Product Description
Perhaps Hermeticism has fascinated so many people precisely because it has made it possible to produce many analogies and relationships to various traditions: to Platonism in its many varieties, to Stoicism, to Gnostic ideas, and even to certain Aristotelian doctrines. The Gnostic, the esoteric, the Platonist, or the deist has each been able to find something familiar in the writings. One just had to have a penchant for remote antiquity, for the idea of a Golden Age, in order for Hermeticism, with its aura of an ancient Egyptian revelation, to have enjoyed such outstanding success."--from the Introduction

Hermes Trismegistus, "thrice-great Hermes," emerged from the amalgamation of the wisdom gods Hermes and Thoth and is one of the most enigmatic figures of intellectual history. Since antiquity, the legendary "wise Egyptian" has been considered the creator of several mystical and magical writings on such topics as alchemy, astrology, medicine, and the transcendence of God. Philosophers of the Renaissance celebrated Hermes Trismegistus as the founder of philosophy, Freemasons called him their forefather, and Enlightenment thinkers championed religious tolerance in his name. To this day, Hermes Trismegistus is one of the central figures of the occult--his name is synonymous with the esoteric.

In this scholarly yet accessible introduction to the history of Hermeticism and its mythical founder, Florian Ebeling provides a concise overview of the Corpus Hermeticum and other writings attributed to Hermes. He traces the impact of Christian and Muslim versions of the figure in medieval Europe, the power of Hermeticism and Paracelsian belief in Renaissance thought, the relationship to Pietism and to Freemasonry in early modern Europe, and the relationship to esotericism and semiotics in the modern world. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (1)

"The History of Hermeticism, which began in antiquity, has yet to come to an end"
While the traditional discussion of the Corpus Hermeticum begins with Marsilio Ficino's 1471 translation for Cosimo de' Medici, the discussion soon stalls with the centuries' old debate of the text and if the ideas it expresses are truly Egyptian wisdom or are merely a Hellenistic patch-work infused with Egyptian atmosphere.

In The Secret History of Hermes Trismegistus: Hermeticism from Ancient to Modern Times, Florian Ebeling takes a fresh approach by focusing on the character/author Hermes Trismegistus within countless literary sources attributed to him from Coptic, European and Arabic sources. Florian, beginning in Antiquity, isolates two distinct traditions and then follows them through the Middle Ages, the Renaissance and the enlightenment up to the twentieth Century, arguing that Hermes Trismegistus did not spontaneously appear in Italy during the Renaissance but was consistently popular, often referenced in both Europe and in the Middle East since his first appearance over 2000 years ago.Ebeling continues by outlining how Hermes as well as hermetic wisdom was eventually discredited then more recently vindicated by historic, religious and scientific opinion.

This new approach benefits from recent scriptural finds from Nag Hammadi, decipherment of Egyptian Hieroglyphics, and a greater, more critical understanding of the Hellenistic cultural milieu. By building on recent scholarly works like The Eternal Hermes by Antoine Faivre, The Egyptian Hermes by Garth Fowden and Hermetica by Brian P. Copenhaver, Florian Ebeling, breathes fresh life into the religious tradition of the Thrice Great Hermes allowing these ancient scriptures an increasingly wider audience.
... Read more

Product Description
Jennifer Wunder makes a strong case for the importance of hermeticism and the secret societies to an understanding of John Keats's poetry and his speculations about religious and philosophical questions. Although secret societies exercised enormous cultural influence during the late eighteenth and early nineteenth centuries, they have received little attention from Romantic scholars. And yet, information about the societies permeated all aspects of Romantic culture. Groups such as the Rosicrucians and the Freemasons fascinated the reading public, and the market was flooded with articles, pamphlets, and books that discussed the societies's goals and hermetic philosophies, debated their influence, and drew on their mythologies for literary inspiration.Wunder recovers the common knowledge about the societies and offers readers a first look at the role they played in the writings of Romantic authors in general and Keats in particular. She argues that Keats was aware of the information available about the secret societies and employed hermetic terminology and imagery associated with these groups throughout his career.As she traces the influence of these secret societies on Keats's poetry and letters, she not only offers readers a new perspective on Keats's writings but also on scholarship treating his religious and philosophical beliefs.While scholars have tended either to consider Keats's aesthetic and religious speculations on their own terms or to adopt a more historical approach that rejects an emphasis on the spiritual for a materialist interpretation, Wunder offers us a middle way. Restoring Keats to a milieu characterized by simultaneously worldly and mythological propensities, she helps to explain if not fully reconcile the insights of both camps. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (1)

