The Ancient Wisdom Of Hermeticism: How Tarot Readers Benefit Now

For decades, I’ve been immersed in the practical/religio-spiritual side of Hermeticism through Tarot, Numerology and Astrology. These are tools I have relied on almost daily for guidance, insight, and spiritual growth for a very long time. However, recently, I’ve fallen deeply in love with Hermeticism’s philosophical/theoretical aspects. It’s making me realise how vital the theoretical underpinning is so I’ll be sharing what I learn as I go. I’m collecting resources and slowly building my reference library for studies in hermeticism because I feel this is the philosophical framework that will best serve humanity in the Age of Aquarius (or the Age of the Holy Spirit). You can find some of the most highly recommended resources for beginners at the bottom of this post.

What Is Hermeticism?

Hermeticism is one of the most influential philosophies that emerged from the ancient world. Rooted in the fusion of Egyptian religious thought and Hellenistic philosophy (along with other cultural influences such as Hebrew, Mesopotamian and Persian), it continues to influence and shape esoteric texts to this day. But what are the true origins of Hermeticism, and what philosophical insights does it offer?

Let’s dive into the key figures and fundamental principles of classical Hermeticism to understand why this philosophy has continued to inspire seekers of truth through the millennia.

The Historical Origins of Hermeticism

Hermeticism emerged between the 1st and 4th centuries CE in Hellenistic Egypt, particularly around Alexandria. This period was marked by intense cultural synthesis, where Greek, Egyptian, Mesopotamian, and Jewish traditions intermingled.

The Mediterranean world at this time saw a surge in new religious movements and esoteric philosophies. Schools like Platonism and Aristotelianism flourished, and mystical sects, including the Hypsistarians (who worshipped a supreme but localised deity), reflected a shift towards more monotheistic or semi-monotheistic beliefs. The rise of the Roman Empire further facilitated the exchange of spiritual ideas.

As a result, Hermeticism became a distinctive blend of Egyptian spirituality and Greek philosophical thought, particularly Stoicism and Middle Platonism.

“As above, so below; as within, so without.” – The Emerald Tablet

This famous Hermetic maxim encapsulates the fundamental principle of correspondence—the idea that the macrocosm (the universe) reflects the microcosm (the individual).

The Corpus Hermeticum and Other Texts

The foundation of classical Hermeticism lies in its sacred writings. The most important surviving texts include:

Corpus Hermeticum – A collection of 17 Greek philosophical and mystical texts, believed to have been written between the 1st and 5th centuries CE.
Asclepius – A Latin Hermetic text focusing on divine wisdom and theurgy.
Nag Hammadi Writings – Includes the Discourse on the Eighth and the Ninth, which provides additional Hermetic insights.
The Armenian Definitions – A set of 49 brief doctrinal statements based on Greek originals.

These writings explore themes of divine knowledge, cosmology, the nature of the soul, and humanity’s relationship with the divine.

Key Figures in Hermeticism

Hermes Trismegistus: The Legendary Sage

At the heart of Hermeticism is Hermes Trismegistus (“Thrice-Great Hermes”), a mystical and mythical figure identified with the Egyptian god Thoth, the deity of wisdom, writing, and magic. The title “Thrice-Great” is believed to reflect his mastery of three key branches of wisdom: alchemy, astrology, and theurgy. Some scholars also suggest that it signifies his unparalleled understanding of the threefold nature of existence—the material, intellectual, and divine realms.

The historical reason behind this title lies in Egyptian texts where the name Thoth would appear as Thoth O O O. The ‘O’ represents a pronunciation of the Egyptian word for ‘great’. Therefore, saying it three times was an idiomatic way of saying ‘greatest’. Greek translators then literally translated “Thoth great, great, great” as “Hermes thrice great”—a direct rendering of an intensified adjective.

Hermes Trismegistus is depicted as a divine teacher imparting sacred knowledge to disciples such as Asclepius and Tat, the son of Hermes.

“Man is a divine being, not to be compared with the other beings upon earth, but with those who are in heaven.” – Corpus Hermeticum I

Poimandres: The Revealer of Divine Knowledge

In Corpus Hermeticum I, Hermes receives enlightenment from Poimandres, a divine entity often identified as the universal mind or Nous. Poimandres reveals the nature of creation, the cosmos, and humanity’s role in the divine order.

