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 380 of 642
Book 8 · Separation · Passage 5
Source reference
- Latin witness
- 1605 p. 237
Latin
Ut autem quidnam Separatio sit, intelligatur: notandum est, ipsam nihil esse aliud, quam unius ab altero segregationem, sive duo, tria, quatuor plurave permixta sint; segregationem inquam trium principiorum, ut Mercurii, sulphuris, salis, & extractionem puri ab impuro, seu puri & nobilis Spiritus ac Quintae Essentiae a crasso, & Elementali corpore: & praeparationem duorum, trium, quatuor aut plurium ex uno: aut dissolutionem & liberationem rerum colligatarum & vinctarum, quae natura adversae sunt, & perpetuo sibi invicem contrariantur, nullo fine, donec sese mutuo perimant & destruant.
English
To understand what separation is, observe that it is simply the setting of one thing apart from another, whether two, three, four or more have been mixed. I mean the separation of the three principles, mercury, sulphur and salt; the extraction of the pure from the impure, or of the pure and noble spirit and quintessence from the gross elemental body; the preparation of two, three, four or more things from one; or the dissolution and release of things bound and tied together which are naturally opposed and continually resist one another without end, until they kill and destroy each other.
Socrates
Reading Nine Books on the Nature of Things · Book 8 · Separation · Book 8 · Separation · 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.