* Examines the foundational texts and principles of Hermeticism and alchemy, showing how they offer a foundation for a psycho-spiritual creative practice
* Takes the reader on a Hermetic journey through each of the seven traditional planets, offering meditative discourses that speak directly to the intuitive soul
* Provides examples from traditional alchemical art and the author's own intricate esoteric paintings
Drawing on ancient Egyptian and Greek cosmogonies and essential Hermetic texts, such as the Corpus Hermeticum, the Emerald Tablet (Tabula Smaragdina), and the Nag Hammadi codices, Marlene Seven Bremner offers a detailed understanding of Hermetic philosophy and the art of alchemy as a foundation for a psycho-spiritual creative practice. Offering examples from traditional alchemical art and her own intricate esoteric paintings, Bremner examines the foundational principles of Hermeticism and alchemy and shows how these traditions are a direct means for accessing higher consciousness and true self-knowledge, or gnosis, as well as a way to extract the essence of one's own creative gifts.
The author takes the reader on a Hermetic journey through each of the seven traditional planets--Saturn, Jupiter, Mars, the Sun, Venus, Mercury, and the Moon--exploring their mythological, philosophical, alchemical, Qabalistic, magical, astrological, and energetic natures and offering meditative discourses that reach past the rational mind to speak directly to the intuitive soul. She relates the seven planets to the esoteric anatomy of the human body, specifically the seven chakras, and shows how the planets can offer understanding and experience of archetypal energies and patterns in the body, in one's life, and in the creative process.
A profound synthesis of magical and occult teachings as well as an initiation into the alchemical opus, this book reveals how to integrate and apply Hermetic and alchemical principles to awaken inner knowing, liberate the imagination, and live a mystical, creative, and truly inspired life.
* Examines the foundational texts and principles of Hermeticism and alchemy, showing how they offer a foundation for a psycho-spiritual creative practice
* Takes the reader on a Hermetic journey through each of the seven traditional planets, offering meditative discourses that speak directly to the intuitive soul
* Provides examples from traditional alchemical art and the author's own intricate esoteric paintings
Drawing on ancient Egyptian and Greek cosmogonies and essential Hermetic texts, such as the Corpus Hermeticum, the Emerald Tablet (Tabula Smaragdina), and the Nag Hammadi codices, Marlene Seven Bremner offers a detailed understanding of Hermetic philosophy and the art of alchemy as a foundation for a psycho-spiritual creative practice. Offering examples from traditional alchemical art and her own intricate esoteric paintings, Bremner examines the foundational principles of Hermeticism and alchemy and shows how these traditions are a direct means for accessing higher consciousness and true self-knowledge, or gnosis, as well as a way to extract the essence of one's own creative gifts.
The author takes the reader on a Hermetic journey through each of the seven traditional planets--Saturn, Jupiter, Mars, the Sun, Venus, Mercury, and the Moon--exploring their mythological, philosophical, alchemical, Qabalistic, magical, astrological, and energetic natures and offering meditative discourses that reach past the rational mind to speak directly to the intuitive soul. She relates the seven planets to the esoteric anatomy of the human body, specifically the seven chakras, and shows how the planets can offer understanding and experience of archetypal energies and patterns in the body, in one's life, and in the creative process.
A profound synthesis of magical and occult teachings as well as an initiation into the alchemical opus, this book reveals how to integrate and apply Hermetic and alchemical principles to awaken inner knowing, liberate the imagination, and live a mystical, creative, and truly inspired life.
Acknowledgments
INTRODUCTION
The Hermetic Path of Self-Initiation
PART I
Hermeticism
1 Hermetic Texts
2 Thoth and the Ancient Egyptian Roots of the Hermetic
Tradition
3 The Hermetic Bole: Hellenistic and Roman Periods
4 The Three Branches of Hermeticism
PART II
Hermetic Cosmogony and Alchemy
5 Heaven and Earth
6 The Tetrad and the Trinity
7 The Harmony of Fate and the Twelve Torments
8 Ogdoad: The Creative Sphere
PART III
The Wanderer’s Journey: Myth, Alchemy, and Esoteric
Anatomy
9 Wandering with the Archetypes
10 Saturn: Into the Darkness
11 Jupiter: The Sovereign Storm
12 Mars: The Flames of Transformation
13 The Sun: The Essence of Eternity
14 Venus: The Joy of Creation
15 Mercury: A Voice from the Æther
16 The Moon: Reflections of the Unknowable
CONCLUSION
Final Ruminations on the Old, Old Path
Notes
Bibliography
Index
Marlene Seven Bremner is a self-taught oil painter, writer, and teacher who has spent more than 20 years exploring esoteric and spiritual traditions, including Hermeticism, alchemy, surrealism, symbolism, tarot, psychology, magic, astrology, shamanism, and mythology. She developed her career as an artist in the Pacific Northwest and now spends her time painting and writing in the New Mexico desert.
