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 191–192Nun wollen wir Anatomica, so viel sich thun läßt, setzen, unsere Theoriam zu confirmiren; obwohlen es zuvor und an andern unterschiedenen Oertern genugsam angezeiget ist, daß es einem wohl informirten Subjecto nicht offenbarer könte gemacht werden. Weilen aber viel auch treugesinnte Einfältige in unsere Kunst sich wagen, will ich folgendes beytragen. Also Rec. eine Mineram, wie sie aus dem Berge kommt, ehe sie in eine Feuer-Arbeit kommt, als Bley, Zinn, Eisen, Kupffer, Gold vel Silber etc. dieser eine wasche auf der Sarten von ihrem Berge rein, oder aber lasse den Berg dabey, es gilt gleich, solche pulverisire klein wie Hirse-Körner und nicht zu Staub, denn er läge zu klein und dick auf einander und figirte sich mehr, als es sich resolvirte, denn die aufsteigende Dämpffe ersticken. Solch Pulver thue in eine starcke Retorte ins offene Feuer, lege den Recipienten an, und gieb per Gradus Feuer, so wirst du herüber steigen sehen 1.) ein klein wenig Wasser, welches das Humidum superfluum ist, nach diesem kommen starcke Nebel, welche das Mineral-Corrosiv seyn, und solche legen sich in den Recipienten und resolviren sich zum corrosivischen Wasser. Nach diesem steigen abermal Dämpffe, aber nicht so flüchtig, wie die ersten, denn das Flüchtigere kommt allezeit voran, und diesem folgen die fixern Partes. Solcher Dämpffe steigen wenig in den Recipienten, sondern legen sich, zuförderst so der Hals der Retorte lang ist, an den Hals voran, und die nachfolgende immer weiter hinter sich gegen den Bauch der Retorte, dieweil die folgende das Feuer immer besser erleiden können.
The Golden Chain of Homer: 23 What the Generation of Minerals Is and Which Principles Constitute Them
1723 pp 191–192We shall now set down anatomical operations, as far as possible, to confirm our theory, although this has already been indicated sufficiently, here and elsewhere, to make it as plain as possible to a well-informed person. Since many faithful but simple people also venture into our art, I shall contribute the following. Take an ore as it comes from the mountain, before any operation by fire—for example lead, tin, iron, copper, gold, or silver ore. Wash one of these clean from its gangue on the washing apparatus, or leave the gangue with it; either will do. Powder it to the size of millet grains, not dust: dust would lie too fine and densely together and become more fixed than resolved, because the rising vapours would be stifled. Put this powder in a strong retort over an open fire, attach the receiver, and apply fire by degrees. You will see a little water rise first: this is the superfluous moisture. Strong mists follow, constituting the mineral corrosive; they settle in the receiver and resolve into corrosive water. Vapours then rise again, but less volatile than the first, for the more volatile always comes first and the more fixed parts follow. Little of these vapours reaches the receiver. Especially with a long retort neck, they settle toward its front, and each following portion farther back toward the retort’s belly, because the later portions can endure fire better.
Socrates
Reading The Golden Chain of Homer · 23 What the Generation of Minerals Is and Which Principles Constitute Them · B1C23S034 · 1723 pp 191–192
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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.