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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 337 of 504

II.5 · The Anatomy and Regeneration of Chaotic Water

German & Latin

1723 pp 266–267

Also ist es mit dem Samen, oder Universal-Geist, so wohl in Universalibus als Specificis & Individuis, so dieser Geist fix gemacht ist, so nimmt er seines gleichen flüchtigen Geist und reisset ihn auch zu sich, um solchen sich gleich zu machen und auch zu figiren, das Wasser aber, so überflüßig, in welchem solcher flüchtiger Geist gestecket, läßt er wieder fast in eadem Quantitate von sich gehen. Also gesellet sich gleich zu seines gleichen, und ziehet ein Gleiches das andere zu sich, wie der Spruch ist: Natura Naturam ambit & amplectitur, Natura Naturae gaudet, und also e contra stösset ein Contrarium das andere von sich, wenn auch eine beständige Unität solte draus gemacht werden. Denn so lange das Aqua recolacea und der Samen und der Geist beysammen in einem Corpore nicht recht beständig und vereiniget stehen, so lange wird keine unsterbliche Unität und Beständigkeit oder Fixität. Das siehet man in den leicht verweslichen und resolvirlichen Animalibus und Vegetabilibus, die vor dem Aqua recolacea starck abundiren, wie auch viele Mineralia nicht aufs höchste davon entäussert sind: Denn so lange das Aqua recolacea oder Humidum superfluum insipidum davon nicht separiret ist, sind sie immer der Sterblichkeit oder Verwesung, Resolution und Alteration unterworffen.

1723 pp 266–267

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

1723 pp 266–267

So it is with seed or universal spirit, in universal, specified, and individual things alike. Once this spirit is fixed, it takes a volatile spirit of its like and draws it to itself, making it like itself and fixing it too. The superfluous water in which that volatile spirit lay is released in almost the same quantity. Like thus joins its like and draws it to itself, according to the saying: “Nature seeks and embraces nature; nature rejoices in nature.” Conversely, one contrary repels the other when a lasting unity is to be made. As long as recolaceous water, seed, and spirit remain together in one body without proper stability and union, there is no immortal unity, permanence, or fixity. This appears in easily decaying and dissolving animals and plants, which abound in recolaceous water, and in many minerals not fully deprived of it. As long as recolaceous water, or insipid superfluous moisture, has not been separated, they remain subject to mortality or decay, resolution, and alteration.

1723 pp 266–267

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.