To save much time in research and experiments, and to shorten the time gap before results, it is

wise to try more than one experiment at the same time using the same hot-plate, for much
depends on the quantity, quality and purity of the metals used.
Use a hot-plate that would be safe to leave working for weeks on end and which has an efficient
thermostat, for to stay watching beside the experiment (especially whe n there is doubt as to the
correct procedure) is a heart-breaking business. A housewife preparing food at least knows
exactly what to expect and how long the work must take; and the farmer knows the time he must
expect to wait before his crops ripen.
To make and prepare the regulus of antimony and iron (which has been called by alchemists
silver or Luna or mercury) take four parts antimony, two parts iron, and mix well in powdered
form. Then saturate with Secret Fire, and heat, but only at such a low heat, just to stir up the
matter and make it sweat. Wait forty-two to fifty days, by which time the compound should be
black. You might try adding one part venus (or copper) to the mixture at the start, but this venus
has traditionally been looked down upon with contempt as useless, although one master in
alchemy has told us in his treatises that venus must be added. This adept was Eireneaus
Philalethes, who wrote many books and claimed he had done the work many times. However the
addition of copper is probably a blind.
When the regulus is black, dry off the water and crush it into a fine powder. Of this take three
parts and mix in one part Sol in powder. Saturate with Secret Fire, and place into the heat again.

Q. What does our matter contain?

A. It contains salt, sulphur and mercury.
Q. What operation is it most important to be able to perform?
A. The successive extraction of salt, sulphur and mercury.
Q. How is that done?
A. By sole and perfect sublimation.
Q. What is in the first place extracted?
A. Mercury in the form of a white smoke.
Q. What follows? Igneous water and sulphur.
Q. What then?
A. Dissolution with purified salt; in the first place volatalising that which is fixed, and
afterwards fixing that which is volatile. This into a precious earth which is the vase of the
philosophers, and is wholly perfect.

Appendix II
Equipment and Materials Required for the First Operation of Alchemy
1. The most important piece of equipment is the hot-plate. In times past the
alchemists only had primitive fires or ovens that were kept going with all kinds of
fuels that needed constant watching to prevent them going cold, for periods of
time often measured in months. Any diminution in heat could result in failure of
the experiment, thus wasting months of work. Now, thermostatically controlled
hot-plates, with adjustable temperatures which will keep going for weeks,
months, or years without supervision, are available to the researcher. A hot-plate
of approximately 18 by 10 in. will allow several experiments to be run at the same
temperature at the same time.
2. At least four Pyrex flasks of 150 ml and two of 250 ml to act as receiving flasks
for the condensed vapour rising from the retort containing the metals. This is the
philosophers mercury which is extracted from the powdered metals with a heat
which must not exceed 150-170F.
3. Two retorts of 100 ml and one of 250 ml, with long necks, made of Pyrex to
withstand the constant heat. These must be flat-bottomed to stand firmly on the

hot-plate.
4. A home-made surround of thick asbestos, with cardboard or asbestos cover, to
conserve the heat generated by the hot-plate. This should have fairly tight
apertures for the necks of the retorts to protrude through.
5. The ground-glass bungs with which the retorts are fitted should be replaced by
rubber bungs, as these will merely blow out if too much pressure is generated in
the retort rather than causing the apparatus to explode, with the consequent loss
of equipment, time and metals. There should be a number of replacement bungs,
as the rubber tends to harden in the heat. However be very careful not to allow
vapour to be lost, and therefore do not open the retorts too often; after all, the
farmer does not pull up his seeds every now and then to see how they are
getting along. Make sure that all closures are absolutely airtight.
6. A range of Kilner jars to store various materials and products of the work under
airtight conditions, able to withstand heat.
7. Accurate scales graduated in sixteenths of an ounce, up to a pound.
8. Pestle and mortar for crushing compounds hardened under heat.
9. A small strong magnet, for iron filings.
10. A few plastic funnels with spouts capable of entering the retorts.
11. Stirrers and spoons, to remove matter from the flasks.
12. Various grade mesh sieves.
13. Brushes for manipulating fine powders.
14. A small torch to inspect the retorts during the heating.
15. Evaporating dishes to dry metals.
16. Most importantly, a notebook to record dates, results and quantities.
The metals to be used: All metals used in alchemy should be in powder form, so as to obtain the
most intimate mixtures without the necessity of fusion. These may be obtained from
manufacturers, but it is important that they be as chemically pure (99 per cent) and as finely
ground as possible, as this will save much time.
a. Sol or Gold or Luna or Silver 1 part (Never to be used together at any stage)
added to:
b. Antimony with Mars or Iron in a regulus 1 part
and
c. Venus or Copper (if it is decided to use it) 1 part (Venus is a blind, and is often
referred to with contempt by the alchemists, but see Chapter 6 for details of this
difficulty.)