Tria Prima

The great Paracelsus said:
You should know that all seven metals originate from three materials, namely from mercury, sulphur, and salt, though with different colors. Therefore Hermes has said not incorrectly that all seven metals are born and composed from three substances, similarly also the tinctures and philosopher’s stone. . . . But that it be rightly understood what the three different substances are that he calls spirit, soul and body, you should know that they mean not other than the three prinicipia, that is, mercury, sulphur, and salt, out of which all seven metals originate. Mercury is the spirit, sulphur is the soul, salt the body.