Hermes Trismegistus, to whom The Emerald Tablet is attributed, was a legendary and mysterious figure who is considered an amalgam of the Greek god Hermes and the Egyptian god Thoth. He has also been associated with the prophet Idris, also known as Enoch. Whoever the historical figure may have been, the profound impact of his writings is such that he continues to cast a long shadow over works now deemed to 'Hermetic'. <p/>The Three Initiates, to whom The Kybalion is attributed, are generally considered to be a nom de plume for William Walker Atkinson (1862-1932). Atkinson was born in Baltimore, United States, and was a leading figure in the New Thought movement. This movement was significant in late 19th century and early 20th century esoteric literature, giving birth to the manifestation practices of today. Atkinson's influence on spiritual philosophy and self-help remains profound and his books retain appeal for spiritual seekers. <p/>Ambra Allison Ghiringhelli (translator) was born in the US, raised in Italy, and is currently based in Edinburgh, Scotland. Holding degrees in Classics from the Università Statale di Milano and the University of Edinburgh, she translates Italian, Latin, and Ancient Greek texts into and from English.
