Christian Bull, expert on the way of Hermes in antiquity, discusses renunciation, immortalisation, and hypercosmic ascent in the hermetic texts. The podcast explores connections between hermetic texts and Gnosticism, the challenges of dating technical hermetica, the hermetic way as a means of knowing God and gaining knowledge of the cosmos, the concept of Guinea Chor and its connection to rebirth, ascetic practices and tests of a spiritual seeker, the importance of statues in ancient Egypt, and the presence of apocalyptic literature criticizing the rule of the Ptolemies and the Romans.
The Hermetica emphasize the ritual significance of statues as conduits for divine presence, aligning with Egyptian temple cults.
The Hermetica outline a spiritual journey of descent, rebirth, and immortality, paralleling other religious and philosophical systems of the time.
The relationship between the Hermetica and Gnosticism is complex, with shared themes and influences but distinct differences in focus and ideology.
Deep dives
The Hermetic Way: An Egyptian Religious Movement
Christian Hervigbol's book challenges the prevailing view that the Hermetica were purely a literate phenomenon and suggests that there was an Egyptian religious movement behind them. He identifies a consensus among scholars, including Jean-Pierre Mayé and Garth Hauden, that there was a community behind these texts. The texts themselves refer to the "way of immortality" and indicate the existence of hymns and internal references, suggesting a community. Scholars like David Rudgley associate these texts with Egyptian priests who were well-versed in philosophy. Hervigbol highlights the importance of the ritual aspect in the Hermetica, in which the disciples were born again and made immortal. The discourse on statues in the Asclepius reveals a deep knowledge of Egyptian temple cults, emphasizing the role of statues as a conduit for divine presence. He also notes the Egyptian belief in a future decline of cults and the departure of gods from Egypt, as depicted in the Asclepius. Overall, Hervigbol argues that there is evidence of an Egyptian religious influence in the Hermetica, challenging the notion that they were solely a Greek phenomenon.
The Ritual Significance of Statues in the Hermetica
The Hermetica emphasize the ritual aspect of statues as conduits for divine presence. They are made from specific materials attuned to divine powers and the souls of angels or demons are summoned into them. The statues require constant prayers and sacrifices to maintain their presence. This concept aligns with Egyptian temple cults, where statues were believed to house the souls of gods. The Asclepius prophecy warns of a time when faithful worship would be hindered, causing the gods to leave their statues and Egypt. This underscores the belief that the presence of statues and divine worship sustains the cosmic and social order. The Hermetica reflect the Egyptian practice of bringing life to inanimate objects. Thus, the ritual significance of statues in the Hermetica supports the idea of an Egyptian religious influence.
The Concept of Rebirth and Ascent in the Hermetica
The Hermetica outline a spiritual journey that involves a descent and rebirth leading to immortality. The initial stage requires separating oneself from the world and perceiving the body as a hindrance. The following stage focuses on gaining knowledge of the cosmos, realizing its illusory nature, and seeking the true essence beyond it. The rebirth involves receiving divine powers that banish darkness and transform the soul into a divine mind. The soul's ubiquity and identification with the cosmic order symbolize a higher synthesis of being. Despite reaching immortality, there is an aspiration in some texts to ascend further and hear the hymn of the eighth realm, indicating that the journey may continue. The concepts of rebirth and ascent parallel traditions found in other religious and philosophical systems of the time.
The Influence of Gnosticism on the Hermetica
The relationship between the Hermetica and Gnosticism is complex and not clearly defined. Gnosticism encompasses various movements and beliefs, making it difficult to establish a direct connection. Some similarities exist, such as the emphasis on ascent and the presence of dualistic and monistic elements in both traditions. Figures like Valentinus and the concept of the Ogdoas appear in both Gnostic and Hermetic texts. However, the Hermetica's focus on self-knowledge and the integration of the material world differs from Gnostic ideologies. While there may be shared themes and influences, defining a concrete relationship between the Hermetica and Gnosticism remains challenging.
Challenging the View of the Hermetica as Purely Greek
Traditionally, the Hermetica have been considered a predominantly Greek phenomenon, with minimal Egyptian influence. However, Hervigbol challenges this view by arguing for an Egyptian religious movement behind the texts. Despite being written in Greek, the Hermetica show signs of Egyptian religious practices and knowledge. Knowledge of ancient Egyptian temple cults, the importance of statues as conduits for divine presence, and the belief in prophecy about the decline of cults and the departure of gods from Egypt suggest an Egyptian religious connection. Hervigbol suggests that the Egyptian priests, well-versed in philosophy, put their teachings in the name of Hermes Trismegistus, who was their tutelary god. This Egyptian religious influence challenges the notion that the Hermetica were solely a product of Greek philosophy.
In our final episode in the Hermetica series, we discuss the way of Hermes in antiquity with Christian Hervik Bull. Come for the renunciation, immortalisation, and hypercosmic ascent, stay for the animated statues.
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