The Mirror of Alchimy

A historical treatise on the art of alchemy, written in the late 16th century. This work presents a blend of philosophical insights and practical instructions, exploring the transformation of base metals into gold and the quest for the elusive philosopher's stone. Through its chapters, the text delves deep into the definitions of alchemy, the nature of minerals, the process of creating elixirs, and the allegorical connections to nature and art. The opening of the book introduces alchemy as an ancient and noble science, shrouded in riddles and obscured language by earlier philosophers. Bacon emphasizes the importance of focusing on specific chapters that detail the transmutation of metals and the preparation of the elixir. He begins with definitions, explaining key concepts and processes, such as the principles of alchemy that involve the transformation of various metals and the generative causality of minerals. The text serves as a guide for practitioners, detailing the essential components, methods, and the philosophical underpinnings necessary to understand and engage in the alchemical process.