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Diotimos Library · Esotericism & Spirituality Collection · Bilingual Edition

Attributed to Jean d’Espagnet

The Secret Work of the Hermetic Philosophy

A Fresh English Translation from the Complete 1623 Latin Arcanum

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The Secret Work of the Hermetic PhilosophyThe 138 Canons · Latin

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The 138 Canons · Latin

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Latin

Vellus hoc aureum triceps custodit Draco; primum caput ab aquis, secundum à terra; tertium ab aëre procedit: tria hæc capita in vnum potentissimum desinant necesse est, quod cæteros omnes Dracones vorabit, tunc ad vellus aureum via tibi patefacta est. Vale, studiose lector, hæc legendo spiritum æterni luminis inuoca; pauca loquere; plurimum ratiocinare; & rectè iudica. FINIS

English

A three-headed Dragon guards this golden Fleece. Its first head proceeds from the waters, its second from earth, its third from air. These three heads must end in one supremely powerful head which will devour all the other Dragons; then the way to the golden fleece is opened to you. Farewell, studious reader. In reading these things, invoke the spirit of eternal light; speak little, reason much, and judge rightly. END

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.