From the book
A New Light of Alchemy
Michael Sendivogius · Diotimos Editions · 2026
Browse this book’s lexicon →Internal and external fire
ignis intrinsecus; ignis extrinsecus; illum internum
The printed forms intrinsecus and internum mark fire within a subject; extrinsecus marks an exciting or nourishing fire relative to that subject.
Orientation
At a Glance
- The wordThe printed forms intrinsecus and internum mark fire within a subject; extrinsecus marks an exciting or nourishing fire relative to that subject.
- In the workFire and water do not commence their struggle independently.
- In this editionThe exact source wording is “Non intrat quidem ignis extrinsecus … essentialiter, sed tantum virtute.”
- A place to readper excitationem caloris extrinseci: The paired powers require an external stimulus.
Meaning
The printed forms intrinsecus and internum mark fire within a subject; extrinsecus marks an exciting or nourishing fire relative to that subject. “External” is relational: even the earth’s central heat may be external to a particular compound.
Use in the book
Fire and water do not commence their struggle independently. Nature joins them in proportion, then excites them by external heat. The internal material fire is said to be sufficient provided it receives nourishment. External fire enters not essentially, as added substance, but in power: it is likened to wood feeding elemental fire.
The distinction limits the familiar language of intensification. A great flame devours a small fire, just as excess food chokes the eater. The desired external fire is multiplying and nourishing, not consuming. This is an explanatory rule within the author’s art, echoed in Saturn’s warning about the alleged universal medicine. It should not be converted into a modern laboratory heat schedule or a therapeutic dosing principle.
Places to read
- Sulphur · The Three Principles · Passage 6Latinper excitationem caloris extrinseci: The paired powers require an external stimulus.
- Sulphur · The Three Principles · Passage 7LatinNon intrat quidem ignis extrinsecus: External fire enters the composition in power, not essentially as substance.
- Sulphur · The Three Principles · Passage 7Latinparvum ignem magna flamma devorat: Excess external fire defeats rather than perfects.
Translation in this edition
The exact source wording is “Non intrat quidem ignis extrinsecus … essentialiter, sed tantum virtute.” “In actual substance” clarifies essentialiter; it is not the same as “with no effect.”
From the book
A New Light of Alchemy
Michael Sendivogius · Diotimos Editions · 2026
Browse this book’s lexicon →External fire
ignis extrinsecus
External fire excites and nourishes fire inside the composition.
- English renderings
- external fire
Meaning
Phrase.
External fire excites and nourishes fire inside the composition. It enters in power, not in actual substance, and must not overwhelm the smaller fire it sustains. The designation is relative to the compound, so central terrestrial heat can count as external to a local subject. The distinction is explanatory and should not be converted into an unsupported laboratory heat schedule.
Places to read
- Sulphur · The Three Principles · Passage 6Latin; Sulphur · The Three Principles · Passage 7Latinignis extrinsecus est illi nutrimentum.
From the book
A New Light of Alchemy
Michael Sendivogius · Diotimos Editions · 2026
Browse this book’s lexicon →Internal fire
ignis intrinsecus
The internal material fire is said to suffice for itself when it has nourishment.
- English renderings
- internal fire
Meaning
Phrase.
The internal material fire is said to suffice for itself when it has nourishment. External heat awakens it, while its eventual dominance or defeat helps explain perfected or imperfect products. The term is not simply a visible flame inside an object. It belongs to the source’s distinction between an enclosed constitutive power and the stimulus that enables its operation.
Places to read
- Sulphur · The Three Principles · Passage 7Latinignis intrinsecus materialis sufficit sibi.