Other Notable Figures:

Asclepius – A disciple of Hermes who plays a significant role in Hermetic dialogues.
Marsilio Ficino – The Renaissance scholar and physician under the patronage of the de Medici family who translated the Corpus Hermeticum into Latin, reigniting interest in Hermeticism during the 15th century.
Zosimus of Panopolis – A 3rd-century alchemist who integrated Hermetic and Gnostic ideas.
Agathos Daimon – The Good Spirit

The Philosophical and Mystical Core of Hermeticism

1. The Divine Mind and the Cosmos

Hermeticism teaches that the universe is a manifestation of a singular, divine intelligence (Nous with an audible ‘s’ at the end). Everything originates from this supreme source, and spiritual enlightenment is achieved by reconnecting with it.

“All things are one, and the One is all things.” – Corpus Hermeticum II

2. The Role of Humanity

According to Hermetic doctrine, humans possess both a mortal body and an immortal divine spark. The goal of spiritual practice is to awaken this divine essence and reunite with the Nous.

“You are a mortal god and all that lives is akin to you.” – Corpus Hermeticum XIII

3. The Principle of Correspondence

The famous Hermetic axiom, “As above, so below,” suggests that patterns in the heavens reflect those on Earth. This principle underlies astrology, alchemy, and mystical traditions.

4. The Pursuit of Gnosis (Spiritual Knowledge)

Hermeticism places a strong emphasis on gnosis or direct spiritual knowledge. Unlike faith-based religious traditions, it encourages seekers to experience divine truths firsthand through meditation, contemplation, and ritual.

“He who knows himself, knows the All.” – Corpus Hermeticum I

The Egyptian and Hellenistic Influence

Egyptian Roots

The figure of Hermes Trismegistus is directly linked to Thoth, the Egyptian god of wisdom. Concepts of divine kingship, cosmic order (Ma’at), and spiritual transformation in Egyptian mysticism echo throughout Hermetic teachings.

Greek Philosophical Influence

Hellenistic philosophy, especially Platonism and Stoicism, played a crucial role in shaping Hermetic ideas:

Plato’s concept of the soul influenced the Hermetic belief in spiritual ascent.
Stoic cosmology contributed ideas about fate, necessity, and the elements.
Neoplatonism later refined Hermetic thought, integrating theurgy (ritual magic) as a means of divine communion.

Is The Kybalion a Hermetic Text?

Though often claimed to be a Hermetic text, The Kybalion (published in 1908 by the anonymous “Three Initiates”) does not originate from the classical Hermetic tradition. Unlike the Corpus Hermeticum or Asclepius, which are rooted in ancient Egyptian-Greek wisdom, The Kybalion is a New Thought-era work influenced by 19th-century occultism and self-help philosophies.

Many scholars point out that The Kybalion misrepresents key Hermetic principles, blending them with Theosophy and Western esotericism. Its teachings on the “7 Hermetic Principles” such as “Mentalism” and “Vibration” have little to do with the classical Hermetic doctrines of Nous, Gnosis, or Theurgy.

For those truly interested in Hermeticism, it is perhaps best to engage with primary sources (see list of recommended resources below) rather than rely on The Kybalion’s reinterpretations. That said, I enjoyed reading the Kybalion and wouldn’t consider it a waste of time. There are pearls of wisdom in New Thought too and it could be argued that the Kybalion is just another syncretic Hermetic text. After all, it is difficult to define exactly what pure Hermeticism looks like when you have a mythical figure at the source. And, apparently, in ancient times there were tens of thousands of works penned in the name of Hermes Trismegistus, most of which are sadly lost to the ravages of time…

The Relevance of Hermeticism for Modern Tarot Readers

Hermeticism remains highly relevant in modern esoteric practices, particularly to those of us who work with the Tarot. Though the Tarot didn’t exist in the Hellenistic era, foundational Tarot concepts—such as the correspondence between the Major Arcana and spiritual evolution—are deeply Hermetic. The Thoth Tarot, created by Aleister Crowley and Lady Frieda Harris, explicitly incorporates Hermetic symbols and teachings. Even the world’s most famous Tarot deck, the Rider-Waite-Smith Tarot, reflects Hermetic principles through imagery, numerology, astrological correspondences and Kabbalistic influences.

Understanding the Hermetic philosophy behind Tarot can help with dot-connecting. It deepens our readings and offers a richer, more layered interpretation that goes into soul alchemy, far beyond fortune-telling.

I would love to hear your thoughts. Do you feel Hermetic philosophy has influenced how you approach your Tarot practice? If so, how?