📰 To Read... 🔖 Title: Melchizedek: The Enigmatic Priest-King Beyond Time and Tradition 🗓️ Published: 2025-07-29T16:00:46+03:00 📄 Summary: Melchizedek, a figure both mysterious and profound, stands at the crossroads of ancient spiritual narratives and theological reflection. Revered as a priest-king who transcended conventional genealogies and religious boundaries, Melchizedek emerges not merely as a historical character but as a symbol of eternal priesthood and divine authority. Celebrated on May 22nd in both Eastern Orthodox and Catholic traditions, his legacy invites us to ponder the intersections of power, righteousness, and mystery in human history. The artistic depiction by Michael Willman (1681), preserved in the National Museum in Wrocław, visually anchors this ethereal figure within the tangible realm of sacred art, bridging the temporal with the eternal. In contemplating Melchizedek, we confront the perennial questions of origin, identity, and the sacred—a door to higher understanding within the altar of time itself. 🔗

Melchizedek - Hermeneuticon - Hermetic Library

🗞️ Source: librarian@undisclosed.example.com (John Bell) 💓 #Philosophy #SpiritualHeritage #TimelessWisdom

📰 To Read... 🔖 Title: Hildegard of Bingen: The Visionary Mystic of the Middle Ages 🗓️ Published: 2025-07-28T16:01:38+03:00 📄 Summary: Hildegard of Bingen, a luminous figure of medieval philosophy and mysticism, emerges as a profound thinker whose insights traverse theology, medicine, and music. Her writings blend visionary experience with an acute understanding of the world’s interconnectedness, presenting a holistic vision that resonates through the centuries. In a time often seen as dim and dogmatic, Hildegard’s luminous intellect reveals a harmonious cosmos where spiritual and natural realms intertwine, inviting modern readers to rediscover a sacred unity within existence. 🔗

Hildegard von Bingen - Hermeneuticon - Hermetic Library

🗞️ Source: librarian@undisclosed.example.com (John Bell) 💓 #MedievalPhilosophy #Mysticism #HildegardOfBingen

📰 To Read... 🔖 Title: Mastering the Master Game: The Self-Completion of Robert de Ropp 🗓️ Published: 2016-08 📄 Summary: Robert de Ropp embodies a paradoxical synthesis—a biochemist and spiritual teacher, scientist and magician, misanthrope and community founder. His life’s journey reflects a relentless quest for self-mastery and transcendence, weaving together rigorous scientific inquiry with profound mystical insight. De Ropp’s narrative invites us to contemplate the interplay of knowledge, isolation, and spiritual evolution in the pursuit of wholeness. 🔗

New Dawn – World's Most Unusual Magazine

Mastering the Master Game: The Self-Completion of Robert de Ropp

Biochemist, author, spiritual teacher, kayaking fisherman, founder of an intentional community, misanthrope – Robert de Ropp was a complex man. W...

🗞️ Source: New Dawn Special Issue Vol 10 No 4 (Aug 2016) 💓 #SpiritualPhilosophy #SelfMastery #RobertDeRopp

📰 To Read... 🔖 Title: Trauma, Transcendence, and the Beauty That Breaks Us Open 🗓️ Published: 2025-07-26T16:01:08+03:00 📄 Summary: Geoff Fitch, Abigail Lynam, and Kimberley Lafferty delve into the profound interplay between profound suffering, spiritual awakening, and developmental transformation that accompanies the emergence of meta-aware consciousness. By weaving personal narratives with insights from group dynamics and collective shadow work, they reveal how authentic relationships and sacred communities serve as both sanctuary and catalyst during the most disorienting yet ultimately liberating phases of human evolution. 🔗

Integral Life

Trauma, Transcendence, and the Beauty that Breaks Us Open – Integral Life

Geoff Fitch, Abigail Lynam, and Kimberley Lafferty explore how deep suffering, spiritual awakening, and developmental transformation often intertwi...

