Dünyanın Kökü

The bodies of all natural things, being both perfect and imperfect from the beginning of time, are compounded of a group of four elements or natures: namely, Fire, Air, Earth, and Water, joined by God Almighty in a perfect unity. In these four elements is hidden the secret of philosophers. The Earth and Water give corporality and visibility. The Fire and Air give the spirit and invisible power, which cannot be seen or touched except within the other two. When these four elements are joined and made to exist as one, they become another thing; from this, it is evident that all things in nature are composed of these elements. But it is necessary that the elements be of one kind and not diverse, that is, simple. For otherwise, neither action nor passion could happen between them. So says Aristotle: There is no true generation except of things agreeing in nature. Elder or Oak trees will not bring forth pears; nor can you gather grapes from thorns, or figs from thistles. Things do not bring forth anything but their own kind. Our secret, therefore, is to be drawn only out of those things in which it exists. You cannot extract it out of stones or salt, or other heterogeneous bodies. If you prudently desire to make our Elixir, you must extract it from a mineral root. For as Geber says, You must obtain the perfection of the matter from its seeds. Sulphur and Mercury are the mineral roots and natural principles upon which Nature herself acts and works in the mines and caverns of the earth.