Dylan Burns on the 'Underworld of Platonism'
Primary Sources
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
Reg.lat.1352
This manuscript is a monumental synthesis of classical literature and Hermetic philosophy, featuring the voices of Virgil, Servius, Apuleius, and the legendary Hermes Trismegistus. It boldly navigates the transition from the physical world of agriculture and apiculture to the metaphysical realms of
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
The Divine Pymander, Asclepius, and On the Mysteries
This monumental synthesis of Hermetic and Neoplatonic thought offers a radical roadmap for the soul’s ascent from the sensory 'multitude' to the intellectual 'One.' By weaving together the revelations of Hermes Trismegistus with the rigorous defenses of Iamblichus and the metaphysical depth of Procl
Pymander. Asclepius. On the Mysteries of the Egyptians. On Plato's Alcibiades, on the Soul and the Daemon. On Sacrifice.
This seminal volume brings together the core texts of the Hermetic and Neoplatonic traditions, asserting a unified lineage of 'ancient theology' (Prisca Theologia) that flows from Hermes Trismegistus to Plato. Readers will encounter bold claims about the human condition: that we are 'twofold' beings
The Chaldean Oracles
This text offers a rare, syncretic exploration of Zoroastrian oracles interpreted through the lens of Neoplatonic and Christian thought. It presents a universe structured in three distinct parts—the eternal, the immortal but generated, and the decaying—and positions the human soul as a mediator 'glu
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
The Shepherd of Men
Readers will find an argument that the world is a sentient, organized entity governed by divine justice. The author, Hannibal Rosseli, attempts to reconcile classical philosophy with the teachings of the Church. He posits that justice is the defining trait of humanity and that the soul's return to G
Philosophical Magic: Zoroaster and his 320 Chaldean Oracles
This work reclaims the identity of Zoroaster as a primordial philosopher rather than a mythical figure. Patrizi argues that the cosmos is a divine construction, pulsating with the activity of the Paternal Mind and maintained by the soul. Readers will find a rigorous defense of theurgy as a legitimat
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
Divine Pymander. Asclepius
The 'Divine Pymander' and 'Asclepius' represent a breathtaking synthesis of Greek philosophy and Egyptian mysticism, offering a roadmap for spiritual regeneration. Attributed to the thrice-greatest messenger of knowledge, Hermes Trismegistus, the text presents a bold vision of a universe ordered by
Hermes Trismegistus's True Ancient Way of Nature
‘Hermes Trismegistus’s True Ancient Way of Nature’ is a profound 18th-century synthesis of Christian theology and Hermetic science that strips away the need for traditional laboratory artifice. The anonymous author, a self-identified 'True Freemason,' argues that the key to the Philosopher’s Stone l
Pistis Sophia
The 'Pistis Sophia' is a profound 4th-century Gnostic gospel that challenges traditional narratives, presenting a transfigured Jesus who reveals 'higher mysteries' to disciples like Mary Magdalene and Martha. This edition, meticulously preserved by scholars like Petermann and Woide, serves as a gate
On the Chaldean Oracles
In 'De oraculis Chaldaicis', Wilhelm Kroll performs a masterclass in philological detective work, reconstructing the lost fragments of a text that Neoplatonists like Proclus considered more authoritative than Plato himself. This work navigates the high-stakes tension between rigorous historical crit
The Hymn of the Soul
The Hymn of the Soul is a primary treasure of Gnostic literature, offering a rare look at Gnosticism not as a 'heresy,' but as a vibrant, lived faith. Editor A.A. Bevan presents this Syriac poem—originally hidden within the Acts of Thomas—as a standalone epic that masterfully allegorizes the soul's
The Works of Epictetus: Discourses, Enchiridion, and Fragments
Born a slave and later exiled, Epictetus turned his harsh reality into a manual for absolute inner sovereignty. He argues that most human suffering is a self-inflicted wound caused by desiring things outside our grasp. Instead of trying to fix the world, he demands that we fix our own judgments. His
The Works of Lucian of Samosata, Vol. 4
Lucian of Samosata was the original satirist who refused to take anything at face value. In this volume, he mocks the corruption of wealth and the performance of philosophy with a sharp, biting wit. He argues that our obsession with social status is a foolish game that death inevitably ends. His wri
The Chaldaean Oracles
G.R.S. Mead brings to life one of the most mysterious and influential texts of late antiquity, bridging the gap between Hellenic philosophy and Eastern mysticism. Through his unique Gnostic-leaning perspective, Mead decodes the cryptic Oracles to describe a universe governed by 'Iynges' (divine whir
The Mandaean Book of John
The Mandaean Book of John presents a unique synthesis of Eastern theological traditions. It maps the path of the soul as it navigates the traps of the material world. The text argues that the human body undergoes a three-fold transformation to reach the light. Through liturgical prayer and the imita
Pistis Sophia: A Gnostic Gospel
G.R.S. Mead’s translation of the Pistis Sophia offers a profound window into Gnosticism, presenting a cosmic drama of fall and redemption that centers on the suffering and thirteen repentances of Sophia. Mead argues that these texts are not mere 'libertine' heresies, but sophisticated philosophical
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
Mandaean Book of John
G. R. S. Mead challenges the historical consensus by positioning the Mandaean Book of John as an independent, pre-Christian witness to a forgotten spiritual movement. He argues that the Mandaeans preserved a unique Gnostic tradition that rejected the authority of Jerusalem and the material world. By
Ginza Rabba: Der Schatz der Mandäer
The Ginza Rabba, or 'Great Treasure,' offers a rare, unfiltered window into a dualistic universe where the human soul is a 'garment of radiance' trapped in a material world of 'deficiency.' Translated by Mark Lidzbarski, this foundational text challenges traditional narratives by presenting John the
