Hermeticism, or alchemy, is the ancient, primordial mystery
science of nature through which people in all times and places
have, for the sake of world evolution, sought to unite Heaven and
Earth―divinity, cosmos, earth, and humanity, as a single whole.
Selfless, , dedicated to healing and harmony, Hermeticism
has accompanied and sustained every religious epoch and
revelation. It may be found in all historical cultures, from the
traditions of India and China in the East to the Judeo-Christian
West. It could even be said that Hermeticism is the primal
cosmological revelation and the common ground of all spiritual
traditions.
Nevertheless, in the great revival of mystical, esoteric
traditions and practices during the last century, Hermetic
tradition―in fact, Nature herself―has been largely ignored.
Today, when the Earth seems most under attack, Green Hermeticism
is especially appropriate. The book explores not only the ancient
Masters’ inner science, but also their science of Nature.
During spring and summer 2006, Pir Zia Khan convened a series of
gatherings to begin to unfold the contemporary meaning of
ancient, sacred science for our time. Green Hermeticism is a
partial record of that meeting. Peter Lamborn Wilson, explores
the many ramifications of the alternative worldview offered by
Hermeticism; Christopher Bamford provides a broad historical
overview of the tradition from the Ancient Mysteries to
contemporary manifestations of the al tradition; while
Kevin Townley brings a practical dimension to the gathering
teaching the preparation of al elixirs and demonstrating that
cosmology and philosophy can become a truly healing path for the
Earth.
Green Hermeticism is necessary reading for anyone seeking a
spiritual and cultural path for the healing of the current
ecological and cultural crisis.
“In Alchemy, there is an injunction to quicken, or revive, the
dead, which is illustrated by a dead tree growing verdant again.
That is exactly what this wonderful and rare work does in
awakening human consciousness to its Divine potential and
Ultimate Destiny. Art thus helps Nature to achieve its ideal
Perfection. The authors must be congratulated for their
inful words. I wholeheartedly recommend reading it again and
again, and again.” ―Stanislas Klossowski de Rola, author Alchemy:
The Secret Art and
The Golden Game: Al Engravings of the Seventeenth Century
“Environmental solutions today are largely technical, but the
planetary crisis is also a crisis of soul―or better yet, of the
Imagination. Too tricky for religion, too poetic for reductionist
science, Green Hermeticism reheats a prophetic imagination still
in love with the material world―a new alchemy of ancient nature.”
―Erik Davis, author, The Visionary State: A Journey through
California's Spiritual Landscape
“Just when you felt numb and disenfranchised, thinking the world
had become bleak and dead, along comes this rare, much needed
book to remind us that there is still some sanity, depth, and
creative energy percolating up from the heart of Reality. Thank
God (and the Goddess Nature) for this smart and inspiring breath
of fresh air! Green Hermeticism is where the wasteland ends―and
where the world becomes re-enchanted with genuine living thought
that goes beyond superficialities. It’s a rare pleasure to be in
the presence of living minds who actually know something
wonderful and have not been deadened by the opiates of capital or
the tenure track. Very highly recommended.” ―David
Fideler,publisher (Phanes Press) editor (Alexandria), author of
Jesus Christ, Sun of God
and translator of Love’s Alchemy: Poems from the Sufi Tradition
(with Sabrineh Fideler)
“The publication of Green Hermeticism has the sense we so rarely
get, of a genuine moment in cultural history. It is not just the
eloquence of its authors' knowledge and arguments or that they
are showing us, once again, the depth and range and beauty of
alchemy, and the Hermetic tradition, and what Peter Lamborn
Wilson calls Romantic Science. Nor is it even the links they
establish between the Hermetic tradition and ecology, and the
value of a science that perceives the world as alive rather than
a machine. What makes this work significant is the sense that it
shows us how we can use these ideas and knowledge to create a
genuine counter to destruction and despair, an alchemy of our
politics as well as of our spirit.” ―Rachel Pollack, author of 78
Degrees of Wisdom: A Book of Tarot
“Green Hermeticism reminds us that the art of the Great Work is
to enter more deeply into the dynamic and practical wisdom of the
universe, which is our laboratory, where work and prayer combine.
When we engage with the All, we know ourselves to be one kindred
with all in the viriditas―God’s greening power―where body, soul,
and spirit honor each other.” ―Caitlín & John Matthews, authors
of Walkers Between the Worlds: The Western Mysteries from Shaman
to Magus
