Diotimos Library · Esotericism & Spirituality Collection · Bilingual Edition
Nine Books on the Nature of Things
A fresh translation from the early Latin text with annotations and study apparatus
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English Page · Branch 607 of 642
Book 9 · Signature · Passage 65
Source reference
- Latin witness
- 1605 p. 268
Latin
Idem Signator signat volucris rostrum & ungues peculiaribus signis, ut auceps peritus quivis annos & aetatem illius ex illis censeri queat. Idem Signator aegrorum porcorum linguas exanthematis notat, ex quibus impuritas eorum cognoscitur. Et velut impura lingua est, ita & in universum corpus. Idem Signator coloribus discretis nubes signat, ex quibus tempestates coeli praenosci possunt. Sic etiam Lunae circulum distinctis coloribus, quorum quilibet peculiaris interpretationis est, signat. Sic rubedo plerunque futurum ventum indicat. Viriditas, nigredoque, pluviam. Haec duo commixta, ventum cum pluvia: quod in mari signum est, cum plerunque saevas tempestates & procellas portendat. Claror & candor lucidus bonum signum est, cumprimis in Oceano. Plerunque enim tempestatem placidam, quietam & serenam praesagit. Quicquid ergo suis signis ita Luna portendit, id sequenti die eventurum est.
English
The same signator marks a bird’s beak and claws with particular signs from which any experienced fowler can assess its years and age. He marks the tongues of sick pigs with eruptions which disclose their impurity: as the tongue is impure, so is the whole body. He marks clouds with distinct colours from which the weather can be foreknown, and likewise the Moon’s halo with colours, each having its own interpretation. Redness generally indicates coming wind; greenness and blackness, rain; and these two mixed, wind with rain, a sign at sea generally portending fierce storms and tempests. Brightness and shining whiteness are a good sign, especially on the ocean, generally foretelling calm, quiet and clear weather. Whatever the Moon thus portends through its signs will happen on the following day.
Socrates
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The complete supplied Latin–English edition of the historical title, dedication and all nine books, with 363 separately labelled historical marginal notes, 117 modern annotations and the complete Diotimos study apparatus. The transmitted composite work is traditionally attributed to Paracelsus; individual authorship remains qualified.
Historical Text and Translation
The normalized Latin follows the complete 1605 Frankfurt Palthenian witness, volume six, printed pages 198–271, in SUB Göttingen PPN578052199, historical scans 182–255. Earlier textual tradition is German; the individual translator of the 1605 Latin text is not identified. The dedication’s 1537 date is transmitted text, not an established date for the composite work.
About Diotimos Editions
This historical edition credits Diotimos Editions as its English translator.
Rights
The historical Latin text is in the public domain. The fresh English translation and editorial material were prepared with AI assistance for Diotimos Editions in 2026 and are published with the site owner’s authorization.