#hermes the thrice greatest

[talonabraxas]

“Close your eyes and let the mind expand. Let no fear of death or darkness arrest its course. Allow the mind to merge with Mind. Let it flow out upon the great curve of consciousness. Let it soar on the wings of the great bird of duration, up to the very Circle of Eternity.” ― Hermes Trismegistus

Hermes Trismegistus Talon Abraxas

Hermes Trismegistus (Greek for "Hermes the thrice-greatest" or Mercurius ter Maximus in Latin, is the syncretism of the Greek god Hermes and the Egyptian Thoth. In Hellenistic Egypt, the god Hermes was given as epithet the Greek name of Thoth. He has also been identified with Enoch.

[santoschristos]

Hermes Trismegistus (Greek for “Hermes the thrice-greatest”) or Mercurius ter Maximus in Latin, is the syncretism of the Greek god Hermes and the Egyptian Thoth. In Hellenistic Egypt, the god Hermes was given as epithet the Greek name of Thoth. He has also been identified with Enoch.

[occultboyscout]

Initiotation [sic]

This was my submission for the first Green Mushroom Zine: Fuck Around and Find Out (offerings of magical sovereignty) titled Initiotation [sic]

I'm reposting it here to present a taste of the sort of thing I make and the sort of people I make it with!

The Green Mushroom Folks are a bunch of people I do cool spooky stuff with. Check us out! Maybe we're your flavor.

Here's the link to the Fuck Around and Find Out Zine if you would rather read it in its original formatting, or to check out the rest of the cool cats I get the incredible opportunity to do magic with!

Initiotation is a call and response to the Poimandres so-to-speak. Careful readers will note some direct quotations from the original document.

This is not intended to be a sequel or revision of the Poimandres. Instead, it is my personal relationship with that text manifested in an initiatory dialogue.

Initiotation [sic]

Without further ado, here is Initiotation in its entirety:

.

.

.

By E.K. Menw

The core teaching of Hermes is that the individual is ultimately no different from the supreme. This realization is gnosis.

The following is an initiation. It does not have to be read as such, the reader can do as they will. The following essay is also written in the second person. If you do not want to read it this way, it is perfectly acceptable to be someone else for a time.

Once, when your mind had become intent on things which are, and your understanding was raised to a great height, and your body was withdrawn as in sleep, as when people are weighed down by too much food or by the fatigue of the body, you saw the end of the world.

It was not an especially spectacular end.

You had so far had a great many birthdays, and seen much of the space in-between. Endings were no longer such a surprise to you, there had already been a number of them. It was who was waiting at the end which surprised you

“Who are you?” you asked.

He said, “I am Hermes Trismegistus. I once sat and beheld great wisdom. I am here to share the same for you now, if I’m able.”

“Why here?���

“At the end of the world? It’s the only place anything can be held to account. Everything else changes.”

You looked around you. His words made sense, echoing off the blackness of infinity. There was certainly nothing here to challenge them. You yourselves were alone. The thrice greatest Hermes was a speck of light, all else was blackness, and the cold dead rock under your feet. The sun was extinguished, the light was turned off. God had hung his keys on the hook and shut the door behind him.

“I am here because nothing matters,” you said. “The end of the world has come and all my earthly endeavors have striven to resemble it.”

“Incorrect,” says Hermes. “You are here because of a potential possessed by all beings, one you have not claimed. If you ask, I will show you.”

“Show me, Thrice Greatest. Show me that I might see what is mine to claim, and in so doing become myself.”

With those words, the absence around you exploded into brilliant light. The light swirled into a circle, which revolved around you. It was perpetual in its revolution, and so long it circled that you feared it might never stop. Then, suddenly, a single drop of water formed in the space in front of you. The water fell, and just for a moment, you could see the image of yourself reflected on its surface. Onto the circle it dropped, breaking the loop. With the fall of the droplet the circle splintered into fractal patterns that extended outwards into the black infinity, emanating from the contact of that single point.

