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Book Synopsis''Convincingly researched and thoroughly entertaining'' - Wall Street JournalTHE TIMES BEST BOOKS OF 2020''This book shows that, despite rumours of demon dwarfs, piano-playing crocodiles and world domination, the real story of the Freemasons is one of male eccentricity.''''The Craft is a superb book that often reads like an adventure novel. It''s informative, fascinating and often very funny. The depth of research is awe-inspiring, but what really makes this book is the author''s visceral understanding of what constitutes a good story.'' - The Times Book of the Week''[John Dickie] takes on this sensational subject with a wry turn of phrase and the cool judgment of a fine historian... I enjoyed this book enormously. Dickie''s gaze is both wide and penetrating. He makes a persuasive case for masonry''s historic importance.'' - Dominic Sandbrook, Sunday Times''The CrafTrade ReviewThis eye-opening account... is an epic, continent-spanning story that reaches right into the present. * History Revealed *'Dickie's book acts as a soothing balm for these irritated, irritating and irritable times... startling... distinctly refreshing... astonishing... Dickie laces his text with enough bizarre characters to pull the reader through, and his no-nonsense tone is a tonic.' * Standpoint magazine *'A work that is sweeping, synthetic, finely crafted and freshly conceived.' * Literary Review *

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Book SynopsisFreemasonry is one of the oldest and most widespread voluntary organisations in the world. Over the course of three centuries men (and women) have organized themselves socially and voluntarily under its name. With a strong sense of liberation, moral enlightenment, cosmopolitan openness and forward-looking philanthropy, freemasonry has attracted some of the sharpest minds in history and has created a strong platform for nascent civil societies across the globe. With the secrecy of internally communicated knowledge, the clandestine character of organization, and the enactment of rituals and the elaborate use of symbols, freemasonry has also opened up feelings of distrust, as well as allegations of secretiveness and conspiracy. This Very Short Introduction introduces the inner activities of freemasonry, and the rituals, symbols and practices. Looking at the development of the organizational structure of masonry from the local to the global level, Andreas Önnerfors considers perceptions of freemasonry from the outside world, and navigates through the prevalent fictions and conspiracy theories. He also discusses how freemasonry has from its outset struggled with issues of exclusion based upon gender, race and religion, despite promoting tolerant openness and inclusion. Finally Önnerfors shines a light on the rarely discussed but highly compelling history of female agency in masonic and para-masonic orders. ABOUT THE SERIES: The Very Short Introductions series from Oxford University Press contains hundreds of titles in almost every subject area. These pocket-sized books are the perfect way to get ahead in a new subject quickly. Our expert authors combine facts, analysis, perspective, new ideas, and enthusiasm to make interesting and challenging topics highly readable.Trade ReviewWell-written, interesting, and informative. * Jorge Luis Romeu, REHMLAC+. Revista de Historia de la Masonería *An engrossing, lucid and authoritative interpretation of a social and cultural phenomenon which has been a source of widespread fascination for over 300 years. International in scope and packed with compelling vignettes, this book clearly and engagingly explains every aspect of freemasonry, including its origins, secret rituals, womens freemasonry and anti-masonic conspiracy theories. * Andrew Prescott, University of Glasgow *Freemasonry has occupied a liminal place in modern historiography. Often approached by conspiracy theorists or true believers, it has finally been rescued by a new generation of scholars. This book offers the latest scholarship and a clear understanding of the historical significance of freemasonry as well as a careful treatment of its guild origins. * Margaret C. Jacob *Table of ContentsINTRODUCTION; TIMELINE; REFERENCES; FURTHER READING; INDEX

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Book SynopsisUnlock the lost and hidden meanings of the world''s ancient and modern signs and symbols with the latest in the hugely popular series of ''Element Encyclopedias''. This is the biggest A-Z reference book on symbolic objects you''ll ever find.The latest in the popular series of ''Element Encyclopedias'', this is the largest, most definitive guide to the secret and ancient knowledge of signs and symbols, some of which has been lost over thousands of years.Why is the eye believed to be a powerful symbol of protection by fishermen?Why do Masonic Temples have a black and white chequered floor covering?Why do Hindus use coloured rice powder to draw elaborate symbols in front of their homes, only to have these patterns destroyed every day by footprints?What are the hidden meanings behind the symbols on the American dollar?What is the most important symbol in the World?Divided into easy-to-follow A-Z themed sections, the book answers all these questions and more, from sections on Magic and Mystery, Deities and Rituals, the Animal and Plant Kingdom, Landscape and the Elements, to Food and Sacred Geometry.Find out about the secret Demonic alphabet and Script of the Magi, the Glastonbury Zodiac, the Masonic Compass, the Eye of Horus, Native American hunting symbols, the Caduceus and the Indian Diwali ritual.Element Encyclopedia of Secret Signs and Symbols is a fascinating compendium of the hidden meanings behind the most important visual symbols in the world.

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Book SynopsisAs the students begin to rehearse, events become increasingly dark and strange, and they lead Greer back to where she never thought she would return - Longcross Hall. There she discovers that not only is the Order of the Stag alive and well, but that a ghost from the past might be too .Trade ReviewA very readable story in the hands of an experienced writer. Recommended * Thornton Rigg *the book delivered much more than I even anticipated * Book Mad Blog *The pacing and plot development is brilliantly executed and will have you on the edge of your seat, desperate to find out what happens next until the very last page, I couldn't put it down once I'd started. There's a brilliant twist at the end, I won't spoil it but trust me, It's a good one! I can't recommend this book enough, it's definitely in my top ten 2017 reads and I'll definitely be buying a finished copy when it's out. * Fantastic Book Dragon *STAGS is a pacey and well-plotted young adult story that champions outsiders and questions out-dated viewpoints in a constantly evolving world. It makes for an entertaining standalone novel but a sequel wouldn't be unwelcome. * Culture Fly *MA Bennett is brilliant at keeping the reader in suspense. * Book Murmuration *Students will love this as it also has a hint of romance without being intrusive for boy readers. Hailed as the new Hunger Games, it reminded me more of The Chocolate War by Robert Cormier. A good read. * Reading Zone *I read and finished this book in just a day only putting it down for food. It was absolutely gripping and interesting, I thoroughly enjoyed reading this and I didn't want to put it down whatsoever and I wasn't let down by my anticipation for it which was good! * Niffler Reads *Part traditional, part modern, thriller and boarding school drama, with echoes of everything from Agatha Christie to The Hunger Games, this really is a wonderful mosaic of a novel. * Nudge-Book *MA Bennett reinvigorates the boarding-school thriller... This is a darkly compelling examination of the allure of privilege, and the unscrupulous means by which it preserves itself. * The Guardian *S.T.A.G.S is a thrilling and thoroughly enjoyable YA novel with dark undertones. A fun mystery thriller that sheds light on issues surrounding class and society. Highly recommend. * The Book Bag *a gorgeous and compelling romp * Irish Times *Good and twisty and definitely unique... if you're looking for something creepy and autumnal to read, I'd recommend S.T.A.G.S. * The Cosy Reader *The book is laid out in five acts and the chapters are the scenes. These are very short which makes this fast paced novel an easy read. Scene 1 goes straight into the action and by the end the reader is left wanting more. -- Gary Kenworthy * Armadillo Magazine *The endings of both S.T.A.G.S. and D.O.G.S. left me open-mouthed and desperately needing more, so I know that I've fallen hook, line and sinker for these books. Bennett has crafted a brilliant, thought-provoking series that I know I will continue to read. -- Emily Mitchell * Suffolk Libraries *The best sequels offer up something of the original and something completely new . . . Wonderful fun * Irish Times *

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Book SynopsisWas Jesus a Freemason? The discovery of evidence of the most secret rites of Freemasonry in an ancient Egyptian tomb led authors Chris Knight and Bob Lomas into and extraordinary investigation of 4, 000 years of history. This astonishing bestseller raises questions that have challenged some of Western civilisation''s most cherished beliefs: Were scrolls bearing the secret teachings of Jesus buried beneath Herod''s Temple shortly before the destruction of Jerusalem by the Roman''s? Did the Knights Templar, the forerunners of modern Freemasonry, excavate these scrolls in the twelfth century? And were these scrolls subsequently buried underneath a reconstruction of Herod''s Temple, Rosslyn Chapel in Scotland - where they are now awaiting excavation? The authors'' discoveries shed a new light on Masonic ceremony and overturn out understanding of history.Trade ReviewA breakthrough book. The last four thousand years are never going to look the same again * Graham Hancock, author of Fingerprints of the Gods *

