V.] The author of _The Open Entrance_ speaks of the various stages in the perfecting of the agent as _regimens_.

The beginning of the heating of gold with mercury is likened to the king stripping off his golden garments and descending into the fountain; this is the _regimen of Mercury_.

As the heating is continued, all becomes black; this is the _regimen of Saturn_.

Then is noticed a play of many colours; this is the _regimen of Jupiter_: if the heat is not regulated properly, "the young ones of the crow will go back to the nest." About the end of the fourth month you will see "the sign of the waxing moon," and all becomes white; this is the _regimen of the Moon_.

The white colour gives place to purple and green; you are now in the _regimen of Venus_.