{"id":27788,"date":"2023-02-02T01:10:08","date_gmt":"2023-02-02T05:10:08","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/paganpages.org\/emagazine\/?p=27788"},"modified":"2023-02-01T00:57:28","modified_gmt":"2023-02-01T04:57:28","slug":"book-review-11-3","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/paganpages.org\/emagazine\/2023\/02\/02\/book-review-11-3\/","title":{"rendered":"Book Review \u2013 The Light of Hermes Trismegistus: New Translations of Seven Essential Hermetic Texts by Charles Stein"},"content":{"rendered":"<h1><span style=\"font-family: Liberation Serif, serif;\"><span style=\"font-size: x-large;\"><b>Book Review<\/b><\/span><\/span><\/h1>\n<h1><span style=\"font-family: Liberation Serif, serif;\"><span style=\"font-size: x-large;\"><b>The Light of Hermes Trismegistus<\/b><\/span><\/span><\/h1>\n<h1><span style=\"font-family: Liberation Serif, serif;\"><span style=\"font-size: x-large;\"><b>New Translations of Seven<\/b><\/span><\/span><\/h1>\n<h1><span style=\"font-family: Liberation Serif, serif;\"><span style=\"font-size: x-large;\"><b>Essential Hermetic Texts<\/b><\/span><\/span><\/h1>\n<h1><span style=\"font-family: Liberation Serif, serif;\"><span style=\"font-size: x-large;\"><b>by Charles Stein<\/b><\/span><\/span><\/h1>\n<h1><span style=\"font-family: Liberation Serif, serif;\"><span style=\"font-size: x-large;\"><b>Publisher: Inner Traditions<\/b><\/span><\/span><\/h1>\n<h1><span style=\"font-family: Liberation Serif, serif;\"><span style=\"font-size: x-large;\"><b>352 Pages<\/b><\/span><\/span><\/h1>\n<h1><span style=\"font-family: Liberation Serif, serif;\"><span style=\"font-size: x-large;\"><b>Publication Date: December 6, 2022<\/b><\/span><\/span><\/h1>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-family: Liberation Serif, serif;\"><span style=\"font-size: x-large;\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone wp-image-27789\" src=\"https:\/\/paganpages.org\/emagazine\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/01\/Hermes-Trismegistus.png\" alt=\"\" width=\"167\" height=\"250\" srcset=\"https:\/\/paganpages.org\/emagazine\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/01\/Hermes-Trismegistus.png 350w, https:\/\/paganpages.org\/emagazine\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/01\/Hermes-Trismegistus-200x300.png 200w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 167px) 100vw, 167px\" \/><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-family: Liberation Serif, serif;\"><span style=\"font-size: large;\">This book is a unique compilation of seven texts and excerpts\/fragments of texts that Stein considers to be essential to Hermeticism. These texts have never been published together and are translated by Stein from Greek or Latin. The included works are:<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"list-style-type: none;\">\n<ul>\n<li><span style=\"font-family: Liberation Serif, serif;\"><span style=\"font-size: large;\">The <\/span><\/span><span style=\"font-family: Liberation Serif, serif;\"><span style=\"font-size: large;\"><i>Theogony<\/i><\/span><\/span><span style=\"font-family: Liberation Serif, serif;\"><span style=\"font-size: large;\"> of Hesiod <\/span><\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"list-style-type: none;\">\n<ul>\n<li><span style=\"font-family: Liberation Serif, serif;\"><span style=\"font-size: large;\"><i>The Homeric Hymn to Hermes<\/i><\/span><\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"list-style-type: none;\">\n<ul>\n<li><span style=\"font-family: Liberation Serif, serif;\"><span style=\"font-size: large;\">The \u201cPoem of Parmenides\u201d<\/span><\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"list-style-type: none;\">\n<ul>\n<li><span style=\"font-family: Liberation Serif, serif;\"><span style=\"font-size: large;\">The <\/span><\/span><span style=\"font-family: Liberation Serif, serif;\"><span style=\"font-size: large;\"><i>Chaldean Oracles<\/i><\/span><\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"list-style-type: none;\">\n<ul>\n<li>\u201c<span style=\"font-family: Liberation Serif, serif;\"><span style=\"font-size: large;\">The Vision of Isis\u201d from the <\/span><\/span><span style=\"font-family: Liberation Serif, serif;\"><span style=\"font-size: large;\"><i>Metamorphosis<\/i><\/span><\/span><span style=\"font-family: Liberation Serif, serif;\"><span style=\"font-size: large;\"> of Apuleius<\/span><\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"list-style-type: