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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 Homer23 What the Generation of Minerals Is and Which Principles Constitute Them

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German & Latin Page · Branch 235 of 504

23 What the Generation of Minerals Is and Which Principles Constitute Them

German & Latin

1723 pp 177–178

Weil nun dieses bekant, so sprech ich, daß in Centro terrae auch diese Salia vermischt gefunden werden, welche per ignem centralem fermentirt und zu einem flüchtigen Dampff aufgetrieben werden, welchen Dampff, weil er aus Salpeter und Saltz bestehet, ich schier das Aqua Regis Macrocosmi heissen solte, das königliche mineral-ursprüngliche Wasser. Ich will aber die Tauffe einem jeden Chymisten anheim stellen, er nenne es, wie er will. Denn etliche heissen es den mercurialischen und sulphurischen Dampff, das Nitrum ist Mercurius, das Sal ist Schwefel. Hier aber ist ein Knoten, nemlich daß ich gesagt habe, die Natur fermentiret und macht Salia resoluta corrosiva. Dieses ist ein Punct, wider welchen alle Welt schreyt. Denn die Chymici wollen insgemein von keinem Corrosiv wissen, sondern sie wollen alles dulce und suave haben, und sind doch sehr wenig, die diesen Schatz Dulcificationis & Modum dulcificandi besitzen. Dieses ist es, was alle Welt refutirt. Wie werde ich es aber wider alle Resistenz erweisen, da doch die gantze Welt dawider ist, und man immer kein Corrosiv in und auf der Erden natürlicher Weise nach ihrer und der gemeinen Laboranten Vernunfft findet?

1723 pp 177–178

The Golden Chain of Homer: 23 What the Generation of Minerals Is and Which Principles Constitute Them

1723 pp 177–178

Since this is known, I say that these salts are also found mixed in the earth’s centre. The central fire ferments them and drives them upward into a volatile vapour. Because that vapour consists of nitre and salt, I might almost call it the macrocosm’s aqua regia, the royal water from which minerals originate. But I leave the naming to each chymist: let him call it what he wishes. Some call it mercurial and sulphurous vapour: nitre is mercury and salt is sulphur. Here, however, is a knot: I have said that nature ferments and makes dissolved salts corrosive. This is a point against which the whole world cries out. Chymists generally want to hear nothing of corrosives; they want everything sweet and gentle. Yet very few possess this treasure of sweetening and its method. This is what the whole world disputes. How shall I prove it against all resistance, when the whole world opposes it and, according to their reasoning and that of ordinary laboratory workers, no naturally occurring corrosive is found in or upon the earth?

1723 pp 177–178

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.