Cause of all Causes: Book 7

Homily Seven, on the Knowledge of Truth, which demonstrates concerning the species of birds and the kinds of flying creatures, and concerning the species of fish and all the reptiles that are in the waters, and concerning the nature of the earth and the many changes that are in it, and concerning the qualities of bodies, namely gold and silver and copper and tin, and concerning minerals, that is, metals, and concerning hot waters, and other things that are fused, and sulphur and bitumen, and concerning the species of trees and the kinds of fruits and seeds, and concerning animals and beasts, of which there are five chapters. First chapter, with God who makes wise. For what reason the species of birds and flying creatures, and from where. And what is their nature, and what are their species. For also concerning these, in the word of creation, as the holy book says, which the great Moses wrote as he received from God, after the creation of the sun and the moon and the rest of the stars, which were created on the fourth day. The species of birds and flying creatures were created, and also the species of fish, and all the reptiles that are in the waters, on the fifth day. But the creation of trees and seeds was prior to these. For seeds and all vegetation were created on the third day by the wise Creator of all, and the establisher of creatures. But we shall speak as we said above. We wish to proceed in order and speak concerning each one of the creatures. When first we begin with those that are intelligible and not visible. And then we shall proceed to speak concerning creation that is not visible. When we begin above with the waters that are above the heavens. And thus afterwards we shall speak concerning all the firmaments of the heavens, and concerning the ethers, and then concerning the air of this world, and all its changes and its movements.

And concerning the species of birds and flying creatures in the air, it is fitting that we first show [something] about them. And then we show concerning the earth and speak about it, and about everything that is in it. But in the word of creation, the Spirit of God beautifully ordered and wisely arranged the composition. For first, trees, seeds, and plants were created, and waters were gathered into basins. And from them they were divided into rivers. And then birds and flying creatures were created to dwell in trees and to be nourished with their fruits. And also fish and all the reptiles that are in the waters were created with the waters, to move about in them and to dwell in them. Likewise also cattle and animals were created after these, so that with that which is created, established, and standing, they might graze and pasture on plants and be nourished. For this reason, plants were created first, so that they might have food and sustenance. And because all these were created for the sake of the human being, so that they might be for his need and for all his necessities, everything was created and prepared before them. And then the human being was created and found all his necessities and all his need ready and set, as for a king. Blessed is the wise Creator. How great and wondrous are his works, and how glorious are his creations. And after these were completed on the fourth day, and it was evening and it was morning, which was the morning of the fifth day, and God said, "Let the waters swarm with reptiles, and let the flying creatures fly over the earth, over the face of the firmament of heaven." And God created great sea-monsters and all the living reptiles that the waters swarm with, according to their kinds, and all flying creatures of wing, according to their kind. And God saw that it was good, and God blessed them and said to them, "Be fruitful and multiply, and fill the waters of the seas, and let flying creatures multiply on the earth.

As we have said above, we now show how the king [of heaven] prepared a dwelling for his son, his firstborn and beloved. First, he established the spiritual houses and placed in them the necessary things and the provisions of food and drink, and the gardens and the varieties of song and the kitharas to delight the singers and the banqueters. Thus first this heavenly king established and prepared everything that was necessary for the human being, as for the earthly and the son of man. Before he created him and set him up, he first spread out for him this high firmament, and set up for him this prepared and glorious tent, and planted for him these splendid paradises, and filled their trees with desirable fruits, and caused for him abundant rivers to flow, and laid out for him springs and sources of abundant and clear waters. He arranged in the height of his shadow a multitude of shining stars, and set for him two great luminaries that pass through with strong light, to give him light by day and by night. He also gathered and confined many waters in deep seas and abysses, so that ships might ride upon their backs, trusting to sail confidently upon their waves, and to navigate wisely among their dangers, and to complete their journeys and paths among their strong waves. He also caused to creep within their depths many reptiles without number, of various kinds and species, and varieties of tastes for his sustenance and his provisions, abundantly and gloriously. He also made and created in his wisdom great and mighty whales, and huge whales of great stature, along with Leviathan that cannot be approached, full of wonder and a sight of amazement, because of the many kinds and different causes, for the word is too great to speak and to describe concerning them.

After that, he prepared for the firstborn a royal image of his greatness. And he delivered him from the servitude of those who are without number, not one of whom was permitted to touch him except by the command of his sign. And thus he filled the seas with creeping things and kinds of animals, and beasts and reptiles and waves and serpents and many other things that are not to be counted and not to be numbered. All of them for the need of the firstborn in many activities. For if he had begun to speak about these, even a brief and small account would not suffice for a roll of paper, nor would speech be sufficient. One of the wise in divine matters spoke well, and the firstborn speaks. That one is the great sea and the expanse of hands, in which there are creeping things that are not to be touched, great beasts together with small ones. And in it the swift ones move. And this is a laughingstock of creation over him, because of the greatness of his stature and his abundant measure, so that with the heavy weight of his body he is not able to turn here and there, but is placed in the depths of the seas like a heavy mountain that is not easy to shake. This is compared to that well-known slanderer, who is also great and heavy, and he is spiritual, and has many heads. He has evil dispersals and snares and traps, and he is wakeful and diligent royally over offenses, and confuses vainly, while he does not cease and does not rest from transgressions. But God gave to those who fear him, those who keep his commandments and do his will, power and strength to tread upon his form and to crush his many heads, and to laugh at him and to mock his snares, and to loosen his boldness, and to break his traps, and to cut his nets and his hunting gear.

