FIRST TABLET

OF

ABRAHAM THE JEW

The interpretation of alchemical imagery is not an easy task, and each interpretation we make is often somewhat novel to ourselves. The Planche Première (The First Tablet) of A. the Jew is not difficult to unravel it if you know the Flamel Work's materials and modus operandi. The following tablets are not easily understand concerning the modus operandi aspect.

The Flamel method is a mixed or amalgam path, so, the old man seizing a scythe symbolically means Saturn as in the First Key of Basil Valentine. Saturn as all alchemists know is not a mineral or volatile metal, therefore this old "winged" man can not be Saturn because his wings mean that he can "fly" therefore it will be a metal or volatile mineral.

Flamel uses the term Saturnie not Saturn. Saturnie in Flamel's work is the antimony regulus. As any alchemist knows antimony regulus is a volatile metal, in other words it can be sublimated. So the old winged man symbolizes not Saturn but the antimony regulus.

Now, the winged old man trying to cut the feet of Mercury - this refers to "cutting" the quicksilver volatile. How?

With due precautions in a small stainless steel bowl try amalgamating the powdered antimony regulus with quicksilver. Never! Not if you had the help of a Volcano could do it!

Then, how can the old winged man cut Mercuries feet? He can only do it with the help of the red sand in the sand clock that he has over his head. The sand in the image is red, and on the clock's right side you can see the two spagyric symbols of sand or powder. The red powder is the "key" to amalgamate the powdered antimony regulus and the mercury; this is the Sun or gold.

This is the first part of the Flamel work: make a solar regulus and after it has been powdered amalgamate this with mercury and distil it in a stainless steel dismountable retort.

I have described it in clear language because the Master has done it in his book also.

You can easily confirm it by reading Flamels' Testament that you can download from Adam McLean's Website.

Flamel, in the Testament, does not refer to time, seasons, or other thing like this. At least I do not remember seeing anything like that.