A Modern Inquiry into the Hermetic Mystery

Part I: An Overview of Alchemy’s History and Theory

Chapter 3: The Golden Treatise of Hermes Trismegistus, Part 4

Introduction: Hermes unveils further secrets of the philosopher’s stone, guiding seekers through the purification of the universal essence. In this section, we explore the alchemical art’s parallels with nature, transforming the dragon-like spirit into a radiant tincture.

Section Three (Continued): Purifying the Dragon

Hermes continues, warning that the philosophical essence, or Mercury, remains mortal while impurities linger: “Remove the vapor from the water, the blackness from the oily tincture, and death from the earthy residue. Through dissolution, you’ll gain a triumphant reward—the essence that grants life.” The dragon, symbolizing the raw, self-willed spirit, carries a poisonous blackness from its natural state. By dissolving this, alchemists purify the essence, freeing it from mortality to reveal its immortal source.

He instructs, “Cause such an operation in our earth that the central heat turns the water into air, scattering the residue through the earth’s pores. Then, the air becomes a subtler water.” This process involves dissolving the essence, letting its volatile spirit rise, then condensing it into a refined form. Hermes suggests, “If you give our old man gold or silver to consume, then burn his ashes and boil them in water until complete, you’ll have a medicine to cure life’s leprosy.” This cryptic metaphor describes feeding the essence with pure metals, purifying it through fire and water to create a healing tincture.

Hermes calls this essence a “temperate unguent,” a fiery medium between the earthy residue and water, acting as the “Perscrutinator” that stirs and purifies the spirit. He explains, “Unguents are called sulphurs because, like fire, they burn and act closely with oils.” This sulphur, the active principle, drives the transformation, purifying the passive Mercury.

He emphasizes the adept’s qualities: “All the world’s wisdom is hidden in this art. To master it, one must be free of arrogance, just, good, profoundly rational, ready to help others, serene, courteous, and diligent, guarding philosophy’s secrets.” Without understanding how to “mortify, generate, vivify, cleanse, and introduce light,” fighting darkness until the essence whitens, one achieves nothing. But mastery brings reverence, even from kings, though these secrets must be hidden from the wicked.

Hermes reiterates, “Our stone comes from many things and colors, composed of four elements. Divide and separate them, mortifying the essence with its own nature to preserve its water and fire. This isn’t ordinary water but fire, held in a pure vessel to keep the spirits from fleeing, making them tinging and fixed.” The stone, a unified essence, undergoes repeated dissolution to purify its spiritual elements, ensuring they remain stable and potent.

He praises, “O blessed watery form, dissolving the elements! To gain the sulphurous form, mingle it with our sharp vinegar. When the water’s power dissolves the composition, it’s the key to restoration, driving away darkness and death, letting wisdom proceed.” This “watery form” (Mercury) and “vinegar” (purifying agent) cleanse the essence, unlocking its transformative power.

Hermes concludes Section 3: “Philosophers bind their matter with a strong chain to withstand the fire. The spirits in the purified bodies desire to dwell there, reviving them. United, they never separate, reviving dead elements, altering bodies, and creating permanent wonders.” The “chain” is the alchemical process, holding the spirit in its vessel to vivify and transform matter, as Democritus’ fable of Proteus suggests, using “manacles and fetters” to compel the essence into its true form.

Section Four (Beginning): The Precious Stone

Hermes celebrates, “O permanent watery form, creator of regal elements! United with your brethren through a moderate regimen, you gain the tincture and find rest.” This refined essence, now fixed, is the philosopher’s stone, ready to transform other substances.

He warns, “Our precious stone, cast upon the dunghill, is made vile despite its worth. Mortify two Mercuries together, venerating the Mercury of Auripigment and the oriental Mercury of Magnesia.” The stone, though divine, appears common in its raw state, requiring purification through dual Mercuries—active and passive principles—to achieve its glory.

Closing: Section 3 completes Hermes’ guide to purifying the dragon-like essence, dissolving impurities to create a tinging, fixed stone, likened to nature’s cycles. Section 4 begins, celebrating the stone’s perfected form and hinting at further refinements. The alchemical art’s transformative journey continues in our next post, unveiling deeper mysteries of the philosopher’s stone.