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 491 of 642
Book 9 · Signature · Passage 21
Source reference
- Latin witness
- 1605 p. 254
Latin
Pro horum ergo captu sciendum est, Astra esse duplicia. Terrena nempe & coelestia: illa stultitiae, haec sapientiae. Et velut mundi duo sunt, maior & minor, minoremque maior regit: sic & astrum Microcosmi Astrum coeleste gubernat & vincit. Nec enim eo consilio Deus Planetas & cetera coeli Astra creavit, ut ipsa homini dominentur, sed ut eadem, ceu creaturae reliquae ipsi pareant ac serviant. Et licet Astra quidem superiora inclinationem dent, hominemque velut, & cetera terrena corpora signis naturalibus pro generationis modo signent: ea tamen potestas aut dominium nullum est, sed praedestinatum tantum mandatum ac officium, quo nihil occultum & absconditum maneat, sed per exteriora signa vis & potestas interior prodatur.
English
To understand these matters, know that the stars are twofold: earthly and heavenly, the former belonging to folly and the latter to wisdom. As there are two worlds, greater and lesser, and the greater rules the lesser, so the heavenly star governs and overcomes the star of the microcosm. God did not create the planets and the other stars of heaven so that they should rule the human being, but so that, like the other creatures, they should obey and serve him. Although the upper stars give inclination and mark the human being and other earthly bodies with natural signs according to their mode of generation, this is no power or dominion, but only a predestined commission and office, so that nothing may remain hidden or concealed and the inward force and power may be disclosed through outward signs.
Socrates
Reading Nine Books on the Nature of Things · Book 9 · Signature · Book 9 · Signature · Passage 21
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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.