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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

This speech made me quickly look up to those glittering Turrets of Salt, where I could see a stupendous Cataract, or Waterfall. The streame was more large than any River in her full Chanell, but notwithstanding the Height, and Violence of its Fall, it descended without any Noyse. The Waters were dash'd, and their Current distracted by those Saltish Rocks, but for all this they came down with a dead silence, like the still, soft Ayr. Some of this Liquor (for it ran by me) I took up, to see what strange wollen substance it was, that did thus steale down like Snow. When I had it in my hands it was no Common water, but a certaine kind of Oile of a Waterie Complexion. A viscous, fat, mineral nature it was, bright like Pearls, and transparent like Chrystall. When I had viewd and search'd it well it appear'd somewhat spermatic, and in very Truth it was obscene to the sight, but much more to the Touch.

Modern English

Her words made me look quickly up at those glittering turrets of salt, where I saw an astonishing cataract or waterfall. Its stream was larger than any river in full flow, yet, despite the height and violence of its fall, it descended without a sound. The waters were dashed and their course broken against the salty rocks, but still they came down in utter silence, like the soft, still air. As the liquid flowed past me, I took some up to discover what strange wool-like substance stole down in this way, like snow. In my hands it proved no ordinary water, but a kind of oil with a watery constitution: a viscous, fatty, mineral substance, bright as pearls and transparent as crystal. On examining it closely, I found it somewhat semen-like; indeed, it was obscene to the sight, and still more to the touch.

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.