1956 book by Franz Bardon
Initiation into Hermetics is the title of the English translation of Franz Bardon's first of three volumes concerning self-realization in line with the Hermetic tradition.
Publication.
The book was first published in German in 1956 under the title by publisher Verlag Hermann Bauer. The first English edition appeared in 1962, published by Osiris Verlag and translated by Alfred Radspieler. A second English translation was published in 1971 by Dieter Rüggeberg. The most recent translation is published by Merkur, the translators of which were: Gerhard Hanswille and Franca Gallo and edited by Ken Johnson.
Structure.
The book itself is divided into two sections: the theory section and the practical section.
The theory section outlines esoteric theory and Hermetic philosophy to help the student when following this course. Topics covered include the elements (fire, air, water and earth plus the fifth, ether), Karma (the law of cause and effect), occult anatomy, the physical, astral and mental planes and the matters of religion and god.
The practical section is divided into 10 steps. Each step contains physical, astral and mental exercises which the student must master to the degree laid out by Bardon before moving on to the next step. The three kinds of exercises within a step are to be practiced concurrently, the idea being that this will lead to a more balanced development.
References.
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