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 91
Early New High German
p. 91luter reuerberiret / extrahiret &c. Wie es immer namen haben mag / vnd hierbeuor auch beides austrücklich angezeiget vnd angedeutet sein oder werden mögen) sollen Silber od Gold / sage Jch / Natur-gemes künstlich plusquamperficiret, vñ Newe oder Wiedergeborne Metalla werdē. Also auch das sie transmutirende Silber vnnd Goldt TINCTVREN sein / vnd jres gleichen früchte (auff jhre weise durch Kunsthülff sich multipliciende / Nemlich aus den vnteren Metallis) Krafft / Macht vnd gewalt haben in Proiectione Philosophica zuzeugen / So wil höchst von nöten sein / nach erforderung der Ordnung vnnd Lauffs der NATVR (es befehlens auch alle wahre Philosophi, Ja / der Warheitliebende Natur - kündige Artista wirdt es / auch vberzeuget võ seiner Vernunfft vñ Gewisse / selbst gestehen / dz es also sein müsse)
Heinrich Khunrath’s Magnesia Catholica Philosophorum: Magnesia Catholica Philosophorum
p. 91purely reverberated, extracted, &c. — by whatever name it may ever go, and as both have also been expressly shown and intimated heretofore, or may yet be): then Silver or Gold, I say, are to be Nature-conformingly-artfully more-than-perfected, and to become New or Reborn Metals. And likewise, that they should be transmuting Silver and Gold TINCTVRES, and have force, might and power to beget their like fruits (multiplying themselves after their own manner by the help of Art — namely, out of the lower Metals) in the Philosophical Proiection: then it will be of the highest necessity, as the Order and Course of NATVRE requires (all true Philosophers command it too; yes, the Truth-loving, Nature-knowing Artist will himself confess it, convinced also by his own Reason and Conscience, that it must be so)
Socrates
Reading Heinrich Khunrath’s Magnesia Catholica Philosophorum · Magnesia Catholica Philosophorum · Printed Page 91
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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.