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 68 of 215
Magnesia Catholica Philosophorum · Printed Page 61
Early New High German
p. 61gewislich also / wie mancher vnuerstendig vermeinet / nicht abscheiden. Kan derowegen ein solch præparatum, es sey auch so subtil / als es immer könne oder möge / je nicht MATERIA Metallorum omniū CATHolica PRIma sein: Ja / es ist / zum Ahdern† / ein jtzt gesagtes Solis oder Lunæ præparatum auch nicht des Silbers oder Golds specificirte materia prima; Sintemal die Metalla sich also schlecht gantz vnphilosophisch vnd vn-Natur-gemeß / durch frembde sachen / sophistische Species, dergleichen Præparata, Præparationes vnnd Wege / in MATERIAM PRIMAM nicht zu rücke setzen lassen / aus vrsach / das SIE Erstlich albereit vollkommene / entweder im Fewer geschmoltzene / oder aber selb gediegene solche hart - coagulirte corporalische Metallische früchte / Auch zum andern derowegen
Heinrich Khunrath’s Magnesia Catholica Philosophorum: Magnesia Catholica Philosophorum
p. 61assuredly not be separated off in the way that many an unknowing person supposes. Therefore such a preparation, be it never so subtle as it ever can or may be, can never be the First Catholic MATTER of all Metals: Indeed — and this is the second point — a preparation of Sol or Luna of the kind just described is likewise not the specified first matter of Silver or of Gold. Since the Metals do not let themselves be set back into THE FIRST MATTER so meanly, wholly unphilosophically and un-Nature-conformingly, by foreign things, sophistical Species, the like Preparations and Preparings and ways — for the reason that THEY are, First, already perfected, either melted in the Fire or else native, such hard-coagulated corporeal Metallic fruits; And secondly, on that account
Socrates
Reading Heinrich Khunrath’s Magnesia Catholica Philosophorum · Magnesia Catholica Philosophorum · Printed Page 61
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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.