The ''Hermetic Journal'' was a quarterly journal dedicated to the Hermetic tradition, edited by

Adam McLean Adam McLean (born 7 March 1948 in Glasgow) is a Scottish writer on alchemical texts and symbolism. In 1978 he founded the ''Hermetic Journal'' which he published until 1992 during which time he also started publishing the ''Magnum Opus Hermetic ...

, and published by Megalithic Research Publications of Edinburgh. The first issue was released in August 1978 and publication continued until 1992. The ''Hermetic Journal'' explored

alchemy Alchemy (from Arabic: ''al-kīmiyā''; from Ancient Greek: χυμεία, ''khumeía'') is an ancient branch of natural philosophy, a philosophical and protoscientific tradition that was historically practiced in China, India, the Muslim world, ...

and hermetic

philosophy Philosophy (from , ) is the systematized study of general and fundamental questions, such as those about existence, reason, knowledge, values, mind, and language. Such questions are often posed as problems to be studied or resolved. Some ...

from various angles and attracted a wide range of contributors. It addressed a readership which had a deep interest in hermeticism and was primarily available only through subscription. Back issues of the ''Hermetic Journal'' are still available bound in paperback editions (about 176 pages), each covering a year.

Influence

The ''Hermetic Journal'' had a small circulation of about three to four hundred readers. It built up a network of people interested in furthering the investigation of alchemy and hermetic philosophy. It is one of only a few English periodicals which focused on alchemy and the Hermetic tradition in the late twentieth century. Other periodicals of the time were the academic journals

Ambix ''Ambix'' is a peer-reviewed academic journal on the history of alchemy and chemistry; it was founded in 1936 and has appeared continuously from 1937 to the present, other than from 1939 to 1945 during World War II. It is currently published by the ...

, and Cauda Pavonis, and publications by the Philosophers of Nature and the Paracelsus Research Society for members of their organizations. The ''Hermetic Journal'' distinguished itself by publishing over 1000 high quality articles. Often, these contained scholarly material from renowned authorities – such as

Gareth Knight Sir Gareth (; Old French: ''Guerehet'', ''Guerrehet'') is a Knight of the Round Table in Arthurian legend. He is the youngest son of King Lot and Queen Morgause, King Arthur's half-sister, thus making him Arthur's nephew, as well as brother to ...

, Stephen Skinner,

Ithell Colquhoun Ithell Colquhoun ( 9 October 1906 – 11 April 1988) was a British painter, occultist, poet and author. Stylistically her artwork was affiliated with surrealism. In the late 1930s, Colquhoun was part of the British Surrealist Group before ...

, Kenneth Rayner Johnson, R.A. Gilbert, Graham Knight, Hans Nintzel, Joseph Ritman, and

Joscelyn Godwin Joscelyn Godwin (born 16 January 1945 at Kelmscott, Oxfordshire, England) is a composer, musicologist, and translator, known for his work on ancient music, paganism, and music in the occult. Biography He was educated as a chorister at Christ ...

. Uniquely, the ''Hermetic Journal'' was open to articles of a speculative nature but always tried to encourage scholarly research into hermetic philosophy.

References

External links

The Hermetic Journal
{{Alchemy 1978 establishments in the United Kingdom 1992 disestablishments in the United Kingdom Alchemical documents Quarterly magazines published in the United Kingdom Defunct magazines published in the United Kingdom Magazines disestablished in 1992 Magazines established in 1978 Mass media in Edinburgh Philosophy magazines Western esoteric magazines