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Book SynopsisAn order of warrior monks founded to protect pilgrims to Jerusalem, the Templars were among the wealthiest and most powerful bodies in the medieval world. Yet two centuries later, they were arrested, accused of blasphemy, heresy and orgies, and their leaders were burnt at the stake. Part guide, part history, this book investigates the Templar legends and legacy - from the mysteries of Solomon's Temple in Jerusalem, via nineteenth century development of the Freemasons, through to Templar appearances in Dan Brown and Indiana Jones. This book explains the whole context of Templar history, including the recent evidence discovered by the Vatican that the Templars were not guilty of heresy. It also features a guide to Templar castles and sites.Trade ReviewMichael Haag, in his well-knit narrative gets through an enormous spread of history * Daily Telegraph *An essential guide for anyone who wants a comprehensive guide to the Templars ... a perfect place to begin your quest. * Good Book Guide *Admirably comprehensive and balanced * Birmingham Mail *An intriguing and revealing work that surprises and entertains * Nottingham Evening Post *The true story of the templars, revealed in Haag's book, is even more astonishing than the legends they spawned * Waterstone's Books Quarterly *Michael Haag's comprehensive and considered book covers a multitude of topics related to the group... -- Fachtna Kelly * Sunday Business Post *

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Book SynopsisA best-selling conspiracy expert chronicles the history of secret societies, beginning in ancient Egypt and continuing through today's Council on Foreign Relations, showing the long-suppressed connections between these societies and the overt military, political, and social history of the world. Rep

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Book SynopsisThe definitive history of the Bavarian Order of the Illuminati and their founder, Adam Weishaupt The Bavarian Order of the Illuminati is the most celebrated secret society in the world. Though officially lasting only 11 years, the powerful spell and shadow cast by the Illuminati still looms in the present day, where its influence can be seen in current conspiracy beliefs and actions by powerful individuals working in the shadows. The original Order of the Illuminati was founded by Bavarian professor Adam Weishaupt in 1776. Although the order was banned and brought down by the Bavarian Elector in 1787--when he became aware of the extent to which it had infiltrated the courts, schools, and his own administration--its legend and deep influence lives on to this day. Charting the rise and fall of this infamous order, this book--first published in French in 1915 and never before available in English--remains the definitive history of the Order of the Bavarian Illuminati. It also offers a revealing look at the world that spawned and shaped it: a ceaseless ferment of revolutionary and occult ideas and the ceaseless attempts by crown and church to suppress them. Other secret societies that shared the stage with the Illuminati during these years include the Templar Strict Observance, von Hund’s Templar Freemasonry, and other Masonic lodges the Illuminati targeted to subvert for their own purposes. Many of the documents the author consulted for the writing of this book were destroyed during the two World Wars, making this book the only surviving record of many of the order’s secrets. The author explains the Bavarian Illuminati’s grades, rituals, and ceremonies as well as its fundamental philosophies. He paints vivid portraits of the leaders of the order, including Weishaupt, Baron Knigge, and Xavier von Zwack. He reveals how Weishaupt early on decided to subvert the existing German Freemason Lodge as a shortcut to gain esoteric hegemony over the occult world, all in order to extend Illuminati influence into the society at large and the government. The author also provides extensive detail of the order’s eventual destruction by the Bavarian government. In addition to its revelation of little-known secrets of the Illuminati Order, the author also sheds new light on much of the occult life of this time, including the activities of figures such as Cagliostro and Mirabeau and other active groups such as Freemason chapters, the Rosicrucians, and the Martinists.Trade Review“In a world where the term ‘Illuminati’ is ubiquitous yet clouded by fantasy, Jon E. Graham’s new translation of this classic study brings rigor, clarity, and an exquisitely rare dose of real historicism to our understanding of these esoteric and social renegades. In a culture suffused with paranoia-for-sale, René Le Forestier’s work forms a revolutionary countercurrent.” * MITCH HOROWITZ, PEN Award-winning author of Occult America and The Miracle Club *“In the annals of secret societies, the Bavarian Illuminati holds a special place in both history and legend. This book, better than any other, provides solid documentation on the order based on primary evidence and is therefore an indispensable source for any rational investigation of the subject.” * STEPHEN E. FLOWERS, PH.D., author of The Fraternitas Saturni *“The legend of the Illuminati has cast a long shadow over world history--inspiring mystics, artists, and musicians. Now, at last, Jon Graham’s masterful translation of René Le Forestier’s exposé of the world’s mostarcane secret society opens the vault of the mysteries of the true Illuminati--for those brave enough to step through.” * JASON LOUV, author of John Dee and the Empire of Angels *“The ‘Illuminati’ concept can be found on the lips of practically every conspiracy theorist today. It is therefore both timely and salutary that the world’s greatest study of the real, not speculative, Illuminati has, after more than a century, finally appeared in English thanks to Jon E. Graham’s superb translation of the original work by French historian René Le Forestier (1868-951). A vast work, evincing painstaking scholarship, Le Forestier provides certain evidence for every aspect of Adam Weishaupt’s creation of genius: a radical form of Freemasonry dedicated to establishing an egalitarian social order and philosophical principle. Now that Graham has given us the definitive English version of this classic, which includes an excellent history of early German Masonry, none but the willfully ignorant need loosely bandy about the term ‘Illuminati’ again; this vital text demythologizes the word itself.” * TOBIAS CHURTON, author of The Magus of Freemasonry *“An impressive and informative study of how Adam Weishaupt’s original, magical, and humanist idealism bloomed into a powerful force that still affects many layers of Western culture today.” * CARL ABRAHAMSSON, author of Occulture *Table of ContentsNote to the Reader on Source Material and Abbreviations Book One The Order of the Illuminati ONE The Founding of the Order and the Man Who Founded It TWO Recruiting for the Order Until 1780THREE Organization and Grades FOUR General Features of the SocietyFIVE The Order’s Weakness Book TwoGerman Freemasonry from Its Origins to 1780 ONE The Beginnings of Freemasonry in Germany TWO The Strict Observance from 1751 to 1772 THREE Greatness and Decline of the Strict Observance (1772-1780) Book ThreeThe Illuminated Freemasonry ONE The Initial Relations of the Illuminati Order with Freemasonry TWO Adolph Baron von Knigge THREE The Reform of the Illuminati Order FOUR The Grades and Organization of Illuminated Freemasonry FIVE Political and Religious Doctrines Book Four History of the Illuminati System ONE Effect on the German Lodges TWO The Zenith THREE The Legal Proceedings in Bavaria to October 10, 1786 FOUR The End of the OrderBook Five Weishaupt’s Philosophical Testament ONE Draft of a Moral Praxis: The PrinciplesTWO Draft of a Moral Praxis: Critical Theory THREE Theory of the Secret Society Book SixThe Illuminati Legend ONE Formation of the LegendTWO Illuminism and the French Revolution THREE The Great Epics: The Legend in History and Fiction FOUR The Police Legend and the Resurrection of the Order Sources and Abbreviations Index

