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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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English Page · Branch 134 of 504

I.19 · Volatile, Acid and Alkali

German & Latin

1723 pp 86–87

Man soll aber hier verstehen, wann der Volatile, Acidum und Alcali homogeneum zusammen kommen und nicht heterogeneum. Wie wollen sich die heterogenea so genau zusammen verbinden, daß sie unscheidbar werden? als v. g. Rec. Spiritum vini, Ol. Vitrioli und Sal Urinæ, gieß den Spir. vini und Sal Urinæ zusammen, dann gieß Tropffen-weise das Oleum Vitrioli drein, so wird es sich anfangs zwar starck wiedersetzen, brausen und sausen, endlich aber still werden und intime conjungiren: Denn so man hernach die Wäßrigkeit abdistilliret, wird kein Spir. vini mehr gespürt werden, welcher sich mit dem Oleo Vitrioli auf das Alcali figirt hat. Aus diesem siehet der Liebhaber die schönste Vereinigung der Natur, auch in denen widerwärtigen oder heterogenischen Naturen, so jedes einer andern Qualität und Reiches ist.

1723 pp 86–87

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

1723 pp 86–87

Here, however, we should understand the coming together of a homogeneous volatile, acid and alkali, rather than heterogeneous ones. How are heterogeneous things to bind so closely that they become inseparable? For example, take spirit of wine, oil of vitriol and salt of urine. Pour the spirit of wine and salt of urine together, then add the oil of vitriol drop by drop. At first it will strongly resist, effervesce and hiss, but will finally grow quiet and unite intimately. If the wateriness is afterward distilled off, no spirit of wine will be perceived: with the oil of vitriol it has fixed itself upon the alkali. In this the student sees nature’s most beautiful union, even among contrary or heterogeneous natures, each belonging to a different quality and kingdom.

1723 pp 86–87

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.