Chasing Hermes: The Hermetic And Metaphysical Podcast

#16: Neoplatonism and the Theurgy of Iamblichus [37:02]

2010-02-20T22:16:00Z

Episode 16: Neoplatonism and the Theurgy of Iamblichus

As pagan traditions started to dwindle in the face of the rising popularity of Christianity in the third and fourth century C.E., a new interpretation of ancient philosophy was born. Drawing from the cosmology of the Thimaeus, this tradition attempted to revive the writings of Plato for a new time. This was a world view which gave place not only to the gods of the classic Greek mythology but also to an interpretation of the transcendent monotheistic deity. This school of philosophy later became known as Neoplatonism.

With its roots in 2nd century Alexandria, Neoplatonism shares much of its cultural heritage with hermetism. Yet Neoplatonism's most famous proponent was not an Alexandrian, but instead came from Syria. His name was Iamblichus. Orating within a tradition that oftentimes had little interest in magical pursuits, Iamblchus became an important apologetic of esoteric practices. The writings of Iamblichus include a new definition of sacred magic dubbed Theurgy, or divine-working, which ought to sound familiar even to many new age practitioners today.

Neoplatonism came to an abrupt end in 529 A.D. when Emperor Justinian forced the Neoplatonist schools in Alexandria and Athens to close their doors. However, neoplatonist philosophy survived outside the Christian world, being openly adopted in the Islamic world and having a profound influence on the medieval Kabbalists. Together with the Hermetism, Neoplatonist philosophy was revived in Western Europe at the early days of the Renaissance and was again studied and adopted by the intellectuals of a new time.

Some useful links:

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2010-02-14T00:37:00Z

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#15: Magic in Ancient Greece [43:14]

2010-01-25T16:55:00Z

Episode 15: Magic in Ancient Greece

What is more righteous - to accept your fate, or to choose your own destiny? The clash between sorcery and mainstream religion can be followed through the ages back to Ancient Greece. An upright member of Greek society should not meddle with magical forces, or else they might dishonor the gods and bring misfortune upon all of society. Furthermore, sorcerers were unruly, unpredictable and unstable.

In this episode of Chasing Hermes we talk about what status the magical arts had in Ancient Egypt and what parallels we can draw with modern society.

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#14: Magic in Ancient Egypt [40:43]

2009-12-15T17:42:00Z

Episode 14: Magic in Ancient Egypt

The life of a magician in Ancient Egypt was tough. He had to get up early in the morning, wash, shave every hair from his body, pick up his magician's toolbox and go to work. Both the poor and the wealthy required his services: staving off evil warlocks, prescribing remedies to common illnesses, carving amulets and talismans, and providing enough mojo to the dearly departed to last them an eternity in the afterlife.

More than pyramids and mummies, Ancient Egypt was an intricately structured society where magicians had a prominent position. The magicians were called "scribes of the house of life" and had to undergo long training before they could practice their art. Often serving part-time as priests at a temple, these highly educated men were approachable intermediaries between the physical world and the supernatural.

In this episode, we explore some of the documented tricks of the Ancient Egyptian magician's trade and find some interesting parallels with today's western occultism. We also challenge some common perceptions about what the Egyptian amulets and talismans were used for.

Some useful links:

Ancient Egyptian Magic article by Dr Geraldine Pinch [bbc.co.uk]
This article includes great photos of some of the objects we discuss in the episode.
Ancient Egyptian Magic by Bob Brier [amazon.com]
A great book covering all of the magician's trade. It also includes many examples of actual spells.
Bob Brier's audio lectures at the Teaching Company [teach12.com]
These lectures are extremely intriguing and cover the entire history of Ancient Egypt and more.
Talking Pyramids
Great Egyptology blog, updated daily!
Ancient Egyptian Book of the Dead [amazon.com]
R. Faulkner's translation is among the better ones out there.
Pyramid Texts Online
Downloadable faximilies of ancient Egyptian texts with free translations

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#13: Guardian on the Threshold (34:07)

2009-11-08T05:00:00Z

Episode 13: The Guardian on the Threshold

Sometimes our quest for light takes us to some pretty dark and austere places. The Guardian on the Threshold, sometimes called the dweller, the watcher, or the lurker on the threshold, is the personification of your fears that appears as a gestalt, often during times of spiritual trials.