Blessed is that Lord of goodness and mighty God, who enriched him with his powers and poured out for him the abundance of his gifts. And this great, awesome, and deep sea, he filled and furnished for him with necessities, provisions, and varieties without limit. Diverse foods and many kinds of sustenance. And countless animals suitable for many activities. For the healing of limbs. And bones and bodies, carriers and runners. For the needs and necessities of kings and rulers. For fingers and diverse bodies, and growths of royal purple that, with woven threads and embroideries, adorn the body. Along with the rest of other things. He also brought up for him from the lower depths of the seas, precious and weighty pearls, which are greatly admired for their beauty. There is in the depths of the sea a certain creature, somewhat rough, with a species of waves and woven threads. It resembles twin ewes. And at the time of its movement, it glides. And it sees and opens up like the twin doors of a gate. And it rises to the surface and floats upon the face of the sea's waters. And according to the will of God, it catches with it a drop of dew for the sake of its greatness and smallness. And then lightning flashes upon it. And with its power, it is seized. While it is considered with its light along with that dewy drop. And again, weight and thickness and rest in the depths of the sea, and it grows like an animal, as it remains in that place. And there are certain peoples who are accustomed to diving into the depths of the waters and descending with diving and plunging into the abysses and bringing up for it the precious pearl and enriching themselves with its prices. And all their provisions are filled.

Many are the pearls of the true faith. That faith is the right praise of one God. And there is no adding to it nor subtracting from it. Just as a precious pearl cannot be added to nor subtracted from. And to the pearl are likened the swimmers with the depths of the sea, and to the faith are confirmed the interpreters with the depth of knowledge and the reading of the holy scriptures. The excellence, however, which is like gold and treasure, receives increase and multiplies and enriches. Also the excellence of virtuous conduct—as you add to it, your spiritual wealth increases and your treasury is enlarged. The faith, however, in one God, who is Word and Spirit, an essential, consubstantial, and ruling Trinity. There is no adding to it because there is no other God besides the one. And it is not diminished from it, because there are no divisions in the Godhead, nor measures. Even though three persons are spoken of, they are not measured one after another, as one says two, three. Not so is the ruling Trinity. Not one after another. There is no priority or secondness in it, but all of it is one essence, one consubstantiality, one rule, one nature, one power, one will, one lordship, one kingdom, one governance. There is no adding to this true faith, nor subtracting from it, just as a pearl is one in its beauty and nature. Blessed is he who gave you the visible and knowable pearl. Amen. Who is able for the great benefits and many helps that the Lord of goodness established for you in the sea and on the dry land and in the air and in the abysses.

many kinds of wild beasts and birds, and in the seas and rivers many species and diverse kinds and various natures, of which the word and discourse concerning them is great. Again, wisdom, great and excellent in its vanity, descended and went up from the sea, a flying creature, many species and diverse kinds that cannot be counted. They are for the need of the servants and for the service of the masters. From them, with them, they are raised together and before them, like chickens and geese and ducks, which lay eggs and produce chicks for the pleasure of foods. And those that are awake go out at night to watch over their nests. Just as the nature of geese is that they are very sensitive, so also from a small and tiny prayer that is with that which is sensitive to a little something, they are disturbed and cry out with loud voices and awaken the masters of the place to see what that prayer (the cry) is that has occurred. And by this, many cities, villages, houses, and places have been saved from destruction. Also, a species, beautiful and diverse, in all its forms of the peacock that is given to it, like for the pleasure and delight of its appearance, and it clothes itself and forms itself in diverse colors that shine for the viewers, like gold and like purple and like violet and like green and like white, with a multitude of diverse, shining, and blooming colors. All the kings of the world are not able to produce such beautiful and shining colors, and like that which is molded in gold, all of them are cast in gold. And when it displays its form and shows its beauty and delights the viewers, it inflames hearts and minds to praise the Creator of these beautiful wonders.

Again, the wisdom of the birds ordained a work that precedes them, to assist them and to sustain them with provisions for their works and labors. They speak to praise their Creator, who is fitting, and the extinguishers of darkness for the night. And there are species that assist and store up in measures and weights. As for the birds, they are small with their nests. Others fly and glide. Others hum and flash. Others are diligent in their tasks. Others are suspended, weak, and glide above water. Others again, thousands and myriads more, migrate from place to place. Others crawl, and insects and mosquitoes gather from the earth. Others lie in wait for locusts to devour them from the fields. Others, reptiles and mice and bats, hunt from the earth. Others dwell in houses and run from snakes and scorpions, wherever they see them, boldly attacking them so that they do not harm. And also in the nights, again, they are wakeful and keep watch over their dwellings. And when fire is stirred up at night, they cry out and stir up their owners and make heard the thunder of their voices to protect houses from conflagrations and robberies. Others, clocks, move with the flapping of their wings to indicate to you the hours of days and nights. Others, at noon, hum and agitate to fan the breeze and the air in the intense heat. And others, in trees, indicate and produce various sounds and diverse voices, to delight the hearing. Others, like swarms, swarm in the air and indicate the winds to you. From them, through their nature, signs are revealed and appear to you. Others, in the intensity of summer, dwell with you. Others, at the onset of winter, appear to you.

