Diotimos Library · Esotericism & Spirituality Collection · Bilingual Edition
Sal Lumen and Spiritus Mundi Philosophici
Treatises on the True Salt and the Universal Spirit of the World
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English Page · Branch 34 of 251
Book One · Chapter 1
French
1621 pp. 7–9 · scans FR027, FR028, FR029Alors donc n'estans plus mineraux impurs & grossiers, ils engendreront, par la forme specifique en eux introduite, non pas leurs semblables, mais en leurs semblables une alteration & perfection telle qu'on l'attribuë à ce tant cherché Elixir: que les sages admirent pour ses divines vertus, & que les fols mesprisent, pour ne pouvoir de leurs yeux fascinez penetrer au centre de ses merveilles. Si donc les animaux, Mineraux; & vegetaux, qui tiennent la pluspart de ce monde visible, sont remplis de vie, quelle apparence y auroit il de croire que le tout feust plus pauvre que les parties? Ce que l'on connoistra encore plus veritable aux choses du monde surlunaire; car les globes celestes influant la vie aux corps inferieurs, il est bien necessaire qu'ils l'ayent premierement receuë de cette ame universelle, puis qu'on ne peut donner ce qu'on n'a point. Entendez Augurel. Voire l'on dit que l'air & terre & cieux Et de la mer le grand tour spacieux Sont excitez interieurement D'une ame vive, & generalement Que par cette ame a vie toute chose Que nous voyons dessous le ciel enclose, Et qui plus est, que par une ame telle Le monde vit, & sa vigueur tient d'elle.
Sal Lumen and Spiritus Mundi Philosophici: Book One · Chapter 1
1621 pp. 7–9 · scans FR027, FR028, FR029Then, no longer being impure and coarse minerals, through the specific form introduced into them they will generate, not their like, but in their like an alteration and perfection of the kind attributed to that much-sought elixir. The wise admire it for its divine powers, while fools despise it because their bewitched eyes cannot penetrate to the centre of its wonders. If, then, animals, minerals and plants, which occupy the greater part of this visible world, are filled with life, what grounds could there be for believing the whole poorer than its parts? This will be recognised still more truly in the things of the world above the moon. For since the celestial globes pour life into lower bodies, they must necessarily have first received it from this universal soul, since no one can give what they do not possess. Listen to Augurel: Indeed, it is said that air and earth and heavens, And the great spacious circuit of the sea, Are inwardly stirred By a living soul; and, generally, That through this soul everything has life Which we see enclosed beneath the heavens; And, further, that through such a soul The world lives, and draws its vigour from it.
Socrates
Reading Sal Lumen and Spiritus Mundi Philosophici · Book One · Chapter 1 · Book One · Chapter 1 · Unit 5
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Socrates will begin with this book and its sources.About This Reading Edition
The complete French text of 1621 with a new English translation, all three books, preliminary texts, nine concluding sonnets, original errata, 299 annotations and the complete supplied study apparatus.
Historical Text and Translation
Clovis Hesteau de Nuysement, Traittez de l’harmonie et constitution generalle du vray sel, secret des Philosophes, & de l’Esprit universelle du Monde. Paris: Jérémie Périer and Abdias Buisard, 1621. The governing witness is the BnF/Gallica reproduction, ark:/12148/bpt6k656273. The reproduced privilege is dated 6 November 1620; the separate eighty-page Poème philosophic of 1620 is outside this edition.
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This historical edition credits Diotimos Editions as its English translator.
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The historical text printed in 1621 is in the public domain. The supplied 2026 French reading text, new English translation, introduction, notes and complete study apparatus are published with the site owner’s authorization.
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