Hermeticism

Hermeticism is an ancient philosophical and religious tradition based on the teachings of the Egyptian god Hermes Trismegistus, who is believed to have combined the wisdom of the ancient Greek gods with that of the ancient Egyptians. Hermeticism holds that there is a divine force in the universe that can be accessed through the power of thought and spiritual practice, and that this force can be used to transform the physical world. It emphasizes the value of self-knowledge and direct experience as a means of understanding the divine. The Hermetic tradition is often associated with the occult, alchemy, and magic.

One of the most common uses of the label is to refer to the religio-philosophical system propounded by a specific subgroup of Hermetic writings known as the ‘philosophical’ Hermetica, the most famous of which is the Corpus Hermeticum (a collection of seventeen Greek Hermetic treatises written between c. 100 and c. 300 CE). This specific, historical form of Hermetic philosophy is sometimes more restrictively called Hermetism, to distinguish it from the philosophies inspired by the many Hermetic writings of a completely different period and nature.

Role in developing modern science

Hermeticism played an important role in the development of modern science, particularly in the fields of mathematics, astronomy, and medicine. Hermetic teachings were highly influential on the scientific theories of the Renaissance, providing the foundation for many of the world’s greatest scientists, such as Galileo and Newton. Hermetic texts also provided the philosophical framework for the development of the scientific method, which enabled scientists to make accurate observations and draw conclusions based on their findings. Hermetic philosophy also encouraged an open-minded and critical approach to scientific inquiry, which has been essential to the development of modern science and technology. Additionally, Hermeticism has been influential in the development of modern therapies, such as psychotherapy and hypnotherapy.

In 1964, Frances A. Yates advanced the thesis that Renaissance Hermeticism, or what she called “the Hermetic tradition”, had been a crucial factor in the development of modern science. While Yates’s thesis has since been largely rejected the important role played by the ‘Hermetic’ science of alchemy in the thought of such figures as Jan Baptist van Helmont (1580–1644), Robert Boyle (1627–1691) or Isaac Newton (1642–1727) has been amply demonstrated

Pinciples

7 hermetic Principles

The 7 hermetic principles are

The Principle of Mentalism: All is mind

The Principle of Mentalism states that all is mind. The universe is mental and all matter is an illusion. Everything is connected and is a reflection of the same Universal Consciousness. This means that everything that exists, from the physical world to the spiritual, is all connected, and all is a manifestation of the same divine energy. The Principle of Mentalism states that our thoughts, beliefs, and intentions are powerful, and can shape our reality.

The Principle of Correspondence: As above, so below

The hermetic concept of “As above, so below” is based on the idea that the physical world is a reflection of the spiritual world. It suggests that the same laws and principles that govern the spiritual world also govern the physical world. This concept is central to Hermeticism and is often used to explain the interconnectedness of all things in the universe. It is believed that by understanding and working with the spiritual forces of the universe, one can gain access to greater knowledge and power. This idea is closely related to the Hermetic belief that all things are connected, and that by understanding and working with these connections, we can access the divine power within us.

The Principle of Vibration

The Principle of Vibration states that nothing rests, everything moves and vibrates. All energy is in constant motion and is interconnected. This means that everything that exists in the universe is made up of energy, and this energy is constantly in motion and is connected. This universal energy is the foundation of all life, and the vibration of this energy affects everything in our lives. This concept can be somewhat related to quantum field theory, as all quantum fields oscillate with a certain frequency, and the oscillation and interactions of those fields give rise to the fundamendatl particles of our universe,

The Principle of Polarity

The Principle of Polarity states that everything has an opposite and a complement. All polarities are connected and are part of the same energy. This means that all things in the universe have opposite aspects which are connected and are part of the same energy. For example, light and dark, hot and cold, male and female, etc. This principle states that these opposites are not separate, but are in fact intertwined and are part of the same energy.

The Principle of Rhythm

The Principle of Rhythm states that everything has a rhythm and cycles, and these rhythms and cycles can be found throughout the universe. This means that all things in the universe have an ebb and flow, and these rhythms are the same throughout the universe. This principle states that we can use these rhythms and cycles to understand the universe and to manifest our desires.

The Principle of Cause and Effect

The Principle of Cause and Effect states that every action has an equal and opposite reaction. This means that for every action there is a consequence, and this consequence can be positive or negative. This principle states that we are responsible for our actions and that the results of our actions will be felt in the present and in the future. This principle also states that we should be aware of the consequences of our actions and make conscious decisions that will create positive outcomes.