Superb study of a wonderful poet
The author solves various mysteries regarding poems such as Lamia in this elegantly written, thoroughly enjoyable but terribly expensive book.A must for lovers of the British Romantic poets and for students of the Hermetic philosophy and its profound influence on many societies and many artists and writers. ... Read more

Product Description
Hermeticism, or alchemy, is the ancient, primordial mystery science of nature through which people in all times and places have, for the sake of world evolution, sought to unite Heaven and Earth--divinity, cosmos, earth, and humanity, as a single whole. Selfless, intimate, dedicated to healing and harmony, Hermeticism has accompanied and sustained every religious epoch and revelation. It may be found in all historical cultures, from the traditions of India and China in the East to the Judeo-Christian West. It could even be said that Hermeticism is the primal cosmological revelation and the common ground of all spiritual traditions.

Nevertheless, in the great revival of mystical, esoteric traditions and practices during the last century, Hermetic tradition--in fact, Nature herself--has been largely ignored. Today, when the Earth seems most under attack, Green Hermeticism is especially appropriate. The book explores not only the ancient Masters' inner science, but also their science of Nature.

During spring and summer 2006, Pir Zia Khan convened a series of gatherings to begin to unfold the contemporary meaning of ancient, sacred science for our time. Green Hermeticism is a partial record of that meeting. Peter Lamborn Wilson, explores the many ramifications of the alternative worldview offered by Hermeticism; Christopher Bamford provides a broad historical overview of the tradition from the Ancient Mysteries to contemporary manifestations of the alchemical tradition; while Kevin Townley brings a practical dimension to the gathering teaching the preparation of herbal elixirs and demonstrating that cosmology and philosophy can become a truly healing path for the Earth.

Green Hermeticism is necessary reading for anyone seeking a spiritual and cultural path for the healing of the current ecological and cultural crisis. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (3)

Hermeticism
If your definition of Hermeticism is obscure , convoluted and esoteric then this is the book for you. I liked The endless trace by Christopher Bamford. I did not like this book and would not give it to the average reader plus there are some errors in the chapter index.... Wilson sounds like a anti science ranter and some of the books he mentions like the Tao of Physics have some serious errors as pointed out in a copy of the Buddhist publication Tricycle ( The bootstrap theorem as a case in point ). I am a Herbologist so i liked the last chapter . I am retired from Industry and teach at a local University a Green course for Buisness majors. I am a big fan of Parabola Magazine and a long time reader of Christopher Bamford, the one chapter labeled with him as the writer in the front of the book is labeled Wilson... I am sorry to have to give this book a low rated 2 ....... If your new to this get "The Endless Trace " and or subcribe to the Journal parabola

Does saying green make it green?
I found this book to be more of an intellectual/theoretical approach to Hermeticism and the green/environmental aspects of it, as opposed to a practical manual that offered thoughts on how to blend sustainability with hermetic practices. In reading most of this book and the essays in it, I'm left with the thought that it seems great that people came together and discussed these ideas, but I'm unsure what the practical implications of that discussion boil down to in terms of integrating a set of magical practices/beliefs into responsible environmental practices and policies.

There were some interesting sections. I enjoyed the section on using mushrooms as a way of remediating pollutants, as well as enjoying the last chapter on the manufacturing of planetary tinctures. But I'm still left overall with a sense that while this book attempts to reveal relevant and important concepts, it gets bogged down in the academic inclination of over intellecualizing what's being discussed. In reading this book, I can't say that the connection between alchemy and ecology has been amply demonstrated. I'm also unsure as to how the authors propose to wed alchemy to ecology in a manner that is green and promotes sustainability.

