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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 Homer9 the Anatomy of Minerals

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German & Latin Page · Branch 421 of 504

9 the Anatomy of Minerals

German & Latin

1723 pp 348–349

Nun habe ich auch gesagt, daß der Sp. specificatus individuatus, so fern er selbst nicht gnugsames humidum superfluum hat, sich in primum zu reduciren, muß durch addition und Beyhülffe des Sp. universalis aufgewecket werden, in sein eigen subject zu agiren, zuförderst die mineralia, als welche meistens sicciora corpore sind, und welche ihr humidum superfluum meistens ausgejaget. Solche und dergleichen fixe corpora müssen ex defectu proprii sufficientis humidi, acidi, vitriolini vel aluminosi mit dem universal-acido vel alcali coadjuviret werden, dadurch der specificatus Sp. vitriolinus vel aluminosus erwecket werde, sein proprium zu reduciren. Weil nun allen Naturkündigern wohl bekant ist, daß in der mineralischen Natur zwar allerhand Safft, liquores und Wasser gefunden werden, als welche da tauglich zu allerhand subjectis solvendis, als da unter andern ist das petroleum, naphta, die Alaun, Saltz- u. Salpeter-Wasser, die Sauerbrunnen, Schwefel-Bäder &c. Weil aber solche in illa natura viel zu schwach sind, ein recht figirtes Metall oder Stein anzugreiffen, vielweniger ad primum zu reduciren; also müssen wir auf den rechten Ursprung und Anfang aller mineralien und Metallen sehen, als durch welche alle mineralia per varias digestiones in ihre species gehen, welches wir hin und wieder genugsam angedeutet haben, daß das universal-sperma Spiritus Nitri & Salis in visceribus montium resolvendo terram zu einem vitriolinischen und alaunischen Gur werde, und so ferne per gradum alteratum caloris interni in unterschiedene subjecta ausgezeuget wird. Derowegen weil der erste Anfang und principium aller Mineralien das acidum vitriolinum vel aluminosum ist: so müssen wir auch solches als Haupt-Mittel gebrauchen, die aus solchen gewachsene mineralia oder metalla wieder zu ihrem Anfang zu bringen, nemlich in eine solche vitriolinische und alaunische substantz zurück, welche hernach per ulteriorem reductionem völlig zur mineralischen Natur, mit dem Kopffe aber zu der vegetabilischen, und kan mit und durch die vegetabilia zu einem animale, per animale aber mit und durch die mineralia wieder zu einem Mineral oder regenerirten Metall reduciret werden &c. Aus welchem der Liebhaber wieder siehet, daß die Natur oder Kunst durch lauter mediata homogenea gehet, und von einem Ursprung zum andern, welches er wohl consideriren soll.

1723 pp 348–349

The Golden Chain of Homer: 9 the Anatomy of Minerals

1723 pp 348–349

I also said that the specified, individuated spirit, unless it has enough superfluous moisture of its own to reduce itself to its first state, must be awakened by the addition and assistance of universal spirit to act upon its own subject. This is especially true of minerals, which are mostly drier bodies and have generally driven out their superfluous moisture. Such fixed bodies, lacking sufficient moisture of their own—acidic, vitriolic, or aluminous—must be helped by universal acid or alkali, awakening the specified vitriolic or aluminous spirit to reduce its own subject. Everyone acquainted with nature knows that mineral nature contains many juices, liquids, and waters suited to dissolving various subjects: petroleum, naphtha, alum-water, saltwater, saltpetre-water, acid springs, sulphur baths, and so forth. But in that natural state they are far too weak to attack a thoroughly fixed metal or stone, much less reduce it to its first state. We must therefore consider the true origin and beginning of all minerals and metals, through which minerals pass into their species by various digestions. We have sufficiently indicated that the universal seed, spirits of nitre and salt, dissolves earth within the entrails of the mountains and becomes a vitriolic and aluminous gur; through altered degrees of internal heat, different subjects are generated from it. Since the first beginning and principle of all minerals is vitriolic or aluminous acid, we too must use it as the principal means to return minerals and metals grown from it to their beginning: back into a vitriolic and aluminous substance. Through further reduction, this belongs wholly to mineral nature, but with its head reaches vegetable nature. With and through plants it can be reduced to something animal, and through the animal, with and through minerals, back to a mineral or regenerated metal, and so forth. The lover of the art thus sees again that nature or art proceeds entirely through homogeneous intermediaries, from one origin to another. Let him consider this well.

1723 pp 348–349

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.

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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.