The Secret Book of Artephius

By: Ibn ar Tafiz

Narrated by: Matthew Schmitz

This is an ancient alchemy manuscript. Artephius (Artefius) (c. 1150) is a writer and alchemist to whom a number of alchemical texts are ascribed. Alchemical pseudepigraphy makes it difficult to identify who the historical Artephius may have been. His identity remains an open question. As The Secret Book of Artephius was respected and mentioned by Roger Bacon many times, Artephius' writing and alchemy is dated to around 1150.

"O God, how through nature, doth thou change a body into a soul: which could not be done, if the soul were not incorporated with the bodies, and the bodies made volatile with the soul, and afterwards permanent and fixed. For this cause sake, they have passed over into one another, and by the influence of wisdom, are converted into one another.

O Wisdom: how thou makest the most fixed gold to be volatile and fugitive, though by nature it is the most fixed of all things in the world... Ibn ar Tafiz (Artephius), later became the renown author of The Secret Book of Artephius, in the first chapter he mentions substances such as: mercuric oxide, sulfur, antimony, iron ore, thiosulfate, gold, alluvium, sal ammoniac, wax, brass silver, black ash, metallic vapors, magnesia (magnesium hydroxide); in the second chapter he mentions the methods used to make vinegar saffron, cheese, pure milk, yogurt, cream and butter.

In the third chapter he writes about the Sublimation process, Bain-marie. Ar Tafiz ends his book with quotes and the verses from the Quran: Which when you see, render praises and thanksgiving to the most great and gracious God (Allah), who gives wisdom and riches to whomsoever He pleases, and takes them away according to the wickedness of a person. To Him, I say, the most wise and almighty God (Allah), be glory for ages and ages. AMEN."

©2023 Matthew Schmitz (P)2023 Matthew Schmitz