• Hermetic beliefs are at the core of every pantheistic belief or even at the beginning of most religions (you can see pantheistic traits there clearly, but they are explained in a different way nowadays).
  • Hermeticism really requires significant devotion. You need to understand what it is, and have a firm goals before jumping into random rituals.
  • The information below is to share with you a system of practicing hermetics, and for you to understand the commitment level required for success.
  • You will need to start at the beginning and work your way through the recommended grades to have mastered this type of magical system.

Hermetics

The term Hermetic is from the medieval Latin hermeticus, which is derived from the name of the Greek god Hermes.

Hermeticism, also called Hermetism, is a religious, philosophical, and esoteric tradition based primarily upon writings attributed to Hermes Trismegistus (“thrice-greatest Hermes”).

These writings have greatly influenced the Western esoteric tradition and were considered to be of great importance during both the Renaissance and the Reformation. Many writers considered Hermes Trismegistus to be a wise pagan prophet who foresaw the coming of Christianity.

Much of the importance of Hermeticism arises from its connection with the development of science during the time from 1300 to 1600 AD. The prominence that it gave to the idea of influencing or controlling nature led many scientists to look to magic and its allied arts (e.g., alchemy, astrology) which, it was thought, could put nature to the test by means of experiments.

Consequently, it was the practical aspects of Hermetic writings that attracted the attention of scientists. Isaac Newton placed great faith in the concept of an unadulterated, pure, ancient doctrine, which he studied vigorously to aid his understanding of the physical world.

When Hermeticism was no longer endorsed by the Christian church, it was driven underground, and several Hermetic societies were formed, including the hermetic order of the Goldern Dawn (below).

The western esoteric tradition is now steeped in Hermeticism. Many Hermetic, or Hermetically influenced, groups exist today. Most of them are derived from Rosicrucianism, Freemasonry, or the Golden Dawn.

Hermetic Order of the Golden Dawn

Many present-day concepts of ritual and magic that are at the centre of contemporary traditions, such as Wicca and Thelema, were inspired by the Golden Dawn, which became one of the largest single influences on 20th-century Western occultism.

The original Hermetic Order of the Golden Dawn (HOGD), founded in 1888, became the origin of magical activity of the twentieth century. The three founders, William Robert Woodman, William Wynn Westcott and Samuel Liddell Mathers, were Freemasons. Westcott appears to have been the initial driving force behind the establishment of the Golden Dawn.

Though short-lived, it members went on to found and lead groups that carried on its traditions. The main body of documents generated by the order have been published, beginnings with the several published by Aleister Crowley in his magazine Equinox. In the 1930s, Israel Regardie (1907–1985) oversaw the publication of the basic body of the HOGD rituals. In the meantime, the primary thrust of ceremonial magic continued through Crowley’s thelemic teachings.

In the 1970s, contemporaneous with the revival of Crowley’s Ordo Templi Orientis, some magical students, including Chris Monnastre, began to seek a revival of the HOGD and turned to Regardie as a teacher in the tradition who was still available. He took in a few students to train them in the belief and practice of the HOGD. Then, in 1982, with Regardie’s blessing, Monnastre resurrected the Golden Dawn and founded the Osiris Khenti Amenti Temple. Simultaneously, Regardie gave her several of his personal magical tools which she gave to the new order. The order exists in two divisions, the Golden Dawn and the Ordo Rosae Rubeae et Aureae.

Since the founding of the original temple, subsequent temples have been formed. The order has also brought together individuals and small groups possessing lineages and charters from the various groups evolving from the original HOGD, including the Stella Matutina and the Holy Order of the Golden Dawn (founded by writer Arthur Edward Waite).

 

Grades & Orders

The Golden Dawn system was based on hierarchy and initiation like the Masonic lodges; however women were admitted on an equal basis with men. The “Golden Dawn” was the first of three Orders, although all three are often collectively referred to as the “Golden Dawn”.

The First Order taught esoteric philosophy based on the Hermetic Qabalah and personal development through study and awareness of the four Classical Elements as well as the basics of astrology, tarot divination, and geomancy.

The Second or “Inner” Order, the Rosae Rubeae et Aureae Crucis(the Ruby Rose and Cross of Gold), taught magic, including scrying, astral travel, and alchemy.

The Third Order was that of the “Secret Chiefs”, who were said to be highly skilled; they supposedly directed the activities of the lower two orders by spirit communication with the Chiefs of the Second Order.

First Order
  • Introduction—Neophyte 0=0
  • Zelator 1=10
  • Theoricus 2=9
  • Practicus 3=8
  • Philosophus 4=7
  • Intermediate—Portal Grade
Second Order
  • Adeptus Minor 5=6
  • Adeptus Major 6=5
  • Adeptus Exemptus 7=4
Third Order
  • Magister Templi 8=3
  • Magus 9=2
  • Ipsissimus 10=1

The paired numbers attached to the Grades relate to positions on the Tree of Life. The Neophyte Grade of “0=0” indicates no position on the Tree. In the other pairs, the first numeral is the number of steps up from the bottom (Malkuth), and the second numeral is the number of steps down from the top (Kether).

The First Order Grades were related to the four elements of Earth, Air, Water, and Fire, respectively. The Aspirant to a Grade received instruction on the metaphysical meaning of each of these Elements and had to pass a written examination and demonstrate certain skills to receive admission to that Grade.

The Portal Grade was an “Invisible” or in-between grade separating the First Order from the Second Order.

The complex rituals of the order were partially revealed in the journal The Equinox by Aleister Crowley, who joined the Golden Dawn in November 1898 and left early in 1900. A more detailed record of the teaching, rites, and ceremonies was later published by Israel Regardie in four volumes (1937–40).

Although the rituals of the Golden Dawn were little more than a rather complicated Freemasonry embroidered with occult symbolism, the special studies related to them developed the individual’s insight into occultism and mysticism.

Crowley eventually founded his own order (the A∴A∴) in 1905, using material he had first encountered in the Golden Dawn.

The Golden Dawn continued to fragment as leadership of the various branches changed hands and new orders were formed. Several Golden Dawn offshoots are still in existence; possibly the most substantive is the Los Angeles–based Builders of the Adytum. In addition several new groups have organized, in part to offer an alternative to the magic practiced in those groups that derive from Aleister Crowley.

 

Tarot:

Course Text Books & Modern Books to help your studies:

Classical books:

  • Initiation Into Hermetics – Franz Bardon (some explanations or examples here are scientifically outdated, thus incorrect so watch out)
  • The Kybalion (Three Initiates)
  • The Philosophers Stone – Israel Regardie
  • Franz Bardon – Practice of Magical Evocation (hermeticism and ceremonial magick)
  • Hermes Trismegistus – The Corpus Hermetica
  • Hermes Trismegistus – Corpus Hermeticum (translated by G.R.S. Mead)
  • Hermes Trismegistus – The Emerald Tablet

 

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