Are you drawn to the hidden mysteries of the past? The study of ancient hermetic teachings, esoteric knowledge, appeals to many seekers of truth. We’ll help you start on this journey of discovery.
Hermetics was born in Hellenistic Egypt, a melting pot of Greek, Egyptian, and other Eastern traditions. The teachings of Hermeticism are attributed to the legendary figure Hermes Trismegistus. Experts believe this was a pen name for works. Were these the last of the ancient hermetic teachers?
The Key Texts in Hermetic Teachings
Hermetics (1) gets its name from Hermes Trismegistus. (2) He was a legendary and perhaps fictional sage of the Greek Hellenistic period from 343 BCE to 30 BCE. This philosophy combines Hermes, the Greek god of communication, and Thoth, the Egyptian god of wisdom. The tradition of hermetics comes from four texts.
1. Corpus Hermeticum is attributed to Hermes Trismegistus, was written between 100 and 300 CE in Hellenistic Egypt. It covers theology, philosophy, and cosmology and presents dialogues on divine wisdom.
A monk named Leonardo from Pistoia discovered it in the 15th century in a Macedonian monastery and brought it to Cosimo de’ Medic. Questions about its authenticity and authorship remain unresolved.
2. The Asclepius is also attributed to Hermes Trismegistus. It originates from the same period as the Corpus Hermeticum. This document focuses on theurgy, magic, and the divine spirit within all things.
The Latin version of Asclepius was known to scholars during the Middle Ages and the Renaissance. Scholars believe that the text was written during the 2nd and 3rd centuries CE. The Latin translation became widely known in Europe. It was attributed to Apuleius of Madaura, a Roman philosopher and rhetorician who lived in the 2nd century CE. The rediscovery and translation of the Asclepius helped to spark the revival of Hermeticism in the Renaissance.
3. Emerald Tablet is a short cryptic text, attributed to Hermes Trismegistus, was likely written in the early centuries CE. It is central to Western alchemical tradition and was discovered in various medieval manuscripts.
According to legend, the Emerald Tablet was discovered in a hidden chamber beneath a statue of Hermes in Tyana, Turkey, around 500 to 700 CE. Another version of the legend suggests it was found in a tomb beneath a statue of Hermes Trismegistus in Egypt during Alexander the Great.
The earliest known versions of the Emerald Tablet appear in Arabic texts from the 8th or 9th century CE. One of the oldest versions is found in the “Book of the Secret of Creation” (Kitāb sirr al-khalīqa), attributed to Balinus (Apollonius of Tyana). The Emerald Tablet was translated into Latin several times during the 12th and 13th centuries. These translations helped spread its influence throughout medieval Europe.
4. The Kybalion is a modern hermetic text first published in 1908. It was authored by a group known as the “Three Initiates.” This is a pseudonym for William Walker Atkinson, a prominent figure in the New Thought movement. Unlike ancient hermetic texts, The Kybalion is a recent work that aims to distill hermetic principles.
These four documents are the key texts in hermetic teachings. They blend philosophy, mysticism, and practical wisdom. They are essential reading for anyone interested in mysticism or esoteric knowledge. Because of the obscure language, they require interpretation absent from the texts. A teacher or group can help interpret the meaning of these texts.
Understanding Hermetic Principles
This system has influenced philosophical and religious movements throughout history. It encompasses aspects of alchemy, astrology, and magic, which we find in Western theology. The language used in ancient hermetic teachings exoteric knowledge can be highly symbolic. So, you must be able to decipher the symbols relating to the Hellenistic age, which is not an easy task.
There are esoteric sects that claim to hold this knowledge. If so, where can we find these ancient Hermetic teachers? There are hints of this ancient wisdom in the traditions of many cultures. Some suggest that the teachings about hermetics were scattered to safeguard them. Others claim this knowledge is universal, much like the Shamanic journey. This is a process for altering consciousness which is found in indigenous cultures worldwide.
Could so many cultures discover this knowledge independently, or did they receive it from traveling sages? Perhaps ancient Hermetics teachings esoteric knowledge was passed along in different stages. It is likely the preparatory practices were spread first to identify those ready to understand the philosophy. (3) The core of Heremtics must be based on concrete practices and not merely mental gymnastics.
