The twelve keys of Philosophy by Basile Valentin appear in 1600 in Germany. The book receive an illustration in 1618. The legend says the author is a Benedictine monk of the 16th century and his work was found in a hollow stone of the Erfurt abbey, hidden for two centuries... Truth is less poetic, since it is probable that the editor and alchemist Johann Thölde is the true author, and he tried a media-staged event...
However, the book is remarkably good. It is the eminent doctor and alchemist Michael Maier, at the origin of Atalanta Fugiens, who added the twelve engraving, one by key.
If these twelve keys talk for themselves for those who know the alchemical symbols, one is still mysterious: the tenth key, object of this study carried out by Karl Altéas.
From the 17th century, fanatics tried to decipher Hebraic letters and that sentence in Latin, the universal language at that time:
NATVS SVM EX HERMOGENE. HYPERION ELEGIT ME. ABSQ IAMSVPH COGOR INTERIRE
« I was born from Hermogene, Hyperion chose me ; without IAMSVPH, I have to perish»
What is this IAMSVP, unpronounceable and enigmatic word ? To understand it, Karl Altéas suggests to go through the twelve Pentacles as an coded comic book...
Do you want to try to get closer to the operations of the Great Work in these twelve steps which are "like the twelve signs of the zodiac of the alchemical year... the twelve doors of Georges Ripley".
Does that tenth key include the ultimate secret of the Great Work ?
Elements of answer by Karl Altéas in this 27-minutes presentation...
