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 87
Early New High German
p. 87erzehlter deiner Phantasey verharrest / so bleibstu gewiß ein commissarius nimiæ Sapientiæ; quæ stultitia summa.
Wolte nun einer weiter sagen; Jn der Philosophen Schrifften / findet man gleichwol hin vnd wieder also viel bericht vnd Lehren / daraus dannoch zu vernehmen / Ja Klar vnd hell zu sehen ist / das diese Kunst in Metallis, als in Silber vnd Golde / stecke; vnd also JN / MJT vnd DVRCH die Metalla / gewißlich müsse gesuchet vnd verrichtet werden: Wie hat es dann darmit eine meynung?
Demselben ist also zu antworten. Woferne man in ALCHYMIA nur alleine sehen wil / auff SJLBERS oder GOLDES EJGENSCHAFTEN nach / OPERIRENDE höchste MEDICinas / beydes der vntern Metallen / dieselben in die obern /
Heinrich Khunrath’s Magnesia Catholica Philosophorum: Magnesia Catholica Philosophorum
p. 87persist in your Fantasy already recounted, then you certainly remain a commissary of excessive Wisdom — which is the highest folly.
Now suppose someone were to say further: in the writings of the Philosophers one nevertheless finds here and there so much report and Teaching, from which it is still to be understood — yes, to be seen clear and bright — that this Art lies in the Metals, that is, in Silver and Gold; and that therefore it must assuredly be sought and performed IN, WITH and THROUGH the Metals. How, then, is that to be understood?
To him it is to be answered thus. In so far as one means in ALCHYMIA to look only to the highest OPERATING MEDICINES, according to the PROPERTIES of SILVER or of GOLD — both of the lower Metals, to transmute them into the upper,
Socrates
Reading Heinrich Khunrath’s Magnesia Catholica Philosophorum · Magnesia Catholica Philosophorum · Printed Page 87
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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.