The cycle portfolio has been mailed to those who have ordered. The pre-subscription price, according to the announcement mailed to subscribers in a recent circular, was advertised as $8.00. Prior to this announcement it was advertised in "The Seven Rays of the Q.B.L." .as $4.85. The latter price was advertised before it was decided to enlarge the full colored charts in size and increase the number. Those who have ordered at either one of the pre-publication prices will receive the portfolio for such payment made. As of October 1st the regular price of $10.00 will be in effect.

The portfolio will be available with text in the following languages: English, Duach, French, German, Spanish and Portuguese.

To complete the portfolio with the latest available cycles and their applications in the life of individuals and nations as a whole, additional colored and black and white charts will be available every three months at a very reasonable cost.

Subscribers in the above named countries are requested to please mail their remittances for Bulletin subscriptions and books directly to the P.R.S. in the U.S.A. Additional bookkeeping and delays cause more work for our very limited office staff than can be handled. Book shipments will be sent direct to Lotus and may be ordered from there. A bill of sale will be included with the books ordered and this bill should be paid directly to the P.R.S.

This procedure will relieve Lotus of additional work as they are also understaffed.

"Practical Alchemy in the Twentieth Century," the book in the German Language, will be available by November.

Both past.and present P.R.S. students are requested to send in their astrocyclic charts. These are needed for a special project. Please be specific. State at the top of chart your full name as given when born, your married name (if married), and place of birth (town, state or province and country), day, month, year and the hour if known.

These charts should reach us not later than-December 15, 1970.

The "Vulcan Ephemeris" for 1969-70 is now available for $1.50 postpaid.

The Alchemical Laboratory Bulletin is a quarterly publication of the Paracelsus Research Society, P. O. Box 6006, Salt Lake City, Utah, 84106, U.S.A. Annual subscription $6.00. This price includes one complimentary copy to be mailed to an institution of learning or as otherwise designated by the subscriber. Individuals and institutions unable to pay the annual subscription fee may upon verification of their request, receive the Bulletin gratis. Copyrighted and printed in the U.S.A.

The English Knight, Kenelm Digby, who has the reputation of having been chancellor to her Majesty, the Queen of England, and who, at the same time, was a pirate of the high seas by royal command, left in his collected writings many rare alchemical tracts. Among one of them is:

"Mr. Borel told me that he prepared the tincture antimonii (by using distilled wine vinegar over the vitrio antimonii) and observed that the salt which remains behind, that needed to be sweetened after the vinegar was driven off (as Basilius taught) he never could find out why, when the wine vinegar was driven off, it did not sweeten the salt, but remained a dry powder and salty as before with the brown-gray color. But one thing he did note especially; when he had the water evaporated four to five times, the tincture became red and the salt from the distilled vinegar dissolved in the water, which he poured off, after which he dried the powder which became very red and perfectly sweet. But when the salt was removed from the red powder the spiritus vini did not extract the tincture. Maybe spiritus tartarus will do it."

It seems that alchemists of the 16th and 17th centuries had the same difficulties that are encountered by alchemists today. The resulting disap pointment of not getting a tincture out of the glass of antimony has confronted contemporary alchemists in the same way. However, the Kergring Menstruum will extract the tincture of properly prepared glass of antimony, this we know. Apparently the writer of the above was not aware of this, though Dr. Kerkringius of Holland was his contemporary. Had he studied the works of Paracelsus more thoroughly he would have found the statement: "take acetum distilled from wine and sal ammoniac fixed in it. It will extract the quintessence, and is a secret."

Then the English Knight continues: "He also told me, that when he prepared glass of antimony for this work so it would prove successful, that after it was with gentle fire and by constant stirring so prepared that it gave off no more smoke and then made glass from it in the crucible, he did throw in a small piece of coal. It will ignite the sulphur in the coal and drop with a little regulus to the bottom and will make the glass pure, clear and red. But when no coal is added it will be black and impure. What makes this work so uncertain is that sometimes pieces of coal fall in the crucible when the fire is stirred about to give greater heat, without the artist knowing it, and the work is then

successful, but when no charcoal falls in the glass it is not as good as it should be."

