The Corpus Hermetica
or
The
Writings Attributed to Hermes Trismestigustus
These
ancient writings come out of Egypt during a time when Greek
and Latin philosophy were at their peak. The people to whom
they were addressed are thought to be fictitious, much as
the Greek writers wrote to fictitious characters, but the
content of the treatises was largely responsible for waking
up Europe before the Renaissance. They have long been the
influence for the Hermetic way of life.
"Enoch was the first who invented books and different sorts
of writing. The ancient Greeks declare that Enoch is the
same as Mercury Trismegistus [Hermes], and that he taught
the sons of men the art of building cities, and enacted
some admirable laws...He discovered the knowledge of the
Zodiac, and the course of the Planets; and he pointed out
to the sons of men, that they should worship God, that they
should fast, that they should pray, that they should give
alms, votive offerings, and tenths. He reprobated
abominable foods and drunkenness, and appointed festivals
for sacrifices to the Sun, at each of the Zodiacal Signs."
- Hebraeus