The Secret Hymnody

The Secret Hymnody is a book written by G.R.S. Mead, a renowned scholar of ancient religions and mysticism. The book explores the history and significance of hymns in various spiritual traditions, including Gnosticism, Hermeticism, and Neoplatonism. Mead argues that these hymns were not only expressions of religious devotion, but also contained hidden wisdom and esoteric teachings that were meant to be decoded by initiates. The Secret Hymnody is divided into three parts. The first part provides an overview of the history and significance of hymns in various spiritual traditions, including the ancient Egyptian, Greek, and Jewish traditions. The second part focuses on the hymns of the Gnostics, a group of early Christians who believed in the importance of secret knowledge and mystical experience. Mead provides detailed analysis of several key Gnostic hymns, including the Hymn of the Pearl and the Hymn of Jesus. The third part of the book explores the hymns of the Hermetic and Neoplatonic traditions. Mead argues that these hymns were part of a larger body of esoteric teachings that aimed to reveal the nature of the divine and the cosmos. He provides analysis of several key hymns, including the Hymn of Hermes and the Hymn of the Soul. Overall, The Secret Hymnody provides a fascinating look at the role of hymns in various spiritual traditions and their significance as vehicles for hidden wisdom and esoteric teachings. Mead's extensive knowledge of the subject matter and his clear and engaging writing style make this book a must-read for anyone interested in the history of spirituality and mysticism.THIS 20 PAGE ARTICLE WAS EXTRACTED FROM THE BOOK: Hymns of Hermes, by G. R. S. Mead. To purchase the entire book, please order ISBN 0766130916.This scarce antiquarian book is a facsimile reprint of the old original and may contain some imperfections such as library marks and notations. Because we believe this work is culturally important, we have made it available as part of our commitment for protecting, preserving, and promoting the world's literature in affordable, high quality, modern editions, that are true to their original work.