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Book SynopsisMost Americans believe the United States was founded by pious Christians. However, as Ronnie Pontiac reveals, from the very beginning America was a vibrant blend of beliefs from all four corners of the world. Based on the latest research, with the assistance of leading scholars, this in-depth exploration of four centuries of American occult and spiritual history looks at everything from colonial-era alchemists, astrologers, and early spiritual collectives to Edgar Cayce, the Hermetic Brotherhood of Luxor, and St. Germain on Mount Shasta. Pontiac shows that Rosicrucians were among the first settlers from England and explores how young women of the Shaker community fell into trances and gave messages from the dead. He details the spiritual influence of African slaves, the work of mystical abolitionists, and how Native Americans and Latinx people played a large role in the shaping of contemporary spirituality and healing practices. The author looks at well-known figures such as Manly P. Hall and lesser known esoteric luminaries such as the Pagan Pilgrim, Tom Morton. He examines the Aquarian Gospel, the Sekhmet Revival, A Course in Miracles, the School of Ageless Wisdom, and mediumship in the early 20th century. He explores the profound influence of the Bodhi Tree Bookstore in Los Angeles and looks at the evolution of female roles in spirituality across the centuries. He also examines the right wing of American metaphysics from the Silver Legion to QAnon. Revealing the diverse streams that run through America’s metaphysical landscape, Pontiac offers an encyclopedic examination of occult teachers, esotericists, and spiritual collectives almost no one has heard of, but who were profoundly influential.Trade Review“Ronnie Pontiac has produced one of the finest, most comprehensive works of independent scholarship that we possess on the mystical currents of American religion. Like a journey down a wild, winding, and uncharted river, this book takes us through byways and inlets that few historians know. Surprises emerge on nearly every page.” * Mitch Horowitz, PEN Award–winning author of Uncertain Places *“A lucid tour through the Wild West of American-style spirituality. Pontiac drives us through landscapes peopled by odd characters that some have deemed ‘mad, bad, and dangerous to know’ but whose burning arrows have ignited things in our psyches whether we knew it or not. I was constantly delighted by the new, luminous insights into characters and events that I thought I knew everything about but clearly didn’t.” * Alan Richardson, author of Aleister Crowley and Dion Fortune *“Scholarly yet eminently readable, this is a must for the bookshelf of any reader interested in the sociology of religion, the history of psychical development, and the psychology of sacred feeling. Highly recommended.” * Tod Davies, author of The History of Arcadia visionary fiction series *“Ronnie Pontiac does his readers an inestimable service, surveying and summarizing an immense amount of academic material. Pontiac makes a strong argument that America has always had a religious consciousness, separation of church and state notwithstanding. Thomas Edison, William James, Timothy Leary, Carlos Castaneda, and Terence McKenna are only some of the figures Pontiac takes on in this detailed, thorough, and readable account of the often wildly disparate beliefs held by that ‘one nation under God.’” * Gary Lachman, author of The Return of Holy Russia *“Ronnie Pontiac’s book is a full engagement with these deep currents and a wild map of the ocean they form. The reader sets the book down with a sense of the endless nature of those waters but also with the conviction that, below the waves, ‘America’ is fundamentally an esoteric idea and a mystical ideal and always has been.” * Jeffrey J. Kripal, author of The Superhumanities: Historical Precedents, Moral Objections, New Reali *“The most fascinating book I have read in decades. Hollywood may have written its own history of cowboys and cattle, but kindly allow Ronnie Pontiac to enchant you with a different story. This is an especially long book, over 600 pages, but the work never loses pace, not a word is wasted, every sentence is packed with information. An illuminating journey into the eternal spiritual quest of human nature set free in a new land.” * Naomi Ozaniec, author of Becoming a Garment of Isis *“This book is much closer to the mainstream psyche than academics would have us believe. Ronnie Pontiac’s book is a lively, engaging, thoughtful, and insightful introduction to this dazzling world.” * Richard Smoley, author of A Theology of Love *“Pontiac’s ambitious and inclusive book is an important contribution to our understanding of the culturally and philosophically diverse influences that have, from the very beginning, impacted the character of American spiritual thought and experience. This book is a critical project that shows us the contours and multitudes of cultural and historical influence that converge to produce a uniquely American esotericism.” * Amy Hale, author of Ithell Colquhoun *“I couldn’t put this book down. It’s a storybook concerning a multi-formed religion that lies just below the surface of American awareness yet plays a significant part in the beliefs and inspirations that characterize our psyche. Its ‘metaphysical’ ideas reach everyone, from presidents to heads of corporations as well as major figures in the arts and sciences and the average citizen. We can see them as people struggling to make sense of life, the world, and other realities. Prepare to be amazed.” * Mary K. Greer, author of Women of the Golden Dawn *“Permanently unseats the lingering myth that the United States is (or was) an exclusively Christian nation. Read this book: I guarantee you will encounter a character who helps you locate your own lineage in the tangled skein of American metaphysical religion.” * Thea Wirsching, author of The American Renaissance Tarot *“Especially valuable for me is the groundbreaking discussion of the Platonic enthusiasts Thomas Moore Johnson, Alexander Wilder, and Hiram K. Jones. Well researched, relevant, and revelatory.” * K. Paul Johnson, author of Edgar Cayce in Context *“It’s a wild ride filled with so many familiar metaphysical names and intriguing connections and events to follow up on. Gems on every page. I didn’t want to put it down.” * Normandi Ellis, author of The Ancient Tradition of Angels *“A never-ending gold-hearted gossip column and a vast erudite history of American arcana. Every page is filled with illuminating morsels—manna for the seeker, a feast for all.” * Matt Marble, author of Buddhist Bubblegum *“Ronnie Pontiac has written a most useful and readable overview of American Metaphysical Religion from Colonial times to the present, including contributions of European immigrants; from the 18th century Enlightenment’s occult underground through the 19th century’s ‘occult explosion’ and right up to the present. He has consulted all the sources and scholarship. His own personal experiences and friendships with significant practitioners add a hands-on touch.” * Jay Bregman, coeditor of Platonic Traditions in American Thought *“From the margins and the deeper streams of mainstream culture Pontiac pulls threads of history that are often left obscure. An able guide, this book opens the readers to the potentials that still lie waiting for those who seek more than a mega church initiation.” * David Metcalfe, scholar in virtual residence at the Windbridge Institute *Table of ContentsAcknowledgmentsINTRODUCTIONA Heritage We Didn’t Know We Had 1 Ingredients for the Melting Pot2 A Map of the Tour3 When East Meets West 4 American Metaphysical Christianity5 Turtle Island 6 Thomas Harriot: America’s First “Evil” Genius7 The Pagan Pilgrim8 The Intelligencers and the Fifth Moon of Jupiter9 The Red Harlot10 The Uncivil War 11 The Platonist on the Sunset Strip 12 Secrets of the Hermetic Brotherhood of Luxor 13 Willy Reichel’s Psychic Adventure Tour 14 Pagan Christianity of the Early Twentieth Century 15 Scandalous Psychic Adventures of the Roaring Twenties 16 American Metaphysical Religion in the Twentieth Century17 Prayer Wheel for the Bodhi Tree Bookstore 18 American Metaphysical Religion in the Early Twenty-First Century APPENDIX Esoteric Architecture of Washington, D.C. BibliographyIndex

