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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 Homer23 What the Generation of Minerals Is and Which Principles Constitute Them

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23 What the Generation of Minerals Is and Which Principles Constitute Them

German & Latin

1723 pp 204–205

Resp. Ob die Natur schon aus denen corrosivischen Dämpffen allein und aus der Erden und Steinen die Metalla schmiedet, so hat sie doch nicht einerley Erde und Stein, auch nicht einerley Hitze und dergleichen Impedimenta mehr, dadurch die Natur unterschiedliche Mineras & Metalla machet; und ob sie schon ihren Endzweck fortsetzet Gold zu machen, so machen doch die Impedimenta andere Gestalten. Und gleichwie die Natur keine gewisse Gestalt machen kan, die sie ihr vornimmt, als nachdem die Erde oder Steine sind; also will ich dir zu Liebe ein solches Experiment setzen, und dich aus Erde oder Stein, welches eins ist, ein Metall zu machen lehren, es komme heraus, was für eins wolle, denn kein gewisses verspreche ich dir eben nicht. Rec. einen reinen Wasser-Kiesel, den glühe offt und lösche ihn allezeit in Spiritu Salis & Nitri ab, daß er gantz zu Pulver falle, solch Pulver thue in ein Kolben-Glaß, geuß darauf so schwer Aqua Regis aus 1. part. Aquaf. und 3. part. Spiritus Salis gemacht; oder aus 1. part. Aquaf. und 3. part. Spiritus vel Olei Vitrioli, vel Sulphuris laß im Sand per certos Gradus digeriren, denn ziehe es ab ad Oleum usque. Dieses laß schiessen im Keller so bekommst du theils Vitriol oder Crystallen, theils eine subtile herum schwimmende Erde. Also hast du die Gur und den Vitriol, solche setze wieder ins Feuer in Sand, und ziehe öffters das obige Aqua Regis davon ab, oder besser, das aus dem Aquafort und Spiritu Vitrioli ziehe bis auf die Trockene ab, so daß es zusammen fliesse zu einem flüßigen Stein, welcher sehr brüchig wie Schwefel seyn wird, und so man dessen auf glühende Kohlen wirfft, so brennt er und läßt einen sulphurischen Gestanck von sich.

1723 pp 204–205

The Golden Chain of Homer: 23 What the Generation of Minerals Is and Which Principles Constitute Them

1723 pp 204–205

I answer: although nature forges metals from corrosive vapours alone and from earth and stones, she has neither one uniform earth and stone nor one uniform heat, and encounters other such impediments. Through these she makes different ores and metals. Though her final aim is to make gold, the impediments produce other forms. Just as nature cannot make a definite form of her choosing except according to the earth or stones available, I shall give you an experiment out of goodwill and teach you to make a metal from earth or stone, which amount to the same. Let whatever metal may come forth: I promise no particular one. Take a pure water-worn pebble, repeatedly heat it red-hot, and always quench it in spirit of salt and nitre until it falls entirely to powder. Put that powder in a glass flask and pour upon it an equal weight of aqua regia made from one part aqua fortis and three parts spirit of salt; or from one part aqua fortis and three parts spirit or oil of vitriol or sulphur. Let it digest in sand by definite degrees, then draw it off to an oily consistency. Let this crystallize in a cellar: you obtain partly vitriol or crystals and partly a subtle earth floating about. Thus you have Gur and vitriol. Put these again into the fire in sand and repeatedly draw the aforesaid aqua regia from them; or better, draw the mixture of aqua fortis and spirit of vitriol off to dryness, so that it fuses into a fusible stone, very brittle like sulphur. Thrown upon glowing coals, it burns and gives off a sulphurous stench.

1723 pp 204–205

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.

Rights

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.