by Jill Lowy

Created on: December 11, 2008

WHAT IS HERMETICS?

What on earth is Hermetics? Most people I know have never heard of it, though most have heard of the term "hermetically sealed". It is very difficult to encapsulate what Hermetics exactly is. It is kind of like trying to define what magic or mysticism is, as it is very nebulous.

Hermetics is basically the study and science of magic, alchemy, and astrology. The word "hermetic" is derived from the Greek work "herm" and the deity, "Hermes", who was the Greek God of knowledge and wisdom. The term "hermetically sealed" means "airtight" and was needed for the alchemical processes of distillation and purification.

Early Hermetic writings emerged around the 2nd century CE with developing Christianity. It revolved around a compilation of books, known as the Corpus Hermeticum. The Corpus Hermeticum consists of many books that contain esoteric teachings, many through dialogues between Poimandres and Hermes, and Asclepius to his son, Tat. The teachings involve a variety of philosophical subjects from the nature of the soul to the primary elements of the universe.

One of the most fascinating Hermetic writings is The Emerald Tablet of Hermes Trismegistus. Legend has it that Alexander the Great discovered The Emerald Tablet in a cave at Hebron. On the tablet was written the three parts of wisdom; known as astrology, theurgy and alchemy:

"Truth without falsehood, certain and most true, that which is above is the same as that which is below, and that which is without is the same as that which is within, for the performance of the miracles of the One Thing. And as all things are from One by the mediation of One, so all things have their birth from this One Thing by adaptation.

The Sun is its Father, the Moon its' Mother. The Wind carries it in its' belly, and its nurse is the Earth. This is the Father of all perfection or consummation of the whole world. Its' power is integrating if it be turned into earth. Thou shall separate the earth from the fire, the subtle from the gross, suavely and with great skill and ingenuity. It ascends from the earth to heaven and descends again to earth, and receives the power of the superiors and all the inferiors.

So thou hast the glory of the whole world; therefore let all obscurity flee before thee. This is the strong force of all forces, overcoming every subtle and penetrating every solid thing. So the world was created. Hence we are all wonderful adaptations of which this is the manner. Therefore am I called Hermes Trismegistus,

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