METAMORPHOSIS.doc

The METAMORPHOSIS

of the PLANETS

A WONDERFULL TRANSMUTATION OF THE PLANETS AND

METALLIC OPMES INTO THEIR FIRST ESSENCE (WITH

AN ANNEXED PROCESS) BEING A DISCOVERY OF THE

THREE KEYS PERTINENT TO THE OBTAINING OF THE

THREE PRINCIPLES, LIKEWISE IN WHAT MANNER THE

MOST GENERALL UNIVERSAL IS TO BE OBTAINED IS IN

MANY PLACES OF THIS TREATISE DESCRIBED BY:

John de Monte Snyders

The Preface.

Friendly Reader.

Since it hath pleased almighty God now in these times to shower down his grace as well upon the unjust as the just, and yet he hath resolved to spread abroad his~ mysterious and hidden Wisdom over the whole world, and -to the end hath sent out his holy Angels to awaken as it were by sound of Trumpet the spirit of all true Philosophers, who hitherto have rested as it were bound up and fettered in a deep sleep, and have been concealed in the inner­most recess of this world, with anexpress command to lay the same spirit upon others. So it is apt the time is now come, not that the desceased Philosophers should visibly~ arise in their bodies, but only that their spirit should be awakened, and of grace be layed upon others, whereby th~ goodness of the most high may be known in all the world; and wisdom may be made known to all (without distinction) who are willing to accept of her, without regard to their merits.

Now forasmuch as at this time the lot is fallen upon me, of all the most unworthy, I am constrained without delay to accomplish in sincerity and truth the will of the most High. To this End therefore in the name of my God, I as a seedsman am minded to sow the universal seed which the philosophick spirit hath imparted unto me, over all the world or stony, sandy, bushy, fruitful, and unfruitfull fields, so that neither the just nor the unjust can have any pretence to complain against God in this time of grace. And that I may now certify and make known before all the world my vocation that by the appointment of God the spirit of all Philo­sophers speaketh through me, and that I may demonstrate that through the spirit of God the Keys both of heaven and hell are committed unto me; it is very necessary that I bring to light the matter it self, together with the opening and shutting Key, whereby the mystery of this world, the womb of all natures is opened, all things are impregnated and promoted towards the birth.

But before I demonstrate my vocation by the charactistic testi­mony of all the Planets. I will first for a declaration of my already published treatise concerning the magical Elements, dis­cover a most weighty point concerning the three Elemental irrat­ional and mineral worlds, wherein I shall with most certain truth properly and significantly delineate the due matter, intreating the gentle reader not to be affrighted from the reading of the book by the small authority and slenderness of my person, but with all his faculties to take special notice of the figure and not of the thing figured. For I here place three irrational worlds wherein all depends, whereof one hath brought forth the other two. I set my left foot upon one birth of the great world, and place my right foot upon the other hermaphroditic world and its figure as an universal irrational and mineral microcosm; and I sit with my hinder parts on -the mother of them both, which is the globe of the earth. And thus sitting I stretch out my arms towards mid­day and mid-night, and touch with my hands both the great luminar­ies of the crystalline glittering heaven, and I sware by the most high Creator of all things that I have heretofore in my treatise written the truth, and will now in this description further bring to light that corner stone whereon so many thousands have stumbled and been scandalised, at which all true Philosophers have hinted:

I say true Philosophers in as mcuh as the writings of many deceit­ful and false people have been accounted and esteemed true, or at least plain and clear, when nevertheless the greatest part know nothing at all, or at least have written but very little which might be advantageous to the seeking or erring lovers of Art.

