Dr Litwa, a notable heresiologist, Greek translator, expert on early Christian thought and specializing in gnostic texts (both Christian and pagan) as well as the Corpus Hermeticum has given the world a tremendous gift: Hermetica 1 -- the texts of the Corpus Hermeticum re-translated and organized as a path of initiation.

The Way of Hermes

This path, or, Way of Hermes, is open to all as an initiation into higher consciousness (nous). According to the Hermetist this higher consciousness is a daimon (a spirit), separate from the enfleshed human soul, but tethered by awakening. So how do we awaken?

This is where Hermetica I has more than mere answers. Properly arranged for the first time, with the clearest translation yet (and including Nag Hammadi fragments lost for ages), this text can in fact guide you to this awakening, and help guide those awoken deeper into the hermetic gnosis of life and light.

What is Hermetica I?

Hermetica I is in fact a prequel to Dr Litwa's Hermetica II (Cambridge UP, 2022): the first ever translation to English of the Stobaean (or, 'technical') Hermetica (as well as other hermetic fragments from Michael Psellus to the Emerald Tablet itself).

Hermetica I goes where no translation of the Corpus Hermeticum has gone before...and I was honoured to narrate the entire 8 hours audiobook on Audible for Dr Litwa.

Have a listen to the sample audio and let me know what you think?

I got to know Dr Litwa through his Gnosis Academy, which holds monthly meetings online. The community of people drawn to David's style, knowledge and open-minded approach are excellent. I don't know how better to say it. His course, which many are included in the academy membership but also can be purchased very affordably, present the highest calibre of academic scholarship for a fraction of the universities' prices. And of course most of these specialty courses that Dr Litwa offers in gnosticism, Christian heresy and hermetism are not available anywhere in the Academy: https://mdavidlitwa.com/

Last night, with my audio recording done and finally released after approval by Audible's high standards, we celebrate with a Nightcap for Hermes. Our wee celebration was only supposed to a half-hour, but luckily for you, the spirit flowed and we talked for over an hour, answering questions, and reflecting on the path that led us to the Way of Hermes.

I hope you enjoy our chat! And thank you, as always, to M. David Litwa for being ever generous with his time. You can always tell when a teacher has a true calling, versus those for whom it is just a job. And I know, as someone let down by the university system, having access to learning Greek (koine), and ancient writers, Christian gnosticism, the Hermetic tradition and more, how rare and valuable are these opportunities at such a high level of scholarship. So if you are interested in the scholarly side of hermetic spirituality (and I hope you are as it benefits the practices we devote ourselves to in the hermetic tradition) do try out some of Litwa's courses, learn Greek (I am!), or maybe I will see you some month in our regular meeting of his Gnosis Academy.

Please purchase on Audible Hermetica 1, narrated by me, and representing the most significant step forward in both hermetic spirituality and scholarship since the texts were first composed in Greek from their now lost Egyptian origins. For as much as language changes and cultures shift, the invitation to every human soul to awaken to Nous -- our higher consciousness, our holy daimon -- is as real and present now today as it was almost two-thousand years ago in Alexandria.

What is Hermetica II?

Hermetica II (2022) is the Technical Hermetica. These texts and other pseudepigrapha included by Litwa in these hermetic translations have historically been considered apart from the main texts known collectively as the Corpus Hermeticum.

Hermetica II includes: The Excerpts of Stobaeus, Papyrus Fragments, and Ancient Testimonies. Litwa contributions are groundbreaking to the study of the Hermetica, Hermetism and Hermeticism. He builds on Brian Copenhaver’s seminal translation of the Corpus Hermeticum.

This meticulously crafted volume presents fresh English translations of scattered fragments and testimonies related to Hermes Thrice Great, spanning antiquity to the Middle Ages. Litwa is a distinguished scholar of early Christianity and Greco-Roman religions and he enriches these texts with insightful notes and an introduction that contextualizes their significance within the broader tapestry of Western esotericism.

One of my favourite parts of Hermetica II is (page 164):

Each of these has its counterpart in the four elements: sight aligns with fire, hearing with air, smell with water, and taste with earth.

Just this short quote from the text shows why people have called it the technical hermetica. From the nuances of body-soul-nous/daimon relationship, energies of the body, reincarnation of the soul, Hermetica II gives answers to many of the questions you might have about the details of hermetic spirituality.

Hermetica II is simply an essential resource for students and scholars eager to explore the enduring legacy of Hermetic thought across Egyptian, Greek, Roman, Arabic, and medieval European traditions.