The Secret Hymn of Rebirth

Corpus Hermeticum XIII is a dialogue in which Hermes leads Tat through a "rebirth" in which divine powers drive out the tormenting vices of the body. At its close Hermes teaches a hymn, kept secret and not to be divulged, in which all of nature and each of the soul's new powers (knowledge, joy, self-control, justice, truth) are called on to praise the creator. Hermes instructs that it be sung in the open air, facing the south wind at sunset and facing the east at sunrise. Tat responds with a short hymn of his own, offering it as a "spiritual sacrifice" of speech. No material offerings are mentioned; the rite is entirely spoken and contemplative, an important example of Hermetic piety.

Purpose

In the treatise Hermes gives the hymn to his son Tat after his spiritual rebirth, as a song of praise in which the reborn soul and its powers bless God.

Timing

Season / time

At sunrise

Sung facing east at sunrise and again facing south at sunset (CH XIII.16).