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Hermetism is a religious, philosophical, and esoteric tradition based primarily upon writings attributed to Hermes Trismegistus. The tradition is rooted in the Hellenistic period of Egypt, around the 1st to 3rd centuries CE. Hermetic texts often deal with alchemy, astrology, theology, and the nature of the divine. The central figure, Hermes Trismegistus, is a syncretic deity combining the Greek god Hermes with the Egyptian god Thoth.

The core principles of Hermetism are often summarized in the "Emerald Tablet," a legendary artifact containing the "as above, so below" principle. This axiom suggests a correspondence between the macrocosm (the universe) and the microcosm (humanity), implying that understanding one can lead to understanding the other. Hermeticism emphasizes spiritual ascent, self-knowledge, and the pursuit of gnosis, or direct spiritual understanding.

Throughout history, Hermeticism has influenced various esoteric movements, including Renaissance magic, Rosicrucianism, and certain branches of Western occultism. Its teachings have been preserved and transmitted through a corpus of texts, such as the Corpus Hermeticum and the Asclepius. While often associated with mysticism, Hermeticism also encompasses a practical aspect, particularly in its alchemical traditions, which sought not only material transformation but also spiritual purification. The tradition has faced periods of both widespread interest and scholarly neglect but continues to be studied and practiced by adherents worldwide.