Hermeticism

Hermeticism can refer to one of two things:

• The study and practice of occult philosophy and magic, of a type associated with writings attributed to the god Hermes Trismegistus, "Thrice-Greatest Hermes," a syncretistic deity who combines aspects of the Greek god Hermes and the Egyptian god Thoth. Hermeticism is also associated with alchemy. These beliefs were influential in European occult lore, especially from the Renaissance forward, when they were revived by people like Giordano Bruno and Marsilio Ficino. Hermetic magic underwent a 19th century revival in Western Europe, where it was practiced by people such as the Hermetic Order of the Golden Dawn and Eliphas Lévi.

From the arcane language associated with these beliefs, comes the second meaning:

• The deliberate use of obscure, convoluted, or esoteric imagery in various arts.

See also: Hermetica

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