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by Alfred DeStefano III (Editor), Mark Stavish (Author)
Mercury's Children - Shamanic and Hermetic Practices is a thorough overview of the common roots and practices of Shamanism and Hermeticism. Shamanism is the foundation of all religion, magic, initiation, and esotericism. Shamanism is about experiencing the physical world as filled with visible and invisible beings of wisdom and power with whom humans may interact if they chose, but to their detriment, often do not. Shamanism is magic in its most powerful, sensual, erotic and illusive sense. However, many modern Hermetic schools have often ignored their shamanic roots, and have removed themselves from a source of important experiences and power. The influence of shamanism on alchemy, and ceremonial practices of goetia, notions of demon and Elemental lovers, folk magic (Brauche and Pow-Wow of the Pennsylvania Germans), Rosicrucianism, and Freemasonic symbols of initiation and resurrection are explored. An extensive set of suggested methods for students of Hermeticism wishing to integrate Shamanism into their practices are provided.
Author Biography
Mark Stavish (Pennsylvania) is a respected authority in the study and practice of Western spiritual traditions. He is the author of several books, including The Path of Alchemy, Kabbalah for Health and Wellness, and Between the Gates - Lucid Dreaming, Astral Projection and the Body of Light in Western Esotericism and has been translated into over nine languages worldwide. He is the founder and Director of Studies at the Institute for Hermetic Studies (Wyoming, Pennsylvania) and the Louis Claude de St. Martin Fund. Alfred DeStefano III (Tulsa, OK) teaches mathematics at the university level. In addition to being a "Renaissance Man" of many varied and unique talents, he has assisted in the production of numerous esoteric publications.
