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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Facing Pages · Branch 96 of 215
Magnesia Catholica Philosophorum · Printed Page 89
Early New High German
p. 89Ein heller Schein / Blitz vnd Fewerfunck des Einigen / Mechtigen vnd Starcken) an vnnd für sich selbst / sowol auch auff desselbigen VSVS atq; EFFECTVS VNIVERSALES omnes; So ist freylich von nöten / das die Oberen Metalla / als Silber vnd Gold / in allewege höchlich respectiret / vnd Naturgemeß - künstlich adhibiret werden ; Dieweil Argenteitas & Aureitas / die Silberkeit vnd Goldigkeit sonsten anderswo nirgend / als in Silber vñ Golde / es sey dasselbe auch entweder vollkommen Metallisch / oder aber nur Embryoniret / zu finden; Nach dem willen Gottes / vñ lauff der Natur / dz gleiches gezeuget werde von seines gleichen / das Silber vnd Goldt (auff jhre weise) auch bringen vnd geben Silber oder Goldt: Nemlich / in PROIECTIONE Philosophica / durch plusquamperficirt Silber
Heinrich Khunrath’s Magnesia Catholica Philosophorum: Magnesia Catholica Philosophorum
p. 89a bright Shining, Lightning and Fire-spark of the One, Mighty and Strong — in and for itself, and likewise to all its VNIVERSAL VSES and EFFECTS: then it is of course needful that the Upper Metals, that is, Silver and Gold, be in every way highly regarded and Nature-conformingly-artfully employed. Since Argenteitas & Aureitas — Silver-ness and Gold-ness — are nowhere else to be found than in Silver and Gold — be that same either perfectly Metallic or only Embryonated — according to the will of God and the course of Nature, that like should be begotten of its like; so that Silver and Gold (after their own manner) should also bring and give Silver or Gold: namely, in the Philosophical PROIECTION, by more-than-perfected
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Reading Heinrich Khunrath’s Magnesia Catholica Philosophorum · Magnesia Catholica Philosophorum · Printed Page 89
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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.