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

Clement Salaman (Translator), Dorine van Oyen (Translator), William D. Wharton (Translator), Jean-Pierre Mah? (Translator)
4.2 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (8 customer reviews)


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Book Description

March 1, 2000
A new translation of the great esoteric masterpiece that includes the first English translation of the recently rediscovered Definitions of Hermes Trismegistus to Asclepius.

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

• Will be of great interest to scholars and religious seekers alike.

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, aiming to awaken gnosis, the direct realization of the unity of the individual and the Supreme. They are still read as important, inspirational spiritual writings today.

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, closely related to parts of The Corpus Hermeticum, used by the hermetic student to strengthen his mind in meditation. With the proper mental orientation, one could achieve a state of pure perception 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."
(Institute for Hermetic Studies, Feb 2006? )

"The Way of Hermes is a small book that will not be read quickly, and will take a lifetime to understand. If there is only one book you read this year on Hermeticism, let it be this one."
(Institute for Hermetic Studies, Mar 2006 )

From the Back Cover

HERMETIC PHILOSOPHY

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, aiming to awaken gnosis, the direct realization of the unity of the individual and the Supreme. They are still read as important, inspirational spiritual writings today.

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, closely related to parts of The Corpus Hermeticum, used by the hermetic student to strengthen his mind in meditation. With the proper mental orientation, one could achieve a state of pure perception 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 Academie des Inscriptions et Belles Lettres, Paris.

Product Details

  • Hardcover: 132 pages
  • Publisher: Inner Traditions (March 1, 2000)
  • Language: English
  • ISBN-10: 0892818174
  • ISBN-13: 978-0892818174
  • Product Dimensions: 8.8 x 5.8 x 0.7 inches
  • Shipping Weight: 11.8 ounces
  • Average Customer Review: 4.2 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (8 customer reviews)
  • Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #995,593 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

 

Customer Reviews

8 Reviews
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Average Customer Review
4.2 out of 5 stars (8 customer reviews)
 
 
 
 
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99 of 103 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars Hermes Revealed, June 12, 2000
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.
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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
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.
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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.
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