For this system to be authentic, it must affect inward and outward changes in reality. Tradition says this knowledge is the essence of alchemy and the home of real magic. Could this knowledge be more prolific than we think? We find methods that alter or change consciousness in traditions all over the world.
These writings contain analogies that are guideposts for those who understand them. Understanding them requires an understanding of someone already familiar with the underlying knowledge. Kybalion principles and their esoteric, poetic meaning are not precise. The writings lack the key that would allow us to understand them.
“The Art of Hermetic Alchemy” is part of this tradition. However, it does not discuss the transformation of Material Elements. It deals with mastering mental forces and opening the doors of consciousness. The Hermetic art involves the transformation in the pursuit of spiritual enlightenment. Here is where we get the metaphor of turning base metals into gold. This act creates the philosopher’s stone, the path to immortality and enlightenment.
Likewise, the “Philosopher’s Stone” legends are understood as an analogy. They do not refer to turning base metal into gold. Instead, they are an allegory relating to hermetic philosophy. All students of true Hermeticism would understand this. Many of the ancient parables and allegories find their roots here.
Later, writers of the Abrahamic texts plagiarized these works to bolster their credibility. The Church appropriates these stories and parables to reinforce its authenticity. Even the Abrahamic says that authentic spirituality is not available in any religion. Jesus was not a Christian; he was Jewish. He found enlightenment through meditation in the wilderness.
Exploring Kybalion Principles Key Concepts
Many believe the key to understanding Hermetic principles starts with studying The Kybalion.
The Kybalion is the name given to one of the early oral traditions of Hermetics. We have lost the exact significance and meaning of the term. However, the writings contain some exciting ideas. They are a collection of mantras, sutras, maxims, axioms, precepts, and parables.
The Kybalion principles are:
1. The Principle of Mentalism states, “The All is Mind.” Everything we experience happens in the mind, but just because we experience something doesn’t mean it is a true reflection of reality. Exercises to increase your use of the mind include creative visualization and affirmations. Visualize your goals in detail and use positive affirmations to shape your reality.
2. The Principle of Correspondence is known for the phrase “As above, so below; as below, so above.” This concept highlights the existence of different planes of existence. It’s an ancient tradition mirrored in shamanic traditions with the upper, middle, and lower worlds. To give yourself a personal experience of this concept, create a vision board that represents what you want to achieve. This helps align your thoughts with your desired outcomes.
3. The Principle of Vibration asserts everything has a unique vibrational signature. To better understand this principle, you should engage in meditation and energy healing practices. These can help you become aware of your energy and raise your vibration.
4. The Principle of Polarity explains how everything has its opposite. These opposites are the same thing, differing in degrees. The Eastern principle of yin and yang is an example. Work on finding balance in your life. Learn to accept both the positive and negative aspects of experiences and look for lessons in challenging situations. Plan things, but also learn to be spontaneous.
5. The Principle of Rhythm states that everything has an ebb and flow. Everything rises and falls and has its tides. This movement is controlled by unseen forces like gravity, which have predictable patterns. Use journals to record dreams and thoughts. Then, set aside time to analyze this data. Look for patterns that show incremental growth or obstacles. Set realistic goals and create a flexible plan to achieve them. Understand that progress is not always linear and embrace the natural ebb and flow of life.
6. The Principle of Cause-and-Effect observes how things have cause-and-effect relationships. Karma is a similar concept from a spiritual perspective. Take responsibility for your actions and be mindful of the consequences. Reflect on how your actions align with your goals and make necessary adjustments.
7. The Principle of Gender states that gender manifests as masculine and feminine energy. This concept is seen in Indian philosophy. Some mantras and sutras use different endings depending upon the gender or age of the person using them. Embrace both your masculine and feminine qualities. Seek balance in your relationships and interactions and recognize the importance of both aspects.
Understanding hermetic principles starts with recognizing that these seven elements are connected. Exploring Kybalion principles expands our perspective. It prompts us to ask questions about our beliefs and values. Most importantly, it gives us deeper insight into ancient hermetic teachings esoteric knowledge.
We find the philosophy of hermetics in Gnosticism and Neoplatonism. (4) And its namesake, Hermeticism. Interestingly, this is the thread from the earlier mystery religions. These were the religious cults from Egypt, Persia, Assyria, Summaria, and Babylon.
