The Hermes Paradigm: 
Book One: First Princples
About the book:
Drawing upon many years of rigorous research conducted by dozens of trained individuals, using verifiable methods of investigation and providing reliable and replicable results, and publically introduced here for the first time by Rubaphilos Salfluěre, this first volume in The Hermes Paradigm series offers a detailed consideration of the core concepts that afford a glimpse at the nature of the philosophy, and its first principles, that lie at the heart of Hermetic science - the source and backbone, yet least understood aspect, of the Western mystery tradition. Beginning with an examination of the history of Hermetism over the past two millennia, a clear historical and conceptual distinction is made between the body of pure Hermetic knowledge - the secret tradition - and the popular outer tradition, the latter of which is so often mistaken for the former. The much-neglected and misunderstood heart of Hermetic philosophy and its practical expression - the science of Hermetic initiation - is the subject of detailed discussion, as is the central role that alchemy plays in the theory and practical dynamic of Hermetism. The Emerald Tablet of Hermes Trismegistus is dissected in order to provide the reader with an introduction to how natural law provides the blueprint for both the alchemical laboratory tradition and the inner alchemical journey of initiation. For those interested in developing a higher cognitive faculty capable of grasping deeper truths about the true nature of existence, The Hermes Paradigm, Book One: First Principles is essential reading.

About the author:
Rubaphilos Salfluěre began his nine year alchemical apprenticeship in 1988, under the private instruction of Frater Albertus Spagyricus' last active New Zealand graduate. By 1990, he had founded a small alchemical study group whose aim is the preservation and further development of the knowledge that he inherited from his teacher. Today that group continues to serve as a vehicle for private tuition and collaborative research. During the past 20 years, Rubaphilos has been a member of a number of respected esoteric organisations including the Ancient and Mystical Order Rosæ Crucis, the Builders of the Adytum, the Hermetic Order of the Golden Dawn, the Philosophers of Nature, and Freemasonry, holding prominent offices and ranks in some of these institutions. Originally trained as a neo-Jungian therapist, and running a private practice during the mid-1990s, his skill in the field of human psychology has allowed him to open doors into little understood avenues of the inner alchemical work. Rubaphilos began to study oenology through Charles Sturt University in 2003, for the purpose of augmenting his traditional training in laboratory alchemy with a modern depth of understanding. Today he lives in Hawke's Bay, New Zealand, focusing upon his writing, ongoing teaching and research commitments.

publisher's website (Salamander and Sons)

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About the book:
This second volume in Rubaphilos Salfluĕre’s groundbreaking The Hermes Paradigm series builds upon the foundation laid in Book One: First Principles – with its detailed consideration of the history of Hermetism, exposition upon the core concepts and first principles of Hermetic science and initiation, and discussion of how natural law provides the blueprint for both the alchemical laboratory tradition and the inner alchemical journey of initiation – to examine the Western tradition of Hermetic laboratory alchemy. Motives for entering into the alchemical work are proffered as a starting point for consideration: if it is quality knowledge regarding the truth about the nature of reality that one genuinely seeks, and if one is prepared to relentlessly pursue such knowledge over days, months or more likely years towards its eventual attainment, then the Royal Road of alchemy – the Hermetic science – may indeed lead one to the desired destination, the illumination that is wisdom. Along the way, the importance of a rigorous and disciplined experimental methodology is emphasised, as is the guidance of a reliable and generous tutor; the creation of matter and its nature as per Hermetic philosophy – including the three Principals of Salt-structure, Sulphur-energy and Mercury-intelligence, which form the foundation of matter – is elaborated, as is the relationship between these Principals and the essential binary system inherent in all departments of Nature (that is, the Universal Spirit and the Watery Chaos), and the Elements. The mechanism by which matter evolves – known as spagyria – is then discussed, and the application of spagyric method to the First Work or Plant Prima detailed. Venturing further than to merely iterate recommended alchemical laboratory equipment and simple and practical astrological considerations, The Hermes Paradigm, Book Two: The First Work describes at length the processes of separation and putrefaction (by maceration, fermentation and pelicanisation), purification and cohobation, along with specific confections ranging from the herbal simple to the Plant Stone, the Circulatum Minor and even rejuvenatives such as the Primum Ens Melissæ.

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This book covers the subject of the production of alchemic metallic oils (Sulphurs) via the acetate technique, alkali method and citric acid method. It gives a full operative description of the work, as well as some important theory never seen before in print. The theory also includes an explanation of the underlying chemistry of the process. 

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This book covers the subject of the confection of the Philosopher's Stone via the Path of Saturn (today called the acetate path). An complete explanation of the path is given, based on an indepth commentary on Sir George Ripley's 'Bosome Book', with comparisons provided from other important classic sources. This text includes extensive graphics to illustrate important concepts in the work.

This discourse is second to none in the detail it provides on the subject matter of the acetate process, and in the completeness of the description it provides.

This book will cover an indepth look at the subject of how the lab process forms a model of the inner (spiritual) alchemical work of peresonal transformation. It will look at some of the very secrective history of this work, and explain the detail of its theory.

This discourse provides a view of the great alchemical inner work unlike anything before seen in print.