“Do you understand what you have seen,” the watchful Hermes asked as the light faded from view.

“I shall come to know.”

“The light which has revolved around you is the light of life. It is infinite and unflappable in its motion. It will remain as it is if undeterred.”

“But the cycle was halted by a single drop of water!”

“Yes,” said Hermes, smiling. “So you see. The light of life is one of perpetual motion, it has no beginning and no end, origins may only beget other origins. But behold! That single drop is gnosis. The capacity with which men may break their bondage and seek freedom lies in that drop.”

“How can this be so?” you asked of Hermes.

“Look unto my face and you will know.”

Long you look into the eyes of Hermes Trismegistus. There in those eyes you see the beak of an ibis, and the twining serpents of the caduceus, and they are as distinct as they are the same.

“Life as it was seemed unending,” you said at last. “Origins begat origins. All that moved required a mover. It was the drop of gnosis which begat change.”

“Yes!” said Hermes.

“If all things are predicated on something else, then change must be predicated on knowledge. Only with knowledge, then, do I have choice.”

“This you have seen and this you now know. What then is knowledge predicated on?”

You thought for a minute on this wisdom, or perhaps it was a century, they felt the same.

“If all objects require a mover, and it is knowledge that begats choice, then choice can only be predicated on that which is bodiless.”

“If all these things which you have said are true, then that which is bodiless must be divinity.”

“But what is divinity,” you asked of Hermes.

“Did you not see? In the reflection of the drop of water!”

“I did see!” you said. “And it was myself.”

You stopped then, as you felt a cool drop of water land lightly on your forehead. Then there was another. And soon, here at the end of the world, it was raining.

“I see,” you said calmly, feeling the rivulets of water wash down your face, baptized in the freedom of gnosis. “I see that I am the likeness of the divine. That in me there is the freedom to break the cycle of life and death, because I am myself. Because I am in command of my own actions and desires. I am a seeker of knowledge and victim to nothing.”

Hermes smiled. A warm smile that looked the same as all the many stars painted across the sky. It had their light, and their endless patience.

“What will you do then, when you wake?”

“I will go forth and spread my knowledge so that others might break their chains. I will tell them that hopelessness is a fraud perpetrated by the body, and that the only victory of suffering is the acceptance of it. But Hermes, I fear they will say ‘my suffering is all I am’.”

Hermes Trismegistus shook his head. “They may refuse your knowledge, they are free to do so. It is always easier to take an identity provided for us, rather than to build our own. We did not choose our suffering, but it can feel comforting to wear it like a cloak so our divinity might never find us. And when the cloak has grown so comfortable, it is easy work to sew one for another. But you have nothing to fear. You know your divinity. You know there is always light.”

At those words, the fractal shards of light reappeared. They spread from and connected to every single raindrop at the end of the world. But the largest and brightest shards came from you. They spread, pulling the end of the world apart as if it were shattered glass you were punching through.

And then, finally, you woke up.

[holybookslibrary]

Echoes From the Gnosis - The Gnosis of the Mind - All Volumes

Echoes From the Gnosis Echoes From the Gnosis - The Gnosis of The Mind is written by G. R. S. Mead the first modern scholar of Gnostic tradition. G. R. S. Mead was the secretary of H. P. Blavatsky and in 1906 he published the first volume of eleven in the series Echoes From the Gnosis. The works are a combination of translations and interpretations of ancient Gnostic writings. Long before the discovery of the Nag Hammadi Library, Mead translated these esoteric texts of various origins such as Christian and Roman. Unfortunately, I have only been able to find six of the eleven volumes, download Echoes From the Gnosis here:

 The Gnosis of The Mind (Echoes from the Gnosis Vol. I) The Hymns of Hermes (Echoes from the Gnosis Vol.II) The Hymn of Jesus (Echoes from the GnosisVol. IV) A Mithriac Ritual (Echoes from the Gnosis Vol. VI) The Gnostic Crucifixion (Echoes from the Gnosis Vol. VII) The Hymn of the Robe of Glory (Echoes from the Gnosis Vol. X)  

Who was G. R. S. Mead?

