The Hermetic Initiate must achieve the edification that comes “in stages.” One of these is the skillful method of reading the sacred Philosophical Books. These refine the Mind and Soul, bringing one to contemplate the Beauty of the Theurgic Mysteries and Hermetic Way. This Beauty, as with the sensual forms, incites the Soul to higher realms. The Initiate must also have discernment, have a questing spirit, the Faustian fire that seeks knowledge and esoteric insights. There are the primary texts that are ancestral expressions of the mythos and lore and there is the interaction with one’s own spirit and Nous. A third method of triangulating and assaying sources and knowledge is that of scholars.
These help one to gain a context, dating, authenticity and to engage in the Occult Wars of competing Narratives. Here the academics function either as honest stewards of the data, or those that seek to obfuscate and obscure with various exoteric and esoteric agendas. Thus, we do not necessarily endorse all of these academic texts but feel they are worthy of study to those seeking the deepest insights into Hermetica. Highly recommended articles will be emphasized with an asterisk.
And it is right for you to remember the progress that came to you as wisdom in the books, my son. Compare yourself to the early years of life. As children (do), you have posed senseless, unintelligent questions.”
“My father, the progress that has come to me now, and the foreknowledge, according to the books, that has come to me, exceeding the deficiency – these things are foremost in me.”
“My son, when you understand the truth of your statement, you will find your brothers, who are my sons, praying with you.”
“My father, I understand nothing else except the beauty that came to me in the books.”
“This is what you call the beauty of the soul, the edification that came to you in stages. May the understanding come to you, and you will teach.”
“I have understood, my father, each one of the books. And especially the …
Corpus Hermeticum
HERMETICA The Greek Corpus Hermeticum and the Latin Asclepius (Copenhaver)
Hermetica_The_Greek_Corpus_Hermeticum_an
Corpus Hermeticum Eight Tractates I, III, IV, VI, VIII, XI, XII, XIII Translation and Commentary (David Myatt)
Corpus-Hermeticum-Myatt
Poemandres
Poemandres Ποιμάνδρης (Myatt Translation) Introduction The Greek text of the tractate often referred to as the Pœmandres/Pymander part of the Corpus Hermeticum was first published by Turnebus in Paris in 1554 and of the origin of the knowledge expounded in […]
Primary Texts
Phaedrus
PERSONS OF THE DIALOGUE: Socrates, Phaedrus. SCENE: Under a plane-tree, by the banks of the Ilissus. SOCRATES: My dear Phaedrus, whence come you, and whither are you going? PHAEDRUS: I come from Lysias the son of Cephalus, and I am […]