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 131 of 215
Magnesia Catholica Philosophorum · Printed Page 124
Early New High German
p. 124verstehe Sulphur, Mercurius, vnd Sal, das ist / des gantzen Metalli zugleich. Dieses / wie jtzo gehöret / ist / also zu reden / des Silbers oder Goldes Kern; Vnd wil solcher gleich so wenig in Silber oder Gold/ oder aber in jrgend etwas daraus hero genommen/ als des Apffelskern in den Apffel/ oder in etwas von jhme genommen / zur Wiedergeburt geseihet werden/ Sondern Naturgemeß - künstlich in seinen vnd einen solchen Primaterialischen ACKER / woraus Silber vnd Goldt / von der Natur/ auff jhre weise/ auch noch heutiges Tages Naturlich / Catholicè gezeuget vnd herfür bracht werden. Diese Nuß mustu Naseweiser Vogel mit deinem zumal spitzigen schnabel/ mir wol vnauffgebissen lassen; vnnd wann du auch schon deinen KJEsen† zu Hülffe nemest.
Heinrich Khunrath’s Magnesia Catholica Philosophorum: Magnesia Catholica Philosophorum
p. 124understand Sulphur, Mercurius and Sal — that is, of the whole Metal together. This, as now heard, is (so to speak) the Kernel of the Silver or of the Gold; and such a Kernel will just as little be sown for Rebirth into Silver or Gold, or into anything taken out of them, as the Apple’s kernel into the Apple or into anything taken from it; but rather Nature-conformingly and artfully into its own and such a Pri-material FIELD, out of which Silver and Gold are begotten and brought forth by Nature, after her own fashion, Naturally and Catholicly, to this very day. This Nut, you pert Bird, you must leave me un-cracked with that exceeding sharp beak of yours — even should you call your KJEsen† to your aid.
Socrates
Reading Heinrich Khunrath’s Magnesia Catholica Philosophorum · Magnesia Catholica Philosophorum · Printed Page 124
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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.