George Robert Stow Mead was born in 1863 in Nuneaton, Warwickshire, England. He was educated at St John's College, Cambridge, where he studied mathematics and classics. His intellectual prowess was evident from a young age, and his academic journey set the stage for his later work in philosophy, religion, and mysticism. Involvement with Theosophy In 1889, Mead became a member of the Theosophical Society, a group dedicated to exploring esoteric knowledge and advancing a synthesis of science, religion, and philosophy. He was particularly influenced by Helena Petrovna Blavatsky, the society's co-founder, becoming her secretary and developing a strong interest in the esoteric and occult that would define his life's work. Contributions to Esoteric Studies Mead is perhaps best remembered for his comprehensive studies on Hermeticism, Gnosticism, and other ancient religions and philosophies. Unlike many scholars of his time, he approached these subjects with a sense of spiritual respect and scholarly rigor, helping to revive interest in religious traditions outside of mainstream Christianity. Notable Works Throughout his career, G.R.S. Mead produced an impressive array of books and papers that explored a wide range of topics in religion, philosophy, and the esoteric. Some of his most influential works include: - Fragments of a Faith Forgotten (1900): A detailed exposition of early Christian Gnosticism, exploring texts and beliefs that were suppressed or marginalized by orthodox Christianity. - Thrice-Greatest Hermes (1906): A comprehensive study of Hermeticism, focused on texts attributed to Hermes Trismegistus and their significance in the broader context of Mediterranean spirituality and philosophy. - Pistis Sophia (1921): An important Gnostic text translated and commented upon by Mead, providing unique insights into early Gnostic teachings and cosmology. - Gnostic John the Baptizer (1924): This work comprises selections from Mandaean texts, offering insights into an early religion that revered John the Baptist as a central figure. - The Doctrine of the Subtle Body in Western Tradition (1919): An exploration of the concept of the 'subtle body' in Western spiritual traditions, discussing ideas of astral travel, aura, and other esoteric concepts related to human consciousness. - Apollonius of Tyana (1901): A historical investigation of the life of Apollonius of Tyana, a philosopher and miracle-worker in 1st-century Roman Empire, often compared to Jesus of Nazareth. Legacy G.R.S. Mead died in 1933, but his influence endures. He is credited with making esoteric and Gnostic studies more accessible to a broader audience outside of the academic sphere, and his works continue to be referenced and valued for their insight and historical significance in the study of Western esotericism. Despite the passage of time and the evolution of scholarly standards, Mead's passionate pursuit of ancient wisdom helps keep these discussions alive in contemporary spiritual and philosophical debates. Read the full article

[ccthegoddessblog]

The Emerald Tablet

Ilin truth, without deceit, certain, and most veritable.

That which is Below corresponds to that which is Above, and that which is Above corresponds to that which is Below, to accomplish the miracles of the One Thing. And just as all things have come from this One Thing, through the meditation of One Mind, so do all created things originate from this One Thing, through Transformation.

It’s father is the Sun; its mother the Moon. The Wind carries it in its belly; its nurse is the Earth. It is the origin of All, the consecration of the Universe: its inherent Strength is perfected, if it is turned into Earth.

Separate the Earth from Fire, the Subtle from the Gross, gently and with great Ingenuity. It rises from Earth to heaven and descends again to Earth, thereby combining within Itself the powers of both the Above and the Below.

Thus will you obtain the Glory of the Whole Universe. All Obscurity will be clear to you. This is the greatest force of all powers, because it overcomes every Subtle thing and penetrates every Solid thing.

lin this way was the Universe created. From this comes many wondrous Applications, because this is the Pattern.

