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Diotimos Library · Esotericism & Spirituality Collection · Parallel Edition

Thomas Vaughan (Eugenius Philalethes)

Lumen de Lumine

A New Magical Light · The Complete 1651 First Edition

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Lumen de LumineLight From Light · Original

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Light From Light · Original

Original English

Whiles I was taken up with this strange Scene, there appeared in the middle purple Colours, a suddain Commotion, and out of their very Center did sprout a certaine flowrie Light, as it were the flame of a Taper. Very bright it was, sparkling, and twinckling like the Day-star. The Beams of this new Planet issuing forth in small Skeins and Rivulets look'd like Threds of Silver, which being reflected against the Trees, discover'd a Curious green Umbrage, and I found my self in a Grove of Bays. The Texture of the Branches was so even, the Leaves so thick, and in that conspiring order, it was not a wood, but a Building. I conceived it indeed to be the Temple of Nature, where she had joyn'd Discipline to her Doctrine.

Modern English

While this strange scene absorbed me, a sudden movement appeared in the central purple colours, and from their very centre sprang a flower-like light, resembling a taper’s flame. It was very bright, sparkling and twinkling like the morning star. The beams of this new planet, issuing in little skeins and streams, looked like silver threads. Reflected against the trees, they revealed an exquisite green canopy, and I found myself in a grove of laurels. The interweaving branches were so regular, the leaves so thick and so harmoniously ordered, that this was a building rather than a wood. Indeed, I imagined it to be Nature’s temple, where she had joined discipline to her teaching.

About This Reading Edition

The complete 1651 Lumen de Lumine, or A New Magical Light, by Thomas Vaughan (Eugenius Philalethes), with original and modern English, fresh translations of the Latin, Greek and Hebrew passages, the historical emblem and its inscriptions, all twelve Magical Aphorisms, 105 annotations and the complete supplied Diotimos study apparatus.

Historical Text and Translation

Thomas Vaughan (Eugenius Philalethes), Lumen de Lumine, or A New Magicall Light. London: H. Blunden, 1651. Governing witness: Wellcome Collection EPB/A/69096.4, digitisation b30340160, Wing V150, ESTC R146. Source credit: Wellcome Collection; Public Domain Mark.

About Diotimos Editions

This historical edition credits Diotimos Editions as its English translator.

Rights

The historical text and emblem are public domain. The supplied 2026 reading, translations and Diotimos editorial material are published with the site owner’s authorization.