Arthur Edward Waite

The Stone of the Philosophers Arthur Edward Waite

The author discusses numerous topics related to physical alchemy, including the practical methods, which the Renaissance alchemists would have used for transmutation of baser metals into gold. He discusses alchemical mercury, calcination, First Matter, creating both vegetable and metallic tinctures, Caput Mortuum, Essential Salt, the Seed in Metals, the quintessence, separation, the Mystical Marriage, ripening the Seed, the White Tincture, uses of the Stone, the Great Work, and numerous other related aspects of the overall subject matter. The author offer general instructions on many of these procedures, for the listener already familiar with elementary chemical processes and adept in understanding symbolic language.