What is the genesis of The Message Rediscovered?

The genesis of this hermetic book is curious. The author had a friend. He wanted to initiate him into the arcana of the Art of Hermes; and it was for him that he initially wrote a small notebook of hermetic sayings that were not intended for publication.

Over time, inspiration became increasingly abundant, leading to the creation of a book published in 1946 by the author himself (1). He believed that there might be other men somewhere in search of the lost treasure and that this book could help them (2). However, this was not the opinion of publishers or critics. None of the publishers wanted to take on this publication, and critics did not speak a single word about it (3). But the author did not care much about this, and inspiration continued; so much so that the completed work now contains twenty-five books (4), whereas the first edition only had twelve. As it was impossible for us to publish the entire book in the context of a magazine, we had to settle for creating an anthology.

We had to choose from among the sayings; the task was arduous: what was the reason for choosing one over another? While striving to provide a general idea of this work where the mystical breath and hermetic inspiration intertwine and interlace, we primarily selected the sayings that highlight the fundamental opposition between profane science and hermetic science.

The verses or sentences of The Message Rediscovered are laid out on two columns that echo each other. These are the two columns of the Temple, Fire and Water, Apollo and Artemis, the hermetic Sun and Moon. The verses or sentences echo each other sometimes vertically, sometimes horizontally, and sometimes in an X formation.

The reader who is in a hurry shall not linger over this book. The expression is often enigmatic. This book demands an uncommon effort from the reader; it is not addressed to everyone, but only to those who know how to read. It does not seek to please, but to induce.

It is a small bag of secret thoughts, condensed like seeds.

The object of the Message is very simple: «The dogma of Progress is an impious dogma, and profane science is a vain illusion; there is only the fall of man into the darkness of death, and his reintegration into the original splendour by means of the Art». Everything else is vanity.

The author speaks to us of the Great Work. He tells us how water comes out of the earth by means of fire and how fire goes back into the earth by means of water, how the sun, the moon, and the stars work together with the Wise Artist; how the earthly sun, the gold of the Sages, germinates in its dark gangue, how fire matures all things, up to the golden perfection of the very perfect fruit.

As Lanza del Vasto writes in the beautiful preface he gave to this book, a Fragrance of Truth emanates from The Message Rediscovered that seduces those who seek it with a loving heart.

Men are not fond of the mysteries of life. However puzzling it is, they do not believe in them. When Paul came to Athens (5) to remind its inhabitants of the deep meaning of their own traditions, they did not welcome him. «When they heard about the resurrection of the dead, some mocked, while others said: We will hear you some other time on this matter» (Acts 17, 32). To be dead is to dread light and life.

Is a branch of the ancient Science of Hermes about to bloom solitary in Paris in a small shop on the left bank? This Gai-Savoir (Traditional Wisdom), which comes to us like a light from the depths of ages, never ages. It always appears young, resplendent, identical to itself, each time a son of Hermes brings it to light. Its object is unique. Pharaoh Akhenaten had already engraved it on a marble stele that has reached us through more than three millennia, crossing the years like a stone through the wave:

O Father, you are in my heart, and no one can know you except me, your son!

NOTES

(1) The Message Rediscovered, Preface od Lanza del Vasto, Paris, 1946.

(2) The first edition of The Message Rediscovered bears the following dedication: «To the glory of God* and at the service of men who shall read with the eyes of the spirit and of the heart the signs inscribed in the flesh of the world.»

(3) Some free minds, which did not care about present conformism, have pointed out the existence of The Message Rediscovered throughout the press. Let’s mention Raymonde and Pascal Renous, Arts et Lettres, nº 13 and 14, 1949 Jean Rousselot, Hebdo Gavroche, August, 15th, 1946; Julien Teppe, Revue Doloriste, 1947; René Guénon, Etudes Traditionnelles, n° 270, 1948; Bounel, Le Signe de l’Homme, 1947; Fernand Lot, Dépêche de Paris, 1946; Théophile Briand, Le Goéland, n° 84; Louis de Gonzague Frick, L’Ordre, December, 6th, 1946.

(4) It was in 1952. But in 1953, the author of The Message Rediscovered left this world leaving a work containing 40 books or chapters published for the first time by Denoël in 1956.

(5) The Athens of Pallas and of the Eleusinian Mysteries!