Diotimos Library · Esotericism & Spirituality Collection · Bilingual Edition
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Facing Pages · Branch 114 of 504
I.14 · Nitre and Salt in Plants
German & Latin
1723 pp 70Daß die Vegetabilia starck salpetrisch, doch eines mehr als das andere, das siehet man an ihrem Spiritu ardente, an ihrem Aceto, an ihrer Oehligkeit und alcalischen Saltz. Man siehet die Vegetabilia in eine starcke und helle Flamme ausbrechen, so sie angezündet werden. Nun ist ja die Entzündlichkeit, die Hitze und Flamme allein vom Salpeter und von keinem andern. Ist nicht der Spiritus ardens ein sehr subtiles ja himmlisches Nitrum? er brennet so subtil und schön nach der Sternen Art. Das Oehl ist eben keiner Probe nöthig, daß sie ein Saltz haben, beweist ihr Alcali. Hoffe auch diesem Reich genug gethan zu haben, und dem Salpeter u. Saltz, die ehe genennet als den Ursprung solcher, und materia prima immediata eorum universalis, licet nondum specificata seu individuata, die da beyde Conjunction ⊕ entis insinuiren und nach dem Willen der Natur eines ums andere gebähren.
The Golden Chain of Homer: I.14 · Nitre and Salt in Plants
1723 pp 70Plants are strongly nitrous, though one more than another, as is seen in their burning spirit, vinegar, oiliness and alkaline salt. When lit, plants break into a strong, bright flame. Inflammability, heat and flame come from saltpeter alone, and from nothing else. Is burning spirit not a very subtle, indeed heavenly nitre? It burns so subtly and beautifully, in the manner of the stars. Oil needs no further test; their alkali proves they have a salt. I hope to have done enough for this kingdom and for saltpeter and salt, named above as its origin and its immediate universal first matter, although not yet specified or individuated. Both intimate a conjunction [unclear expression] and, according to nature’s will, generate one thing after another.
Socrates
Reading The Golden Chain of Homer · I.14 · Nitre and Salt in Plants · B1C14S002 · 1723 pp 70
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Socrates will begin with this book and its sources.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.
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.