It was Lord Edward Bulwer Lytton who first put the dweller on the threshold into the literary world. Later authors such as Rudolf Steiner and C.G. Jung borrowed from Lytton's imagery to illustrate the concept of the shadow self, those undesired aspects of our past that we don't wish to acknowledge.

The Guardian stands as the accuser of our faults. Ultimately, he represents an acute and painfully uncomfortable reminder of our own mortality. Perhaps his true motives are to test our endurance and prepare us for the difficult road ahead. How strong is your determination? Can you endure the night while you wait for the dawn?

"Thou hast entered the immeasurable region. I am the Dweller of the Threshold. What wouldst thou with me? Silent? Dost thou fear me? Am I not thy beloved? Is it not for me that thou hast rendered up the delights of thy race? Wouldst thou be wise? Mine is the wisdom of the countless ages. Kiss me, my mortal lover."

- The Dweller speaks in Lytton's Zanoni

"One of the functions of the Inner Self is to prevent us from accessing higher levels if we do not possess the strength to endure them... This function of the Inner Self is sometimes called the 'Guardian on the Threshold'."

- Jean Dubuis from Philosophers of Nature.

Some useful links:

Zanoni by Lord Edward Bulwer Lytton
The Guardian of the Threshold from Steiner's work Knowledge of the Higher Worlds and its attainment
The Shadow in Jungian therapy

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#12: Astral Projection, part 2 - Listener Feedback (38:28)

2009-10-11T18:00:00Z

Episode 12: Astral Projection, part 2 - Listener Feedback

What is sleep paralysis and how does it work? Can you create your own characters and interact with them in your dreams? Close your eyes and prepare to slide deeper into the world of lucid dreaming and astral projection! In this episode we answer some of the listener feedback that we received on episode 06 and our take on the astral projection phenomenon. Thank you everyone who wrote in with your comments and questions - keep 'em coming.

There are a ton of good resources out there for those of you who are interested in exploring your dreams. In fact, much of the discussion on sleep paralysis was informed by the work of Nicholas Newport over at Lucidology.com. He has some brilliant explanations of how to enter sleep paralysis and how to go from there to full out-of-body. Nicholas has a YouTube channel and a podcast as well.

If you prefer taking in your information printed on dead trees, you may want to look up Stephen LaBerge. He has published numerous books on the subject since the mid-80's, several of which have become standard works in the field. Of course, Stephen LaBerge has a website too.

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#11: Good and Evil (34:42)

2009-09-26T06:00:00Z

Episode 11: Good and Evil

How can God allow evil to exist in the world? This question has riddled the minds of the philosophers for millennia. Leibniz coined this dilemma the theodicy problem: if God is omnipotent and benevolent, why does he not eradicate evil and suffering?

In this episode, we take a look at the Hermetic writings for clues to their understanding of the nature of evil and the sources of human suffering.

Welcome back to a new season of Chasing Hermes.

Hermetism was a dualist movement, one which believed not only in the duality of the world (a world of matter and a world of spirit), but also a duality of the divine. It was assumed that the universe was created and maintained by a creation god, but that above him there reigned a supreme god who did not interfere with creation directly. It was possible to perceive the god of creation through the senses, but the supreme god was unknowable except by reason (nous) and knowledge (gnosis). This supreme god is unnamable, or perhaps the bearer of all names at once, and is the author and source of all good in the world.

The Asclepius blatantly refuses to answer the question why humans suffer under god’s righteous rule, and focuses on the role of human conscience. It was god’s design to give man the faculty to avoid the evil which is an intrinsic part of the fabric of nature. God’s gift of Nous raises us above episteme (learning) and puts us on the path to gnosis, knowledge of god.

"Thus, Asclepius and Hammon, I have not said what the many say: ‘Was god not able to put an end to evil and banish it from nature?’ One need not respond to them at all, but for your sake I shall pursue this question as well since I have opened it, and I will give you an answer. Now these people say that god should have freed the world of every kind of evil, yet evil is so much in the world that it seems almost to be an organ of the world. Acting as reasonably as possible, the supreme god took care to provide against evil when he deigned to endow human minds with consciousness, learning and understanding, for it is these gifts alone, by which we surpass other living things, that enable us to avoid the tricks, snares and vices of evil. He that avoids them on sight,before they entangle him, that person has been fortified by divine understanding and foresight, for the foundation of learning resides in the highest good."

