Separation of Earth from Fire
The alchemical process of refining the subtle from the gross.
The Tablet instructs to separate the earth from the fire, the subtle from the gross, carefully and with great skill. This is the fundamental alchemical operation - purifying, refining, elevating what is base to what is noble.
Separate the earth from the fire, the subtle from the gross, gently and with great industry.
This instruction applies to physical alchemy, psychological work, and spiritual development.
The Emerald Tablet