Hermes Trismegistus

Hermes Trismegistus ("Thrice-Great Hermes") was not a character from classical mythology but a syncretic figure who emerged from the blending of the Greek god Hermes and the Egyptian god Thoth. Both were gods of writing, magic, and wisdom, and their merger created a legendary sage credited with founding alchemy, astrology, and theurgy.

The Hermetic texts — a collection of philosophical and magical writings from the early centuries CE — were attributed to Hermes Trismegistus. These texts blended Greek philosophy with Egyptian religious thought and profoundly influenced Western esotericism, from medieval alchemy to Renaissance magic to Freemasonry.

The famous phrase "As above, so below" — the idea that the macrocosm of the universe is reflected in the microcosm of the individual — comes from the Hermetic tradition. The term "hermetically sealed" originally referred to a seal made using alchemical techniques attributed to Hermes Trismegistus.