Hermeticism, Three books of Philosophy of the Hermes Thrice-Great.

Since a while, I've been drawn into the Hermeticism: Philosophy based on lessons given by Hermes Trismegistus, legendary Hellenistic figure, a syncretic combination of the Greek deity: 'Hermes' and the Egyptian deity: 'Thoth' / 'Hermes' was also called: 'Mercury' in Rome /.

For now I've 'armed myself' with three books.

/ I've read only 'The Hermetica' so far /.


The Hermetica: The Lost Wisdom of the Pharaohs.

The Hermetica is the first easily accessible translation of the forgotten Egyptian classic that inspired some of the world's greatest artists, scientists, and philosophers, including Blake, Newton, Raleigh, Milton, Shelley, Shakespeare, Botticelli, Kepler, da Vinci, and Jung.

Influencing the Egyptians, Greeks, and much of Western thought, this work is credited to Hermes, an ancient Egyptian sage who lived around 3000 B.C. and so revered that he was granted the title 'Trismegistus' meaning: 'Thrice-great.'

Providing a fascinating mystical introduction to the philosophy of ancient Egypt that has influenced and shaped our world for five millennia, The Hermetica is a book for anyone interested in this lasting civilization or in the knowledge of sacred traditions.

Blog author's comment: After reading this book, I can confirm that in this book one can find Ancient Egyptian and Acient Greek influences and foundations of the Philosophy of both Western and Eastern / both Far East and Middle East / cultures ... foundations and influences that affected beliefs / including Christianity /, thoughts, sciences and arts too ... of both West and East / mostly the West /, that shaped the world and it's civilizations. Acient Eastern thoughts are also included in this book, as they were part of the Library of Alexandria. It's a source to which one can 'return', to understand beter why the modern world is as it is now.

See also, if You wish:
> [ Studying the Nature of Time & Understanding the Mind of the God ].


Corpus Hermeticum.

The Corpus Hermeticum is a collection of 17 Greek writings whose authorship is traditionally attributed to the legendary Hellenistic figure Hermes Trismegistus, a syncretic combination of the Greek god Hermes and the Egyptian god Thoth.

The treatises were originally written between c. 100 and c. 300 CE, but the collection as known today was first compiled by medieval Byzantine editors. It was translated into Latin in the 15th century by the Italian humanist scholars Marsilio Ficino (1433–1499) and Lodovico Lazzarelli (1447–1500).


The Kybalion.

Controversial Hermetic text.

Many wise authorities say that this book is source of confusion and errors in logic, so caution is advised when reading, and are annoyed by a mere mention of this book's title. Others say that Corpus Hermeticum and the Kybalion are different things, that complement each other.

Bought this 'just in case', perhaps it's a way to escape classic Hermeticism if it turns out to be 'a trap'. ;)

Also:

'The Kybalion serves as an introduction to so-called Hermetic philosophy to many. However, after more study, it is clear that The Kybalion is not a book about Hermetic philosophy at all. It was published in the early 20th century and preaches a philosophy closer to that of the New Thought movement.

What is New Thought?

The New Thought movement originated in 19th century America, and was originally known by many other names, such as Christian Science and Mental Science. It is a popularized form of self-help psychology, relying on principles such as mind-over-matter and the law of attraction. These principles should be very familiar to readers of the Kybalion, where they are presented as 'mental transmutation.' In fact, if you look at the principles espoused by the Kybalion in the context of New Thought philosophy, it is clear that many of its ideas originated there.


Further Reading.

I was advised, by someone who is much into Hermeticism, two more books:

1. Hermetica II: The Excerpts of Stobaeus, Papyrus Fragments, and Ancient Testimonies in an English Translation with Notes and Introduction, translated by M. David Litwa.
2. Asclepius. The Perfect Discourse Of Hermes Trismegistus, translated By Clement Salaman.
/ pl: Asclepius po polsku to Asklepios (czyt. asklepios), w mitologii greckiej bóg sztuki lekarskiej (medycyny) i syn Apollina. Często utożsamiany jest z rzymskim odpowiednikiem, którym jest Eskulap. /

Also, feel free to look: [ The Best Books on Hermeticism ].

Mercury, Quicksilver, Messenger of Deities.

About.

