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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Magnesia Catholica Philosophorum · Printed Page 42
Early New High German
p. 42senden Meister / deme in Ewigkeit wol sey / hierinnen trewlich vnterwiesen) trewhertzigen in Philosophischer Warheit wolgegründten vermahnung / die schupen der blindheit / von ewren Augen des trotzigen gemüths auch abefallen; Also auch jhr (sag Ich) als dann erkennen vnd bekennen werdet / das MAGNESIA CATHOLICA, davon Ich lehre vnd schreibe / der grossen Weldt SOHN sey / vnd das allein wahre subiectum LAPIDIS Philosophorum CATHOLICI, des Natürlichen / vnd Naturgemeß-künstlichen SERVATORIS der grossen Weldt ; vnd neben Mir / auch allen wahren Philosophis, dieselbe von den falschen der Sophisten erdichteten Magnesijs vnterscheiden; fest an jhr bleiben; diese doctrinam gebürlich ferner fortpflantzen; vnd als disfals allein warhafftig verthedigē helffen.
Heinrich Khunrath’s Magnesia Catholica Philosophorum: Magnesia Catholica Philosophorum
p. 42-ing Master, to whom may it be well in Eternity) — and upon a faithful admonition well grounded in Philosophical Truth, the scales of blindness shall fall also from the Eyes of your defiant mind: then also you (I say) will recognize and confess that MAGNESIA CATHOLICA, of which I teach and write, is the SON of the great World, and the only true subiectum of the LAPIS Philosophorum CATHOLICVS, the Natural and Nature-conforming, artful SERVATOR of the great World; and, alongside Me and all true Philosophers, will distinguish that same from the false Magnesias invented by the Sophists; will abide fast by her; will propagate this doctrine further, as is fitting; and will help in this matter truthfully to defend her alone.
Socrates
Reading Heinrich Khunrath’s Magnesia Catholica Philosophorum · Magnesia Catholica Philosophorum · Printed Page 42
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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.