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 562 of 642
Book 9 · Signature · Passage 48
Source reference
- Latin witness
- 1605 p. 262
Latin
Quantum vero ad coruscationes: sedulo illae ac studiose observandae sunt. Indices enim sunt certissimae latentis alicuius ductus metallici, velut & eiusdem porrectionis, & metalli ipsius generis. Ubi tamen hoc quoque notandum est, eiusmodi metalla ad perfectam maturitatem nondum pervenisse, sed in primo Ente adhuc versari. Et quocunque coruscatio tendit, eodem tendit etiam ductus metalli, &c. Praeterea sciendum et est, coruscationem coloris triplicis esse, veluti candidi, flavi & rubri, instar Lunae scilicet candidae. Unde metalla omnia, quae nobis indicant, cognoscuntur. Coruscatio enim candida, metalla candida indicat, ut sunt stannum, plumbum, argentum &c. Coruscatio rubea, rubra metalla notat, ut cuprum & ferrum, &c. Flava coruscatio, metalla aurea, &c. revelat. Adde, quod coruscatio tenuis & subtilis, optimum signum sit. Nam, veluti etiam in arbore videtis fieri, ut quo flores pauciores sunt, eo maiores, meliores & sapidiores fructus enascantur: ita & parvae subtilesque coruscationes subtilia & praestantia metalla indicant, ut contrariae contraria. Ad haec sciendum est, quod quamdiu effulgescentiae illae apparent sive magnae, sive parvae, huius aut illius coloris sint, metalla id in sua minera perfectum nondum sit & maturum, sed in primo adhuc Ente consistat, non aliter ac sperma viri in matrice mulieris.
English
Flashes must be observed diligently and attentively, for they are most certain indicators of a hidden metallic course, its direction and the kind of metal itself. Yet observe also that such metals have not reached perfect maturity but remain in their first being. Wherever the flash tends, the course of the metal tends too. Know also that flashes have three colours: white, yellow and red, the white being like the white Moon. From these all the metals they indicate are recognised. A white flash indicates white metals such as tin, lead and silver; a red flash indicates red metals such as copper and iron; a yellow flash reveals golden metals. A thin and subtle flash is an excellent sign. As you see in a tree that fewer flowers yield larger, better and tastier fruit, so small, subtle flashes indicate subtle and excellent metals, and their opposites indicate the opposite. Know further that as long as these gleams appear, whether large or small and of whatever colour, the metal in its ore is not yet perfect and mature, but remains in its first being, like a man’s sperm in a woman’s womb.
Socrates
Reading Nine Books on the Nature of Things · Book 9 · Signature · Book 9 · Signature · Passage 48
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Socrates will begin with this book and its sources.About This Reading Edition
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.