The Volume and Work Beyond Wonder

...humans, the new individual life and the pious, delightful joy in the “Light of Nature,” the critical processing of experiences and, most excellently, his experimental and systematically comparative natural research based on experience. No less does he express himself here particularly regarding his doctrine on the origin of diseases [the doctrine of the five Entities original: "Entia"; Paracelsus taught that diseases spring from five possible "spheres" or influences: the stars, poisons, natural constitution, spirits, or God.] and regarding his famous theory of the three principles: Sulfur, Mercury, and Salt [that is, the three substance-forming qualities].

Further detailed discussions follow concerning his astronomy—which combats astrology Paracelsus distinguished between "astronomy" (the true influence of the heavens) and "astrology" (the superstitious practice of his day).—with its modern thoughts on meteorology and the study of climate, then chemical and pharmaceutical questions, through which we gain a particular insight into Hohenheim's rich medicinal treasury.

The cause, course, and cure of disease are precisely investigated, with special consideration given to stone formations [Tartar original: "Tartarus." Paracelsus used this term to describe stony deposits or calcifications in the body, comparing them to the crust formed in wine barrels.] within the human body. In general, Hohenheim establishes the concepts of healing natural forces here, claiming them especially for his surgery original: "Wundarznei," literally wound-medicine or the practice of treating external injuries.. Detailed thought is given to magnetic and suggestive healing, as well as to “Imagination” [healing through the power of the mind] and women's diseases; however, he strives for the most part with sharp criticism—though sometimes contradicting himself—to expose every superstition.

Contemporary theological questions concerning the veneration of saints and the nature of sects are also discussed abundantly, especially toward the end of the Work Beyond Wonder original: "Opus Paramirum". His actual Christian-humanist “theology,” as it confronts us with such power and clarity in the material that remains in manuscript form today, can be clearly read between the lines in places. Yet here, these thoughts are always placed in the service of natural science and the healing arts; for he who devised them lived—as he says of himself—"in the Divine and in Nature as a mighty master of the earthly light." Strange, new...