The Crowning of Nature (Coronatio Naturae)

Coronatio Naturae (The Crowning of Nature) is an anonymous German alchemical manuscript dating to approximately 1600-1650. It exists in multiple manuscript versions with varying numbers of illustrations. The most complete versions contain around 14-20 emblematic images depicting the alchemical process through the personification of Nature as queen and the philosophical work as her coronation.

The sequence below follows the standard emblematic program found in most complete manuscripts.

Coronatio Naturae is distinctive for centering the entire alchemical process on the personified figure of Nature rather than the traditional King and Queen dyad (though they appear as subsidiary figures). Nature represents both the universal prima materia and the Anima Mundi—the world soul that must be purified, died, resurrected, and crowned through the alchemical process. The coronation motif suggests the alchemist's work is to complete what Nature left unfinished, elevating her from potential to actualized perfection.

The manuscript tradition is less standardized than printed emblem books, so versions vary in number and order of images. The work shows strong influence from earlier German alchemical traditions and may have connections to Paracelsian or Rosicrucian circles. Some scholars suggest it represents a particularly theosophical or mystical approach to alchemy, with Nature as Sophia figure requiring redemption through the opus.

Part I: The Preparation and Kingdom of Nature

1. Nature Enthroned (Uncrowned) A female figure representing Nature sits on a throne, uncrowned, holding symbols of the elements or a sphere; she awaits her coronation. Depicts the prima materia or universal matter in its natural state, containing all potential but not yet perfected.
2. The Four Elements Presenting Themselves Four figures or symbolic representations of Earth, Water, Air, and Fire stand before Nature or in quadrants around her. Shows the foundational principles from which all things are composed, the elemental building blocks requiring harmonization.
3. The Miners Extracting Matter Workers mine ore from the earth or mountains, bringing raw material forth. Represents the collection of the prima materia from mineral sources, the hidden philosophical matter extracted from common stone.
4. The Philosophical Tree A tree grows with roots in earth and branches bearing sun, moon, and stars or metallic fruits. Depicts the growth of the stone from earthly matter toward celestial perfection, the vegetative power of the philosophical work.

Part II: The Work of Dissolution and Purification

1. Nature in the Bath The female figure of Nature bathes in or emerges from water, sometimes attended by servants. Shows the dissolution (solutio) and washing, the return of matter to its fluid mercurial state for purification.
2. The Black Stage (Putrefaction) Nature or the matter appears darkened, dead, or surrounded by crows, skulls, or symbols of death. Represents the nigredo, the necessary mortification and blackening before regeneration can occur.
3. The Distillation Apparatus Complex alchemical equipment—alembics, pelicans, retorts—with matter circulating through repeated cycles. Depicts the multiple distillations required to separate pure from impure, volatile from fixed.
4. The White Swan or Dove A white bird (swan or dove) appears, often rising from vessels or waters. Shows the albedo achieved, the soul purified and separated, the white queen or lunar work completed.

Part III: The Sacred Marriage and Conjunction

1. The King and Queen Meeting Sol and Luna, represented as crowned king and queen, approach each other or stand facing one another. Depicts the prepared opposites ready for union, the masculine and feminine principles purified and brought together.
2. The Conjunction in the Vessel The king and queen embrace or unite within a bath or sealed vessel. Represents the coniunctio, the sacred marriage, the joining of solar and lunar, fixed and volatile into hermaphroditic unity.
3. The Death of the United Body The conjoined figure lies dead in a tomb or vessel, crowned but lifeless. Shows the necessary death following union, the putrefaction of the compound before resurrection.
4. The Soul Ascending and Descending A small figure or vapor rises from the corpse, then returns as dew or rain. Depicts the separation and purification of the soul in the celestial realm, followed by its return to revivify the body.

Part IV: Resurrection and Coronation

1. The Resurrection of Nature The female figure rises from the tomb or vessel, restored to life, radiant but not yet fully crowned. Represents the revivification, the stone reborn in whiteness or approaching the red work.
2. The Feeding with Blood and Milk Nature is nourished alternately with white milk (luna) and red blood (sol). Shows the fermentation and multiplication stages, the stone fed with its own perfected essence to increase power.
3. The Peacock's Tail Multiple colors appear on Nature's garments or in the vessel—rainbow iridescence. Depicts the cauda pavonis, the transitional phase between white and red where all colors briefly manifest.
4. The Reddening (Rubedo) Nature's garments turn red, or she is clothed in crimson and gold. Represents the final stage, the red work achieved, the solar perfection approaching completion.
5. The Presentation of the Crown Angels, philosophers, or planetary spirits present a crown to Nature; she prepares to receive it. Shows the final preparation for coronation, the stone ready to be crowned as the perfected medicine.
6. The Coronation of Nature Nature sits enthroned, crowned with gold and jewels, holding scepter and orb, radiant with glory. Depicts the completion of the Great Work, the philosopher's stone perfected, Nature crowned as queen, the universal medicine achieved.

Part V: The Stone's Power and Multiplication

1. The Crowned Nature Blessing or Projecting The crowned Nature extends her hand in blessing or casts light/powder onto base metals. Represents the stone's power in action, capable of transmuting metals and healing bodies, the medicine operating in the world.
2. The Garden of the Crowned Queen Nature enthroned in a paradisiacal garden with fountain, tree of life, and attending creatures. Shows the achieved state, the restored paradise, the adept dwelling in the presence of perfected Nature as living stone.

Variations and Additional Emblems

Some manuscript versions include:

• The Seven Planetary Thrones: Nature visiting or receiving homage from the seven planetary spheres in sequence.
• The Phoenix in Flames: The self-regenerating bird as symbol of the stone's immortality.
• The Fountain with Multiple Streams: The mercurial source flowing from Nature's throne or breast.
• Alchemical Apparatus in Detail: Specific furnaces, vessels, and operations shown as practical instructions.