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Anonymous

Candida Phoenix Philosophica

The White Philosophical Phoenix

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Candida Phoenix PhilosophicaPart I — Theorem VI

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English Page · Branch 38 of 411

Part I — Theorem VI

Book Mode

German & Latin

23–24

Wiewohl diese nicht allein / sondern auch die jenige / so Chymici seyn wollen / irren / in dem sie nemblich ein und ander Corpus mit grossem Gewalt des Feuers / oder aquis fortibus auffzuschliessen vermeynen; Wordurch sie dann ebenfalls an statt der Essenz, eines theils stinckende Excrementen / anders theils sonsten verderbte Artzneyen / oder krafftlose Hülsen bekommen. Aber wieder ad propositum zu schreiten; So heist es ferner: Deßgleichen die Anfäng der andern Elementen &c. Sintemahln auß dem Regenwasser nicht allein ein herrlicher allersubtilester Spiritus (welcher wann ein gantzer Löffel voll darvon in den Lufft gegossen wird / sich so balden verlieret / daß nicht einiger Tropffen mehr darvon zu spühren) sondern auch ein schönes spiritualisches Oel / und Saltz / mag bereitet werden.

23–24

Candida Phoenix Philosophica: Part I — Theorem VI

23–24

Yet not only they, but also those who claim to be chymists, err when they imagine they can open up one body or another through great violence of fire or through strong waters. Instead of its essence, they likewise obtain foul-smelling wastes, spoiled medicines, or powerless husks. But to return to our subject, the definition continues: Likewise the beginnings of the other elements, and so forth. For from rainwater one may prepare not only a splendid and exceedingly subtle spirit—which disappears so quickly when a whole spoonful is poured into the air that not a single drop can be detected—but also a beautiful spiritual oil and salt.

23–24

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.