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 105
Early New High German
p. 105lungen. Von Nutzbaren Silbers oder Goldes SCHEJDVNGs künsten / aus allerhand Mineralibus vnd Metallis / welches nicht Transmutationes, auch nicht EJN sondern AVS - bringen seind; Noch von figirungē embryonischer Silber vnd Golder / so nur eine ZEJTJGVNG ist; wird allhie nicht geredet: Darumb solche eigentlich nicht PARTICularia heissen / dieweil sie keine particulæ des Vniuersalis seind. Philosophi reden Naturgemeß vnd recht Philosophisch von Philosophischen sachen; nicht nur Goldsüchtig.
Was vnd wie viel †nuu einem Chymischen waren Naturkündigen Philosopho anfenglich an Erkentnis vnd Verstendnis MATERiæ PRImæ CATholicæ (So GOtt / durch die NAtur in MAGNEsia CATHOlica, dem Philosopho Catholisch fürgestellet) gelegen
Heinrich Khunrath’s Magnesia Catholica Philosophorum: Magnesia Catholica Philosophorum
p. 105-carriages. Of the profitable arts of SEPARATING Silver or Gold out of all manner of Minerals and Metals — which are not Transmutations, and are a bringing OUT and not a bringing IN — nothing is said here; nor of the fixing of embryonic Silvers and Golds, which is only a RIPENING. Which is why such things are not properly called PARTICVLARS: they are no particles of the Vniuersal. Philosophers speak Nature-conformingly and rightly Philosophically of Philosophical matters — not merely gold-sick.
What, and how much, lies† at the outset upon a Chymical, truly Nature-knowing Philosopher’s Recognition and Understanding of THE FIRST CATHOLIC MATTER (which GOD, through NATVRE, has set forth Catholicly for the Philosopher in MAGNESIA CATHOLICA);
Socrates
Reading Heinrich Khunrath’s Magnesia Catholica Philosophorum · Magnesia Catholica Philosophorum · Printed Page 105
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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.