The Secret Work of the Hermetic Philosophy

Name: The Secret Work of the Hermetic Philosophy
Author: Attributed to Jean d’Espagnet

A Fresh English Translation from the Complete 1623 Latin Arcanum

Explore the Lexicon

The Secret Work of the Hermetic PhilosophyThe 138 Canons · Latin

Swipe or use the arrow keys.

Latin Page · Branch 186 of 244

The 138 Canons · Latin

Book Mode

Latin

Duo perfecta metalla tincturam exhibent perfectam, quia puro naturæ sulfure tincta sunt, nullum itaque metallorum fermentum extra hæc duo corpora quæratur: Tinge igitur cum Sole & lunâ tuum Elixir album & rubeum, Mercurius eorum tincturam primus suscipit, susceptam aliis communicat.

English

The two perfect metals yield a perfect tincture because they are tinged with the pure sulphur of nature. Therefore seek no ferment of metals outside these two bodies. Tinge your white and red Elixir, then, with Sun and moon. Mercury first receives their tincture and, having received it, communicates it to others.

About This Reading Edition

The complete anonymous 1623 Arcanum, conventionally attributed to Jean d’Espagnet, with Latin and a fresh English translation, 138 canons, original marginalia and errata, 88 modern annotations, separately identified historical reception documents, and the complete supplied Diotimos study apparatus.

Historical Text and Translation

Anonymous, Arcanum hermeticæ philosophiæ opus. Paris: Nicolas Buon, 1623. Bibliothèque municipale de Lyon copy, digitised by Google Books, uJNr_M9LDGgC. Conventionally attributed to Jean d’Espagnet; the original title page is anonymous.

About Diotimos Editions

This historical edition credits Diotimos Editions as its English translator.

Rights

Historical texts are public-domain works. The supplied 2026 fresh English translation, Latin reading transcription and Diotimos editorial material are published with the site owner’s authorization. The historical Signifer is credited to the Getty Research Institute copy and Internet Archive.