none;\">\n<ul>\n<li>\u201c<span style=\"font-family: Liberation Serif, serif;\"><span style=\"font-size: large;\">On Divine Virtue<\/span><\/span><span style=\"font-family: Liberation Serif, serif;\"><span style=\"font-size: large;\">\u201d by Zosimos of Panopolis <\/span><\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><span style=\"font-family: Liberation Serif, serif;\"><span style=\"font-size: large;\">The subject is introduced at the start of each chapter with appropriate context and any other necessary details that could aid the reader as they take in the translated text. Then the author dives into the nitty gritty outlining the text\u2019s connection to Hermetics; geeking out on language, translation, and grammar; and expanding on any other aspects the author found interesting and embodied the Hermetic Genius. I\u2019ll share my two favorite takeaways below.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-family: Liberation Serif, serif;\"><span style=\"font-size: large;\">The chapter on The <\/span><\/span><span style=\"font-family: Liberation Serif, serif;\"><span style=\"font-size: large;\"><i>Theogony<\/i><\/span><\/span><span style=\"font-family: Liberation Serif, serif;\"><span style=\"font-size: large;\"> of Hesiod, Stein discusses how The <\/span><\/span><span style=\"font-family: Liberation Serif, serif;\"><span style=\"font-size: large;\"><i>Theogony<\/i><\/span><\/span><span style=\"font-family: Liberation Serif, serif;\"><span style=\"font-size: large;\"> wasn\u2019t just a proclamation of lineage of the gods but a bit of the history of the emergence of the cosmology of the Ancient Greeks. The use of Middle Voice (as opposed to Active or Passive voices) as a means to speak something into existence means that each time the poem is performed, the gods are created. To take it one step further, the bard becomes the muse as they recite. <\/span><\/span><span style=\"font-family: Liberation Serif, serif;\"><span style=\"font-size: large;\">Similarly, in \u201cOn Divine Virtue,\u201d Stein comments that \u201cto deal with a god one must in some manner become that god: one must align oneself on his attributes, resonate with his particular set of vibratory frequencies.\u201d <\/span><\/span><span style=\"font-family: Liberation Serif, serif;\"><span style=\"font-size: large;\">This is what we magicians do when we cast spells, we are more than parrots repeating chosen words, we become the god that speaks our desires into being.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-family: Liberation Serif, serif;\"><span style=\"font-size: large;\">In the chapter on <\/span><\/span><span style=\"font-family: Liberation Serif, serif;\"><span style=\"font-size: large;\"><i>The Homeric Hymn to Hermes, <\/i><\/span><\/span><span style=\"font-family: Liberation Serif, serif;\"><span style=\"font-size: large;\">Stein discusses Hermes\u2019 sacrifice of a tortoise to make a lyre, which he eventually gives to Apollo. Stein discusses how the gruesome end of the reptile demonstrates the \u201cinseparability of good and evil,\u201d that is a Hermetic theme as the tortoise\u2019s death marks the start of his career making the music of the gods. Thus, this is one demonstration of Hermes being both ends of any spectrum, and everything in between \u2013 ambiguous, just as human nature is. <\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-family: Liberation Serif, serif;\"><span style=\"font-size: large;\">The book reads like a heavy academic article, which may either excite or deter one from picking up a copy. Personally, I found it very dense and hard to parse. This may be because I\u2019m closer to the start of my study of Hermetics and alchemy, but it could also be because academic articles are frequently complex, filled with jargon, and rarely suited for a general audience. I found myself having re-read pages and frequently pause to look up words in the dictionary (thus expanding my vocabulary \u2013 not the worst thing to happen to me). Having to do my own interpretation to understand what was written was tiring, but ultimately, I believe I enjoyed the brain exercise (to an extent). Besides, \u201cthe occult does not cease being hidden even when it is revealed,\u201d as Stein states on page 301 \u2013 if you are looking for a book on the occult written in language that feels accessible, this is not it. All that said, I enjoyed revisiting some of the texts that I had not studied since college, and especially enjoyed adding a magical lens to look through. Finally, I do recommend