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Diotimos Library · Esotericism & Spirituality Collection · English Edition

Gerhard Dorn and John French

A Chymical Dictionary

An Expanded Diotimos Lexicon of Paracelsian and Alchemical Language

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A Chymical DictionaryMagia Metaphysica

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English Edition · Branch 633 of 740

Magia Metaphysica

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A Chymical Dictionary

p. 633

Magia Metaphysica

Spirits celestial influences and signs · A Chymical Dictionary

At a Glance

The word. The discovery of occult secrets explicitly placed within a lawful Christian art.

In the book. Magia supplies the wider distinction between natural and diabolical kinds.

A place to read. The historical definition below, 1650 dictionary, unnumbered definition page 31; facsimile PDF page 359.

Historical Definition

Magia Metaphysica is an art lawful for Christians to use, by which hidden secrets are discovered.

Meaning

The adjective metaphysical does not make this an automatic synonym for the unlawful magic condemned elsewhere. The compiler expressly allows Christians to use this art. Occult describes the secrets as hidden; it does not, by itself, assign their discovery to evil spirits.

Use in the Book

Magia supplies the wider distinction between natural and diabolical kinds. Magoreum names a magical medicine or secret, but supplies no procedure. The three entries distinguish an account of knowledge, a permitted art, and a named medicinal secret.

Places to Read

Magia. Magic divided into lawful natural wisdom and forbidden knowledge through evil spirits.

Magoreum. A medicine or secret designated as magical.

Historical source: 1650 dictionary, unnumbered definition page 31; facsimile PDF page 359 — Facsimile

Sources. A Chymical Dictionary 1650, 1650 dictionary, facsimile PDF page 359, Magia Metaphysica

See also. Magia; Magoreum

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About This Reading Edition

The complete 706 historical definitions of the 1650 English dictionary, modernised and accompanied by expanded Diotimos commentary, reading routes, 15 textual notes and complete linked indexes.

Historical Text

A Chymicall Dictionary, London 1650, English version associated with John French, based on Gerhard Dorn’s Dictionarium Theophrasti Paracelsi. The containing volume also prints Sendivogius and Paracelsus; neither neighboring work changes this dictionary’s attribution.

About This Edition

Complete 706 definition paragraphs with new introduction, commentary, reading guides and indexes; Diotimos Editions, 2026.

Rights

The historical 1650 English text is in the public domain. New introduction, commentary, reading guides and indexes are © 2026 Diotimos Editions and published with the site owner’s authorization.