Page 24 - Compound of Compounds

CHAPTER V

Of the preparation of the waters
from where is drawn the living water

Take two pounds of roman vitriol, two pounds of saltpetre and one pound of
calcined alum. Grind well, mix perfectly, put them into a glass alembic, distil the water
by the regulations, seal tight the joints, for fear that the spirits might vanish. Begin by a
gentle fire, then increase the heat; then heat by tinder until the apparatus turns white, in
order that all spirits distil. Then cease the fire, let the furnace cool down; place this
water carefully aside; it is the solvent of the Moon; conserve it for the Opus; it
dissolves silver and separates it from gold. It calcines Mercury and the Crocus of Mars;
it imparts to the skin of man a brown coloration, of difficult removal. It is the primal
water of the philosophers, perfect to the first degree. You will prepare three pounds of
this water.

Second water prepared by sal ammoniac

In the name of our Lord, take one pound of primal water and dissolve it by four
lots of pure, white sal ammoniac; once the dissolution is done, the water will have
changed colour: it acquired other properties. The primal water was greenish, it was
dissolving the Moon, yet inactive on the Sun; but from the moment that we add to it
sal ammoniac, it takes on a yellow colour; it dissolves gold, mercury, sublimate
Sulphur and imparts a strong yellow coloration to the skin of man. Keep this water
preciously, for it will serve us later on.

Third water prepared by way of sublimated Mercury

Take one pound of second water and eleven lots of sublimated Mercury (by
roman vitriol and salt) duly prepared and quite pure. Pour little by little the Mercury
into the second water. Then seal the orifice of the phial, for fear that the spirit of

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