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Diotimos Library · Esotericism & Spirituality Collection · Parallel Edition

Baro Urbigerus

Aphorismi Urbigerani

The Complete 1690 Volume · With Circulatum Minus

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Aphorismi UrbigeraniXXVIII–XLIII: Water, Fire and Preparation · Grand Elixir · Aphorism XXXIX

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XXVIII–XLIII: Water, Fire and Preparation · Grand Elixir · Aphorism XXXIX

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Original English

XXXIX. A great many Pretenders to the true Hermetic Knowledg prepare Menstruums, to dissolve common Mercury, and to turn it into Water several manner of ways, and by several additions of Salts, Sulphurs, Metals, and Minerals; but, since all those Preparations are sophistical, any one, expert in our Art, will be able to reduce it to its running Quality agian.

Modern English

XXXIX. Many who claim true Hermetic knowledge prepare menstruums to dissolve common mercury and turn it into water in various ways, by adding salts, sulphurs, metals, and minerals. But since all these preparations are sophistical, anyone experienced in our art will be able to restore it to its flowing condition.

About This Reading Edition

The complete 1690 Aphorismi Urbigerani: historical frontispiece and Latin inscriptions, title and licence, dedication, all 101 grand-elixir aphorisms, the complete Circulatum Minus with its title, address and 31 vegetable aphorisms, and the full explanatory postscript with both printed endings. Original and modern English readings, fresh Latin translations, 115 annotations and the complete supplied Diotimos study apparatus.

Historical Text and Translation

Baro Urbigerus, Aphorismi Urbigerani, London: Henry Faithorne, 1690; with Circulatum Minus Urbigeranum and the concluding postscript. The Getty Research Institute copy supplies the governing images; EEBO-TCP A25684 supplies the structured transcription witness, corrected against those images. The frontispiece signed W. F. is attributed in library catalogues to William Faithorne.

About Diotimos Editions

This historical edition credits Diotimos Editions as its English translator.

Rights

The historical text and engraving are public domain. The EEBO-TCP Phase 2 transcription is released under CC0; that waiver does not cover associated images. The engraving is credited to the Getty Research Institute copy digitised by Internet Archive. The supplied 2026 reading, translations and Diotimos editorial material are published with the site owner’s authorization.