3.5. Reading the Hermetica⁑
The teachings of the Way of Hermēs are to be found in the Hermetic texts and their compilations. Although some of these texts are fragmentary, incomplete, or corrupted through the ages, they are what we have to be consulted, reviewed, and learned from, as these texts give us understanding and awareness of Hermeticism and guide us in the Way of Hermēs, especially when coupled with a broader education about Greco-Egyptian spirituality and Hellenistic philosophy more generally. It is therefore essential that all practitioners of the Hermetic Synaxis familiarize themselves intimately with the Hermetic texts as best as they are able, not just being aware of what texts exist but what they say, how they say it, and what sorts of logical, philosophical, or spiritual backings they rely upon.
While all such study may be informally done by merely reading and rereading the texts, it can also help to take an approach of lectio divina to the texts by formally sitting down to read the texts in a structured way coupled with prayer and contemplation. In the context of the Hermetic Synaxis, this is called anagnōsis.
No special tools, supplies, or preparation is needed for performing Anagnōsis. However, if one is performing Anagnōsis at a bōmos, then a lykhnon should be present, and it is encouraged although optional to have a bell as well. The Kanones do not need to be followed, nor does a hormos need to be worn, so long as one is generally fit to be in a state to read and contemplate the Hermetic texts and be at a bōmos if one is reciting them there.
3.5.1. Reading at a Bōmos⁑
Tip
If the Anagnōsis is performed as part of the Leitūrgia, the Anagnōsis begins with the Prayer of the Stranger.
3.5.1.1. Lighting the Lykhnon⁑
If the Anagnōsis is being done with a lykhnon which is to be lit for the Anagnōsis and is to be extinguished afterwards, light it and recite (leader only):
I call upon you, o living God, radiant with illuminating fire,o unseen parent of the Sun, o invisible begetter of light!Give your strength to this fire,pour forth your light-giving power into this fire,and set to work your divine spark within this fire.Let it enter into this flame and fill it with your spirit,moving it by your holy breath and presence!O sacred fire, o light that shines with the light of God!Manifest your power for my knowledge, and let there be the light of knowing!Manifest your power for my rebirth, and let there be the light of life!Let the holy temple of almighty God within you open for me,let there be breadth, depth, length, height, fullness, and brightness,let the crown of your Sun-like radiance appear!May God shine forth through your flame and within your light,and may your light remain by me here in this place and now at this time!
3.5.1.2. Call to the Way⁑
Standing by the doorway to the euktērion facing outwards, recite (leader only):
O all you children of mankind, o all you born of the Earth,o all who you have given yourselves over to drink and sleep in your ignorance of God!Make yourselves sober, cease your drunken sickness,end your bewitchment by unreasoning sleep!Why have you given yourselves over to death,when you have the power to claim immortality?You who have wandered with Error, you who have partnered with Ignorance:think again, think anew!Free yourselves from the darkness, take hold of the Light,take part in divine immortality, leave behind your corrupt destruction!Do not surrender to the way of death by your mockery or distance,but come, rise, and be guided on the way of life!
Close the door.
3.5.1.3. First Salutation⁑
3.5.1.3.1. On One’s Own⁑
Recite:
May I live in wholeness and health!
3.5.1.3.2. If Others are Present⁑
The leader announces:
Hail to those whom the greeting is given with blessing,to my siblings, to holy children of God!
The leader recites:
May we live in wholeness and health!
All others present repeat the above as one.
3.5.1.4. Undertaking the Anagnōsis⁑
Recite (leader only, changing personal pronouns if needed):
I now undertake this Anagnōsis.
3.5.1.5. Foundation — Opening⁑
Clap, extend the arms out, and recite (leader only):
The glory of the All is God, both Divinity and Nature,for natural Divinity is renewed by Nature,and divine Nature is founded in Divinity.
Prostrate silently, setting intentions silently if desired, then sit or kneel at the bōmos.
3.5.1.6. Prologue of Aid and Seven Requests⁑
Recite:
Almighty God, Lord, King, Master, Helper, hear me!
Recite, bowing at each “O God”:
O God, hear me my prayers.O God, save me from error.O God, cleanse me from vice.O God, protect me from danger.O God, rescue me from torment.O God, keep me from irreverence.O God, free me from ignorance.
If desired, prostrate and recite the Supplication of the Holy:
Holy God, Holy Strong, Holy Immortal, be merciful to me.Holy God, Holy Maker, Holy Forebear, be gracious to us.Holy God, Holy One, Holy Source, be propitious to us all.
3.5.1.7. Prayer of the Stranger⁑
Tip
If the Anagnōsis is performed as part of the Leitūrgia, the Anagnōsis begins at this point.
Recite:
O God, you who are beyond all the great eternal realms,you who have neither beginning nor end!Bestow upon me a spirit of knowledgefor the revelation of your mysteries,that I may come to the knowledge of myself:where I have come from, where I am going,and what I should do in order to live.O God, you who are beyond all the great eternal realms,hear my voice, be merciful to me, and save me from all evil!Look upon me and hear me in this place.Let your ineffable Light shine upon me,your Light which enables my heart to look upon you in perfection,your Light which enables my mind to hear and see what I wish:to learn about the things that are,to understand their nature, and to know you.It is only by your Light that I can learn and know all this!Come, o Lord, come to my aid, for I wish to know you,and, by knowing, may I come to praise you forever. ※
3.5.1.8. Reading⁑
Ring the bell once. Bow, announce the selection from the Hermetic texts, then read and contemplate it. When possible, it is best to first read it aloud slowly, then again silently, afterwards spending some time in silent contemplation of the text.
