DiotimosReading Desk

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

Explore the Lexicon
The Secret Work of the Hermetic PhilosophyThe 138 Canons · Canon 80

Swipe or use the arrow keys.

Facing Pages · Branch 121 of 244

The 138 Canons · Canon 80

Book Mode

Latin

Ignis Lapidi insitus archæus est Naturæ, Solis filius & vicarius, materiam mouens ac digerens, omniáque in eâ perficiens, si libertatem consequutus fuerit; sub duro enim cortice inualidus latet; liberationem itaque ei procura, vt tibi liber inseruiat: sed caue ne supra modum ipsum vrgeas, tyrannidis enim impatiens fugitiuus fieret, nullâ tibi reditus spe relictâ; blandè igitur adulando ipsum euoca, & prudens custodi.

English

The fire implanted in the Stone is Nature’s archeus, the Sun’s son and deputy. It moves and digests the matter, perfecting everything within it if it has obtained freedom; for it lies powerless beneath a hard rind. Secure its release, therefore, so that, free, it may serve you. But take care not to press it beyond measure: unable to endure tyranny, it would become a fugitive, leaving you no hope of its return. Call it forth, then, with gentle coaxing, and guard it wisely.

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.