Therefore am I called Thrice Greatest hermes, having all three parts of the wisdom of the Whole Unfverse. herein have I completely explained the Operation of the Sun.

[aerikarkadian]

Deity Focus: Hermes Trismegistus

Hermes Trismegistus is a syncretic deity — a combination of the Greek Hermes and the Egyptian Thoth. He is generally accepted as the author of the Hermetica and father of Western Alchemy. His name, “Trismegistus,” means “thrice greatest,” so you could say he is the “Thrice-Greatest Hermes.” Who is he? Where does he come from? Why is he important? Read on to discover! What’s in a name? There’s…

[interactivemediayear1cd]

Unveiling the Mysteries:

Occult Imagery, Symbols, and the Power of Sigils

Throughout history, occult imagery and symbols have fascinated, intrigued, and often sparked controversy. These mysterious elements, deeply rooted in symbolism and esoteric meaning, have been employed by various groups for diverse purposes. In this exploration, we delve into the historical significance of occult symbols, as well as the intriguing world of sigils and seals.

1. Ancient Occult Symbols:

Ancient civilizations, such as the Egyptians and Babylonians, embraced occult symbols as conduits to spiritual realms. The Eye of Horus, an ancient Egyptian symbol representing protection, and the pentagram, with its ties to various cultures, exemplify the enduring power of these ancient symbols in conveying mystical meanings.

2. Sigils and Seals in Medieval Alchemy:

During the medieval period, alchemists sought to transform base metals into gold and unlock the secrets of immortality. They often used sigils and seals, intricate symbols charged with magical intent, to harness supernatural forces. The philosopher's stone, a legendary alchemical substance, was often depicted through symbolic sigils in pursuit of the mysterious transformation.

3. Hermeticism and the Rosicrucian Order:

Hermeticism, an esoteric tradition rooted in the teachings of Hermes Trismegistus, heavily employed occult symbols, the name comes from the fact that the first books about Hermeticism are said to have been written by the god Hermes Trismegistus ("Thrice-Greatest Hermes"), who combines aspects of the Greek god Hermes and the Egyptian god Thoth. The Rosicrucian Order, a secret society dating back to the 17th century, embraced symbols like the rose and cross to convey profound spiritual truths. These symbols became central to their secretive rituals and teachings.

4. The Occult in Modern Secret Societies:

Modern secret societies, including the Freemasons and the Illuminati, have perpetuated the use of occult symbolism. The All-Seeing Eye, often associated with the Illuminati, and Masonic symbols like the square and compass, continue to captivate popular imagination and fuel conspiracy theories.

Occult imagery, symbols, and the intricate world of sigils and seals have woven a rich tapestry throughout history, influencing spiritual practices, secret societies, and cultural perceptions. Whether rooted in ancient civilizations, medieval alchemy, or modern secret societies, these mysterious elements continue to provoke curiosity and fascination. As we explore the hidden meanings behind these symbols, we unravel a fascinating journey through the esoteric realms that have shaped the course of human history.

[talonabraxas]

Hermes Trismegistus Talon Abraxas

Hermes Trismegistus (Greek for "Hermes the thrice-greatest" or Mercurius ter Maximus in Latin, is the syncretism of the Greek god Hermes and the Egyptian Thoth. In Hellenistic Egypt, the god Hermes was given as epithet the Greek name of Thoth. He has also been identified with Enoch.

[afghanigoo]

In truth, without deceit, certain, and most veritable.

That which is Below corresponds to that which is Above, and that which is Above corresponds to that which is Below, to accomplish the miracles of the One Thing.

And just as all things have come from this One thing, through the meditation of One Mind, so do all created things originate from this One Thing, through Transformation.

Its father is the Sun; its mother the moon.

The Wind carries it in its belly; its nurse is the Earth.

It is the origin of All, the consecration of the Universe.

Its inherent Strength is perfected, if it is turned into Earth.

