From the book
Heinrich Khunrath’s Magnesia Catholica Philosophorum
Heinrich Khunrath · Diotimos Editions · 2026
Browse this book’s lexicon →Orientation
At a Glance
- The wordVitriol illustrates specified efficacy as well as mistaken universal identification.
- In KhunrathIt appears again among page 34’s candidates and in the page 50 marginal warning against confusing specified materials or their preparations with Magnesia.
- In this editionNo single modern sulphate species is assigned to the historical name.
- A reading distinctionThe page 20 concession prevents “rejected” from meaning that Khunrath denies every particular virtue or preparation associated with vitriol.
Meaning
Vitriol illustrates specified efficacy as well as mistaken universal identification. Page 20 says a vitriolic matter yields a vitriolic Stone, just as its kind determines its product.
Use in the book
It appears again among page 34’s candidates and in the page 50 marginal warning against confusing specified materials or their preparations with Magnesia. The book therefore distinguishes having a Stone of one kind from having the universal Stone.
Places to read
- 1599 p. 20Vitriol yields a specified vitriolic Stone.
- 1599 p. 34Vitriol is also proposed by claimants as Magnesia.
- 1599 p. 50 · margin2Vitriol and its preparations are excluded from confusion with the catholic subject.
Translation in this edition
No single modern sulphate species is assigned to the historical name. Its argumentative role is more secure than a chemical formula.
Source note
The page 20 concession prevents “rejected” from meaning that Khunrath denies every particular virtue or preparation associated with vitriol.