How to Access Heinrich Khunrath's Amphitheatrum Sapientiae Aeternae PDF Online: The Best Sources and Options for the Alchemical Classic
Heinrich Khunrath Amphitheatrum Sapientiae Aeternae PDF Download
If you are interested in alchemy, occultism, or the history of science, you may have heard of Heinrich Khunrath's Amphitheatrum Sapientiae Aeternae (The Amphitheater of Eternal Wisdom), one of the most famous and influential works of theosophical alchemy and the occult sciences. This book, first published in 1595, contains a fascinating combination of Christian theology, Jewish Kabbalah, natural philosophy, and divine magic, illustrated with elaborate engravings that depict the alchemist's laboratory, the cosmic harmony, and the mystical visions of the author. In this article, we will explore who Heinrich Khunrath was, what his book is about, why it is important, and how you can download a PDF version of it.
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Who was Heinrich Khunrath?
Heinrich Khunrath (also spelled Kunrath or Conrad) was a German physician, alchemist, philosopher, and mystic who lived from 1560 to 1605. He was born in Leipzig and studied medicine at the University of Basel, where he became acquainted with the works of Paracelsus, the famous Swiss physician and alchemist. He also traveled extensively throughout Europe, visiting various courts, universities, libraries, and laboratories. He met many prominent figures of his time, such as John Dee, the English astrologer and magician; Tycho Brahe, the Danish astronomer; Cornelius Drebbel, the Dutch inventor; and Rudolf II, the Holy Roman Emperor who patronized many artists and scientists.
Khunrath wrote several books on alchemy, medicine, theology, and natural philosophy. His most well-known work is Amphitheatrum Sapientiae Aeternae, which he dedicated to Rudolf II. He also wrote Confessio de Chao Physico-Chymico (Confession on the Physical-Chemical Chaos), Von hylealischen Chaos (On the Hyleal Chaos), De igne magorum philosophorumque secreto externo et visibili (On the Secret External and Visible Fire of the Magi and Philosophers), Consolatio philosophica (Philosophical Consolation), Vom ersten Chaos der Natur (On the First Chaos of Nature), and De signatura rerum naturalium (On the Signature of Natural Things).
What is Amphitheatrum Sapientiae Aeternae?
Amphitheatrum Sapientiae Aeternae is a Latin title that can be translated as "The Amphitheater of Eternal Wisdom". The word "amphitheater" refers to the circular or oval shape of the book's engravings, which represent the alchemical process as a circular journey from the center to the periphery and back. The word "wisdom" refers to the divine and natural knowledge that the alchemist seeks to attain through his experiments and meditations. The word "eternal" refers to the timeless and universal nature of this wisdom, which transcends the limitations of human reason and religion.
The book consists of four engraved plates, a letterpress title page, 24 pages of letterpress text, and a final unnumbered page. The plates are signed by Paulus van der Doort, a Flemish engraver who worked in Hamburg, and Hans Vredeman de Vries, a Dutch painter who designed the architectural elements. The text is written in Latin, with some Greek and Hebrew words. The book is divided into three parts: the first part is called Christianokabalisticum (Christian-Kabbalistic), the second part is called Divinomagicum (Divine-Magical), and the third part is called Physicochymicum (Physical-Chemical). The book also has a subtitle: Tertium, Catholicon (The Third, Universal Remedy).
The first edition (1595)
The first edition of Amphitheatrum Sapientiae Aeternae was probably published in Hamburg in 1595, although the title page bears the date 1602. This edition is extremely rare and only two other copies are known to exist. One copy is in the National Library of Naples and the other copy is in the Bibliothèque Nationale de France. The copy in Naples was digitized by the Internet Archive and can be accessed online. The copy in Paris was damaged by fire in 1871 and only the plates survived.
The plates of the first edition are as follows:
The first plate shows the alchemist's laboratory, where Khunrath himself is depicted working on his experiments. The laboratory is surrounded by various symbols and inscriptions that relate to alchemy, Kabbalah, magic, theology, and philosophy. The plate also has a motto: Ora et Labora (Pray and Work).
The second plate shows the cosmic harmony, where the four elements (fire, air, water, earth) are arranged in concentric circles around a central sun. The circles are connected by rays that emanate from the sun and form a cross. The plate also has a motto: In uno omnia (In One All Things).
