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 375 of 642
Book 8 · Separation · Passage 3
Source reference
- Latin witness
- 1605 p. 237
Latin
Ut vero instituti nostri in hoc octavo libro rationem cognoscatis brevissime: sciendum est, nos non proposuisse hic de Separatione Elementorum omnium naturalium rerum tractare: quandoquidem, de Arcanis illis in Archidoxis de Separationibus Elementorum plene perfecteque docuimus: sed hic tradimus de Separatione rerum Naturalium, qua unumquodlibet seorsim & separatim materialiter ac substantialiter separatur & segregatur, cum scilicet duo, tria, quatuor, &c. plurave in unum corpus invicem permixta sunt, & tamen non nisi unica materia tangitur & videtur. Ubi hoc frequenter accidit, ut corporea eiusmodi materia a nemine cognosci aut expresso nomine designari possit, donec processus separationis instituatur. Tunc enim interdum ex unica materia, duo, tria, quatuor, quinque vel plura prodeunt: sicut per quotidianam experientiam in Scientia Alchimica evidens fit.
English
To understand, very briefly, the purpose of this eighth book, you should know that we have not proposed to discuss here the separation of the elements of all natural things. We have already taught those arcana fully and completely in the Archidoxis, in the treatment of the separation of elements. Here, however, we teach the separation of natural things by which each is materially and substantially separated and set apart on its own. This happens when two, three, four or more things have been mixed together in one body, although only a single matter is touched and seen. Frequently nobody can recognise a bodily matter of this kind or give it a specific name until a process of separation is undertaken. Then two, three, four, five or more things sometimes emerge from one matter, as daily experience in the science of alchemy makes evident.
Socrates
Reading Nine Books on the Nature of Things · Book 8 · Separation · Book 8 · Separation · Passage 3
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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.