Transcendental Magic II: The Ritual (Éliphas Lévi) · 57 of 123 · tr. A.E. Waite
12. The Great Workd
He created a new metal which resembles gold but is not gold, and hence has no value.
Raymond Lully, Nicholas Flamel and most probably Henry Khun-rath made true gold, nor did they take away their secret with them, for it is enshrined in their symbols, and they have indicated, moreover, the sources from which they drew for its discovery and for the realization of its effects, It is this same secret which we ourselves make public now.
Themes
◆Alchemical Workpraxis
The transformation of base substance — outer matter or the inner soul — into a purified, perfected, or 'gold' state; the magnum opus as both laboratory practice and spiritual allegory.
The passage explicitly discusses the creation of gold and references the Great Work, which are central themes of alchemical practice.
All passages →◆Hidden Sayingssoteriology
Esoteric teachings reserved for those ready to receive them; outer meaning conceals an inner liberating truth.
The text describes a secret enshrined in symbols that is now being made public, fitting the definition of esoteric teachings concealed within outer forms.
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