this book to anyone who loves approaching occultism with an academic approach. <\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-family: Liberation Serif, serif;\"><span style=\"font-size: x-large;\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone wp-image-27789\" src=\"https:\/\/paganpages.org\/emagazine\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/01\/Hermes-Trismegistus.png\" alt=\"\" width=\"100\" height=\"150\" srcset=\"https:\/\/paganpages.org\/emagazine\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/01\/Hermes-Trismegistus.png 350w, https:\/\/paganpages.org\/emagazine\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/01\/Hermes-Trismegistus-200x300.png 200w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 100px) 100vw, 100px\" \/><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.amazon.com\/gp\/product\/B09SZNZHPN\/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&amp;camp=1789&amp;creative=9325&amp;creativeASIN=B09SZNZHPN&amp;linkCode=as2&amp;tag=paganpages-20&amp;linkId=b46040d92e1b3405372781c412354bd9\">The Light of Hermes Trismegistus on Amazon<\/a><\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-family: Liberation Serif, serif;\"><span style=\"font-size: large;\"><b>**<\/b><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-family: Liberation Serif, serif;\"><span style=\"font-size: large;\"><b>About the Author:<\/b><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<p><img fetchpriority=\"high\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"wp-image-26523 alignleft\" src=\"https:\/\/paganpages.org\/emagazine\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/06\/montine.png\" alt=\"\" width=\"200\" height=\"266\" \/><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-family: Liberation Serif, serif;\"><span style=\"font-size: large;\"><b>Montine<\/b> is an astrologer, tarot reader, and occultist living on unceded Duwamish land that some call Seattle. A forever student, journalist, and queer gender-nonconforming femme, she spends her time listening to the stories people tell with the hope of understanding many more perspectives than her own. Recently diagnosed with ADHD and self-diagnosed as autistic, she is rediscovering the world through a neurodivergent lens and transforming her life to work smarter and not harder. She writes an annual called Book of My Shadows which explores different ways to use the energy of New and Full Moons for personal growth and exploration and one of her current hyperfixations is studying the Greek Magical Papyri. <\/span><\/span><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Book Review The Light of Hermes Trismegistus New Translations of Seven Essential Hermetic Texts by Charles Stein Publisher: Inner Traditions 352 Pages Publication Date: December 6, 2022 &nbsp; &nbsp; This book is a unique compilation of seven texts and excerpts\/fragments of texts that Stein considers to be essential to Hermeticism. These texts have never been published together and are translated by Stein from Greek or Latin. The included works are: The Theogony of Hesiod The Homeric Hymn to Hermes The \u201cPoem of Parmenides\u201d The Chaldean Oracles \u201cThe Vision of Isis\u201d from the Metamorphosis of Apuleius \u201cOn Divine Virtue\u201d by Zosimos of Panopolis The subject is introduced at the start of each chapter with appropriate context and any other necessary details that could aid the reader as they take in the translated text. Then the author dives into the nitty gritty outlining the text\u2019s connection to Hermetics; geeking out on language, translation, and grammar; and expanding on any other aspects the author found interesting and embodied the Hermetic Genius. I\u2019ll share my two favorite takeaways below. The chapter on The Theogony of Hesiod, Stein discusses how The Theogony wasn\u2019t just a proclamation of lineage of the gods but a bit of the history of the emergence of the cosmology of the Ancient Greeks. The use of Middle Voice (as opposed to Active or Passive voices) as a means to speak something into existence means that each time the poem is performed, the gods are created. To take it one step further, the bard becomes the muse as they recite. Similarly, in \u201cOn Divine Virtue,\u201d Stein comments that \u201cto deal with a god one must in some manner become that god: one must align oneself on his attributes, resonate with his particular set of vibratory frequencies.