Diotimos Library · Esotericism & Spirituality Collection · Bilingual Edition
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Facing Pages · Branch 208 of 504
I.22 · The Generation of Plants
German & Latin
1723 pp 153–154Und so du anders noch nicht genug hast, so lauffe zurück ad Universalitatem, allwo alle animalische, vegetabilische und mineralische Kräfften concentriret sind, und welche Subjecta sich zu allen und jeden Creaturen homogeniter gesellen, als da ist der Regen, Thau und Schnee, solche haben ihr Volatile, Acidum und Alcali, mit solchen kanst du alle Mängel erstatten. Denn putrificire den Regen, distillire durch einen Brenn-Kessel alle Feuchtigkeit ab, solche rectificire vom Phlegma in M. B. durch einen hohen Kolben, uti mos, aus dem residirenden Theil ziehe also alles Phlegma herüber, bis auf eine Honig-Dicke, aus solcher Dicke distillire einen Eßig und aus dem Capite mortuo ziehe noch ein Saltz oder Alcali. Wie es nun in Animalibus ist, so ist es auch in Vegetabilibus. In diesem Reich, wenn man weiter nimmer kan, so nimmt man den Wein und seine Partes, als in welchem alle vegetabilische Kräffte concentriret sind. Denn ad ultimum zu denen Universalien, wie oben. Also ists auch in Mineralibus. Als im Alumine sind alle weisse Mineralia; in dem Vitriol alle rothe Minerae und Astra concentrirt. So diese aber nicht genug und Bestand, so lauffe zu denen Universalibus fixioribus, als da ist der Sp. Nitri & Salis, das Volatile hole aus dem Regen-Wasser, der Sp. Nitri giebt dir das Acidum und Spir. Salis das Alcalinum. Also hast du hier ein weites Feld dich zu üben in Chymicis.
The Golden Chain of Homer: I.22 · The Generation of Plants
1723 pp 153–154If this still does not suffice, return to universality, where all animal, vegetable, and mineral powers are concentrated, in subjects that associate homogeneously with every creature: rain, dew, and snow. These have their volatile, acid, and alkali; with them you can repair every deficiency. Putrefy rainwater, distil all its moisture off through a still, and rectify that moisture from its phlegm in a bath through a tall flask, in the customary manner. From the remaining part draw over all the phlegm until a honey-like thickness remains. Distil a vinegar from that thick material, and extract a salt or alkali from the dead head. As it is with animals, so it is with plants. In that kingdom, when one can proceed no further, one takes wine and its parts, in which all vegetable powers are concentrated; finally one turns to the universals, as above. So also in minerals. All white minerals are concentrated in alum, and all red ores and stars in vitriol. If these are insufficient and do not endure, turn to the more fixed universals, spirit of nitre and spirit of salt. Obtain the volatile from rainwater; spirit of nitre gives the acid, and spirit of salt the alkaline part. Here, then, you have a wide field in which to practise chymistry.
Socrates
Reading The Golden Chain of Homer · I.22 · The Generation of Plants · B1C22S035 · 1723 pp 153–154
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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.
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This historical edition credits Diotimos Editions as its English translator.
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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.