The author of the original work, John Hazelrigg (1860-1944), was an American astrologer. He co-founded the American Academy of Astrologians in 1916. Mr. Hazelrigg took an interest in alchemy and in particular the processes related in the writings of various alchemists of the past several centuries. A complete presentation of alchemical symbols used in this text may be found in the book Alchemical Symbols, listed in the References section. It contains over 450 alchemical symbols and other valuable alchemical reference material. This book also includes "Arcanum or The Grand Secret of Hermetic Philosophy," the work of a concealed author, translated by Jean Espagnet.