🗞️ Source: Kimberley Lafferty 💓 #SpiritualAwakening #HumanEvolution #SacredCommunity

📰 To Read... 🔖 Title: The Sword of Song by Aleister Crowley: A Journey Through Mystical Poetics 🗓️ Published: 2025-07-25T16:00:00+03:00 📄 Summary: Aleister Crowley's "The Sword of Song" stands as a compelling voyage into the realms of esoteric poetry and mystical invocation. This collection, featured within the Hermetic Library, invites readers to explore preliminary invocations and profound introductions, such as those on “Ascension Day and Pentecost,” that resonate deeply with the Hermetic tradition. The work is not merely poetry but a magical articulation combining the literary with the spiritual, illustrating Crowley's endeavor to intertwine art and occult philosophy in a harmonious dance. As part of the broader corpus of Crowley's Libri, "The Sword of Song" challenges the seeker to embrace poetic expression as a form of transcendent knowledge and sacred experience. 🔗

crowley:the-sword-of-song:sidebar - The Sword of Song - The Libri of Aleister Crowley - Hermetic Library

🗞️ Source: librarian@undisclosed.example.com (John Bell) 💓 #HermeticWisdom #EsotericPoetry #AleisterCrowley

📰 To Read... 🔖 Title: Nietzsche’s Startling Provocation: You’re Edible and Delicious 🗓️ Published: 2025-07-25T10:00:00+03:00 📄 Summary: In this profound meditation on Nietzsche’s philosophy, Nicholas E. Low invites us to reconsider our relationship with nature—not as distant observers but as integral participants within its relentless cycle of conflict, strife, and suffering. Nietzsche challenges us to embrace our inherent edibility, the stark truth that we are both consumers and consumed, a revelation that dissolves illusions of separation and calls for a courageous acceptance of life’s essential brutality alongside its vitality. This essay is a stirring call to reconcile with the rawness of existence and to find liberation in acknowledging our place within nature’s grand struggle. 🔗

Nietzsche’s startling provocation: you’re edible and delicious | Aeon Essays

Nietzsche shows us how to embrace our connection with nature – without denying its essential conflict, strife and suffering

🗞️ Source: Nicholas E Low 💓 #Philosophy #Nietzsche #NatureAndExistence

📰 To Read... 🔖 Title: Annie Horniman: A Lesser Feast Illuminated 🗓️ Published: 1860-10-03 📄 Summary: Though often overshadowed by grander historical narratives, the life and contributions of Annie Horniman deserve thoughtful reflection. Born into a world poised on the brink of modernity, Horniman's legacy as a patron of the arts and a visionary in the theatrical realm invites us to reconsider the quiet yet profound ways individual passion can shape culture. This lesser feast of remembrance celebrates the understated influence she wielded, reminding us that history is as much about the subtle strokes as the broad canvases. 🔗

1860 - Hermeneuticon - Hermetic Library

🗞️ Source: librarian@undisclosed.example.com (John Bell) 💓 #CulturalHeritage #TheatreHistory #QuietInfluence

📰 To Read... 🔖 Title: August Through the Lens of Ritual and Remembrance: A Philosophical Meditation 🗓️ Published: 2025-07-24T16:00:00+03:00 📄 Summary: The month of August emerges not merely as a passage of time but as a tapestry woven with ritual, remembrance, and cosmic symbolism. From the ancient feasts of Lughnasadh and Lammas, marking agrarian cycles and the Lion-Serpent Solstice under Leo’s constellation, to the venerations of greater feasts honoring mystics such as Carl William Hansen, Annie Horniman, Franz Hartmann, and William Blake, August invites a profound reflection on the interplay between human creativity, myth, and the sacred. Each commemoration serves as a beacon pointing to deeper truths about the cyclical nature of existence and the enduring quest for meaning amid temporal flux. 🔗

