The ALL is Mind, the Universe is Mental
-- The Kybalion
https://thekybalion.org
Throughout its history, Hermeticism was closely associated with the idea of a primeval, divine wisdom, revealed only to the most ancient of sages, such as Hermes Trismegistus.[10] In the Renaissance, this developed into the notion of a prisca theologia or "ancient theology", which asserted that there is a single, true theology which was given by God to some of the first humans, and traces of which may still be found in various ancient systems of thought. Thinkers like Giovanni Pico della Mirandola (1463–1494) supposed that this 'ancient theology' could be reconstructed by studying (what were then considered to be) the most ancient writings still in existence, such as those attributed to Hermes, but also those attributed to, e.g., Zoroaster, Orpheus, Pythagoras, Plato, the 'Chaldeans', or the Kaballah.[11] This soon evolved into the idea, first proposed by Agostino Steuco (1497–1548), that one and the same divine truth may be found in the religious and philosophical traditions of different periods and places, all considered as different manifestations of the same universal perennial philosophy.[12] In this perennialist context, the term 'Hermetic' tended to lose even more of its specificity, eventually becoming a mere byword for the purported divine knowledge of the ancient Egyptians, especially as related to alchemy and magic. This generic and pseudo-historical use of the term was greatly popularized by nineteenth- and twentieth-century occultists, despite their occasional use of authentic Hermetic texts and concepts.[13]
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hermeticism
It is hard to explain, but generally, Adepts consider the study of Hermetics to be life-long and takes 3 lifetimes to become an Adept. It helps to know Greek, Latin, Hebrew, Hieroglyphics, but definitely not necessary. Morals, Ethics, Philosophy, Ancient History, History per se, etc. There are some Lodges out there, but nothing around here. If you are a member of a Masonic Lodge, each Lodge has its own library where you can study for free but I do not think you are allowed to take the books home. It is easier to understand the Teachings with others as a group rather than just by yourself, especially if you are studying Renaissance manuscripts.
There are a lot of bastardized pdf's on the 'net, so it is best to buy the actual books, which haven't been sanitized. They are expensive and never go on sale. Best place to find them is at good used book stores, we've found some great books there.
There are two schools of thought - Paganism is Thaumaturgy and teaches the uses of magics and Hermetics which teaches Theurgy or Philosophy on the Great Work or Return - no magic needed, required or even encouraged.
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