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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 HomerII.5 · The Anatomy and Regeneration of Chaotic Water

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Facing Pages · Branch 311 of 504

II.5 · The Anatomy and Regeneration of Chaotic Water

German & Latin

1723 pp 243–244

Nun ist das Chaos zertheilet in 4. Theile, als in den Himmel, Lufft, Wasser und Erde, oder in das Volatile, Acidum, Alcali, oder in ein sehr flüchtig Wasser, in ein gröbers Wasser, in einen sauren Geist oder Eßig, in ein dick stinckend Oehl, und in die Kohlen, in welchen das Alcali verborgen stecket: Solche Theile fange, und behalte jedes Theil besonders, als ein sonderbares Element. So siehet denn jederman, was das Semen Universi sey, und in was vor Principia es getheilet wird, und was vor Anfang alle natürliche Dinge haben. Gleichwie das Chaos unicum & simplex in 4. Theile getheilet ist und geschieden, also können solche Theile in noch mehrere Theile getheilet werden, nemlich jeder Theil kan wieder in 3. Theile getheilet werden per subtilem & subtiliorem & subtilissimam Rectificationem, wie nachgehends soll gesagt werden.

1723 pp 243–244

The Golden Chain of Homer: II.5 · The Anatomy and Regeneration of Chaotic Water

1723 pp 243–244

Chaos is now divided into four parts: heaven, air, water, and earth; or into volatile, acid, and alkali; or into a very volatile water, a coarser water, a sour spirit or vinegar, a thick stinking oil, and the charcoal in which alkali lies hidden. Collect these parts and keep each separately as a particular element. Everyone can then see what the seed of the universe is, into which principles it is divided, and what beginning all natural things have. Just as the one simple Chaos is divided and separated into four parts, these can be divided further: each part can again be divided into three through subtle, subtler, and subtlest rectification, as will be explained below.

1723 pp 243–244

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.