August - Hermeneuticon - Hermetic Library

🗞️ Source: librarian@undisclosed.example.com (John Bell) 💓 #SacredTime #PhilosophyOfRitual #AugustReflections

📰 To Read... 🔖 Title: Euhemerism Is Superstition 🗓️ Published: 2025-07-24T16:03:11+03:00 📄 Summary: In a reflective contemplation on the nature of myth and belief, T Polyphilus challenges the boundaries between sacred narratives and historical origins through the lens of Euhemerism. The inquiry—posed via a question about the equivalence of figures like Jesus and Aslan—invites us to consider whether the lineage of divine stories diminishes their spiritual power or if such genealogies amount merely to superstition. The piece eloquently explores the tension between literal historicity and symbolic resonance in faith, urging a nuanced appreciation of myth’s enduring role in human experience. 🔗

Euhemerism Is Superstition - T Polyphilus - Hermetic Library

🗞️ Source: T Polyphilus @hermetic.com 💓 #MythAndFaith #PhilosophyOfReligion #Euhemerism

📰 To Read... 🔖 Title: Apollonius of Tyana: The Enigmatic Neopythagorean Philosopher Immortalized 🗓️ Published: 2025-07-24T16:02:04+03:00 📄 Summary: Apollonius of Tyana, a figure shrouded in the mists of antiquity, emerges from the Hermetic Library archives through evocative copper engravings and archaeological relics. Known as a Neopythagorean philosopher and revered teacher, his legacy transcends mere biography, inviting us to contemplate the intersection of philosophy, mysticism, and the eternal quest for wisdom. The visual testimonies housed in institutions such as the Diocesan and County Library in Skara, Sweden, and the Heraklion Archaeological Museum evoke a timeless dialogue between the past and present. Through these artifacts, we are reminded that the search for truth remains a sacred journey, one illuminated by the figures who dared to challenge convention and explore the depths of the human spirit. 🔗

Apollonius of Tyana - Hermeneuticon - Hermetic Library

🗞️ Source: librarian@undisclosed.example.com (John Bell) 💓 #Philosophy #AncientWisdom #Neopythagorean

📰 To Read... 🔖 Title: The Resonance of August 6 in Spiritual and Cultural Thought 🗓️ Published: 2025-07-23T16:01:43+03:00 📄 Summary: August 6 marks a confluence of profound observances and esoteric symbols that traverse liturgical, mystical, and cultural domains. It is celebrated as a Greater Feast in certain spiritual calendars, honoring figures such as Annie Elizabeth Fredericka Horniman, whose legacy permeates artistic and philanthropic spheres. Meanwhile, the day resonates within Thelemic practice, highlighted by the invocation of the "Thelemic Tephilah" and references to "Liber LXV Cap. IV," where fire emerges as a transformative element. This day, nestled in the heart of summer, invites reflection on illumination, both literal and metaphorical, as well as the interplay between ancient rites and contemporary spiritual narratives. 🔗

August 6 - Hermeneuticon - Hermetic Library

🗞️ Source: librarian@undisclosed.example.com (John Bell) 💓 #EsotericWisdom #SpiritualHeritage #AugustReflections

📰 To Read... 🔖 Title: Love Alone Reigns: A Reflection on Pride and Progress through the Unicursal Symbol 🗓️ Published: 2025-07-21T16:02:01+03:00 📄 Summary: The Hermetic Library’s evocative creation, “Love Alone Reigns,” melds the timeless wisdom of hermetic philosophy with the vibrant symbolism of Unicursal imagery and Pride's Progress flag. This artistic propaganda transcends mere wallpaper design, serving as a meditative emblem on the sovereignty of love as a guiding principle. Here, pride is not only a celebration of identity but a profound assertion that love—unified, singular, and absolute—remains the ultimate force steering human evolution and societal progress. 🔗

LOVE ALONE REIGNS - MINISTRY OF INFORMATION - Hermetic Library

🗞️ Source: librarian@undisclosed.example.com (John Bell) 💓 #LoveAlone #PrideProgress #UnicursalWisdom

