Diotimos Library · Renaissance Collection · Bilingual Edition
Heinrich Khunrath’s Magnesia Catholica Philosophorum
The 1599 German text with a new English translation, introduction, glossary, and notes.
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Magnesia Catholica Philosophorum · Printed Page 59
Early New High German
p. 59derbare Harmoniam analogicam alleine / es solte derselbe für sich gnug sein zum beweise warer Magnesiæ; wil geschweigē / wann die andern angedeuteten hochwichtigen Testimonia alle noch darzu kommen.
Jtzo möchte einer fragen / kan man dann solch ding / dauon bishero also viel gesaget / wol haben? Jsts auch zubekommen? Antwort / Ja / GOTT sey Lob / man kans haben / vnd / nach gelegenheit / so viel als einem jeden Doctrinæ filio, zum Lapide Philosophorum nötig / reichlich bekommen. Da ist gut rath zu
Dieweil dann die Sache / mit MATERIA PRIMA VNIVERSALI / dermassen vnd also / nicht anders / wie nach lenge angehöret / beschaffen / auch das man SIE dergestalt kan haben / dieselbe in ALCHYMIA, (durch Göttliche
Heinrich Khunrath’s Magnesia Catholica Philosophorum: Magnesia Catholica Philosophorum
p. 59-derful analogical Harmony alone, it should of itself be enough for the proof of true Magnesia; to say nothing of when the other high-weighty Testimonies that have been intimated all come besides.
Now someone might ask: can one then really have such a thing as has hitherto been so much spoken of? Is it also to be obtained? Answer: Yes — GOD be praised — one can have it, and, as opportunity serves, obtain it richly, as much as is needful to every son of the Doctrine for the Stone of the Philosophers. For that there is good counsel.
Since then the matter stands with THE FIRST VNIVERSAL MATTER in such wise and so, and not otherwise, as has been heard at length, and since one may have HER in that manner — her, in ALCHYMIA (by Divine
Socrates
Reading Heinrich Khunrath’s Magnesia Catholica Philosophorum · Magnesia Catholica Philosophorum · Printed Page 59
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Socrates will begin with this book and its sources.About This Reading Edition
Heinrich Khunrath’s Magnesia Catholica Philosophorum argues that alchemy has one universal subject, that this subject cannot be extracted from the metals, and that nothing in the work can begin without recognizing it. This complete reader begins with the supplied seven-part introduction and orientation, then presents every printed page of the 1599 German treatise opposite its new English translation.
Historical Text and Translation
The German reading text is a fresh diplomatic transcription from 600 dpi images of the Magdeburg copy printed by Johann Bötcher in 1599. It preserves Khunrath’s capitalization, word division, authorial marginal keys, glosses, errata, and three unnumbered closing pages: the errata leaf, owl emblem, and colophon.
About Diotimos Editions
Diotimos Editions prepared the new English translation, introduction, notes, glossary, collation, and editorial apparatus. The translation follows Khunrath directly, retaining his technical vocabulary, changes of register, repetitions, rhetorical questions, and distinctions between German, Latin, and coined terms.
Rights
Heinrich Khunrath’s 1599 German work is in the public domain. The 2026 English translation, introduction, notes, glossary, editorial arrangement, and related matter are original to this edition and remain © 2026 Diotimos.