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Diotimos Library · Esotericism & Spirituality Collection · Bilingual Edition

Anonymous

The Sophic Hydrolith

Water Stone of the Wise

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The Sophic HydrolithThe Way of Truth

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German & Latin Page · Branch 235 of 287

The Way of Truth

German & Latin

1619 pp. 269–270 · scans ER273, ER274

Derhalben haben die Alten gesagt, es sey in keinen dingen lebendiger sulphur, dann in den Metallen. Also haben sie den Metallischen liquor lebendig Silber genannt, daran man sich nicht darff kehren, was sie ihm auch für namen geben, Es ist doch nichts als der außgespante Adler, oder das Elementische Fewer mit seinem Elementischen liquore, wie ich gesagt, der da muß vnnd soll mit seinem Fewer durch eine natürliche kochung vereiniget werden, biß so lange die beyden vnscheidlich seyn, deñ der liquor beschirmet das Fewer für der verbrennung, daß sie also beyde beständig bleibt, vnd in dem gemeinen Fewer verharren. Dieses haben nun die Alten ein Elixir genannt, das ist so viel als ein gekochtes Fewr, daran haben sie nun recht gesagt, vnd haben jhme den rechten Namen gegeben, dann durch die Kochung wird vollnbracht, vnnd gar gekocht, was zuvor roh vnnd vngekocht ist gewesen. Diß gar gekochte ist das jenige, welches die imperfecten Metallen zerbricht vnnd entblöset, drumb daß sie für dem Fewer nicht können bestehen bleiben.

1619 pp. 269–270 · scans ER273, ER274

The Sophic Hydrolith: The Way of Truth

1619 pp. 269–270 · scans ER273, ER274

The ancients therefore said that living sulphur is found in nothing but metals. They likewise called metallic liquor living silver. Do not be distracted by whatever names they give it: it is nothing but the eagle with wings outspread, or elemental fire with its elemental liquor, as I have said. This liquor must and should be united with its fire through natural coction until the two are inseparable. The liquor protects the fire from burning, so that both remain stable and endure in ordinary fire. The ancients called this an elixir, meaning a cooked fire. In this they spoke rightly and gave it its proper name, for coction completes and thoroughly cooks what was previously raw and uncooked. This thoroughly cooked thing breaks open and lays bare the imperfect metals, because they cannot remain steadfast against fire.

1619 pp. 269–270 · scans ER273, ER274

About This Reading Edition

The anonymous Water Stone of the Wise of 1619, with German text, a new English translation, 240 annotations, three companion treatises from the original volume, two separately identified responses of 1661, and the complete supplied study apparatus.

Historical Text and Translation

Anonymous, Wasserstein der Weysen. Frankfurt: Lucas Jennis, 1619. The governing e-rara copy belongs to the Stiftung der Werke von C. G. Jung, Zürich (DOI 10.3931/e-rara-8968). The work is traditionally attributed to Johann Siebmacher; this remains an attribution, not a name printed in the anonymous witness. The separately sourced First and Second Responses use the 1661 Wolfenbüttel witness, qun-642-1s, pp. 200–206.

About Diotimos Editions

This historical edition credits Diotimos Editions as its English translator.

Rights

Historical texts printed in 1619 and 1661 are in the public domain. The supplied 2026 German reading text, new English translation, introduction, notes and complete study apparatus are published with the site owner’s authorization. The original triangle is credited to the Stiftung der Werke von C. G. Jung, Zürich, and e-rara, Public Domain Mark.