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 115
Early New High German
p. 115dem Silber vnd Golde: Item / Sulphur Argenti sey der Same des Silbers; Auri des Goldes rc.† Es weren auch beydes der SAME vnd ACKER des Silbers im Silber / des Goldes im Golde / zugleich mit vnd beyeinander/ nur das der Natur durch obgesagte Naturgemeß - künstliche beförderungen geholffen werde; So habe man Silber oder Goldt *TINCTVRAS Metallorum inferiorum in superiora TRANS**mutatorias.* Hæc illi. Antwort: Das Erstlich Sulphur Lunæ & Solis künstlich extrahiret können werden / gestehet man gerne: Das aber hernacher / fürs andere / nach angedeuteter extraction Sulphurum, auch der Mercurius Lunæ vel Solis in gestalt eines klaren Wassers / per se, pur lauter vnd rein / ohne frembder Wassere oder Spirituum
Heinrich Khunrath’s Magnesia Catholica Philosophorum: Magnesia Catholica Philosophorum
p. 115Silver and Gold. Likewise, that the Sulphur of Silver is the Seed of Silver; of Gold, of Gold, &c.† Both the SEED and the FIELD of Silver would then be in Silver, and of Gold in Gold, together and side by side — only that Nature be helped by the aforesaid Nature-conforming and artful furtherings; and so one would have Silver or Gold TINCTVRES to TRANSMVTE the lower Metals into the higher. Thus far they. Answer: That, in the first place, the Sulphur of the Moon and of the Sun can be artfully extracted, is readily granted. But that thereafter, in the second place, upon the extraction of the Sulphurs indicated, the Mercury of the Moon or of the Sun also, in the shape of a clear Water, of itself, pure, clear and clean, without the addition of foreign Waters or Spirits
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Reading Heinrich Khunrath’s Magnesia Catholica Philosophorum · Magnesia Catholica Philosophorum · Printed Page 115
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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.