The Hermetic Tradition: Symbols and Teachings of the Royal Art [Paperback]

Julius Evola (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: January 1, 1995

This important survey of alchemical symbols and doctrines sets forth the mysterious worldview and teachings of the practitioners of the "royal art." One of the leading exponents of the Hermetic tradition, Julius Evola demonstrates the singularity of subject matter that lies behind the words of all adepts in all ages, showing how alchemy--often misunderstood as primitive chemistry or a mere template for the Jungian process of "individuation"--is nothing less than a universal secret science of human and natural transformation. 

First published in 1931 in Italian. This is the first English translation. 

Draws from a host of sources in the Western esoteric tradition--works on theurgy, magic, and gnosticism from neoplatonic, Arab, and medieval sources.

Editorial Reviews

Review

"This book has been hailed as one of the clearest works on alchemy ever written."
(New Dawn, May-June 2003 )

"The Hermetic Tradition is not a book to be read once for the value of its information about European alchemy--which admittedly is great--but to be revisited as one's own alchemical work, in whatever form, proceeds. Each reading will bring new levels of insight."
(Gnosis Magazine )

"Evola is a major force in the area of modern European esotericism, but is little known in the English speaking world.  Author of numerous works on esoteric practices and philosophy, Evola is a name that all serious students of esotericism should be familiar with.  Evola discloses in clear and meaningful terms the ideas present and their use in practice.  Evola is not for the feint of heart or brain however.  He deals with difficult subjects and presents them in an intelligent and experienced manner.  Anyone seeking a literary initiation into the world of deep thought and practices can do no better than to start with Evola."
(Institute for Hermetic Studies, Feb 2006 )

"An extremely cogent elucidation of the alchemical Great Work."
(Daniel Pinchbeck, Bookforum, Summer 2002 )

"This book is a good place to use as a center for your alchemical studies."
(John Gilbert, The Tarot Institute, February 2004 )

"Evola writes serious books about serious subjects, yet manages to present the material in a manner that is both meaningful and practical. . . . occultists who want to understand a man who was a major force in Italian esotericism . . . will find a wealth of knowledge and esoteric insight."
(Institute for Hermetic Studies, Mar 2006 )

"Considered one of the clearest and strongest works on the art of Alchemy ever written."
(Robert James Buratti, New Dawn, July/August 2002 )

Language Notes

Text: English (translation)
Original Language: Italian

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Paperback: 240 pages
• Publisher: Inner Traditions (January 1, 1995)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0892814519
• ISBN-13: 978-0892814510
• Product Dimensions: 8.9 x 5.9 x 0.7 inches
• Shipping Weight: 13.6 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (9 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #755,723 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

40 of 41 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars If you're serious about this subject..., April 18, 2003

By 

P. Spruance (United States) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: The Hermetic Tradition: Symbols and Teachings of the Royal Art (Paperback)

The impressions of Hermeticism that have formed over many years of Jungian interpretations, Theosophical speculations and well-intentioned 20th century academic investigations will have to be looked at anew - and to tell the truth, pretty much discarded by anyone who encounters this book. It's really not an overstatement to say that Evola's work simply trumps other interpretations. His is not so much an 'interpretation' as much as it is a genuine teaching. The product of a pure, direct, and very deep experience of the material, The Hermetic Tradition offers the most lucid overall treatment that this often dizzyingly difficult subject has ever seen. Evola managed to do this somehow without "dumbing it down" for a broad public readership, and in doing so he has rendered us a tremendous and unparalleld service. As SPECIALIZED material, applicable to a SPECIFIC mode of percieving the world and one's place in it, with a SPECIFIC core spiritual discipline at it's heart, the Tradition of Hermeticism has been done justice by this book. Because of that, for some it will not be easy reading - even more difficult will be putting it's teachings to practice. But for those of us who, for all of our familiarity with the 'occult' Hermetic symbols and the 'psychological' operations of alchemy, are still left mainly un-transformed by such understandings, this book is for you. It cannot be recommended highly enough.

36 of 41 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A text on Hermeticism which is itself a Hermetic Work!, July 16, 1998

By A Customer

This review is from: The Hermetic Tradition: Symbols and Teachings of the Royal Art (Paperback)

Baron Evola, always controversial and provocative, is no less so here. Discussing many facets of the Magnum Opus ( 'Corrosive waters', and 'Path of Venus' for instance) which are overlooked, misunderstood, or just plain ignored by other writers on the subject, this work should be consisered a necessary part of any Hermetic Library. Evola draws extensively from Greek, Latin, Arabic, and English language expositions of the Hermetico-Alchemic Art. The notes are impressive in their relevance and ability to increase the depth of qualitative comprehension. One could wish there had been a more comprehensive index. Be prepared to have cherished assumptions challenged and intellectual horizons broadened. Read with Evola's "Eros and the Mysteries of Love," and "The Mystery of the Grail."

Good Luck!

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars Evola is Evocative, January 12, 2007

By 

Kevin Fuller "Kev" (Evansville, IN USA) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)   

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: The Hermetic Tradition: Symbols and Teachings of the Royal Art (Paperback)

This book rates three stars, which is still a good, strong recommendation. The truth of the matter is, Evola has taken an extremely difficult and arcane discipline, alchemy, and treated it with a solid explanation of what the royal art is and is about. Not an easy feat. The first half is the theory of the subject, the second half being the practice of the subject. The first half is perhaps more useful to today's reader because the concepts can be applied almost immediately, regardless of spiritual inclination. The text, through rich, and at times highly yet still understandable technical language, brings to light a beautiful spiritual practice that lost steam in the middle ages, for perhaps good reason. The author brings in gnosticism as a natural religious worldview to the art, which compliments the alchemical texts nicely. The beauty of a universe populated with the lesser, sometimes menacing and always changing planets, or the ptolemaic planets, which has control over the soulful and animal nature of man, yet transcended by the upper fixed and unchanging stars in the firmament which guide the spirit, is a universal, perennial philosophy which outs beautifully here. Again, regardless of your religious training and upbringing, this all sounds on the whole like you've heard it before and that you liked it when you did. Evola recalls in us this rich tradition that hopefully has not seen it's last expression, if for no other reason than it's sheer beauty.