Chapter II

The Lesser Circulation

I
t is difficult to understand alchemical terminology. The nov-
ice without proper mental and spiritual preparation usually
interprets spagyric symbols in his or her own way, thereby
starting on a laborious road of misconception that only years of painful
experience can remedy. It is safe to say, and experience has taught it to be
so, that all beginners in Alchemy have their minds set on obtaining the
Philosopher’s Stone. However justified this goal may be, nevertheless,
without proper preparation, it is usually soon abandoned when after a
comparatively short time of experimentation no results become mani-
fest. Then Alchemy is condemned, called a fraud, or given similar names
and erstwhile serious students, due to lack of proper preparation, dispar-
age the true value of that which they do not understand.
In this chapter of practical alchemystical laboratory experimenta-
tion, the beginner will be patiently instructed on how to obtain the true
alchemical herbal tinctures, extracts, and salts. As the reader will notice,
“patiently instructed” has been emphasized. It may be well to com-
mence this instruction by confronting the Neophyte with the prime
requisite in alchemystical laboratory practice, namely, PATIENCE.
This word should be painted in large letters and then hung above the

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