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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 41

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The 138 Canons · Canon 41

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Latin

Elixir dicitur Mercurius Philosophorum propter similitudinem, & magnam, quam cum Mercurio caelesti habet, conformitatem; hic enim elementarium qualitatum expers ad illas influendas maximè pronus creditur, aliorumque Planetarum naturam ac genium versatilis ille Protheus induit & auget, ratione oppositionis, coniunctionis, & aspectus. Simile operatur anceps Elixir, nulli quidem propriae qualitati addictum, rei, cui commiscetur, qualitatem & ingenium amplectitur, eiusque virtutes & qualitates mirum in modum multiplicat.

English

The elixir is called the philosophers' mercury because of its resemblance and close conformity to celestial Mercury. The latter is believed to be free from elemental qualities and especially disposed to transmit them by influence. A changeful Proteus, it takes on and augments the nature and disposition of the other planets through opposition, conjunction, and aspect. The elixir, capable of either tendency, acts similarly: attached to no particular quality of its own, it embraces the quality and disposition of the thing with which it is mixed, and wonderfully multiplies its powers and qualities.

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.