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Book SynopsisAll three volumes of the occult classic available together as a deluxe boxed set for the first time. In 1927 Julius Evola and other leading Italian esotericists formed the mysterious UR group. The purpose of this group was to study and practice ancient rituals from the mystery traditions of the world, both East and West, in order to attain a state of superhuman consciousness and power to allow them to act magically on the world. They produced a monthly journal containing techniques for spiritual realization, accounts of personal experiences, translations of ancient texts, and original essays on the occult. Many years later, in 1971, Evola gathered these essays into three volumes. Volume I collects rites, practices, and magical knowledge, including instructions for creating an etheric double, speaking words of power, using fragrances, interacting with entities, and creating a “magical chain.” It also includes translations of rare texts such as the Tibetan teachings of the Thunderbolt Diamond Path, the Mithraic mystery cult’s “Grand Papyrus of Paris,” and the Greco-Egyptian magical text De Mysteriis. Volume II shares authentic initiatic wisdom and a rigorous selection of initiatory exercises, including instructions for creating the diaphanous body of the Opus magicum, and establishing initiatic consciousness after death. It also offers studies of mystery traditions throughout history. Volume III, more than the others, bears the personal stamp of Julius Evola. It explores esoteric practices for individual development, handed down from a primordial tradition and discernable in alchemy, Hermetism, religious doctrines, Tantra, Taoism, Buddhism, Vedanta, and the pagan mysteries of the West. Available together as a deluxe boxed set for the first time in English, these volumes present the steps necessary to purify the soul with the light of knowledge and the fire of dedication, as well as allowing the reader to be liberated from conventional dogmas—religious, political, scientific, and psychological—and see with the clearer eye of realisation.Trade Review“The essays of the UR Group constitute the most complete and the highest magical teaching ever set before the public. . . . The ultimate goal is the identification of the individual with the Absolute. This is a powerful and disturbing book, and a classic. One can be quite certain that it will still have readers centuries from now.” * Joscelyn Godwin, author of Harmonies of Heaven and Earth *“Introduction to Magic, vol. I, should be standard reading for any serious academic or practical student of occultism. . . . Experienced occultists will welcome it as a breath of fresh air and a journey into little discussed territories.” * Mark Stavish, author of Egregores and founder of the Institute for Hermetic Studies *“The collection of essays in Introduction to Magic, vol. I . . . cover the practical, the theoretical, and the unclassifiable, such as the Mithraic Ritual of the Great Magical Papyrus of Paris, the only ritual from the ancient Mysteries to have survived intact.” * The Watkins Review *“The formulas that Evola transmits, and the complex listing of the causes and effects that accompany them, seem to me so important, not only for spiritual life but for the use of all the faculties, that I know of no human condition that they cannot improve, whether in the case of the man of action, of the writer, or simply the person in the toils of life.” * Marguerite Yourcenar (1903–1987), author of Memoirs of Hadrian *“A dazzling and interesting, but very dangerous, author . . .” * Hermann Hesse, author of Siddhartha *“One of the most difficult and ambiguous figures in modern esotericism.” * Richard Smoley, author of The Deal: A Guide to Radical and Complete Forgiveness *“Evola . . . had a clarity of mind and a gift for explaining tremendously difficult concepts in nonacademic language. . . . His descriptions of subtle states and the practices that lead to them are as lucid as these difficult subjects allow.” * Gnosis: A Journal of the Western Inner Traditions *“Eros and the Mysteries of Love invokes the rich sexual symbolism of religious myths and mysteries throughout history, from the I Ching to the Kabbalah, to illustrate the redemptive power of the sexual act.” * Los Angeles Times *“Revolt Against the Modern World is destined to remain an essential work and frame-of-reference for anyone seriously involved in native European spirituality.” * Michael Moynihan, coauthor of Lords of Chaos *“Disgusted by the cruelty and artificiality of communism, scorning the dogmatic, self-centered fascism of his age, Evola looks beyond man-made systems in Men Among the Ruins to the eternal principles in creation and human society. The truth, as he sees it, is so totally at odds with the present way of thinking that it shocks the modern mind. Evola was no politician, trying to make the best of things, but an idealist, uncompromising in the pursuit of the best itself.” * John Michell, author of The Dimensions of Paradise *“Men Among the Ruins is Julius Evola’s most notorious work: an unsparing indictment of modern society and politics. This book is not a work for complacent, self-satisfied minds . . . it is a shocking and humbling text that will be either loved or hated. Evola’s enemies cannot refute him; they can only ignore him. They do so at their peril.” * Glenn A. Magee, author of Hegel and the Hermetic Tradition *“In Ride the Tiger Evola shows, unintentionally but with passion, why European Tradition may not be able to match East Asia in riding the tiger in today’s world. It lacks a spirituality for today’s mundane world, tempered by the harsh realism of Daoism and the practical disciplines of Confucianism.” * New Dawn Magazine *“Those who look to Julius Evola’s work for guidance have often wondered what practices Evola himself used to get in contact with Tradition. The answer lies in Introduction to Magic, which represents the records left behind by the UR Group, the mysterious occult order that was the medium through which Evola first experienced the reality of Tradition and grasped its essence. Many of the themes and concepts which were to recur in Evola’s later work are already present in these documents. The great importance Evola attached to these volumes is attested by the belief of Evola’s biographer that the original manuscripts were the only belongings he took with him when he was forced to flee Rome in 1944. The fact that this work is finally available in its entirety to Anglophone readers, masterfully translated by Joscelyn Godwin, is therefore a great service to genuine spiritual seekers everywhere.” * John Morgan, former editor in chief of Arktos Media *“I am impressed by this fine translation of some of my old mentor Julius Evola’s works. I find that ‘Aristocracy and the Initiatic Ideal’ conveys very well the baron’s own beliefs and sentiments as to what it means today to be a true aristocrat among the ruins. Exceedingly insightful comments, as one would indeed expect. A truly excellent publication.” * Father Frank Gelli, author of Julius Evola: The Sufi of Rome *Table of ContentsBOOK I Editor’s Note ix Foreword: Julius Evola and the UR Group by Renato Del Ponte Introduction PART I I.1 PIETRO NEGRI • Sub Specie Interioritatis I.2 LEO • Barriers I.3 ABRAXA • Knowledge of the Waters I.4 LUCE • Opus Magicum: Concentration and Silence I.5 EA • The Nature of Initiatic Knowledge PART II II.1 The Path of Awakening according to Gustav Meyrink II.2 LUCE • Opus Magicum: Fire II.3 ABRAXA • Three Ways II.4 LEO • Attitudes II.5 Commentaries on the Opus Magicum PART III III.1 LEO • First Steps toward the Experience of the “Subtle Body”III.2 Knowledge as LiberationIII.3 ABRAXA • The Hermetic Caduceus and the MirrorIII.4 LUCE • Opus Magicum: The “Words of Power” and the Characters of BeingsIII.5 PIETRO NEGRI • Knowledge of the Symbol PART IVIV.1 Apathanatismos: Mithraic Ritual of the Great Magical Papyrus of Paris PART V V.1 SummaryV.2 ABRAXA • Instructions for the “Awareness of Breath”V.3 OSO • Notes on the Logos V.4 AROM • First Experiences V.5 EA • The Problem of Immortality PART VI VI.1 LEO • Beyond the Threshold of Sleep VI.2 EA • On the Magical View of Life VI.3 ABRAXA • The Second Preparation of the Hermetic Caduceus VI.4 IAGLA • Experiences: The Law of Beings VI.5 The Path of Realization according to Buddha VI.6 Various Commentaries PART VII VII.1 LUCE • Instructions for Ceremonial MagicVII.2 EA • The Doctrine of the “Immortal Body” VII.3 De Pharmaco Catholico PART VIII VIII.1 ABRAXA • Magical Operations with “Two Vessels”—Reduplication VIII.2 Tibetan Initiatic Teachings: The “Void” and the “Diamond-Thunderbolt”VIII.3 ARVO • On the Counter-Initiation VIII.4 LUCE • Opus Magicum: Perfumes PART IXIX.1 ARVO • Conscious Thought—Relaxation—Silence IX.2 EA • Considerations on Magic and Its Powers IX.3 ABRAXA • Magic of the ImageIX.4 PIETRO NEGRI • An Italian Alchemical Text on Lead Tablets PART X X.1 LUCE • Opus Magicum: Chains X.2 LEO • The Attitude toward Initiatic TeachingX.3 EA • Freedom, Precognition, and the Relativity of Time X.4 Commentary on the Opus Magicum PART XI XI.1 IAGLA • Serpentine Wisdom XI.2 LUCE • Invocations XI.3 Excerpts from De Mysteriis XI.4 The Message of the Polar Star XI.5 SIRIUS • Mist and Symbols XI.6 EA • On the General Doctrine of Mantras PART XII XII.1 ALBA • De Naturae Sensu XII.2 LEO • Aphorisms XII.3 PIETRO NEGRI • Adventures and Misadventures in MagicXII.4 Various Commentaries BOOK II Foreword: The “Magical” Gruppo di UR in Its Historical and Esoteric Context by Hans Thomas Hakl Introduction to the Second VolumePART I I.1 PYTHAGORAS • The Golden Verses I.2 ARVO AND EA • The Esoteric Doctrine of the “Centers” in a Christian Mystic I.3 ABRAXA • Ritual Magic PART II II.1 Instructions for Magical ChainsIndividual Instructions for Preparation First Instructions for the Chain Instructions for a Later PhaseII.2 IAGLA • Subterranean LogicII.3 PIETRO NEGRI • On the Western Tradition1. Devaluation of the Pagan Tradition 2. East, West, and Christianity 3. The Initiatic Tradition in the West4. The Roman Tradition5. Roman Initiatic Wisdom6. The Legend of Saturnus 7. Etymology of Saturn8. Addenda9. Agricultural Symbolism in RomePART III III.1 HAVISMAT • Tradition and Realization III.2 OSO • A Solar Will III.3 PIETRO NEGRI • The Secret Language of the Fedeli d’Amore III.4 ABRAXA • Solutions of Rhythm and Liberation III.5 LUCE • Opus Magicum: The Diaphanous Body PART IV IV.1 ARVO • Vitalizing the “Signs” and “Grips” IV.2 EA • Initiatic Consciousness beyond the Grave IV.3 Various Commentaries The Magic, The Master, The Song PART V V.1 IAGLA • On the “Corrosive Waters”V.2 ARVO • Ethnology and the “Perils of the Soul” V.3 On the Art of the Hermetic PhilosophersV.4 Various Commentaries Desire in Magic — Meaning of the Ritual —Feeling and Realization — Anticipations of Physical Alchemy —On Shamanic Initiation PART VI VI.1 Experiences: The “Double” and Solar Consciousness VI.2 EA • On the Metaphysics of Pain and Illness VI.3 LEO • Notes for the Animation of the “Centers”VI.4 ARVO • Kirillov and InitiationPART VIIVII.1 HAVISMAT • Notes on Ascesis and on Anti-Europe VII.2 MILAREPA • Excerpts from the Life of Milarepa The Demon of the Snows —The Song of Joy — The Song of the Essence of ThingsVII.3 ARVO • The Magic of Effigies PART VIII VIII.1 EA • Esotericism and Morality VIII.2 NILIUS • Medicine and PoisonVIII.3 Turba Philosophorum: The Assembly of the WiseVIII.4 Various Commentaries Corporealizing Consciousness —On “Mortification” — On Power PART IX IX.1 ABRAXA • The Magic of CreationIX.2 PIETRO NEGRI • On the Opposition Contingent on Spiritual Development IX.3 Some Effects of Magical Discipline: The “Dissociation of the Mixed” PART X X.1 The Contrast between Positive Science and Magic: Positions and Solutions X.2 ABRAXA • The Magic of Conjunctions X.3 OTAKAR BŘEZINA • Perspectives X.4 Various Commentaries Prodigies and Former Times — Sexual Magic PART XI XI.1 BRENO • Notes on Occult Morphology and Spiritual Corporeality XI.2 ZAM • A Pagan Magical Spell XI.3 ARVO • On the Hyperborean Tradition XI.4 The Golden Flower of the Great One XI.5 Various Commentaries Woman and Initiation — Ex Oriente lux Index Book III Introduction to the Third VolumePART I I.1 Paths of the Western Spirit I.2 ABRAXA • The Cloud and the Stone I.3 BRENO • Modern Initiation and Eastern Initiation I.4 HAVISMAT • The Zone of Shadow I.5 EA • Poetry and Initiatic Realization PART II II.1 EA • Aristocracy and the Initiatic Ideal II.2 BŘEZINA • Canticle of the Fire 5II.3 ARVO • About an “Arithmetical Oracle” and the Backstage of Consciousness II.4 AROM • Experiences: The Crown of Light II.5 GERHARD DORN • Clavis Philosophiae Chemisticae (The Key of Alchemical Philosophy)Edited by Tikaipôs II.6 Various Commentaries Difficulties of Belief He Who “Saw” the Gods Men and Gods PART III III.1 EA • The Legend of the Grail and the “Mystery” of the Empire III.2 HAVISMAT • The Instant and Eternity III.3 ABRAXA • Communications III.4 PICO DELLA MIRANDOLA • The Dignity of Man III.5 Commentaries PART IV IV.1 APRO • The Cycles of ConsciousnessIV.2 TAURULUS • Experiences IV.3 EA • What Is “Metaphysical Reality”? IV.4 IAGLA • On the “Law of Beings” IV.5 Various Commentaries PART VV.1 PLOTINUS • Maxims of Pagan Wisdom V.2 LEO • Human Rhythms and Cosmic Rhythms V.3 Experiences of a ChainV.4 EA • On the Limits of Initiatic “Regularity” PART VI VI.1 C. S. NARAYANA SWAMI AIYAR •Transmutation of Man and Metals VI.2 EA • On the Symbolism of the YearVI.3 ABRAXA • The Magic of VictoryVI.4 ARVO • The “Origin of Species,” According to EsotericismPART VII VII.1 Various Commentaries More on Survival • On Pacts, Fear, and More VII.2 EA • On the “Sacred” in the Roman Tradition VII.3 Liberation of the FacultiesPART VIII VIII.1 Starting Magic, According to Giuliano KremmerzVIII.2 RUD • First Ascent VIII.3 ABRAXA • Knowledge of the Sacrificial Act VIII.4 Various Commentaries On Sacrifice PART IX IX.1 SIRIO • Noise IX.2 PAUL MASSON-OURSEL • On the Role of Magic in Hindu Speculation IX.3 EA • Esotericism and Christian Mysticism IX.4 GIC • From “The Song of Time and the Seed” IX.5 Metapsychology and Magical Phenomena IX.6 LEO • The “Plumed Serpent” PART XX.1 AGARDA • Remarks on Action in the Passions X.2 SAGITTARIO • Awakening X.3 ARVO • The “Primitives” and Magical ScienceX.4 AGNOSTUS • Two Hyperborean Symbols X.5 GALLUS • Experiences among the Arabs X.6 Various Commentaries PART XIXI.1 MAXIMUS • Notes on “Detachment” XI.2 The Ascetic, Fire, Rock, Space • From the Milindapañha XI.3 EA • Spiritual Authority and Temporal Power XI.4 About Drugs XI.5 Various Commentaries Seeing Without Wanting to See Ways to the “Void”PART XII XII.1 EKATLOS • The “Great Sign”:On Stage and in the Wings XII.2 EA • Esotericism, the Unconscious, PsychoanalysisXII.3 ANAGARIKA GOVINDA • The Double Mask XII.4 Magical Perspectives, According to Aleister Crowley XII.5 EnvoiIndex

