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 96
Early New High German
p. 96ratum ac plusquamperfectum; LAPIS Philosophorū aArgenteus, Argentificus, siue bAureus, Aurificus; SPECIalis aut specificatus; der Philosophen auff entweder Silbers oder Goldes NATVR specificirte vnnd gewißgeartete Silber oder Gold-STEJNE / vnd aus den vnteren Metallis / verwandlungs weise / Silber oder Goldt machende TINCTVREN / welche hohe Medicinæ auch hernacher anders nicht / als nur alleine jhren (aus Eigenschafften vnnd Krefften solcher Samen) SJLBERJSchen oder GOLDJSCHEN special Artē nach / so wol in Menschlichen vnd anderer animalium leibern Medicinaliter; Als bey den vntern Metallen in Silber oder Gold transmutatoriè; vnd bey den Vegetabilibus aut instauratiùe aut conseruatiùe, operien. Durch diesen
Heinrich Khunrath’s Magnesia Catholica Philosophorum: Magnesia Catholica Philosophorum
p. 96-rated and more-than-perfected: the STONE of the Philosophers, aSilvern and Silver-making, or bGolden and Gold-making; SPECIAL or specified — the Philosophers’ Silver or Gold STONES, specified and certainly-charactered upon the NATVRE of either Silver or Gold; and, out of the lower Metals, transmutation-wise, Silver- or Gold-making TINCTVRES. Which high Medicines afterwards work in no other way than only according to their own special SILVERN or GOLDEN kind (out of the properties and powers of such Seeds): as well Medicinally in Human and other animal bodies; as transmutatively upon the lower Metals into Silver or Gold; and upon Vegetables either restoratively or preservatively. By this
Socrates
Reading Heinrich Khunrath’s Magnesia Catholica Philosophorum · Magnesia Catholica Philosophorum · Printed Page 96
Ask about a concept, passage, contradiction, or connection.
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.