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Clovis Hesteau de Nuysement

Sal Lumen and Spiritus Mundi Philosophici

Treatises on the True Salt and the Universal Spirit of the World

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Sal Lumen and Spiritus Mundi PhilosophiciBook Two · Chapter 1

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Facing Pages · Branch 83 of 251

Book Two · Chapter 1

French

1621 pp. 71–73 · scans FR091, FR092, FR093

Or pour juger qu'il est muny d'humeur, il ne faut que considerer sa resolution facile: & pour prouver qu'il est plein de chaleur, il ne faut sinon observer sa prompte congelation, en laquelle il est aysé à remarquer que le feu agit & s'unit au feu, comme en la liquefaction l'air s'estoit joint à l'air. Car en quelle façon pourroit le Sec boire l'humide en un sujet, si la chaleur n'y estoit innee, puisque naturellement l'humeur est beuë par la seicheresse procedente de chaleur? Par cela peut on aysement comprendre que Demogorgon, qui est le feu Central, n'est point destitué d'humidité, sur laquelle agissant en son sein propre, il esleve une vapeur meslee des deux qualitez, que je nomme l'Esprit du monde: & que plusieurs appellent Mercure des Mercures, parce que tous les autres proceddent universellement de luy. Cette vapeur s'eslevant n'est donc pas encore corps, mais bien une chose moyenne entre corps & esprit, comme participant de l'une & de l'autre substance, laquelle demeurant ainsi, ne pourroit engendrer aucune chose. Il faut donc qu'elle prenne quelque corps, ou forme de corps: Ce qui se fait en cette maniere.

1621 pp. 71–73 · scans FR091, FR092, FR093

Sal Lumen and Spiritus Mundi Philosophici: Book Two · Chapter 1

1621 pp. 71–73 · scans FR091, FR092, FR093

To judge that it is furnished with moisture, we need only consider how readily it dissolves; and to prove that it is full of heat, we need only observe its prompt coagulation, in which it is easy to see fire acting and uniting with fire, just as in liquefaction air had joined with air. For how could the dry drink the moist within a subject if heat were not innate there, since moisture is naturally drunk up by the dryness proceeding from heat? From this we can readily understand that Demogorgon, who is the central fire, is not without moisture. Acting upon it within his own bosom, he raises a vapour mingled with both qualities, which I call the spirit of the world, and which many call the Mercury of Mercuries, because all the others proceed universally from it. This rising vapour is therefore not yet body, but something intermediate between body and spirit, sharing in both substances. Remaining thus, it could generate nothing. It must therefore take some body, or bodily form, which happens in this manner.

1621 pp. 71–73 · scans FR091, FR092, FR093

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.

About Diotimos Editions

This historical edition credits Diotimos Editions as its English translator.

Rights

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.