Others, at the time of the strong cold, come from other regions to it. Others, throughout the whole day, provide for it. Others, at evening, call out and announce the end of the day. And when it is a winter day and the sun is not seen at all, they are able to announce all the hours of the day. Especially at evening, when they see many of them, from the beginnings with their calls, they are able to announce all the hours of the day. Especially at evening, when they see many of them, from the beginnings with their calls, they fly and chirp and call to one another. Know that truly, because evening approaches, those birds hasten to their calls and to prepare to take the whole space for the night. And at deep evening, others begin to sing and to make their voices heard, as if they call to it for sleep and rest. Others, sparrows and swallows, chirp vigorously and as if they remind it at the hour, like a mother who reminds and awakens her child to be comforted for sleep and rest. Others, in the middle of the night, call out and awaken it to praise and thanksgiving to the One who gives the night for rest, which is with labor and toil. And thus all of them serve with all their services, like diligent servants who do not sleep and do not rest. Others grow and ascend to high places. Others, on the face of the earth, move and turn about in their houses. There are also to be seen other hunters and predators that are in their nature, that when they change and move with it, they are reminded and become attentive. And they no longer move from with it. And they hunt with its companions.

And those that pluck from other places and bring to it. Others work for it all day long, melodies and cithara-songs. And those that whistle, and those that murmur, and those that chirp, and those that flutter, and those that fly around in the sweet sounds and the pleasant melodies and the beautiful cithara-songs. And harmonious things that no one can compose like those sweet voices and pleasant sounds. And whoever looks and examines them carefully, and perceives spiritually the vision of the hidden and concealed in them, in their nature and their custom and their species, sees the manifold work and recognizes from its great power that works in them. And in their perfection that is above them, in their limbs together with their structures and their species, and in their wonderful and glorious and limited forms, and in the rest of all their properties. And lest anyone think simply and say, "What is this compared to those, for here are clear types known and recognized by all?"—he is not considered to have knowledge. But rather, he who gathers much spiritual knowledge and becomes wise, wonderfully from the investigations and contemplation of those and the rest of the beings and the constitutions of creation, when through knowledge he perceives with tranquility and prayer and emptiness of heart from thoughts and empty cares of transient occupations, and from many words, so that the Creator is recognized from his creations. And with these ends the first chapter, by the help of God who is mighty. Chapter two of the seventh discourse, with the help of God who makes wise. On the nature of the earth and the many changes in it, in dust and in stones, and on the beneficial properties from them and their properties.

and what kind of earth? And how were the bodies of the earth established, of gold and silver and copper and tin and lead and iron? And concerning the metals, the types of earth, such as sulphur, vitriol, alum, orpiment, saltpetre, salts, and precious stones, along with the rest of the earth that is distributed—this chapter is set for many discourses, but turn to the holy book and hear the divine words of creation. And he said to them, God on the third day: "Let the waters below the heavens be gathered to one place, and let the dry land appear." And it was so. And God called the dry land 'earth' and the gathering of waters he called 'seas'. And God saw that it was good. Therefore, so that this chapter may not be drawn out too long and more than necessary, I have already spoken before about the gathering of waters and about the reptiles and birds that are in them, and about the flight of those that God created and brought forth. And also from the element of water he made these. But from all four elements he establishes birds and reptiles and everything that creeps and moves and generates living beings, both those with soul and those without, and trees and seeds and plants, and everything that exists in the world. It is not possible for anything to be established except from the four elements. However, there is something from one element or from two in one action, more than from others, according to the mixture and composition that the wise craftsman mixes and blends in everything. He whose power is simple in all things and does his will. And when God said, "Let the waters below the heavens be gathered to one place, and let the dry land appear," he further distinguished in this word the waters above the heavens from the waters below the heavens.

and what is above the heavens? It is stretched out like a curtain. And when it moves like a wheel in a sharp rotation, and by its rotation, by its command which is without limit, it does not incline or totter to one side or the other, but like a pivot set upon firm and fixed foundations, it is turned from all sides and rotates correctly like a circle. Thus it is fixed and bounded. And when that sharp rotation moves, it also moves all nine spheres of the zodiac as far as the ethereal air. This is because from the heat of that sharp rotation, heat was kindled and inflamed and ignited from that sharp rotation into this air of the surroundings. And thus by the will of the Creator it was bounded in that place as he bounded it. And thus everything was ordered, created, and established within the hollow of the vault of these waters which are above the heavens. Others have said that there is no rationality in the nature of these revolving heavens which are above, because their motion—everything that moves from opposition moves—and where there is opposition, there is desire and will, and these indicate rationality. But concerning this, they do not decide. However, they do say that everything that moves from itself has rationality in its nature, like the soul which moves from itself and moves the body rationally, and not like irrational animals which move naturally and not rationally. But everything that is moved by something else is not called rational in the principal sense. Rational in the principal sense is that which moves from itself, authoritatively and freely. But the divine mover is divine.

because of the one who is sovereign in his being and has freedom, in the image of God he is. But concerning the heavens and the zodiac, that they are like this cannot be said, because if freedom and rationality were in it, it would be moved from itself. Thus many erred and supposed that this revolving heaven is God, the all and governor, just as also the Assyrians erred and departed from the truth. Now the heavens have another mover, who by his power and the command of his will moves it, and there is no other mover for it. And he is not the cause of its being moved, but it is moved from itself. And in him it lives and is moved in its essence. He moves all that lives and is moved. He is God, the all and governor of all, and there is no opponent to him nor any rival. However, concerning the luminous ones in the firmament, the holy scriptures speak and name them powers. But how and in what manner it is difficult to decide, whether they have a subjugated rationality, or whether they have another nature not decided in this, in that they are placed in a high place, very high and elevated above. In sum, it is not possible to decide concerning them definitively. But this is known definitively, that they are subjugated to the command of their creator, like the rest of all creatures and properties that have in their nature fixed things like trees and roots and the rest of natures. And in nature they are subjugated like all beings. And not by will like angels and rational men. And these suffice with many things that are said about the luminous ones and about all the firmaments that are beneath the waters, those that are above the heavens. And he said to him, God.

