The Corpus Hermetica

These ancient writings come out of Egypt during a time when Greek and Latin philosophy were at their peak. The people to whom they were addressed are thought to be fictitious, much as the Greek writers wrote to fictitious characters, but the content of the treatises was largely responsible for waking up Europe before the Renaissance. They have long been the influence for the Hermetic way of life.


"Enoch was the first who invented books and different sorts of writing. The ancient Greeks declare that Enoch is the same as Mercury Trismegistus (Hermes), and that he taught the sons of men the art of building cities, and enacted some admirable laws...He discovered the knowledge of the Zodiac, and the course of the Planets; and he pointed out to the sons of men, that they should worship God, that they should fast, that they should pray, that they should give alms, votive offerings, and tenths. He reprobated abominable foods and drunkenness, and appointed festivals for sacrifices to the Sun, at each of the Zodiacal Signs."—Hebraeus