Separate the Earth from Fire, the Subtle from the Gross, gently and with great Ingenuity.

It rises from Earth to heaven and descend again to Earth, thereby combining within Itself the powers of both the Above and the Below.

Thus will you obtain the Glory of the Whole Universe. All Obscurity will be clear to you. This is the greatest Force of all powers, because it overcomes every Subtle thing and penetrates every Solid thing.

In this way was the Universe created. From this come many wondrous Applications, because this is the Pattern.

Therefore am I called Thrice Greatest Hermes, having all three parts of the wisdom of the Whole Universe. Herein have I completely explained the Operation of the Sun.

THE EMERALD TABLET OF HERMES

[scarletarosa]

Hermes Trismegistus

God of knowledge, wisdom, and spiritual evolution

Mainly known due to Hermeticism, the god Hermes Trismegistus (“Hermes the Thrice-Greatest") is a greater deity who has many different facets that he uses to approach humans; some of these are Hermes/Mercury, Thoth, Nabu, and several other deities of knowledge. Each of these gods are only fragments of who he is. Hermes Trismegistus is one of the most complex beings in existence and cannot be easily described, especially due to all the various aspects he has. He is a greatly powerful spiritual teacher of the path of Hermeticism and has many different forms; yet he says that none of them came first, they simply are. He had been incarnated as a human when he was born in Egypt and began calling himself Hermes Trismegistus. During this life, he had done many things such as writing the Emerald Tablets, teaching alchemy, founding Hermeticism, and writing thousands of works. His incarnation was also known for prophesizing future events, almost seeming as if he had known all of history. At one time, he had said “all of your countries, cultures, languages, and monuments will one day be forgotten and replaced by new ones. This has happened countless times in the past, and will happen countless times more.”

Hermes Trismegistus has described himself as the reason for why people choose solitude, why they cannot fit in with others. He is the storm, as well as the lantern within the storm. He is the voice of madness that stirs the seeker into evolving. He is a Messiah and a Buddha; a rebel and a black sheep; he is salvation and he is oblivion, for he is the one who brings us death so we can be reborn. He is the unfathomable one who grants us eternal transformation; always becoming greater, always seeking truth. His path is the wasteland beyond society, beyond the false comforts of governments and doctrines. Yet this path is full of struggle and sacrifice; those who cannot endure it will fail and remain stagnant. Though if we embrace the challenge and are willing to sacrifice our current selves through great effort, Hermes Trismegistus will assist us in tearing away our humanness and transform us into becoming something far greater than imaginable.  Due to this, Hermeticism is very similar to Luciferianism, allowing these two religions to be easily followed at the same time, especially since both Lucifer and Hermes Trismegistus are two of the most knowledgeable elder gods.

He explains that the first thing one should do when starting a spiritual path is to “know thyself”. Without understanding our own self, we will always continue making the same mistakes and cannot evolve. To know ourselves, we must analyze in-depth our current self, our potentials, our fears, desires, weaknesses, strengths, emotions, reactions; everything. Then we must work on shedding away who we are, even if we like who we currently are, for there is always so much to improve on. Hermes Trismegistus seeks to expand our minds beyond what typical humans are like so that we may begin to comprehend true reality, and not the reality humans teach.  

He also teaches that we must recognize that our negative emotions are illusions; they come over our eyes like a dark veil and obscure reality. Everything still looks the same, yet darker. With will-power, we can visualize a beam of light penetrating this darkness, then we can lift ourselves away from the veil. Through this, we can come to the realization that these emotions are merely constructs; therefore, they are malleable and can be replaced by healthier emotions. He also explains how we are not our thoughts either, since thoughts are often influenced by outside causes such as teachings, trauma, bias, etc. In order to break through these, we must realize that our current selves are not our true selves; we need to shed all of these away and constantly seek greater heights and absolute truth. Though the seeker will come to find that this path of evolution will never end, even in death; we will always strive to become more.  

