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Diotimos Library · Esotericism & Spirituality Collection · Bilingual Edition

Anonymous (traditionally attributed to Anton Joseph Kirchweger)

The Golden Chain of Homer

A New Translation from the German Edition of 1723

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The Golden Chain of HomerI.19 · Volatile, Acid and Alkali

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German & Latin Page · Branch 150 of 504

I.19 · Volatile, Acid and Alkali

German & Latin

1723 pp 102–103

Wenn nun das Alcali mit dem Acido conjungiret und als ein Oehl stehet, so sind die 2. principia bey einander. Da siehet ein Chymist, wie ein Principium das andere suavissime fasset und hält, und sein heterogeneum jaget es selbst aus, nemlich das flüchtige humidum oder phlegma. Wilst du nun ein Volatile radicatum draus machen, so procedire, wie folget: Denn so ist es schon ein Acidum radicatum und nichts mehr dabey zu thun, als daß du noch 6. part. frisches Acidum hinzu thust und treibest es damit herüber per Retortam in einen Liquorem per pauca cohobia, so ists Acetum vel Acidum radicatum. So du nun ein Volatile radicatum daraus machen wilst, so thue darunter 6. part. Volatile und treibs mit einander über, so werden sie amicissime conjungiret sine strepitu & ulla discordia. So dieses über, thue wieder frisches Volatile rectificatissimum darzu, treibs auch über, und dieses repetire 3mahl, so ist das Volatile secundum ipsius naturæ regulam radicirt, und kan billig Essentia naturæ quinta oder Magisterium genennet werden, weil alle Principia in einem beysammen, da das obere und das untere mit dem mittlern conjungirt, und kan also secundum Hermetem virtus unita genennet werden, quod hic superius sit cum inferiori contractum.

1723 pp 102–103

The Golden Chain of Homer: I.19 · Volatile, Acid and Alkali

1723 pp 102–103

Once alkali is united with acid and stands like an oil, the two principles are together. A chymist sees how one principle most gently grasps and holds the other, itself driving out what is heterogeneous to it: volatile moisture or phlegm. If you now wish to make a rooted volatile from it, proceed as follows. It is already a rooted acid; nothing more is needed than to add another 6 parts fresh acid and drive it over with this through a retort into a liquor by a few cohobations. It is then rooted vinegar or acid. To make a rooted volatile from it, mix in 6 parts volatile and drive them over together. They unite most amicably, without noise or any discord. Once this has passed over, add fresh, most highly rectified volatile, and drive it over too. Repeat this three times. The volatile is then rooted according to nature’s own rule and may rightly be called nature’s quintessence or magistery. All principles are together in one: the upper and lower are united with the middle. In accordance with Hermes it can therefore be called “united power,” because here the upper has been drawn together with the lower.

1723 pp 102–103

About This Reading Edition

The two-book alchemical work of 1723 in German with a new English translation, 399 notes, eight historical diagrams, chapter outlines, keyword essays, a glossary, bibliography, subject index, and 400 discussion questions.

Discussion Questions

Historical Text and Translation

Anonymous, Aurea Catena Homeri. Frankfurt and Leipzig: Johann Georg Böhme, 1723. Traditionally attributed to Anton Joseph Kirchweger; the attribution remains uncertain. Historical diagrams from the Stiftung der Werke von C. G. Jung copy digitized by e-rara.

About Diotimos Editions

This historical edition credits Diotimos Editions as its English translator.

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The supplied edition identifies the 1723 German source and historical diagrams as public-domain material. Its new English translation and editorial apparatus are published with the site owner’s authorization. The complete original files are retained unchanged.