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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 · Page 18 · Passage A

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Light From Light · Page 18 · Passage A

Original English

Search therefore, and examine the parts of this Chaos, by the Rules and Instructions received, when I was with thee in the mineral Region. Dwell not altogether on the practice, for that is not the way to improve it: be sure to adde reason to thy Experience, and to imploy thy mind aswell as thy hands. Labour to know all Causes and their Effects: doe not only study the Receipt, like that broyling frying Company, who call themselves Chymists, but are indeed no Philosophers. This is all which I thinke fit to adde to my former Prescriptions, but that which made me returne, was something else, and now thou shalt receive it.

Modern English

“Therefore investigate and examine the parts of this chaos by the rules and instructions you received when I was with you in the mineral region. Do not dwell entirely on practice, for that is no way to improve it: be sure to add reason to experience, and employ your mind as well as your hands. Labour to know all causes and their effects; do not study only the recipe, like that broiling, frying company who call themselves chymists but are no philosophers. This is all I think fit to add to my earlier prescriptions. Something else brought me back, and you shall now receive 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.