He was also a yoga student, and this book is peppered with cross-fetilisations between Hermetic and Yogic thought. As a temperament, he reminds me of Plato - not very freedom-loving or democratic, but his love of elitist thought led him to write such books, without taking any account of fashion.

Hated the modern world, was nostalgic for the Roman Empire and as a result gave Il Duce his support - until he realised that Mussolini was just a fraud. This is what I got out of the first half of the. One of the leading exponents of the Hermetic tradition, Julius Evola demonstrates the singularity. Alchemy is fiendishly complicated! - or perhaps I should say - fiendishly obfuscated by most authors - that's why a clear-written book like Evola's is a gift.īTW - strange guy, this Evola. Ive been reading The Hermetic Tradition in an attempt to better understand alchemical theory and symbolism. The Hermetic Tradition by Julius Evola - This important survey of alchemical symbols and doctrines sets forth the mysterious worldview and teachings of the p. and teachings of the practitioners of the royal art. He takes the approach of explaining the symbols as discrete entities, rather than the whole process - but read together you can piece together a process, especially if you know a little about alchemy to start off with.

It's good, covering a few basis symbols of alchemy - the Royal Art - seen as an esoteric-mystical discipline. Inner Traditions has published his Eros and the Mysteries of Love: The Metaphysics of Sex, The Yoga of Power, The Hermetic Tradition, Revolt Against the. One of the leading exponents of the Hermetic tradition, Julius Evola demonstrates the singularity of subject matter that lies behind the words of all adepts in all ages, showing how alchemy-often misunderstood as primitive chemistry or a mere template for the Jungian process of 'individuation'-is nothing less than a universal secret science. Yes, I've had that book for years, before I became interested in tarot (and that was almost 9 years ago).