Page:Three Books of Occult Philosophy (De Occulta Philosophia) (1651).djvu/38

 influences; in it are contained the eeds, and Seminall vertues of all things; and therefore it is aid to be Animall, Vegetable, and Minerall. It being made fruitfull by the other Elements, and the Heavens, brings forth all things of it elf; It receives the abundance of all things, and is, as it were the firt fountain, from whence all things pring, it is the Center, foundation, and mother of all things. Take as much of it as you pleae, eperated, wahed, depurated, ubtilized, if you let it lye in the open Aire a little while, it will, being full, and abounding with Heavenly vertues, of it elf bring forth Plants, Worms, and other living things, alo Stones, and bright parks of Metals. In it are great ecrets, if at any time it hall be purified by the help of Fire, and reduced unto its implicity by a convenient wahing. It is the firt matter of our Creation, and the truet Medicine that can retore, and preerve us. 



He other two Elements, viz. Water, and Aire, are not les efficacious then the former; neither is nature wanting to work wonderfull things in them. There is o great a neceity of Water, that without it no living thing can live. No Hearb, nor Plant whatoever, without the moitening of Water can branch forth. In it is the Seminary vertue of all things, epecially of Animals, whoe eed is manifetly waterih. The eeds alo of Trees, and Plants, although they are earthy, mut notwithtanding of neceity be rotted in Water, before they can be fruitfull; whether they be imbibed with the moiture of the Earth; or with Dew, or Rain, or any other Water that is on purpoe put to them. For Moes writes, that only Earth, and Water bring forth a living oul. But he acribes a twofold production of things to Water, viz. of things wimming in the Waters, and of things flying in the Aire