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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English Page · Branch 317 of 642
Book 7 · Transmutations · Passage 7
Source reference
- Latin witness
- 1605 p. 231
Latin
Cohobitio autem est, ut caput mortuum saepius sua propria aqua imbibatur, eaque per distillationem iterum inde abstrahatur. Porro in distillatione multa amara, acerba & acria dulcissima ut mel, saccarum vel manna fiunt, & contra multa dulcia, ut saccarum, mel vel manna austera fiunt, ut oleum vitrioli vel acetum, aut amara ut fel, aut gentiana, acria ut corrosivum. Multae res undosae suum nimium foetorem in distillatione amittunt, qui quidem in aqua egreditur: multa aromatica perdunt bonum suum odorem. Et sicut sublimatio res in sua qualitate & natura alterat, ita etiam distillatio facit.
English
Cohobation is the repeated imbibition of the caput mortuum with its own water, which is drawn off again by distillation. In distillation many bitter, tart and acrid things become very sweet like honey, sugar or manna. Conversely, many sweet things, such as sugar, honey and manna, become astringent like oil of vitriol or vinegar, bitter like gall or gentian, or acrid like a corrosive. Many undosa lose their excessive stench in distillation, which passes out in the water; many aromatics lose their good smell. Like sublimation, distillation alters things in quality and nature.
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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.