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The Quest For Hermes Trismegistus: From Ancient Egypt to the Modern World
From the sands of Alexandria via the Renaissance palaces of the Medicis, to our own times, this spiritual adventure story traces the profound influence of Hermes Trismegistus -- the 'thrice-great one', as he was often called -- on the western mind. For centuries his name ranked among the most illustrious of the ancient world. Considered by some a contemporary of Moses and a forerunner of Christ, this almost mythical figure arose in fourth century BC Alexandria, from a fusion of the Egyptian god Thoth and the Greek god Hermes. Master of magic, writing, science, and philosophy, Hermes was thought to have walked with gods and be the source of the divine wisdom granted to man at the dawn of time. Gary Lachman has written many books exploring ancient traditions for the modern mind. In The Quest for Hermes Trismegistus , he brings to life the mysterious character of this great spiritual guide, exposing the many theories and stories surrounding him, and revitalizing his teachings for the modern world. Through centuries of wars, conquests and religious persecutions, the fragile pages of the teachings of Hermes Trismegistus have still survived. This is a book for all thinkers and enquirers who want to recover that lost knowledge and awaken a shift in human consciousness.
248 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 2011
60 people are currently reading
554 people want to read
About the author
Gary Lachman
65 books445 followersGary Lachman is an American writer and musician. Lachman is best known to readers of mysticism and the occult from the numerous articles and books he has published.
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Displaying 1 - 23 of 23 reviews
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June 19, 2019DNF so far.
Q:
Steiner, who at the age of twenty-two was given the task of editing Goethe’s scientific writings, was also deeply influenced by the poet’s work on plant morphology, The Metamorphosis of Plants. Here Goethe spoke of what he called ‘active seeing’, a way of observing nature that saw it as living, developing, and purposeful, not as the ‘dead’ mechanism of Mersenne and Descartes. In nature Goethe recognized an animated whole that expressed itself in its innumerable creations and their perpetual transformation, a perception that Ficino or Fludd would have shared. ‘Active seeing’ is a way of participating with the thing observed, and not, as the new scientific method proposed, of remaining ‘detached’ and ‘objective’ toward it, which meant, in effect, to treat it as if it were ‘dead’, with no reality other than that which could be weighed and measured. As Goethe practised ‘active seeing’, he discovered that he could perceive what he called the Urpflanze, the archetypal plant from which all others derived, a kind of Platonic ‘blueprint’ that, while not immediately ‘visible’ to the untrained eye, can nevertheless be perceived through focussed attention to a plant throughout all its stages of development. The key here is that the observer’s consciousness enters into a kind of union with the plant or other object of observation. For Goethe it also happened when he viewed Strasbourg Cathedral during its construction; he could, without seeing the plans, tell before it was finished how the completed structure would look.13 That is, through his imagination, Goethe could, when practising ‘active seeing’, enter into the inner being of whatever he was observing, in the way that the philosopher Bergson argued ‘intuition’ could. Here ‘imagination’ is not understood in the reductive sense of ‘unreal’ but in the sense given it by Hermetic thinkers such as Ficino and Suhrawardi, as a means of entering the Hūrqalyā, the Imaginal World or anima mundi that mediates between the world of pure abstraction (Plato’s Ideas) and physical reality (in Goethe’s case, a plant or a cathedral). Another area in which Goethe applied ‘active seeing’ was in optics, and in his Theory of Colour he famously challenged Newton’s discoveries about light, which he argued were obtained through a kind of ‘torture’ of natural phenomena. (с)
Q:
Steiner, who at the age of twenty-two was given the task of editing Goethe’s scientific writings, was also deeply influenced by the poet’s work on plant morphology, The Metamorphosis of Plants. Here Goethe spoke of what he called ‘active seeing’, a way of observing nature that saw it as living, developing, and purposeful, not as the ‘dead’ mechanism of Mersenne and Descartes. In nature Goethe recognized an animated whole that expressed itself in its innumerable creations and their perpetual transformation, a perception that Ficino or Fludd would have shared. ‘Active seeing’ is a way of participating with the thing observed, and not, as the new scientific method proposed, of remaining ‘detached’ and ‘objective’ toward it, which meant, in effect, to treat it as if it were ‘dead’, with no reality other than that which could be weighed and measured. As Goethe practised ‘active seeing’, he discovered that he could perceive