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I. NOW as to the Co∣lours, that which does not make black cannot make white, because black∣ness is the beginning of whiteness, and a sign of Pu∣trefaction and Alteration, and that the body is now penetrated and mortified.
II. From the Putrefaction therefore in this Water, there
first appears blackness, like unto Broth wherein some bloody thing is boyled.
III. Secondly, The black Earth by a continual digesti∣on is whitened, because the Soul of the Two Bodies swims above upon the Wa∣ter, like white Cream; and in this only whiteness, all the Spirits are so united, that they can never flie one from another.
IV. And therefore the lat∣ten must be whitened, and its leaves unfolded, i. e. its body broken or opened, lest we labour in vain, for this whiteness is the perfect Stone for the white work, and a body enobled in order to that end; even the Tincture of a most exuberant glory, and shining brightness, which never departs from the body it is once joined with.
V. Therefore you must note here, that the Spirits are not fixed, but in the white Colour, which is more noble than the other Co∣lours,
and is more vehe∣mently to be desired, for that it is as it were the Com∣plement or Perfection of the whole work.
VI. For our Earth putri∣fies and becomes black, then it is putrified in lifting up or Separation; afterwards be∣ing dried, its blackness goes away from it, and then it is whitened, and the feminine dominion of the darkness and humidity perisheth; then also the white Vapor penetrates through the new Body, and the Spirits are bound up or fixed in the dryness.
VII. And that which is corrupting, deformed and black through the moisture, vanishes away; so the new body rises again clear, pure, white, and immortal, ob∣taining the Victory over all its Enemies.
VIII. And as heat work∣ing upon that which is moist, causeth or generates black∣ness, which is the prime or first Colour; so always by decoction, more and more
heat working upon that which is dry, begets white∣ness, which is the second Colour; and then working upon that which is purely and perfectly dry, it produ∣ceth Citrinity and Redness, Thus much for Colours.
IX. We must know there∣fore, that the thing which has its Head red and white, but its Feet white and after∣wards red; and its Eyes be∣fore hand black, that this thing, I say, is the only matter of our Magistery.