The Hermetica are a body of theological-philosophical texts written in late antiquity, but long believed to be much older. Their supposed author, Hermes Trismegistus, was thought to be a contemporary of Moses, and the Hermetic philosophy was regarded as an ancient theology, parallel to the received wisdom of the Bible. This first English translation based on reliable texts, together with Brian P. Copenhaver's comprehensive introduction, provide an indispensable resource to scholars in ancient philosophy and religion, early Christianity, Renaissance literature, and history, the history of science, and the occultist tradition in which the Hermetica have become canonical texts.

Paperback edition of the recent translation of the esoteric masterpiece, including the first English translation of The Definitions of Hermes Trismegistus to Asclepius • A resource for scholars and religious seekers alike • The Definitions of Hermes Trismegistus to Asclepius provides new insights into the actual workings of the gnostic spiritual path The Corpus Hermeticum, a powerful fusion of Greek and Egyptian thought, is one of the cornerstones of the Western esoteric tradition. A collection of short philosophical treatises, it was written in Greek between the first and third centuries C.E. and translated into Latin during the Renaissance by the great scholar and philosopher Marsilio Ficino. These treatises were central to the spiritual work of hermetic societies in Late Antique Alexandria (200-700 C.E.) and aimed to awaken gnosis, the direct realization of the unity of the individual and the Supreme. In addition to this new translation of The Corpus Hermeticum, which seeks to reflect the inspirational intent of the original, The Way of Hermes includes the first English translation of the recently rediscovered manuscript of The Definitions of Hermes Trismegistus to Asclepius, a collection of aphorisms used by the hermetic student to strengthen the mind during meditation. With the proper mental orientation, a state of pure perception can be achieved in which the true face of God appears. This document is of enormous value to the contemporary student of gnostic studies for its insights into the actual workings of this spiritual path.

The Corpus Hermeticum is a collection of 2nd century Egyptian-Greek texts. The texts form the basis of Hermeticism, a religious, philosophical, and esoteric tradition that covers the divine, the cosmos, the mind, alchemy, astrology, and nature.

The Hermetica, otherwise known as The Corpus Hermeticum, The Lost Wisdom of the Pharaohs, or The Divine Pymander is a collection of texts attributed to Hermes Trismegistus (Greek god Hermes and Egyptian god Thoth -- Trismegistus for “The Thrice-Greatest”) which brought forth the principles of the Hermetics with eighteen treaties/tracts. The book is often divided into two main categories: The technical (astrology, medicine and pharmacology, alchemy, and magic) and the religio-philosophical (anthropology, cosmology, theology). The Hermetica, and Hermeticism from it, claims that there is One true theology of the world, and said theology is the Root and Source. It presents a tautology to God Itself, that the Source is Source Itself, Source “containeth every number, but is contained by none; engendereth every number, but is engendered by no other one.” The Hermetica presents that past all our mullings over different gods, there is Source Itself behind all religions. While a lot of The Hermetica is presented as gospel, it is mainly a discourse on principles concerning a hermetic philosophy. It remains a source of continuous, unfolding interpretations. The beauty of this work is not in its rigidity, but its fluidness to be open to new interpretations, which has solidified its staying power for centuries.

This is the extended and annotated edition including * an extensive annotation of almost 10.000 words about the history and basics of Gnosticism, written by Wilhelm Bousset The so-called Hermetic writings have been known to Christian writers for many centuries. The early church Fathers (Justin Martyr, Tertullian, Clement of Alexandria) quote them in defense of Christianity. Stobaeus collected fragments of them. The Humanists knew and valued them. They were studied in the sixteenth and seventeenth centuries, and in modern times have again been diligently examined by many scholars. Contents: I. Poemandres, the Shepherd of Men II. To Asclepius III. The Sacred Sermon IV. The Cup or Monad V. Though Unmanifest God Is Most Manifest VI. In God Alone Is Good And Elsewhere Nowhere VII. The Greatest Ill Among Men is Ignorance of God VIII. That No One of Existing Things doth Perish, but Men in Error Speak of Their Changes as Destructions and as Deaths IX. On Thought and Sense X. The Key XI. Mind Unto Hermes XII. About The Common Mind XIII. The Secret Sermon on the Mountain

The Corpus Hermeticum is one of the primary works within the Hermetic Tradition. This Renaissance era craft is nonetheless based upon philosophical materials from far older times, namely the third or fourth century AD, from which the primordial material came. Credited to Hermes Trismegistus, the Divine Pymander (sometimes spelled "Poemander") touches upon astronomy, science, nature, and a great deal of theological material. It is presented in the form of discourse; a format which will be familiar to anyone also familiar with Plato's "Republic" and some similar philosophical works of antiquity. Through his discourse with several individuals, Trismegistus attempts to draw upon the overarching philosophy "as above, so below." Thus then, this work describes the very process and ideation behind all of existence, the purpose of life, and the nature of good and evil, all through its treatises upon various topics.

The Corpus Hermeticum is a collection of short philosphical treatises, a powerful fusion of Greek and Egyptian thought, written in Greek in Alexandria between the first and third centuries AD and rediscovered in the West in the fifteenth century when it was first translated into Latin by the great scholar and philosopher Marsilio Ficino. These writing were believed from antiquity up to the early seventeenth century to be the writings of Hermes Trismegistus, 'thrice-great Hermes', the name given by Greeks of the classical and Hellenistic periods to the Ibis-headed Egyption god Thoth. They were central to the spiritual work of Hermetic societies in late antique Alexandria, aiming to awake gnosis, the direct realistion of the truth of the identity of the invividual and the Supreme, and are still read as inspirational writings today.