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 64
Early New High German
p. 64bauch der Erden / ALLE METALLA; von den Philosophis, (für den vnwürdigen es desto besser zu verbergen) mit vnzehligen Nahmen genennet. Dasselbe CHAOS (sonsten kein anders) ist vnd heisset recht MATERIA METALLORVM PRIMA VNIVERSALIS, die ALGEMEINE ERSTE MATERIA der METALLEN, Minera Artis; so der Künstner brauchen sol / dadurch vñ mit / (nach jhrer / verstehe Magnesiæ / Aiethyschen† Wässerigen zubereitung.) Silber / Gold / vnnd andere Metalla in MATERIAM PRIMAM Naturgemeß - künstlich reduciret werden sollen vnd müssen.
Lieben haltet allhie mit einwendung dessen was BERNHARDVS der GRAF / im andern theile seines Büchleins von Hermetischen STEIN / wieder die blossen Elementa, de MATERIA
Heinrich Khunrath’s Magnesia Catholica Philosophorum: Magnesia Catholica Philosophorum
p. 64belly of the Earth, ALL METALS; called by the Philosophers (the better to hide it from the unworthy) by countless Names. That same CHAOS — and no other — is, and is rightly called, THE FIRST VNIVERSAL MATTER OF METALS, the UNIVERSAL FIRST MATTER of the METALS, the Mine of the Art: which the Artist is to use, and by and with which (according to her — understand Magnesia’s — Aiethyschen† Watery preparation) Silver, Gold and other Metals shall and must be reduced into THE FIRST MATTER Nature-conformingly and by art.
Dear ones, hold here, with the objection of what BERNHARDVS the COUNT disputes in the second part of his little Book on the Hermetic STONE against the bare Elements, on THE FIRST
Socrates
Reading Heinrich Khunrath’s Magnesia Catholica Philosophorum · Magnesia Catholica Philosophorum · Printed Page 64
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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.