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Anonymous

Candida Phoenix Philosophica

The White Philosophical Phoenix

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Candida Phoenix PhilosophicaPart II — Chapter 8: Philosophical Water

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English Page · Branch 267 of 411

Part II — Chapter 8: Philosophical Water

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German & Latin

176

Dann das ist das rechte Element / so keinen sonderbaren Seegen / und Befehl von dem Allmächtigen empfangen: Das ist die beste güldine Kette / wormit die Erde an den Himmel gehefftet: Das ist die rechte Erde / so über unsern Häuptern schwebt. Welches eine Erde von Anbeginn / und doch nie keine Erde gewesen: Das Fischlein Echeneis: die Nympha Helmontii: des Theophrasti Electrum minerale immaturum: des Basilii übernatürlicher geistlicher Mercurius und himmlischer Schwefel: ja sein des Basilii alles im allem.

176

Candida Phoenix Philosophica: Part II — Chapter 8: Philosophical Water

176

For this is the true element that has received no particular blessing and command from the Almighty. This is the finest golden chain by which earth is fastened to heaven. This is the true earth that hovers above our heads: an earth from the beginning, yet never an earth. It is the little fish Echeneis, Helmont’s nymph, Theophrastus’s immature mineral electrum, Basilius’s supernatural spiritual Mercury and heavenly sulphur—indeed, Basilius’s all in all.

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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.