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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 XLIII

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

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Original English

XLIII. Some are of Opinion, that, unless the Operator is Master in the Magical Science, and fundamentally understands all its Experiments, he will never be able by any other Art whatsoever to bring forth any such things, as can produce the Universal Elixir. Now, althô we do not deny, that the Magical Knowledge is requir'd to attain to the highest degree of Perfection in all Sciences, yet we are most certain, that it is not at all necessary to the Formation of the Grand Elixir upon Animals, Metals, Precious Stones, and Vegetables.

Modern English

XLIII. Some hold that unless an operator is a master of magical science and thoroughly understands all its experiments, no other art will enable him to bring forth anything capable of producing the universal elixir. Although we do not deny that magical knowledge is required to attain the highest degree of perfection in all sciences, we are most certain that it is entirely unnecessary for forming the grand elixir upon animals, metals, precious stones, and vegetables.

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.