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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Latin Page · Branch 210 of 642
Book 5 · Death · Passage 12
Source reference
- Latin witness
- 1605 p. 220
Latin
Mortificatio vero ☿ ut sublimetur, fit per vitriolum & sal, cum his duobus misceatur, & inde sublimetur, ita durescit ut crystallus, & albescit ut nix. Ut autem in praecipitatum redigatur Mercurius, non alio modo procedendum est, quam ut in optima aqua forti calcinetur, postea gradiva aqua fortis ab eo abstrahatur quinquies, plus minusve, donec praecipitatus pulchrum colorem rubeum acquirat. Hunc praecipitatum dulcifica quantum potes: ultimo quoque rectificatum vinum ardens ab eo destilla septies vel novies, vel toties, donec in igne candescat & non aufugiat: tunc habes Mercurium praecipitatum diaphoreticum.
English
Mercury is mortified for sublimation through vitriol and salt: mix it with these two and sublime it from them. It thus becomes hard like crystal and white like snow. To reduce Mercury to a precipitate, proceed by calcining it in the best aqua fortis, then draw graduated aqua fortis off from it about five times, more or less, until the precipitate acquires a fine red colour. Sweeten this precipitate as much as possible. Finally distil rectified ardent wine from it seven or nine times, or until it glows in fire without fleeing. You then have diaphoretic precipitated Mercury.
Socrates
Reading Nine Books on the Nature of Things · Book 5 · Death · Book 5 · Death · Passage 12
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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.