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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 32 · Passage A

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Light From Light · Page 32 · Passage A

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Original English

As for the Epistle of the Fraternitie, I shall for satisfaction of the ordinary Reader, put it into English. I know some Doctors will think it no Advantage, but then they confesse their Ignorance: I can assure them, The Subject is no where so clearly discovered, and for the first abstruse preparation, there is no privat Author hath mention'd it, but here wee have it intirely, and withall most faithfully described. I confesse indeed their Instruction wears a Mask, it speaks in Tropes, but very plaine and pervious, and the English of it is This.

Modern English

As for the fraternity’s epistle, I will put it into English for the ordinary reader. I know some doctors will think it offers no advantage, but that is a confession of their ignorance. I can assure them that the subject is nowhere so clearly revealed. As for the first, obscure preparation, no individual author has mentioned it; here, however, it is described completely and most faithfully. I admit that their instruction wears a mask: it speaks in figures, yet they are very plain and intelligible. Its English is as follows.

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.