DiotimosReading Desk

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

Explore the Lexicon
The Golden Chain of Homer10 the Tree of Dulcification and the Mineral Arcanum

Swipe or use the arrow keys.

Facing Pages · Branch 450 of 504

10 the Tree of Dulcification and the Mineral Arcanum

German & Latin

1723 pp 383–384

Man nehme ein lb. Aquafort und 8. Loth Spir. Salis, giesse die zusammen, ziehets in einer Retorte in Aschen gelinde herüber auf eine ziemliche Olität, diese setze ins kalte Wasser und laß schiessen, so werden Crystallen daraus, und diese sind ein regenerirtes Nitrum: Denn das Aquafort ist acidum nitrosum, der Sp. Salis ist ein geistlich alcali. Also siehet man, daß sich das acidum an dem alcali coaguliret und figiret, und also die Scharffe des acidi gebrochen wird, daß es nicht mehr so starck angreiffen kan. Also auch mit dem [Salarmoniac] oder Sale communi. Ziehe von 8. Loth [Salarmoniac] oder Sale communi 1. lb. Aquafort ab in cinere per Retortam, denn so recipire das Caput mortuum aus, versuch es gegen einander auf der Zungen, so wirst du befinden, daß der [Salarmoniac] eine grosse Scharffe von dem Aquafort bey sich behalten hat; und so viel Schärffe, als das Aquafort auf dem [Salarmoniac] verlohren, so viel schwächer oder gebrochener ist das Aquafort worden, daß es so starck nicht mehr angreiffen kan.

1723 pp 383–384

The Golden Chain of Homer: 10 the Tree of Dulcification and the Mineral Arcanum

1723 pp 383–384

Take one pound of aqua fortis and eight loth of spirit of salt, pour them together, and gently draw them over in a retort in ashes until they have a fairly oily consistency. Set this in cold water and allow it to crystallize: crystals will form, and these are regenerated nitre, for aqua fortis is nitrous acid and spirit of salt is a spiritual alkali. Thus one sees that the acid coagulates and fixes itself upon the alkali, and that the acid’s sharpness is thereby broken so that it can no longer attack so strongly. The same applies to sal ammoniac or common salt. Draw one pound of aqua fortis off eight loth of sal ammoniac or common salt through a retort in ashes; then take out the caput mortuum and compare their tastes upon the tongue. You will find that the sal ammoniac has retained much sharpness from the aqua fortis; and by as much sharpness as the aqua fortis has lost upon the sal ammoniac, by so much has it become weaker or broken, so that it can no longer attack as strongly.

1723 pp 383–384

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.