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

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The Secret Work of the Hermetic PhilosophyThe 138 Canons · Canon 68

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Facing Pages · Branch 104 of 244

The 138 Canons · Canon 68

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Latin

Prima digestio solutionem corporis operatur; per quam fit prima maris & foeminae coniunctio, utriusque seminis commixtio, putrefactio, elementorum in aquam homogeneam resolutio, Eclipsis Solis & Lunae in capite Draconis; totus denique Mundus in chaos antiquum & abyssum tenebrosam remeat. Haec prima digestio fit velut in sthomaco, calore pepantico & debili, corruptioni magis quàm generationi idoneo.

English

The first digestion brings about the body's dissolution. Through it occur the first conjunction of male and female, the mingling of both seeds, putrefaction, the resolution of the elements into a homogeneous water, and the eclipse of sun and moon in the dragon's head. Finally the whole world returns to ancient chaos and a dark abyss. This first digestion takes place as though in a stomach, with a weak, digestive heat more suited to corruption than generation.

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.