This is a work by Mary Anne Atwood that delves into the philosophical and spiritual system of Hermeticism, which has its roots in ancient Egypt and Greece. The book discusses the Hermetic teachings and their significance to modern spiritual and philosophical thought. The author explores the concept that all parts of the universe are interconnected and overseen by a divine presence, and that it is possible to alter the fundamental state of an object's being through spiritual enlightenment.

The text also touches on the idea of spiritual alchemy, suggesting that one can transmute the grosser elements of human nature into a higher, incorruptible form of life. This transformation involves unifying the corruptible physical body with the indwelling divine spirit, thereby elevating the life force from its base state to a divine state of being. The work is seen as an attempt to recover the ancient experiment of nature and is considered a significant contribution to the study of alchemy and Hermetic philosophy.