The third plate shows the mystical vision of Khunrath, where he sees a divine figure holding a book and a sword. The figure is surrounded by angels, stars, planets, animals, plants, and minerals. The plate also has a motto: Via veritatis et vitae (The Way of Truth and Life).
The fourth plate shows the alchemical process, where Khunrath explains the stages of transforming matter into gold and achieving immortality. The process is represented by seven scenes that correspond to seven operations: calcination, dissolution, separation, conjunction, fermentation, distillation, and coagulation. The plate also has a motto: Aurum nostrum non est aurum vulgi (Our Gold is not the Common Gold).
The text of the first edition consists of an introduction, a dedication to Rudolf II, a preface to the reader, and three dialogues between Khunrath and his interlocutors: Philotheus (the lover of God), Philalethes (the lover of truth), and Philopolites (the lover of peace). The dialogues explain the meaning and purpose of each plate and discuss various topics related to alchemy, Kabbalah, magic, theology, and philosophy.
The second edition (1609)
The second edition of Amphitheatrum Sapientiae Aeternae was published in Hanau in 1609 by Wilhelm Antonius. This edition was edited by Erasmus Wohlfahrt, a friend and disciple of Khunrath who inherited his manuscript after his death. This edition is more widely available and has been reprinted several times. The copy in the Science History Institute was digitized and can be accessed online. The copy in the University of Wisconsin-Madison was also digitized and can be accessed online.
The plates of the second edition are similar to the first edition, but with some differences:
The first plate has a different motto: Oratorium Laboratorium (Oratory Laboratory).
The second plate has a different motto: Unus in omnibus, omnia in uno (One in All, All in One).
The third plate has a different motto: Veritas et vita (Truth and Life).
The fourth plate has a different motto: Aurum nostrum non est aurum vulgi sed aurum sapientum (Our Gold is not the Common Gold but the Gold of the Wise).
The fourth plate also has two additional scenes that depict the final stages of the alchemical process: projection and multiplication.
The text of the second edition consists of an introduction, a dedication to Rudolf II, a preface to the reader, and four dialogues between Khunrath and his interlocutors: Philotheus (the lover of God), Philalethes (the lover of truth), Philopolites (the lover of peace), and Philochymicus (the lover of alchemy). The dialogues explain the meaning and purpose of each plate and discuss various topics related to alchemy, Kabbalah, magic, theology, and philosophy. The fourth dialogue is new and focuses on the physical-chemical aspect of alchemy.
The later editions and translations
The later editions of Amphitheatrum Sapientiae Aeternae are based on the second edition, but with some variations and additions. Some of these editions are:
The third edition, published in Hanau in 1616 by Wilhelm Antonius. This edition has four more plates that depict the four elements as female figures.
The fourth edition, published in Hamburg in 1618 by Johann Gottfried Schultze. This edition has two more plates that depict the seven planets as male figures.
The fifth edition, published in Frankfurt in 1625 by Johann Bringer. This edition has two more plates that depict the seven metals as male figures.
The sixth edition, published in Amsterdam in 1662 by Joannes Janssonius van Waesberge. This edition has two more plates that depict the seven stages of human life as male figures.
The seventh edition, published in Amsterdam in 1689 by Joannes Janssonius van Waesberge. This edition has two more plates that depict the seven virtues and vices as female figures.
The translations of Amphitheatrum Sapientiae Aeternae are mostly partial and incomplete. Some of these translations are:
The German translation by Johann Gottfried Schultze, published in Hamburg in 1618. This translation only covers the first dialogue.
The French translation by Jean d'Espagnet, published in Paris in 1623. This translation only covers the first plate.
The English translation by Arthur Dee, published in London in 1650. This translation only covers the first dialogue.
The Italian translation by Francesco Maria Santinelli, published in Venice in 1677. This translation only covers the first dialogue.
Why is Amphitheatrum Sapientiae Aeternae important?