Hermes Trismegistus is fully dedicated to knowledge, wisdom, transformation, evolution, and all forms of communication (especially books). He is very humble and dedicated to those who choose his path, granting them many insights of wisdom so they can grow. He values those who love truth unconditionally, always embracing it no matter how uncomfortable or upsetting it can be. If one walks this path and faces their struggles with wisdom, courage, and determination, they are likely to succeed and achieve a higher state of being. This is the true path for enlightenment, as true wisdom and knowledge can only be gained through immense strife. If you wish to prove that you are greater than those who give into their negative thoughts and impulses; those who allow themselves to remain as slaves to their emotions, habits, governments, and holy scriptures, then you must walk the wasteland path through the relentless storm. Only here will you find your freedom. 

Devotion: Since Hermes Trismegistus does not accept offerings since he sees no true value in them, he requests acts of devotion. These acts must not be simplistic things, only actions that will enrich who you are. This can be meditating on yourself and what you learn, analyzing yourself, seeking knowledge and wisdom, tearing down current beliefs to make room for truth, shedding away your Ego, doing shadow work, and striving to become the version of yourself that is confident and experienced. All weaknesses must be rooted up and overcome, allowing only strength to remain.  

Additionally, you can hold at least one of these four following stones while you mediate upon Hermes Trismegistus in order to form a connection with him: citrine, yellow calcite, carnelian, imperial topaz

[lionofchaeronea]

A Hymn to Eileithyia, Goddess of Childbirth

It's been a while since I've done one of these, so I thought it would be fun to give it another whirl. I hope you enjoy it.

To Eileithyia I turn my song: Looser of Wombs, Light-Bringer, Bulwark of Women. True child she Of Queen Hera and Zeus who delights In the thunderbolt. Yet she shuns The works of her brothers: strong Hephaestus Who toils forever with tongs and anvil And Ares, mad in war. Instead, Her torch held high, she lights the way For gods and bread-eating mortals alike To leave the dark confines of the belly And draw first breath. Always her tunic Is girded high above her knee, For when a woman invokes her name She runs to aid her, spares no haste. On Delos, round and rocky isle, Leto’s pains were long extended Until from the side of deceitful Hera Eileithyia dove like a falcon To set her free: and so the Twins Of gold and silver arrows were born, Phoebus Apollo who shines by day And Artemis who hunts in moonlight. In the shadowy glens of Cyllene, In the cave where Maia lay, Eileithyia spoke a word And to the light leaped Hermes, who Plotted snares while still in the cradle. But now I turn to the greatest wonder: When Zeus had taken into his belly Metis, and in his skull her seed Swirled about and came to fruition, He -- the king of gods and men -- Knew dreadful aches; the goddess knocked Against his cap of bone, in quest Of some way out. Hephaestus swung His hammer once, twice, thrice: Those blows were vain, the Thunderer’s flesh Would not give way. Bereft at last He called on Eileithyia; and where The Metal-worker’s mighty arm Had failed, one gentle touch from her Rent the skull. Behold, Athena-- Her father’s daughter, clad in a panoply And banging her spear against her shield In eagerness for fight! Men say That on that day Zeus swore an oath-- An unbreakable oath upon the Styx-- To honor Eileithyia always And exalt her name among mankind. At Argos, Olympia, Elis, and Sparta Of the fair dancing-grounds, she is worshiped -- Women and men alike extol her And send up incense, asking grace. I too shall ask it, Eileithyia: Do not be slow in coming to aid All those in labor-pangs. If you Do not turn your face from me, If you heed me, in return I shall bestow this hymn upon you, And through it your name shall be kept fresh On the lips of women, lips of men, Now and evermore.

At the behest of Eileithyia (right), Athena springs from the head of Zeus. Detail of side A of a black-figure belly amphora, attributed to Group E; ca. 550-525 BCE. Now in the Louvre.

[santoschristos]

[astrolocherry]

21/6/2022 - I want to talk about this sky on you...