And although I am not forbidden to point out these even by their very names, yet that I may avoid giving -too great offence I shall forbear, and only busy my self in delineating unto thee not only the true matter through the three worlds, but also afterwards prefigure through the diminution of the forms, and permutation of the Planets, and likewise -the whole consequence, as I in truth found it, whereof I shall not now boast. Wherefore turn thee unto the truth and lay aside the multiplicity of thy books. For the true philosophick books are depraved and counterfeited by many thousand venders of processes, glossers, and false Philosophers; and if one would take the pains to examine all with diligence, one should find no matter which hath not been forbidden or rejected by them. Wherefore if thou hast a mind to remain secure, then set thy mind on me, and behold me in my form and figure, credit my words which I have confirmed with this unheard of oath. For whereas with my arms stretched out I sat on the circle of the world, and with my hands or fingers pointed at the Sun and Moon, the true mysterious heavenly and earthly key is delivered to me and thee, and leave at will and pleasure to unlock the solary and lunary gates, and to translate the same from their office, honour and dignity, yea after a wonderful manner to eclipse them.

But whereas I with both my feet did touch the two irrational children of the great world, I thereby gave to understand that the nethermost was as the uppermost which I shewed with my fingers, and yet the uppermost was like the nethermost; and that the earth whereon with arms out I thus sat, was the mother and bearer of temporal salvation, who had subjected and made serviceable to me both her children, whereof the one was lunary, the other herma­phroditick; viz. a solary and Lunary birth. Both these are dis­tinguished from each other by a small little stream laterally flowing out. And like as the Sun is to be discerned from the Moon, even so also are these two easily to be discerned one from the other, especially if it be considered that the Philosophers have appropriated to one birth the signs of water as a lunary character. For the Moon governs the Water and whereever the wise have adjoined a watery sign, the same is to be accounted Lunary. Concerning these three or rather two worlds I have taken upon me first of all to treat and afterwards (to manifest my vocation) of the permut­ation of the planetary forms, of their corruption, generation and melioration of the the whole Essence with the greatest brevity that may be.

He that hath ears to hear let him hear, and he that hath eyes to see let him see and search, and so he will here in this place find that very thing which hath been elsewhere sought by many thousands and yet not found.

THE METAMORPHOSIS OF THE PLANETS

CHAPTER 1

Concerning the three Worlds

Like as all elementated things are distributed into three king­doms, even so also are there three irrational worlds to be con­sidered philosophically, for that which is above is as that which is below, which proceeds hence in that the Almighty in the beg­inning created the transparent heaven in a round perfect circular form, and yet the same heaven in like manner was framed of such a nature as to produce its like, and yet according to the command of God with most perfection: From whence there are now arised and in the heaven spring forth two luminaries, which daily and mightily do present before the eyes the figure and character of the circular crystalline heaven, and do as it were testify and make known their original.

And like as the Almighty creator by the creation of the heaven hath delineated himself in the celestial world, and that in like manner by two other luminaries hath produced the image of its creator; so also hath God depainted himself in the inferiour Ele­mental world; which rude world even as the upper world originally sprang forth in a circular form through the word Fiat. And that these might in all things conform themselves unto the superiour worlds, the rude Elemental world hath copied or pictured out its self into two little worlds, and produced its like.

              The product. is masculine and feminine, even as in the celestial world both the great luminaries as such proceeded from the command of the Almighty. The Sun is masculine and diurnal, the Moon is feminine and nocturnal. Now as all the celestial bodies participate and receive light from these two luminaries, just so do all Ele— mentated things in this inferiour world partake of the masculine and feminine seed, specially the metals, which in their mines were formed by the masculine and feminine product, which in my little treatise I name the two generated irrational MicrocosmS, in as much as the same are marked with the character and figure of the great world their Mother, which by the command of God bore them. The earth hath not only a living spirit but also a living soul which is her seed wherewith she is impregnated and stirred up to produce her like. Now the more exactly any offspring agrees with its mother in form, figure, virtue and property, the more noble is the same to be reputed. For Parents by an excess of singular love are wont to mould and fashion their own children one of them before the other, and as it were to impress and figure themselves in them, so that the Parents, especially the Mother amongst some children cannot be distinguished. Whatsoever is born in an ordinary way proceedeth from Male and Female, especially in animals.