“This life-changing book will take you on an amazing, enlightening,
soul-filled journey into the wisdom and profound insights of
Hermeticism, alchemy, and the occult arts. It gracefully reveals
universal truths, cosmic secrets, and hidden mysteries through the
author’s immense knowledge on the subject matter as well as her own
brilliant creative process. I highly recommend this book to all
those who would like to spark their own healing process and
spiritual awakening.”
*PHILIP M. BERK, author of Mountain’s Stillness, River’s Wisdom and
A Single Flower: Medi*
“Marlene Seven Bremner has blessed contemporary readers with a
comprehensive book on the history and practice of Hermeticism.
Well-researched and approached from the experience of the creative
process itself, Hermetic Philosophy and Creative Alchemy offers
valuable insight into the transmutative path of the Great Work. As
an artist and true daughter of Hermes, the author adeptly shows us
why Hermeticism is referred to as the Royal Art. An absolutely
pleasurable and edifying read.”
*WILLIAM KIESEL, author of Magic Circles in the Grimoire
Tradition*
“Bremner guides us on a transformative journey of the energetics of
change that bridges ancient wisdom with new scholarship. She
illuminates the alchemical arts brilliantly and unforgettably, both
textually and visually. Her complex paintings reveal her vision and
unfold their meaning only upon the reader’s resonant, meditative
gaze. This book invites us to enter into the cauldron of our
mystical transformation and awaken our creative forces.”
*LESLIE KORN, PH.D., MPH, author of Rhythms of Recovery: Trauma,
Nature, and the Body*
“Hermetic Philosophy and Creative Alchemy is an important and
necessary work, especially for anyone involved in art and art
making who wishes to use their making as a spiritual practice.
Alchemy is an art; in fact, it has been called ‘the Art’ of arts in
that all creation, according to alchemical theory, flows from the
same principles. Implied in this is that any art practice may be
used in the alchemical work of making change. In Hermetic
Philosophy and Creative Alchemy, firmly grounded in primary texts
and enriched through her own practice, Bremner provides a
remarkably varied and thorough foundation in Hermetic philosophy,
cosmology, and practice with leads for deeper study. With this
foundation established, Bremner then sets before us another rich
feast in her word-portraits of each of the planetary spheres--each
portrait an incredible array of myth, poetry, science, philosophy,
and magic. Understanding these spheres is critical, as they are the
stages of ‘the old, old path’ of the soul’s journey to the One.
Hermetic Philosophy and Creative Alchemy provides the maps and
tools for this journey. It is all here. The only thing missing is
you.”
*BRIAN COTNOIR, author of Alchemy: The Poetry of Matter and
Practical Alchemy: A Guide to the Great W*
"Informatively illustrated, impressively informative, expertly
written, and thoroughly 'reader friendly' in organization and
presentation, Marlene Seven Bremner's Hermetic Philosophy and
Creative Alchemy: The Emerald Tablet, the Corpus Hermeticum, and
the Journey through the Seven Spheres is an extraordinary and
unreservedly recommended addition to personal, professional,
community, and academic library Metaphysical Studies collections.
Of special relevance to readers with an interest in Hermetic
Philosophy and Alchemy, it should be noted that Hermetic Philosophy
and Creative Alchemy is also available in a digital book format
(Kindle, $26.99)."
*Wisconsin Bookwatch*
"This is a substantial text on a complicated topic. Hermeticism is
a many-headed beast with a myriad of facets. Bremner does a fine
job of taming the beast and presenting Hermeticism in a
comprehensible manner. Excellent organization of material is the
author’s friend here. Highly recommended as a source for
understanding Hermeticism and as a reference book for the myriad of
primary texts, history, philosophies and practices that branch
outward from it."
*Elizabeth Hazel, FacingNorth.net*
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