Christian Liebezeit - Mirror of the Philosophers (Aurei Velleris).pdf

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Spiegel der Philosophen
Mirror of the Philosophers
from
Aurei Velleris,
(Hamburg: bei Christian Liebezeit, in der St. Joh. Kirch, 1708)
This is, to my knowledge, the first English translation of the
Mirror of the Philosophers
from the original German as published in the
Aurei Velleris
(1708). I have not translated
the entire work, which includes what we might call “glosses” on the illustrations and
captions by traditional pseudonymous alchemical authors like Arnoldus, Hermes, and
Thomas Aquinas. Rather, presented here are the original illustrations and captions in the
series. There are numerous versions of this alchemical series, including one in the British
Library, British Library MS. Harley 6453, which is transcribed and available online via
Adam McLean’s Alchemy Library. Other versions of this work are known as the
Pretiosissimum Donum Dei,
or “Most Precious Gift of God,” and it would appear that
the English version in the British Library is a rough translation of the captions from the
German, albeit with almost entirely different glosses. I suggest this likelihood because of
certain minor translation errors—the original German caption to illustration eight refers
in fact to the “Dark Ascent,” which in the English version becomes “The Dark House.”
Such a change almost certainly came about due to translation from the German. This is a
classic alchemical text, including not only enigmatic text, but a widely known series of
illustrations as well, and as such is an excellent example of the ways that alchemists
sought to convey their art.
Mirror of the Philosophers
Whoever desires to know the highest and most true knowledge of the Art and Wisdom of
the high Wisdom should study this little book diligently, earnestly reading it over so that
it brings them their wished-for goal.
*****
Our matter is a Virgin. Its mother has conceived nothing. Come here, my beloved above
all; we will help one another and bear a new son, who is not like his parents. [der seinen
Eltern nit gleich wirdt]. This is a king with a red head, black eyes, and white feet. This is
the magistery.
See, I come to you, and am wholly prepared to conceive a son whose like there is no
other in the wide world.
The first illustration
*****
We will go and seek the nature of the four elements, which the alchemists bring forth out
of the belly of the earth.
Here see the solution of the wise, and therefrom, our quicksilver.
Our stone is unyielding, a light, long, and noble sound that kills and makes alive.
The second illustration
*****
The Stone is Prepared Together Out of the Four Elements
Here give up the body wholly to the living quicksilver, that is, in the water of our
Mercury, and make therefrom an enduring, lasting water.
O Luna, through my friendly glimpse
Are you seen as beautiful as I.
O Sol, you confer light upon all
Nonetheless you permit mine as the hen of the hens [als der han der hennen]
The third illustration
*****
Putrefaction of the Wise, the Raven’s head
Putrefactio, Nigredo, transponas
Penetrating and light black,
Here find the bodies in putrefaction, and becoming earth, and when you will see the
blackness like this, then you know this blackness is the beginning of your work.

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