The Way of Hermes: New Translations of The Corpus Hermeticum and The Definitions of Hermes Trismegistus to Asclepius [Paperback]

Clement Salaman (Author), Dorine van Oyen (Author), William D. Wharton (Author), Jean-Pierre Mahe (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: March 31, 2004

Paperback edition of the recent translation of the esoteric masterpiece, including the first English translation of The Definitions of Hermes Trismegistus to Asclepius

• A resource for scholars and religious seekers alike

• The Definitions of Hermes Trismegistus to Asclepius provides new insights into the actual workings of the gnostic spiritual path

The Corpus Hermeticum, a powerful fusion of Greek and Egyptian thought, is one of the cornerstones of the Western esoteric tradition. A collection of short philosophical treatises, it was written in Greek between the first and third centuries C.E. and translated into Latin during the Renaissance by the great scholar and philosopher Marsilio Ficino. These treatises were central to the spiritual work of hermetic societies in Late Antique Alexandria (200-700 C.E.) and aimed to awaken gnosis, the direct realization of the unity of the individual and the Supreme.

In addition to this new translation of The Corpus Hermeticum, which seeks to reflect the inspirational intent of the original, The Way of Hermes includes the first English translation of the recently rediscovered manuscript of The Definitions of Hermes Trismegistus to Asclepius, a collection of aphorisms used by the hermetic student to strengthen the mind during meditation. With the proper mental orientation, a state of pure perception can be achieved in which the true face of God appears. This document is of enormous value to the contemporary student of gnostic studies for its insights into the actual workings of this spiritual path.

Editorial Reviews

Review

The Corpus Hermeticum is a key work standing between ancient Greek civilization and the dawn of Christianity. This work dates from the very beginning of the First Millennium. This important work was previously available to the English reader only in Sir Walter Scott's rather loose and inaccurate translation. The translators of this edition have been at the forefront of the much-acclaimed volumes of translations of The Letters of Marsilio Ficino, the father of the Florentine Renaissance, who himself first translated the Hermetica into Latin. This translation has a much greater accuracy and feel for the subject than Scott's translation. This edition also includes the first published translation by Professor Mahe of The Definitions of Hermes Trismegistus to Asclepius from a recently re-discovered Greek manuscript in the Bodleian Library."
(Stephen Hill, Watkins Books )

"By all standards, The Way of Hermes is the kind of contribution students of Hermeticism have been waiting for, for a long time.The Way of Hermes is a small book that will not be read quickly, and will take a lifetime to understand."
(Institute for Hermetic Studies,?Feb 2006 )

From the Back Cover

HERMETIC PHILOSOPHY

“The excellence of the soul is understanding; for the man who understands is conscious, devoted, and already godlike.”
Hermes to Tat

“My discourse leads to the truth; the mind is great and guided by this teaching is able to arrive at some understanding. When the mind has understood all things and found them to be in harmony with what has been expounded by the teachings, it is faithful and comes to rest in that beautiful faith.”
Hermes to Asclepius

The Corpus Hermeticum, a powerful fusion of Greek and Egyptian thought, is one of the cornerstones of the Western esoteric tradition. A collection of short philosophical treatises, it was written in Greek between the first and third centuries A.D. and translated into Latin during the Renaissance by the great scholar and philosopher Marsilio Ficino. These writings, believed to be the writings of Hermes Trismegistus, were central to the spiritual work of Hermetic societies in Late Antique Alexandria (200-700 A.D.), and aimed to awaken gnosis, the direct realization of the unity of the individual and the Supreme.
 
In addition to this new translation of The Corpus Hermeticum, which seeks to reflect the inspirational intent of the original, The Way of Hermes includes the first English translation of the recently rediscovered manuscript of The Definitions of Hermes Trismegistus to Asclepius, a collection of aphorisms used by the hermetic student to strengthen the mind during meditation. With the proper mental orientation, a state of pure perception can be achieved in which the true face of God appears. This document is of enormous value to the contemporary student of gnostic studies for its insights into the actual workings of this spiritual path.

CLEMENT SALAMAN is the editor of the English translation of The Letters of Marsilio Ficino. DORINE VAN OYEN is a lecturer on Hermetic studies in Amsterdam. WILLIAM D. WHARTON teaches Classical history, languages, and philosophy in Boston. JEAN-PIERRE MAHE is Correspondent of the Acad魩e des Inscriptions et Belles Lettres, Paris.

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Paperback: 132 pages
• Publisher: Inner Traditions (March 31, 2004)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0892811862
• ISBN-13: 978-0892811861
• Product Dimensions: 8.1 x 5.5 x 0.4 inches
• Shipping Weight: 6.6 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.2 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (8 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #336,591 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

99 of 103 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Hermes Revealed, June 12, 2000

By 

Mark Stavish, The Institute for Hermetic Stud... (Wyoming, Pennsylvania) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Way of Hermes: New Translations of The Corpus Hermeticum and The Definitions of Hermes Trismegistus to Asclepius (Hardcover)

"The Way of Hermes" is a god send to students of Alexandrian Hermeticism! Taking their cue from the premise that Hermeticism is a living and vital practice as well as philosophy, the translators have given us an updated version that more closely expresses the actual meaning and intention of the principle Hermetic writings than preceding editions. Moving beyond the limits of dogmatic rationalism, "The Way of Hermes" expresses the mystical beauty and transcendental purpose for the very existence of 'The Corpus' - to help humanity to know itself, and to know God. Of exceptional value are the foreword, afterward, and preface in their expression of Hermetic philosophy and its impact on Western thought. The additional English translation of "The Definitions of Hermes Trismegistus to Asclepius" make this a must read volume for students and practitioners of Hermeticism and Western esotericism.

42 of 42 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars One fo my best books on the Corpus Hermeticum, July 5, 2006

By 

R. Wood - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: The Way of Hermes: New Translations of The Corpus Hermeticum and The Definitions of Hermes Trismegistus to Asclepius (Paperback)

If you have researched books on the Corpus Hermeticum, you know that most of them are written for scholars, with much emphasis put on literal accuracy of translation, even to the point of rendering them sterile of any fathomable esoteric concepts.

Then, there are other books, just a few, that deviate too far from the literal translation in an attempt to shoehorn in the particular author's personal beliefs.

This book fits neither category. It is not perfect, none of the books we have on the Corpus Hemeticum come anywhere near perfection. But, at least, this book is quite readable and does avoid creative re-interpretation by the authors.

35 of 43 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars Valuable but not quite definitive, July 1, 2002

By 

j (Albuquerque, NM USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Way of Hermes: New Translations of The Corpus Hermeticum and The Definitions of Hermes Trismegistus to Asclepius (Hardcover)

This text has some insightful commentary regarding the degree to which the Corpus Hermeticum may or may not reflect Egyptian theory and practice as opposed to the merely Hellenic (which point, being academic, is of no great moment). This new translation, however, should assist those relatively unfamiliar with hermetic literature to begin to see suggestions of praxis within the text whereas many other translations obscure this. The decision to leave technical terms like nous in the text rather than translating them was an excellent one. One might wish that they had provided a few more untranslated technical terms.

The newly translated 'definitions' are valuable for their ability to add depth and clarify points in the main text.