Page 28 - Book of Crates

colour. Such is the case of the substances that we name white lead and
black glass.

“Know in a positive manner, you that already have the science and
the certainty, that the Ancients did not use the denomination of sun
(gold), and however they made it enter in their compounds. Indeed, the
essential substance for tingeing, that is, Venus (copper), does not tinct
before it has been tinged. When it is tinged without having produced
gold directly, it enters into the other combinations: those who possess
it, put it away and keep it, because the influence of its colour appears
on the other tincture. They call it the author, when it entered in the
combinations. The author is what retains all things; it makes the bodies
live and their colours appear. For me, I order to all those that I like
among my supporters, my brothers and my particular disciples, to be
content with this author, because none of the Ancients, as you know,
were content with what has been explained to you.”

While I conversed with my interlocutor and I asked him to add
other enlightenments and the precise concepts to be used for the writing
of the present book, I suddenly lost consciousness and saw myself as in
a dream, after the disappearance of the sun, transported into another
sky and a new firmament. I headed toward the sanctuary of Phta that
contains the colours of fire. When I entered into the sanctuary, by the
Eastern Gate, I saw in the heaven a great number of gold vessels; I did
not see anyone prostrate before them, but only before the idol of
Venus. It is indeed this idol that one venerated in the sanctuary.

“Who made these vessels?” I asked.

The idol answered: “They have been made with the Sage’s
molybdochalque. Know, oh Cratès, man with many desires, that it is
neither a crime nor a sin for me, if I teach you that it is the lead of
Temnis the sage which was used to manufacture these vessels; but on
that, keep silent.”

And the idol added: “Yes, keep that secret; because all
philosophers kept it with the greatest care. However, I will reveal
something of it to you, that it is extremely cold and that the bodies

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