''Initiation into Hermetics'' is the title of the English translation of
Franz Bardon's first of three volumes concerning self-realization in line with the
Hermetic
Hermetic or related forms may refer to:
* of or related to the ancient Greek Olympian god Hermes
* of or related to Hermes Trismegistus, a legendary Hellenistic figure based on the Greek god Hermes and the Egyptian god Thoth
** , the ancient and m ...
tradition.
Publication
The book was first published in German in 1956 under the title ''Der Weg zum Wahren Adepten'' by publisher Verlag Hermann Bauer. The first English edition appeared in 1962, published by Osiris Verlag and translated by Alfred Radspieler. A second English translation was published in 1971 by Dieter Rüggeberg. The most recent translation is published by Merkur, the translators of which were: Gerhard Hanswille and Franca Gallo and edited by Ken Johnson.
Structure
The book itself is divided into two sections: the theory section and the practical section.
The theory section outlines esoteric theory and
Hermetic philosophy
Hermeticism, or Hermetism, is a philosophical system that is primarily based on the purported teachings of Hermes Trismegistus (a legendary Hellenistic combination of the Greek god Hermes and the Egyptian god Thoth). These teachings are containe ...
to help the student when following this course. Topics covered include the
elements (fire, air, water and earth plus the fifth, ether),
Karma
Karma (; sa, कर्म}, ; pi, kamma, italic=yes) in Sanskrit means an action, work, or deed, and its effect or consequences. In Indian religions, the term more specifically refers to a principle of cause and effect, often descriptivel ...
(the law of cause and effect),
occult anatomy, the physical,
astral
Astral may refer to:
Concepts of the non-physical
* Astral body, a subtle body posited by many religious philosophers
* Astral journey (or ''astral trip''), the same as having an ''out-of-body experience''
* Astral plane (AKA astral world), a ...
and mental planes and the matters of religion and god.
The practical section is divided into 10 steps. Each step contains physical, astral and mental exercises which the student must master to the degree laid out by Bardon before moving on to the next step. The three kinds of exercises within a step are to be practiced concurrently, the idea being that this will lead to a more balanced development.
English Editions
* Brotherhood of Life Books Edition: Hardcover; November, 1987
* Brotherhood of Life Books Edition: Hardcover; August 1, 1999
* Merkur Publishing Company Edition: Paperback; March 1, 2001
* Merkur Publishing Company Edition: Paperback; March 6, 2015
See also
*''
Hermetica
The ''Hermetica'' are texts attributed to the legendary Hellenistic figure Hermes Trismegistus, a syncretic combination of the Greek god Hermes and the Egyptian god Thoth. These texts may vary widely in content and purpose, but are usually subd ...
'' – the historical writings attributed to
Hermes Trismegistus
Hermes Trismegistus (from grc, Ἑρμῆς ὁ Τρισμέγιστος, "Hermes the Thrice-Greatest"; Classical Latin: la, label=none, Mercurius ter Maximus) is a legendary Hellenistic figure that originated as a syncretic combination of t ...
*''
The Kybalion'' – another modern Hermetic work, published in 1908
References
{{Reflist, 30em
External links
A Bardon Companion
Hermeticism
1956 non-fiction books
Occult books