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 104
Early New High German
p. 104sen. Es ist nicht anders / du machest auch daraus was du wollest. Springe auff oder nieder; fluche oder bete; so wirstu grossprechericher calumniant / diesen WARHEJTS grund des LJECHTs der NATVR, mit deinem Lügenhafftigen geschwäz / wol vnumbgestossen bleiben lassen müssen.
Alles was in ALCYMIA von VNIuersal vñ auch von SPECial Silber oder Goldt-STEJNEN der Weisen / als / der vnteren METallen in die Obern Verwandlungs TINCTVREN, ELIXEIRIEN, zusampt von dergleichen Nutzbaren PARTICVlaribus, ausserhalb vnd ohne diese Catholische Warheit MATEriae PRIMæ CATOLICæ fürgegeben wird / vnd dargegen leufft / dieweil dasselbe nicht gegründet auff das Liecht der NATur / ist vergebens / vnd seind eitel feh-
Heinrich Khunrath’s Magnesia Catholica Philosophorum: Magnesia Catholica Philosophorum
p. 104— it is not otherwise, make of it what you will. Leap up or leap down; curse or pray: you will still, you braggart calumniator, have to leave this ground of the TRUTH of the LIGHT of NATVRE well unoverthrown by your mendacious prattle.
Everything that is put forward in ALCYMIA — concerning the VNIVERSAL and also the SPECIAL Silver or Gold STONES of the Wise; and concerning the transmuting TINCTVRES and ELIXIRS of the lower Metals into the Upper, together with the like profitable PARTICVLARS — outside and without this Catholic truth of THE FIRST CATHOLIC MATTER, and which runs against it: all that, because it is not grounded upon the Light of NATVRE, is in vain, and is nothing but mis-
Socrates
Reading Heinrich Khunrath’s Magnesia Catholica Philosophorum · Magnesia Catholica Philosophorum · Printed Page 104
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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.