From one God the Archetype sprung forth in the heavens his luminaries, which do infuse into the rest of the stars their light and brightness and do also promote the same unto their predest­ination. Heaven then is an exact image of God, and the two lumin­aries were produced and created after the similitude of the image of the divine Majesty. And that I may evidence that the nether-most is even as the uppermost, know that even God Almighty after the same manner hath represented himself first of all here in this elemental world in as much as he created the world in a round form, and as it were a seal of his perfection and eternity, which would again by virtue of the command, Increase and Multiply, hath brought forth two little worlds which bear the symbol of the creator. For no creature considering it in a higher and lower degree is without a character of its Author, and in the same manner it agrees with that form from which it was derived. Now the one is a Lunary female and nocturnal governess, but the other is masculine solary and a ruler of the say. Both these were created, not after the similitude of God but after the image, viz, the similitude of the world. So likewise there sprang from Adam two sexes of whom all mankind is born. Yea God himself who from eternity was without Mother was born into the World without Father. And that he might thereby the better corroborate this ordinary way of generation, he was from eternity from the Father but in time was born man and became flesh from a Mother, so that two Natures do individually subsist in the second person of the Diety. And after the same manner that two natures do exist in the second person, there are likewise two natures to be observed in one only birth of the great world, so that in one only Hermaphrodite may be found perfectly, by way of concentration, all Mineral, Vegetable and Animal powers, virtues and properties. This birth hath of itself a true symbol with superiors, for it hath a likeness with the Sun and Moon, for as much as even gold and silver are produced from the same. It hath also plentifully received universal influence from the great intelligence which shall be here specially considered. Now it seems to me that it hath been clear enough spoken concerning these three worlds, as also concerning this, yet the superior is like that which is inferiour, and contrary-wise: Wherefore I say unto thee again that God hath delineated himself in the earth, yet is the world, and the earth hath again figured it self through its two births or worlds, namely through two minerals. He who knows not these two minerals is also ignorant of the great world and its Mother. The parents live in their children, and by the parents the children are known and contrari-wise. But how this knowledge is to be obtained the courteous reader will find in the sequel, which is to be understood after a philosophick manner, and not otherwise. For even as the philosophick Mother is, such also is her birth; and as the tree, such is its fruit. For every thing is naturally fitted to produce its like, whence a good tree brings forth good fruit. And corn as in the seed of a tree the intire  nature, and property of the tree is concentrated, so principally in one thing namely in our birth of the world whole nature is con­centrated. This is the due and next matter and etc. And is called the concentrated metal and mineral of which in the following chap­ters I shall treat further. But one thing I shall here put thee in mind of, which is specially to be noted, concerning the double nature, namely of the one herniaphroditick birth of the great world:

That like as in the seed of all things the nature and property of all things is driven into a narrow compass, even so the pro­perty of all the world is visibly impressed by a peculiar and pro­per character upon this new born hermaphroditick child, by virtue whereof the child bears the likeness and figure of its mother in­wardly and outwardly, and is named the next matter. He who under­stands not this my meaning is as yet to be esteemed no Philosopher:

For who ever is ignorant of the root of minerals knows not natures principles. By the root understand the seed of all metals and etc. Which without root can bring forth no fruit. But how such a seed of two-fold nature or birth is to be discerned, shall be clearly taught in that which follows. Wherefore look for it.

CHAPTER        II

How to know the world from the world: That is, How the Hermaphro­ditiack little irrational mineral world is to be distinguished from the Lunary feminine birth. And farther how the nethermost is like the uppermost.

