"But that the secret might not be lost, but rather continued and preserved to posterity they expounded it most faithfully, both in their writings and in oral teaching to their faithful disciples, for the benefit of posterity; nevertheless, they so clothed and concealed the truth in allegorical language that even now only very few are able to understand their instruction and turn it to practical account. For this practice they had a very good reason; they want to force those who seek this wisdom to feel their dependence upon God (in whose Hand are all things), to obtain it through instant prayer, and when it has been revealed to them, to give all the glory to Him. Moreover they did not wish pearls to be cast before swine." —Sophic Hydrolith— In these few sentences four essential points of Alchemystical theory and practice have been enumerated for us by the author of the Sophic Hydrolith (‘Waterstone of the Wise’); and so it but remains for us to indicate a functional way of understanding these points and their terms: 1. Dependence upon and Submission unto God; 2. Necessity and Utility of Prayer; 3. Non-Possession or Sacrifice of Glory; 4. Discernment in Transmission – Casting Pearls There is a Self-Study Program to assist comprehension located here: https://tinyurl.com/nip-self-study