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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 HomerII.5 · The Anatomy and Regeneration of Chaotic Water

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English Page · Branch 318 of 504

II.5 · The Anatomy and Regeneration of Chaotic Water

German & Latin

1723 pp 250–251

Wenn nun das Acidum und Oehl auf die Kohlen coaguliret ist, und anders nichts übergestiegen, als ein abgeschmacktes Wasser ohne Säure und Krafft: so thue dieses hinweg, denn solches hat die Natur selbst als ein Superfluum von ihr gelassen. So dieses geschehen, so gieb ein klein wenig stärcker Feuer, damit sich die Materia im Glase wohl ausdörre und gantz trocken wird. Diß ist die philosophische Calcination und Reverberation, welche zum öfftern also geschehen muß, hierdurch wird die Erde coagulirt und figirt und dadurch durstig. Je trockener aber und durstiger dieselbe ist, je lieber und mehr begehrt sie ihre eigene Feuchtigkeit: Denn der Himmel muß die trockene Erde befeuchten, sonst kan sie keine fähige Frucht bringen. Derowegen nimm die 3. rectificirte des Himmels, Lufft und Wasser, solche müssen die Erde befeuchten, gieß nach rechtem Gewicht zusammen und begieß die Erde damit, so wird die Erde solviret, und das Wasser coaguliret also: Rec. Coeli subtilissimi 3. Partes, subtilioris 2. Partes, subtilis 1. Partem, gieße sie alle 3. zusammen in ein Glaß, so ist ein Himmel in den andern descendirt, wie im ersten Theil gesaget, daß sich allezeit der subtileste Himmel in dem dickern fange und figire, und also descendendo in Aerem, Aquam & Terram endlich gar irdisch werde, wie hier zu sehen wird seyn.

1723 pp 250–251

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

1723 pp 250–251

When acid and oil have coagulated upon the charcoal and nothing has passed over except an insipid water without sourness or power, discard that water: nature itself has released it as superfluous. Apply a slightly stronger fire so that the matter in the glass dries thoroughly and becomes completely dry. This is philosophical calcination and reverberation, which must be repeated in this manner. Earth is thereby coagulated, fixed, and made thirsty. The drier and thirstier it is, the more willingly it desires its own moisture. Heaven must moisten dry earth, or it can bear no suitable fruit. Take the three rectified fractions of heaven, air, and water: these must moisten earth. Mix them by the proper weight and pour them upon earth, so that earth dissolves and water coagulates, as follows. Take three parts subtlest heaven, two parts subtler heaven, and one part subtle heaven. Pour all three together in a glass. One heaven has descended into another, as stated in the first part: the subtlest heaven is always caught and fixed in the thicker one and, descending into air, water, and earth, finally becomes entirely earthly, as will be seen here.

1723 pp 250–251

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.