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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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English Page · Branch 261 of 504

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

German & Latin

1723 pp 201–202

Nun wieder ad Rem. Ich habe in dem Capitel vom vegetabilischen Reiche erwähnt, daß das Acidum sey contrahirend, constringirend, styptisch, stopffend etc. Hier aber habe ich gesagt, daß es flüchtig mache. Damit mich nun keiner eines Contrarie, so viel ich mercken können, überweise, so will ich auch diesen Punct enodiren. Man siehet, wo die Natur wenig Acidum beygefüget hat zu vieler Erde, daß es lauter constipirende, constringirende und stopffende Sachen machet, z. E. an Eisen, Antimonium, Blutstein, Rödelstein, Magnet, Schmirgel, Bolus etc. Denn das wenige Acidum hänget sich an solche Erde so starck an und solviret sie, und wenn die Central-Hitze zu starck und jähe ist, so figirt und trocknet es in solche hartflüßige Mineras aus. Wo aber die Hitze nicht gar zu starck ist und das Acidum oder Corrosiv ein wenig stärcker kommt, so macht es etwas flüßige Mineras und Metalla, und wegen mehres Acidi und weniger oder schwächerer Exsiccation und Fixation bleiben solche Minerae und Metalla gar offen, daß sie wenig beständig bleiben, wie Eisen und Kupffer etc. Entgegen wo das Acidum überhäufft kommt, da macht es flüchtige Mineras, wie per Mechanicam zu erweisen: Rec. Kreide oder Calcem vivam, geuß ein wenig Spiritum Nitri, vel Vitrioli, vel Sulphuris, vel Salis, vel Oleum commune acidum corrosivum darauf, und ziehe es wieder gantz trocken und starck ab, dann glühe es auf einer Treib-Scherben unter der Muffel oder in einem Tiegel aus, so wird es eine Terra styptica werden und flüßig, und da es zuvor styptica war, so ist es jetzo noch mehr, und läßt sich das Acidum glühen und figiren mit der Kreide etc.

1723 pp 201–202

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

1723 pp 201–202

Now back to the matter. In the chapter on the vegetable kingdom I said that acid contracts, constricts, is styptic and astringent, and so forth. Here I have said it makes things volatile. To prevent anyone, as far as I can perceive, from convicting me of contradiction, I shall untie this point too. Where nature adds little acid to much earth, it makes only binding, constricting, astringent things: iron, antimony, bloodstone, red chalk, lodestone, emery, bole, and so forth. The small amount of acid clings strongly to such earth and dissolves it; if central heat is too strong and sudden, it fixes and dries into those difficultly fusible ores. Where heat is not too strong and acid or corrosive comes somewhat more abundantly, it makes somewhat fusible ores and metals. Because of more acid and less or weaker drying and fixation, they remain open and only slightly permanent, like iron and copper. Conversely, where acid arrives in excess, it makes volatile ores, as operation can demonstrate. Take chalk or quicklime, pour on a little spirit of nitre, vitriol, sulphur, or salt, or a common corrosive acid oil, and draw it off strongly until completely dry. Then calcine it in an assay dish under a muffle or in a crucible: it becomes a styptic earth and fusible. If it was styptic before, it is now more so, and the acid allows itself to be calcined and fixed with the chalk.

1723 pp 201–202

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.