As we enter the final degrees of Gemini we are going to experience the archetypal and ritualistic forces through this sign’s strongest karmic degree. This will be especially mercurially majestic with Mercury direct at home in Gemini at 7 °, the cosmic rays of inner wisdom, intuition, and epiphanic events

Conversation can be tremendously meaningful, reparative, and fortuitous during this time. You are moved to move. To remain not still. To connect in vulnerable and vindicating ways. To speak the words you’ve been swallowing. To realign yourself with the magic of manifestation you possess as a brainwave in the Universal Mind. We play the Divine Gemini role of Hermes Thrice the Greatest whose traditions declare in the supplest honey voices the innermost possesses the great knowledge of the Heavens. Hermes is the Logos of God, and the Words he writes are Gods, and we then are letters of our Word, our God

-Cherry

[brother-hermes]

Almost finished this book. Putting in a lot of coffee now and disconnecting again for the weekend. Just wanted to share a few revelations from the meditation and introspection that comes from writing about mysticism.

First point, Christianity was birthed in Jewish mysticism- second temple Hekhalot and Merkhavah specifically. All those writers of scriptures were Jewish and there is no separating the roots of the faith from that. Every western interpretation that puts God outside of us and in outer space takes you away from love. What happened at Nicaea was a tragedy.

Next, Kabbalah and hermeticsm are twin flames. Merkhavah is an Egyptian word. Moshe and Akhenaten teach the same lesson. The thrice greatest Trismegistus is a lesson- Enoch, Thoth, and Hermes all taught the same unitive consciousness.Middle Platonism influenced Philo. Plotinus created Neoplatonism explaining how everything emanated from the One via four worlds of creation. Al-Kindi, ibn Arabi, all of those Arabs that fleshed out Kalam- the Logos of Muslim philosophy. Jewish philosophers like Saadi Goeb, ibn Gabirol lived in Muslim countries discussing Neoplatonist forms and continued what Philo started and expressed Judaism in Greek philosophical terms. Gabirol wrote “the source of life” and changed the Greek concept of “thought” being the source of the all to ration- divine will. Kabbalists fleshed out this concept of divine will and ran that line throughput the middle ages. Maimonides battled this interpretation for his entire life.

Somewhere in the 12th century in France the Midrash gets blended with Solomon ign Gabirol’s Neoplatonism and Kabbalah as we know it today gets formed. Multiplicity and dualism begins to be seen as a sort illusion from the shattering of the vessels we see in the Zohar. Non dualism- God is One and Kabbalah and really gets started on awakening and meditations in the sephirot lead to some of those most beautiful metaphysics we’ve ever seen.

Meanwhile, the Syriac Christians who continued teaching the centering prayers of Christ in its original Aramaic were writing texts like the Odes of Solomon as their brand of interpreting Yeshua headed East. The philosophies we call Hinduism became intertwined with the bridal mysticism of the gospel of John and the Songs of Solomon. It grew and flourished and the mystical instruction found in The Gospel of Thomas gave them a common language.

Mysticism is mongrelized. Our best and brightest servants of the Infinite One have looked past all of these religions of the world and found commonality. All of this cultural bravado we have divides us. Kemet, Israel, India, Dominican Friars like Ekhart, German shoemakers like Boehme, Beduizzam Said Nursi, Jesus, The Shakyimuni Buddha, all of them teach the same thing:

We are expressions of the Divine reality. The more we divide and argue the further from the truth we go. Mystics have never opposed their notions of rightness or insisted that, let’s say, Taoism was any less important than St Francis or Abraham Abulafia.

You want to draw close to God and really love 💗 one another? Then forget everything you cling to and let go of the need to speak “truth.” Rightness is ego minded. It divides.

I say this understanding a very old mystical truth I’m going to say in relatively crude terms: “we don’t actually know shit!” We’re afforded glimpses of Union but we can’t comprehend existence and describe it. The collective unconscious of Jung is the same ocean Buddhists feel pulling them into when they’re close to death.

