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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 12

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The 138 Canons · Canon 12

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Latin

Typis & figuris aenigmaticis, mutuo quasi sermone liberius & significantius exprimunt se philosophi, quàm verbis; exemplo sint tabula Senioris, Rozarii picturae allegoricae, Abrahae Iudaei apud Flamellum, tum etiam ipsius Flamelli schemata: ex recentioribus insignia doctissimi Michaëlis Maieri emblemata, quibus veterum mysteria tam abundè recluduntur, ut quasi nova perspicilia antiquam & ab annis remotam veritatem, oculis vicinam & nobis optimè perspectam subiiciant.

English

Through emblematic images and enigmatic figures, as though through a silent language, philosophers express themselves more freely and meaningfully than through words. Examples are Senior's table, the allegorical pictures of the Rosary, those of Abraham the Jew in Flamel, and Flamel's own figures; among more recent works are the outstanding emblems of the very learned Michael Maier. These disclose the mysteries of the ancients so abundantly that, like new spectacles, they bring an ancient truth, remote in years, close to our eyes and present it for our clearest examination.

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.