From the book
The Sophic Hydrolith, Water Stone of the Wise
Anonymous and companion authors · Diotimos Editions · 2026
Browse this book’s lexicon →Meaning
Taste-words carry several different arguments. Nature says she sweetens her works while describing perfected proportion and power; the Alchemist says gold’s matter is too sweet in explaining its inability to generate another metal. The Summary calls the dragon-vapour bitter and harmful, but describes ripening fruit as acquiring flavour while drawing nourishment. Sweetness is therefore not a universal sign of success, nor bitterness merely a moral defect. The English keeps these sensory expressions without making them a practical tasting test. Their objects, speakers and purposes must remain separate, especially where the same collection warns of poison and dangerous vapours.
Places to read
- Nature’s Demonstration to the Erring Alchemist · unit 7Nature sweetens her works so that her power appears in them.
- Nature’s Demonstration to the Erring Alchemist · unit 17Gold’s matter is called too sweet in the denial of reproductive return.
- Philosophical Summary · unit 2The dangerous dragon vapour is described as very bitter.
- Philosophical Summary · unit 5Ripening fruit gains flavour while drawing nourishment.
Attested forms
versüße; süß; bitter; Geschmack