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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Early New High German Page · Branch 133 of 215
Magnesia Catholica Philosophorum · Printed Page 126
Early New High German
p. 126frembder hierzu schedlicher Corrosiuischer Wassere vnd gifftiger Materialium SIE in subtile sehr luckere vnd leichte Pulueres Sublimiren, vnnd zu Saltz (wie Sie sprechen) verkehren wollen; Da doch dieselbigen von zugesatzten Corrosiuis / mit denen sie auffgejaget vnd auffgeführet (wie die dulcoration gnugsam lehret) pflegen schärff zu sein; auch dahero Braun oder Rothfleckicht/ wie mit Aquæ-fortischen vnd Aquæ-Regischen des Silbers vnd Goldes vermeinten solutionibus, sonsten auch zu geschehen pflegt / in Holtz vnnd Menschen haut einfallen/ dieselben tingiren / das ist / coloriren oder ferben / aber noch weit weit fehlet/ das Sie der vnteren Metallen in die öberen Verwandlungs TINCTVRISCHE Silber oder Gold SALTZE sein: Vnnd auff solche vnd andere dergleichen We-
Heinrich Khunrath’s Magnesia Catholica Philosophorum: Magnesia Catholica Philosophorum
p. 126of foreign Waters, harmful to this purpose and Corrosive, and of poisonous Materials, would Sublime THEM into subtle, very loose and light Powders and convert them (as They say) into Salt. Whereas those same, by reason of the Corrosives added, with which they were driven and carried up, are wont to be sharp — as the dulcoration sufficiently teaches — and therefore to fall Brown or Red-spotted upon Wood and Human skin (as is wont to happen otherwise too, with the supposed solutions of Silver and Gold in Aqua-fortis and Aqua-Regia), and to tinge the same, that is, to colour or dye them; but they fall far, far short of being the TINCTORIAL Silver or Gold SALTS that transmute the lower Metals into the higher. And upon such and other like Wa-
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Reading Heinrich Khunrath’s Magnesia Catholica Philosophorum · Magnesia Catholica Philosophorum · Printed Page 126
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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.