Mercury is a chemical element; it has symbol Hg and atomic number 80. It is a silvery looking liquid metal known as quicksilver and was formerly named hydrargyrum from the Greek words hydor (water) and argyros (silver). It has fast molecular motion and mobility.

In a polish language, Mercury is known as: 'Rtęć' and quicksilver is translated as: 'żywe srebro'.

Greek deity known as Hermes was known as Thoth in Egypt, and as Mercury in Rome. Deity who served as a messenger to other deities.

Mercury's name is shared with name of the nearest planet to the sun, a planet that was noted for it's speed and mobility.


Retrogrades.

Three to four times a year, the planet Mercury appears to travel backward across the sky. We refer to these periods as times when Mercury is in apparent retrograde motion or simply ”Mercury retrograde.”

In reality, the Earth briefly overtakes Mercury in its orbit.

Since Mercury rules communication, information and travel, the retrograde period is said to affect these areas.

More of communication problems, but also time to revert and correct recent mistakes.


Blog author's observation.

Hermes - as deities' messenger - has to be quick, has to quickly deliver information.

In modern days, the Internet is medium that allows to communicate quickly even at longer distances.

Is the Internet a part of Hermes' attributes, a part of 'it's portfolio'?

... personally, I think: 'Yes'.

Hermes Trismegistos.

Hermes Trismegistos means: Hermes Thrice Great.

He's considered symbol of medicine and perhaps philosophy ... but magicians consider him god of magick as well.

He was messenger of gods, had winged shoes and staff with two snakes around it. This staff has name: Caduceus.

Then he became god, known in three of world's parts:
- Hermes in Greece,
- Mercury in Rome,
- Thoth in Egypt.

He should be respected, perhaps studied as well ... or at least i advise so.

Ars Magica, Hermes & Longevity.

At youth i played Ars Magica ('Art of Magic' in Latin) roleplaying game too much.

... it's a fantasy-medieval game about Magic, with 'Order of Hermes' in it's center.

Ars Magica is referenced in many of White Wolf's Roleplaying Games, including Mage: the Ascension &
Vampire: the Masquerade - both set in Dark Version of the Modern World.

i used mostly 3rd Edition, with a little of 2nd Edition as well. Had many books, was quite an expert in this game & art style.

i think newer editions are too much of game mechanic focused, at cost of art - and are too church-influenced, too feudal, less independent & free.

While Church & Religion are important in Medieval Context, it's still too much for me & my needs.

Buddhism uses every life's experience, even childhood games & plays - as steps on the Way for Enlightenment.

So it evolved, sparked my interrest in Spirituality, Esoterics, Witchcraft & Hermetic Order of the Golden Dawn.

Now i am creating an Art Style, 'Art of Magick & Light' that uses my experiences & wisdom, spirituality, symbolism & esoterics, that is trying to have uses in Real Magick as well.

One of the Central ideas of Ars Magicka was 'Longevity Potion'.

Attentus' is my main roleplaying game character, self-awakening mage that was started with Ars Magica 3e, then was used in D&D & other.

His Longevity Potion was based on 3rd Edition Ars Magica.

'Potion' is misleading name, as it could be talisman, ritual or other tool - and it varied from person to person.

Most effective was to do for oneself, doing for others was less effective.

Magickal Arts used are Intellego (Perception, Cognition, Awareness, Discovery) & Corporem (Human & Human-like body) - depending on these arts & body awareness, longevity potion's efficiency was determined, but there was dice rolls as well (other factors).

In newer Ars Magica editions Corporem is spelled as Corpus.

Longevity potion works by containing life force from 'leaking away' from body with time, making it leave body much slower - this has significiant drawback of denying users from having kids after using this potion. But kids could have been made before performing this ritual.

With time it's increasingly harder to contain this leaking, so it's not immortality potion, at any rate.


Another of Central Ideas of Ars Magica is Responsibility, often non-action, but not to extreme.


i've linked related article as well - but it's misleading, and refers to newer editions of Ars Magica.

References to older versions simplify older lore way too much, misleading as well.

'Warping' - means side effects that magick has on mind, speech & body - not neccessarily, but perhaps as well - physical disfigurment.


See also, if You wish: the 'Attentus 2nd incarnation' project.