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Diotimos Library · Esotericism & Spirituality Collection · Parallel Edition

Thomas Vaughan (Eugenius Philalethes)

Coelum Terrae

The Magician’s Heavenly Chaos · The Complete 1650 Text

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Coelum TerraeThe Seed and the Earth · Page 89 · Passage A

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The Seed and the Earth · Page 89 · Passage A

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Original English

coelestiall odours, and Spices. If you will be advised by me, Learn from whence the Earth hath these invisible Treasures. This Annuall Flora, which appears not without the Complements of the Sun. Behold I will tell you as plainly as I may. There are in the world two Extremes, Matter and Spirit: one of these I can assure you is earth. The Influences of the spirit animate and quicken the matter, and in the Material Extreme the seed of the spirit is to be found. In middle Natures, as Fire, Aire, and Water, this Seed stayes not, for they are but Dispenseros, or Media, which convey it from one extreme to the other, from the Spirit to the Matter, that is to the Earth. But stay my friend, this Intelligence hath somewhat stirr'd you. and now you come on so furiously, as if you would rifle the Cabinet. Give me leave to put you back. I mind not this Common, faeculent, impure Earth, that falls not within my Discourse, but as it makes for your Manuduction. That which I speak of is a Mysterie, it is Coelum Terrae, and Terra Coeli, not this dirt, and dust, but a most Secret, Coelestiall, Invisible Earth.

Modern English

heavenly fragrances and spices. If you will take my advice, learn where earth gets these invisible treasures—this annual Flora that never appears without the sun's attentions. I shall tell you as plainly as I may. There are two extremes in the world, matter and spirit; I can assure you that one of these is earth. The spirit's influences animate and quicken matter, and in the material extreme the spirit's seed is found. This seed does not stay in intermediate natures, such as fire, air and water. These merely distribute or mediate it, conveying it from one extreme to the other: from spirit to matter, that is, to earth. But wait, my friend! This information has stirred you, and you now rush forward as though you would plunder the cabinet. Allow me to put you back. I do not mean this common, foul, impure earth; that enters my discourse only as a means of leading you by the hand. What I speak of is a mystery: the heaven of earth and the earth of heaven, not this dirt and dust, but a most secret, celestial, invisible earth.

About This Reading Edition

Thomas Vaughan’s complete Coelum Terrae discourse from the 1650 Magia Adamica, with original and modern English, fresh translations of foreign quotations, the complete Hyanthe and closing poems, eight historical marginal notes, the work-specific printed corrections, 91 annotations and the complete supplied Diotimos study apparatus.

Historical Text and Translation

Thomas Vaughan (Eugenius Philalethes), Coelum Terrae, included in Magia Adamica. London: T. W. for H. Blunden, 1650, pp. 78–140 and the work-specific unnumbered errata. Governing textual basis: EEBO-TCP A64768, Wing V151, ESTC R203905, British Library Thomason witness 174:E1299[1]. First-edition image comparison: Getty Research Institute copy 372004, Internet Archive magiaadamicaoran00vaug. The Getty copy lacks the opening page 78 and final errata; these are taken from the TCP/BL witness.

About Diotimos Editions

This historical edition credits Diotimos Editions as its English translator.

Rights

The historical text is public domain; the EEBO-TCP Phase I transcription is released under CC0. The supplied 2026 reading, translations and Diotimos editorial material are published with the site owner’s authorization.