An impressive, thought-provoking, and much-needed work
I cannot rave enough about this book. I forget exactly where I heard about it, but given the dearth of material on ecological spirituality/magic, especially outside of a shamanic or neopagan perspective, I fairly jumped at a chance to pick this text up.

This is not a how-to book, with the exception of one chapter. It is primarily rather dense and inspiring theoretical discussion of the links between hermeticism and alchemy, and the need for a more eco-friendly approach to life, the Universe, and everything. Rather than try to summarize the book as a whole I'll go through each chapter independently.

Chapter 1 (Wilson) - The Disciples at Sais: A Sacred Theory of Earth - This was originally a paper presented by the author at a 2003 "Sacred Theory of Earth" conference. Wilson traces the influences of green hermeticism, focusing particularly on the works of Romantic scientist and hermeticist Novalis, whose novel provided the title for the chapter. However, Wilson also draws on everyone from Paracelsus to Goethe. However, the bulk of the chapter is dedicated to Novalis, and is liberally adorned with quotes from his works that aptly illustrate foundations of green hermeticism.

Chapter 2 (Bamford) - One the All: Alchemy as Sacred Ecology - Chapter 2 examines the basic philosophy and worldview of alchemy, while highlighting those portions that are particularly applicable to modern ecological concerns. It is also part history lesson, following the progress of alchemy from Egypt to the East and back to the West. And, perhaps most importantly, the idea of One the All is discussed-a deep, pragmatic awareness of the interconnection of all things. We are not merely presented with wishy-washy pleas to "all just get along", but convincing arguments towards revamping how we approach the Universe, and ourselves and everything else as the All.

Chapter 3 (Wilson) - Green Hermeticissm - Here's where the book starts getting really good. Wilson dives deeper into hermeticism-as-ecological spirituality, and shows more examples of where the green roots in hermeticism come from throughout its history and development. However, modern implications are also discussed; I was particularly delighted by the section on mycoremeditation-cleaning up toxins through mushrooms which break down the chemical compounds-as a modern form of alchemy. There's also a marvelous interpretation of lycanthropy as eco-magical awareness and activism, but in a way that takes animals on their own terms instead of through our usual anthropocentric perceptions. While the chapter flows from one topic to another, all together it paints a picture of a very different, much healthier way of viewing reality from what we're raised with.

Chapter 4 (Bamford) - Quilting Green Hermeticism: A Tissue of Texts and Tracings - This chapter adds texture to the previous material. It's a delightful collection both of Bamford's own thoughts, and extensive quotes from various classic alchemical/hermetic texts. By far my favorite part was the section entitled "Ouroborous ('Tail-eater') or the Coincidence of Opposites", an excellent tool for shattering dualistic preconceptions and tendencies towards dividing the world up just so. "Perception and Imagination" is also incredibly important in its promotion of change starting in the very way we view things; unless you are able to shift your perception, none of this will be nearly as useful. By the end of the chapter, my head was reeling from all the information and paradigm shifts, and yet I was left with a sense of a greater, all-encompassing reality-not just "out there" somewhere in the heads of strange old men tinkering with antique glassware, but "in here", "right here", "right now", relevant to All.

Chapter 5 (Townley) - The Manufacture and Use of Planetary Tinctures - I'm afraid to say that while this essay was exceptionally well-written, it seemed rather tacked on to the end of this book. It's a practical guide to creating and using planetary tinctures, with a brief explanation of various substances created through alchemy. Do not, however, skip it just because it shifts gears. Give your mind a rest for a few days from the rest of the book, and then read this chapter as its own entity. Despite the difference in styles and focus, you can see elements of the theory of green hermeticism within the processes. In fact, try reading it once before reading the rest, and once after. What I really think, though, is that Townley should author or co-author a practical, hands-on book of green hermeticism techniques. He's got the right idea, and if there had been more practical material in this book, this chapter would have fit in much better.

