From the book
A Chymical Dictionary
Gerhard Dorn and John French · Diotimos Editions · 2026
Browse this book’s lexicon →Orientation
At a Glance
- The wordA fire described through burning and strong impression.
- A place to readThe historical definition below, 1650 dictionary, unnumbered definition page 8; facsimile PDF page 336.
Historical definition
Astrum ex igne is a burning fire of great impression.
Meaning
The definition identifies this qualified Astrum with an active fire and emphasizes the magnitude of its impression or effect. It gives no apparatus or fuel. The phrase should therefore be read through the activity and force attributed to it in the surrounding passage, rather than automatically treated as an astronomical object.
Compare the general Astrum entry, where preparation gives things a greater power. The qualification ex igne changes the expression’s focus to fire. Its brief gloss should remain distinct from the several prepared substances used as examples under Astrum.
Places to read
- Astrum ex igneRead the complete historical definition and its commentary.
- AstrumA “star” understood as a material’s enhanced power through preparation.
- ImpressionesEffects in lower subjects described as fruits of stars.
Source note
Historical source. 1650 dictionary, unnumbered definition page 8; facsimile PDF page 336 — Facsimile
Sources. A Chymicall Dictionary (1650), s.v. Astrum ex igne ; compare Astrum, Impressiones