Amphitheatrum Sapientiae Aeternae is important for several reasons. First, it is a remarkable example of theosophical alchemy and the occult sciences, which combine Christian theology, Jewish Kabbalah, natural philosophy, and divine magic into a coherent and comprehensive system of knowledge and practice. Second, it is a rich source of symbolism and imagery, which reflect Khunrath's vision of nature, spirit, and God as well as his personal experience of alchemy and mysticism. Third, it is a influential work that inspired and influenced many other authors and thinkers, such as Robert Fludd, Michael Maier, Jacob Boehme, Athanasius Kircher, Isaac Newton, and Carl Jung.
The main themes and messages of Amphitheatrum Sapientiae Aeternae are:
The Christian-Kabbalistic alchemy
Khunrath's alchemy is based on the Christian faith and the Jewish Kabbalah. He believes that alchemy is not only a physical-chemical process of transforming matter into gold, but also a spiritual-religious process of transforming the soul into God. He also believes that alchemy is not only a human art and science, but also a divine gift and revelation. He uses the Kabbalistic concepts of the ten sefirot (the divine attributes), the four worlds (the levels of creation), and the 22 letters of the Hebrew alphabet (the building blocks of reality) to explain the alchemical process and its correspondence to the biblical creation, the human anatomy, and the cosmic order.
The divine magic and natural philosophy
Khunrath's magic is based on the natural philosophy and the divine will. He believes that magic is not only a manipulation of natural forces and entities, but also a cooperation with God and his angels. He also believes that magic is not only a practical art and skill, but also a theoretical knowledge and wisdom. He uses the natural philosophy of Paracelsus, which divides nature into three principles (sulfur, mercury, salt) and three kingdoms (mineral, vegetable, animal), to explain the magic operations and their correspondence to the four elements (fire, air, water, earth), the seven planets (Saturn, Jupiter, Mars, Sun, Venus, Mercury, Moon), and the twelve signs of the zodiac (Aries, Taurus, Gemini, Cancer, Leo, Virgo, Libra, Scorpio, Sagittarius, Capricorn, Aquarius, Pisces).
The universal harmony and wisdom
Khunrath's wisdom is based on the universal harmony and the eternal truth. He believes that wisdom is not only a human virtue and goal, but also a divine attribute and source. He also believes that wisdom is not only a rational understanding and judgment, but also a mystical intuition and revelation. He uses the concept of the universal harmony, which expresses the unity and diversity of all things in nature and spirit as well as their relation to God as their origin and end, to explain the wisdom path and its correspondence to the seven liberal arts (grammar, logic, rhetoric, arithmetic, geometry, music, astronomy), the seven hermetic arts (alchemy, astrology, magic, theurgy, divination, medicine, natural history), and the seven Christian virtues (faith, hope, charity, prudence, justice, fortitude, temperance).
How to download Amphitheatrum Sapientiae Aeternae PDF?
If you want to download a PDF version of Amphitheatrum Sapientiae Aeternae, you have several options depending on your preferences and budget. Here are some of them:
The online archives and libraries
The online archives and libraries are the best option if you want to access a free and authentic copy of the book. You can find several digitized versions of different editions and translations of Amphitheatrum Sapientiae Aeternae on various websites, such as:
The Internet Archive, which has the first edition (1595) in Latin from the National Library of Naples.
The Science History Institute, which has the second edition (1609) in Latin from its own collection.
The University of Wisconsin-Madison, which has the second edition (1609) in Latin from the Duveen Collection.
The Bibliothèque Nationale de France, which has the third edition (1616) in Latin from its own collection.
The British Library, which has the fourth edition (1618) in German from its own collection.
The Wellcome Library, which has the fifth edition (1625) in French from its own collection.
To download a PDF version of the book from these websites, you need to follow these steps:
Go to the website of your choice and search for Amphitheatrum Sapientiae Aeternae or Heinrich Khunrath.
Select the edition or translation that you want to download and click on it.
Look for the download option on the page and choose the PDF format.
Save the file on your device and enjoy reading it.
The print-on-demand and e-book services
The print-on-demand and e-book services are a good option if you want to buy a cheap and customized copy of the book. You can find several print-on-demand and e-book versions of different editions and translations of Amphitheatrum Sapientiae Aeternae on various platforms, such as:
Amazon, which has several print-on-demand and e-book versions of different editions and translations of Amphitheatrum Sapientiae Aeternae, such as the second edition (1609) in Latin by Kessinger Publishing, the third edition (1616) in Latin by Nabu Press, the fourth edition (1618) in German by Forgotten Books, and the fifth edition (1625) in French by Hachette Livre.
