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The Philosophical Fire · Original
Original English
But one thing I must tell thee, and bee sure, Reader, thou doest remember it. This very naturall Heat must bee applied in the just Degree, and not too much fortified, for the Sun it self doth not generat, but burne and scorch where it is too hot. Si cum igne magno operatus fueris (saith the same Lullie) proprietas nostri spiritus, quae inter vitam & mortem participiat, separabit se, & Anima recedet in Regionem sphaerae suae. If thou shalt work with too strong a fire, the proprietie of our spirit, which is indifferent as yet to life or death, will separate it self from the Body, and the Soule will depart to the Region of her own sphere: Take therefore along with thee this short, but wholesome advise of the same Author. Facias ergo Fili, quod in loco Generationis aut Conversionis sit talis potentia Coelestis, quae possit transformare Humidum ex natura terrestris, in formam & speciem transparentem, & finissimam. My Son (saith hee) let the Heavenly power, or Agent be such in the place of Generation or Mutation, that it may alter the spermatic Humiditie from its Earthly Complexion, to a most fine transparent forme, or species. See here now the solution of the slimie, fat Earth, to a transparent glorious Mercury! This Mercury Gentlemen, is the water which we look after, but not any common water whatsoever.
Modern English
But I must tell you one thing, and, reader, be sure to remember it. This very natural heat must be applied in the right degree, without being strengthened too much. The sun itself does not generate where it is too hot, but burns and scorches. The same Lull says: “If you work with a great fire, the property of our spirit, which partakes of both life and death, will separate itself, and the soul will withdraw to the region of its own sphere.” If you work with too strong a fire, the property of our spirit, as yet indifferent to life or death, will separate from the body, and the soul depart to the region of her own sphere. Take with you this short but wholesome advice from the same author: “Therefore, son, arrange that in the place of generation or conversion there is such a heavenly power as can transform the moisture from its earthly nature into a transparent and most refined form and appearance.” My son, he says, let the heavenly power or agent in the place of generation or mutation be capable of altering the seminal humidity from its earthly complexion into a most refined, transparent form or species. See here the dissolution of slimy, fatty earth into a transparent, glorious mercury! This mercury, gentlemen, is the water we seek, and no ordinary water whatsoever.
Socrates
Reading Lumen de Lumine · The Philosophical Fire · Page 66 · Passage A
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Socrates will begin with this book and its sources.About This Reading Edition
The complete 1651 Lumen de Lumine, or A New Magical Light, by Thomas Vaughan (Eugenius Philalethes), with original and modern English, fresh translations of the Latin, Greek and Hebrew passages, the historical emblem and its inscriptions, all twelve Magical Aphorisms, 105 annotations and the complete supplied Diotimos study apparatus.
Historical Text and Translation
Thomas Vaughan (Eugenius Philalethes), Lumen de Lumine, or A New Magicall Light. London: H. Blunden, 1651. Governing witness: Wellcome Collection EPB/A/69096.4, digitisation b30340160, Wing V150, ESTC R146. Source credit: Wellcome Collection; Public Domain Mark.
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This historical edition credits Diotimos Editions as its English translator.
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The historical text and emblem are public domain. The supplied 2026 reading, translations and Diotimos editorial material are published with the site owner’s authorization.
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