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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Latin Page · Branch 339 of 642
Book 7 · Transmutations · Passage 15
Source reference
- Latin witness
- 1605 p. 234
Latin
Postquam igitur vobis proposui & aperui gradus artis Alchymisticae, & gradus Alchymistici ignis: porro vobis indicabo & describam in genere varias rerum naturalium transmutationes. Ante omnia vero de metallis loqui decet: secundo de lapidibus: tertio de variis rebus in genere. Transmutatio igitur metallorum magnum Secretum est in natura, & difficulter fieri potest multorum impedimentorum, & adversitatum causa: Attamen non est contra naturam, neque contra Dei ordinationem, ut multi falso loquuntur. Ut vero minora & impuriora metalla quinque, ut ♀ ♃ ♄ ♂ & ☿, in maiora & purissima, perfectaque metalla, utpote in ☉ & ☽ transmutentur, absque tinctura vel lapide Philosophorum fieri illud nequit. Cum autem iam antea in septem gradibus satis tincturarum secreta detexerimus & descripserimus, non est opus, ut amplius in hoc laboremus, quin potius in his, quae in aliis libris de transmutationibus metallorum scripsimus, acquiescimus.
English
Having set out and revealed the stages of alchemical art and alchemical fire, I shall now indicate and describe generally various transmutations of natural things. It is fitting to speak first of metals, second of stones and third of various things in general. Metallic transmutation is a great secret in nature and difficult to accomplish because of many impediments and adversities. Yet it is neither contrary to nature nor to God’s ordinance, as many falsely say. The five lesser and more impure metals—Copper, Tin, Lead, Iron and Mercury—cannot be transmuted into the greater, purest and perfect metals, Gold and Silver, without a tincture or the philosophers’ stone. Since we have already sufficiently uncovered and described the secrets of tinctures in the seven stages, no further labour is needed here; we rest in what we have written in other books on metallic transmutations.
Socrates
Reading Nine Books on the Nature of Things · Book 7 · Transmutations · Book 7 · Transmutations · Passage 15
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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.