Hermeticism is one of the oldest philosophical traditions which deals with the human condition. It believes in the divine revelation spread across the world which is quite often seen in different religions. Therefore, the truth is present in all religions, however, the cultural divide and disagreements have resulted in the modern separation of man from God. Thus, the ability of a regular man to reach the divine revelation is an esoteric journey seen in hermetic philosophy.
However, the journey is not easy because of the challenges a soul faces in the human body. These are also referred to as the tormentors of the human soul, and their sole purpose is to keep man out of reach of God. Moreover, an individual must conquer these tormentors to make any progress on the esoteric journey.
12 Tormentors In The Hermetic Philosophy
The underlying philosophy of hermeticism deals with the relationship between God and several obstacles that come in between. These are called the tormentors of the human soul and a person needs to overcome them if he wants to attain gnosis. Moreover, the role of these tormentors is to hinder the process of gnosis or liberation in a human. So, to overcome the tormentors a person needs to follow seven hermetic principles.
Ignorance
Ignorance is the man’s ability to ignore the truth even if everything is right in front of his eyes. The different theological principles in the religions all across the world claim the right of truth. However, modern man ignores most of that stuff.
Sorrow
The great loss of something valuable in one life also hinders one ability to reach God. Thus, an individual must overcome inner sadness and grief and focus on the things that matter.
Intemperance
Man can give into different vices and temperance is the inability to maintain the moderation of things which are harmful to us. On top of that, one must develop boundaries when it comes to anything in life.
Lust
One of the biggest sins in the bible is that lust abuses others for one’s enjoyment. However, the feeling is wrong and does not add any value to one’s life. Therefore, it is necessary to understand the difference between lust and love.
Injustice
Justice is the craving of a soul when there is any form of nuisance. However, one should also abide their lives by justice and not crave for things which lead to injustice. Think of it this way—if there is no objective law then the whole concept of justice is out of the window.
Greed
Earn your food with honesty and do not keep an eye on other’s earnings. The concept is very simple however, many people give in to greed and lose their way. So, try to overcome greed by giving selflessly.
Deceit
Keeping the truth hidden is one of the biggest mistakes that one can make in their life. It’s not because truth hurts but because truth leads to the manifestation of the best possible reality. And for some reason, people don’t want that.
Envy
A person should not think about other people and the things they have. It is the leading way by which one can lose their essential time on earth.
Treachery
Misleading your friend or folk for something for gain is also a torment on the human soul. One may find the best possible motive against an individual but it does not make the act of betrayal right.
Anger
Try to control anger and do not let emotion dictate your actions. A person is not himself when he is angry but he can be a saint if he controls the anger.
Recklessness
Try to live as if you respect it. Recklessness takes maturity and responsibility from one’s life and takes it to another direction. And it’s not the right way to live life according to the hermetic philosophy.
Malice
Do not intend to harm someone as it is not good and will take a toll on your soul. Even if you want to hurt someone and they might deserve it, taking the opposite route is the best decision you can take.
Conclusion: Hermetic Philosophy
Hermetic philosophy focuses on the human condition and divine revelation, which is present in all religions. To reach divine revelation, individuals must overcome the tormentors of the human soul, which hinder the process of gnosis.
Frequently Ask Questions (FAQs)
What are the 12 torments?
The twelve torments of the human soul according to Hermes:
- Ignorance
- Sorrow
- Intemperance
- Lust
- Injustice
- Greed
- Deceit
- Envy
- Treachery
- Anger
- Recklessness
- Malice
Who is God in Hermeticism?
God in hermeticism preexists everything and exists in everything that exists.
How old are the 7 Hermetic principles?
Some of the earliest hermetic principles date back to 200 and 500 BCE.
What are the different types of Hermeticism?
The different types of hermeticism that exist are:
- Popular (Astrology)
- Learned (Theology and Philosophy)