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Book SynopsisThis volume is an investigation into secret groups with hidden agendas.

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Book SynopsisAn investigation into the lost treasures of Jesse James and the Freemasons and their connections to the Templars, Rosicrucians, and the Founding Fathers Jesse James left behind secret diaries and coded treasure maps. Working to decrypt these maps, Daniel J. Duke--the great-great grandson of Jesse James--reveals hidden treasures yet to be recovered as well as connections between the infamous train robber and Freemasonry, the Knights Templar, the Founding Fathers, and Jewish mysticism. The author explains how Jesse James faked his death and lived out his final years under the name James L. Courtney. He uncovers James’ affiliation with the Knights of the Golden Circle, a secret society that buried Confederate gold across the United States, and shows how the hidden treasures coded into James’ maps were not affiliated with the KGC but with the Freemasons, the Knights Templar, and the treasure of the Temple Mount. Using sacred geometry, gematria, and the Kabbalistic Tree of Life symbol, the author explains the encoded map technique used by the Freemasons to hide and later recover treasures, an esoteric template known as the “Veil”. He shows how the Veil template confirms the locations of Jesse James’ recovered treasures in Texas as well as other suspected treasure locations, such as the Oak Island Money Pit and Victorio Peak in New Mexico. Tracing knowledge of the Veil template back through the centuries, the author reveals the Veil hidden on the cover of a 16th-century book that contains a secret map of the New World and the “hooked X” symbol of the Knights Templar. He shows how the template was used not only to hide treasures but also sacred knowledge and relics, such as within the Bruton Vault, which originally contained secrets tied to Francis Bacon, the Freemasons, the Rosicrucians, and the founding of the United States. Applying the Veil template alongside the esoteric secrets of Poussin’s famous painting, Et In Arcadia Ego, and Cassini’s Celestial Globe, Duke shows how the template reveals other Templar and Freemason treasure sites scattered throughout America and around the world.Trade Review“Daniel J. Duke has successfully cracked open part of the mystery surrounding Templar treasure from Jerusalem that had been moved to the Americas to help establish a free nation. Jesse James and the Lost Templar Treasure goes beyond just theorizing that treasure was moved to the Americas and in fact demonstrates the connections and methods utilized to hide certain treasures. There have always been those who have sought to shape history to ensure that freedoms and artifacts could be preserved in the Americas. Daniel J. Duke’s book is on the cutting edge of revealing some of what has remained hidden. Anybody who is interested in the Templar legacy and their connection with the Americas will find true gems in this book!” * Timothy W. Hogan, Templar Grand Master, author, and lecturer *“Having inadvertently fallen down one of the many hidden wells of esoteric knowledge dotted across the North American landscape, author Daniel J. Duke--the great-great-grandson of the outlaw Jesse James--weaves a wonderful tale of Southern intrigue and mysterious treasure. His familial connection enables him to explore the ancient mysteries within the Tree of Life and Veil templates and their connections over time to the Freemasons, the Knights Templar, the Knights of the Golden Circle, Francis Bacon and the Rosicrucians, and Sovereign Grand Commander Albert Pike. Where he travels next on his personal journey of discovery will be the key.” * William F. Mann, author of The Knights Templar in the New World, The Templar Meridians, and Templar *"Duke fulfilled this objective all the way to 5-stars. If you love history, mysteries, treasure hunting and of course Jesse James, do not hesitate to give your full attention to Jesse James and the Lost Templar Treasure." * Kris Helt, Whiskey & Wit Book Review *"Jesse James and the Lost Templar Treasure is an interesting read full of facts about history. The reader will learn more concerning Jesse James and the groups to which he belonged. It is evident that Duke put a lot of time and research into this book. I recommend this book for the history buff and for those with a love for treasure stories and conspiracy theories." * Rachel Dehning, Seattle Book Review *Table of ContentsINTRODUCTION The Hunt for Truth and Treasure ONE Knights, Outlaws, and Treasure Maps TWO Seven Cities of Gold THREE Bruton Parish Church-- America’s Rosslyn Chapel?FOUR Connecting the Dots FIVESignatures in Numbers SIX The Three Veils SEVEN Gates of Light EIGHT Line of Succession NINE Arcadian Shepherds TEN Into the Shadows ELEVEN The Stone of Foundation TWELVELooking behind the Veil THIRTEEN Re-veiling the Maps Notes Bibliography Index

