Page:Three Books of Occult Philosophy (De Occulta Philosophia) (1651).djvu/34

 three qualities, viz. to the Fire brightnes, thinnes and motion, but to the Earth darknes, thicknes and quietnes. And according to thee qualities the Elements of Fire and Earth are contrary. But the other Elements borrow their qualities from thee, o that the Aire receives two qualities of the Fire, thinnes and motion; and one of the Earth, viz. darknes. In like manner Water receives two qualities of the Earth, darknes and thicknes, and one of Fire, viz. motion. But Fire is twice more thin then Aire, thrice more movable, and four times more bright: and the Aire is twice more bright, thrice more thin, and four times more moveable then Water. Wherefore Water is twice more bright then Earth, thrice more thin, and four times more movable. As therefore the Fire is to the Aire, o Aire to the Water, and Water to the Earth; and again, as the Earth is to the Water, o the Water to the Aire, and the Aire to the Fire. And this is the root and foundation of all bodies, natures, vertues, and wonderfull works; and he which hall know thee qualities of the Elements, and their mixtions, hall eaily bring to pas uch things that are wonderfull, and atonihing, and hall be perfect in Magick.

 

Here are then, as we have aid, four Elements, without the perfect knowledge whereof we can effect nothing in Magick. Now each of them is three-fold, that o the number of four may make up the number of twelve; and by paing by the number of even into the number of ten, there may be a progres to the upream Unity, upon which all vertue and wonderfull operation depends. Of the firt Order are the pure Elements, which are neither compounded nor changed, nor admit of mixtion, but are incorruptible, and not of which, but through which the vertues of all naturall things are brought forth into act. No man is able to declare their vertues, 