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 558 of 642
Book 9 · Signature · Passage 46
Source reference
- Latin witness
- 1605 p. 261
Latin
Quantum ad cetera interioris terrae signa aut mineralium colores attinet, de illis breviter ita constituimus. Quoties fossores in terram argillosam incidunt, qui puri & recentis metalli venam prodit, signum id admodum probum est, certo indicans, metallum id, cuius vena ea est, iam procul inde non abesse. Similiter si terra effossa metallo caret quidem, sed pinguis est, colorisque albi, nigrive, aut lutei, aut rubri, aut viridis aut cyanei &c. tunc id quoque bonum signum est probi ibi latentis metalli. In operis ergo inceptis sedulo pergendum est, nec a fossione desistendum. Metallarii enim comprimis ad nobiles, nitidos & primarios colores respiciunt, ut sunt terra viridis seu Chrysocolla, viride aeris, Lazurium, Cinnabaris, Sandaraca, Auripigmentum, Lithargyron auri & argenti &c. Horum fere quodlibet peculiare plerunque metallum ac minerale indicat. Sic viride aeris, Chrysocolla, terra viridis, plerunque cuprum & cupreum metallum indicat. Sic lazurium, sive Arsenicum album aut Lithargiron argenti, metallum cupri notat. Sic Cinnabaris & Sandaracha, interdum aurum, interdum argentum, aut utraque permixta, produnt. Sic Auripigmentum, Sulphur rubrum seu Lithargyron auri, aurum plerunque portendit. Sic ubi Chrysocolla cum Lazurio, aut Lazurium cum Chrysocolla & Auripigmento commixta & confusa reperiuntur, plerunque minerale praestans & opulentum indicant. Ubi lapides aut terrae reperiuntur, colore ferrugineo, minerale ferreum certo designant.
English
As for other signs within the earth or the colours of minerals, we state briefly the following. Whenever miners encounter clayey earth which discloses a vein of pure, fresh metal, this is a very good sign, indicating certainly that the metal to which the vein belongs is not far away. Likewise, if excavated earth contains no metal but is rich and white, black, yellow, red, green or blue, this too is a good sign of sound metal hidden there. The work begun should therefore be pursued diligently and digging continued. Miners look especially to noble, bright and primary colours, such as green earth or chrysocolla, verdigris, lazurium, cinnabar, sandarac, orpiment and litharge of gold and silver. Almost each generally indicates a particular metal and mineral. Thus verdigris, chrysocolla and green earth generally indicate copper or copper ore. Lazurium, white arsenic or litharge of silver signifies copper metal. Cinnabar and sandarac disclose sometimes gold, sometimes silver, or both mixed. Orpiment, red sulphur or litharge of gold generally portends gold. Where chrysocolla is found mixed with lazurium, or lazurium with chrysocolla and orpiment, they generally indicate an excellent and rich mineral. Stones or earth of a rust colour certainly designate iron ore.
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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.