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
Explore the LexiconSwipe or use the arrow keys.
Facing Pages · Branch 288 of 642
Book 6 · Resuscitation · Passage 8
Source reference
- Latin witness
- 1605 p. 227
Latin
Resuscitatio cinnaberis lazurii, Auri musici, etiam praecipitati, ut vivificentur iterum in Mercurium vivum, est talis: Recipe horum quodvis, minutissime tere in marmore, & impasta albumine ovorum & smegmate, postea fac pilulas magnitudine avellanae, quas pone in firma cucurbita terrea: ad orificium eius pone laminam ferream quae multa parva foramina habeat, sitque luto agglutinata, atque distilla per descensum igne forti, ita ut cadat in aquam frigidam, & habebis iterum Mercurium vivum.
English
Cinnabar, lazurium, mosaic gold and precipitate are resuscitated into living Mercury as follows. Take any one, grind it extremely fine on marble and make a paste with egg white and soap. Form pills the size of a hazelnut and place them in a strong earthen cucurbit. Over its mouth put an iron plate with many small holes, attached with lute, and distil downward with a strong fire so that it falls into cold water. You will again have living Mercury.
Socrates
Reading Nine Books on the Nature of Things · Book 6 · Resuscitation · Book 6 · Resuscitation · Passage 8
Ask about a concept, passage, contradiction, or connection.
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.