Candida Phoenix Philosophica

Name: Candida Phoenix Philosophica
Author: Anonymous

The White Philosophical Phoenix

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Candida Phoenix PhilosophicaPart II — Conclusion

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English Page · Branch 368 of 411

Part II — Conclusion

Book Mode

German & Latin

235–236

Und zwar wiederumb insonderheit etwas von der materia Lapidis zu gedencken: Wann (zum Exempel) die Philosophi von ihrem Saturno, Jove, Marte, Venere, Luna, Sole, Item von ihrem Arsenico, Vitriolo, Antimonio, Marchasit und dergleichen Meldung gethan; So habens die gemeine Alchymisten auff all solche particularia gedeutet / und bald in diesem / bald in jenem / bald auch wohl in unterschiedlichen zugleich (welches das rechte Kennzeichen der gemeinen Alchymisten und falschen Discipel ist) laboriret: Da doch die Philosophi darunter einig und allein ihre universal-Materiam verstanden: Mancher sagt wohl / man könne das Philosophische Werck auß denen Mineralien und Metallen näher haben / weder auß den Elementen. Wofern man aber die Philosophos, wann sie von Metallen und Mineralien Meldung thun / nicht recht verstehet / was vor Metallen und Mineralien dieselbe meynen / so fehlet man im Anfang / und muß per consequens im Ende auch fehlen; ob man schon den best und deutlichsten Proceß hätte:

Candida Phoenix Philosophica: Part II — Conclusion

235–236

Consider especially the matter of the Stone. When the philosophers mention their Saturn, Jupiter, Mars, Venus, Moon, Sun, arsenic, vitriol, antimony, marcasite, and the like, ordinary alchemists interpret these as particular substances and labour now with one, now another, or several together—the true mark of ordinary alchemists and false disciples. Yet the philosophers mean solely their universal matter. Some say the philosophical work can be reached more directly through minerals and metals than through the elements. But unless one correctly understands which metals and minerals the philosophers mean, one errs at the beginning and must consequently err at the end, even with the best and clearest process.

About This Reading Edition

An anonymous Hermetic treatise of 1680, presented in its original German and Latin with a new English translation, 279 explanatory notes, the historical phoenix frontispiece, an introduction, reading guide, outline, glossary, bibliography, and original registers.

Historical Text and Translation

Anonymous, Candida Phoenix philosophica. Frankfurt am Main: Christian Hermsdorff, 1680. The chosen witness is the Wellcome Library copy digitized as b32993456; German and Latin, with French, Greek, and Hebrew passages retained.

About Diotimos Editions

This historical edition credits Diotimos Editions as its English translator.

Rights

The 1680 source is identified as public domain by the Wellcome/Internet Archive record. The supplied 2026 transcription, English translation, introduction, notes, reading guide, outline, glossary, bibliography, and editorial arrangement are published with the site owner’s authorization. The frontispiece is retained from the supplied edition and credited to its historical witness.