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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Early New High German Page · Branch 100 of 215
Magnesia Catholica Philosophorum · Printed Page 93
Early New High German
p. 93das FVNFTE WESEN / der geheimbste vnd verborgene Geist der Weldt / alle dinge in jhren Wachsthumb treibende / KVRTZBEGRIFLICH CATHOLISCH LEJBHAFTIG vnd NATVRLICH wonet) als in sein SVBIECTVM hierzu VNIVERSale debitum / dadurch (Nach Lehre Tabulæ Smaragdinæ HERMEtis) zu perpetriren Miracula REI VNius (h. e. FILII MVndi maioris plusquã-perfecti præsertim, atq; ad glorificationis statum Physico-Chymicè exaltari) multa, aus lauter GVTE vñ Gnade / CATHOLJSCH fürgestellet ist.
Wird derowegen wol vnd recht geschlossen / das Silber vnd Goldt in Materiam primam, h. e. in Mercurium, qui AQVA est, durch MATERIam PRIMam, per AQVAM Mercurij Catho-
Heinrich Khunrath’s Magnesia Catholica Philosophorum: Magnesia Catholica Philosophorum
p. 93the FIFTH BEING, the most secret and hidden Spirit of the World, driving all things into their Growth, dwells COMPREHENDED-IN-BRIEF, CATHOLICLY, BODILY and NATURALLY) — as into its VNIVERSAL SVBIECTVM, owed to it for this purpose: whereby (according to the Teaching of the Emerald Table of HERMES) there are many Miracles of the ONE THING to be wrought (that is, of the more-than-perfected SON of the greater World especially, and to be exalted Physico-Chymically to the state of glorification) — set forth CATHOLICLY out of sheer GOODNESS and Grace.
It is therefore well and rightly concluded that Silver and Gold must of necessity be reduced into the first Matter — that is, into Mercury, which is WATER — through the FIRST MATTER, by the WATER of the Catho-
Socrates
Reading Heinrich Khunrath’s Magnesia Catholica Philosophorum · Magnesia Catholica Philosophorum · Printed Page 93
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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.