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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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Latin Page · Branch 138 of 244

The 138 Canons · Latin

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Latin

Igne vtitur Natura, tum etiam Ars ad eius exemplum, tanquam instrumento & malleo in cudendis suis operibus: In vtriusque igitur operationibus ignis est magister & præfectus. Quapropter philosopho ignium cognitio maximè necessaria est, sine quâ velut alter Ixion vano labori alligatus incassum Naturæ rotam tractabit.

English

Nature uses Fire as an instrument and hammer in forging her works, and Art follows her example. In the operations of both, therefore, fire is master and governor. For this reason knowledge of fires is especially necessary to the philosopher. Without it, bound like another Ixion to fruitless toil, he will turn Nature’s wheel in vain.

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.