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 stated metaphor applying water-spirit names within spagyric practice.
- In the bookNymphæ supplies the neighbouring account of corporeal spirits dwelling in waters.
- A place to readThe historical definition below, 1650 dictionary, unnumbered definition page 35; facsimile PDF page 363.
Historical definition
Nymphidica are, metaphorically, spirits of dissolving waters in the spagyric art.
Meaning
The word metaphorically is the definition’s own instruction to the reader. It marks a use of spiritual naming within the art of dissolving waters, rather than requiring the passage to describe the watery persons of the preceding Nymphæ entry in an unqualified way.
Use in the book
Nymphæ supplies the neighbouring account of corporeal spirits dwelling in waters. Menstruum names a liquid in which a subject is dissolved or digested. Together they help distinguish the source of a figure from the material or operative setting in which the figure is used.
Places to read
- NymphidicaRead the complete historical definition and its commentary.
- NymphæEmbodied spirits or spiritual persons associated with water.
- MenstruumThe liquid medium of dissolution or digestion.
Source note
Historical source. 1650 dictionary, unnumbered definition page 35; facsimile PDF page 363 — Facsimile
Sources. A Chymical Dictionary 1650, 1650 dictionary, facsimile PDF page 363, Nymphidica