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.
English Page · Branch 330 of 642
Book 7 · Transmutations · Passage 11
Source reference
- Latin witness
- 1605 p. 233
Latin
Porro tincturas metallorum necesse est esse naturae fixae, fluxibilis & incombustibilis, ita ut si parum eius laminae metallicae ignitae iniiciatur, mox sicut cera fluat, idque sine omni fumo metallumque penetret, ut oleum papyrum, vel aqua spongiam, omniaque metalla in album & rubrum tingant, hoc est in ☽ & ☉. Hae iam sunt tincturae metallorum, quae necesse est per gradum calcinationis primum in alcool verti, postea per secundum gradum sublimationis suum facilem & levem fluxum nancisci: denique per gradum putrefactionis & distillationis tinctura fit fixa & incombustibilis, colorisque immutabilis.
English
Tinctures of metals must be fixed, fusible and incombustible in nature. If a little is thrown onto a glowing metal plate, it must immediately flow like wax without any fumes and penetrate the metal as oil penetrates paper or water a sponge, tinging all metals into white and red—that is, into Silver and Gold. These are the tinctures of metals. They must first be converted into alcohol through the stage of calcination, then acquire their ready, easy fusion through the second stage, sublimation. Finally, through putrefaction and distillation, the tincture becomes fixed, incombustible and unchanging in colour.
Socrates
Reading Nine Books on the Nature of Things · Book 7 · Transmutations · Book 7 · Transmutations · Passage 11
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.