Fermentation
THE FOURTH TREATISE OF THE MEANS BY WHICH NATURE ATTAINS HER ENDS
ARISTOTLE in the Book of Origins speaks thus: “SUN and Man create a Man, for the Sun’s force and spirit give life, and the process has to begone through seven times, by means of the Sun’s heat.”
But as the Philosophers in their work have to aid Nature with Art, so have they also to govern the heat according to the Sun, so as to create the before-mentioned Stone, which as well has to undergo seven processes. For such a work requires:
FIFTHLY: The Heat works elevatingly, for by its force the spirits hidden in the Earth are raised up into the air, wherefore the Philosophers say, that whosoever can bring to light a hidden thing, is a Master of the Art.
The same is meant by MORIENUS, when he teaches that “he who can recreate the Soul is able to see colour, and also by ALPHIDIUS saying: “Hence it is that this Combat raises upwards, or else you shall not gain by it.
Venus
Seven Stages