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Book SynopsisChristopher Knight was born in 1950, and has a degree in advertising and graphic design. He is chairman of a marketing and advertising agency and is a Freemason.Robert Lomas was born in 1947 and has a degree in electrical engineering. He has worked on the guidance systems for Cruise missiles, and was involved in the early development of home computers. He is a Freemason and lectures on Masonic history.Trade ReviewA Plausible explanation of how prehistoric societies could have developed astronomical observatories such as Stonehenge for practical reasons * Sunday Times *The book is superb... the insights that it opens in a series of varied fields, tying them in logically to each other, is very lucid * Howie Firth, Director of the Orkney Science Festival *

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Book SynopsisThe Knights Templar are one of the most mysterious and powerful religious orders in history. Highly trained, and adhering to a strict chivalric code, their success on the battlefield brought them both extraordinary wealth and political influence. It also ensured they would be entrusted to guard Christendom's greatest secrets. Our enduring fascination with the Templars is matched only by the swirling myths that surround and sometimes obscure the order's history. Secrets of the Knights Templar examines each of these mysteries in turn to reveal the truth about the Knights' secret practices, rituals and codes, as well as the continued influence of the Templars today. From the true location of the Holy Grail to the Templars' involvement in the Battle of Bannockburn, and from the sudden downfall of the order to the claims of those who believe they're descended from its Grand Masters, S. J. Hodge's thrilling and authoritative narrative uncovers the hidden links behind the stories and separates historical fact from fiction.Table of ContentsThe Origins of the Order. Holy War. The Temple of Solomon. The Guardians. Sacred Defence. Shifting Sands. The Descent. The Myths. An Enigma of History. List of Grand Masters. Index.

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Book SynopsisIn this enthralling historical detective story, the authors of The Holy Blood and the Holy Grail trace the flight after 1309 of the Knights Templar from Europe to Scotland, where the Templar heritage was to take root, and would be perpetuated by a network of noble families.Trade Review'A worthy conclusion to their investigations into secret societies ancient and modern' * Sunday Times *'Meticulously researched and annotated and well worth reading' * Oxford Times *

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Book SynopsisAn in-depth guide to attaining the enlightenment of the Philosopher’s Stone. Inspired by alchemists of the past, R. E. Kretz explores the mechanics of the Philosopher’s Stone, the Pythagorean transmigration of the soul, and the alchemical path for attaining enlightenment. After offering a brief historical overview of alchemy and historical etiologies of the three alchemical states of primal matter, the author details an illustrative geometric approach for the creation of the Philosopher’s Stone using an “oblong square” (created by three overlapping circles with the center circle squared), the same shape described in Freemasonry as the form of a Masonic Lodge. He compares this diagram to depictions of the Stone in Mesopotamian, Egyptian, and Hindu cultures as well as floorplans for European cathedrals. He shows how the form of the oblong square contains Masonic working tools and how its sacred geometry elucidates Man as mind, body, and spirit encapsulating a soul. Describing the relationship between the alchemical oblong square diagram and the electrical circuit of the brain, the author then details the operative process of the Philosopher’s Stone, likening it to the “servomechanism” of the Third Eye—comprised of the thalamus, pineal gland, and pituitary gland located between the twin pillars of the cerebral hemispheres. He explores how to navigate the twin pillars of the brain to find equilibrium, the third pillar. The author explains that we attain enlightenment when the energies of our Third Eye are balanced (in equilibrium), enabling it to resonate as a harmonic waveform generator. He shows how this can be achieved through meditation and the synchronizing vibration of vocal mantras. Drawing on Rosicrucianism, Freemasonry, Hermeticism, sacred geometry, and Native American shamanism, this book presents an allegorical quest for the Philosopher’s Stone and a practical path for attaining it.Trade Review“As an initiate of both Sufism and Freemasonry, this book answered many questions that the modern lodge did not give me. The purpose of life and the alchemical transformation of man are the questions that are answered here. I’m truly grateful for R. E. Kretz and this great work.” * Salman Sheikh, Freemason, Masonic lecturer, and author of The Spiritual Reflections of the Sufi Free *"Enlightenment, meditation, and the powers of the human body and mind have never been so clearly described, illustrated, and made accessible to everyone, until now with the publication of The Alchemical Search for the Unified Field." * Feathered Quill Book Reviews *Table of ContentsAcknowledgments PROLOGUE The Bell, the Book, the Candle INTRODUCTIONMy Curiosity for Truth PART 1 Bell 1 The Order of Ophiuchus 2 Thoughtful Morsels3 The Kingdom of Heaven PART 2 Book 4 The Philosophers’ Stone 5 An Oblong Square 6 Elements of the Stone 7 Life and Death 8 The Stairway to Heaven9 Regeneration PART 3 Candle 10 The Making of a Shaman 11 Finding the Grail EPILOGUE The Hermit’s Lantern Notes Bibliography Index

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Book SynopsisJourney with Russell Lyon through the fascinating story of the Society of Horsemen, the secret group of strange gifted men who traditionally ruled the world of the stables. Discover a culture stranger than fiction, where a stable-boy could be asked to shake hands with the devil through a wall, and the sign of power would float upstream. An informative investigation of the rituals, beliefs and skills of the Original Whisperers.

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Book SynopsisToday some six million Freemasons around the world continue to perform their rituals regularly - an enormous legacy of spiritual endeavour, kept largely in secret. In Britain alone there are over 7,000 Lodges, with a quarter of a million members. What is this wealth, this appeal, and how did the philosopher and spiritual scientist Rudolf Steiner reinterpret or reconstruct Freemasonry's time-worn legacy? Unless one is a Freemason, the masonic world, with its arcane conventions and language, remains largely unknown: an obscurity that is almost impossible to fathom. Yet understanding its traditions and style are invaluable when approaching Goethe, Mozart, Herder, Lessing and Novalis - as well as Rudolf Steiner. Steiner himself renewed the 'Royal Art' of Freemasonry from 1906 to 1914 through his ritual work known as Mystica AEterna. When Steiner invigorated education, medicine, the social order and religion, he fully intended that committed and professional individuals should assume responsibility for the new initiatives. But this was not the case with the Masonic Order he founded, whose leadership he took upon himself. Even the celebration of his passing in 1925, led by Marie Steiner, was entirely Masonic in character. In the context of continuing resistance and misrepresentation, N.V.P. Franklin uncovers the living heart of Freemasonry and reveals why it was - and still is - immensely relevant to anthroposophy. With profound research into its older rituals and teachings, this detailed and conscientious study is a unique contribution to comprehending freemasonry and anthroposophy - both historically and in the present day.Table of ContentsPreface - Introduction - 1. Freemasonry and the Theosophical Societies. Son of Man, Can these Bones Live? - 2. The Esoteric Schools 1887-1914. The spirit of Elijah rests on Elisha - 3. The High Grades of Freemasonry. And I will give thee the treasures of darkness - 4. Early Reports of Mystica AEterna. Rumour shall be upon rumour - 5. Masonic Types in Mystica AEterna. Behold, I make all things new - 6. The Rites of Misraim and Memphis. From One Degree of Glory to Another - 7. Rudolf Steiner and Freemasonry, Part 1. To cleanse the house of the Lord - 8. Rudolf Steiner and Freemasonry, Part 2. The Bright Morning Star - An Imagination - From a Lecture by Rudolf Steiner - Notes - Select Bibliography - Index to Principal Themes and Persons

