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

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Facing Pages · Branch 243 of 504

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

German & Latin

1723 pp 185–186

Wenn man solche Wasser etliche Maaß concentrirt, wie wenig solche potente Substantz in ihnen ist und eine grosse Quantität Wasser, doch einen so potenten Effect thut. Daß aber die Chymisten nicht begreiffen können, viel weniger der quatrirte schwatzende Aristoteles Peripatheticus, wie solches Corrosiv sich verbergen kan: denn kein Bergmann davon redet, auch kein Historiographus bis dato nicht oder gar nicht geschrieben: ist die Ursach, wie ich gesagt, 1.) die Vielheit des Wassers, 2.) die Erde, welche solch Corrosiv in sich nimmt und coagulirt, 3.) weil kein Corrosiv jemahls als ein Dampff kan gespüret werden, aber wohl als ein Wasser. Solches bezeuget gleich-gesetzte Probe. Rec. Oleum Vitrioli oder Oleum Sulphuris oder Spiritum vel Oleum Salis, Nitri etc. geuß dessen lb. j. in ein Schaff oder Eimer Wasser, rühre es wohl unter einander, davon kan man einem Menschen ohne Schaden zu trincken geben, und siehet aus solchem, daß das Corrosiv nicht gemercket wird. Also ist es in der Erden. Wiederum schütte in solch Wasser lb. j. oder ij. Kreiden, laß wohl mit erkochen, denn so geuß das Wasser ab von der Kreiden, und versuch die Kreide, so wirst du befinden, daß sie saltzig ist worden. Solch Saltz kommt her vom Corrosiv, welches die Kreide in sich gezogen und figirt hat. Zum Theil aber ists im Wasser geblieben, solches evaporire und crystallisire, so findest du einen Vitriol, welcher sich von der solvirten Kreiden gemacht und figirt hat. Also ist es in der Erden.

1723 pp 185–186

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

1723 pp 185–186

Concentrate several measures of such waters: how little powerful substance they contain, amid a great quantity of water, yet what a powerful effect it produces! Chymists cannot understand how this corrosive can conceal itself, still less the squared-off, chattering Peripatetic Aristotle; no miner speaks of it, and no historian has written of it to date, or scarcely at all. The reasons, as I have said, are: first, the abundance of water; second, the earth, which takes the corrosive into itself and coagulates it; third, that no corrosive can ever be perceived as a vapour, though it can as water. The following trial bears witness. Take oil of vitriol or sulphur, or spirit or oil of salt, nitre, and so forth. Pour one pound into a tub or bucket of water and stir well. This can be given to a person to drink without harm, showing that the corrosive is not noticed. So it is within the earth. Again, put one or two pounds of chalk into such water and let it boil well together. Pour the water off the chalk and test the chalk: you will find it has become salty. This salt comes from the corrosive that the chalk has drawn in and fixed. Part remains in the water: evaporate and crystallize it, and you find a vitriol formed and fixed from the dissolved chalk. So it is in the earth.

1723 pp 185–186

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.