From the book
Heinrich Khunrath’s Magnesia Catholica Philosophorum
Heinrich Khunrath · Diotimos Editions · 2026
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At a Glance
- The wordSapphirine and rubine qualify the proposed regenerated salt-stones of silver and gold respectively.
- In KhunrathThe description follows the rejection of ordinary coloured metallic crystals as sufficient for the Stone.
- In this editionUse the comparative colour terms rather than substituting the gemstone nouns.
- A reading distinctionWax-flowing and fixed occur together.
Meaning
Sapphirine and rubine qualify the proposed regenerated salt-stones of silver and gold respectively. They are described as fixed, smokeless and wax-flowing, after transformation through the proper catholic source.
Use in the book
The description follows the rejection of ordinary coloured metallic crystals as sufficient for the Stone. Its force lies in the whole preparation and source, not colour alone. These are asserted properties of a philosophical end, not proof that sapphire or ruby has literally been made.
Places to read
- 1599 p. 127The regenerated silver and gold salt-stones receive their paired colour and condition descriptions.
Translation in this edition
Use the comparative colour terms rather than substituting the gemstone nouns. No compositional identification follows.
Source note
Wax-flowing and fixed occur together. Their conjunction cautions against treating fixedness as a simple denial of every form of fluid behaviour.