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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 Homer10 the Tree of Dulcification and the Mineral Arcanum

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Facing Pages · Branch 454 of 504

10 the Tree of Dulcification and the Mineral Arcanum

German & Latin

1723 pp 389–390

Darum ist das eine Dummheit mancher irrenden Laboranten, die da dencken, sie scheiden die menstrua per abstractionem vel aquae com-ablationem, & per Spr. vini decombustionem vel digestionem gar wohl; da sie doch nur das abgezogene menstruum kosten sollen, ob sie es nicht fast um die Helffte schwächer finden werden, und solches desto schleuniger, wenn sie damit frische subjecta solviren wollen, so ists ihnen zu schwach. Besehe man nur die corpora soluta und wiege sie nach und vor der solution, was vor ein Unterscheid in pondere ist. Denn alles, was da fix soll werden, das hänget sich an eine Erden, als alle acida; und alles, was flüchtig soll werden, das steiget in die Höhe, und läst sich mit allen disputiren nicht verleugnen noch verbergen, es mag theoria oder praxis sich reimen, wie sie will.

1723 pp 389–390

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

1723 pp 389–390

It is therefore foolish of some erring laboratory workers to think that they thoroughly separate the menstrua by abstraction or removal along with water, and by burning away or digestion through spirit of wine. They need only taste the menstruum drawn off to see whether they do not find it nearly half as weak; they will discover this still sooner if they wish to dissolve fresh subjects with it, for then it is too weak for them. Simply inspect the dissolved bodies and weigh them before and after dissolution to see the difference in weight. For everything that is to become fixed attaches itself to an earth, as all acids do; and everything that is to become volatile rises upward. No amount of disputing can deny or conceal this, however theory or practice may agree with it.

1723 pp 389–390

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.