Paracelsus: Coelum Philosophorum, or Book of Vexations
§ About this work
The work opens with a Preface addressed to alchemists and readers, in which Paracelsus observes that of thousands seeking gold and silver scarcely one succeeds, attributing failure to fate or the operator's unskilfulness rather than to Nature or Art, and announces a method drawn from Seven Canons based on the sevenfold metals, warning that the Canons cannot be grasped at a single reading. The Canons proceed in sequence: the First treats Mercury and its liquefaction; the Second treats Jupiter, made of the four elementaries; the Third treats Mars, hard and heavy; the Fourth treats Venus and transmutation by fire; the Fifth has Saturn speak of being cast out and purifying Sol and Luna in his water; the Sixth treats Luna, composed of six spiritual metals; and the Seventh treats Sol as pure fire. Part II adds treatises: that God and Nature do nothing in vain, a note on Mercurius vivus, a liquefactive powder recipe, instruction on congealing Mercury and making Sol and Luna, and a listing of vessels and materials. Part 2 declares such far-fetched methods mere incumbrances and, answering one who asks the short and easy way, points back to the Seven Canons. THE ART directs making heaven, or the sphere of Saturn, and placing the planets upon it until Saturn disappears and the spirit of heaven remains as Sol and Luna. Further sections treat conjuring the crystal, the heat of Mercury, materials and the seeking of minerals, and define "What Alchemy Is" as transmuting metals, then describe precious stones in order. A note states metals are the spirit of common stones, ending the Coelum Philosophorum, after which Twenty-four Notes follow, treating fire, Mercury, the Quintessence, the generation of metals, Alchemy as a lower heaven, and the origins of gems.
Paracelsus opens with a Preface addressed to alchemists and readers, stating that of thousands seeking gold and silver scarcely one succeeds, attributing this not to Nature or Art but to fate or the operator's unskilfulness. He announces a method drawn from Seven Canons based on the sevenfold metals, notes that destruction perfects the good, that each visible metal conceals the other six, and that fire destroys the five imperfect metals (Mercury, Jupiter, Mars, Venus, Saturn) while Sol and Luna remain. He warns the Canons cannot be grasped at a single reading. The First Canon concerns Mercury, describing its liquefaction, comparing its heat to the fire of Gehenna, and distinguishing celestial and infernal powers from the four elements. The Second Canon treats Jupiter, made of the four elementaries, discussing nearness and remoteness of metals and how to relegate Jupiter and summon Sol and Luna. The Third Canon treats Mars, hard and heavy, acquiring kingship. The Fourth Canon treats Venus and transmutation by fire. The Fifth Canon has Saturn speak of being cast out, purifying Sol and Luna in his water, and describes two Antimonies. The Sixth Canon treats Luna, composed of six spiritual metals with twelve virtues linked to planets and signs. The Seventh Canon treats Sol as pure fire, requiring the five cold metals to coagulate, affirming heat is life and cold death. Part II follows with treatises: God and Nature do nothing in vain; a note on Mercurius vivus concerning white and black tinging; a liquefactive powder recipe; instruction on congealing Mercury and making Sol and Luna from Saturn, Mercury, and Jupiter; and a listing of alchemical vessels, receipts, processes, and materials.
Section 1aSection 1bSection 1cSection 1dSection 1eSection 1fSection 1gThese and similar far-fetched methods are declared mere incumbrances that hinder the making of Sol and Luna. In answer to one who asks the short and easy way, the text points to the Seven Canons. THE ART is described: after making heaven, or the sphere of Saturn, place the planets upon it with Luna smallest, let all run until Saturn disappears, whereupon a new incorruptible body—the spirit of heaven—remains; this body, taken and kept, is Sol and Luna. A section explains conjuring the crystal, calling the crystal a figure of the air. Concerning the heat of Mercury, it argues Mercury is warm and moist, not cold, and gives a procedure using a silver pixis in lead to congeal it. It lists materials needed (foundry, bellows, etc.) and the method of seeking minerals, stating God dowers men variously and that Sol and Luna come easily from Mercury, Saturn, and Jupiter, harder from Mars and Venus. "What Alchemy Is" defines it as transmuting metals, and discusses stars and stones. Precious stones are described in order: Emerald, Adamant, Magnet, Pearl, Jacinth, Sapphire, Ruby, Carbuncle, Coral, Chalcedony, Topaz, Amethyst, Chrysoprasus, Crystal. A concluding note states metals are the spirit of common stones. The Coelum Philosophorum ends. Twenty-four NOTES follow, citing Paracelsus's works, treating fire as proving substances, Mercury's nature and genera, the Quintessence, the generation of Jupiter, Iron, Venus, Lead, silver and gold, a Virgil line, Alchemy as a lower heaven, and the origins of gems including Emerald, Adamant, Magnet, Pearl, Jacinth, Sapphire, Ruby, Carbuncle, Coral, Chalcedony, Topaz, Amethyst, and Crystals.
Section 1hSection 1iSection 1jSection 1kSection 1lSection 1mSection 1n