I honestly don't believe I have done this book justice. Truth be told, I'm still digesting what I've read, and will go back to it numerous times to re-inoculate myself. However, I wanted to get the word out there as soon as I could, because this is by far one of the most impressive and thought-provoking texts I have ever read. I can't speak too much as far as the alchemical/hermetic purity goes, since I'm not particularly well-read in those topics at this time. However, as a guidebook for ecological spirituality and magic, and a healthier way of being, it's beyond essential. In fact, this is another one of those "anyone magical at all should read this" texts (I need to make a list someday....). It's not an easy read, but it is one of the best. ... Read more

Product Description
Now in a fully corrected edition, one of thetrue spiritual classics of the twentieth century.

Published for the first time with an index and Cardinal Hans Urs vonBalthasar's afterword, this new English publication of Meditations on theTarot is the landmark edition of one of the most important works of esotericChrist-ianity. Written anonymously and published posthumously, as was theauthor's wish, the intention of this work is for the reader to find a relationshipwith the author in the spiritual dimensions of existence. The author wanted notto be thought of as a personality who lived from 1900 to 1973, but as a friendwho is communicating with us from beyond the boundaries of ordinary life. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (35)

Meditations on the Tarot
The book's condition was better than described!!!I feel like I purchased a pristine, unread copy for the price of a used, worn book!!!I can't wait to look for this vendor when I order another book through Amazon.

Like the Cornell West of metaphysics
This book really will have you thinking. It introduces totally new concepts. But I have to warn readers like myself, you know how you have to read Cornell West with a thesaurus? This is kind of the way this book is. This book kind of assumes the reader starts out with a kind of knowledge base and builds on that. Despite that it is a really deep book.

Understanding the mystery of the spiritual journey.
Somewhat difficult read at times, but the rewards are sensational. It was recommended that I learn the Major Arcana of the Tarot for a variety of reasons, but the spiritual journey part was my main motive. I did not come with a manual for understanding spiritual events never mind the entire journey. This book is a treasure chest of insightful, fulfilling information for those with an appetite for looking at life in depth. I love tackling the hard to understand with a special interest in oracles. I once had a Tarot reading offered to me for free, it was my first, having a previous understanding of oracles was helpful because the information given to me was mind blowing. The Tarot reader had absolutely no way of getting the information she told me without having some sort of connection to the metaphysical, a big connection. To acknowledge respect of this art, is a beginning of understanding the mysteries of the universe and the rules of the game we call life. This book is a complete read of the Tarot and one of the most valuable pieces of literature in my library. A book I will not lend it out for sure, this is a keeper.

Too bad he had to stay unknown
It seems that the author was seeking to reconcile catholic esotericism with a form of anthroposophy,but under a veneer of anonymity. Unfortunately, two of my favorite institutions have a propensity to engage in witch hunts.

I hope that individuals like Robert Powell and Judith von Halle will help our Unknown Friend to bridge the gap between his spiritual communities so that the world will be ready should he get another chance to reveal himself during his future life stream.

Hermetic dream
I liked the book but have reservations. The writer includes reincarnation as a part of his belief system which is not in keeping with Catholic teachings. So I would caution Christian readers on this point since it is not part of the teachings of the church. I am amazed that the monks and a Cardinal in the forward did not pick up on that. Other then that I love the book and what the author has to say on the symbols used in Tarot cards and his discussions on grace and works. You can find this in the card the lover. ... Read more

Product Description
"Will it, and it comes to be. Stop the working of your bodily senses, and then will deity be born in you." – HERMES TRISMEGISTUS.On its metaphysical side Hermetic rebirth involved nothing less than deification. "This is the good; this is the consummation for those who have got gnosis--they enter into God," was the last word of the Shepherd of Men to his prophet before giving him his commission. Hermeticism emphatically maintained that it was perfectly possible for man, even while residing in the human body, to become deified. With this exalted thought of possibilities within human reach, the Hermetic ... could ascend to heaven and make himself divine--such was the power of his ecstasy. "We must not shrink from saying," Hermes concluded, "that a man on earth is a mortal god, and that a god in heaven is an immortal man"... ... Read more