Asclepius 16

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#10: Seven Alchemical Principles, part 2 (40:10)

2009-06-21T05:00:00Z

Episode 10: Seven Alchemical Principles, part 2

Our sojourn into the world of practical alchemy continues with a plunge into the last four of the seven alchemical principles - Conjunction, Fermentation, Distillation and Coagulation. These four stages represent the coagula process which must follow after the completion of the first three solve stages that we discussed in episode nine.

Conjunction is the recombination of the parts that were taken apart in the separation process.
Fermentation is the controlled decay of the substance in order to allow new life to arise.
Distillation extracts the alcohol created in the fermentation stage.
Coagulation finally joins the mercury, sulfur and salt

Due to the rather advanced nature of these discussions we recommend that you listen to part one before continuing with part two.

Learn more:

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#09: Seven Alchemical Principles, part 1 (33:52)

2009-05-24T23:46:00Z

Episode 09: Seven Alchemical Principles, Part 1

Alchemy is concerned with extracting and refining the purest essence of a physical substance. Modern alchemists view the physical changes that the substance undergoes as powerful analogies to spiritual and psychological changes within the human psyche. For example, breaking down the solid structure of an herb, as in the process of calcination, exemplifies to the alchemist the tearing down of old beliefs, thoughts and emotions in the alchemist. The mind of the alchemist affects his alchemy, and vice versa.

We are back with a fresh new show straight out of our kitchen laboratory! In this episode, we get our hands dirty with some practical experiments while we discuss the first three of the seven classical alchemical principles: Calcination, Dissolution and Separation.

Calcination breaks down the solid structure of the matter by heat and mechanical force.
Dissolution is the wet work in which the calcinated salts are dissolved in a menstrum.
Separation divides the fine and coarse particles of the matter in a process of filtration.

This is part one of a double episode. Come back soon as we dish out a second serving of that secret sauce that we call Chasing Hermes.

Learn more:

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Update: Gone to the lab

2009-05-21T08:50:00Z

Waiting for the new episode of Chasing Hermes? We're out in the lab right now where we've got a couple of fresh new episodes brewing.

We know it's been a long while, but in our defense Sean caught a nasty cough that made recording impossible. When the new episode was finally taped we had technical problems that have delayed the mixing. Without a doubt this is the work of an evil warlock!

Keep sending us your comments and suggestions and you'll hear from us again real soon.

#08: Axis Mundi or the Center of the World (26:40)

2009-04-24T10:20:00Z

Episode 08: Axis Mundi or the Center of the World

From Mount Olympus to the Pyramids, people of all ages have felt the urge to return to the center of the world, the Axis Mundi. Traditions in virtually all cultures speak of a nave, a central axis, a mystical place where the four directions in space meet in a unified point. Here, heaven and earth meet, enabling the mystic to travel into the heavenly spheres. In this sacred space, the Divine resides with mankind and we are permitted to return to innocence, into a paradisical state.

Learn more:

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Suggestion box

2009-04-14T12:57:00Z

Dear Chasing Hermes.

Suggestion box

We are open to suggestions! With seven episodes under our belt, and dare we say some great ones on the way, the time has come for us to hang up the suggestion box outside our office and to give you, dear listener, a chance to influence the show. Give us your most-wanted topics and we'll do our very best to service your needs in spiritual entertainment.

Slip us your suggestions in the comments to this entry, or send us an email at info@chasinghermes.com. Be sure to let us know whether or not you want your name mentioned on the show! We look forward to your comments.

#07: The Emerald Tablet of Hermes (33:56)

2009-03-31T23:48:00Z

Episode 07: The Emerald Tablet of Hermes

"Truly, without deceit, certain and most veritable." For over 2.000 years, the Emerald Tablet has been the back bone of hermeticism and has inspired countless of derivative works. It captured the imagination of such brilliant minds as Roger Bacon, Isaac Newton, and Carl Gustav Jung, the father of analytical psychology . Today, the Tablet's influence can clearly be seen in popular books such as The Secret and The Law of Attraction.

In this episode, we go beyond "as above, so below" to discuss what else the Emerald Tablet has to tell us about God, the universe, and pretty much everything in between.

