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 85
Early New High German
p. 85auff GOTTES anordnung von sich selbst schon gefangen / wie vnd worinnen er gefangen sein; vnnd hat jhme selbst eine Materialische Herberge auserwehlet vnnd zubereitet / wo er entweder Catholisch oder aber specialisch wohnen soll vnd wil: du darffst dich nicht vnterstehen / jhn als einen vmbschwermenden Fladdergeist (gleich deinen Hummelsgrillen) aus dem Lufft / auff ein Armbrust Schus / viel weniger aus dem Firmament (Ja deinem Schwermament) wie du vermeinest zu attrahiren / vnd zu wege zubringen; in deine von dir jhme Phantastisch fürgestalte materiam oder corpus; Du kanst jhne auch solcher gestalt nicht bannen / noch auffs Newe herzu bringen / Er hat schon sein bequem vnd jhme angeneme Losament / darinnen er von den Naturkündigern anzutreffen ist / weit
Heinrich Khunrath’s Magnesia Catholica Philosophorum: Magnesia Catholica Philosophorum
p. 85by GOD’S ordinance already caught of himself — how and wherein he is caught; and has himself chosen and prepared for himself a Material Lodging, where he will and shall dwell either Catholicly or else specially. You must not presume to attract him, as though he were a swarming Flutter-spirit (like your own hornet-fancies), out of the Air at a crossbow-shot — much less out of the Firmament (yes, out of your Swarmament) — as you suppose, and to bring him about into that matter or body of your own which you have Fantastically set up for him. Neither can you in that fashion conjure him, nor fetch him hither afresh. He has already his convenient Lodging, agreeable to him, wherein he is to be met with by those who know Nature, far
Socrates
Reading Heinrich Khunrath’s Magnesia Catholica Philosophorum · Magnesia Catholica Philosophorum · Printed Page 85
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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.