Hermetic Fragments
A public-domain repository gathering manuscripts, papyri, translations and scholarly notes on Hermeticism, Alchemy, Astrology and allied traditions. Navigate the sections at left or scroll down — each section is a full “page” with deep content and primary sources.
Quick links: Nag Hammadi · Hermetic Papyri · Primary Texts
Historical Overview
Hermeticism is a multi-layered current of thought — syncretic Greco-Egyptian writings, late antique philosophy, occult practice, and Renaissance revival. This section summarizes the major phases and discoveries that shaped our knowledge.
Antiquity & Hellenistic Egypt
Hermetic texts were composed in Greek and later translated into Coptic and Latin. They blend Platonic metaphysics, Egyptian religious motifs and practical theurgy.
Late Antiquity Discoveries
New manuscripts such as Nag Hammadi (1945) and other papyri dramatically changed scholarship by revealing previously unknown fragments and gnostic-hermetic overlaps.
Renaissance & Alchemical Reception
Hermetic texts were rediscovered in Latin translations and were influential for Renaissance magi, alchemists, and early modern scientists. They spurred esoteric schools and the famous motto “As above, so below.”
Manuscripts & Codices
Nag Hammadi, Oxyrhynchus papyri, Coptic codices and Latin manuscripts — these collections preserve vital Hermetic-related texts. Below are focused notes and authoritative links.
Nag Hammadi Library (1945)
Discovered near the town of Nag Hammadi, these codices include Gnostic and Hermetic fragments (e.g., Discourse on the Eighth and Ninth). They reveal ritual, cosmology and ascensional material overlapping Hermetic thought.
Oxyrhynchus Papyri & Egyptian Papyri
Oxyrhynchus and other excavations produced a large set of papyri that include everyday documents, magical spells and philosophical fragments — some of which illuminate Hermetic practice and magical recipes.
Latin Manuscripts (Renaissance)
Many Hermetic texts circulated in Latin translations during the Renaissance, providing the bridge between ancient texts and modern esoteric traditions.
Papyri: Hermetic, Magical & Practical Texts
The papyri tradition contains ritual instructions, spells, alchemical recipes and practical cosmology. Below are key corpora and what they contribute to Hermetic studies.
Hermetic Papyri
Small papyrus fragments preserve Hermetic teachings, hymns, and liturgical material — valuable because they show local Egyptian adaptations of Hermetic thought.
Greek Magical Papyri (PGM)
The PGM is a large corpus of spells and rites. While not purely Hermetic, many PGM texts share ritual motifs and technical vocabulary used later by esoteric practitioners.
Preservation & Scans
Many institutions publish high-resolution scans (e.g., British Library, Bodleian, Papyrological Navigator). These sources are essential for primary research.
Alchemy: Theory & Practice
Alchemy is tightly linked to Hermetic thought — symbolic transmutation, spiritual transformation, laboratory practice and the language of correspondences.
Emerald Tablet & Core Aphorisms
The Emerald Tablet is short but foundational; its line “As above, so below” is a concise expression of hermetic correspondence and operation.
Alchemical Corpus
From Zosimos to Paracelsus and Renaissance translators, alchemical literature carried hermetic motifs into practical laboratory injunctions and symbolic diagrams.
Practice & Symbolism
Alchemical texts often encode procedures in allegory. This site collects decoded readings and reliable translations when in the public domain.
Astrology & Celestial Correspondences
Hermetic systems frequently use astrological correspondences to explain the influence of the stars on material and spiritual processes. This section provides references and classic charts.
Astrological Tables & Texts
Texts from Ptolemy’s tradition, medieval Arabic astrology and Renaissance tables inform Hermetic correspondences used in ritual and alchemy.
Planetary Magic
Planetary hours, talismans and planetary images are common practical elements where astrology meets Hermetic technique.
Key Figures & Traditions
Profiles of historical or legendary figures who shaped the Hermetic tradition and its reception.
Hermes Trismegistus
Hermes is the syncretic figure (Greek Hermes + Egyptian Thoth) credited with Hermetic writings. Historically, the texts are products of Hellenistic Egypt and Late Antiquity.
Gnostic & Neo-Platonic Contacts
The overlap with Gnostic cosmology (Nag Hammadi) and Neoplatonic metaphysics (Plotinus) is complex and academically important for contextualizing Hermetic thought.
Renaissance Interpreters
Renaissance scholars reinterpreted Hermetic texts as prisms for spiritual and natural philosophy, influencing the early modern intellectual landscape.
Library — Selected Public-Domain Texts
Below is a searchable sample catalogue. Click an item to see metadata and external links.
Repositories & Digital Resources
Trusted repositories, IIIF viewers, libraries and scholarly editions where primary scans and critical editions can be consulted.
Perseus, Internet Archive, Google Books
Large repositories where older translations and scanned manuscripts may be found. Use catalog filters to locate editions in the public domain.
British Library / Bodleian / Bibliothèque nationale
Major institutions publish digitized manuscripts and metadata; always cite the holding collection when using images or transcriptions.
Papyrological Navigator & IIIF
Specialized tools allow researchers to view high-resolution papyrus images and metadata (useful for palaeography and textual criticism).
Contribute & Cite
Hermetic Fragments is curated by volunteers. If you would like to contribute texts, transcriptions, or images — or report provenance/copyright issues — please contact the curators (placeholder@example.org).
How to cite
Provide title, manuscript (if any), holding institution, and URL to the scanned image. Example: The Discourse on the Eighth and Ninth, Nag Hammadi Codex VI, Bodmer Library (scan), Hermetic Fragments (URL).
Volunteer roles
We seek volunteers with palaeography, languages (Coptic, Greek, Latin, Arabic), or digital humanities skills to expand the corpus responsibly.
License policy
We only host/link to works in the public domain or images explicitly cleared for reuse. If an item is incorrectly listed, contact us for correction/removal.