On the Secrets of Nature

Arnaldian treatises, such as the On the Secrets of Nature, compare the great work of the alchemists to the life and death ofjesus. The author says that mercury, likejesus, is to be taken and beaten and scourged lest by reason of pride he perish. Elaborating on this theme, he continues Therefore take the son [i.e., mercury] after he has been beaten and put him to bed to enjoy himself for a while, and when you feel that he is enjoying himself, then take him pure and extinguish in cold water. And when you have repeated this process, hand him over to the Jews to be crucified. 121... 

Alchemy 16th cent], ca. 1525, Wellcome Library, MS.24, fol. 1. On the idea of secrets of nature, see William Eamon, Science and the Secrets of Nature Books of Secrets in Medieval and Early Modern Culture (Princeton, N.J. Princeton University Press, 1994). 

On this idea in antiquity, see Eamon, Science and the Secrets of Nature, chap. 1. 

While eagerly pressing forward in the search after the secrets of Nature, we are apt to keep the eye too constantly fixed on the way that has to be traveled, and to lose sight and remembrance of the paths already trodden. 

Chemistry is an interesting and fundamental branch of science because it gives us the chance to explain the secrets of nature. What is water How does tap water differ from distilled water Why is salt sprinkled on the roads in winter Why are soft drinks kept in a freezer How is the concentration of calcium ions measured in milk These kinds of questions and their answers are all part of the world of chemistry. However, one does not need to be a chemist or scientist to understand the simplicity within the complexity around us. This book helps everyone to understand the nature of solutions. 

Then put our ardent water upon that matter black and liquid stir them well together, and let it so stand well covered for three hours then decant and filter it put on fresh ardent water, and repeat this operation three times, and then distil it again with a moist lent fire of Balneum and so do three times, and then it is called Man s Blood rectified, which the workers in the secrets of Nature do seek, and so thou hast the elements exalted in the virtue of their quintessence, namely, the flood that is water and the air. Let this blood be kept for a season. 

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