the waters below the heavens gathered to one place, and the dry land appeared. And thus, with the command of the decree, those two elements that were mixed together were separated: water from earth. And the waters received boundaries and limits that God set for them, and dry land appeared in various places, like islands in the midst of the sea. And the sea is one, that great one that has no end found: the great Ocean, which encompasses all the western regions and extends to the north, as far as the dark region beneath the northern pole. And from the south, one arm emerges from it and spreads throughout the entire region of Ethiopia, inward to the regions of the Abyssinians and the Nobaeans, and as far as the entrance of Wush, and extends to the east, and unites with the great sea of India. And another arm emerges from the Ocean and enters the western regions of the Britons of the Angles, as far as Italy, and spreads to the east and south over the regions of Sarqosa and Carthage, and over Lugubardia and Sicily, and extends as far as opposite Alexandria and the regions of Libya and Egypt, and turns opposite Palestine and Phoenicia, over Tyre and Sidon, and descends to Syria, and turns to Cilicia, Bithynia, and Pisidia, as far as Asia and the entrance of Byzantium, which is Constantinople. And from the west again, it comes from the regions of Italy as far as the regions and islands of the Bithynians, and comes upon the regions of Calabria and the Vardaeans, as far as Corinth and the Euripus, and passes over Thessalonica, and again reaches the entrance of Byzantium, opposite Ephesus, the head of Asia.

in this sea that surrounds, there are large islands: Cyprus, Sicily, Crete, Rhodes, Samos, Mytilene, and Chios, and many other small ones. And this sea passes through the strait before the royal city of that Byzantium, and goes out to the northern sea. And from the border of Byzantium it goes toward the west, opposite the northwest, through the whole region of Thrace as far as the great river Danube, which is one of the four. And within that region are the lands of the Bulgarians, Scythians, Slavs, Vlachs, Serbs, and many diverse peoples. And where the river Danube enters that northern sea of which we spoke, that sea extends over the lands of the Hungarians, and stretches opposite great Russia. And on its shores dwell the Khazars, Alans, Cumans, and Huns, as far as the Turks, opposite the high mountain passes of the north, which enclose within them the land of Gog and Magog as far as the dark region of the north. Again, the northern sea turns toward the lands of the Iberians and the Trapezuntines, and comes opposite the east a little, and turns to the southeast opposite the city of Sinope. And on its shores are Gangra, Colonia, Neocaesarea, Arclaia, and great Heliopolis of the Hittites. And its border comes again to the strait of Chalcedon before Byzantium. The Red Sea, that through which the children of Israel passed, is an arm from the southern sea. And it has shores and borders that are near. And it is called the Sea of Suph. And its land is red, like ochre; because of this it is called the Red Sea.

And as for the multitude of rocks and reefs of the sea, there is the rock Magnētis, which attracts iron. And upon it, ships and vessels that travel on it cannot find anything made of iron, neither nails nor planks nor oars nor anything else made of iron, but they construct their ships and vessels with other kinds of woods. And the great sea of Oceanus, many have sailed and voyaged upon it to the interior and have traversed for a period of many months, yet they have not found an end or a boundary. There are few islands in it, some of which are inhabited, and others have no human beings, but only wild beasts of strange kinds that are not seen in other regions. There is the island Gadeira, where Heracles, the strong man and prophet of the pagans, erected those three famous pillars in the world, and high columns, as if for his memory, so that the memory of his mighty deed would be preserved throughout all generations of the world. Those pillars he erected at the boundaries of the inhabited world. If a ship happens to be driven as far as that by a violent wind, the sailors cut the ropes, despairing of their lives, because they cannot turn back from there on account of the swell of the sea. And so that great labor of many times and that great expenditure of a great people and the abundance of incalculable and immeasurable wealth was spread out and wasted, and he made and erected those useless pillars, so that his memory would not be obscured from the world, since there is no comparison with that great expenditure. But now, labors and efforts are necessary, so that good memory in the world may not be dissolved, by means of good deeds and excellent conduct, as did their first ancestors who were guided rightly.

rs, nor oars, nor any other iron implement, lest the ship be drawn to the rock and destroyed. And in this world they were tested and approved and received a good name. And the memory of their victories was recorded, as for a good remembrance until the end. And in the world to come they will inherit the heavenly kingdom and the life that does not pass away, for which they also themselves yearn in their fervent prayers. Now in this inhabited earth there are also many seas that a wise creator has made suitable, as for the needs of men through means and aids. What is it like? As for a dwelling and a fortress. In that there are harbors and islands that are suitable for the settlement of men. And there are some that are placed around regions like walls and guards for them against enemies. And there are others that are full of many animals, as for the sustenance of the life of those who dwell there. And there are some that, by means of a channel and a region, are easily and swiftly traversed by ships through the skill and the flood of the winds, and men travel in them here and there. And those whose waters are salty, because they mix with the earth of the region, for the earth of the region that comes from the salty seas, helps greatly and preserves the regions that are near the seas from decay and corruption. Just as salt preserves bodies so that they do not rot and decay, and it seasons and preserves many foods, so also salty waters preserve the regions that are near them, and a region cannot be more than fifteen days' journey from the sea. And where the region is more moist, the creator has placed and established there a salty sea, as for the aid of the sustenance of the life of its inhabitants. And in all the seas and lakes there are many kinds of animals. Apart from the Dead Sea.

