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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English Page · Branch 428 of 642
Book 8 · Separation · Passage 28
Source reference
- Latin witness
- 1605 p. 243
Latin
Postquam Metallorum a sua terra & materia, velut etiam metalli unius ab alio separationem hactenus explicuimus, & qua fieri potuit, summa, attamen accurata brevitate secundum artem Alchimicam & Experientiam proposuimus: fas utique ac necessarium erit, nos deinceps quoque de illis rebus tractare, ex quibus metalla crescunt & generantur, ut sunt tria principia, Mercurius, Sulphur & Sal, velut & mineralia alia, in quibus primum Ens Metallorum, hoc est, spiritus metallorum reperitur, velut evidens est in Marcasitis, Granatis, Cachimiis, Talco rubro, Lazurio, &c. & similibus, ut primum Ens Auri per gradum sublimationis invenitur. Sic in Marcasita alba, albo Talco, Auripigmento, Arsenico, Lithargyrio, &c. Primum Ens Argenti invenitur. In Cobalto, Zineto, &c. Primum Ens Ferri, in Zineto, Vitriolo, Atramento, Viridi aeris, &c. Primum Ens cupri: in Zineto, Bisemuto, etc. Primum Ens Stanni; in Antimonio, Minio, etc. Primum Ens Plumbi: in Cinnabari primum Ens Argenti vivi reperitur.
English
We have now explained the separation of metals from their earth and matter, and of one metal from another, setting it out as briefly as possible, yet accurately, according to alchemical art and experience. It is therefore fitting and necessary next to discuss the things from which metals grow and are generated, such as the three principles, mercury, sulphur and salt, and other minerals in which the first being of metals, that is, their spirit, is found. Thus in marcasites, garnets, cachimiae, red talc, lazurium and similar things, the first being of gold is found through sublimation. In white marcasite, white talc, orpiment, arsenic and litharge the first being of silver is found; in cobalt and zinetum the first being of iron; in zinetum, vitriol, atramentum and verdigris the first being of copper; in zinetum and bismuth the first being of tin; in antimony and minium the first being of lead; and in cinnabar the first being of quicksilver.
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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.