Then he states further: "Mr. le Fevre told me when he prepared the tincture of antimony from the glass he noted the same thing as Mr. Borel did, that when the powder is deprived of the vinegar and then extracted with spirits of wine it did not yield the tincture. When he poured water over it two or three times and evaporated the water he leaves it at the end moist and then pours over it spirit of wine, when the spirit will become impregnated with the tincture."

It should be noted here, that in the above Mr. le Fevre did not dry the red powder completely before pouring the spirit of wine over it but left it moist.

Another formula is described as follows: "Take salt of tartar and quicklime. Boil together and make a strong lye. Filter. Take three ounces of quicksilver and pour lye over it to the height of four inches above the quicksilver. Digest for four days and then pour off. Add fresh lyewater and digest. Continue until all tincture from the quicksilver has been extracted and the powder becomes subtle. Mix this powder with as much sublimated sal.ammoniac. Add again as much oil of tartar and mix thoroughly. Place for 30 days into dung to putrefy. Then place the matter in a mortar made of marble, grind and add a little warm water. Add a little more water but hotter than before. Grind. Let settle and pour water off and pour wine vinegar on it instead. Grind again and you will see in a short while the powder will be changed into running mercury again. Note: When you sublimate regulus of antimony with 4 parts of sal ammoniac, you can get mercury out of it the same way."

At first glance it may appear that the whole process involved was to make the quicksilver into a powder only to recover it again as quicksilver. This is not so. It should be noted that he said that the quicksilver will impart its tincture to the lyewater. To recover the tincture from the lyewater requires careful separation and distillation, so it will deliver up the essential part of the quicksilver, namely its pure tincture wherein the oil of mercury can be found.

The translations prove again that no matter at what time alchemical experiments are made similar conditions are encountered such as have frustrated alchemists in the past, as they will at present and in the future.

QUESTION NO. 21--I have a confession to make. At first I thought that alchemy was a pretty expensive undertaking, when you consider traveling a great distance to your place. This means one's vacation time has to be sacrificed among other things. But the longer I look back and think, of what I took out of my time with you and how it helped me and my family mentally, physically and spiritually, I now confess, I really struck a bargain after all.

Answer: Someone said, "The bitterness of poor quality remains after the sweetness of cheap price is forgotten," to which we add: "as the bitterness of the high price is forgotten when we enjoy the sweet enduring value of high quality."

QUESTION NO. 22--I refer to the last Bulletin Question and Answer Number 13. There it was said that salt of Melissa was fused. I tried it and mine did not fuse. Why?

Answer: If you used the salt of Melissa that became the deadhead thereof or you used its leached out salt, then it would not fuse. If you take the entire plant and calcine it and recover the salt therefrom, then it will fuse.

QUESTION NO. 23--How far ahead may application be made for P. R. S. classes?

Answer: As soon as possible. There will be a full complement of classes in 1971 but only a limited number in 1972. There will be no classes in the U.S.A. in 1973 as that will be a seminar year. The last seminar took place seven years ago in 1966.

QUESTION NO. 24-- am confused about the Q.B.L. metzlahs. How do you find the metzlah from the sephirah by number? The sephira is clear to me. The day, month and year of birth are totalled and kept within the King scale of numbers. But what about the metzlahs? I have never gotten that straight.

Answer: Metzlahs start at 11. The first letter becomes the eleventh metzlah. When the sephirah totals between one and nine add 10. If the number of the first total (sephirah) is ten or higher but not more than 33 this is your metzlah. If the total is higher than 32 deduct 10 to get your metzlah.

Ezample: 9-29-1908 = 38 = 11 = 2 is sephirah

2 + 10 = 12 is metzlah

4-3- 1902 = 19 = 10 is sephirah

When the total is ten the reference is to Malkuth. 1 + 0 = 1 cannot be used because "one" represents "The One," which man cannot know. Therefore the first sephirah is not applicable to mortal man. However, to get the first metzlah, the eleventh path, add ten to the one derived as shown and it will give the eleventh metzlah or the first letter on the Queen (negative) scale, i.e., 10 = 1 + O = 1 add 10 = 11 is the first metzlah.

QUESTION NO. 25--I have heard it said that eating too many potatoes is not good. Is there some reason other than because of their starch content?

Answer: It has been said that eating too many potatoes overstimulates the brain. This could be caused by the starch being converted into sugar which, besides producing fats: also generates some body fuel in the form of alcohol which acts as incitement upon the brain.

