VADE MECUM ON PROJECTION

by Philalethes
When the perfect powder, white or red, is taken out of the philosophical egg, it appears
like the most impalpable powder, whose atoms appear more minute if possible than those
in the suns light, and yet it is very ponderous, like burnished gold [or silver]. But when
united to or mixed with a perfect body of its own kind, it appears like white or red glass ...
easily pulverizable.... The powder in its first state, whether aurific or argentific is too
universal or undeterminate-too far above specificated metallic nature [for instant
projection] and therefore must be familiarized to metals by mixture with a perfect metallic
body.... The philosophers advise us to project by gradation till projection ceases; that is to
project one part of the tincture on ten parts and again one part of the latter on ten, until
after the last projection [no longer glass but] pure gold or silver comes from the fire.
If in its first state the stone should only go one upon a hundred parts, yet by reiterated
solution and coagulations, the energy, penetration and virtue of the tincture may be
increased to such a degree that its extent can hardly be calculated.
If projection is made on mercury, as is mostly done, let the mercury be heated in a
crucible, until its crackling noise announces its approaching flight. Then the known
quantity of the fermented elixir must be projected on it which enters in an instant and
tinges and fixes the mercury.... The heat must then be augmented till you perceive the
matter in the crucible flow thin and clear. When poured out it will be found to be gold or
silver, according to the kind of elixir.... The tincture obtained by one continued linear
motion, by the first circulation, is called, when perfected, the elixir of bodies. This must be
cibated by seven imbibitions, and with the last it must be putrefied, whitened and again
congealed and fixed....
Many working in this art lose their labour by making projection on impure metals . . . but
when melted with a perfect metal, of its own species, whereby it is converted into a
metallic tinging glass, then and not before, it flows like wax on an imperfect ignited metal,
or when thrown on heated mercury. The imperfect metals, being too far removed from
perfection, the unfermented tincture does not enter fast enough, not having affinity for the
imperfect metals of strength sufficient to separate their scoria in a strong heat. Therefore
the powder or tincture gets confusedly mixed and dispersed among the faeces, and the
hope of the deluded artist is frustrated.

ON THE MANNER OF PROJECTION

The manner of Projection is to take of thy stone perfected as it is said, white or red,
according to the quality of the medicine, take of either gold or silver four parts, melt them
in a clean crucible, then put in of thy stone, white or red, as the metal that is melted is in
quality, and being well mixed together in fusion, pour them into an ingot, and thou shalt
have a mass which is brittle; take of this mass one part, and mercury well washed ten
parts, heat the mercury till it begin to crack, then throw upon it this mixture, which in the
twinkling of an eye will pierce; increase thy fire till it be melted, and all will be a medicine
of inferior virtue; take then of this, and cast one part upon any metal, purged and melted,
to wit, as much as it can tinge, and thou shalt have most pure gold and silver, purer than
which nature cannot give. But it is better to make projection gradually until projection
cease; for so it will extend farther; for when so little is projected on so much, unless
projection be made on mercury, there is a notable loss of the medicine, by reason of the
scorias, which do adhere to impure; by how much then the metals are better purged,
before projection, by so much more will the matter succeed.

He who has once, by the blessing of God, perfectly attained this art, I know not what in
the world he can wish, but that he may be free from all snares of wicked men, so as to
serve God without distraction. But it would be a vain thing, by outward pomp to seek for
vulgar applause, such trifles are not esteemed by those who have this art, nay, rather
they despise them. He therefore whom God has blessed with this talent, hath this field of
content, which far exceeds popular admiration; First if he should live a thousand years,
and every day provide for a thousand men, he could not want, for he may increase his
stone at his pleasure, both in weight and virtue; so that if a man would, one man that is
an adeptist, might transmute into gold and silver that is perfect, all the imperfect metals
that are in the whole world; secondly, he may by this art make precious stones and gems,
such as cannot be paralleled in nature, for goodness and greatness; thirdly and lastly, he
hath a medicine universal, both for prolonging life, and curing all diseases, so that one
true adeptist can easily cure all the sick people in the world. I mean his medicine is
sufficient.
Now to God Eternal, Immortal and Almighty, be everlasting Praise for these unspeakable
gifts, and invaluable treasures.
AMEN.