The Horoscope of Islam and The Alchemical Stone: Maria Papathanassiou on Stephanos of Alexandria, Part II
We begin Part II with a discussion of Stephanos’ astrological treatise, the Apotelesmatikē pragmateia.
Primary Sources
Theonis Expositio magnae constructionis Ptolemaei . Theonos ermeneia tes megales suntaxeos Ptolemaiou
Theon of Alexandria invites readers to see the cosmos through the intersection of rigorous geometry and philosophical inquiry. He argues that human sensory perception provides the initial, albeit imperfect, data required to unlock the clockwork of planetary motion. The text bridges the gap between t
The Hermetic Corpus
Ott.lat.2074 is a breathtaking intellectual odyssey that bridges the gap between ancient Hermetic mystery and the rigorous structuralism of the Middle Ages. The text presents a world where the 'First Cause' is pursued through every available lens: the precision of Aristotelian categories, the negati
The Pimander of Hermes Trismegistus
Marsilio Ficino’s translation of the Pimander introduces the concept of Prisca Theologia, the original theology that predates the classical world. The work argues that human beings possess a dual nature: we are physically mortal but spiritually divine. Through dialogues between Hermes and the divine
The Divine Pymander
The Divine Pymander is a foundational pillar of Hermeticism, offering a visionary exploration of how humanity can transcend the shackles of Fate through Gnosis. Translated by the legendary Marsilio Ficino for the Medici court, this text presents the 'Prisca Theologia'—a primordial wisdom that prefig
Complete Hermetica (1505 Paris Edition)
The Complete Hermetica (1505 Paris Edition) is a profound synthesis of Western esotericism, offering a transformative vision of humanity’s place in the cosmos. Through the legendary dialogues of Hermes Trismegistus, the text argues that ignorance is the ultimate plague of the soul, while true knowle
Corpus Hermeticum with Pneumatica and Ocellus Lucanus
This text offers a rare synthesis of ancient mechanical ingenuity and the esoteric search for the divine. From Heron’s groundbreaking theories on the vacuum—which prefigure modern atomic theory—to Hermes Trismegistus’s meditations on the soul's ascent, the volume challenges the modern divide between
Corpus Hermeticum and Plotinus' Enneads (Cambridge, Trinity College, MS B.9.9)
This rare collection documents the struggle of the human soul to recognize its divine origin while trapped in the sensible world. It presents the Hermetic tradition as an intuitive, performative realization of truth, contrasted against the systematic, dialectical path of Plotinus. The text argues th
Poimandres
This collection functions as a foundational guide for those seeking to understand the nature of God, the soul, and the cosmos. Hermes Trismegistus argues that the physical world is a veil, and that ignorance of one's own divinity is the ultimate human disaster. The text demands that you reject world
Poimandres
Poimandres is a foundational pillar of Western esotericism that posits humanity as a 'divine animal' caught between the material and the eternal. Purported to be the work of the legendary Hermes Trismegistus—a syncretic fusion of the Greek Hermes and Egyptian Thoth—this tractate offers a radical cos
Biblical Palimpsest with Inquisition Abjuration Documents
The Hermetic Corpus stands as one of the most provocative syncretic works in history, blending the legendary insights of Hermes Trismegistus with the foundational theology of early Christianity. It makes the bold claim that spiritual liberation is a process of 'gnosis'—a transformation of the mind t
Commentary on Aristotle's On Interpretation
As one of the last masters of the Alexandrian academic tradition, Stephanos of Alexandria offers a brilliant Neoplatonic synthesis of Aristotelian logic. This commentary moves beyond mere technicality to address the fundamental nature of human expression, arguing that while thoughts are universal, l
Testament of Solomon (McCown Critical Edition)
The Testament of Solomon is not a polished religious treatise but a raw, unedited handbook of occult practice. It reveals a world where demons functioned like modern bacteria and magic served as the primary, desperate medicine for human suffering. C.C. McCown treats these manuscripts as artifacts of
The Hermetic Writings, Volume I: Texts and Translation
This volume is a monumental reconstruction of the Hermetic tradition, presenting a world where philosophy is not merely an academic exercise but a literal means of deification. Scott challenges the notion that these texts are mere 'occult rubbish,' instead revealing them as the profound response of
The Hermetic Writings, Volume 1
Walter Scott provides a rigorous investigation into the Hermetic writings, treating them as a coherent system of ancient philosophy. He strips away centuries of confusion to reveal a hierarchy where humanity serves as the essential bridge between the material and the divine. You will encounter argum