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 385 of 642
Book 8 · Separation · Passage 7
Source reference
- Latin witness
- 1605 pp. 237–238
Latin
Prima separatio, de qua loquimur, inchoari debet ab homine, quoniam is Microcosmus, minor mundus est, & ipsius caussa Macrocosmus, maior mundus, conditus est, ut scilicet illius Separator esset. Separatio autem Microcosmi a morte demum incipit. In morte enim hominis corpora duo a se invicem separantur, Coeleste & Terrenum, hoc est, Sacramentale & Elementale. Horum unum in sublime evolat ut Aquila: alterum deorsum ad terram, ut plumbum labitur.
English
The first separation of which we speak must begin with the human being, since the human is the microcosm, the lesser world, for whose sake the macrocosm, the greater world, was established: namely, so that the human might be its separator. Separation of the microcosm begins only at death. In human death two bodies are separated from each other, the heavenly and the earthly, that is, the sacramental and the elemental. One flies aloft like an eagle; the other falls down to earth like lead.
Socrates
Reading Nine Books on the Nature of Things · Book 8 · Separation · Book 8 · Separation · Passage 7
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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.