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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 HomerII.5 · The Anatomy and Regeneration of Chaotic Water

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English Page · Branch 322 of 504

II.5 · The Anatomy and Regeneration of Chaotic Water

German & Latin

1723 pp 253–254

So diß geschehen, so nimm die Erde wieder aus dem Kolben, reibs klein durcheinander, thue es wieder in Kolben, befeuchte es mit seinem abgezogenen Wasser, und setze es jetzt fortan in Aschen, ziehe erstlich gelinde das Feuchte ab, hernach immer gelinder per Gradus coaguliret, und endlich ein wenig stärcker als zuvor reverberiret. Es erlanget die Erde übermal eine fixere Farbe unten auf dem Boden, wie zu sehen, wenn du den Kolben ausnimmst, so es kalt ist. Nimm den Kolben aus, reibe die Erde wieder klein, und procedire wie zuvor in allen. Es ist eine Operation, und ist jetzt an diesem gelegen, daß die Erde stärcker reverberiret werde, und wieder durchaus einerley Farbe gewinne und immer mehr durch Feuer beständiger werde. Solches Imbibiren, Coaguliren und Reverberiren muß geschehen bis die Erde durchaus nach und nach per fortiorem Reverberationem feuer-roth und fix werde in Aschen, denn kan es per Gradus im Sande noch mehr reverberiret werden, bis es endlich so fix, daß es öffentlich Feuer ausstehen kan: So ist das Magisterium fertig. Du solst aber mercken, daß du aus dem Sand-Grad nicht gleich ins offene Feuer eilest, sondern setze es zuvor in Hammerschlag per Gradus 4. 5. und so es diesen hat ausgestanden, denn thue es in zwey Tiegel verschlossen, und laß es in Circkel-Feuer auf 4. Stunden per Gradus gehen, so denn nimm es aus: So ist der Himmel und das allerflüchtigste Wasser zum corporalischen und fixesten Stein worden und heisst jetzt juxta Hermetem, Vis ejus integra est, si versa fuerit in Terram.

1723 pp 253–254

The Golden Chain of Homer: II.5 · The Anatomy and Regeneration of Chaotic Water

1723 pp 253–254

Once this is done, remove earth from the flask again, grind it finely together, return it, moisten it with its drawn-off water, and from now on set it in ashes. First gently draw off moisture, then coagulate gently by degrees, and finally reverberate a little more strongly than before. Earth again acquires a more fixed colour at the bottom, as you see when the flask is removed and cold. Take it out, grind earth finely again, and proceed as before in everything. It is one operation: the point now is to reverberate earth more strongly until it again gains one colour throughout and becomes increasingly fire-resistant. Continue imbibing, coagulating, and reverberating until stronger reverberation gradually makes earth fire-red and fixed throughout in ashes. Then reverberate further by degrees in sand until it is so fixed that it withstands open fire: the magistery is ready. But do not hurry straight from the sand degree into open fire. First set it in hammer-scale at the fourth and fifth degrees. After it has endured that, enclose it between two crucibles and apply a surrounding fire by degrees for four hours, then take it out. Heaven and the most volatile water have become a corporeal and most fixed stone. According to Hermes, it is now said: “Its power is complete if it has been turned into earth.”

1723 pp 253–254

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.