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 87

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Facing Pages · Branch 131 of 244

The 138 Canons · Canon 87

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Latin

Secundus circulus est Restauratio, cuius officium est anhelanti & debilitato corpori potu vires restituere: Prior circulus sudoris & laboris fuit organum; hic verò refrigerij & consolationis. Huius actio in trituranda & emollienda terra, figulorum more versatur, quò melius misceatur, fingatur, & tandem decoquatur.

English

The second circle is Restoration, whose office is to restore the strength of the panting, weakened body by giving it drink. The former circle was an instrument of sweat and toil; this is one of refreshment and consolation. Its action consists in grinding and softening the earth in the manner of potters, so that it may be better mixed, shaped and at last thoroughly cooked.

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.