The cold Earth first delineated it self in a cold waterish min­eral, which by modern fools is held to be a metal. But I say here that -the same cannot be metallick but mineral, and this mineral according to the disposition of the mine or quality of the matrix is Lunary. For this birth wherein the great world hath copied forth itself, is even as Saturn a producer of silver. For the half moon above and beneath attesteth her proper predestination. This material lunary little world containing in her self running mercury, which as a little stream by the side of the diameter flows therefrom. The small streams and the water is characterized of the Philosophers like little streams by a diametrical line. The sign of water denotes mercury which is the primordial water of metals, that hath taken in the whole body. And although the same is outwardly adorned with a beautiful red yet it is indowed with very little solary sulphur. Wherefore the matter is Lunary, flegmatick and likened to a Queen, who notwithstanding her monthly red flux, must continue in her sex until the appointed time. This is the first born daughter of the world who is concealed in the hollowness and clefts of rocks, and by peculiar accident was divid­ed from the breasts of her mother. The great world, notwithstand­ing she had brought forth this daughter. still remained great with child, and brought to light a solary masculine birth, which is to be reckoned as an HermaphrOditick and double nature, for as much as from and out of it both sexes, viz, the Moon and the Sun may be born. This birth is likewise that first requisite entity of Moon and Sun, in which the restauration of all Minerals, Vegetables and Animals is perfectly comprehended. He who now understands to distinguish both the children or worlds, and can use each of them according to its predestination~ the same not only knows the met­allick water, but to him also is manifest the true Virgins Milk and Sulphur of Sulphur. Neither can the fixt Salt of the Earth escape him. And he will so mix the sulphur and Salt with the living metallick water, that they can never be separated from each other and etc.

Each thing loveth and by the ordinance of God produceth a thing like it self. This I first shewed in the Archetype, who after he had made the earth in a perfect circular figure, thereby to pourtray his perfection and infinity, did therewith give command to the world to produce two other little worlds as its like, as hath been more largely declared above. The heaven after that it self had by the will of God been made like him, brought forth also two luminaries in its circle, whereof the one is Lunary, the other Solary. And even as God Almighty is in him self a light, so hath he manifested unto us this glance by the above mentioned Luminaries, in which he portrayed himself.

CHAPTER              lII

Of the double and universal nature of the Hermaphroditick little World.

This my doctrine will at first to many seem exceedingly wonder­ful, but if they give good heed to my writing they will not think it so very strange, although this in respect of the Lunary birth appear repugnant to my first treatise concerning the Magical Ele­ments. For there I mentioned that the earthly Saturn or Lead contained and produced the seed of Silver and Quick-silver, whence in the Lead Mines in the very deepest of them much unripe Silver is found and etc. This is true and is not now gainsayed by me, but serveth here for an Elucidation of the former. That the common decrepid Saturn as a bastard of the true Saturn participated such a nature from the feminine Lunar Child of the world, and if so be the defective Saturns salt were thereto disposed, the Lead Mines which hold Silver might produce greater advantage. How it may well be concluded whence it proceeds that those who place their hopes upon the mercury of this Saturn, are deceived in their opin­ion. The mercury of Lead is not of itself sufficiently disposed to produce Lune or Sol, but either more or less according as it partaketh much or little of the true child of the world, Virgin Mercury, Sulphur, and fixed Salt in its mines. The common Mercury which springeth out of its own minera is cleaner and much more noble than the rude saturnal Mercury: For with this by the help of Venus and the true hermaphroditick spirit may for a better pro­cess be ordered then many conceited proud and haughty scribblers and process-venders will easily dream. There are divers processes and particulars in which amongst other ingredients the true matter of the work is also comprehended: But forasmuch as some other repugnant particulars are used therewith, the true matter cannot so as behoveth perform its office. But he that is indowed with a true Philosophick understanding, esteemeth no process but reforms the particulars as he pleaseth, so that, the same introduce (pro­duce) much or little according as to him seemeth good. He who contemplateth the true matter or first Ens of Gold may find the same expressly described and pourtrayed throughout all the Planets in my treatise concerning the magical Elements: But he knows it from the Mother, of which the same was born. But this matter is such that the Philosophers in its proper place speak least of it. He that hath wrought many Processes or else read them throughly over let him only give heed to that matter which he hath least of found in his processes; whereof I have spoken in every leaf. For this say I (by my Faith) is the true matter and the duplicate nature as to the spirit, but according to the soul it is Solary. The Philosophers have compared this matter to a three headed Dra­gon for two reasons: First because by the mediation of this matter all metallick bodies may, yea and must be brought to their first matter, namely into Mercury, Sulphur and Salt. Secondly because in the preparation and decoction of the Stone three chief or prin­cipal colours, viz, black, white and red, are found. With these colours I say they have adorned the three heads of the crawling dragon. It is the universal matter and to be found all the world over. For the world without ceasing produceth such a primum Ens or double nature, whereby the Philosophers have obtained health and riches.

