Lumen de Lumine

Name: Lumen de Lumine
Author: Thomas Vaughan (Eugenius Philalethes)

A New Magical Light · The Complete 1651 First Edition

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Lumen de LumineLight From Light · Modern English

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Light From Light · Modern English

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Original English

The Inferior part of this Type presents a Dark Circle, charg'd with many strange Chimæra's, and Aristotle's τραγέλαφος, that Metaphysicall Beast of the Schoolemen. It signifies the innumerous, conceited Whimzies, and ayrie roving Imaginations of Man. For before wee attain to the Truth, we are subject to a Thousand Fansies, Fictions, and Apprehensions, which wee falsly suppose, and many Times publickly propose for the Truth it self. This Phantastic Region is the true Originall Seminarie of all Sects and their Dissentions. Hence came the despayring Sceptic, the loose Epicure, the Hypocriticall Stoic, and the Atheous Peripatetic. Hence also their severall Diogladiations about Nature: Whether the first Matter be Fire, Aire, Earth, or Water, or a Frie of Imaginarie Atoms, all which are false and fabulous Suppositions. If wee look on Religion and the Diversities thereof: whence proceeded the present Heresies and Schismas, but from the Different, erroneous Apprehensions of Men?

Modern English

The lower part of this image shows a dark circle filled with strange chimeras and Aristotle’s goat-stag, that metaphysical beast of the Schoolmen. It signifies man’s countless conceited fancies and airy, roaming imaginations. Before reaching truth, we are subject to a thousand fancies, fictions and notions which we falsely assume—and often publicly put forward—to be truth itself. This fantastic region is the original seedbed of every sect and its dissensions. From it came the despairing sceptic, the dissolute Epicurean, the hypocritical Stoic and the atheistic Peripatetic. From it also came their various battles about nature: whether first matter is fire, air, earth or water, or a swarm of imaginary atoms—all false and fabulous suppositions. Looking at religion and its divisions, where did present heresies and schisms originate except in men’s differing, erroneous notions?

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.