About the Author

Hermes Trismegistus is a legendary figure associated with the Greek god Hermes and Egyptian god Toth. The two gods were understood to be one and the same; the figure of Hermes Trismegistus arose from this syncretism. Writings attributed to Hermes Trismegistus form the basis of hermeticism which became popular during the Middle Ages and Renaissance, when it was associated with astrology, magic, alchemy, and philosophy.

The identity of the Three Initiates has been the subject of much secrecy and rumor since The Kybalion first appeared at the beginning of the twentieth century. It is now believed that William Walker Atkinson was one of or perhaps the sole author of the book. Born in 1862, Atkinson was a pioneer of the New Thought movement who wrote an estimated 100 books during his lifetime.