It is erroneous to confuse alchemy with chemistry. Modern chemistry is a science
dealing only with the outward manifestations of matter. It never produces anything
new. One can mix, compose and decompose two or three chemical substances
any number of times, and make them reappear in different forms, but in the end
there is no increase in substance; there is only the combination of the substances
used at the outset. Alchemy neither composes nor mixes: it increases and activates
that which already exists in a latent state. Therefore alchemy can be more accurately
compared with botany or agriculture than with chemistry. In fact, the growth of a plant,
a tree or an animal is an alchemical process taking place in the alchemical laboratory
of nature and conducted by the Great Alchemist, the active power of God in nature.
- Franz Hartmann
Alchemy is so multifaceted that any definition restricts alchemy to a particular view or excludes aspects that should come
within the realm of the alchemical. One cannot reduce alchemy to practical laboratory work, or to interior meditative work
with symbols, or to being only a spiritual pursuit. Anthropological, Jungian, esoteric, history of science, semiotic, or other
interpretations, are only ways of looking at alchemy. In recent years some people have tended to use the term in a very broad
sense.
Definitions of alchemy tend to reflect individual's underlying philosophical preconception. Perhaps it is best if we found our
view of alchemy on the body of alchemical writings, the manuscripts and printed books that constitute and embody the
alchemical tradition. This body of alchemical knowledge, preserved in many libraries throughout the world, is probably the
securest foundation on which to build a view of alchemy. Those who do not found their opinions and perceptions on this body
of tradition, are often drawn to airy speculations and personal belief systems, which cannot be investigated and researched, but
only accepted through an act of belief. This was not the way of the alchemists of previous centuries - they did not rely merely
on belief, but were constantly investigating, exploring the texts and ideas of previous generations of alchemists, and struggled in
their own writings to find their own truth.
We should beware of any one-dimensional interpretation or definition of alchemy. When alchemy is reduced to a simple
interpretation, we can be sure someone is trying to pull the wool over our eyes.
The Book is rather large so I split it up into three parts...
The book has been transcribed from 'In Pursuit of Gold' by 'Lapidus'. This treatise describes the entire process of
preparing the philosopher's stone. There are three separate operations described here: the preparation of the
'secret fire' (the catalyst or solvent which is used throughout the whole work, without which nothing can be
achieved, but which is seldom if ever mentioned in any alchemical treatise), the preparation of 'mercury' (a
metallic vapor made from antimony and iron, said to resemble vulgar mercury (Hg) in appearance, necessary in
the preparation of the stone) and the preparation of the stone itself.
These operations are not presented in sequence. The reader will note that the language is allusive and recondite,
that several names are used to refer to the same thing and that one name is used to refer to several things. This
is, however, an exceptionally clear alchemical text.
Artephius is said to have written this in the 12th century. Lapidus doesn't say who translated it (presumably from
the Latin). Comments in [square brackets] are by the transcriber.
The Coelum Philosophorum,Or Book Of Vexations Has introduced us
to many secrets, and insights to the alchemical world. Written by The Great Paracelsus himself!
Alchemy 
The Secret Book Of Artephius (Part 1)
