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Hermetics Is Tied To Western Culture, Even If The Practice Is Not Exclusively Western

The Biblical parables are the lessons taught by the Lord Jesus Christ when He walked the Earth approximately 2000 years ago. The word “parables” literally means “words.” The Lord used these parables as analogies to explain in simple terms the circumstances of life terrestrial and celestial, to express proper and moral conduct, and the lawful consequences of actions. These symbols remain understandable through time because the content of the stories does not depend upon the language or dialect they are told in. Through the understanding and observance of the simple parables one can embark upon spiritual development on the path of Saintliness. Saintliness being the strict observance of Heavenly Commandments. This is a sure but very slow process.

However, the Biblical Script also makes mention of the Sacred Mysteries. These are often eluded to but never really talked about. The intimate knowledge of these mysteries enabled the many Biblical miracles to have taken place through some of the main characters of the Bible. These abilities are only miracles to those who are ignorant of the Mysteries. To those at that level of maturity they are a very exact and predictable science.

There have been tales and legends of holy men throughout time and in all cultures who’s spiritual maturity enabled them to perform deeds that were considered miraculous. These invariably were students of the Hermetic Sciences, having already acquired the appropriate level of maturity – Adepts.

The Mysteries start with Hermetics – the first tarot card. The subject of Hermetics is named after the Egyptian high priest Hermes Trismagistus, also known as Thoth. The study of Hermetics strictly speaking is therefore the study of the wisdom of Hermes, also known to the ancient Greeks as “the messenger of the Gods.”

This old Hermetic knowledge when studied and practiced conscientiously enables a human being to more actively participate in serving the will of Divine Providence while quietly helping humanity. As profound and all encompassing as the wisdom of Hermetics is, it is merely the first step towards understanding and participating in the Sacred Mysteries. Yet, it can be a life long endeavor for most or considerably shorter for the more gifted or determined.

Having power is not for the immature. It never has been. Power can tempt and corrupt a person of a lesser moral fiber. The ancient writings of Hermes and others were always deliberately written in a very veiled manner to protect the practice and knowledge of hermetics from being profaned and abused. With power there is always the temptation towards personal, selfish purposes. We are very fortunate indeed in our times to have this full hermetic knowledge available to us though the work of Franz Bardon. Even as it is, abuses are not likely because without maturity no one is trusted with the power that comes with hermetics. Everything must be earned through hard work.

There are several motion pictures and television programs that display people having various magical abilities. These abilities seem to be natural and in-born. The reality is very different. These abilities are not possible without spiritual discipline, and training. For those who train for it these abilities are sustainable. The training is not simple. It takes time, effort, restraint, and control over oneself. There is no short cut. Nor is there glamour. The work that is to be done is done out of Love not the thirst for power or fame. It is a personal and private endeavor.

Event though Hermetics is part of Christian Mysticism and the Christian Mysteries it is understandable that because of the distortions made to modern day Christianity one might not recognize this as such. It should be remembered that there is only One leader of Christianity and that is Christ. All others are imposters and do everything in there power to keep Christianity from the world and would be Christians. This statement need not be believed. One simply needs to look at history and observe the behavior of those who have called themselves or made themselves the leaders of Christianity. Paracelsus says it best! Belief in Christ and to live by the Commandments are the only prerequisite to being Christian. This is not and was never expected to be a blind belief. Only the institutions of Christianity expect and have enforced a blind belief. Having been endowed with Free Will we are allowed to search for the Truth ourselves.

The very first starting point for any kind of Spiritual development is to understand basic principles of existence; meaning the laws that govern all life on the physical, astral and spiritual planes. Without this basic information we are like carpenters without knowledge of the nature of wood – attempting to work with wood without a concept of what woodworking tools do. Clearly any efforts made while being so ill equipped will be futile or even dangerous. This fundamental information is almost always left out by religions and the various schools of spiritual teaching.

Once acquainted with where we are and the order of what governs existence, we set out to find our place in things. This means we must find out who we really are because this determines where we stand in the hierarchy of things, where we are going, and the consequences we might create. In short we must know ourselves in order to navigate not only our terrestrial life but also when we depart this life and find ourselves in the beyond.

Knowing ourselves involves cold bloodedly examining our virtues and vices, systematically separating them and eliminating the negative characteristics. This is also the very great mystery of the “forgiveness of sin,” which has nothing to do with confessing to a confessor who is most likely more laden with shortcomings than the confessee. This basic concept is largely misrepresented by modern religion. This effort removes a lot of unnecessary pain and impediment from our existence.

Only by knowing yourself well can you progress. Then and only then are you aware that it is you and you alone who is standing in your own way – keeping you from the potential of your Spirit. Once the obstacles are removed you can start to develop your senses, travel astrally, heal others, and get out of the ever-present influence of Karma (reaping what we have sown) and infinitely more.

Initiation into Hermetics teaches how to accomplish all of these important first steps and much, much more.