what he called the Urpflanze, the archetypal plant from which all others derived, a kind of Platonic ‘blueprint’ that, while not immediately ‘visible’ to the untrained eye, can nevertheless be perceived through focussed attention to a plant throughout all its stages of development. The key here is that the observer’s consciousness enters into a kind of union with the plant or other object of observation. For Goethe it also happened when he viewed Strasbourg Cathedral during its construction; he could, without seeing the plans, tell before it was finished how the completed structure would look.13 That is, through his imagination, Goethe could, when practising ‘active seeing’, enter into the inner being of whatever he was observing, in the way that the philosopher Bergson argued ‘intuition’ could. Here ‘imagination’ is not understood in the reductive sense of ‘unreal’ but in the sense given it by Hermetic thinkers such as Ficino and Suhrawardi, as a means of entering the Hūrqalyā, the Imaginal World or anima mundi that mediates between the world of pure abstraction (Plato’s Ideas) and physical reality (in Goethe’s case, a plant or a cathedral). Another area in which Goethe applied ‘active seeing’ was in optics, and in his Theory of Colour he famously challenged Newton’s discoveries about light, which he argued were obtained through a kind of ‘torture’ of natural phenomena. (с)
April 5, 2023
If you are deep into gnostic studies, you will already know most of this, but it is just deep enough to serve as a clarifying overview and mnemonic. If you're just starting out, this is a fine beginning!
July 26, 2020
A fascinating account of an esoteric school of thought separate from Rationalism or Gnosticism that's been around for thousands of years and mostly relegated to underground status. I was surprised to see how often it's teachings have resurfaced and influenced Western thinkers throughout the ages. Definitely a curious eye opener, and it'll color my understanding as I explore truth.
July 11, 2018
I would like to see someone attempt to compile textual and archeological evidence of the legitimacy of Hermes' existence and his impact on history. Otherwise I'll need to bite my tongue and tentatively see the stories about him, and his impact as historical fiction. This is a good book on understanding the proposed narrative of the occult, but is not sufficient for me to accept the truth of its history .
December 7, 2020
Very easy read and a great overview of the subject. My only reservation is that it suffers a little bit from the same criticism that used to be levelled at Lachlan's idol, Colin Wilson. Namely, that after a while it starts to read like a book of quotes. I found myself wondering what Lachlan actually thought after a while and when he does speculate it seems to be a little bit weak and based on the flimsier accounts he's quoting from.
That being said, I was after an introductory history of the topic and this book serves that purpose very well.
I'll certainly be reading some of his other books but with the expectation that they are reading lists for further exploration rather than in depth studies in their own right.
That being said, I was after an introductory history of the topic and this book serves that purpose very well.
I'll certainly be reading some of his other books but with the expectation that they are reading lists for further exploration rather than in depth studies in their own right.
July 4, 2017
Great work.
Am thoroughly enjoying Lachman's work & evolutionary development of consciousness. Interesting, informative, & all together, a major culminated writings. All the books I've read so far seem to have followed on, & been a development of the last piece of work, & that has kept me gripping the edge of my seat, curious as to what will come next.
This book has given me a thorough understanding of hermeticism & its journey through the ages.
Again, thank you for the brilliant work you are producing, & all the research you must be doing to be able to compile so much detailed information. Brilliant stuff!
Am thoroughly enjoying Lachman's work & evolutionary development of consciousness. Interesting, informative, & all together, a major culminated writings. All the books I've read so far seem to have followed on, & been a development of the last piece of work, & that has kept me gripping the edge of my seat, curious as to what will come next.
This book has given me a thorough understanding of hermeticism & its journey through the ages.
Again, thank you for the brilliant work you are producing, & all the research you must be doing to be able to compile so much detailed information. Brilliant stuff!
January 18, 2016
This is a fascinating study on Hermes Trismegistus...his transformations and origins. As he meanders through history, he is perceived by people in many different personas, according to the predominant psychological and philosophical timbre of the age considered. And now we are coming full circle as people who follow the Ancient Egyptian Reconstructionist path once again recognize him as the deity Djehuti. Very well-written, I would highly recommend it.