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Book SynopsisA detailed exploration of the remedies and methods used by the healers who journeyed along with the Crusading knights• Presents a traditional “cure-all” or leechbook of the ailments the Crusaders would have encountered and the remedies their mediciners would have employed, including recipes for many cures and instructions • Includes a comprehensive herbal, listing all the medicinal plants and materials needed to make the remedies, potions, elixirs, and unctions of the cure-all • Details the author’s travels in the steps of the Crusader physicians where he met with healers still employing the mediciners’ practices During the Crusades, chivalric knightly orders, such as the Knights Templar and the Knights Hospitaller, brought along monastic mediciners to treat the sick and wounded. These mediciners not only employed the leading cures of medieval Europe but also learned new methods from the local folk-healers and Arabic healing traditions they encountered on their journeys. Presenting a traditional “cure-all” or leechbook of the Crusader physicians, Jon Hughes shares a comprehensive encyclopedia of the ailments the Crusaders would have encountered and the remedies their mediciners would have employed. He details recipes for many cures and a range of magico-medical applications such as charms, spells, enchantments, and amulets used to address the new illnesses of strange and foreign lands. He includes a detailed and comprehensive herbal, listing all the plants and materials needed to make and administer the remedies of the cure-all. He also details his travels in the steps of the Crusader physicians throughout Poland, the Czech Republic, Malta, Morocco, and the island of Rhodes where he met with healers still following this healing path who shared their practices with him.Revealing how the healers of the Crusades helped elevate Western medical knowledge through the integration of wisdom from their Middle Eastern counterparts, Hughes shows how their legacy continues through the many effective remedies and healing modalities still in use today.Trade Review“The Healing Practices of the Knights Templar and Hospitaller by Jon G. Hughes is a well-researched and fascinating look into the healing practices and related medicines of the early Crusaders. What makes this book all the more intriguing is the author’s personal journey of discovery, tracing the footsteps of the Crusaders across southern Europe, North Africa, and the Mediterranean as they made their way to the Holy Land and, hopefully, back again. Jon G. Hughes’s rediscovery of the many medicinal plants and spiritual healings is a journey of enlightenment. It’s also a story of East meets West, in that the warrior-monks adopted many of the Eastern healing practices and carried them back to western Europe. In many cases this knowledge and understanding is still in use some eight hundred years later. I have been waiting for a book of this nature for a very long time.” * William F. Mann, author of The Last Refuge of the Knights Templar *“A truly fascinating investigation into medieval medicine, exploring how the European Crusaders learned of cures and remedies for a variety of aliments from the very people who were meant to be their enemies: the inhabitants of the Holy Land. A wonderful read, well researched, and easy to follow.” * Graham Phillips, author of The Templars and the Ark of the Covenant *“A treasure trove of historic herbal research and lore awaits the reader—a comprehensive herbal, a traditional ‘cure-all’ of medieval ailments and remedies, and a travelogue of the author’s journeys. This book is a useful historical addition to any modern herbalist’s library and for all interested in medieval healing methods; medicine and the monastic and military orders; cross-cultural and interfaith exchanges of unusual cures, botanicals, and specialist herbal lore; the key role of field hospitals on a battlefield; and historic healing recipes ranging from ales, ointments, oils, and much more. Join in the footsteps of the monastic mediciners, Crusader physicians, and the healers of the Crusades and explore this texte vivant, a living text, of herbal lore for our time. Recommended!” * Karen Ralls, Ph.D., historian and author of Knights Templar Encyclopedia and Medieval Mysteries *“An illuminating and well-researched insight into the medicinal knowledge of the Crusader knights, providing an excellent overview of the period as well as the author’s detailed account of his journey across parts of southern Europe and North Africa in search of the remnants of the Templars. The book’s largest section, the cures of the time, provides a sometimes gruesome but fascinating window into their practices. An essential book for those interested in the synthesis of medieval, lost Greco-Roman, and Arab-Turkish ideas that preempted the Renaissance in Europe.” * Luke Eastwood, author of The Druid Garden and The Druid’s Primer *Table of ContentsPreface IntroductionPART I In the Footsteps of the Knights Templar One Morocco and Marrakech TwoThe Greek Island of RhodesThreeThe Island of Malta FourThe Knights Return Home PART II The Crusader Mediciners FiveMedieval Medicine before the Crusades Six The Mediciners and the Crusading Knights SevenThe Leechcrafter’s Ethical Code Eight The Leechcrafter’s Tumbrel PART III The Leechbook of the Knights Templar and the Knights Hospitaller of St. John of Jerusalem Introductory Notes by the Author Nine The Cure-All Many Ailments and Their Remedies Ten The Pharmacopeia Botanicals, Animals, Minerals, and Other Curative Materia Medica Conclusion Index

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Book SynopsisWho was Cain and what does he represent? The first part of this book invites us to revise the traditional, biblical, view of Cain as his brother's murderer. Rudolf Steiner shows how the original Cain was ready to sacrifice his being to something higher, but this pure impulse was perverted into the desire to murder. Our earthly knowledge has an affinity with the fallen Cain, but there is also a path by which we can ascend to the condition of Cain before his fratricide - through the stages of higher knowledge. Only the descendants of Cain, coming to full and real 'I' development, can sustain themselves in the face of earthly forces. In the context of this primeval Cain, or the 'new' Cain, the ritual ceremonies enacted by Steiner between 1905 and 1914 acquire their true meaning: as a way to incorporate previously developed spirit knowledge into the human soul and into physical reality. Here the practical occultist increasingly identifies with Hiram, the central figure of the Temple Legend, in order to realize the new Cain within him.Meyer demonstrates the direct line from Rudolf Steiner's early 'rites of knowledge' to the Class lessons of 1924, which Steiner had intended to reinvest with a ritual element. Besides reflections by Rudolf Steiner and editor Thomas Meyer's commentary, this volume includes important thoughts by Marie Steiner, W.J. Stein, Ludwig Polzer-Hoditz and Rudolf Geering-Christ. The final chapter is a lecture by D.N. Dunlop - perhaps Steiner's most important pupil in the West - that reveals the universally human core of the rituals we encounter both in traditional freemasonry and in Steiner's own rites.Table of ContentsIntroduction and Overview - I. The Temple Legend as a Spiritual and Moral Impulse for Evolution and Its Completion by Rudolf Steiner - II. Rudolf Steiner's Ritual Texts for the First to the Third Degree - III. Aphoristic Explanations and Commentaries - IV. From the Ritual Ceremonies to the 'Class Lessons' and Beyond - V. The Decadence of Freemasonry and the Royal Art of the Future - D.N. Dunlop: The Meaning of Masonic Trials - Picture references

