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 98
Early New High German
p. 98oder allen Silberischen oder Goldischen zusatz / von Erstem Anfanfange† an / bis zum letzten Ende aus / (sintemal CHAOS MAGNESIAE Sapientum CATHOLIcon, wie auch forne a gesagt in sich selbst hat / ALLES / was es Catholisch bedarff / das LAPIS Philosophorum VNIVERSaLIS Naturgemeß - künstlich PLVSquamperfect daraus præpariret werde) in Philosophischen ATHanore, durch Putrefactionē, Coagulationē, Fixationē & Incerationē Regeneriret vnd Plusquāperficiret /: so ist auch (annuente Deo) aus MATERIA PRiMA CATHOLIGA‡ depurata perfecta/ per se, verhanden MATERIA PRIma CATHolica Plusquamperfecta, AZOTH h. e. Mercurius Animatus Catholicus per se regeneratus ac plusquamperfectus / LAPIS philosophorum V-
Heinrich Khunrath’s Magnesia Catholica Philosophorum: Magnesia Catholica Philosophorum
p. 98Silvern or Golden addition whatever, from the First Beginning through to the last End (since the CHAOS of the MAGNESIA of the Wise, the CATHOLICON, as was also said above,a has in itself ALL that it Catholicly needs, so that the VNIVERSAL STONE of the Philosophers may be Nature-conformingly-artfully prepared MORE-THAN-PERFECT out of it) — if this be Regenerated and More-than-perfected in the Philosophical ATHANOR by Putrefaction, Coagulation, Fixation and Inceration: then there is also at hand (God consenting), out of THE FIRST CATHOLIC MATTER‡ purified, perfect, of itself, THE FIRST CATHOLIC MATTER More-than-perfected — AZOTH, that is, the Ensouled Catholic Mercury, regenerated of itself and more-than-perfected — the V-
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Reading Heinrich Khunrath’s Magnesia Catholica Philosophorum · Magnesia Catholica Philosophorum · Printed Page 98
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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.