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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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Facing Pages · Branch 174 of 411

Part II — Chapter 5: Generation of Precious Stones

Book Mode

German & Latin

119–120

Worauff ich zugleich und in Betrachtung des M. mir etlicher massen bekannten Proceß / so wohl mehrangeregten meiner eigenen Erfahrung / dieses schliesse / daß nach deme die Mercurialische Feuchtigkeit in der Erden einen Schwefel antrifft / selbige auch folgends eine eigendlich- und sonderbare Form und Farb an sich nehme / und bekomme. Gestalten dann solche Annehm- und Veränderung der Form und Farb besagter Feuchtigkeit / oder Wassers / sonder bequeme Mittel und Beyhülff / unangesehen dasselbe an und für sich selbst alle Farben hat / nicht geschehen kan / wie an dem Chrystall / ingleichem dem Diamant abzunehmen / die auß Mangel der Beyhülff / und eines äusserlichen sonderbahren Schwefels / die Farb des Wassers allerdings behalten.

119–120

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

119–120

From this, considering M.’s process, which is partly known to me, and my own experience already mentioned, I conclude that when mercurial moisture encounters a sulphur in the earth, it subsequently acquires a distinct and particular form and colour. This acquisition and alteration of form and colour in that moisture or water cannot occur without suitable means and assistance, even though the water itself contains all colours. This may be observed in crystal and likewise diamond, which retain water’s colour entirely because they lack such assistance and a particular external sulphur.

119–120

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.