In the Hermetic revelation, Poimandres teaches Hermes about the soul’s journey after death, a journey that depends on the spiritual state of the individual at the time of their passing. For those who remain unenlightened, their soul remains bound to the lower planes of existence, continuing the cycle of reincarnation and suffering. However, for the enlightened soul, the journey after death becomes one of ascension, where the soul passes through the celestial spheres, shedding the limitations and negative attributes associated with each level.
This ascent represents the final purification of the soul, as it moves closer to its divine origin, eventually reaching the eighth sphere, where it attains unity with the divine mind – the Nous – and is freed from the cycle of rebirth.
The Soul’s Fate – Enlightened vs. Unenlightened
Poimandres explains that the soul’s fate after death is determined by its spiritual progress during life. Those who remain attached to the material world and have not awakened to their divine nature continue to be trapped in the lower planes of existence. These unenlightened souls are still subject to the limitations of the physical senses and the passions of the material world, such as anger, greed, and desire.
The Unenlightened Soul – Bound to the Lower Planes
For the unenlightened, the death of the physical body does not result in spiritual liberation. Instead, the soul remains bound to the lower planes, caught in the cycle of reincarnation. This cycle continues until the soul eventually awakens to its divine origin and begins the process of spiritual ascent. These souls are weighed down by their attachments to the material realm and their inability to perceive the divine reality behind the illusion of the physical world.
In contrast, the enlightened soul-one that has recognized its divine nature and has worked to purify itself from material attachments-begins a journey of ascension after death. The physical body is shed, and the soul embarks on a spiritual journey through the celestial spheres, returning to its divine source.
The Ascent through the Celestial Spheres – A Path of Purification
The journey of the enlightened soul after death involves passing through the seven celestial spheres, each of which is associated with specific attributes or passions that the soul must relinquish. As the soul moves through each sphere, it sheds these negative qualities, becoming purer and more aligned with the divine mind.
The Seven Spheres – Stages of Spiritual Ascent
In Hermetic philosophy, each of the seven spheres represents a stage of spiritual ascent and purification. These spheres correspond to the traditional planets, and each is associated with specific passions or vices that must be relinquished for the soul to continue its journey.
- Moon– Associated with illusion and instinct, the soul relinquishes its attachment to the unconscious mind and its reactive, instinctual behaviors.
- Mercury – The sphere of intellect and communication, the soul releases its need to categorize, analyze, and define everything according to the limited mind.
- Venus – The realm of desire and attachment, the soul must overcome emotional entanglements and material attractions.
- Sun – The sphere of ego and personal identity, the soul relinquishes its sense of individual self and the need for recognition and control.
- Mars – Associated with conflict and aggression, the soul releases its tendencies toward competition, domination, and fighting for power.
- Jupiter – The realm of expansion and ambition, the soul relinquishes its attachment to authority, success, and the desire to rule.
- Saturn – The final sphere of limitation and death, the soul releases its fear of mortality and the final attachments to the material world.
Purification and Release
As the soul passes through each sphere, it becomes increasingly purified. The shedding of each negative quality or passion allows the soul to transcend the material plane and move closer to its divine nature. This process is one of liberation, where the soul is freed from the illusions of the physical world and transcends the limitations of the ego and the personal self.
The Eighth Sphere – Attaining Unity with the Divine Mind
After passing through the seven planetary spheres, the soul reaches the eighth sphere, which is associated with the fixed stars. This sphere represents eternity and infinity, a realm beyond the limitations of the material cosmos. It is here that the soul achieves unity with the Nous, the Divine Mind.
Freedom from Rebirth
In the eighth sphere, the soul is freed from the cycle of birth and rebirth. This is the ultimate goal of the Hermetic path, to transcend the limitations of the material world and return to the divine source. The soul, now purified and free from the passions and attachments of the lower planes, experiences spiritual immortality. It no longer needs to return to the material world but exists in a state of eternal unity with the Divine Mind.
This state of oneness with the Nous is the culmination of the soul’s journey, a return to the origin of all creation and the realization of its true nature as a divine being.
The Journey as a Universal Truth – A Path for All Seekers
The soul’s journey after death, as revealed by Poimandres, serves as a profound template for the spiritual path. It reminds the Hermetic seeker that spiritual liberation is not achieved through mere belief, but through a process of inner purification and the transcendence of the material world. The journey through the celestial spheres symbolizes the inner work required to overcome ego, desire, and attachment, leading to the realization of the soul’s divine nature.
For the Hermetic seeker, this journey represents the ultimate goal of human existence, to return to the divine mind and experience eternal unity with the source of all creation. It is a path that can be undertaken in life, through spiritual disciplines, meditation, and self-reflection, preparing the soul for its final ascent after death.
Conclusion: The Soul’s Return to the Divine
The soul’s journey after death, as revealed by Poimandres, is one of liberation, purification, and union with the Divine Mind. It emphasizes that enlightenment is the key to escaping the cycle of rebirth and experiencing spiritual immortality. The path of ascent through the celestial spheres symbolizes the inner process of shedding attachments, releasing ego and desire, and awakening to the divine spark within.
By following this path, the Hermetic seeker can prepare their soul for the final ascent, ensuring that, upon death, they too can pass through the spheres and achieve unity with the Nous, the ultimate state of spiritual fulfillment and immortality.