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 16 of 215
Magnesia Catholica Philosophorum · Printed Page 9
Early New High German
p. 9tholica eigentlich für ein ding sey.
Wie es nun aber etlicher massen eine meinung vnd gelegenheit habe / mit kurtz hiebevorn wolangedeuteten / Catholischen / der grossen Welt Sohn / (welches Philosophischer Name MAGNESIA ist) des geheimen Catholischen STEINS der Weisen wahren Materia; Darzu auch wie viel vñ hoch in ALCHYMIA (den Naturgemeß-Alchymischen plusquamperficierten STEIN der Philosophen daraus zu erlangen) an Erkendtnuß vnd Verstendtnuß desselben gelegen sey; Wil Ich (durch Beystand RVACH HHOCHMAH-EL, des Geistes der Weißheit GOTtes) auff ditzmal / so viel an diesem ort zu erkleren sich geziemet / Philosophisch wolgegründet etwas discurriren: Das vbrige biß an sei-
Heinrich Khunrath’s Magnesia Catholica Philosophorum: Magnesia Catholica Philosophorum
p. 9-tholica properly is, as a thing.
But now, as to how the matter in some measure stands, and what its bearing is, with regard to the Catholic SON of the great World, briefly and well intimated just above (whose Philosophical Name is MAGNESIA), the true Materia of the secret Catholic STONE of the Wise; and moreover how much and how highly there depends, in ALCHYMIA (in order to obtain from it the Nature-conforming, alchemically more-than-perfected STONE of the Philosophers), upon the recognition and the understanding of that same: I will (by the assistance of RVACH HHOCHMAH-EL, the Spirit of the Wisdom of GOD) discourse somewhat, Philosophically well-grounded, for this once, so far as it is fitting to explain in this place; saving the rest for its own
Socrates
Reading Heinrich Khunrath’s Magnesia Catholica Philosophorum · Magnesia Catholica Philosophorum · Printed Page 9
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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.