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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Facing Pages · Branch 271 of 642
Book 6 · Resuscitation · Passage 3
Source reference
- Latin witness
- 1605 p. 225
Latin
Est & calx metallorum & cinis duplex, & est maxima differentia inter ista duo. Nam unum revivificari potest & in metallum reduci, alterum vero minime: unum est volatile, alterum est fixum: unum est mortuum, alterum mortificatum. Cinis est volatilis nec in metallum reduci potest, tantum in vitrum vel scoriam. Calx autem metallorum est fixa & in suum metallum reduci potest. Ut autem differentiam & causam intelligatis, scitote, quod in cinere minus pinguedinis & plus siccitatis sit quam in calce, quae quidem fluxum dat. Calx vero pinguior est & humidior quam cinis, & adhuc secum habet suam resinam & fluxum, & praecipue Sal, quod ex propria natura fluxibile est, & metalla fluere facit & reducit. Ex hoc iam sequitur, cineribus metallorum, ut in metallum non reduci possunt, sal extrahendum esse, tunc perfecte sunt volatiles: & hoc quidem dulcissime & caute est summopere notandum, & non parum in eo situm est.
English
There is also a twofold metallic residue, calx and ash, with a very great difference between them. One can be brought to life again and reduced to metal; the other cannot. One is volatile, the other fixed; one is dead, the other mortified. Ash is volatile and cannot be reduced to metal, only to glass or slag. Metallic calx is fixed and can be reduced to its own metal. To understand the difference and its cause, know that ash contains less fatness and more dryness than calx, which gives fusion. Calx is fatter and moister than ash and still has its resin and flux, especially Salt, which is fusible by its own nature and makes metals flow and reduces them. It follows that salt must be extracted from metallic ashes so that they cannot be reduced to metal; then they are completely volatile. This must be noted with the greatest gentleness and care, for much depends upon it.
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Reading Nine Books on the Nature of Things · Book 6 · Resuscitation · Book 6 · Resuscitation · Passage 3
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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.