Page:Hermetic and Alchemical Writings of Paracelsus Vol I (IA cu31924092287121).djvu/171

 oi the fuligo Mercurii. Put this calx and a sufficient quantity of the quicksilver into a sublimatory, and let them stand for some time, until the two are coagulated into one amalgam. Then, by means of sublimation, elevate the Mercury from the calx. When elevated, pound it again with the metallic calx, and sublimate as before. Repeat this until the metallic calx liquefies over a candle, like wax or ice, and the thing is then done. Let this metal be placed in digestion for such time as may be required, and the whole will be changed into Mercurius vivus, that is, into its first matter. This is called the Philosophers' Mercurius of Metals. Many alchemists have sought it, but few have found it. So is now prepared Mercurius vivus from all metals, namely, Mercurius of Gold, Luna, Venus, Mars, Jupiter, Saturn.

The resuscitation or restoration of calcined Mercury is produced by distillation in retorts. For only Mercurius vivus ascends into the cold water, and the ashes of Saturn, Venus, or sulphur are left. But the resuscitation and restoration of sublimed Mercury is brought about in hot water. It is necessary, however, that it should first of all be very minutely pounded, so that the boiling water may resolve from it the spirit of salt and of vitriol, which it raises up with itself in the process of sublimation, and the Mercurius vivus runs together at the bottom of the water. If, now, such Mercurius vivus be sublimated anew with fresh salt and vitriol, and again be resuscitated in boiling water, and if this be repeated seven or nine times, it will be impossible to purify and renovate it more effectually. Preserve this as a great secret in Alchemy and Medicine, and rejoice over it exceedingly; for in this way all the impurity and blackness and poisonous nature are taken away from Mercury. The resuscitation, restoration, and renovation of Mercury cannot be accomplished without sublimation; for unless after calcination it be sublimated it will never be revivified. Sublimate it, therefore, and afterwards reduce it as you would any other sublimated substance.

The resuscitation of cinnabar, lazurium, aurum musicum, or precipitated gold, in order that they may be revived into Mercurius vivus, is effected as follows: Take any one of these substances, pound it very fine in a marble mortar, and make it into a paste with white of eggs and smegma. Then make pills, the size of a nut, which place in a strong earthenware cucurbite. At its orifice arrange an iron plate which has several little holes, and let it be fastened with lute. Distill by descent over a strong fire, so that it may fall into cold water, and again you will have Mercurius vivus.

The resuscitation and restoration of wood is difficult and arduous; possible, indeed, but not to be accomplished without exceptional skill and industry. The following is the method of its revival: Take wood which has been first of all carbon, then ash, and place it in a cucurbite with the resin, liquid, and oil of its tree, the same weight of each. Let them be mixed and liquefied over a gentle fire. Then there will be produced a mucilaginous matter, and so you will have the three principles together from which all things are born and generated, namely, phlegma, fat, and ash. The phlegma is