THIS 42 PAGE ARTICLE WAS EXTRACTED FROM THE BOOK: Hermetic Museum Restored, by Basilius Valentinus. To purchase the entire book, please order ISBN 1564592847.

Since, Basil Valentine, by Religious Vows am bound according to the Order of St. Benedict, and that requires another manner of Spirit of Holiness, then the common State of Mortals exercised in the prophane business of this World; I thought it my duty before all things, in the beginning of this little Book, to declare what is necessary to be known to the pious Spagyrist, inflamed with an ardent desire of this Art; as, what he ought to do, and whereunto to direct his aim, that he may lay such Foundations of the whole matter, as may be stable; lest his Building shaken with Winds, happen to fail, and the whole Edifice to be involved in shameful Ruine, which otherwise, being founded on more firm and solid Principles, might have continued for a long series of time. Which Admonition I judged was, is, and always will be a necessary part of my Religious Office; especially, since we must all die, and no one of us, which now are, whether high or low, shall long be seen among the number of Men. For it concerns me to commend these Meditations of Mortality and Posterity, leaving them behind me, not only that honour may be given to the Divine Majesty, but also that Men may obey him sincerely in all things.

Basilius Valentinus (also known under the Anglicised version of his name, Basil Valentine) is shrouded in mystery. It is said that he was a 15th century alchemist and there are also claims that he was the canon of the Benedictine Priory of Saint Peter in Erfurt, Germany - a claim that cannot, so far, be substantiated. All that can be said for certain is that numerous publications on alchemy were published in both Latin and German under the name of Basilius Valentinus, many of which were widely translated into various European languages. What makes this edition so special are the additional treatises by both John Holland and Roger Bacon. John Isaac Holland (active 1572-1610? ) was a Dutch alchemist who is thought to have lived in the 15th century. It was said that he was the first alchemist of Holland. Roger Bacon, (c. 1214-1294), also known as Doctor Mirabilis (Latin: "wonderful teacher"), was an English philosopher and Franciscan friar who placed considerable emphasis on the study of nature through empirical means.

Twelve Keys of Basilius Valentinus is one of the most important alchemical works available to modern students. His writings contain much of interest to the student of alchemy. Whether Basil Valentine is the correct name of the author or an alias does not matter since it detracts nothing from his work or the value of his experiments.

THIS 42 PAGE ARTICLE WAS EXTRACTED FROM THE BOOK: Hermetic Museum Restored, by Basilius Valentinus. To purchase the entire book, please order ISBN 1564592847.

Due to the very old age and scarcity of this book, many of the pages may be hard to read due to the blurring of the original text.