Paracelsvs Of the supreme mysteries of nature.: Of [brace] the spirits of the planets. Occult philosophy. The magical, sympathetical, and antipathetical cure of wounds and diseases. The mysteries of the twelve signs of the zodiack. / Englished by R. Turner, philomathēs.

CHAP. IV. Of the properties of the fire.

WHen you have placed the matter in fit ves∣sels, you shall carefully keep and maintain the natural heat, that the externall heat do not overcome or abound over the internal; for if the heat be too much, there can be no conjunction made, by reason that the matter is dispersed and burnt by the vehemency of the heat, so that no good ariseth thereby. Wherefore the middle regi∣on of the air is by nature ordained between hea∣ven and earth; otherwise the Sun and Stars would burn up all the creatures upon the earth, so that nothing could be produced or spring forth from it: therefore so work, that you put such an Airy part or distance between the matter and the fire; after this manner let it be done, that the heat may not easily do hurt any wayes, nor dis∣perse the matter, much-less burn it: but if the fire be too little, and not quick enough, the Spirit then resteth, the fire nothing operating upon its humidity; neither will it be exsiccated nor fixed:

for the Spirits of Metals are dead of themselves, and do rest, so that they cannot at all operate of themselves, unless they are quickned by the fire. It is no otherwise in the great Universe of the world, where seed being cast into the earth, is dead, and cannot grow nor increase of it self, unless it be quickned by the heat of the Sun; It is chiefly necessary therefore in this worke, to erect and build the fire right and proportion∣ably, neither too great nor too little; other∣wise this worke will never be brought to a per∣fect and desired end.