Product Description
This volume introduces what has sometimes been called "the third component of western culture". It traces the historical development of those religious traditions which have rejected a world view based on the primacy of pure rationality or doctrinal faith, emphasizing instead the importance of inner enlightenment or gnosis: a revelatory experience which was typically believed to entail an encounter with one's true self as well as with the ground of being, God. The contributors to this book demonstrate this perspective as fundamental to a variety of interconnected traditions. In Antiquity, one finds the gnostics and hermetics; in the Middle Ages several Christian sects. The medieval Cathars can, to a certain extent, be considered part of the same tradition. Starting with the Italian humanist Renaissance, hermetic philosophy became of central importance to a new religious synthesis that can be referred to as Western Esotericism". The development of this tradition is described from Renaissance hermeticists and practitioners of spiritual alchemy to the emergence of Rosicrucianism and Christian theosophy in the seventeenth century, and from post-enlightenment aspects of Romanticism and occultism to the present-day New Age movement. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (1)

Gnosis and Hermeticism
This collection presents in a clear and concise way a series of critical distinctions that collectively map the field: Hermetism, Gnosticism, gnosis, Manichaeism, Hermeticism, Catharism, Esotericism, Romanticism, and the New Age. These often confused and misperceived phenomena have been delineated crisply, in a way that permits this collection to serve nicely as a general introduction to the field. This book articulates a new standard of precision and clarity. - Dan Merkur ... Read more

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This study seeks to show how the magical language and occult methods of the Italian Renaissance are the key to understanding the mysteries of the Shakespeare sonnets, both as a cycle and as individual poems. The book explores how the influence of Giordano Bruno's "Heroic Enthusiasms", Plato's "Symposium", Trismegistus' "Corpus Hermiticum", emblem books, and Italian "magic" in its various overlapping forms provided the foundation and content of Shakespeare's sonnets. It provides convincing evidence that Bruno's code, so carefully explained in his commentaries, was commonly imitated in the London of the Shakespeare's time. It provides a concise history of the 200-year detective search to locate historical persons to match the unnamed beloveds of Shakespeare's sonnets. Mention is made of the various methods of criticism applied to the sonnets. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (1)

Alchemical Poetry, 1575-1700
Recent studies of scientific discourse have amply shown that Francis Bacon's ideal of a "transparent" language of science has hardly been realized: even the blandest scientific prose is implicated, often without acknowledgment or recognition, in rhetoric and ideology. Despite our increasing awareness of the instability of all language, however, no one would advocate a nihilistic reversion to alchemy's obscurities. But by reading poems like those printed here on their own terms, and yet with a critical eye to the cultural forces that inform them, we can appreciate some of the richness they had - and sometimes still have. It is time to recognize, in other words, that alchemical poetry has more than a merely antiquarian interest. ... Read more

Product Description
THIS 30 PAGE ARTICLE WAS EXTRACTED FROM THE BOOK: Ex Oriente Lux: Lecture Outlines for those Seeking Initiation into the Hidden House of Masonry, by Alfred H. Henry. To purchase the entire book, please order ISBN 1564595498. ... Read more

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First published together in Latin in 1623, these two tracts, Enchyridion Physicae Restitutae and Arcanum were at once recognized to be among the clearest descriptions ever written of the hermetic cosmology and the alchemical work. They were translated into English by two leading occultists, John Everard and Elias Ashmole, and the translations are printed together here for the first time. The introduction provides the fullest biographical notice ever written about d'Espagnet, a retired public official who published the works under strict anonymity. It also traces the influence these works had on later generations of practical alchemists like Eirenaeus Philalethes and spiritual alchemists like Thomas Vaughan. The commentary traces the d'Espagnet's extensive references to classical philosophy and poetry as well as to earlier works in alchemy.
The introduction discusses the life, publications, and critical reception of d'Espagnet, and suggests why the book became required reading for members of an English hermetic society.Following the text itself, a set of annotations indicates variants in the Latin original and a French translation that Everard may have seen, notes obvious mistakes in the text, suggests alternate readings, expands d'Espagnet's marginal notes into meaningful citations, and identifies further sources when possible.This edition will be of interest to scholars of alchemy, early modern science, French literature, and English literature. An index of names follows the annotations. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (1)

