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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 149 of 504

I.19 · Volatile, Acid and Alkali

German & Latin

1723 pp 101–102

Damit man mich aber recht verstehe, so will ich es offenbaren, damit jederman recht gedienet werde. So verstehe einer noch einmal, daß alle Subjecta sublunaria, jedes nach seiner Art in Animali, Vegetabili & Minerali Regno sein eigen Volatile habe, nemlich ein subtil, flüchtiges Wasser, es sey nun wenig oder viel, also auch ein acidum oder acetum, der da nach der flüchtigen Phlegma übergehet, d. i. ein Eßig-saurer Spiritus, in quovis regno redolens regnum proprium. Denn jedes auch sein alcali, so aus dem residuo per reverberationem heraus gelauget wird durchs Wasser. Wenn nun ein Chymist will ein radicirtes Volatile oder Acidum haben und machen, so nehme er jedes individui propria principia, oder in defectu unius vel alterius homogenea, setze das alcali purum in eine Retorte 1. part. geuß darauf seines acidi 3. part. distilla lente in cinere vel B. M. so gehet das acidum gantz schwach über wie ein Phlegma, und wenn es auch so scharff wäre wie ein aquafort, denn das alcali hat die Schärffe bey sich behalten und in sich figirt. Wenn du dieses gethan, so geuß wieder 3. part. acidi proprii darauf und machs wie zuvor, so gehet es schwach über, und das alcali wird schon ziemlich voll und satt seyn. Zum 3ten geuß wieder frisches acidum 3. part. wie zuvor, darüber, und quo plus, eo melius. Ziehe es in M. B. per gradus usque ad oleum ab, so stehet das Alcali solvirt und ist der volle wackelnde Bauer. Solches aufgiessen mit dem Acido thut man, bis das Acidum so scharff herüber gehet, als es ist aufgegossen worden, welches, wenn das Acidum scharff und concentrirt ist von allem Phlegma, offt zum 2. 3. 4ten mal geschicht.

1723 pp 101–102

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

1723 pp 101–102

To make myself properly understood, I shall reveal it for everyone’s benefit. Understand once more that every sublunary subject, each according to its kind in the animal, vegetable and mineral kingdoms, has its own volatile: a subtle, volatile water, whether little or much. Each likewise has an acid or vinegar that passes over after the volatile phlegm: a vinegary-sour spirit, smelling in each kingdom of its own kingdom. Each also has its alkali, leached with water from the residue after reverberation. If a chymist wishes to obtain and make a rooted volatile or acid, let him take each individual’s own principles, or, where one or another is lacking, homogeneous substitutes. Put 1 part pure alkali into a retort and pour over it 3 parts of its own acid. Distil slowly in ashes or a water bath. The acid passes over entirely weak, like phlegm, even if it had been as sharp as aqua fortis, because the alkali has retained and fixed the sharpness within itself. Having done this, pour on another 3 parts of its own acid and proceed as before. It passes over weakly, and the alkali will already be fairly full and satisfied. A third time pour on 3 parts fresh acid as before; the more, the better. Draw it off by degrees in a water bath until an oil remains. The alkali stands dissolved: it is the drunken, staggering peasant. Continue adding acid until the acid passes over as sharp as when poured on. If the acid is sharp and concentrated free of all phlegm, this often happens on the second, third or fourth occasion.

1723 pp 101–102

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.