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 24

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Facing Pages · Branch 43 of 244

The 138 Canons · Canon 24

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Latin

Qui Sulfur & Mercurium Lapidis materiam statuunt, Sulfuris nomine Solem & Lunam communem; Mercurii verò Lunam philosophorum intelligunt: sic remoto fuco pius Lullius amico consulit, * ne quaerat operari nisi cum Mercurio & Lunâ pro argento, & Mercurio & Sole pro auro.

English

Those who make sulphur and mercury the matter of the stone understand by sulphur the sun and the common moon, and by mercury the philosophers' moon. Thus, removing the disguise, the devout Lull advises his friend* to attempt work only with mercury and moon for silver, and mercury and sun for gold.

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.