The Summary of Physics Restored
D'Espagnet's work has long been studied and recognized as an important exposition of hermetic and alchemical philosophy. Willard's introduction highlights many historical points of interest, such as the reception D'Esganet work received among his contemporaries, and an outline of the influences which informed his compositions. The presentation of the texts are expanded upon by a thoughtfulcommentary, illuminating some areas that could be confusing.

Overall, this volume continues the fine tradition that this series, English Renaissance Hermeticism, has provided in publishing new, authoritative editions of rare hermetic and alchemical texts which, with a few exceptions, have not been reprinted since their original publication in England in the sixteenth and seventeenth centuries. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (2)

A Spiritual Masterpiece.
I would have thought it impossible that I would give five stars to a work in which an author used such arguably narrow interpretations regarding aspects of other religions in order to strengthen the case for his own. His characterizations of Buddhism, Hinduism, and Judaism (Kabbalah and the Zohar) seemed uncharitably tailored to make Christianity appear, by contrast, inherently superior. It is not the author's preference for Catholicism over these other religions as well as over Protestantism which is the problem. It is his suggestion of Catholicism's objective and essential superiority over them.

When we consider the absolute conceptually as God, the Godhead, the Tao or the Buddha-nature, we can make as much or as little over their differences as we choose. This also applies to conceptual and interpretive differences between enlightenment and unitive experience as well as to the roles played by love and by the personal aspect in various religious experiences. My sense is that when one is as specific, definitive and as categorical as our anonymous author is regarding those things which are universally recognized as beyond the grasp of the intellect, one is guilty of a kind of intellectual fundamentalism which is kindred to popular fundamentalism in its absolute adherence to the letter of the law to the detriment of its spirit. One cannot diminish the other great traditions without diminishing one's own as well. While Bede Griffiths wrote that he had "never read such a comprehensive account of the 'perennial philosophy'", this estimable work can be seen from another perspective to be deficient in the ecumenical spirit which properly resides at its core.

Perhaps another excess is where our author attributes Kant's certainty of God to an "intimate experience" or "authentic spiritual exercise" (whatever that means) rather than to a logical or philosophical conclusion. Naturally, Kant is to be seen as a great philosopher and thinker but perhaps not as a mystic.

However, after all that, this book comes as close as any to being, in a positive sense, without peer. Here, refreshingly, we see great erudition and humility from one and the same author. I read and distilled each chapter down to what I hope is its essential meaning and then, read them again. I was so inspired by the wisdom, clarity, and sheer artistry in this work that I went to the expense of having it printed and nicely bound into two large print volumes so that I could spend even longer periods pouring spellbound over its profound and beautifully written contents. This book is an ingenious composite and integration of religion, philosophy, science and all other relevant elements. It is also literature of the first order. Each presentation of a Major Arcanum is a genuine objet d'art and an exemplar of organization and cohesiveness. One reviewer suggested that this author was in need of structure and an editor. I find it difficult to imagine any editor so audacious as to alter this meticulously crafted spiritual masterpiece by as much as a single word.

It is all in this book. The dynamics of meditation and transformation, proper spiritual attitudes, the relationship between mind and matter and between God and creation. All of these aspects and dynamics are discussed in great detail and in relationship with one another, philosophy, religion, and with science. You are enriched even from the thought which is provoked by your disagreements with the author, and you are led into your own contemplation of all matter of things spiritual, philosophical and scientific.