December 3, 2016
Although I consider myself well versed on the subject matter, the author impressed me with small details I wasn't aware of and expanded my view with his unique insight into where Hermeticism began and where it's headed. His list of sources is alone worth the price of admission. I added half a dozen works to my Alibris wish list. Excellent book. Highly recommended for anyone interested in the Thrice Great One. You don't read a book like this one every day!
December 14, 2014
Classic. One if the many delights of Lachman's book, particularly his unofficial consciousness trilogy (*), is that he encapsulates the ideas of many theorists and philosophers who have been forgotten, Gebser for instance. If you have even the slightest interest in Hermeticism, this book is sure to delight.
August 23, 2012
I think this book was a masterpiece from Gary Lachman. It's only 250 pages long, but there's so much valuable and well-researched information about the history of ideas, science, religion, occult, philosophy etc. Highly recommended!
June 19, 2015
I have studied several books by Gary Lachman; All excellent. I find acumen in his writings on Jung, the revolutionaries of the soul, and Hermes. I admire anyone that balances scholarship, critical thinking, and perception in and Gary Lachman hits three-run homers on these books. Go Gary Go!
October 20, 2025
I really liked the first 1/3 of the book which introduced the "persona" of Hermes Trismegistus and set him, and "his" teachings, within the culture, philosophy and religion of ancient Egypt and ancient Greece. This part was very interesting to me because it dealt directly with the subject matter. I also liked the final 1/4 of the book which dealt with the Hermetic worldview-philosophy in a modern 21st-century world, and all its many possible contributions for humanity. (This part I really wish had been longer - though I think the author has no doubt written about this subject in his other books.) Unfortunately, the middle section of the book frankly bored me: it dealt with the dozen or so plus followers and naysayers of Hermes and his philosophy (and their own adaptation of it) over hundreds of years and throughout Europe. If this section hadn't been so dry, I would have given the book "4 stars".
November 18, 2021
The perfect book for understanding the origins of Hermetic Philosophy and the path it has traveled. A nice historical account viewed from different angles that allows you to get to know the dominant figures who pushed these thoughts forward as well as those who tried to destroy them. This book also does a nice job of mixing in some of the core beliefs of hermeticism so the reader can grasp a solid understanding of some of the main principles. Perfect first read for anyone wanting to know more about Hermes Trismegistus
July 14, 2025
Very informative. The author has a broad vision on, and great knowledge of esoteric history and presents some interesting facts and connections I hadn´t seen before.
The Dutch translation could have been better here and there, but caused only minor irritations.
The Dutch translation could have been better here and there, but caused only minor irritations.
November 12, 2020
Mooi boek over oeroude mystieke wijsheid. Soms wat al te veel op de wetenschappelijke toer, maar heb het met plezier gelezen. Ik duik nog wat verder in de wereld van gnosis en mystiek.
May 26, 2021
I now possess the lost wisdom of the ancients, which is pretty cool.
Want to read
November 5, 2022fivebooks thread 11/5/22
https://twitter.com/JimHarp18814109/s...
https://twitter.com/JimHarp18814109/s...
April 11, 2025
Hermetic philosophy throughout the ages. Very interesting read.
February 24, 2013
Another enjoyable survey book from Gary Lachman - he's become quite adept at relating esoteric and "occult" knowledge to the lay reader. Whilst not too arcane or in-depth an exploration of the Hermes Trismegistus "phenomenon", Quest... is penetrating enough to satisfy a true knowledge seeker and Lachman does provide ample notes and bibliography for additional explorations. In that, it's a work that knows its limitations and works well within them - it does an admirable job conveying the ideas and history of H.T. in its 216pp. A good read, no pun intended.
September 7, 2021
A history of Hermetic spirituality. This is my introduction to the Hermetic world, so I can't vouch for its accuracy. Lachman is a lively writer, and he covers a lot of ground quickly and well. His book 'Secret Teachers Of Western Civilization' has a lot of the same information. I'm looking forward to reading more of his books. What it seems to come down to is refining consciousness.
November 11, 2013
A good general overview, yet this one is more general than Lachman's others - perhaps due to the nature of his material.
January 22, 2014
A good explanation of how all the Hermes Trismegistus, Rosicrucian, etc. stuff hangs together.
December 26, 2016
Never got past reading the sample.
Displaying 1 - 23 of 23 reviews