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 27 of 215
Magnesia Catholica Philosophorum · Printed Page 20
Early New High German
p. 20Naturgemeß-künstlich / einen Gold-Stein; Silber / einen Silber-Stein; Vitriolum / ein Vitriolischen Stein; Antimonium, einen Antimonialischen; & sic de cæteris: MAGNESIA philosophorum VNIVERSALIS, gibt einen Philosophischen VNIVERSAL STEIN.
Freylich sind alle Materialische dinge aus MATERIA PRIMA VNIVERSALI, Weldt-anfenglich / geworden! So ist auch des HERRN vnvergenglicher aGEIST (qui Spiritus MVNDI secretissimus; NATVRA; Mundi ANIMA) in Allen: IN JEDEM aber IST ER NICHT CATHOLISCH. In keinem andern mehr / als nur alleine in MAGNESIA Philosophorum CATHOLICA, wohnet Er Synopticè-Catholicè. Des Catholischen oder Allgemeinen ge-
Heinrich Khunrath’s Magnesia Catholica Philosophorum: Magnesia Catholica Philosophorum
p. 20in a Nature-conforming and artful way, a Gold-Stone; Silver, a Silver-Stone; Vitriol, a Vitriolic Stone; Antimony, an Antimonial one; & sic de cæteris — and so with the rest. MAGNESIA philosophorum VNIVERSALIS gives a Philosophical VNIVERSAL STONE.
Assuredly all Material things came to be out of MATERIA PRIMA VNIVERSALI at the beginning of the World! So too the LORD’S imperishable aSPIRIT (which is the most secret Spirit of the WORLD; NATVRE; the SOUL of the World) is in All: but IN EACH ONE HE IS NOT CATHOLIC. In no other whatever, but in MAGNESIA Philosophorum CATHOLICA alone, does He dwell Synopticè-Catholicè. Of the catholic or universal most
Socrates
Reading Heinrich Khunrath’s Magnesia Catholica Philosophorum · Magnesia Catholica Philosophorum · Printed Page 20
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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.