3.5.1.9. Work of the Soul⁑
Recite (changing personal pronouns as needed):
Through my labor in seeking, through my learning of God,through my distress in my body chasing after the prophets,may I find my rising, and rest in the one who is at rest,may I join myself to beauty in love as One,may I eat of the banquet for which I hunger and partake of the immortal food,may I find what I seek and receive rest from my labor.May the Light that does not set shine upon me always,for to the Light belongs all glory and power and revelation forever. ※
If desired, prostrate and recite the Supplication of the Holy:
Holy God, Holy Strong, Holy Immortal, be merciful to me.Holy God, Holy Maker, Holy Forebear, be gracious to us.Holy God, Holy One, Holy Source, be propitious to us all.
Tip
If the Anagnōsis is performed as part of the Leitūrgia, the Leitūrgia resumes at this point.
3.5.1.10. Singing of the Child⁑
Recite:
To you, o God, the first author of all generation, do I send these offerings of speech.O God, you are the Source, you are the Lord, you are the Mind!Receive these words of mine as you will,for by your will are all things accomplished through your Word. ※
Prostrate silently, then stand.
3.5.1.11. Foundation — Closing⁑
Extend the arms out, and recite (leader only):
The glory of the All is God, both Divinity and Nature,for natural Divinity is renewed by Nature,and divine Nature is founded in Divinity.
Clap once.
3.5.1.12. Concluding the Anagnōsis⁑
Recite (leader only):
Thus concludes this Anagnōsis.
3.5.1.13. Final Salutation⁑
3.5.1.13.1. On One’s Own⁑
Recite:
May I walk in reverence and knowledge!
3.5.1.13.2. If Others are Present⁑
The leader recites to all:
May we walk in reverence and knowledge!
All others present repeat the above as one.
3.5.1.14. Extinguishing the Lykhnon⁑
If the Anagnōsis is being done with a lykhnon that was lit for the Anagnōsis and is to be extinguished afterwards, recite (leader only):
It is you who gives us fire, and through the fire light;it is you who gives us light for our eyes and our hearts.I put out this lamp that shines with your holy fire,not to quench your light nor to stem your blessing,but for the safety and preservation of my life.As I put out this flame, grant me your Light forever,for yours is the light that can never truly be extinguished.Go forth from this lamp, o holy light of the highest God;depart, holy brightness, and let your flame be scattered,but let your light always dwell within me as a lamp in my soul,that I too may always shine with the holy light of the highest God.
Extinguish the lykhnon.
3.5.2. Reading Away from a Bōmos⁑
3.5.2.1. First Salutation⁑
3.5.2.1.1. On One’s Own⁑
Recite:
May I live in wholeness and health!
3.5.2.1.2. If Others are Present⁑
The leader announces:
Hail to those whom the greeting is given with blessing,to my siblings, to holy children of God!
The leader recites:
May we live in wholeness and health!
All others present repeat the above as one.
3.5.2.2. Undertaking the Anagnōsis⁑
Recite (leader only, changing personal pronouns if needed):
I now undertake this Anagnōsis.
3.5.2.3. Foundation — Opening⁑
Clap, extend the arms out, and recite (leader only):
The glory of the All is God, both Divinity and Nature,for natural Divinity is renewed by Nature,and divine Nature is founded in Divinity.
Prostrate silently, setting intentions silently if desired, then sit or kneel at the bōmos.
3.5.2.4. Prologue of Aid⁑
Recite:
Almighty God, Lord, King, Master, Helper, hear me!
3.5.2.5. Prayer of the Stranger⁑
Recite:
O God, you who are beyond all the great eternal realms,you who have neither beginning nor end!Bestow upon me a spirit of knowledgefor the revelation of your mysteries,that I may come to the knowledge of myself:where I have come from, where I am going,and what I should do in order to live.O God, you who are beyond all the great eternal realms,hear my voice, be merciful to me, and save me from all evil!Look upon me and hear me in this place.Let your ineffable Light shine upon me,your Light which enables my heart to look upon you in perfection,your Light which enables my mind to hear and see what I wish:to learn about the things that are,to understand their nature, and to know you.It is only by your Light that I can learn and know all this!Come, o Lord, come to my aid, for I wish to know you,and, by knowing, may I come to praise you forever. ※
3.5.2.6. Reading⁑
Bow, announce the selection from the Hermetic texts, then read and contemplate it. When possible, it is best to first read it aloud slowly, then again silently, afterwards spending some time in silent contemplation of the text.
3.5.2.7. Work of the Soul⁑
Recite (changing personal pronouns as needed):
Through my labor in seeking, through my learning of God,through my distress in my body chasing after the prophets,may I find my rising, and rest in the one who is at rest,may I join myself to beauty in love as One,may I eat of the banquet for which I hunger and partake of the immortal food,may I find what I seek and receive rest from my labor.May the Light that does not set shine upon me always,for to the Light belongs all glory and power and revelation forever. ※
3.5.2.8. Singing of the Child⁑
Recite:
To you, o God, the first author of all generation, do I send these offerings of speech.O God, you are the Source, you are the Lord, you are the Mind!Receive these words of mine as you will,for by your will are all things accomplished through your Word. ※
Prostrate silently, then stand.
3.5.2.9. Foundation — Closing⁑
Extend the arms out, and recite (leader only):
The glory of the All is God, both Divinity and Nature,for natural Divinity is renewed by Nature,and divine Nature is founded in Divinity.
Clap once.
3.5.2.10. Concluding the Anagnōsis⁑
Recite (leader only):
Thus concludes this Anagnōsis.
3.5.2.11. Final Salutation⁑
3.5.2.11.1. On One’s Own⁑
Recite:
May I walk in reverence and knowledge!
3.5.2.11.2. If Others are Present⁑
The leader recites to all:
May we walk in reverence and knowledge!
All others present repeat the above as one.