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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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English Page · Branch 323 of 504

II.5 · The Anatomy and Regeneration of Chaotic Water

German & Latin

1723 pp 254–255

Das ist nun die Medicina universalis generalis, dessen 1. 2. 3. bis 6. Gran alle Morbos radicitus curiren und das Humidum radicale, Spiritum animalem, vitalem & naturalem, und den gantzen animalischen Lebens-Balsam restauriret. Nun siehet der Liebhaber aus diesem General-Exempel, wie aus dem allerflüchtigsten Wasser-Dampff das allerfixeste Corpus lapidosum ist worden, aus dem unsichtbaren unbegreifflichen ist das sichtbare begreiffliche worden. Jetzt mercke das Exempel wohl, denn nach diesem reguliren sich alle Animalia, Vegetabilia und Mineralia, daß sie erstlich putrificiret werden, denn separiret, rectificiret und wieder coaguliret, figiret, und in ein Corpus gloriosum pellucidum regeneriret, jedes per Homogenea, wie folgen wird. Es wird mancher sagen: Diese Operation scheinet recht abentheuerlich, erstlich ist es sehr lang und verdrießlich, 2.) gehet es gerade contra Regulas omnium Philosophorum. Er sagt wohl von Putrificiren, Separiren, Distilliren, Coaguliren, Figiren, Rectificiren, Conjungiren und Generiren: Allein die Philosophi haben nach der Separation die Principia in gewisse Pondera conjungirt, in eine Phiole geschlossen und gantz und gar verschmeltzet, daß kein Athem, geschweige ein Wasser heraus gekonnt, und solches haben sie in einem Ofen, in einem Glaß, in einem Regimine ignis, auch in einem Geschirr, ohne weiteres Anrühren, bis zur Perfection ausgekocht.

1723 pp 254–255

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

1723 pp 254–255

This is the general universal medicine. One, two, three, or up to six grains of it cure every disease at the root and restore radical moisture, the animal, vital, and natural spirits, and the whole animal balsam of life. From this general example the lover of the art sees how the most fixed stony body has arisen from the most volatile watery vapour: the visible and tangible from the invisible and intangible. Mark the example carefully, for it governs all animals, plants, and minerals: first putrefy them, then separate and rectify them, then again coagulate, fix, and regenerate them into a glorious translucent body, each through homogeneous things, as will follow. Someone will say: “This operation seems extraordinary. First, it is very long and irksome; second, it goes directly against all philosophers’ rules. He speaks of putrefying, separating, distilling, coagulating, fixing, rectifying, conjoining, and generating. But after separation the philosophers conjoined the principles in definite weights, enclosed them in a phial and sealed it completely by fusion, so that no breath, much less water, could escape. In one furnace, one glass, one regimen of fire, and one vessel, without further touching, they cooked it to perfection.”

1723 pp 254–255

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.