In a cosmological sense, Thoth-Hermes is equivalent to Logos, the "Word" that formed theuniverse. His name is associated with the spiritual path that leads to perfection and divineintegrity or, more precisely, to various methods of philosophical purification, alchemicaltransformation and theurgical ascent, which were varyingly adapted by most Mediterranean andMiddle Eastern cultic and philosophical communities, especially at the time of syncreticHellenism.The figure of Hermes is an irreplaceable key to the intellectual development of modern culture.Often associated with the Egyptian Thoth, his wisdom, amalgamating philosophy, magic, astrology, alchemy and theology, was right at the foundations of the European Renaissance.This book reveals the attributes of Hermes and of Hermetic philosophy and practice. Bydiscussing their origins and their historical spread, and by analysing the worldview and religiousiconography of the ancient Egyptians, the transformations of Hellenic culture, and variousaspects of theurgy and magic, the author shows how the tradition of Hermes Trismegistus'wisdom, which is both multifarious and homogeneous, can be genetically traced back to thesacred teachings of Ancient Egypt.Reading this book with attention means in turn 1-coming face to face, 2-walking side by side, or3-sheltering under the wing of an intellectual giant and a profoundly contemplative mind. Alongthe way, as we read, three moments are discernible: first is the awareness that there is no endof things to know-that is, marvelling at scientia, episteme, the endlessness of creation.Second, there is the clear understanding that there is a restricted number of things we reallyneed to know-that "one thing needful". Finally, as the Hermetic learning is accomplished, thereis the realisation that there is no end of things to know-the infinity of being. And under thestudent's eyes the cosmic forms now unfold in stellated patterns, now merge towards an ever-receding and ever-desirable crystallisation, the ultimate Love of philosophers. These threemoments naturally reflect the essence of this book, because Hermes is the divine mediatorbetween the sciences of created beings and the gnosis of uncreated realities-and this is notjust a book about Hermes but also a Hermetic book.
