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Diotimos Library · Esotericism & Spirituality Collection · English Edition

Gerhard Dorn and John French

A Chymical Dictionary

An Expanded Diotimos Lexicon of Paracelsian and Alchemical Language

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A Chymical DictionaryÆthnici

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English Edition · Branch 592 of 740

Æthnici

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A Chymical Dictionary

p. 592

Æthnici

Spirits celestial influences and signs · A Chymical Dictionary

At a Glance

The word. Fire-associated spirits described through visible forms and a mountain habitat.

A place to read. The historical definition below, 1650 dictionary, unnumbered definition page 2; facsimile PDF page 330.

Historical Definition

Æthnici are fiery spirits, or spiritual people burning in fire, who appear in diverse forms and shapes, such as flames, firebrands and round balls of coals, especially in sulphurous mountains.

Meaning

The definition presents an account of appearances: flames, brands and glowing round forms are understood as manifestations of spirits or spiritual people. The phrase “especially in sulphurous mountains” locates these appearances within the same combustible landscape described under Æthna. It does not make the two entries identical: one names subterranean fire, the other the beings said to appear in it.

Notice also that the forms are multiple. A reader should not expect a single standard image or bodily shape. The entry belongs to the dictionary’s historical account of inhabited nature, in which places, materials and spiritual agents can be described together.

Places to Read

Æthna. An underground fire explained through sulphur, resin and bitumen.

Aerdadi. Air-dwelling spirits described as corporeal.

Salamandri. Spirits or fiery men associated with residence in fire.

Historical source: 1650 dictionary, unnumbered definition page 2; facsimile PDF page 330 — Facsimile

Sources. A Chymicall Dictionary (1650), s.v. Æthnici ; compare Æthna, Aerdadi, Salamandri

See also. Æthna; Aerdadi; Salamandri

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About This Reading Edition

The complete 706 historical definitions of the 1650 English dictionary, modernised and accompanied by expanded Diotimos commentary, reading routes, 15 textual notes and complete linked indexes.

Historical Text

A Chymicall Dictionary, London 1650, English version associated with John French, based on Gerhard Dorn’s Dictionarium Theophrasti Paracelsi. The containing volume also prints Sendivogius and Paracelsus; neither neighboring work changes this dictionary’s attribution.

About This Edition

Complete 706 definition paragraphs with new introduction, commentary, reading guides and indexes; Diotimos Editions, 2026.

Rights

The historical 1650 English text is in the public domain. New introduction, commentary, reading guides and indexes are © 2026 Diotimos Editions and published with the site owner’s authorization.