The universe expanded from a singular source that even most scientific had to come to grips with when they realized that spooky action at a distance is real. We’re all the result of quantum entanglement and literally expressions of whatever all of this actually is.

Don’t fight it. Just love one another. It’s what we’re here for.

[mask131]

WW Historia Divine designs: Hermes

Hermes’ main colors seem to be a purplish-red and an orange-yellow (I don’t know if it’s just me but I have a hard time exactly identifying the colors as they seem to change slightly depending on the drawing). Hermes himself has a skin of a vaguely purplish hue. 

While one might not remember him much from the first issue, Hermes is actually always there - during the scene with the gods he keeps circling around his father and uncles/siblings, leaving behind a circle of light (presumably to show how fast he actually spins around the others). This glowing arc that appears from one frame to another, it is just his passage. 

His outfit is mostly made of long strips of cloth, that flow around him like ribbons or tatters. I don’t exactly know why this was chosen on a cultural point of view, but on a visual and aesthetic one it is clear this is to highlight the god as a moving/flying figure (the ribbons manifesting his movement and tracing his passage). 

As with a few other modern interpretations of Hermes, the wings on his sandals and hat are now growing directly out of his feet and head. (The wings out of the head bring to mind the famous sculpture of Hypnos). Already the 2011 version of Hermes has included the wings tied to the legs. In fact, another nod to the 2011 Hermes seems to be how both versions have animal feet instead of human ones - 2011 Hermes had bird feet (to fit with his flying/winged aesthetic) while this one has feline legs. I cannot clearly see what these feet are, but I think it is a reference to the fastest felines in the worlds, like cheetahs. 

Another possible nod to the 2011 Hermes are the fact that his eyes are almost entirely black (which was one of the main features of 2011 Hermes). His peculiar haircut seems to be a reference to another, lesser known, Greek god - or rather a Greek personification/philosophical figure. This shaved head except for a long braid of dark hair brings to mind Kairos, the incarnation of “the right moment” or “the opportune time”, “the critical moment”. It was one of the two interpretations of time alongside Chronos (while the “chronos” was a linear, flowing time of past, present, future, the “kairos” time was a constant succession of moments and opportunities). From this metaphysical consideration of time, Kairos evolved into a minor god (called “Caerus” in English, though the Greek name is “Kairos”) embodying opportunity and luck (something that overlapse with Hermes functions). Just like Hermes he was represented as a youth with winged feet (when he wasn’t winged himself, because he was the “fleeting moment”), and he typically had just one lock of hair - it was a metaphor. Given Kairos is the “right moment”, when you see the opportunity you need to grab it (here by the lock of hair) before it flees and disappears. 

And of course I can’t forget to comment on the caduceus, Hermes’ iconic item. Here Phil Jimenez went full badassery by turning the caduceus from a simple rod similar to a magic wand, to a full blown magic spear/giant wizard staff. Entirely golden we see the typical traits of a caduceus (two snakes entwined, a pair of wings), but they are repeated twice - one smaller snake-wings ensemble below and a more detailed one on top. Another element worth noting are the three disks. Below the lesser snake-wing ensemble are three disks aligned ; and at the top we see one big circle with three smaller ones on top. What does it mean?

My vague theory is that it might be a reference to Hermes Trismegistus, “Hermes the Thrice-Greatest”, the combination of the Greek Hermes and the Egyptian Thoth. The disk might represent Thoth’s moon role... but at the same time the fact it is golden and surrounded by golden wings rather brings to mind the Egyptian depictions of the sun (a golden disk associated with bird-gods like Ra or Horus). So this is a quite weak interpretation and if anyone has a better idea, feel free to share.

Oh yes, and one last thing: Hermes has a piercing on his left nipple. I don’t think there is anything to analyze here, but let’s mention it just in case X)