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 284 of 642
Book 6 · Resuscitation · Passage 6
Source reference
- Latin witness
- 1605 pp. 226–227
Latin
Sed ut exempla omittamus & praxim resuscitationis & restaurationis aggrediamur, necesse est & decet a metallis nos incipere: quandoquidem metallica corpora humanis corporibus saepius assimilantur. Sciendum igitur, resuscitationem & restaurationem metallorum duplicem esse. Unam quae metalla calcinata per reductionem in suum primum metallicum corpus redigat: Alteram quae metalla in suam primam materiam reducat, hoc est in argentum vivum: & ita quidem in posteriori proceditur. Calcina metallum per Mercurium vulgi: hanc calcem & tantundem argenti vivi pone in sublimatorio, stent aliquandiu, donec ambo in amalgama coagulentur: postea eleva Mercurium per sublimationem a calce, elevatum iterum tere cum calce metallica, & sublima ut antea: hoc toties fac donec calx metallica tandem super candela ut cera vel glacies liquescat, tum probe factum est. Hoc metallum ponatur in digestione ad suum tempus, & mutabitur totum in Mercurium vivum, hoc est in primam suam materiam, qui quidem Mercurius metallorum Mercurius philosophorum appellatur, quem plurimi Alchymistae quaesiverunt, sed pauci invenerunt. Ita iam paratur Mercurius vivus ex omnibus metallis, nempe ☿ auri ☽ ♀ ♂ ♃ ♄.
English
Leaving examples and approaching the practice of resuscitation and restoration, it is necessary and fitting to begin with metals, since metallic bodies are often compared with human bodies. The resuscitation and restoration of metals is twofold. One reduces calcined metals back to their first metallic body; the other reduces metals to their first matter, quicksilver. The latter proceeds as follows. Calcine the metal through common Mercury. Put this calx and an equal quantity of quicksilver in a sublimatory and leave them until both coagulate into an amalgam. Then raise Mercury from the calx by sublimation. Grind what has risen with the metallic calx again and sublime as before. Repeat until the metallic calx melts over a candle like wax or ice; then it has been properly done. Place this metal in digestion for its proper time, and it will all turn into living Mercury, its first matter. This Mercury of metals is called the philosophers’ Mercury, which very many alchemists have sought but few have found. Living Mercury is thus prepared from all metals: the Mercury of Gold, Silver, Copper, Iron, Tin and Lead.
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Reading Nine Books on the Nature of Things · Book 6 · Resuscitation · Book 6 · Resuscitation · Passage 6
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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.