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Book SynopsisIn 1939, residents of a rural village near Chengdu watched as Lei Mingyuan, a member of a violent secret society known as the Gowned Brothers, executed his teenage daughter. Six years later, Shen Baoyuan, a sociology student at Yenching University, arrived in the town to conduct fieldwork on the society that once held sway over local matters. She got to know Lei Mingyuan and his family, recording many rare insights about the murder and the Gowned Brothers' inner workings. Using the filicide as a starting point to examine the history, culture, and organization of the Gowned Brothers, Di Wang offers nuanced insights into the structures of local power in 1940s rural Sichuan. Moreover, he examines the influence of Western sociology and anthropology on the way intellectuals in the Republic of China perceived rural communities. By studying the complex relationship between the Gowned Brothers and the Chinese Communist Party, he offers a unique perspective on China's transition to socialism. In so doing, Wang persuasively connects a family in a rural community, with little overt influence on national destiny, to the movements and ideologies that helped shape contemporary China.Trade Review"Di Wang's rich volume on the Sichuan Paoge offers a major contribution to the history of Chinese secret societies. Based in part on the fascinating thesis of a sociology student at Yenching University, the study brilliantly illuminates the complex linkages between rural society and culture, the limits of local government, and Western-inspired intellectual efforts to arrive at a new understanding of peasant life." -- David Ownby * author of Brotherhoods and Secret Societies in Early and Mid-Qing China *"Violence and Order on the Chengdu Plain is the first monograph in English that is solely dedicated to the study of paoge, one of the most influential secret societies in the upper- and middle-Yangzi regions in pre-1949 China. An elegant microhistory, this work weaves an intimate study with larger social and political contexts involving rebellions, revolutions, foreign invasion, state penetration, and peasant resistance that characterized twentieth-century China." -- Huaiyin Li * University of Texas at Austin *"Without doubt, Di Wang's new book represents an excellent example of a microhistory writing in the field of modern Chinese history." -- Shaofan An * Frontiers of History in China *"Every once in a blue moon, this reviewer finishes a book and thinks: 'Now this is the kind of book I aspire to write.' Di Wang's Violence and Order on the Chengdu Plain is one of those rare books....Full of pathos and interwoven with complex narratives, Violence and Order is rich in anthropological and sociological data collected in the 1930s and 1940s, and complete with entertaining and humanizing historical anecdotes." -- Kelly Hammond * China Review International *"Violence and Order on the Chengdu Plain is an illuminating study of how secret societies operated in early twentieth-century Sichuan and how they have been understood....[The book] adds to the recent flourishing of studies of Sichuan in the Republican period." -- Henrietta Harrison * Journal of Asian Studies *"Violence and Order on the Chengdu Plain is a far-reaching contribution to scholarship on secret societies, local governance, popular culture, and rural society in the first half of China's twentieth century that deserves to be widely read, by both specialists and nonspecialists alike." -- Benno R. Weiner * Twentieth-Century China *"Wang has made an impressive contribution to our understanding of Chinese secret societies, specifically the Paoge....this book is highly readable and is a welcome addition to the historiography of modern China." -- Hongyan Xiang * Pacific Affairs *Table of ContentsContents and AbstractsIntroduction: Two Voices Joined in the Chengdu Plain chapter abstractThe academic disciplines of sociology and anthropology took root in 1920s China under the influence of American scholars and missionaries. Among these pioneers were Shen Baoyuan's teachers in the Department of Sociology at Yenching University in Beijing. Under their influence, Shen aspired to become a "rural activist" and went to the countryside to learn about rural issues from peasants. In the summer of 1945 she traveled to the village she called Hope Township in the Chengdu Plain, Sichuan Province, to investigate the Gowned Brothers. This introduction discusses past scholarship of secret societies and traces the intellectual origins of Shen's investigation that built the academic foundation for her fieldwork. 1A Public Execution chapter abstractShen Baoyuan created the pseudonym Hope Township to protect the privacy of the people she investigated. However, based on the information in her report as well as other historical sources, this chapter confirms that Hope Township is in fact Chongyiqiao, a northern suburb of Chengdu. Lei Mingyuan, the central personality in Shen's report and head of the local branch of the Gowned Brothers, publicly lynched his daughter and the young tailor who worked for the family in response to rumors that the two were engaged in an affair. Despite the brutal and brazen nature of his crimes, however, Lei did not face any charges. This chapter details the horrific crime and its ramifications, looking at the problematic prevalence of lynching and the rule of law at the time. 2A Local Band of the Gowned Brothers chapter abstractThe Chengdu Plain, in rural western Sichuan, was one of the most affluent areas in all of inland China. All aspects of geography, ecology, economy, lifestyle, and local culture and customs enhanced the development and survival of the Gowned Brothers, who thrived here. This chapter describes these factors as well as the growth of the secret society. The organization was founded in the early Qing period with the goal of "overthrowing the Qing and restoring the Ming." In its long struggle against the Qing government, the Gowned Brothers developed a solid organizational structure and extensive power network. A large proportion of Sichuan's male population were members and played an active role in local control and security. This chapter documents how this secret society assumed and enforced dominance of local communities. 3Spirituality and Customs chapter abstractThis chapter explores the spiritual beliefs and actions of the Gowned Brothers and looks at how these reinforced the secret society's power structure. Paoge members took what was traditional and fashioned a variety of specialized rites and customs for themselves. Over the past forty or so years, historians and students of Chinese society have taken a much-needed neutral, in some sense anthropological, stance toward China's broad landscape of rites, beliefs, and religious and ceremonial practices. This chapter turns to the unique observations of Shen Baoyuan, who was fascinated with what many in academe of her time thought of as arcane and superstitious ploys. It begins with a short sketch of how traditional rites and beliefs were acted out in the Paoge's own local areas. Popular religions were closely tied to local culture, and the Gowned Brothers worshipped Guandi, which brought members together to fight for a common goal. 4Secret Codes and Language chapter abstractIn her investigation, Shen Baoyuan documented unique words used by Paoge members in everyday life, rituals, and communication, often referred to as "black words" or "hidden lingo." Her 1946 report explained pointed out that the very name of the Paoge originates from an agenda of "national spirit" and "revolutionary ideas," which was a way to refer to the anti-Manchu revolution. Haidi, documenting the organization's history, language, structure, and other information, was the organization's canonical text. The Gowned Brothers created their own language, which reflected their unique political ideas, identity, and historical narratives and provided a covert means of communication. This chapter analyzes the development and role of their secret language as well as the political implications. 5Disciplines and Dominance chapter abstractMembers of the Gowned Brothers reinforced their solidarity and internal stability through strict regulations, codes of conduct, and rituals for meetings and other activities. Any member who violated them would be harshly punished or even executed. This chapter examines these regulations and their chilling effect on nearly every type of behavior. Paoge members actively participated in stabilizing local order. The parties involved in a dispute usually did not pursue justice through a formal, forensic process, but instead went to a teahouse for "negotiation tea." This practice was an important means through which Paoge members learned about current events and kept order in even the smallest of neighborhoods. As prominent members of the community, the brothers challenged official judicial power in this role. This chapter describes the Paoge's mediation process and its effect on local jurisprudence. 6A Tenant Farmer and Paoge Master chapter abstractThis chapter examines Lei Mingyuan's economic situation as his leadership in the Gowned Brothers grew. Scholars generally believed that a tenant belonged to the economic class of poor peasants, but Lei, as a tenant farmer, did not actually do fieldwork. Instead, he hired four short-term laborers, whom he paid on a daily basis. Contrary to the assumption that a leader of the secret society would at least be economically well-to-do, Lei did not fit any category of the rural class division established by the Chinese Communist Party during the Land Revolution in the early 1950s. He rose to power primarily through success in fighting bandits. 7Entering the Paoge chapter abstractThis chapter describes the dynamics that led the Paoge worldview and policies that took hold in the Lei family. Although Lei Mingyuan was a Paoge leader, he was not omnipotent, according to Shen Baoyuan's observations in her 1946 report. He was imperceptibly influenced by social constraints, but he had to support his family and fulfill family obligations. Rice cultivation was the primary focus of those who lived in Hope Township, and the home Lei shared with his second wife, Woman Lei, was surrounded by bamboo groves and paddies. Woman Lei was literate and stern, the survivor of a great tragedy in her first marriage. Her demeanor and shrewdness enhanced the family's ability to establish Lei's reputation as a leader in the organization. 8The Decline of Power chapter abstractThis chapter describes the events that sealed Lei Mingyuan's grim demise, through the lens of the larger framework of leadership in the Gowned Brothers. Given his apparent lifestyle and role in his village from about 1939 to 1945, Lei was incapable of maintaining his responsibilities. Covering up his growing financial and leadership problems, Lei lost his economic freedom when his paddy fields of about seven acres were transferred to another tenant as a result of his failure to pay rent. One might assume that a landlord would not dare enforce the rules against a man as powerful as Lei, but in reality all landholders, despite their status, were subject to the same standards. As Lei's personal economic situation weakened, the financial support he had provided his subordinates diminished, thus causing his political power to wane as well. 9A Family Crisis and a Rural Woman's Fate chapter abstractLei Mingyuan understood that his leadership position in the Gowned Brothers depended on the strength of his reputation. His need to "save face" had driven him to carry out the public execution of his daughter and her presumed lover. This chapter weaves together other stories and details of community life revealing that the women in Lei's family suffered under his tyranny. Lei's economic and political instability drew him into a life of decadence: he began taking opium, further escalating his personal financial crisis. Notoriety resulted for Lei family when their servant girl ran away, further diminishing Lei's reputation and authority. Lei was indifferent to his family's suffering and sought a concubine. Woman Lei resisted, however, and garnered the support from other Gowned Brothers, leading Lei Mingyuan to abort his plan. Eventually, the couple reconciled and the Lei family moved to a shabby house in a neighborhood of coolies. 10Fall of the Paoge chapter abstractThis chapter explores how the Communists established their control in rural China. Knowledge of the transition from the Nationalist regime to the socialist state has centered on major cities, and there has been little understanding of how the CCP extended its power into the countryside. This chapter reveals that the Paoge did not confront the CCP upon its arrival on the Chengdu Plain; rather, the organization quietly watched the situation unfold. When the new regime imposed a grain tax, however, the group led resistance in what the Communist discourse called the "bandit riots." Although the Paoge had many connections with the Communist revolution, the CCP could not tolerate its antiestablishment tradition and was determined to destroy the organization entirely. 11Looking for the Storyteller chapter abstractThis book is primarily concerned with two people: Paoge leader Lei Mingyuan (and his family) and Shen Baoyuan, the storyteller. This chapter provides important, new information on Shen and her 1946 report. Lei and Shen lived in two completely different worlds, with different geographical, educational, social, and economic backgrounds, but they intersected in the summer of 1945. One was investigated and described; the other was the investigator and narrator. Both played a role in retelling an untold, powerful piece of human history. The book is also a three-way narrative: in addition to Lei and Shen, there is the author, who engages the dialogue and attempts to understand the Paoge leader Lei Mingyuan through Shen Baoyuan's perspective. 12Untangling Paoge Myth chapter abstractThis chapter's comprehensive examination of texts and narratives aids the understanding of how the public's perception of the Gowned Brothers was constructed over the centuries. These materials reveal the complex relationship between the Chinese Communist Party and the Paoge. In her report Shen Baoyuan harshly criticized the Paoge in Hope Township, but she found a reason to be hopeful by the fresh ideas presented in Righteous Monthly, a journal published by the organization in Chengdu. At the time, however, Shen did not realize that the journal actually was controlled by the CCP. More than six decades have passed since the Paoge was obliterated. However, during the post-Mao reform the CCP gradually loosened its control, leaving a prime opportunity for the revival of at least some secret societies in China.

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