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Written in Latin in 1732, The Key of Hermetic Science is one of those rare works that have left a lasting mark on alchemical literature despite their relative brevity. The treatise notably caught the attention of Fulcanelli, who saw in it one of the keys to understanding certain aspects of Pythagorean Kabbalah and the symbolic language used by hermetic philosophers. Its famous final diagram, dedicated to the Pythagorean table, remains one of the most discussed elements of the work.
A Kabbalistic reading of the alchemical tradition
The author, whose identity remains unknown but whom some researchers believe to be from Iceland or Norway, develops an original interpretation of the Pythagorean table, linking it to the Greek Tetragrammaton and the Hebrew Schemhamphorash. His goal is to recover what he considers the primitive alchemical doctrine, which he believes originated in ancient Egypt before being transmitted in veiled forms by the Greeks, Hebrews, and Arabs. The text argues that true understanding of this heritage comes primarily through careful observation of Nature.
A discreet classic of hermetic literature
First published in Marburg in 1746, then reissued in Amsterdam in 1751 with a French translation alongside the Latin text, this work saw several more reprints during the 18th century. Despite its concise format, it holds a special place in alchemical studies thanks to the richness of its symbolism and its aim to trace back to the oldest sources of the Hermetic Art. This reissue now allows readers to rediscover a text that has become a reference for enthusiasts of alchemy, Kabbalah, and hermetic philosophy.
