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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Facing Pages · Branch 129 of 215
Magnesia Catholica Philosophorum · Printed Page 122
Early New High German
p. 122ans Ende der Welt / obgedachten ihren† Vorhaben vnd Modis nach / ohne materia Prima Catholica procedireten, Sie doch keines weges jhr jhnen vorgesatztes gewüntschetes Ende der gestalt erlangen werden; aus vhrsach / dieweil jhnen ein Warhafftig Naturlich Werck/ aus falschen vnnatürlichem Grunde/ herfür zu bringen vnmüglich.
¶ Sonsten gestehet man gar gerne/ das Silber vnd Gold jhre eigene Sahmen in sich selbst haben: Es hat aber darmit weit eine andere meinung/ als dein vngleichnis vom Apffel angedeutet; Solch Exempel reimet sich hierzu / wie fünff Finger auff ein Auge. Du Leymstenglischer Phantast soltest ja bedencken / das man im Golde / wann es stückweise zerschroten wird / seinen Sahmen nicht dergestalt antrifft noch fin-
Heinrich Khunrath’s Magnesia Catholica Philosophorum: Magnesia Catholica Philosophorum
p. 122the End of the World after their aforesaid intent and Ways, without the First Catholic matter, they will yet in no wise attain, in that fashion, the end they have set and wished for themselves; for this cause, that it is impossible for them to bring forth a Truly Natural Work out of a false and unnatural Ground.
¶ Otherwise one grants very readily that Silver and Gold have their own Seeds in themselves. But the matter has a far other meaning than your unlikeness of the Apple indicated: such an Example suits the case as five fingers suit an eye. You, you lime-twig Fantast, ought to consider that in Gold, when it is cut to pieces, one does not so meet with its Seed, nor fi-
Socrates
Reading Heinrich Khunrath’s Magnesia Catholica Philosophorum · Magnesia Catholica Philosophorum · Printed Page 122
Ask about a concept, passage, contradiction, or connection.
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.