QUESTION NO. 26--What is the reason that no spagyric medications can be bought in Pharmacies or Drugstores in the U.S.A.? I understand that in some countries in Europe and elsewhere this is possible.

Answer: Because none are produced in the U.S.A. Spagyrists capable of doing so prepare these privately for themselves. However, plans are under way to bring about such manufacture of spagyric medications in the U.S.A. with the P.R.S. acting as a consultant. It should be clearly understood that the P.R.S. will NOT manufacture spagyric or alchemical medications in such an enterprise but will act solely as a consultant.

QUESTION NO. 27--Do enzymes react on metals?

Answer: Vegetable or animal enzymes have no action on metals. Bur metallic catalysts. such as platinum, nickel and copper, do have a catalytic action that speeds up certain chemical processes involving metals.

QUESTION NO. 28--What is Chelamus? Has it reference to chelah (disciple)?

Answer: No. Chelamus in the alchemical language used during the Middle Ages refers to "Sea Salt".

QUESTION NO. 29--You have stressed in classes that the inner or spiritual alchemy and the laboratory alchemy are of equal importance. In practical laboratory alchemy manifestations show and can be anticipated as an outcome of such former manifestations. Does this show also in spiritual alchemy?

Answer: Since alchemy is evolution and evolutionary processes can be observed on the material plane, if the law of polarity is valid, the same will have to be possible on the non-material plane.

Here we shall cite an incident where on the psychic plane, such manifestations show. We print this letter just as received:

"Go to K. Sch. (name omitted). He has a Parcelsus book of great importance. Only my brother Albertus can read it. The book has to be secured for brother Albertus."

"Dear esteemed Frater Albertus:

The above text I received as a small message. Curious, to find out if it was correct, I went immediately to Switzerland. The above named K. Sch. is an elderly gentleman of 81 years, a publisher and formerly had his praxis as Naturopath. He was greatly surprised when I approached him with my message, and behold, a book bound in pigskin, weighing 5 kilo, height 34,5 cm with 27 cm and depth 13,5 cm was brought for me to see. The text on the first page read:

Philippi Theophrasii Bombasts von Hohenheim Paracelsi/des Edlen/ Hochgelehrten/ Furteflichsten/Weiberumbtesten Philosophi vnd Medici

Bucher vnd Schrifften/ so viel deren zur Hand gebracht/ mit vnd ausz ihren glaubwurdigen eygener Handgeschriebenen Originalien collacioniert/ verglichen/verbesert vnd durch

in zehn vnderschiedliche Theil/in Truck gegeben:

Jetzt von nevem mit fleisz vbersehen, auch mit etlichen biszhero

vnbekandten Trectaten gemehrt; vnd vmb mehrer Bequemlichkeit willen/in zween vnderschiedliche TOMOS vnd Theil gebracht/deren Begriff vnd Ordnung/nach der Vorrede zu finden/sampt beyder Theilen fleiszien vnd vollkommenen Registern

In verlegung Lazari Zetzners Sehgen Erben Anno M.DC.XVI

"The book contains among other things Formulas and exceptionally many symbols. It is by now over 400 years old. I shall take precautions that K.Sch. does not sell in the meantime this book--in the meantime! Because I, too, hope that I shall have the pleasure of seeing it again.

With heartiest greetings, yours,

E. G. (name withheld)"

Here we have evidence that results can be predicted in the spiritual world when spiritual laws are followed, just as alchemical results can be foreseen when alchemical laws are followed.

Upon the question of how the writer received this message, by letter or other physical means, the answer was: "Concerning my message I should explain that I am not given to wait for messages of a spiritual nature or that I am not concerned with mediumistic things. It just so happens that I see things or am being shown things. Among other things a coat of arms was placed in my hands. It had the colors of gold, white and blue and above it was a golden eagle. I only saw the hand that gave it to me and heard the words: 'Tell him, it is the same as that of von Hohenheim'. I saw a number of people gathered in a hall as if a conference was in session. Among them was a spiritual healer from Switzerland whom I later visited and I also saw the owner of the book and even heard his name fully pronownced as K.Sch. (here abbreviated). Since I did not know what to do about it I kept silent. Only later did I confide in a friend about it, who first called my attention to the fact that it must concern Paracelsus and his brotherhood. So, take it or leave it, I have been witness to it and can only trust in God that the World of Light will guide this matter about the von Hohenheim into the proper ways and to a good end. That would be it for today. Please be not too disappointed."