That which is in the region of Palestine, beyond the Jordan, one day. Where the river Jordan enters and is changed, that which flows out from the Lake of Tiberias. That which is hidden from the springs and the tributaries of the rivers of Damascus, together with the rest of the rivers that flow down from Seir and the mountains around it. And from this lake one head flows out and is called the Jordan. And it comes from the east, another river that is called the Yarmuk, and it mingles with it. And because of this it was called the Jordan, after the name of both. And this signifies the great mystery that was accomplished in the Jordan, wherein the union of divinity with humanity was confirmed, by means of the voice that testified from Rome and the Spirit that appeared in the form of a dove. And now the Jordan enters into that Dead Sea. And now the sea, because of the great wickedness that was accomplished in that land, was overturned and defiled and made dead. When the Lord rained down from heaven fire and brimstone upon Sodom and Gomorrah and the whole region around them. And after the conflagration of the fire and the destruction of the wicked and all their existence, and this harsh burning and bitter scorching of the fire, so that that land might be cleansed by the fire from that great and vast wickedness that had flooded and corrupted it. Then again a strong covering of salt covered it with the flowing of waters. And because it is dead from sin with God, it does not live in Him. Even the basin of waters that covered that corrupted land is dead, barren and unfruitful. No living thing moves in that lake, but black pitch and foul-smelling bitumen, thick and stagnant, and reeds on its shores, like the shame of its inhabitants, corrupted and dissolute, and to the fear and horror of all the peoples under heaven.

...as if the great evil that is like that does not even enter into the thoughts of the wicked. And the mutilator and destroyer of his own members. And the bitter oppressor of both worlds. And thus everywhere the wise governor of the seas and rivers arranges. He brings forth from the sweet and he brings forth from the salty. As for the standing and the need of the wicked. And these, because of the basins of the sea and the rivers, are sufficient not only for the sea and for the dry land, but for the whole earth, it is considered spherical, not flat. And concerning them, when thousands are moved by the strong cord of the wind and cross over to those standing places which Heraclius, that man and famous physician, established, they cut off the salt, the hope of their lives, because they passed beyond the boundary of the western limit of the face of the earth, and they were stranded in the lower mud, and again they are not able to turn back. And as it was said above, the whole earth, both the seas and the dry land, is one sphere, round, and it is placed in the middle like a yolk in the middle of an egg, and it is surrounded by air like a covering for a womb. And above, with the air of the firmaments of the revolution, they are turned perpetually in a circle without ceasing. For the earth is in the middle in great wonder, and there is no above and below, because everything is turned around circularly. And if it were possible that over the face of the whole earth, men and animals dwelt, all their feet would stand on the earth, and their heads would be upward opposite the air. And this "upward" which is said is understood as outward, because everything outward from the sphere of the earth is said to be upward. First, with the air, and outward with this when it revolves, it is ether, and outward again is upward with the ether.

...the heavens, one above the other, as if one were above the other. And the earth, what? Its five parts, one of which is the middle, burning and uninhabitable because of the passage of the sun above it and the region of the south below it, so that no one knows that death exists there. But they suppose that if it is earth or sea, they are uninhabitable. Because in its winter that place is very hot, because the sun is near that earth, in that it descends to the lower step of its firmament. And in its summer, again, that place is very cold, because of the distance of the sun from it and its ascent to the upper step of its firmament. And above them, the interior of the earth is hot in its winter, because the sun warms it by its proximity, and the cold above that occurs in the region confines the heat in the interior of the earth. And a hot vapor rises to the clouds. And many vapors rise in winter, and above them many rains. And because the sun is distant, the clouds are not dissolved and descend to the earth, until many are gathered and become thick and reach the point of being heavy and become a flood, and rain descends. And in its summer, the regions are thus. Because the sun is distant in that it is high from the earth. Its surface alone is heated by this region. Its interior, however, is cold. And this is known from the waters that spring from the clefts of the earth. And they are cold in summer and hot in winter. Thus also the vapors that rise from the bases of the mountains and from the depths and clefts of the earth are cold. And the third part of the earth, which is the southern region, and the darkness below the southern pole. And the fourth part, this is the uninhabitable region that stands in it.

...this which the ancient sages divided into seven climates, like the bands of longitude from east to west, and the breadth from the boundary of the middle region, which is the burning and scorched earth, up to the boundary of that northern and frozen region, which is beneath the northern pole. And this is one of the five faces of the earth, so that it is one eleventh of the whole sphere. This which was divided into seven climates, its boundaries in the third part of the whole, according to this diagram from the shore of the sea which is called the Hellespont, in which are situated the islands of Sicily, Crete, Rhodes, Cyprus, and the rest, up to the western limit of the Ocean, the great sea. It was called Europe, in which are the regions of Spain and the great cities of the west. And its boundary goes along the shores of the Ocean as far as the south, to the region of the Mauri and the Moors, the black ones, and comes to Libya and to Saragossa and to Carthage, as far as this sea of the islands. And it goes along the shores of this sea as far as Liguria, Calabria, and Apulia. And in it are all the region of Italy and great Rome, and Albania, and England, and Brittany, and Pictland, and Francia, and Provence, and many regions. And opposite the north it extends as far as the region of the Burgundians, the Scots, the Slavs, the Balts, the Serbs, the Hungarians, the Cumans, the Khazars, the Russians, the Alans, and the Cumans, and the rest of the regions to the west of them. The southern part of Libya begins its boundary from the west, from the region of the Moors, the black ones, and from the south of the Hellespont sea, and comes opposite Sicily, and extends opposite the mouth of the Cush, as far as the region of the Clazomenians.

