The Hymns of Hermes

by G.R.S. Mead

These writings are attributed to Hermes Trismegistus an ancient Egyptian the founder of all arts and sciences both mundane and spiritual. Rather than being an actual person Hermes is, in reality, the Egyptian personification of the Gnostic Revealer. In addition to providing translations of the beautiful Greek hymns from the ancient Hermetic writing, Mead offers an interpretation which is sympathetic personal and full of insight. This little volume which might well be called initiatory is an excellent introduction to the Hermetic Gnosis.

Genres: Alchemy, Gnosticism

83 pages, Paperback

First published November 30, 1906

About the author

George Robert Stowe Mead, who always published under the initialism G.R.S. Mead, was a historian, writer, editor, translator, and an influential member of the Theosophical Society, as well as founder of the Quest Society. His scholarly works dealt mainly with the Hermetic and Gnostic religions of Late Antiquity, and were exhaustive for the time period.

Reviews

[Darrell Kinney · Rating 2 out of 5]

I like short presentations of philosophical subjects so I thought i'd give this one a try. I appreciated the selection of the hymns, but will look for another treatment of the teachings of Hermes Trismegistus because I found that Mead's commentaries to be more akin to sermons on the nature of his particular notion of a transcendental God rather than an exegesis of Egyptian and Grecian gnostic texts. I do give it two stars however because this work attempts to revive a stream of thought found in the renaissance and Mead did good work with the promulgation of the interesting text the Pistis Sophia. I recommend readers interested in hermeticism begin with the Kybalion

[Mitchell26 McLaughlin · Rating 4 out of 5]

Though short, Mead brings forth the relevant information. The only down side is that because he was a Theosophist the short volume did not get the hype that truly belongs to it.

[Rob Chappell · Rating 5 out of 5]

I can recall reading an earlier edition of this book (which featured much smaller print!) back in 1990 or so and being quite impressed with it. Now after revisiting it in recent weeks (with this edition, in LARGE PRINT -- YAY!), I find myself being quite impressed all over again. The author provides a lucid and concise introduction to the Hermetic literature and worldview at the start of the book before translating and commenting upon selected hymns to the Supreme God from the Hermetic corpus. The language of the translated hymns is a bit archaic, but no more so than that of many Christian hymns that are still in widespread use. :) The commentaries to each hymn are, like the introduction, lucid and concise, setting each hymn within the context of the tractate that it was excerpted from and explaining allusions in the text that might be unclear for readers who are not familiar with the Hermetic literature.

All in all, this is a good introduction to Hermeticism through its poetry. I wish that a classical composer could set these hymns to music -- it would be very good for listening and/or chanting along! :)

[Saleris · Rating 2 out of 5]

The writing is a bit overblown, but accurate considering the time period/philosophy. I'm not sure why I bought it and read it, but I did. I could have done worse.

[Maan Kawas · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very interesting read!