The fundamental process for salvation comes from the dying-god cult sects of Egypt and Persia. Here, we see the process of salvation in Christianity follows a model known as “mystical, magical, mental appropriation.” It’s an esoteric process (5) whereby one reaches out mystically and mentally with the power of the mind.
The Abrahamic faiths use magical thinking to create paying members. They have created a financial empire selling the afterlife, faith healing, and prosperity. These are more profitable than true spiritual growth and enlightenment. The religion they show to the public is absent in any processes for spiritual exploration. Some believe they failed to obtain these methods or never understood their importance. Others think they still have this knowledge, but it is kept for the elite.
You can trace the philosophical remnants of many cults and religions. All the great sages spoke of the importance of keeping knowledge pure. They warned against allowing the Secret Doctrine to become part of religious dogma. When we study history, the wisdom of this caution is clear.
Ancient Hermetic Teachings Esoteric Knowledge
These ancient writings are a powerful influence in all Western mystical traditions. These esoteric teachings became prominent during the Renaissance (6) and the Reformation. (7)
Furthermore, this knowledge traces its genesis to Prisca Theologia (8), a doctrine that asserts a single, true theology. This philosophy is supposedly the basis for all true religions inspired by the Creator. Hence, the question. Is it possible all the great sages were ancient hermetics teachers?
We searched for connections between all great spiritual teachers to see if this idea had any truth. Are there philosophical and symbolistic connections between many modern religions and hermetics? There are some philosophical links. We can trace these back to Egyptian, Babylonian, Persian, and Assyrian mystery religions. These mythologies are the bedrock of modern Western organized religion.
Who Were or Who Are the Ancient Hermetic Teachers?
The philosophy of these earlier systems is still a part of Western thought. However, they keep their true origins secret from their followers.
Egypt and India are where the Christian cross originated. The Virgin Mary, as the mother of God, is found in a dozen different faiths. There are over twenty crucified world saviors. The church steeple is an adaptation of Egyptian obelisks and pyramids, while the Christian devil is the Egyptian Typhon with certain modifications. ― Occult Anatomy of Man; Occult Masonry, Manly P. Hall
So, was the Jesus of the Bible a conglomeration of earlier Sages? What about Buddha, Krishna, and Lao Tzu? Is it possible all the great sages were ancient hermetic teachers? The philosophical principles of public texts contain a similar theme. They all claim that this knowledge is the only way beyond philosophy and religion. The popular versions of their sacred books are absent from any processes or methods to apply these principles.
Besides the legendary figures of religion and Hermes Trismegistus, who else may have had this knowledge? There are a number of candidates associated with ancient Hermetic teachings esoteric knowledge:
Zosimos of Panopolis. An early alchemist and Gnostic mystic, he lived around 300 CE and wrote some of the oldest known texts on alchemy.
Jābir ibn Ḥayyān. Often considered the father of chemistry, he lived from 721 to 815 CE. His works, which include many hermetic principles, are tentatively dated to around 850 to 950 CE.
Marsilio Ficino was an Italian Renaissance philosopher who lived from 1433 to 1499. He translated the Corpus Hermeticum and promoted Hermeticism in Europe.
Giovanni Pico della Mirandola. He was a Renaissance philosopher who lived from 1463 to 1494. He integrated hermeticism with other mystical traditions.
Heinrich Cornelius Agrippa. He lived from 1486 to 1535 and wrote extensively on hermetic philosophy.
Paracelsus. A Renaissance physician and alchemist who lived from 1493 to 1541. He incorporated Hermetic principles into his medical practices.
John Dee. An English mathematician, astronomer, and occultist who lived from 1527 to 1608 or 1609. He was deeply involved in hermetic and alchemical studies.
Giordano Bruno. An Italian philosopher who lived from 1548 to 1600. He embraced Hermeticism and was known for his cosmological theories.
Jakob Böhme. A German mystic and theologian who lived from 1575 to 1624. His writings reflect Hermetic influences.
Outside of those directly associated with Hermetics, there are many mystics and sages who discuss similar ideas. This list includes mystics like Evelyn Underhill and spiritual explorers like George Gurdjieff. Many people think others, like Carl Jung and Joseph Cambell, demonstrated an uncanny level of insight and knowledge.
If this knowledge exists in written form, it is not available to the public. However, it is more probable that the crucial aspects of the knowledge were communicated orally from teacher to student.