There are few books that do not have some faults that are, in my estimation, equal to the ones which I perceived in this book. There are far fewer, however, for which I would award my five stars so wholeheartedly. Beside the legion of positives in the various reviews recommending this book, the few minor criticisms, while worth noting, are on balance, inconsequential; do not miss the experience of reading this marvel of a book because of them.

Unusual, insightful, powerful
This book is obviously the product of an entire lifetime of devoted scholarship, meditation, and reflective living.It introduces the tarot not in the usual sense that we encounter it on the periphery of our lives (as a divination tool or psychic card game), but as a sequence of profound spiritual exercises.The book is organized as a series of "letters to the Unknown Friend," each letter explaining in beautiful and elegant depth the meanings surrounding each spiritual exercise.On the back cover, there is a quote by Fr. Thomas Keating (perhaps the greatest living mystic, at least as far as I know).Fr. Keating, a man of unimpeachable good judgment, is quoted in this way: he calls the book "the greatest contribution to date toward the rediscovery and renewal of Christian contemplative tradition."If he is quoted correctly, that is high praise indeed, coming from a man of such high spiritual accomplishment and great generosity of spirit.

Personally, I feel great joy and honor at being addressed as "unknown friend" by the anonymous author.Surely, this author is a person I would value as a friend.He reveals something substantial about his Hermetic tradition, a tradition with which I had not been familiar.I just love the book and recommend it with considerable enthusiasm.

You should be aware that the copy that is available at quite a high price, via this page, is not my copy.I would not sell my copy for that price or for any reasonable price.(Perhaps Bill Gates might just afford to buy my copy, but just barely.) ... Read more

Product Description
THIS 30 PAGE ARTICLE WAS EXTRACTED FROM THE BOOK: Ex Oriente Lux: Lecture Outlines for those Seeking Initiation into the Hidden House of Masonry, by Alfred H. Henry. To purchase the entire book, please order ISBN 1564595498. ... Read more

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John Dee (13 July 1527 ? 1608 or 1609) was a noted mathematician, astronomer, astrologer, occultist, navigator, imperialist, and consultant to Queen Elizabeth I of England. He devoted much of his life to the study of alchemy, divination, and Hermetic philosophy. Dee straddled the worlds of science and magic just as they were becoming distinguishable. One of the most learned men of his age, he had been invited to lecture on advanced algebra at the University of Paris while still in his early twenties. Dee was an ardent promoter of mathematics and a respected astronomer, as well as a leading expert in navigation, having trained many of those who would conduct England's voyages of discovery. In one of several tracts which Dee wrote in the 1580s encouraging British exploratory expeditions in search of the Northwest Passage, he appears to have coined (or at least introduced into print) the term "British Empire." ... Read more

Customer Reviews (1)

Complete rip-off
The books from Alphascript Publishing are described as "by John McBrewster, Frederic P. Miller, and Agnes F. Vandome". They are called editors in the book listings. The only content of most of these books is free, re-packaged Wikipedia articles!

It is a rip-off, folks!

The articles are often poorly printed, characters from foreign languages will go missing, and numerous images of arrows instead of linked text that was present in Wikipedia. Just read and print out the original articles for free at the Wikipedia website than pay this ridiculous amount of money for what has been described as a scam or hoax. Advertising for the books at Amazon and elsewhere does not reveal the freely-licensed source of the content. It is only revealed inside the books, AFTER you've been suckered with making a purchase.

As an example of the level of care given to the books, the book "History of Georgia (country)" is about the European country Georgia but has a cover image of Atlanta in the American state of Georgia.

The publisher is hiding out in Mauritius in the Indian Ocean. What does that tell you?

Just do a Google search for "Alphascript Publishing scam", and you'll learn the details.These fraudsters have been caught.Now do your part and shun them, and repeat this review on as many of their thousands of books as you can. ... Read more

Product Description
This digital document is an article from Renaissance Quarterly, published by Renaissance Society of America on June 22, 1998. The length of the article is 675 words. The page length shown above is based on a typical 300-word page. The article is delivered in HTML format and is available in your Amazon.com Digital Locker immediately after purchase. You can view it with any web browser.

