Hermeticism

/hərˈmetɪsɪzəm/ noun

Definition

A philosophical and magical tradition based on texts attributed to Hermes Trismegistus, combining Greek, Egyptian, and Jewish ideas about the divine and the nature of reality.

Etymology

From Hermes Trismegistus, a legendary figure blending the Greek god Hermes with the Egyptian god Thoth, plus -ism. Developed primarily during the Hellenistic and Roman periods.

Kelly Says

Hermeticism literally means 'sealed knowledge'—the texts claim that Hermes locked divine wisdom into cryptic writings so only the spiritually prepared could understand them, making it history's first esoteric 'members-only' club.

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