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 309 of 642
Book 7 · Transmutations · Passage 5
Source reference
- Latin witness
- 1605 p. 230
Latin
Putrefactio est quartus gradus, sub qua & comprehenduntur Digestio & Circulatio. Est autem putrefactio valde principalis gradus, qui & merito primus esse debebat, nisi contra iustum ordinem, & contra Mysterium, quod hic latet, & paucissimis patet, id fieret: Isti enim gradus ita se invicem, ut dictum est, sequi debent, sicut articuli in catena aut gradus in scala. Nam si unus articulorum tolleretur, catena esset interrupta, & captivus liberatus aufugeret: ita & de scala, si ullus gradus ex medio tolleretur, & in supremo vel infimo loco poneretur, scala quoque fracta esset, & multi in caput per eam deciderent, non sine copioso ac vitae suae damno & periculo. Ita etiam hic intelligitis, quod isti gradus iusto ordine sequantur, alias totum opus nostri Mysterii esset perversum, & omnis labor & opera frustranea & inanis. Putrefactio autem tantae est efficaciae, ut veterem naturam aboleat, & transmutet omnes res in aliam novam naturam, & alium novum fructum afferat. Omnia viva in ea moriuntur, omnia mortua putrefiunt in ea, & omnia mortua in ea recuperant vitam: putrefactio omnibus corrosivis spiritibus salis acredinem adimit, & lenes ac dulces facit, transmutat colores, separat purum ab impuro, purum superius, impurum inferius, utrunque segregatim locat.
English
Putrefaction is the fourth stage and includes Digestion and Circulation. It is a very important stage and would rightly be first, were that not contrary to the proper order and the mystery hidden here and revealed to very few. As stated, these stages must follow one another like links in a chain or rungs in a ladder. Remove one link and the chain is broken and the freed captive escapes. Remove a rung from the middle of a ladder and place it at the top or bottom, and the ladder is likewise broken: many would fall headlong from it, with great harm and danger to life. Understand that these stages must follow in their proper order; otherwise the entire work of our mystery would be disordered and all labour and effort vain and fruitless. Putrefaction is so effective that it abolishes the old nature, transmutes all things into a different new nature and produces another new fruit. All living things die in it; all dead things putrefy in it; all dead things recover life in it. Putrefaction removes acridity from all corrosive spirits of salt and makes them mild and sweet. It changes colours, separates the pure from the impure, and places the pure above and the impure below, each apart.
Socrates
Reading Nine Books on the Nature of Things · Book 7 · Transmutations · Book 7 · Transmutations · Passage 5
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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.