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 127

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Facing Pages · Branch 187 of 244

The 138 Canons · Canon 127

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Latin

In Elixire componendo caue ne fermenta immutes aut commisceas, vtrumque enim elixir suo proprio fermento gaudet, & sua propria elementa desiderat: Natura enim comparatum est, duo luminaria sua sulfura diuersa, & tincturas distinctas habeant.

English

In composing the Elixir, take care neither to interchange nor to mix the ferments. For each elixir delights in its own proper ferment and requires its own proper elements: Nature has arranged that the two lights should have different sulphurs and distinct tinctures.

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.