Learn more:

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#06: Astral Projection (32:09)

2009-03-18T13:00:00Z

Episode 06: Astral Projection, Lucid Dreaming and Traveling in the Spirit Vision

Whether entranced saints or dreaming sages, mystic literature is riddled with references to lucid dreaming, out-of-body experiences and nightly apparitions. Rising through the planes of existence, the skilled mystic leaves the material plane and aspires towards the source of all things to seek council from the universal mind.

In this episode of Chasing Hermes, we take a look at some noted dream mystics throughout history and give some tips on how to learn to astral project yourself.

Some great resources:

Historical accounts mentioned on the show:

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#05: Corpus Hermeticum (31:48)

2009-03-01T13:49:00Z

Episode 05: Corpus Hermeticum

Springing from the Alexandrian mix of Greek, Roman, Jewish, Christian and Gnostic traditions, the Corpus Hermeticum tells us about the great philosophical frameworks in which the early Hermetic philosophers were operating.

After having been lost for almost a millennium, the Corpus Hermeticum caused a great stir when it was rediscovered in 1460 and became widespread with the introduction of Gutenberg's printing press. Once believed to be older than the writings of both Plato and Socrates, the Corpus Hermeticum influenced many of the Renaissance thinkers and have forever shaped the western mystery tradition.

Learn More:

Corpus Hermeticum - Early 20th century translation by G.R.S. Mead. Introduction by J.M. Greer)
Corpus Hermeticum - 17th century translation by John Everard from Ficino's Latin version
The Way of Hermes - A much more recent translation from the original. Available through Amazon.com.

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#04: Psychic Attack (33:07)

2009-02-14T23:53:00Z

Episode 04: Psychic Attack

Can bad events in your life be attributed to someone elses ill-willed thoughts about you? Some people seem convinced this happens to them all the time. On what grounds may we accept or reject such a world view?

In this episode, you will find out how you might be able to tell whether you are under psychic or magical attack - and what you can do about it.

Learn More:

Two great beginner's books mentioned in this episode:

Modern Magick by Donald Michael Kraig
The Llewellyn Practical Guide To Psychic Self-Defense by Dennings and Phillips.

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#03: The Four Elements (26:14)

2009-02-07T18:59:00Z

Episode 03: The Four Elements

The four classical elements - earth, air, water and fire - dates back to the sixth century B.C.E. It was believed that all of nature consisted of these four basic building blocks, each of which displaying the properties hot or cold, dry or wet. Today, we know much more about the inner workings of matter, but these four elements continue to play an important role as they have forever influenced classical philosophy, psychology, astrology, alchemy and magic.

Learn more

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Actual Duration: 26:14

#02: Microcosm and Macrocosm (27:07)

2009-01-25T18:00:00Z

Episode 02: Microcosm and Macrocosm
Did you ever consider this fact: Everything you have ever experienced about the world has been signals sent to your brain from your senses.

The ancient Greeks thought of the human experience as one of being on the inside, looking out. Man is his own little kingdom inside a larger kingdom; a microcosm inside the macrocosm. The Emerald Tablet of Hermes states that the things that are within are a reflection of the things that are without. Can the outside world influence the world within - and vice versa?

Learn more:

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Actual Duration: 27:07

#01: Introductory Episode (9:25)

2009-01-25T17:00:00Z

Episode 01: Introductory Episode

In this very first episode of the podcast, we introduce ourselves and our intentions with the show. We also touch on the significance of the show's title and introduce some of the concepts we are going to discuss in later episodes.

Learn more:

Wikipedia: Hermeticism
The Western Mysteries

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Actual Duration: 9:25

Chasing Hermes

2009-01-25T16:00:00Z

Welcome to Chasing Hermes!

We are finally live with the website and with the first two episodes of the podcast. This blog and podcast are dedicated to the pursuit of Mercury, the elusive principle of nature which quickens the spirit and inspires the mind to contemplate divine realms. Thoth, Hermes, Mercury, the Essence... whatever name we choose it remains nameless and eternal.

We have a couple of great shows lined up for you. Be sure to subscribe to the RSS feed to get automatic updates as each show is published. If you subscribe with iTunes, the latest episodes will be download automatically to your mp3 player.

If you like the show, why not go over to podcastalley.com {pca-1983685510c77ca911bd7527b0abb65d} or podfeed.net and write a review!