Order of Hermes

Order of Hermes is a mystical Tradition from Mage: the Ascension RPG from the World of Darkness line by White Wolf Game Studio.

History

Antiquity

The Tradition traces its roots to Sumer and ancient Egypt as far as 5000 years ago when the first writing systems were discovered in Western civilization. Before discovery of writing, the name was thought to be inherent to object it designates reflecting its true nature. With writing as an ability to catch and manipulate names, the scribe was able to imprison the object and manipulate its very nature. The catching of names was considered a magical act in ancient societies so the ability to write was reserved to the clergy under direct influence of gods of wisdom and magic such as Thot.

Also, letters provided useful metaphor for abstact concepts, so for the first time in history thinkers were able to ascend from physical world into whole new realm of ideas. First, Plato formed theory of realism that allowed secular paradigm for controlling every element of reality. Then mystics equated ideals with divinity developing manicheic, gnostic, neoplatonic and other dualistic theories around 2nd century CE. But this 2nd century great intellectual ferment was soon squashed by rapid expansion of Christianity that strived for orthodoxy in Mediterranean region. Soon, Rome fell and most of Western civilization felt into long Dark Times. Hermetic scholars fragmented, sharing of ideas halted and wizards secluded themselves to their towers for protection and comfort of study free from Church's inquiry.

From the summonings of Babylonian priests to Egyptian priest's divining the Nile's flooding from stars to Salomon's seals that gave him control over world this was the time of greatest mages of Western tradition. It was also the time when the greatest grimoires and talismans were created. However, apart from Salomon we don't know their names and so the body of knowledge consisting of theurgia, goetia, astrology and alchemy was known as the work of single Ascended being called Hermes Trismegistus.

Order of Hermes

It was only in 767 CE when situation changed. Two mages: Bonisagus and Trianoma gathered eleven other great magi and persuaded them to form an alliance. Thus, Order of Hermes was born.

The Tradition

Modern thoughts

Hermetic practice

Houses of Hermes

References

See also