Hermetica Scope[edit] The term particularly applies to the Corpus Hermeticum, Marsilio Ficino's Latin translation in fourteen tracts, of which eight early printed editions appeared before 1500 and a further twenty-two by 1641.[2] This collection, which includes the Pœmandres and some addresses of Hermes to disciples Tat, Ammon and Asclepius, was said to have originated in the school of Ammonius Saccas and to have passed through the keeping of Michael Psellus: it is preserved in fourteenth century manuscripts.[3] The last three tracts in modern editions were translated independently from another manuscript by Ficino's contemporary Lodovico Lazzarelli (1447–1500) and first printed in 1507. Extensive quotes of similar material are found in classical authors such as Joannes Stobaeus. Parts of the Hermetica appeared in the 4th-century Gnostic library found in Nag Hammadi. Character and antiquity[edit] Later history[edit] Standard editions[edit] Contents of Corpus Hermeticum[edit] I. (II.) II. III. IV. V.
The Divine Pymander: Hermes Mercurius Trismegistus Heinrich Cornelius Agrippa Life[edit] Agrippa was born in Cologne on 15 September 1486. In 1512, he taught at the University of Dole in the Free County of Burgundy, lecturing on Johann Reuchlin's De verbo mirifico; as a result, Agrippa was denounced, behind his back, as a "Judaizing heretic". Agrippa's vitriolic response many months later did not endear him to the University. In 1510, Agrippa studied briefly with Johannes Trithemius, and Agrippa sent him an early draft of his masterpiece, De occulta philosophia libri tres, a kind of summa of early modern occult thought. Trithemius was guardedly approving, but suggested that Agrippa keep the work more or less secret; Agrippa chose not to publish, perhaps for this reason, but continued to revise and rethink the book for twenty years. During his wandering life in Germany, France, and Italy, Agrippa worked as a theologian, physician, legal expert, and soldier. In the Third Book of Occult Philosophy, Agrippa concludes with:[2] Works[edit] Woodcut print portrait of Agrippa
Aqua regia Freshly prepared aqua regia to remove metal salt deposits. Freshly prepared aqua regia is colorless, but it turns orange within seconds. Here, fresh aqua regia has been added to these NMR tubes to remove all traces of organic material. Aqua regia (Latin and Ancient Italian, lit. Applications[edit] Aqua regia is primarily used to produce chloroauric acid, the electrolyte in the Wohlwill process. Aqua regia is also used in etching and in specific analytic procedures. Due to the reaction between its components resulting in its decomposition, aqua regia quickly loses its effectiveness (yet remains a strong acid), so its components are usually only mixed immediately before use. While local regulations may vary, aqua regia may be disposed of by careful neutralization, before being poured down the sink. Chemistry[edit] Dissolving gold[edit] Pure gold precipitate produced by the aqua regia chemical refining process Au (s) + 3 NO− 3(aq) + 6 H+ (aq) → Au3+ (aq) + 3 NO 2 (g) + 3 H 2O (l) and [edit]
Mystic Order of Noble Knowledge - Thoth Hermes Trismegistus One of the greatest tragedies to befall the philosophical world was the destruction of the Great Library of Alexandria. Of the thousands of scrolls of ancient knowledge that were burned, forty books were said to be written by the greatest philosopher, teacher, and ancient monk of all time, those writings of Thoth Hermes Trismegistus. Thoth was the first great Egyptian philosopher and the creator of the Ancient Mystery Schools. It was said that Hermes obtained his wisdom from God while in deep meditative states. His knowledge was so vast, the Egyptians began to worship him as the communicator with the gods, and eventually he became a god of the Egyptian pantheon. The Greeks abducted him into their mythology and here he became Hermes Trismegistus. Ancient Egyptian paintings portray Thoth as the moon god with the body of a man and the head of the ibis, with a crescent moon over his head. The Book of Thoth was kept in a golden box in the inner sanctuary of the temple.
Religious symbolism This article is about symbolism in religion. See religious symbols for graphical symbols. See United States Department of Veterans Affairs emblems for headstones and markers for such symbols as used by that organization. Religious symbolism is the use of symbols, including archetypes, acts, artwork, events, or natural phenomena, by a religion. See also[edit] References[edit] External links[edit] United States Veteran's Administration approved religious symbols for graves Rasayana Rasāyana, रसायन is a Sanskrit word, with literal meaning: Path (āyana) of essence (rasa). It is a term that in early ayurvedic medicine means the science of lengthening lifespan, and in later (post 8th-century) works sometimes refers to Indian alchemy. History[edit] Significant progress in alchemy was made in ancient India. Will Durant wrote in Our Oriental Heritage: An 11th-century Persian chemist and physician named Abū Rayhān Bīrūnī reported that "They have a science similar to alchemy which is quite peculiar to them. Since alchemy eventually became engrained in the vast field of Indian erudition, influences from other metaphysical and philosophical doctrines such as Samkhya, Yoga, Vaisheshika and Ayurveda were inevitable. The aim and types of Rasayan[edit] Types of Rasayana[2] Kamya Rasayanas are promoters of normal health. In pursuit of these matters, herbal prescriptions with many herbal substances, preserved in ghee and honey are given. Rasayana formulae[edit] References[edit]
Golden Tractate Golden Tractate Details Written by Hermes Trismesgistus Section I Even thus saith Hermes: Through long years I have not ceased to experiment, neither have I have spared any labour of mind And this science and art I have obtained by the sole inspiration of the living God, who judged fit to open them to me His servant, who has given to rational creatures the power of thinking and judging aright, forsaking none, or giving to any occasion to despair. Understand ye, then, O Sons of Wisdom, that the knowledge of the four elements of the ancient philosophers was not corporally [physically] or imprudently sought after, which are through patience to be discovered, according to their causes and their occult [secret] operation. Understand the operation, therefore. Keep, therefore, thy Argent vive [Mercury], which is prepared in the innermost chamber in which it is coagulated [your sexual glands]; for that is the Mercury which is separated from the residual earth [the body]. Sons of Science! Section II
The Gnostic World View: A Brief Summary of Gnosticism Gnosis Archive | Library | Bookstore | Index | Web Lectures | Ecclesia Gnostica | Gnostic Society GNOSTICISM IS THE TEACHING based on Gnosis, the knowledge of transcendence arrived at by way of interior, intuitive means. Although Gnosticism thus rests on personal religious experience, it is a mistake to assume all such experience results in Gnostic recognitions. In the following summary, we will attempt to encapsulate in prose what the Gnostic myths express in their distinctively poetic and imaginative language. The Cosmos All religious traditions acknowledge that the world is imperfect. Like Buddhism, Gnosticism begins with the fundamental recognition that earthly life is filled with suffering. Many religions advocate that humans are to be blamed for the imperfections of the world. Ways of evading the recognition of the flawed creation and its flawed creator have been devised over and over, but none of these arguments have impressed Gnostics. Deity The Human Being Salvation Conduct Destiny