The Principle of Gender

The Principle of Gender states that gender is present in all things, and each has its masculine and feminine aspects. This means that all things in the universe have both masculine and feminine qualities and characteristics. This principle states that both masculine and feminine aspects must be present in order for balance and harmony to be achieved. This principle also states that one cannot exist without the other, and that both are necessary in order to achieve balance and harmony in the universe.

Other principles

God as the All

In the philosophical Hermetica, the ultimate reality is called by many names, such as God, Lord, Father, Mind (Nous), the Creator, the All, the One, etc. However, peculiar to the Hermetic view of the divinity is that it is both the all (Greek: to pan) and the creator of the all: all created things pre-exist in God,and God is the nature of the cosmos (being both the substance from which it proceeds and the governing principle which orders it), yet the things themselves and the cosmos were all created by God. Thus, God (‘the All’) creates itself, and is both transcendent (as the creator of the cosmos) and immanent (as the created cosmos).These ideas are closely related to the cosmo-theological views of the Stoics.

Prisca theologia

The hermetic concept of Prisca theologia is the idea that all of the world’s religions and philosophies are rooted in a single, ancient source of divine knowledge. This knowledge is believed to have been revealed by Hermes Trismegistus, and is sometimes referred to as “the ancient theology.” The concept of Prisca theologia suggests that all of the world’s religions and philosophies share similar core principles and beliefs, and that by understanding and working with these shared principles, one can gain access to greater knowledge and power. This idea is closely related to the Hermetic belief that all things are connected, and that by understanding and working with these connections, we can access the divine power within us.

How reality is divided

The Hermeticism Spheres of Reality are a set of four interrelated spiritual realms that form the foundation of Hermetic philosophy. These spheres are the Physical Plane, the Mental Plane, the Astral Plane, and the Causal Plane. The Physical Plane is the material world of the senses; the Mental Plane is the realm of thought and ideas; the Astral Plane is the realm of emotion and feeling; and the Causal Plane is the realm of will and spiritual consciousness. Hermeticism teaches that by understanding and mastering these four planes of reality, one can gain spiritual knowledge and ascend to higher levels of existence.

Writings: Hermetica

Technical Hermetica

Philosophical Hermetica

Corpus Hermeticum

The Corpus Hermeticum is a collection of texts written in the 2nd and 3rd centuries CE in Egypt. It is considered to be the foundational source for the philosophy of Hermeticism. The texts are believed to have been written by Hermes Trismegistus, a figure of ancient Egyptian legend. The Corpus Hermeticum covers a wide range of topics, from cosmology to philosophy and theurgy, and is known for its teachings of the divine power that can be accessed through spiritual practice. It is also known for its use of symbols and allegories in order to convey its teachings. The Corpus Hermeticum is still studied and referenced today by many scholars of Hermeticism and the occult.

Treatises

  • I. Discourse of Poimandres to Hermes Trismegistus

    1. Hermes to Asclepius
    1. A sacred discourse of Hermes
    1. A discourse of Hermes to Tat: The mixing bowl or the monad

  • V. A discourse of Hermes to Tat, his son: That god is invisible and entirely visible

    1. Hermes to Asclepius: That the good is in god alone and nowhere else
    1. That the greatest evil in mankind is ignorance concerning god
    1. Hermes to Tat: That none of the things that are is destroyed, and they are mistaken who say that changes are deaths and destructions
    1. Hermes to Asclepius: On understanding and sensation: [That the beautiful and good are in god alone and nowhere else]

  • X. Hermes to Tat: The key

    1. Mind (Nous) to Hermes
    1. Hermes to Tat: On the mind shared in common
    1. Hermes to Tat, a secret dialogue on the mountain: On being born again, and on the promise to be silent
    1. Hermes to Asclepius: health of mind
    1. Asclepius to King Ammon: Definitions on god, matter, vice, fate, the sun, intellectual essence, divine essence, mankind, the arrangement of the plenitude, the seven stars, and mankind according to the image
    1. Asclepius to King Ammon
    1. Tat to a king: On the soul hindered by the body’s affections

Emerald Tablet

The Emerald Tablet is an ancient text that is believed to have been written by Hermes Trismegistus. The tablet is known for its concise, cryptic statements that are meant to convey esoteric truths about the universe. It is believed to contain the secret teachings of the hermetic tradition, and is often referred to as the foundation of Hermeticism. The tablet states that “As above, so below” and “what is below is like what is above”, emphasizing the interconnectedness of all things in the universe. It also states that “all things are formed from one”, suggesting that all of existence is part of a single, unified whole. The tablet also encourages the use of alchemy and other spiritual practices in order to access and manipulate the divine power in the universe.