Hermeticism

Hermeticism is a philosophical and spiritual tradition based primarily upon writings attributed to the legendary Hermes Trismegistus ("Thrice-Great Hermes"), a syncretic combination of the Greek god Hermes and the Egyptian god Thoth. The term "Hermeticism" derives from the name of this deity, who is also referred to as Hermes Mercurius in Latin. In Hebrew, Hermeticism can be translated as הרמטיזם (Hermatizm). In other relevant languages, it is known as Hermetismus in German, Hermetisme in French, and Hermetismo in Spanish and Portuguese. Hermeticism is often associated with alchemy, astrology, and other esoteric traditions. The central Hermetic text is the Corpus Hermeticum, a collection of texts written in late antiquity, which discusses the nature of the divine, the cosmos, and the human soul. Key concepts include the belief in a single, transcendent God, the idea of the divine spark within each human being, and the practice of spiritual alchemy to purify and perfect the soul. Hermeticism has had a significant influence on Western esotericism, Renaissance philosophy, and the development of early modern science.