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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 · Canon 133

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Facing Pages · Branch 196 of 244

The 138 Canons · Canon 133

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Latin

Quoniam in Elixire ignis naturæ vires per inspiratum quintæ essentiæ spiritum vberrimè multiplicatæ sunt, & praua corporum accidentia, quæ puritatem eorum, & verum Naturæ lumen tenebris obsidebant, per longas & multiplices sublimationes ac digestiones deleta sunt; idcircò Natura ignea compedibus suis liberata, ac virium cœlestium auxilio roborata, in quinto hoc nostro Elemento inclusa potentissimè agit: Mirum itaque non sit, si non solùm imperfecta perficiendi, verum etiam vires suas multiplicandi vim obtineat. Multiplicationis autem fons est in Principe Luminarium, qui infinita radiorum suorum multiplicatione omnia in hoc orbe nostro generat, generata multiplicat virtutem multiplicatiuam rerum seminibus infundendo.

English

Since in the Elixir the powers of nature’s fire have been multiplied most abundantly through the inbreathed spirit of the quintessence, and the corrupt accidents of bodies which besieged their purity and the true light of Nature with darkness have been erased through long and repeated sublimations and digestions, fiery Nature, freed from its fetters and strengthened by the aid of heavenly powers, acts most powerfully when enclosed in this fifth Element of ours. It should therefore be no wonder if it possesses the power not only to perfect imperfect things but also to multiply its own powers. The source of multiplication lies in the Prince of Lights, who through the infinite multiplication of his rays generates all things in this world of ours, and multiplies what he has generated by pouring multiplying power into the seeds of things.

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.