉, and carries it away with it self. Therefore, in Fixing there is need of Patience. Hence all Philosophers advise, not to be hasty. For Festination proceeds from the Devil. Wherefore, let every one so far study his own Good, as to be obedient to this Admonition.
Note: There are also other ways, or Methods, of fixing ☿ with ☉; but he doth very foolishly, who, when no necessity urgeth, will prostrate all things together and at once, at the feet of Swine. Whomsoever GOD will be pleased to assist, he may triumph in the highest help; but whom GOD doth not assist, even the most plainly prescribed Method cannot help him. For all our help depends on the divine Blessing.