Hermes Trismegistus: The Way of Wisdom - Algis Uzdavinys

\nIn a cosmological sense, Thoth-Hermes is equivalent to Logos, the Word that formed the\n \nuniverse. His name is associated with the spiritual path that leads to perfection and divine\n \nintegrity or, more precisely, to various methods of philosophical purification, alchemical\n \ntransformation and theurgical ascent, which were varyingly adapted by most Mediterranean and\n \nMiddle Eastern cultic and philosophical communities, especially at the time of syncretic\n \nHellenism.\n \n\n \nThe figure of Hermes is an irreplaceable key to the intellectual development of modern culture.\n \nOften associated with the Egyptian Thoth, his wisdom, amalgamating philosophy, magic, \n \nastrology, alchemy and theology, was right at the foundations of the European Renaissance.\n \nThis book reveals the attributes of Hermes and of Hermetic philosophy and practice. By\n \ndiscussing their origins and their historical spread, and by analysing the worldview and religious\n \niconography of the ancient Egyptians, the transformations of Hellenic culture, and various\n \naspects of theurgy and magic, the author shows how the tradition of Hermes Trismegistus'\n \nwisdom, which is both multifarious and homogeneous, can be genetically traced back to the\n \nsacred teachings of Ancient Egypt.\n \n\n \nReading this book with attention means in turn 1-coming face to face, 2-walking side by side, or\n \n3-sheltering under the wing of an intellectual giant and a profoundly contemplative mind. Along\n \nthe way, as we read, three moments are discernible: first is the awareness that there is no end\n \nof things to know-that is, marvelling at scientia, episteme, the endlessness of creation.\n \nSecond, there is the clear understanding that there is a restricted number of things we really\n \nneed to know-that one thing needful. Finally, as the Hermetic learning is accomplished, there\n \nis the realisation that there is no end of things to know-the infinity of being. And under the\n \nstudent's eyes the cosmic forms now unfold in stellated patterns, now merge towards an ever-\n \nreceding and ever-desirable crystallisation, the ultimate Love of philosophers. These three\n \nmoments naturally reflect the essence of this book, because Hermes is the divine mediator\n \nbetween the sciences of created beings and the gnosis of uncreated realities-and this is not\n \njust a book about Hermes but also a Hermetic book.\n