May peace be with you.

E.G

This then is the alchemy on the non-tangible side, that, nevertheless, reveals itself also on the physical plane, just as the physical laboratory alchemy must show results on the spiritual plane. One without the other is not genuine alchemy. The law of polarity could not function otherwise.

When we promised to bring to the reader's attention the peculiar fact that flesh (meat) can be kept from putrefaction by placing it under a pyramid built according to given measurements of cardboard or some similar material, we were unaware of a publication which has now come to our attention, explaining this particular subject. At present we are not so much concerned with the physical manifestation thereof, as with the underlying cause of such manifestations. Since the phenomena of the preservation of meat and other objects placed at the center of such a pyramidal structure is known, we call your attention to the causation of such manifestation. What is it then that dehydrates flesh and prevents its putrefaction when in such a structure.

For those not familiar with the replica of such a pyramid the dimensions are given here. It is of importance that the dimensions are closely followed.

In centimeters it would be: height 15 cm, base 23.56, sides 22.41 In inches it would be height: 5 7/8 inches, base 9 1/4, sides 8 7/8

Cardboard will serve our purpose. The scale seems to work best when the original dimensions of the pyramid are taken as 1:1000. The finished structure must be placed exactly with each side to one of the four cardinal points, i.e., north, east, south, or west.

The object to be tested must be elevated and placed exactly under the apex of the pyramid. Face east when testing. It is said, and your tests will have to substantiate this, that a medication placed in the pyramid will have a 25% increase in potency. Water can be charged in like manner.

When the pyramid is placed upon the head of a person seated north-south the pendulum will not move. Other experiments will bring equally startling results.

What causes this strange behavior? The answer is "rays." "Rays" both visible and invisible influence all life upon earth. Just as a magnifying glass can concenter the sun's rays and generate heat, so can invisible rays with the help of a geometrical, properly scaled instrument condense energy, be concentered.

When seemingly mysterious circumstances surround such phenomena, at present unexplainable by the laws of physics, etc., it only shows that something superior (meta) to the present laws of physics must be considered, i.e., metaphysics. Were one to include here also some available qabalistic knowledge and apply such understanding anyone can easily conceive what additional surprising manifestations can be brought about.

Should one be able to construct such a replica in thin slabs of sandstone, granite, or limestone and join them as close as humanly possible with a mortar made of limestone, the results should be even more revealing.

One word of caution. Winkelmann, Luner and others had some psycic experiences that were anything but pleasant when conducting some tests. Warning is therefore given to the reader who rashly enters into such experiments. There is as much danger connected with serious experiments, as will be found when one conducts some chemical, electrical or other physical experiments without taking precautionary measures to safeguard one's health. This applies to both physical and mental health.

Should someone conduct such experiments by placing substances to be tested under the apex of the pyramid or test its radiations in other ways the P.R.S. would appreciate receiving reports indicating in detail any observed phenomena, for further evaluation in its research program.

We have received word from England that classes are desired there. Those interested please contact Mr. John Whitecross, 82 Bunessan St., Glasgow, S.W. 2, rScotland, as class arrangements must be made by the residents of each country. We do not make preliminary arrangements, but come only to teach.

From remote antiquity on during the Middle Ages and through the last few centuries much Alchemical Literature has been written. One wonders if anything is left about which to write. First of all that which alchemist's have been writing from personal experience has to be separated from that which is but a verbal erudition of what others have performed. When such literature is separated it shows an overabundance of the last and very little of the first. Here the reader can save considerable time and confusion. He need not make another separation by going through all the interpretations of non-experts who differ among themselves. He may now confine himself to reading those authors who have written from personal experience. These are, numerically speaking, a minority. However, here, too, a separation must take place. Most alchemists have written about the highest aspect of alchemy on the material plane--the "philosopher's stone"-that alchemy offers. Since the "philosopher's stone" represents the goal of all sincere alchemists many readers lose sight of the fact that much needs to be known about the "lesser work" before one should even attempt the "Great Work" as it is called.

