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 609 of 642
Book 9 · Signature · Passage 66
Source reference
- Latin witness
- 1605 pp. 268–269
Latin
Et haec hactenus de signis Naturalibus tradita sint. Quantum vero porro ad supernaturalia attinet, ea res singularis scientiae & experientiae est, velut est Astronomia Magica, &c. & similes. Hic opus est, in illis certam scientiam comparari. Hinc enim multae aliae quoque artes prodeunt, ut Geomantia, Pyromantia, Hydromantia, Chaomantia, & Necromantia, quarum quaelibet sua peculiaria astra habet, quae astra modo supernaturali ita signant. Et sciendum est, astra Geomantiae signa sua signare seu imprimere in terrena corpora universi orbis, multis quidem ac variis modis. Nam & terram mutant, & terraemotus, ac hiatus pariunt, gignunt colles & valles, multa nova crescentia parturiunt, proferunt Gamaheos nudis figuris & imaginibus, insignes vires & potentias habentes, quas quidem a septem Planetis accipiunt, non secus ac orbis seu scopus glandem aut telum accipit a iaculatore. Quomodo vero signa ea & imagines Gamaheorum seorsim cognosci, & quid Magice notent, sciri queant: magnae experientiae & Naturae rerum cognitionis id opus est, quod quidem perfecte hic tradi nulla ratione potest.
English
Let this suffice for what has been taught about natural signs. Supernatural signs require a special knowledge and experience, such as magical astronomy and similar sciences. Here one must acquire certain knowledge of them. Many other arts arise from this, such as geomancy, pyromancy, hydromancy, chaomancy and necromancy. Each has its own particular stars, which sign in a supernatural manner. Know that the stars of geomancy sign or impress their marks on earthly bodies throughout the world in many different ways. They change the earth, produce earthquakes and chasms, generate hills and valleys, bring forth many new growths and produce gamahei with plain figures and images possessing notable forces and powers. These they receive from the seven planets as a target receives a bullet or missile from a shooter. To recognise separately the signs and images of gamahei and know what they signify magically requires great experience and knowledge of the nature of things, which cannot be taught completely here.
Socrates
Reading Nine Books on the Nature of Things · Book 9 · Signature · Book 9 · Signature · Passage 66
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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.