CHAPTER              IV

How the double nature or young hermaphroditick world falls in love with the Universal property. And how the same hermoniseth with Venus, and etc. and is forsaken by her.

The Hermaphroditick new world is so clear and express depainted before the eyes of all Lovers of the Chymical Art, that it cannot be clearer done. 0 thou honourable, astral, earthly, salt, moist, dry, light, heavy minera, and chosen E1ectrum~ How hast thou sinned against the noble Venus, that she so long has withdrawn her assistance from thou. Thou art in love, and goest day and night at the Alabaster and Ivory feet of the Cyprian Queen, Thou indeav­oureth with thy fiery eyes to inpress upon Venus by way of fascin­ation the inwardly burning love and desire of thy heart and to make her according to thy will of like form with thy self. But noble Venus fleeth and despiseth thee in regard of thy abominable shape, and uncouth opposite figure, Thou manifest thy crass and discoverest thy fiery distemper. But Venus does the contrary, she bareth her head, and covereth her shame and body with her green garment. 0 thou most unfortunate general suiter! How hath love handled thee: How is thy form faded? Thou art invested with in­remediless mortal bitter and ingrateful dolour. Thou art loaden with the greatest crass that can in this world be found. Thou woundest thy breast, and longest to refresh the thirsty with thy blood, as a Pelican her young ones. It is not enough for a Mon­arch or king to be a little king or petty Prince. But thou strip-pest thy self of thy royal ornaments, and thy purple diadem thou bestowest willingly, and therewith cloathest the naked setting them in thy kingdom. All have need of thee, and yet they hate thee, and return evil for good. But the king of all Planets which was born out of thy body he loves thee. Also his purified Earth, viz. Salt, strengthens thy soul and doubled spirit. The Lepers make hast after thee and desire to drink out of thy Beker. Thou purgest and healest their leprosy. Thou cureth diseases fundamentally and implantest permanent health. Thou exilest poverty and bringst riches and all hidden treasury to light. Thou art he that art come and shall come. Thou art the same through whom all are come and through whom also they must be brought backwards and again forward into their highest honour and dignity. In sum thou art the true one and no other; wherefore it is fit that thine acknow­ledge thee.

CHAPTER  V

How all the Planets offer their services to the Monarch of this World, and after the common guise of the world pretend kindred in hope to obtain great favour. And how Mercury and Jupiter fell at strife about it.

This was noised throughout the whole world. Behold now each one will be nearest of kin. Each offers his hands. Mars and Venus come with their Peliga (pledges?) and will convince thee that they are of thy stock and family: For they bear part of thy arms and eithers Escutcheon is inwardly adorned with thy golden colour. Mercury stept in barefooted without the ornament of his head, bowed his head to the earth, humbling himself above all measure in hope to be exalted. He was accepted: For the most powerful who bears in his hands the law both spiritual and temporal, was formerly carried upon the wings of Mercury into the kingdom into the Throne, which is granted to none but him to possess. For essentialized Mercury as a wind carried him in his belly. By the wind is always the Air and by the Air Mercury understood.