...this which the ancient sages divided into seven climates, like the bands of longitude from east to west, and the breadth from the boundary of the middle region, which is the burning and scorched earth, up to the bound And it passed over the regions of Theophias, over the Nobians, the Khabshians, and the Zaugians, as far as the Tayyaye and the Tigrā and the Ḥimyarites and the Ṭabāristān and the Hūzians, as far as the Hyrcanians. And again it ascended in the eastern regions from the southern side. And it came upon ʿĀlam, Mādai, Bēth Kaldāyē, Athor, and the middle of the rivers. And it extended again towards the west over all of Arabia and the desert in which the Arabs dwell, as far as Tadmor in the desert. And in it are the regions of Apamea and of great Damascus, and Ḥamath, and the shore of the sea of Tyre and of Sidon, and as far as Syria. And in it are Palestine, Ashimoth, Mādai, and the regions of Egypt, and the Red Sea, and Mount Sinai, and the rest of the regions of Aigyptos. And this is the hot region, because it is near the middle of the earth. [The northern region of the inhabited world which is called Asia.] The region of Asia, moreover, is on the northern side of the inhabited world. The beginning of its boundary is from the shore of the sea which enters at Elis, which is before Byzantium. And in it are placed Ephesus, Tarsus, Bēthōnyā, Phrygia, Pisidia, Cilicia, as far as Syria. And its boundary is separated by a high mountain, that which begins from the sea which is near great Antioch of Syria and is called the Head of the Boar, and it comes to the Black Mountain, and passes over the region of the Tāgrāyē and Arabissus from its north, and shakes from its south. And this mountain extends towards the east. And on the north are placed Armenia, Persia, and as far as Samarkand and Bukhara, and Sārazm, and Kashgar, and Bēth Gōg and Mōgōg, as far as the eastern ocean and limit. And on the south of this mountain is the city of Ganzaka, and Sagastān, and Zāwulistān, and the great river in the east, and the region of Isfahān, and ʿIrāq, and as far as Mosul and Āmid and their surroundings.

...these which the ancient sages divided into seven climates, like the bands of longitude from east to west, and the breadth from the boundary of the middle region, which is the burning and scorched earth, up to the boundary of the northern region. And again it rises from the western side, and from the north, and passes over the whole of Scythia as far as the high mountains of the northern side, those within which Alexander enclosed the barbarous peoples and the hordes of the house of Gog and Magog, the Turks and the Cimmerians, and various peoples of diverse customs and hidden ones, and eaters of raw flesh of all animals, and reptiles of the earth and every wild beast. And beyond them, between these two high mountains, is placed the gate of gates, that which Alexander made with the skill of his wisdom and enclosed them within it. This gate is held by the people of the Iberians, and from there is the boundary of their territory as far as the Armenians. And again it goes towards the west as far as Illyria, and passes over Trapezus, which is on the shore of the northern sea, and goes up to Cappadocia, and passes over Galatia and Phrygia and the rest as far as great Nicomedia, and goes as far as the entrance before Byzantium, where it ends. And this is the side of Asia on the northern side of the inhabited world. The variations that exist in lands and rocks: all of them are from the action of the sun and according to the position of the place, whether plains, or mountains, or heights, or depths and valleys and slopes and foothills, or rivers, and land hidden by water and springs and streams. And according to its proximity and distance from the sun, whether it is inclined to the east or to the south or to the west, or to the north, or to the great sea or to the smaller seas, or whether the place is hot and dry, or cold and wet.

...these all the more powerfully from the action of the sun, as was said above. It acts upon the earth, and upon the air, and upon the waters, so that they are heated and moistened. And the earth, which is dry, undergoes changes according to the actions performed upon it. And in these there are many changes which surpass the understanding and the fullness of the mass of their multitude. And from this action the earth is cooked, and the deep hollows within it. And it brings forth many vapors which produce various actions of medicines and of diseases in the bodies of living beings. And some of them strengthen and help, and some of them harm, destroy, and kill. And there are some of them which act upon solid bodies such as gold, silver, copper, iron, lead, and iron, with all their natures and mixtures; and also others, such as these: like sulphur, arsenic, magnesia, marcasite, orpiment, vitriol, alkali, and natron. And precious stones such as jacinth, emerald, carnelian, onyx, beryl, and the rest. And lazurite, and diamond, and the Armenian stone, and the Jewish stone, and many others which are written about for medicines. And they are known also to the refiners and the smelters of gold and silver, and to the glassmakers, and to the workers of good dyes. And there are other natures, some of them from aquatic animals, and from the fire of the seas and rivers, such as pearls, coral, and shells, and many things like these, in which the divine sign is placed for the help, need, and sustenance of living beings and of the whole world and its preservation, for the praise and thanksgiving of the good Creator and wise Provider of all. And the power of all is able.

