ALCHEMY AND ASTROLOGY 251 



Carolus could buy it with all their wealth, and those 

 who are acquainted with the spagyric art (alchemy) will 

 confirm what I say." ^ 



" True Alchemy which teaches how to make (D or 

 out of the five imperfect metals, requires no other 

 materials, but only the metals. The perfect metals 

 are made out of the imperfect metals, through them 

 and with them alone ; for with other things is LuTia 

 (phantasy), but in the metals is Sol (wisdom)." 



Charms 



The power of certain substances to absorb and to 

 retain certain planetary influences is used for the purpose 

 of investing them with occult qualities. Pure metals 

 may be used by the alchemist for that purpose, and in 

 this way amulets, " magic mirrors," and other things 

 that will produce magic effects are prepared. Para- 

 celsus says: — 



"The compositions of the astra of metals produce 

 wonderful effects. If we make a composition of seven 

 metals in the proper order and at the proper time, we 

 will obtain a metal which contains all the virtues of the 

 seven. Such a composition is called ^ electrum.' It 

 possesses the virtues of the seven metals that enter 

 into its composition, and the electrum is one of the 

 most valuable preparations known to secret science. 

 The ordinary metals cannot be compared with it on 

 account of its magic power. A vessel made of the 

 electrum will immediately indicate it, if any poisonous 

 substance has been surreptitiously put into it, because 

 it will begin to sweat on its outside." 



" Many wonderful things can be made of this elec- 

 trum, such as amulets, charms, magic finger-rings, arm- 

 rings, seals, figures, mirrors, bells, medals, and many 



' If we remember that the wise ones will lay up their treasures in 

 heaven, the above passage becomes easily comprehensible. 



