The Hermetic North Star

An ornamental woodcut headpiece featuring a central vase with flowers, surrounded by symmetrical rococo-style scrolls and foliage.

First Chapter.

What the Hermetic Mastery is, by how many names it is called, and why?

The Hermetic Mastery Hermetic Mastery|The ultimate achievement in alchemy, often called the "Great Work," which involves the creation of the Philosopher's Stone and the attainment of universal knowledge. is that greatest of all arts and sciences which encompasses all other sciences of the seven liberal arts Seven Liberal Arts|The traditional curriculum of medieval and Renaissance education, consisting of the trivium (grammar, logic, rhetoric) and the quadrivium (arithmetic, geometry, music, astronomy). within itself; it is, as it were, their mother from whom they were born. Whoever possesses it has the most perfect knowledge of the three kingdoms of the world Three Kingdoms|The division of nature into the mineral, vegetable, and animal realms. Alchemists believed the same life-force or "spirit" animated all three.. For this reason, Hermes—as the forefather of all lovers In alchemical texts, "lovers" (Liebhaber) or "sons of art" refers to dedicated practitioners and students of alchemy. of this art, which he left behind for us inscribed upon an emerald tablet original: "smaragdenen Stein"; referring to the Tabula Smaragdina, a legendary cryptic text said to contain the secrets of the universe. so that it might not remain hidden from posterity, and about which he wrote the best, albeit the shortest, account—was named Trismegistus original: "Trismegistus"; meaning "Thrice-Greatest." This title traditionally signifies his mastery over the three parts of the wisdom of the whole universe: alchemy, astrology, and theurgy.. And since the Creator cannot be better recognized than through His creation, it follows that he who [understands] the three kingdoms of the world the