The first cause and efficient cause of all these changes, exhalations, and vapors that the earth produces—it is right to show to the philosophers. As the wise Creator ordained and arranged in everything, He who is present over His creation, whose power is everywhere, and there is no place or region that is known and perceived where He is not present in all the worlds that are known and perceived, like the soul that is in the body, and it moves it, empowers it, preserves it, and governs it. The cause is thus: listen, philosophers, and understand, and silence your thoughts with clarity. Everything that God created and made—whether animals or plants, whether trees or plants, male and female, or not—and from this mixture the world is sustained and stands, and the fathers of everything and the subsistence of this world are from these four elements, which are water, earth, air, and fire, and there is nothing outside these four natures. I say, then, hot, moist, cold, and dry, and specifically, vapors rise from the earth. And from these vapors, many kinds of exhalations are composed, I say, then, rain, dew, snow, hail, thunderbolt, and the rest, and lightning, and thunder, and all the vapors that are said to be the seven that descend from the air, when their cause is well from the earth itself, which produces vapors and in which air and sun act according to the disposition of the region, and these exhalations descend and are united, all the vapors.

And these are, as was said: first, rain and dew and watery vapor; second, hail; third, snow of that hoarfrost; fourth, thunderbolt; fifth, whirlwind; sixth, lightning; seventh, wind. All of them, however, are composed and arranged from all the elements. Wind alone, however, is from the nature of water and air, concerning which the whole discourse is. As it is heard, however, the nature of water rises up as vapors, and those vapors are worked upon in the air and are condensed. And that which is called wind comes to be from them, and it descends from the air upon the earth. And this nature from water and air was established by the command of the Creator, and it is male. With the earth, moreover, as with dust, it is cooked in the depths of the earth by the action of the sun, whose rays are found upon it, and it becomes saltpeter. And that saltpeter is in the whole earth, in dust and in stones and in everything, and there is no place in the earth that is not mixed with that saltpeter, except that in each place the action of the sun is much according to the position of the region, and there is a great digging and much saltpeter. And in that saltpeter there are many changes, thus according to the abundance of the power of the sun that acts in a place according to the position of the region. When all the many changes, thus according to the abundance of the power of the sun that acts in a place according to the position of the region.

all these changes come from the elements, and this mixture is composed from the two elements which are earth and fire, that is, earth and sulfur, which is its nature, female, and is mixed throughout the whole earth as was said, and the nature of the mixture that was made from water and air, which is a bond beneath the earth in a watery manner and descends into the earth and is mixed with the sulfur wherever it is, and from this mixture of the two are composed all the solid bodies that exist in the world, first of all the seven that are named after the names of the seven planets. For they say: the sun is gold, the moon is silver, Aphrodite or Belthe is copper, Zeus or Bel is tin, Kronos or Kewan is lead, Ares or Tirig is iron, Hermes or 'Abu is electrum. Electrum, however, is a body that is united with other bodies, for in every body with which it is united it becomes like its nature, just as also the planet Hermes, with every planet with which it is mixed, becomes like its nature: with good ones, good; with evil ones, evil; with male, male; and with female, female; with hot, hot; and with cold, cold; and so on. And these seven bodies that are composed in the earth have the power of the bond to act in them, as will be shown later. Not only these bodies are from the mixture of the bond and sulfur, but also all the varieties of rocks and earths, precious stones and those of lesser power and effect, those that were mentioned above and many that were not mentioned, and not all of them are known. All these and every mixture that comes forth from the earth are from the bond and sulfur.

All these seven and seven kinds are, as the distinguished philosophers have observed and confirmed accurately and precisely. These are the seven primary bodies and heads of all bodies, which are: gold, silver, copper, iron, lead, tin, and electrum. Now gold is formed thus: just as the sun is formed, where there is a place of mixture and thick air, and the heat of the sun prevails in it a little and it is cooked in it, much sulfur, along with that which is mixed with it, its pair, is formed into gold. And if the heat is a little more, it becomes red gold, rough. And if its heat is less, it becomes soft green gold. A little copper is mixed with it, binding every thousand of it, and it is formed. If again the heat of the sun is less, that body becomes silver well. Thus silver is formed like the moon. If again the place is of mixture and thick, and heat does not prevail in it, it becomes silver. And this body is near in nature to gold, but differs in color and weight, and is not hot like gold. As copper is formed, which is Aphrodite's. If again the place is such that heat and dryness prevail in it more, and its sulfur is harder and hotter, along with that which is mixed with it, its pair, red copper is formed. And in copper, and in all bodies, there are variations according to the placement of the place and its mixture. As iron is, which is Ares, thus if the place is colder and moister, its sulfur is not very hot, and it is white, and along with that which is mixed with it, its pair, iron is formed and is called a martial body.

Just as the bodies of metals that prevail in coldness and moisture are fusible, so also this body is soft and fusible, and is called fusible tin, which melts from coldness. For just as the ore of that Kronos region is of bad mixture, and the region is bad, and the vapors are thick and harmful from many causes, also the cadmia that is cooked and fixed in the earth, which is of bad, thick exhalation, and with that which is mixed with it, zinc, produces this body of lead, and it is called tin. Likewise, the bodies of which the mixture is bad, and in them occurs that disease which is called tin. In that likeness is this body of lead. For just as the ore of that Ares region, whose place is the mountains, and in it coldness and dryness are abundant, also the vapors that rise from the lower depths of the earth are cold and dry, so also the cadmia that is fixed there is cold and dry, and when zinc is mixed with it, it generates this body of iron. And in this body also there are many varieties: hard iron and soft iron, and the Indian which is called wootz.

