Diotimos Library · Esotericism & Spirituality Collection · Bilingual Edition
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23 What the Generation of Minerals Is and Which Principles Constitute Them
German & Latin
1723 pp 164–165Derowegen, so du, geneigter Leser, begierig bist einige Nachricht davon zu haben, so mercke, betrachte und practicire Nachfolgendes, wie ich oben erwähnet: Daß das Universal-Sperma omnium rerum im Anfange Wasser und Geist waren, solches erscheinet nicht allein in diesem, sondern auch in dem regenerirten Chaos, da wir angezeiget haben, wie solcher Geist aus der Unsichtbarkeit und Unbegreifflichkeit trete: Gleichwie alles aus Nichts entsprossen, dieses Nichts oder Dampff aber zu Wasser ward, darinnen der Geist verborgen lag, aus dem nachgehends alle Animalia, Vegetabilia und Mineralia gewachsen, die vordere zwey aus einem flüchtigen Samen, das letzte aber aus einem fixern. In dem chaotischen primordial- so wohl als regenerirten Wasser, wie auch in allen Wassern und Erden findet man in ihrem Centro oder Innersten zwey unterschiedene Salia, als sichtbar gemachten Welt-Geist oder Sperma corporeum Macrocosmi, Masculinum & Foemininum, Nitrum & Sal, welche wir bestättiget haben aller Sublunarium Materiam primam universalem, nondum tamen specificatam seu individuatam, welche beyde mit dem regenerirten Chaos alles in allen sind, wie probiret ist, daß sie in allen und jeden Subjectis zu finden, flüchtig und fix nach Unterscheid der Digestion, welches auch diese nachgehende Probe versichert, daß sie alles in allen seyn.
The Golden Chain of Homer: 23 What the Generation of Minerals Is and Which Principles Constitute Them
1723 pp 164–165Therefore, dear reader, if you wish to learn something about this, observe, consider, and practise what follows. As I mentioned above, the universal seed of all things was in the beginning water and spirit. This appears not only there but also in the regenerated Chaos, where we showed how that spirit emerges from invisibility and incomprehensibility. Just as everything sprang from nothing, that nothing or vapour became water in which spirit lay hidden. From it all animals, plants, and minerals subsequently grew: the first two from a volatile seed, the last from a more fixed one. In primordial chaotic water as well as regenerated water, and in all waters and earths, one finds at their centre or innermost part two distinct salts: the world-spirit made visible, or the corporeal seed of the macrocosm, masculine and feminine, nitre and salt. We have established these as the universal first matter of all sublunary things, not yet specified or individuated. Together with regenerated Chaos they are all in all, as has been proved by finding them in every subject, volatile or fixed according to the difference in digestion. The trial that follows also confirms that they are all in all.
Socrates
Reading The Golden Chain of Homer · 23 What the Generation of Minerals Is and Which Principles Constitute Them · B1C23S005 · 1723 pp 164–165
Ask about a concept, passage, contradiction, or connection.
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.
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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.