• Examines the foundational texts and principles of Hermeticism and alchemy, showing how they offer a foundation for a psycho-spiritual creative practice
• Takes the reader on a Hermetic journey through each of the seven traditional planets, offering meditative discourses that speak directly to the intuitive soul
• Provides examples from traditional alchemical art and the author’s own intricate esoteric paintings
Drawing on ancient Egyptian and Greek cosmogonies and essential Hermetic texts, such as the Corpus Hermeticum, the Emerald Tablet (Tabula Smaragdina), and the Nag Hammadi codices, Marlene Seven Bremner offers a detailed understanding of Hermetic philosophy and the art of alchemy as a foundation for a psycho-spiritual creative practice. Offering examples from traditional alchemical art and her own intricate esoteric paintings, Bremner examines the foundational principles of Hermeticism and alchemy and shows how these traditions are a direct means for accessing higher consciousness and true self-knowledge, or gnosis, as well as a way to extract the essence of one’s own creative gifts.
The author takes the reader on a Hermetic journey through each of the seven traditional planets--Saturn, Jupiter, Mars, the Sun, Venus, Mercury, and the Moon--exploring their mythological, philosophical, alchemical, Qabalistic, magical, astrological, and energetic natures and offering meditative discourses that reach past the rational mind to speak directly to the intuitive soul. She relates the seven planets to the esoteric anatomy of the human body, specifically the seven chakras, and shows how the planets can offer understanding and experience of archetypal energies and patterns in the body, in one’s life, and in the creative process.
A profound synthesis of magical and occult teachings as well as an initiation into the alchemical opus, this book reveals how to integrate and apply Hermetic and alchemical principles to awaken inner knowing, liberate the imagination, and live a mystical, creative, and truly inspired life.
Marlene Seven Bremner is a self-taught oil painter, writer, and teacher who has spent more than 20 years exploring esoteric and spiritual traditions, including Hermeticism, alchemy, surrealism, symbolism, tarot, psychology, magic, astrology, shamanism, and mythology. She developed her career as an artist in the Pacific Northwest and now spends her time painting and writing in the New Mexico desert.
“This life-changing book will take you on an amazing, enlightening, soul-filled journey into the wisdom and profound insights of Hermeticism, alchemy, and the occult arts. It gracefully reveals universal truths, cosmic secrets, and hidden mysteries through the author’s immense knowledge on the subject matter as well as her own brilliant creative process. I highly recommend this book to all those who would like to spark their own healing process and spiritual awakening.”
— PHILIP M. BERK, author of Mountain’s Stillness, River’s Wisdom and A Single Flower: Medi
“Marlene Seven Bremner has blessed contemporary readers with a comprehensive book on the history and practice of Hermeticism. Well-researched and approached from the experience of the creative process itself, Hermetic Philosophy and Creative Alchemy offers valuable insight into the transmutative path of the Great Work. As an artist and true daughter of Hermes, the author adeptly shows us why Hermeticism is referred to as the Royal Art. An absolutely pleasurable and edifying read.”
— WILLIAM KIESEL, author of Magic Circles in the Grimoire Tradition
“Bremner guides us on a transformative journey of the energetics of change that bridges ancient wisdom with new scholarship. She illuminates the alchemical arts brilliantly and unforgettably, both textually and visually. Her complex paintings reveal her vision and unfold their meaning only upon the reader’s resonant, meditative gaze. This book invites us to enter into the cauldron of our mystical transformation and awaken our creative forces.”
— LESLIE KORN, PH.D., MPH, author of Rhythms of Recovery: Trauma, Nature, and the Body
“Hermetic Philosophy and Creative Alchemy is an important and necessary work, especially for anyone involved in art and art making who wishes to use their making as a spiritual practice. Alchemy is an art; in fact, it has been called ‘the Art’ of arts in that all creation, according to alchemical theory, flows from the same principles. Implied in this is that any art practice may be used in the alchemical work of making change. In Hermetic Philosophy and Creative Alchemy, firmly grounded in primary texts and enriched through her own practice, Bremner provides a remarkably varied and thorough foundation in Hermetic philosophy, cosmology, and practice with leads for deeper study. With this foundation established, Bremner then sets before us another rich feast in her word-portraits of each of the planetary spheres--each portrait an incredible array of myth, poetry, science, philosophy, and magic. Understanding these spheres is critical, as they are the stages of ‘the old, old path’ of the soul’s journey to the One. Hermetic Philosophy and Creative Alchemy provides the maps and tools for this journey. It is all here. The only thing missing is you.”
— BRIAN COTNOIR, author of Alchemy: The Poetry of Matter and Practical Alchemy: A Guide to the Great W
"Informatively illustrated, impressively informative, expertly written, and thoroughly 'reader friendly' in organization and presentation, Marlene Seven Bremner's Hermetic Philosophy and Creative Alchemy: The Emerald Tablet, the Corpus Hermeticum, and the Journey through the Seven Spheres is an extraordinary and unreservedly recommended addition to personal, professional, community, and academic library Metaphysical Studies collections. Of special relevance to readers with an interest in Hermetic Philosophy and Alchemy, it should be noted that Hermetic Philosophy and Creative Alchemy is also available in a digital book format (Kindle, $26.99)."
— Wisconsin Bookwatch
"This is a substantial text on a complicated topic. Hermeticism is a many-headed beast with a myriad of facets. Bremner does a fine job of taming the beast and presenting Hermeticism in a comprehensible manner. Excellent organization of material is the author’s friend here. Highly recommended as a source for understanding Hermeticism and as a reference book for the myriad of primary texts, history, philosophies and practices that branch outward from it."
— Elizabeth Hazel, FacingNorth.net