Very little has been written on the herbal work because those authors who wrote about the "Great work" took for granted that no one in their right senses would attempt the "Great work" first. In addition to mastering the work upon herbs other prerequisites must be fulfilled. The mineral preparation follows the work on herbs. Besides the herbal and mineral work there are still others to be known, such as the work in the animal world, the work on tartar and on other substances. As can be seen from the foregoing much knowledge must be acquired before the student is ready to enter into the metallic realm from which alone can the coveted "philosopher's stone" be made.

Hasty attempts to acquire such a vast amount of knowledge has brought about considerable discredit and denial of the existence of corporeal laboratory alchemy. Books written by inexperienced authors, not sufficiently informed about their subject matter, have added to the confusion. After all is said and done, alchemical literature has added more to the confusion about alchemy, than the very few works of genuine practitioners who have made known their personal experiences, have done to clear up the confusion. It is indeed, unfortunate that pure alchemical knowledge has been covered up, yes, almost smothered, by the coarse rehashing of ignorant contributors to alchemical literature.

Fortunately our own century has not brought in such a deluge of alchemical writings as were written a few centuries ago. The reason might very well be found in the ignorance about alchemy and the ill repute into which it has fallen. Chemistry now reigns supreme, having no more use for alchemy, although the chemist and scientist acknowledge alchemy a forerunner of our present chemistry, thereby outdating alchemy. We may consider this a good omen. Had as much been written recently as was written in past centuries about alchemy the chasm would have been wider. The present trend to republish former works of both genuine and pseudo alchemical authors leaves us just about where we were a few centuries ago. Because of lack of present day experts who will challenge alchemistical misstatements and misrepresentations of former times and because of our present confused state of mind due to such former assumption it becomes even more evident that contemporary literature on alchemy is a must. Such literature will have to be based upon practical, demonstrable evidence which corroborates earlier claims made by genuine practitioners, in the light of present day accomplishments.

Where is such present day alchemical literature based upon present day results to be found? This question needs to be and can be answered. We need tangible alchemical evidence today just as it was needed in the past. Only then can justification be found for adding further alchemical literature. This is what the Paracelsus Research Society is attempting by bringing such contemporary practical laboratory results to the attention of those interested in alchemy. Literature pertaining to this field must be added to the few genuine authors of alchemy as we do not wish to make further contributions to the volumes of pseudo-alchemists, who only theorize while neglecting practical alchemy. Alchemy in its scientific aspects needs to be proven, and that is what the Paracelsus Research Society with its contribution to alchemical literature, is attempting to do.

With the present issue of the German Language book "Alchemy in the 20th Century" we may assume that we have poked into the proverbial hornet's nest. We say this ahead of time, because the very near future will bear us out--when the hornets fly out and begin to sting. But, then, there are some few, it is said, who are immune to such stings or who have a remedy that will not cause such stings to be fatal.

Please fill out and return the enclosed Bulletin application form stating whether or not you wish to renew your Bulletin subscription.

Please fill out completely the enclosed blue "Confidential Information Sheet" and return to us at once.

The dangers of distilled water and more of your questions and answers.

What is Alchemy?  Alchemical Research of the Paracelsus Research Society does NOT constitute an attempt to delve into antiquated arts or sciences, with an objective of rejuvenating outmoded and outdated pseudo-scientific postulations.  Alchemical Research of the Paracelsus Research Society DOES consist of attempts to reinvestigate all scientific en- deavors ancient, medieval or contemporary, that may not have received considerations which they deserve, due to the then prevailing circumstances.  Alchemical Research of the Paracelsus Research Society has revealed that Alchemy is not a pseudo-science or the forerunner'of present chemistry alone. In- stead, Alchemy has been established as the fountainhead of all arts and sciences. Alchemy has been found to be the way of evolution encompassing noumena and phenomena on terrestrial and supra-terrestrial planes of aware- ness.  Alchemical Research of the Paracelsus Research Society deserves impartial support and recognition alike from both scientist and laymen, who seek for the noumena of all phenomena.  Alchemical Research of the Paracelsus Research Society helps to awaken potentials lying dormant within man. Sincere investigators participating in this fasci- nating research will be able to produce the evidence in the laboratory and within them- selves.