DiotimosReading Desk

Metals and transmutation

Corporeal running mercuries

Mercurij; Corporum Corporei currentes; Mercurij corporum corporei; Quecksilberischer gestalt

Corporeal running Mercuries are metal-derived forms described as remaining in flux and in quicksilver-like shape.

From the book

Heinrich Khunrath’s Magnesia Catholica Philosophorum

Heinrich Khunrath · Diotimos Editions · 2026

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Orientation

At a Glance

  • The wordCorporeal running Mercuries are metal-derived forms described as remaining in flux and in quicksilver-like shape.
  • In KhunrathThe account at p. 69 places these forms among numerous preparations of silver and gold.
  • In this edition“Running” preserves the kinetic sense of currentes.
  • A reading distinctionAt p. 69 the description specifies continual flux without elemental fire; the phrase explains why these metallic forms are called running.

Meaning

Corporeal running Mercuries are metal-derived forms described as remaining in flux and in quicksilver-like shape. Khunrath explains them as metals released from the bonds of coagulation through a certain essential fire. Their flowing appearance does not establish first-material status.

Use in the book

The account at p. 69 places these forms among numerous preparations of silver and gold. They stand in continual flux without elemental fire, which explains why the term running is apt. Yet pp. 70–712 insist that the named preparations are not thereby the true first matter of the metals, even the specified one.

At pp. 82–832 the argument is extended to further resolution into water. A corporeal Mercury made watery still has not passed through the catholic pri-material fountain. The successive changes in physical presentation therefore do not supply the missing material relation.

The objection is narrower than denying every value to the preparations. Khunrath grants uses to elaborate metallic products. What he rejects is the inference from liquidity, volatility or subtle treatment to the source required for regeneration. This class consequently deserves separation from both common quicksilver and the purified living Mercury of Magnesia.

Places to read

  1. 1599 p. 69The running forms are explained as metals released from their coagulation-bonds.
  2. 1599 p. 70Useful preparations are denied immediate first-material status.
  3. 1599 p. 82Even a further watery resolution is considered, continued on p. 83.
  4. 1599 p. 83Such waters still lack passage through the catholic fountain.

Translation in this edition

“Running” preserves the kinetic sense of currentes. The primary phrase groups the Mercuries as corporeal and derived from bodies; it does not identify a single modern product common to every preparation.

Source note

At p. 69 the description specifies continual flux without elemental fire; the phrase explains why these metallic forms are called running.