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 48
Early New High German
p. 48Sahmen / nach derselbigen Arth vnd Eigenschafften; Item / MINERALIA vnd METALLA, aus MVNDI MATERIA PRIMA CATHOLICA à NATVRAE siue ANIMAE MVNDI CATHOLICAE Rationibus Seminarijs Mineralib9 atq; Metallicis, specialibus siue specificis, SIC vel SIC specificata, von den Weisen Wesentlichē Mineralischen vnd Metallischen vnterschiedlichen vnd sonderbarē Samhafften krefften der ALGEMEINEN NATVR oder SEELE der WELD / auch noch heutiges tages ALSO oder ALSO / specificieret, (in determinirten der Natur alleine wolbekandten Gewichten vnnd Massen / zusammen vermischet vnd vereiniget / an Jhren örten) auff Jhre weise / ferner geworden / werden vnd sein: Sondern gleich also (auch in statu
Heinrich Khunrath’s Magnesia Catholica Philosophorum: Magnesia Catholica Philosophorum
p. 48Seed, after the Kind and Properties of that same. Likewise MINERALS and METALS, specified THUS or THUS out of the WORLD’S CATHOLIC FIRST MATTER, by the Mineral and Metallic Seminal Reasons — special or specific — of NATURE, that is, of the CATHOLIC SOUL OF THE WORLD: by the essential, various and particular seed-bearing powers, Mineral and Metallic, of the UNIVERSAL NATURE or SOUL of the WORLD, specified THUS or THUS, even in our own day (mixed together and united in determinate Weights and Measures known to Nature alone, each in its own place), after their own fashion, having come to be, coming to be, and being. But rather just so (also in the state
Socrates
Reading Heinrich Khunrath’s Magnesia Catholica Philosophorum · Magnesia Catholica Philosophorum · Printed Page 48
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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.