📰 To Read... 🔖 Title: An Ancient Argument for the Existence of the Human Soul 🗓️ Published: 2025-07-21T15:30:00+03:00 📄 Summary: In a timeless philosophical inquiry, the question arises: how can the human mind function independently without the body? This age-old debate delves into the essence of consciousness, contemplating the soul’s existence as a distinct, immaterial entity. The discourse invites us to reconsider the intimate connection between mind and body, challenging the limits of materialism and opening doors to metaphysical reflections that have intrigued thinkers for centuries. 🔗

Mind Matters

An Ancient Argument for the Existence of the Human Soul

One issue that arose in that age of controversy was how anything like a human mind could function without a body?

🗞️ Source: News 💓 #PhilosophyOfMind #HumanSoul #MetaphysicalInquiry

📰 To Read... 🔖 Title: Ritual as Resistance: 18 Stories of Defending the Sacred 🗓️ Published: 2025-07-15T16:01:40+03:00 📄 Summary: *Ritual as Resistance: 18 Stories of Defending the Sacred*, edited by Cindy Barukh Milstein, emerges as a profound anthology capturing the essence of ritual as an act of defiance and preservation. Through eighteen vivid narratives, contributors such as Maggie Mayhem illuminate how rituals become sanctuaries of identity, resilience, and spiritual sovereignty in the face of erasure. This zine, part of the Serapeion collection, is available as a complimentary PDF, inviting readers to reflect on the profound power of collective memory and sacred acts amidst cultural and political struggles. 🔗

Ritual as Resistance: 18 Stories of Defending the Sacred - The Serapeion Project - Hermetic Library

🗞️ Source: librarian@undisclosed.example.com (John Bell) 💓 #CulturalResistance #SacredRituals #CollectiveMemory

📰 To Read... 🔖 Title: Which Way, Oh Modern University? The Marginalization of the Liberal Arts at Tulsa’s Honors College 🗓️ Published: 2025-07-12T09:45:00-04:00 📄 Summary: Jennifer Frey, an accomplished writer and steadfast advocate for the humanities, was unexpectedly removed as Dean of the University of Tulsa’s Honors College. Her departure marks a shift away from a program deeply rooted in the traditional liberal arts and the study of classic texts. This unsettling move underscores a broader trend in higher education where the value of the humanities is increasingly questioned, replaced by administrative restructuring and new directives that often sideline the essence of critical thinking and philosophical inquiry which nurture the soul of a university. Frey’s story invites us to ponder: In an age bent on utility and metrics, what place remains for the contemplative and the profound in the modern academy? 🔗

Mind Matters

Which Way, Modern University? Jennifer Frey’s story

It’s no secret that colleges and universities all across the country don’t value the humanities enough, but this development is particularly pe...

🗞️ Source: Peter Biles 💓 #LiberalArts #HigherEducation #PhilosophyMatters

📰 To Read... 🔖 Title: Pan: The Enigmatic Muse of Wilderness and Desire 🗓️ Published: 2025-07-14T16:02:23+03:00 📄 Summary: The figure of Pan, immortalized in art and myth, evokes the primal symphony of nature and untamed spirit. The Feast of Pan, celebrated on January 1 in the Hermetic Library’s Hermeneuticon, invites reflection on this god of the wild, shepherds, and rustic music. The evocative illustration “Pan and the Wood-Nymphs,” attributed to a Pseudo-Beardsley, channels the decadent and shadowy allure of Aubrey Beardsley’s style, blending myth with a refined aesthetic. This intersection of mythology, art forgery, and symbolic iconography prompts us to reconsider how nature’s mystique and human creativity intertwine, reminding us of an eternal dance between civilization and wilderness. 🔗

Pan - Hermeneuticon - Hermetic Library

🗞️ Source: librarian@undisclosed.example.com (John Bell) 💓 #MythAndArt #PanTheWild #HermeticWisdom