The gray-bearded Jupiter understood from a Comet and signet-star, that the double nature as a Monarch of this world governed his kingdom in peace by the assistance of Mercury, and that from all parts of the world envoys were arrived to congratulate and complement the most mighty and invincible. Wherefore the good Jupiter mounted upon the wings of his nimble Eagle, and hastened to the Palace and habing obtained audience steps in, makes his due reverence with his scepter, bows his knees, kisses the foot of the Monarch, presents his Eagle to his service, in-treats like as all the rest also for an inheritance, and an eternal kingdom to be communicated unto him, in consideration that the old Dragon his royal Majestys Father, together with his own Father, the powerful Eagle, nemely with Jupiter elect, by the counsel and good advise of the assembled estates and Burgesses of the Philosophic kingdom, had established an inviolable friendship. And therefore he dis­ired, since at that time there was such friendship between the old Dragon and the powerful Eagle, which is also wont to be named Bismutum, that for the present also Mercury should no longer with­hold his favour from him, especially since as he thought he was most serviceable to his Majesty, and arose from his blood. To manifest this he wounded his heart, and showed his bloody Solary Sulphur which he inrrerited from the old Dragon. This being done he requested to sit at the right hand of the Monarch. At that Mercury suddenly st~.rted up stepping into his circle, said: Dear Brother thou talkest indiscreetly and understandest not what thou desirest, and the foundation upon which thou groundest thy self is to thy own prejedice and my advantage. The Philosophers who erected this Monarchy by the assistance of the Eagle who was ex­alted by the Venereal property, do not then understand thy Eagle when perchance they speak of an Eagle, but they speak of a Mercury which is born out of a nobler nature before he became an Eagle. I am said he the true Eagle having feathers on my hands, head and feet, I am light and above all measure heavy, and am fraught more­over with all the qualities which the Philosophers have attributed to Mercury. I am like to the most high in shape. For when I suffer­ed my self to be exalted, I promoted this Monarchy; and when I humbled my self, I was through the exaltation of my cross raised to his honour, and dignity. Whereupon dear Brother for this time be satisfied.

                     CHAPTER              VI

How Jupiter and the changed Mercury strove one with another in presence of the Monarch: And how Mercury convinced Jupiter.

Jupiter could no longer refrain, but gnashing his teeth was ready to fall on with thunder and lightning. But the Regent of this world commanded peace and quietness~ licensing Mercury fully to prosecute his plea. Whereupon Mercury spake. Gentle Jupiter be not wrath with me thy Brother, but rather call to mind that the Philosophers say, that in case one only Drachm of a Malleable body be to be found in our matter, that the same is unfit and not to be accounted the true matter. But now I remember, and it stands still fresh in my memory, that thou at the first entry and audence obtained, didst so crook and bend thy knees and whole body, that at that time I could not perceive any unmalleablenesS in thee. How wilt thou now here expidite thyself? Thou art porous and light, and little bettered of my spirit: This the Philosophers hint by the Eagle on which thou sittest and art carried up and down on. Thou and thy Eagle are two but I and my Eagles wings are but one. Then could Jupiter refrain no longer, stammered horribly, and insisted upon his possession, saying that at all times and even still he was named the most high, and that for the indication of his sublimity the Eagle was appropriated to him. For even as the Eagle amongst all the winged crew adventureth to fly highest, and approach with his young ones nearest the Sun, and therefore is named the king of all birds; so he was always to be esteemed the uppermost amongst his six breathrefl, in as much as he had al­ways possessed the highest place in the Assemblies of the Gods and Planets, and administrated Justice to all supreme in the Councel. Mercury being no longer able to forbear laughing, stept out of his circle up to his Throne, and on him was set an imperial Crown. After which in his own Hungarian speech, he said: Gentle Brother, thou now dost even as all pervertneSS of the law are wont. Thou alledgest well, but pervertest the meaning of the law. Try thee now exainin thine own nature. Thou art aery and light, but I am as the Dragon in ponderosity. We love one another in a most pec­uliar manner, having both of us metallick bodies. We were orig­inally born of the same mother, namely the great world. I am the earthly black Eagle, and was heretofore washed with the corrosive of Neptune and by the Venereal property exalted into a most beaut...