Hermeticism

An ancient philosophical and spiritual tradition attributed to Hermes Trismegistus, offering profound insights into the nature of reality, consciousness, and the divine.

Core Teachings

Hermeticism is based on the writings attributed to Hermes Trismegistus, particularly the Corpus Hermeticum and the Emerald Tablet. These texts present a worldview that synthesizes elements of Egyptian theology, Greek philosophy, and early alchemy.

At the heart of Hermetic philosophy are seven principles, including the famous "As above, so below," which suggests that the microcosm (the individual) reflects the macrocosm (the universe). These principles outline a perspective that sees the universe as mental, rhythmic, and governed by cause and effect.

Coming soon: Detailed exploration of the Hermetic principles, practices, and historical influence.

Key Principles

  • The Principle of Mentalism
  • The Principle of Correspondence
  • The Principle of Vibration

Notable Texts

  • The Corpus Hermeticum
  • The Emerald Tablet
  • The Kybalion
"As above, so below; as below, so above. As within, so without; as without, so within."— The Emerald Tablet

The Shem HaMephorash

The Shem HaMephorash, or "the explicit name," is a powerful concept in Hermetic Kabbalah derived from the 72 names of God. These names are extracted from three verses in Exodus (14:19-21), each containing 72 letters in the original Hebrew.

In Hermetic tradition, each of the 72 names corresponds to a specific angel with unique powers and attributes. These angels are seen as emanations of divine energy that can be invoked for spiritual work, transformation, and communion with higher realms of consciousness.

Practitioners of Hermeticism often incorporate the Shem HaMephorash into talismans, rituals, and meditative practices to harness specific energies or qualities associated with each angelic name.

אלהי

Historical Development

Hermeticism emerged in Hellenistic Egypt during the first centuries CE, at the crossroads of Greek, Egyptian, and early Jewish mystical thought. The tradition is named after Hermes Trismegistus ("Thrice-Greatest Hermes"), a syncretic figure combining aspects of the Greek god Hermes and the Egyptian god Thoth.

While traditionally dated to ancient Egypt, most scholars now believe the Hermetic texts were written between 100-300 CE. These writings were rediscovered during the Renaissance when, in 1460, a monk brought manuscripts of the Corpus Hermeticum to Cosimo de' Medici in Florence, who had them translated from Greek to Latin by Marsilio Ficino.

This translation sparked a revival of Hermetic thought that profoundly influenced Renaissance culture, art, and science. Figures like Giordano Bruno, John Dee, and Paracelsus incorporated Hermetic principles into their work, creating a bridge between ancient wisdom and emerging scientific thought.

The Seven Hermetic Principles

  • 1. The Principle of Mentalism

    "THE ALL is MIND; The Universe is Mental." The universe exists in the mind of THE ALL; all is mental creation.

  • 2. The Principle of Correspondence

    "As above, so below; as below, so above." What happens on one level of reality also happens on all others.

  • 3. The Principle of Vibration

    "Nothing rests; everything moves; everything vibrates." All things are in constant motion at different rates.

  • 4. The Principle of Polarity

    "Everything is dual; everything has poles; everything has its pair of opposites." All things contain their opposite.

  • 5. The Principle of Rhythm

    "Everything flows, out and in; everything has its tides." All things rise and fall in a measured motion.

  • 6. The Principle of Cause and Effect

    "Every cause has its effect; every effect has its cause." Nothing happens by chance; there is a causal relationship in all things.

  • 7. The Principle of Gender

    "Gender is in everything; everything has its Masculine and Feminine Principles." Creative energy contains both masculine and feminine aspects.

Hermetic Practices

Meditation & Visualization

Hermetic meditation focuses on awakening inner knowledge and ascending through different levels of consciousness. Practitioners use visualization techniques to work with divine forces and archetypes, often visualizing symbols, divine names, or cosmic patterns to align with their vibrational qualities.

Theurgy

Theurgic practices involve ritual operations designed to purify the soul and establish contact with divine beings. These include invocations, the use of divine names, ritual purifications, and ceremonial magic. The ultimate goal is divine communion and the elevation of consciousness toward the divine mind.

Alchemy

Hermetic alchemy goes beyond material transmutation to focus on spiritual transformation. The alchemical processes of calcination, dissolution, separation, etc., are understood as stages in the purification of consciousness. The philosopher's stone represents the achievement of spiritual illumination.

These practices aim to awaken the divine spark within the practitioner, facilitating a remembrance of humanity's divine origin and ultimate reunification with THE ALL. Hermetic practice is not merely theoretical but deeply experiential, encouraging direct gnosis through disciplined spiritual work.

Modern Hermetic Movements

The 19th and 20th centuries saw a revival of Hermetic thought through organizations like the Hermetic Order of the Golden Dawn, founded in 1888, which synthesized Hermeticism with Kabbalah, astrology, and ceremonial magic. This influential order included members like W.B. Yeats, Aleister Crowley, and Arthur Edward Waite.

In 1912, the publication of The Kybalion by "Three Initiates" reinterpreted Hermetic principles for a modern audience, becoming one of the most accessible entry points to Hermetic philosophy. Later organizations like the Builders of the Adytum (B.O.T.A.) and the Rosicrucian Order continued to preserve and develop Hermetic teachings.

Today, Hermeticism continues to influence contemporary spiritual movements, depth psychology, and integrative approaches to consciousness. Scholars like Wouter Hanegraaff have brought academic attention to the historical importance of Hermeticism, while practitioners continue to find relevance in its principles for addressing modern philosophical and spiritual questions.

Related Traditions

  • Gnosticism

    Shares with Hermeticism the concept of divine knowledge (gnosis) and the idea that humans contain a divine spark.

  • Neoplatonism

    Philosophical system with significant overlap in cosmology and ideas about the divine mind and emanation.

  • Rosicrucianism

    Mystery tradition that incorporated Hermetic principles into its framework of spiritual development.

  • Kabbalah

    Jewish mystical tradition that became intertwined with Hermeticism in Renaissance occultism and later magical orders.

Full content coming soon...