The Dilution of Knowledge
India and Persia were once gardens of this knowledge. However, most of the Hermetic wisdom from these cultures is lost. Many of the ancient Hermetic teachers became priests and prefects of religions. They mixed religious mythology with hermetic wisdom to preserve knowledge. Unfortunately, this dilution made the wisdom ineffectual. Those who possess it are much more selective and secretive in teaching this knowledge.
We see the same dilution in Greek and Roman cultures. The Hermetic Teachings of the Gnostics from Persia did not reach the Roman Catholic Church’s public version. Some believe the Church still holds and practices these esoteric methods, but they are only available to a select few. The dilution of knowledge available to the public helps preserve the integrity of the system.
The masterful social architect Constantine is responsible for this loss. His unification strategy combines the mythologies of the dying-god cults into one religion. He could achieve higher cash flows with religion and lower costs than keeping an army in the field. Keeping the cults intact reduced any risk of an insurgency while ensuring control of the region through faith.
This dilution resulted in the loss of any real alchemy. Christianity replaced effectual knowledge with mythological, religious superstition, cults, creeds, and gods. It became the universal religion of the Christian Church.
Is the substitution of mythology for knowledge a mistake, or is it part of their strategy to restrict it? Did they intentionally set back humankind? Is the teaching of the dying-god mythology just a cover? We know it was necessary to make its customers dependent upon the Church. However, do they still possess this knowledge?
One thing is certain: the Abrahamic religions do not provide tools for enlightenment. It does not satisfy the individual’s hunger for spiritual knowledge. But it gives these regions control and cash flow. They will defend their position through increasing fear. Are these roadblocks? Or is it simply a way of keeping the information secret?
Requires Personal Instruction
A few faithful teachers always keep the flame of knowledge alive. They tend to it carefully. Ancient knowledge is still with us, thanks to a few teachers.
Most interesting is that attempts to document this esoteric knowledge always fail. What we find is nothing more than philosophical ramblings. Perhaps this is why all the great sages teach their students through personal instruction.
A knowledgeable teacher must assess the student’s readiness and guide them at the right pace of learning. This is the only way to provide the correct teaching at the right time.
The meaning of this knowledge is powerful and dangerous in the hands of the person who is not ready to handle it. So, instruction is often shrouded in parables and analogy. In this way, only those who understand can use esoteric knowledge. It is the difference between seeing a picture of someone kissing and kissing someone you love.
Maintaining the secrecy of the oral tradition is a practical necessity. It is required to avoid persecution and keep the knowledge intact. Those who follow mythology seek to destroy the information by any means. It is hard to find reliable books on hermetic philosophy.
Are the secrets closer than we think? Is this a universal body of knowledge? Is it available from other sources? Or can we reveal these secrets in some way? Perhaps the key to solving the mystery of Hermetics lies in processes rather than philosophy. Some believe this. That means this ancient knowledge is hiding in plain sight.
Things like space and time do not constrain our consciousness. We are part of the pure awareness, the vibration of life in the Universe. We all need the proper tools or spiritual technologies to help us explore this inner world and access our spiritual gifts.
Spiritual Technologies
The methods for expanding awareness and exploring consciousness are found all around the globe. So, they are hidden in plain sight. Many feel they are the exercises of ancient hermetic teachings esoteric knowledge. We divide these tools into four major categories:
— Analytical Tools
— Meditation
— Awareness Tools and Techniques
— Natural Healing Modalities
These tools can enrich your life and develop your potential. Click the links above to learn more about them.
In Conclusion
What are hermetics? Our investigation leads us to the methods and processes of spiritual exploration. That means the knowledge of the ancients is hiding in plain sight. You can find it if you know what to seek. It leads us through the virtues of the spirit to our truth. Learn as many spiritual technologies as possible. You’ll find the right one which will open these doors.
Are the key texts in hermetic teachings just guideposts telling us this knowledge still exists? Or are they just a ruse to distract people? Did the ancient hermetic teachers ever exist? You decide.
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References
See Wikipedia for the following references:
(1) Hermetics and Hermetism.
(2) Hermes Trismegistus.
(3) Hermetic Knowledge.
(4) Gnosticism and Neoplatonism.
(5) Esoteric Traditions and Western Esotericism.
(6) The Reformation.
(7) The Renaissance.
(8) Prisca Theologia.