Alchemy

Consider these signs:

That which dissolves is spirit,

That which coagulates is body.

A spirit can enter a body

To attenuate and clarify.


Sulphur and mercury,

Two substances with one essence,

The serpent with wings

And the serpent without,

One holding in his mouth

The other’s tail.


Sophic fire

Penetrates and destroys all things,

Transmutes the feculent

Into perfect spirit.


O water, true spirit,

Illuminating and sweet,

Bitter and obscure,

Strengthen us until the day of death.


In the caverns of metals

Is hidden the bright stone,

A mind sublime,

An open sea.

The king and queen

Bathe together in the fountain.


How many times

The philosopher’s ship

Is dashed against the capharean rock,

Wrecked and lost forever!


White is from black,

Purity from corruption.

The vulture and the toad

Are magisters both.


Purge yourself

With degrees of fire,

See true whiteness

Shining like a sword.


The green lion may devour

The sun, but you bide

With stars and seasons,

Coming into your own.