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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 · English

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The 138 Canons · English

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Latin

Si vltra ad Rubeum procedere intendas, adde ignis elementum, quod operi albo deest: immoto igitur vase, ac igne sensim per sua puncta roborato, materiam vrge, donec occultum incipiat fieri manifestum, cuius index tibi fiet color citrinus emergens: ignem quarti gradus per sua puncta rege, quousque vulcani ope ex lilio purpureæ nascantur rosæ, tandémque amaranthus fusco sanguinis rubore tinctus: sed ne desinas ignem igne euocare, antequam in cineres rubicundissimos & tactui insensibiles materiam terminari conspexeris, Lapis hic rubeus ad maiora tibi animum exigas sanctæ Trinitatis auspiciis.

English

If you intend to proceed further to the Red, add the element of fire which the white work lacks. Keeping the vessel unmoved and gradually strengthening the fire through its points, press the matter until what is hidden begins to become manifest. The emergence of a citrine colour will be your sign of this. Govern fire of the fourth degree through its points until, by Vulcan’s aid, purple roses are born from the lily, and at last an amaranth tinged with the dusky redness of blood. Do not cease calling forth fire by fire until you see the matter end as intensely red ashes, imperceptible to touch. Let this red Stone urge your spirit towards greater things under the auspices of the holy Trinity.

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.