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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Original English

I Have had some Contest with my self in the Disposall of this Piece, the Subject being crosse to the Genius of the Times, which is both Corrupt, and Splenetic. It was my Desire to keep it within Doores, but the Relation it bears to my former Discourses hath forc’d it to the Presse. It is the last Glasse of my thoughts, and their first Reflex being not compleat, I have added this to perfect their Image, and Symmetrie. I must confesse I have no Reason for it, but what my Adversaries supply me withall: I would advance the Truth, because they would suppresse it. Indeed I have been scurvily rewarded, but the successe of this Art grows from its Opposition, and this I believe, our late Libellers have observed, for they quit the Science, to quash the Professors.

Modern English

I have debated with myself what to do with this piece, since its subject runs against the temper of the times, which is both corrupt and ill-natured. I wanted to keep it at home, but its relation to my former discourses has forced it into print. It is the final mirror of my thoughts; because their first reflection was incomplete, I have added this to perfect their image and proportion. I confess that my only reason is the one my opponents supply: I would advance the truth because they would suppress it. I have indeed been badly rewarded, but this art gains success through opposition. Our recent libellers, I believe, have noticed this, since they abandon the science in order to crush those who profess it.

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.