Pseudo-Hermetica for the 21st Century: A Modern Mystical Philosophy Using Ancient Literary Forms

By John Gilbert

Spanning a thousand years of thought, the Pseudo-Hermetica carefully cloaks experimental philosophical ideas beneath writing styles borrowed from wisdom literature of Classical Antiquity. In particular, it explores a much broader application of 'non-anthropocentrism' outside of its accepted role within environmental ethics, asking the question "What if it's not all about us?" in the context of religion and mysticism. It also examines the concept of 'panprotopsychism', which is the theory that matter contains the building blocks of consciousness at a fundamental level.

The book is comprised mainly of three shorter works, each an exploration of a different kind of ancient sacred writing. The first is a Hermetic work in the form of a dialectic between Hermes-Thoth and an advanced seeker of wisdom, the Adept, who has hit an impasse. The second short work is a piece of ritual in which the goddess Seshat elevates a priest to the rank of the magician, written in the style of an Egyptian temple ceremonial text. The third and final book of The Pseudo-Hermetica, is a pseudepigraphic sermon given by Tyrannus of Ephesus, a sophist mentioned in Acts of the New Testament. Written in a style meant to imitate an English translation from Ancient Greek, it explores what a historical Tyrannus might have said to his listeners at his lecture hall in the wake of visits from the likes of Paul, Priscilla, Aquilla, and Timothy. Presuming Paul et al are far away, Tyrannus explores some dangerous and perhaps heretical possibilities that could arise from those visitors' previous teachings.

Wonderfully illustrated by the artist Valkyrie Rayne in her innovative 'New Intaglio' style, the Pseudo-Hermetica is a must-have introduction into modern mystical philosophy.

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: B0CCZV2N97
• ISBN13: 9798848196542
• Release Date: July 2023
• Publisher: Independently Published
• Length: 98 Pages
• Weight: 0.37 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.3" x 5.5" x 8.5"