How to make Electrum Magicum for a Magic Mirror

Electrum Magicum Magic MirrorWhat is Electrum Magicum? Electrum Magicum is an alloy made out of seven corresponding planetary metals known during the Middle Ages. Due to the belief in the mental and spiritual worlds Alchemists manufactured this alloy for is harmonizing magical properties. Paracelsus a famous Alchemist and Physician spoke about this metal and its beneficial use in making a Magic Mirror. However, it has also been used for Knights armor and weapons. However, in Franz Bardons book Initiation into Hermetic he talks about Electrum Magicum. Listing the seven planetary metals with the amounts recommended. However, in a much later correspondence between me and Dieter Ruggeberg, it became clear that fewer amounts could be used but within the same ratio. How do I make Electrum Magicum? Well this question can end up being more complicated than at first it would seem. First we will need to decide on the amount of differing metals we wish to use. Armed with the power of the ratios we can budget within reason on how much this experiment will cost! So let us now focus on what amounts of metal we wish to use, knowing that some are quite expensive and others hard to acquire. If we take a look at the Franz Bardon formula we see the following, 30 grams of gold, 30 grams of silver, 15 grams of copper, 6 grams of tin, 5 grams of lead, 3 grams iron and 15 grams of quicksilver or mercury.

Jumping back in time to the life of Paracelsus we come across yet another formula for Electrum Magicum with added coding for the

uninitiated. Electrum Magicum made of ten parts gold, ten parts silver, five parts copper, two parts tin, two parts lead, one part of powdered iron and five of mercury. However, unlike Bardon Paracelsus gives much more detail in making Electrum Magicum and how to experiment in combining these metals. After a brief review of these two formulae it soon become apparent that dividing Bardons amounts by three give the same numbers. However, thats if you wish to view parts in its broadest terms. This line of thinking would lead one to a more reasonable formula that follows. Electrum Magicum reasonable formula, 10 grams of gold, 10 grams silver, five grams of copper, 2 grams of tin, 1.66 to 2 grams of lead, 1 gram of powdered iron and 5 grams of quicksilver or mercury. Its perfectly possible to super economies and divide these amounts further by ten. However, we suddenly hit a brick wall even using these reasonable amounts, having enough material to cast a mirror in the first place. Thanks to the discovery of other planets in our solar system and our ever increasing knowledge of the Universe, I decided to capture all of this to aid the experimenter into Hermetics by adding an eighth metal bismuth. This metal can be molded into any shape and take into its self the Electrum Magicum wonderfully.

Now we reach the next stage in making Electrum Magicum and a Magic Mirror Commitment. Like any experiment in making a magical device a certain amount of skill, daring and sacrifice are required. First we need the purchase the different metals a quick search online should help you to locate all if not most. The mercury can be a challenge and would not advise in spending any money until you have secured a small amount. Once all metals have been acquired make sure to purchase accurate pocket electronic scales and childrens chemistry set. A 4oz kiln, handheld laser temp gun, kiln safety gloves, glasses and cleaning fluids.

A cast iron mold the best I have found is one for cooking eggs with 7 perfectly shaped magic mirror molds. Paracelsus states a common size for the mirror of around 2inc or 5cm not less.

Melting and casting you magic mirrorThe time is now and careful planning must be carried out. But hopefully these guidelines will assist in a satisfactory result. However, there is some danger involved and the author takes no responsibility for any accident or injury of the experimenter. It would be strongly advisable to obtain a copy of Franz Hartmann book, The Life of Philippus Theophrastus Bombast of Hohenheim, known by the name of Paracelsus. Knowledge of the melting and boiling points of all metals involved is crucial for the successful making of an Electrum Magicum alloy. Here is a simple list, but please research this yourself:Metal melting and boiling points in Celsius Iron Copper Gold Silver Lead Bismuth Tin 1536 C 1084 C 1063 C 961 C 327 C 271.5 C 232 C 2870 C 2575 C 2800 C 2212 C 1750 C 1564 C 2600 C 357 C

Mercury -38.86 C

Using the above table shows the danger of mercury reaching its boiling point and needs to be considered carefully. Experimentation has shown that Paracelsus advice of melting the lead and adding the mercury was an important clue in succeeding. Stage one would be to melt the lead & tin together in a 4oz kiln. Pull out the plug and allow the molten liquid temp to drop down below mercury boiling point between 327 C & 357 C. Warning if the mercury is added at 357 C or above it will vaporize instantaneously and be breathed in or re-condense in the surrounding area. This part of the melting process is best done outside to avoid or reduce the danger to yourself or home. However, at say 345 C the mercury should be added as the kilns temperature is falling lower by the minute. Its very important to carefully pour the molten liquid metal into a graphite mold, before the melting point of lead is reached. Stage one is completed with the mercury, lead and tin successfully combined. Second words of warning Do not under any circumstances add this alloy directly to molten metal in solid form it will explode! The combined mercury will melt and then boil within seconds not an experiment to be repeated.

Stage two is far safer and less troublesome place the cast iron mold on a gas burner melt the bismuth to the required and shape of your magic mirror. Keeping the bismuth molten reheat the mercury alloy but not too its boiling point and pour into the bismuth.

Third stage melt the copper, gold and silver once melted pour again into the bismuth. Finally, sprinkle the powdered iron into the bismuth. Turn off all heating to the mold and the bismuth will start to rapidly cool and counter the increase in temperature from the new added metal. This method I have found seems to work very well. All that remains is to polish the mirror to the required luster. I hope this work will help those that are interested in Electrum Magicum and its experimentation.

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