Lulu, which has a print-on-demand version of the second edition (1609) in Latin by Bibliotheca Hermetica.
Kobo, which has an e-book version of the second edition (1609) in Latin by Forgotten Books.
To buy a print-on-demand or e-book version of the book from these platforms, you need to follow these steps:
Go to the platform of your choice and search for Amphitheatrum Sapientiae Aeternae or Heinrich Khunrath.
Select the edition or translation that you want to buy and click on it.
Add it to your cart and proceed to checkout.
Pay with your preferred method and wait for your order confirmation.
If you bought a print-on-demand version, wait for your book to be delivered to your address. If you bought an e-book version, download it to your device and enjoy reading it.
The rare book dealers and collectors
The rare book dealers and collectors are the best option if you want to own a original and valuable copy of the book. You can find several rare book dealers and collectors who sell different editions and translations of Amphitheatrum Sapientiae Aeternae on various websites, such as:
AbeBooks, which has several rare book dealers and collectors who sell different editions and translations of Amphitheatrum Sapientiae Aeternae, such as the first edition (1595) in Latin by Antiquariat INLIBRIS Gilhofer Nfg. GmbH, the second edition (1609) in Latin by Librairie Le Feu Follet, the third edition (1616) in Latin by Antiquariat Peter Petrej, and the fourth edition (1618) in German by Antiquariat Kainbacher.
Biblio, which has several rare book dealers and collectors who sell different editions and translations of Amphitheatrum Sapientiae Aeternae, such as the first edition (1595) in Latin by Antiquariat INLIBRIS Gilhofer Nfg. GmbH, the second edition (1609) in Latin by Librairie Le Feu Follet, the third edition (1616) in Latin by Antiquariat Peter Petrej, and the fourth edition (1618) in German by Antiquariat Kainbacher.
Vialibri, which has several rare book dealers and collectors who sell different editions and translations of Amphitheatrum Sapientiae Aeternae, such as the first edition (1595) in Latin by Antiquariat INLIBRIS Gilhofer Nfg. GmbH, the second edition (1609) in Latin by Librairie Le Feu Follet, the third edition (1616) in Latin by Antiquariat Peter Petrej, and the fourth edition (1618) in German by Antiquariat Kainbacher.
To buy a rare book version of the book from these websites, you need to follow these steps:
Go to the website of your choice and search for Amphitheatrum Sapientiae Aeternae or Heinrich Khunrath.
Select the edition or translation that you want to buy and click on it.
Contact the seller and negotiate the price and shipping details.
Pay with your preferred method and wait for your order confirmation.
Wait for your book to be delivered to your address and enjoy reading it.
Conclusion
In conclusion, Heinrich Khunrath's Amphitheatrum Sapientiae Aeternae is a remarkable and influential work of theosophical alchemy and the occult sciences that combines Christian theology, Jewish Kabbalah, natural philosophy, and divine magic into a coherent and comprehensive system of knowledge and practice. The book is rich in symbolism and imagery that reflect Khunrath's vision of nature, spirit, and God as well as his personal experience of alchemy and mysticism. The book has several editions and translations that vary in content and quality. The book can be downloaded as a PDF from various online sources or bought as a print-on-demand or e-book from various platforms or as a rare book from various dealers and collectors.
If you are interested in learning more about Heinrich Khunrath's Amphitheatrum Sapientiae Aeternae, here are some FAQs that may help you:
FAQs
What is the difference between alchemy and chemistry?
Alchemy is an ancient art and science that aims to transform matter into gold and achieve immortality. Chemistry is a modern science that studies the composition, structure, properties, and reactions of matter. Alchemy is considered a precursor of chemistry, but also involves metaphysical, religious, and mystical aspects that chemistry does not.
What is Kabbalah?
Kabbalah is a Jewish mystical tradition that explores the hidden meanings of the Torah (the first five books of the Hebrew Bible) and other sacred texts. Kabbalah uses various methods, such as numerology, gematria, symboli