You can read the Zelator by Mark Hedsel, which relates the story of a modern hermeticist/mystic. (modern being after 1950). There are some references to long dead folks, but still it's a very present sort of effect.

You can't really point to 'hermeticism' and say it's this or that, like you can with catholicism or buddhism or something. I think that's a good thing. The Hermetic practitioner can pull from hundreds of traditions, eastern philosophy to western science, and still have something workable.

Another thing: Hermetic practitioners seem to be private folks. Bardon's admonition to not tell anyone your progress seems key. As does the preface at the beginning of the Zelator. That john has shared rituals with us on another tribe seems...really big to me.

Hermeticism was never widely practiced. You'd never say it was Popular. You look at the guys from the Renaissance or medieval times, and there are only a few who's works survive and are popular. Most of the practitioners were probably quiet about it, because it could/can get you kicked out of your church, your lodge, your marriage, all kinds of things. To those who don't understand, it can seem to be an unsavory sort of practice.

I think you see it, in modern times, under the guises of other sorts of things. Psychology, meditation, popular science or relgious books. Just like you did.

Under "hermeticism" at the library, I have 4 titles, all since 1999. "THe Zelator", "The secret teachings of all ages" by Manly P. Hall, "The hermetica: lost wisdom of the Pharoahs" by timothy frake (which I'm told is a load of hooey, but have not read myself), "The tower of alchemy : an advanced guide to the great work", by david goddard.

Now, I know Secret teachings was published earlier, as was the Zelator, but I don't know about the others. You could always write a book, and give us your take on it. I'd buy it. :-)

There's a good book called "The Emerald Tablet" (not the actual tablet) by Dennis W. Hauck...I think it's a decent introduction to alchemy/hermetics, I've learned a lot from it.

One of the things I like about this book is that it isn't so esoteric that you need someone to explain it to you. I also isn't all theory. The first section is called "Launching the Journey", it is seven pages long.

The second section is called "The Practices". It contains tweleve chapters and each chapter is devoted to one practice. Each practice contains one idea for the reader to practice. I think what I like about this book is that it offers the reader a new, and perhaps better, way to look at life.

Now that I think about it I have read other books that I liked for the same reason. Perhaps my favorite is "Love is Letting Go of Fear" by Jerry Jampolski. This book is really a condensation of the ideas in "A Course in Miracles", which is probably the ultimate book of transformational practices.

Perhaps I should retitle this thread to "What transformational books do You like?"

Friends,

I agree that the modern field is lacking in comparison to the Renaissance when it reached a peak. Nonetheless the old philosophers still have quite a bit to offer. Its hard to imagine a contemporary writer on Hermetiscism who has not had a firm grasp of the tradition as expounded by its early proponents. Perhaps another reason why there are scarely any contemporary writers on the subject stems from the fact that many modern writers are pursuing contemporary methods.

Nigel Jackson has a new book out called Celestial Magic which is fill with Hermetic magic. This is not just a historical piece, but actually a practical approch which utilizes an informed Hermeticism.


WM

The title of your post caught my eye because I recently bought a book callled (natch) "The New Hermetics" by Jason Augustus Newcombe. Essentialy, this guy does what you're proposing, trying to relate Hermetics and esoterism to modern techniques (and successfully to me, though more experienced and knowledgable Hermetics and mages might not feel the same).

Essentially, Newcombe has developed a system that introduces one to the Hermetic Sciences and certain modern techniques and practices for a system that anyone can get into easily. He incorporates Jung's ideas of archetypes and the collective unconscious, Neuro Linguistic Programming, and Timothy Leary's Eight Circuit Model of Consciousness into his system for self-initiation, correlating it to Kabbalah, Alchemy, Astrology, etc., creating a model that combines spirit and science in a way that, at least for me, resonates deeply. The model for self-initiation he presents is (I believe) based on the Golden Dawn Levels of Initiation (though the book only reaches the fifth Level, the rest to presented in a another book; he is very clear to warn, though, that one shouldn't aspire to the higher Levels until one has passed through every single of the other Levels). It has been very helpful to this neophyte in that it grounds in modern psychology a lot of the more abstract concepts I have come across in my short time of study and gives practical and simple techniques for visualization, meditation, and getting in touch with your Inner Self.

The book begins with a lengthy but clear introduction to the subjects it contains, and is more directed at a true newbie so some already familiar with the basics of Hermetics and Esoterism will probably not learn anything new. Each Level of Initiation has its own chapter focusing on the Correspondences of each Sephirah, and introducing the different techniques that he believes are helpful for the Initiate when learning about each Level. Like I said, the book only reaches the Tiphareth Level of Initiation, and there is a section at the end that kind of sums everything up and gives you some good leads to follow to learn more. There are also various appendices that are helpful.

The introduction is written by Lon Milo Duquette who, from the little I've read by him and about him, seems to know his shit and is well respected, and he recommends the book.

Hope this helps.