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fiery form in the air, and leading earth with itself to heaven, while from its body there flow whole rivers of living
water. This spirit flies through the midst of the Heavens like a morning mist, leads its burning fire into the water,
and has its shining realm in the heavens. And although these writings may be regarded as false by the reader, yet to
the initiated they are true and possible, when the hidden sense is properly understood. For God is wonderful in His
works, and His wisdom is without end. This spirit in its fiery form is called a Sandaraca, in the aerial a Kybrick, in
the watery an Azoth, in the earthly Alcohoph and Aliocosoph. Hence they are deceived by these names who, seeking
without instruction, think to find this Spirit of Life in things foreign to our Art. For although this spirit which we
seek, on account of its qualities, is called by these names, yet the same is not in these bodies and cannot be in them.
For a refined spirit cannot appear except in a body suitable to its nature. And, by however many names it be called,
let no one imagine there be different spirits, for, say what one will, there is but one spirit working everywhere and in
all things. That is the spirit which, when rising, illumines the Heavens, when setting incorporates the purity of Earth,
and when brooding has embraced the Waters. This spirit is named Raphael, the Angel of God, the subtlest and
purest, whom the others all obey as their King. This spiritual substance is neither heavenly nor hellish, but an airy,
pure, and hearty body, midway between the highest and lowest, without reason, but fruitful in works, and the most
select and beautiful of all other heavenly things. This work of God is far too deep for understanding, for it is the last,
greatest, and highest secret of Nature. It is the Spirit of God, which in the Beginning filled the earth and brooded
over the waters, which the world cannot grasp without the gracious interposition of the Holy Spirit and instruction
from those who know it, which also the whole world desires for its virtue, and which cannot be prized enough. For it
reaches to the planets, raises the clouds, drives away mists, gives its light to all things, turns everything into Sun and
Moon, bestows all health and abundance of treasure, cleanses the leper, brightens the eyes, banishes sorrow, heals
the sick, reveals all hidden treasures, and, generally, cures all diseases. Through this spirit have the philosophers
invented the Seven Liberal Arts, and thereby gained their riches. Through the same Moses made the golden vessels
in the Ark, and King Solomon did many beautiful works to the honour of God. Therewith Moses built the
Tabernacle, Noah the Ark, Solomon the Temple. By this, Ezra restored the Law, and Miriam, Moses' sister, was
hospitable; Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, and other righteous men, have had lifelong abundance and riches; and all the
saints possessing it have therewith praised God. Therefore is its acquisition very hard, more than that of gold and
silver. For it is the best of all things, because, of all things mortal that man can desire in this world, nothing can
compare with it, and in it alone is truth. Hence it is called the Stone and Spirit of Truth; in its works is no vanity, its
praise cannot be sufficiently expressed. I am unable to speak enough of its virtues, because its good qualities and
powers are beyond human thoughts, unutterable by the tongue of man, and in it are found the properties of all things.
Yea, there is nothing deeper in Nature. O unfathomable abyss of God's Wisdom, which thus hath united and
comprised in the virtue and power of this One Spirit the qualities of all existing bodies! O unspeakable honour and
boundless joy granted to mortal man! For the destructible things of Nature are restored by virtue of the said Spirit. O
mystery of mysteries, most secret of all secret things, and healing and medicine of all things! Thou last discovery in
earthly natures, last best gift to Patriarchs and Sages, greatly desired by the whole world! Oh, what a wondrous and
laudable spirit is purity, in which stand all joy, riches, fruitfulness of life, and art of all arts, a power which to its
initiates grants all material joys! O desirable knowledge, lovely above all things beneath the circle of the Moon, by
which Nature is strengthened, and heart and limbs are renewed, blooming youth is preserved, old age driven away,
weakness destroyed, beauty in its perfection preserved, and abundance ensured in all things pleasing to men! O thou
spiritual substance, lovely above all things! O thou wondrous power, strengthening all the world! O thou invincible
virtue, highest of all that is, although despised by the ignorant, yet held by the wise in great praise, honour, and
glory, that - proceeding from humours - wakest the dead, expellest diseases, restorest the voice of the dying! O thou
treasure of treasures, mystery of mysteries, called by Avicenna "an unspeakable substance", the purest and most
perfect soul of the world, than which there is nothing more costly under Heaven, unfathomable in nature and power,
wonderful in virtue and works, having no equal among creatures, possessing the virtues of all bodies under Heaven!
For from it flow the water of life, the oil and honey of eternal healing, and thus hath it nourished them with honey
and water from the rock. Therefore, saith Morienus: "He who hath it, the same also hath all things". Blessed art
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