Diotimos Library · Esotericism & Spirituality Collection · Bilingual Edition
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Facing Pages · Branch 24 of 504
Explanation of the Figure of the Double Abyss
German & Latin
1723 scan 12Ein Abgrund den andern rufft heraus, Sie machen zusammen einen harten Strauß: Das Flüchtige gantz fix soll werden, Wasser und Dampff sich kehren in Erden, Der Himmel selbst muß irdisch seyn, Sonst kommt ins Erdreich kein Leben ein. Das Oberste soll das Unterste seyn, Das Unterste wird das Oberste sein. Das Fixe soll gantz flüchtig werden, Ein Wasser und Dampff soll seyn die Erden, Die Erde muß höchst zum Himmel auffliegen, Der Himmel ins Centrum der Erden einkriechen. So muß verkehrt seyn Himmel und Erden, Soll das Unterste zum Obersten werden. Der flüchtige Drach den fixeren tödtet, Der fixe zum Tode den flüchtigen nöthet. Also muß offenbar kommen an Tag Die Quint Essenz und was sie vermag.
The Golden Chain of Homer: Explanation of the Figure of the Double Abyss
1723 scan 12One abyss calls the other forth; Together they wage a bitter fight. The volatile must become wholly fixed; Water and vapour must turn into earth. Heaven itself must become earthly, Or no life will enter the earthly realm. What is highest must become lowest; What is lowest will become highest. The fixed must become wholly volatile; Earth must become water and vapour. Earth must fly up to the height of heaven; Heaven must creep into the centre of earth. Thus heaven and earth must be reversed If the lowest is to become the highest. The volatile dragon kills the fixed one; The fixed compels the volatile to die. Thus the quintessence must come openly to light, Together with what it can accomplish.
Socrates
Reading The Golden Chain of Homer · Explanation of the Figure of the Double Abyss · PRE02S001 · 1723 scan 12
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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.
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.