\u201d This is what we magicians do when we cast spells, we are more than parrots repeating chosen words, we become the god that speaks our desires into being. In the chapter on The Homeric Hymn to Hermes, Stein discusses Hermes\u2019 sacrifice of a tortoise to make a lyre, which he eventually gives to Apollo. Stein discusses how the gruesome end of the reptile demonstrates the \u201cinseparability of good and evil,\u201d that is a Hermetic theme as the tortoise\u2019s death marks the start of his career making the music of the gods. Thus, this is one demonstration of Hermes being both ends of any spectrum, and everything in between \u2013 ambiguous, just as human nature is. The book reads like a heavy academic article, which may either excite or deter one from picking up a copy. Personally, I found it very dense and hard to parse. This may be because I\u2019m closer to the start of my study of Hermetics and alchemy, but it could also be because academic articles are frequently complex, filled with jargon, and rarely suited for a general audience. I found myself having re-read pages and frequently pause to look up words in the dictionary (thus expanding my vocabulary \u2013 not the worst thing to happen to me). Having to do my own interpretation to understand what was written was tiring, but ultimately, I believe I enjoyed the brain exercise (to an extent). Besides, \u201cthe occult does not cease being hidden even when it is revealed,\u201d as Stein states on page 301 \u2013 if you are looking for a book on the occult written in language that feels accessible, this is not it. All that said, I enjoyed revisiting some of the texts that I had not studied since college, and especially enjoyed adding a magical lens to look through. Finally, I do recommend this book to anyone who loves approaching occultism with an academic approach. &nbsp; The Light of Hermes Trismegistus on Amazon &nbsp; ** About the Author: Montine is an astrologer, tarot reader, and occultist living on unceded Duwamish land that some call Seattle. A forever student, journalist, and queer gender-nonconforming femme, she spends her time listening to the stories people tell with the hope of understanding many more perspectives than her own. Recently diagnosed with ADHD and self-diagnosed as autistic, she is rediscovering the world through a neurodivergent lens and transforming her life to work smarter and not harder. She writes an annual called Book of My Shadows which explores different ways to use the energy of New and Full Moons for personal growth and exploration and one of her current hyperfixations is studying the Greek Magical Papyri.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":274,"featured_media":27789,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"iawp_total_views":0,"footnotes":""},"categories":[10005],"tags":[14293,10095,14294,14292,10075,14291],"class_list":["post-27788","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-reviews","tag-authror","tag-book","tag-charles-stein","tag-new-translations-of-seven-essential-hermetic-texts","tag-review","tag-the-light-of-hermes-trismegistus"],"acf":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/paganpages.org\/emagazine\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/27788","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/paganpages.org\/emagazine\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/paganpages.org\/emagazine\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/paganpages.org\/emagazine\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/274"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/paganpages.org\/emagazine\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=27788"}],"version-history":[{"count":5,"href":"https:\/\/paganpages.org\/emagazine\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/27788\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":28031,"href":"https:\/\/paganpages.org\/emagazine\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/27788\/revisions\/28031"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/paganpages.org\/emagazine\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/27789"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/paganpages.org\/emagazine\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=27788"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/paganpages.org\/emagazine\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=27788"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/paganpages.org\/emagazine\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=27788"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}