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 110 of 215
Magnesia Catholica Philosophorum · Printed Page 103
Early New High German
p. 103dem vel Vniuersalem, aut LAPIDES Argenti siue Auri SPECIALES, datur nulla) man wolle / so mus dannoch MATEria Metallorum Catholica PRIma, so aue† MAGnesia Catholica (dauon in diesem Meinen Tractatu jetzo gehandelt wird) herkommen / entweder AQVOSa, Volatilis & perfecta, oder aber physico-Chymicè Coagulata, Fixa & Plusquā perfecta, ror allen dirgen‡ zum guten Anfange / besserem Mittel vnd gewüntschetem Ende nothwendigst verhanden sein; Sintemal Sie aus pri - materialischen grunde / vnd also schlieslich ALLE der vnteren Metallen in die Obern Verwandlungs TINCTVREN / vnd auch wahre PARTICVLaRIA aus solchem fundamento oder grunde des VNIVERsalis der Philosophorum (jedoch jedes auff seine weise) herfüro fliessen
Heinrich Khunrath’s Magnesia Catholica Philosophorum: Magnesia Catholica Philosophorum
p. 103VNIVERSAL STONE, or to the SPECIAL STONES of Silver or of Gold) — whichever a man will, yet the FIRST CATHOLIC MATTER of Metals, which comes of† MAGNESIA CATHOLICA (whereof this Treatise of Mine now treats), must nevertheless of necessity be at hand, for a good‡ Beginning, a better Middle and a wished-for End — either WATERY, Volatile and perfect, or else physico-Chymically Coagulated, Fixed and More-than-perfect. Since THEY flow forth out of a pri-material ground — and so, in conclusion, ALL the transmuting TINCTVRES of the lower Metals into the Upper, and true PARTICVLARS too, flow out of that foundation or ground of the VNIVERSAL of the Philosophers (each of them, however, after its own manner)
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Reading Heinrich Khunrath’s Magnesia Catholica Philosophorum · Magnesia Catholica Philosophorum · Printed Page 103
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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.