In alchemical symbolism Antimony is characterized as a lion (able to devour all metals except the royal Gold). The element itself has had a chequered past, being on occasion considered almost a panacea, and at other times condemned by both church and state. Basilius Valentinus is a shadowy 16th century figure, thought by some to have been Canon of the Benedictine Priory of Saint Peter in Erfurt, Germany. Some of his writings, such as 'The Twelve Philosophical Keys' are as obscure as the author's own origins, but this present work, 'The Triumphant Chariot of Antimony' is a far clearer exposition of Antimony's alchemical properties, intermixed with vibrant Gnosticism and not a little medical perceptiveness. The Annotations of Theodore Kirkringus, (who claims to have known the mysterious author), are equally illuminating. Regarded by many as the first monograph on a chemical element, 'The Triumphal Chariot of Antimony' is an important primary text for all those interested in the 'Royal Art' of Alchemy and the occult wellsprings of modern science.

The Alchemy Collection: The Works of Basil Valentine contains three of the most influential treatises from the great alchemist Basil Valentine: The Triumphant Chariot of Antimony, The Twelve Keys, and Of Natural & Supernatural Things.
The Triumphant Chariot of Antimony is perhaps Basil Valentine's most well known & influential work. Valentine dedicates this treatise entirely to antimony. The alchemists'regard it as one of the go-to authoritative sources for the antimony path. Contains four illustrations from the original manuscript.
The Twelve Keys is a great work by Basil Valentine centered around twelve plates or "keys." These keys contain various alchemical secrets hidden in code, and other riddles. This section includes original illustrations from the Twelve Key's print in Maier's 1618 Tripus Aurus manuscript.
The third section includes Basil Valentine's "Of Natural & Supernatural Things."
Republished, Restored, Revised, and Compiled by Adam Goldsmith & VITRIOL Publishing in 2013.

All flesh that is derived from the earth, must be decomposed and again reduced to earth; then the earthy salt produces a new generation by celestial resuscitation. For where there was not first earth, there can be no resurrection in our Magistery. For in earth is the balm of Nature, and the salt of the Sages.

When I had emptied to the dregs the cup of human suffering, I was led to consider the wretchedness of this world, and the fearful consequences of our first parents' disobedience. Then I saw that there was no hope of repentance for mankind, that they were getting worse day by day, and that for their impenitence God's everlasting punishment was hanging over them; and I made haste to withdraw myself from the evil world, to bid farewell to it, and to devote myself to the service of God. When I had spent some years at the monastery, I found that after I had performed my work and my daily devotions I still had some time on my hands. This I did not wish to pass in idleness, lest my evil thoughts should lead me into new sins; and so I determined to use it for the study and investigation of those natural secrets by which God has shadowed out eternal things. So I read a great many books in our monastery written in olden times by philosophers who had pursued the same study, and was thereby stimulated to a more ardent desire of knowing that which they also knew. Though I did not make much progress at first, yet at last God granted my earnest prayer, and opened my eyes that I might see what others had seen before me. In the convent there was a brother, who was afflicted with a severe disease of the kidneys, and to whom none of the many physicians he had consulted had been able to give even momentary relief. So he had committed himself to the hand of God, and despaired of all human aid. As I loved him, I gathered all manner of herbs, extracted their salts, and distilled various medicines. But none of them seemed to do him the slightest good, and after six years I found that I had tried every possible vegetable substance, without any beneficial effect. At last I determined to devote myself to the study of the powers and virtues which God has laid into metals and minerals and the more I searched the more I found. One discovery led to another, and, after God had permitted unto me many experiments, I understood clearly the nature and properties, and the secret potency, imparted by God to minerals and metals. Among the mineral substances I found one which exhibited many colours, and proved to be of the greatest efficacy in art. The spiritual essence of this substance I extracted, and therewith restored our sick brother, in a few days, to perfect health. For the strength of this spirit was so great as to quicken the prostrate spirit of my diseased brother, who, from that day to the day of his death, remembered me in his hourly prayers. And his prayers, together with my own diligence, so prevailed with God, that there was revealed to me that great secret which God ever conceals from those who are wise in their own conceits. Thus have I been wishing to reveal to you in this treatise, as far as may be lawful to me, the Stone of the Ancients, that you, too, might possess the knowledge of this highest of earthly treasures for your health and comfort in this valley of sorrow. I write about it, not for my own good, but for that of posterity, and though my words be few and simple, that which they import is of immeasurable magnitude. Ponder them well, that you also may find the Rock which is the foundation Stone of truth, the temporal blessing, and the eternal reward.

This scarce antiquarian book is a facsimile reprint of the original. Due to its age, it may contain imperfections such as marks, notations, marginalia and flawed pages. Because we believe this work is culturally important, we have made it available as part of our commitment for protecting, preserving, and promoting the world's literature in affordable, high quality, modern editions that are true to the original work.

All flesh that is derived from the earth, must be decomposed and again reduced to earth; then the earthy salt produces a new generation by celestial resuscitation. For where there was not first earth, there can be no resurrection in our Magistery. For in earth is the balm of Nature, and the salt of the Sages.

All flesh that is derived from the earth, must be decomposed and again reduced to earth; then the earthy salt produces a new generation by celestial resuscitation. For where there was not first earth, there can be no resurrection in our Magistery. For in earth is the balm of Nature, and the salt of the Sages.