Product Description

Initiation into Hermetics provides step by step instruction in the form of practical exercises. These exercises lead to the development of body, soul and spirit. The result of the practical exercises is the development of occult abilities which can be of benefit to the student, in as far as he can change his existence for the better.

The great mystery of the Tetragrammaton, the key to the tetrapolar magnet, is explained. By reading the theoretical section many secrets are unveiled which were once only known to very few. The reader will receive first-hand knowledge about the principles of fire, air, water and earth, the positive and negative attributes of these elements, and how these elements affect the human body. The immutable law of cause and effect is explained, not only as it applies to human beings, but also how it applies to the elements. Detailed information is also given about the soul or the astral body, and how the four elements determine the temperament in a person.

The astral plane is considered to be "the beyond" by most religions. This plane does have its inhabitants, most of which are departed human beings from earth. Besides that you find elementaries, beings with one or only a few attributes. It is very advantageous to learn about these beings and how they affect a human being's life. There is also another kind of being, which is a being of the pure elements. The reader will find that many myths or even fairy tales are based on truth. But mankind has lost the ability to stay in contact with reality and has chosen to live in a completely transitory world which they consider to be their reality.

The third plain, the mental plain, is also explained; it is the sphere of thought which has its origin in the world of ideas.

Each step of the practical part of this book is divided into three parts: the magical spiritual or mental schooling, soul or astral schooling, and physical schooling. This allows the student to maintain a complete equilibrium. The student learns how to control all his mental faculties even to the point that he can control every thought. He will learn self-introspection, clairvoyance, clairaudience, clairsentience, astral and mental travel, control of the electric and magnetic fluids, and communication with the beings of the astral plain. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #81377 in Books
• Published on: 2001-03
• Original language: German
• Binding: Paperback
• 356 pages

Language Notes
Text: English, German (translation)

From the Publisher
This new edition has been retranslated from the original German text. Numerous language and text flaws have been corrected and we feel that it will give the aspiring student a clear understanding of the Bardon material. Initiation into Hermetics is the first volume of the true Holy Mysteries which up until the 1950s were not revealed the public at large.

From the Back Cover
Franz Bardon is considered by many as the greatest adept of the 20th century. A tireless worker for the light, he survived Hitler's concentration camps but died a victim of Communist persecution in 1958. He left behind him four legendary books which have become acknowledged classics of occult literature.

Initiation into Hermetics is the first and most important of Bardon's works and is rightly regarded as the cornerstone of his entire opus. In contrast to other books on the subject of magic, Bardon focuses his attention on the practical training necessary for all true magical attainment. Using the four elements of fire, water, air and earth as a foundation, Bardon teaches the student how to master these universal forces in the three worlds of body, soul and spirit. The author leads the student step by step through exercises providing detailed training in the entire arcanum of magic, from basic techniques in thought control and imagination to advanced teachings in astral travel, the use of talismans and magic mirrors, and much more. No other writer has ever developed such a clear, concise and practical program of magical development.

Merkur Publishing is pleased to announce the new American edition of this Hermetic classic work in an entirely new translation.

Customer Reviews

Most Comprehensive Mind Training Manual
This book is loaded from cover to cover with practical mind-training exercises - from developing the power of one's imagination, to training different senses and perfecting the ability to use them individually or in conjunction with each other; to working with the elements; transfering one's consciousness; generating and projecting energy; and much more. By the time you're done going thoroughly through all the exercises in this book and practicing them until you master them - your ability to use the power of your mind will increase beyond your wildest dreams - and you will have many interesting experiences along the way.

A true philosophical and magical guide.
There are a number of ways of reading this book. Philosophically, magically and on a practical level. Having bought it in 1979 I had to wait for the internet to be able to discuss the various aspects of this book with other people who have read it particularly since some aspects of it are not easy for the neophyte and one could not find Bardon readers round the corner. I started my own discussion group and a few months later a real professional group was set up so I dropped mine.Discussion groups also offered the opportunity to clarify some of its more obscure points while as it encouraged those who were more advanced along the path to write books on the matters discussed in the IIH in order to explain teh more obscure areas and adress readers questions. Thus the involvement in IIH can be total for the seeker. One progresses along the path of magic at one's own pace finding light along the way.

On a personnal basis, this book opened the gates of all religions. I realised but more importantly understood the basis of all religions as a result. There is an emphasis on the Jewish Kaballah but only as a base. By understanding the true meaning of religion and the world beyond this book has a direct philosophical influence. By teaching the art of magic, this book opens up possibilities for the seeker. And, by providing practical steps for the development of one magic's powers on a physical, mental and psychic level, one develops into a new human beeing.

With this understanding and the accompanying mastery and development one becomes a much better Jew Christian or whatever religion one is brought up in because one then perceives the religion from above as the real ray of light and not from below as some sort of dogma to be accepted.

Through this book, your heart enters in the world of religion and magic. Highly reccomended even if you are just a passive reader and not an active achiever on the path of magic.

I wish I had started my Path with this book.
Had I done so, I would not have had to wade through all the new-age waffle that pretends to be magickal training today. And I'd have more money. But with that said, this book isn't for the casual dabbler or the wannabe wizard. This is a serious, PhD- level book for the Seeker on the Path who, like me, has passed through the many stages and levels of insight on their way to Mastery. It is beautiful in its dense Germanic imperative simplicity, and just getting through a chapter and getting it into your psychic marrow may take weeks or months. But the results will be well worth it, as the 'Ah-Ha!' light within your soul gradually brightens, and your world will never be the same again.

This isn't for the timid, or the doubtful, or the casual dabbler. It won't blow up in your face like Crowley's stuff does, but it definitely will blow your mind if you are not ready to accept the responsibility that the exercises and techniques in this book will impart to you. I'd say that if you're under the age of 35, maybe you should wait to get this, because you should have some living under your belt to truly comprehend its impact on your life.

This book should be the keystone of any Gnostic, Hermetic, Kabalastic, or Rosicrucian practitioner of the Western Mysteries library. Mr. Bardon has given the student magus a great gift. Use it with wisdom and care.