📰 To Read... 🔖 Title: Do What Thou Wilt — A Propaganda Poster for the Occult Age 🗓️ Published: 2025-07-14T16:00:00+03:00 📄 Summary: The Hermetic Library's Office of the Ministry of Information unveils a curious new propaganda feature titled "Do What Thou Wilt." This enigmatic slogan, deeply rooted in occult philosophy and famously championed by Aleister Crowley, is reimagined as a visual masterpiece designed to inspire and delight the modern occultist. Released with stylish digital wallpapers and accompanying merchandise, it beckons the seeker to embrace freedom of will amidst a world hungering for meaning and enchantment. Here, propaganda transcends its bleak reputation and becomes a vessel for joyful rebellion and spiritual exploration. 🔗

MINISTRY OF INFORMATION - Hermetic Library

🗞️ Source: librarian@undisclosed.example.com (John Bell) 💓 #HermeticWisdom #OccultArt #PhilosophyOfWill

📰 To Read... 🔖 Title: Does Dementia Show That the Mind Is Simply What the Brain Does? 🗓️ Published: 2025-07-11T16:00:00+03:00 📄 Summary: In examining the enigmatic relationship between mind and brain, dementia presents a profound puzzle. While cognitive function undeniably relies on the brain's health, the occasional, unexpected moments of lucidity in dementia patients challenge a purely mechanistic view. These fleeting returns of consciousness invite us to reconsider whether the mind is merely a product of physical brain processes or something more elusive—a subtle interplay between biology and something ineffable within human experience. Such reflections provoke us to delve deeper into the nature of consciousness itself, transcending reductionist narratives and embracing the complexity of what it means to be truly aware. 🔗

Mind Matters

Does Dementia Show That the Mind Is Simply What the Brain Does?

But, while the mind generally depends on a healthy brain, sometimes lucidity can come surging back to a demented person briefly and unexpectedly.

🗞️ Source: Denyse O'Leary 💓 #PhilosophyOfMind #Consciousness #Neuroscience

📰 To Read... 🔖 Title: The Virtue of Civility in Controversial Discourse: Reflections from a Recent Debate 🗓️ Published: 2025-07-07T16:00:48+03:00 📄 Summary: In an era marked by polarized opinions and often bitter exchanges, a recent debate between Michael Egnor and Michael Shermer on the Piers Morgan Show highlighted a refreshing commitment to cordiality. Commenters expressed notable appreciation for the respectful tone maintained throughout discussions on divisive topics, underscoring the value of civil dialogue as a cornerstone for mutual understanding and intellectual progress. Such exchanges remind us that the manner in which we engage often shapes the quality of our discourse more than the content alone. 🔗

Mind Matters

Piers Morgan Show: Michael Egnor and Michael Shermer Debate!

One thing that stood out was the commenters’ appreciation of a cordial discussion of often-controversial topics.

🗞️ Source: Denyse O'Leary 💓 #CivilityInDebate #RespectfulDialogue #PhilosophyOfConversation

📰 To Read... 🔖 Title: Occult Press: Crafting Unique Tomes in the Realm of the Hidden 🗓️ Published: 2025-07-06T16:01:55+03:00 📄 Summary: Occult Press, an imprint of Snuggly Books, dedicates itself to the art of publishing fine, limited editions of occult fiction and non-fiction. Each project is a carefully crafted artifact, born from an intentional selection of printers, binders, papers, and materials to evoke a distinct and resonant aesthetic. In an age of mass production, Occult Press reclaims the intimate and the unique, inviting readers to explore esoteric knowledge through vessels as rare as the insights they contain. 🔗

Occult Press - Hermeneuticon - Hermetic Library

🗞️ Source: librarian@undisclosed.example.com (John Bell) 💓 #OccultLiterature #ArtisanPublishing #EsotericKnowledge