Citation Details
Title: Renaissance Magic and Hermeticism in the Shakespeare Sonnets: Like Prayers Divine.
Author: Linda Woodbridge
Publication: Renaissance Quarterly (Refereed)
Date: June 22, 1998
Publisher: Renaissance Society of America
Volume: v51Issue: n2Page: p678(2)

Article Type: Book Review

Distributed by Thomson Gale ... Read more

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High Quality Content by WIKIPEDIA articles! Western esotericism or Hermeticism (also Western Hermetic Tradition, Western mysticism, Western Inner Tradition, Western occult tradition, and Western mystery tradition) is a broad spectrum of spiritual traditions found in Western society, or refers to the collection of the mystical, esoteric knowledge of the Western world. This includes, but is not limited to, alchemy, theosophy, herbalism, occult tarot, astrology, Rosicrucianism and Western forms of ritual magic. The tradition has no one source or unifying text, nor does it hold any specific dogma, instead placing emphasis on "inner knowledge" or Gnosis. It had a profound influence on Europe and North America, including the development of industrial and scientific knowledge. Various groups including Hermetic organizations, neopagans and Thelema persist in practicing modern variants of traditional Western esoteric philosophies. ... Read more

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Chapters: New Age, Astrology, Druze, Gematria, Theurgy, Thelema, Harmony Society, Hermeticism, Our Lady of La Salette, Religious Society of Friends, Mantra, Religious aspects of Nazism, Nazism and occultism, Yazidi, Advaita Vedanta, Religious experience, Mystical philosophy of antiquity, Julleuchter, Thelemic mysticism, Immanence, Divinatory, esoteric and occult tarot, Pythagoreanism, Santería, Western esotericism, Love of God, Transcendence, Baul, Nazi UFOs, Ahl-e Haqq, Sant Mat, Henosis, Mystical theology, Rational mysticism, Curse, Black magic, List of occultists, Christian Rosenkreuz, Notzrim, Hajj Nematollah, Eugene Halliday, Nadi, Peak experience, Gemma Galgani, Roza Mira, Sirio Carrapa, Ego death, Annalee Skarin, What Canst Thou Say, Sister Catherine Treatise, Evocation, Perfect Master, God-man, Ego Disintegration, Over-soul, Neopythagoreanism, Mystical psychosis, Neti neti, Tetramorph, The Goose That Laid the Golden Eggs, İbrahim Hakkı Erzurumi, Natuzza Evolo, George Alexander Sullivan, Theosophy, Magic: History, Theory and Practice, Mystagogue, List of female mystics, Wisdom tradition, Satsang, MaryRose Occhino, Cosmic Tradition, Galibi Order, Been without being, Diamond Approach, Mystery schools,. Source: Wikipedia. Pages: 620. Not illustrated. Free updates online. Purchase includes a free trial membership in the publisher's book club where you can select from more than a million books without charge. Excerpt: La Salette is a small mountaintop village near Grenoble, France. It is most noted for an apparition of the Virgin Mary that was reported in 1846 by two shepherd children, Mélanie Calvat and Maximin Giraud, followed by numerous accounts of miraculous healings. The Catholic Church investigated the claims and found them to be basically credible and was approved under the name of Our Lady of La Salette. Devotion to Our Lady of La Salette was weakened in the late nineteenth century by the controversy surrounding the cla...http://booksllc.net/?id=298446 ... Read more

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This digital document is an article from Church History, published by American Society of Church History on September 1, 1999. The length of the article is 1083 words. The page length shown above is based on a typical 300-word page. The article is delivered in HTML format and is available in your Amazon.com Digital Locker immediately after purchase. You can view it with any web browser.

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Title: Gnosis and Hermeticism from Antiquity to Modern Times.
Author: Michael A. Williams
Publication: Church History (Refereed)
Date: September 1, 1999
Publisher: American Society of Church History
Volume: 68Issue: 3Page: 675

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