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Anonymous

Candida Phoenix Philosophica

The White Philosophical Phoenix

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Candida Phoenix PhilosophicaPart II — Chapter 5: Generation of Precious Stones

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English Page · Branch 171 of 411

Part II — Chapter 5: Generation of Precious Stones

Book Mode

German & Latin

117–118

Dann mir ein Fürstl. Hoff-Medicus erzehlt / wie daß Dr. Bier zu Amsterdam ein sonderbar Wasser wisse / und von einem gewissen Ort herbringe / so eines annehmlichen Geschmacks / an der Farb / wie ein Serum lactis, wann es aber in Wein gegossen werde / färbe es denselben (oder vielmehr zu sagen / färbe sichs mit demselben) Purpurfarb. Dieses Wasser habe besagter Dr. Bier in seinen Ofen eingesetzt / und nach geraumer Zeit / weil er zumahl gesehen / daß es sich zimlich inspissirt gehabt / wieder herauß genommen / da er denn nach dessen Erkaltung / eine solidissimam & pellucidam subviridem massam gefunden;

117–118

Candida Phoenix Philosophica: Part II — Chapter 5: Generation of Precious Stones

117–118

A princely court physician told me that Dr Bier in Amsterdam knew of a special water and brought it from a certain place. It tasted pleasant and was the colour of whey. Poured into wine, it coloured the wine—or, more accurately, itself became coloured with the wine—purple. Dr Bier placed this water in his furnace and, after some time, observing that it had thickened considerably, took it out again. Once it cooled, he found an extremely solid, transparent, somewhat green mass.

117–118

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.