Thus, in all bodies there are many variations, in silver, in copper, in iron, in lead, in tin, and also in steel. And all these variations are from the composition of the pair and sulfur. From the nature of the region and its mixture. And like the nature of the flames that rise from it, like the sign and the will of the Creator. For all these bodies and many others, the wise Creator established for the needs of mortals and the stability of the world. Not as if by chance were these works, but by wise foresight in everything and high purpose, from what was for mortals when everything was created and established in one instant by the omnipotent command. While in all of them his power is present. And he is in them as we said earlier. That is, how that body which is called electrum came to be, which is likened to the nature of the star Hermes. Glory to that wise Creator whose likenesses all his creatures bear. And he in his will is likened to nothing and to all his creatures, except sin. And this body which is called electrum is a composite body. At times with gold and silver, and in other places with other bodies. From them, mortals compose it, mixing natures without confusion in this composite union. Just as also in the Messiah, who is a union of divinity and humanity, and appears as one person. And he is also one nature incarnate. And there are times when this body of electrum is found with that of magnet, composed. Like gold and silver, and like silver and steel.

Thus, from the composition of the pair and sulfur, which is necessary for many operations, for the praise of the wise Creator, how and from what they become and are established—the good natures and the precious stones—because of their being and their names, each one of them is not in vain for speaking and writing now. Nor concerning their properties and the workings of each one, nor concerning their splendor and worth and the like, but only a summary and concise word about their establishment. The divine book of Moses, however, mentions that they are twelve precious stones, those which are placed on the one part of the head of the priest, when the Lord was appointing before him the twelve tribes of the sons of Israel. And again a great mystery is formed, because three classes among them are very splendid and worthy of blood, and power, and karkadinos, and smaragdos—these form the venerated and glorious Trinity; and these other nine form the nine orders of the heavenly hosts, those which are arranged in the three churches in heaven for the praise of the holy Trinity. The establishment of all of them, however, is from the pair and sulfur, but these are established in a pure and mixed place, in which the sun works well by mixing, and from it arise to the pure and more pure levels.

and according to the will of God, all these good stones and also the rest were constituted and came to be, such as emerald, hyacinth, jacinth, sapphire, topaz, chrysolite, and the rest. All of them were constituted from the pair and sulfur, according to the will of the Creator. And there is among them something like that which was constituted in the beginning, and they exist like something of a kind in mountains and in clefts, and some of them on the banks of rivers. But the majority of these glorious stones are found in the region that is beneath the course of the sun, in that land which is burning and impassable because of its great heat by day, and by night because of the serpents and many snakes that are in that region. And skilled men are dispersed and make many profits, and extract from them and become very wealthy. And concerning these, many of the ancient philosophers have spoken, as well as the books on natures and on metals. And they have investigated each one individually. But we, however, have shown the cause and the principle of all of them, as follows. Glory to the Father, in whom it began with confidence; and worship to the Son, through whom it was accomplished in Christianity; thanks to the Spirit, in whom it was completed without disturbance. One is the nature of the three without division, as one salt that fills a hundred measures. Thus one book, in the final arrangement of the series. Completed with the help of the Father, Son, and Spirit, one true God. This book, the Cause of All Causes, as far as it could be found in the margin, by the hands of me, a sinful and weak servant, in the name of Apodeikto, son of the priest George, from the village of Ba‘shīqah in the region of Mosul.

the four elements, and now he also speaks about fire. How, when they are opposites, they are mixed and united with each other. Fire is opposite to earth, water to fire is not good. To water, which is manifest and hidden, air is lacking and it burns, and do not think that the boiling of fire burns the water in a kettle, but by the abundance of the mixture, air tempers their heat. And when these elements are good, opposites to each other, from them, from them the work is composed, one hundred fill wonder, and it is united and mixed and also blended. Opposites and equal they became, and in creation they became bread, so that they might be hymns of praise. There is dust with earth, also water with moisture, and fire is mixed with air, and the living being is composed with a head. And then they came into being and were united. Hear, O discerning one. Every element has two powers, its creator gave it existence. And when they are completed in the discourse, they become four changes, so that one takes from its companion an element and is composed, so that it becomes a united cold. To cold it is also completed, and also distance is opposite, and it also works hard on both sides. Earth is in its being, dry and also cold. And water likewise, cold and also wet. And air again is a mixture, wet and also hot. Fire is in its creation, hot and also dry.

He now speaks about union. And he unites the elements naturally. And without effort he composed the elements. Through knowledge as a separator, earth is united with air, through fire by heat. Fire is united with water, through earth by dryness. Air is united with earth, through water by coldness. Water is united with fire, through air by heat. Opposite elements are not united in their forms. And every opposite element is united through a mediator. And through the qualities of one with another. And it is united without difficulty. And there are inner and outer carriers like these. And there are inner and outer ones that are not carriers like these. Fire is dry, and it is also hot. And air, there is no mediator, it is not united with water. And earth, which is cold, and air, which is hot, would not approach its companion if water were not in the middle. For they do not accept each other like these. Fire is united with air, through lightness and mobility, in that both of them are mobile and light. Air is united with water, through the mobility of both. Water is united with earth, through the heaviness that they have. For below they are together, both are heavy. And that you may learn through these, I have written them in forms, so that when you look naturally, you will see a true union. See the elements in red, and the powers of the bow in black, and through the beauty of the writings, learn the truth and be instructed. The horse is red, and its bridle is not black, and its rider is black, and its paths are from the hands. It receives in the white earth, and it errs the beauty of the bodies. It runs and is tranquil and shows, without fear from the arrows. It loosens what it finds on its head. That one seeks the works.

not receiving another. His covering is mysteries of mysteries. His garment and his way are over all. And his existence is with others. See his beauty and be amazed by it. For the beloved bridegroom stretches out to you. He is held by handles. And in divisions he is not hidden. That with these and like these. A handsome man approaches you. End of this small part from the book Cause of all Causes, that is, all this in power as is seen in the summary. End.