The Virgin of the World of Hermes Mercurius Trismagistus

The Virgin of the World of Hermes Mercurius Trismegistus is a translation by Anna Kingsford and Edward Maitland, first published in 1885. This work presents a collection of Hermetic texts attributed to Hermes Trismegistus, a legendary Hellenistic figure who is a syncretic combination of the Greek god Hermes and the Egyptian god Thoth.

The central piece, "The Virgin of the World," is a dialogue between the goddess Isis and her son Horus, wherein Isis imparts esoteric wisdom concerning the creation of the world and the divine nature of humanity. The volume also includes other Hermetic fragments and teachings that delve into ancient spiritual and philosophical concepts.

Kingsford and Maitland, both prominent figures in the 19th-century esoteric and Theosophical movements, undertook this translation to make these mystical teachings accessible to the English-speaking audience. Their work reflects a period of renewed interest in Hermeticism, which significantly influenced Western esoteric traditions and the development of modern occultism.

The themes explored in this collection, such as the unity of the divine and the cosmos, the pursuit of spiritual knowledge, and the transformation of the soul, continue to resonate with readers interested in mysticism and the perennial philosophy.