Synopses & Reviews
This key to the world's esoteric traditions unlocks some of the most fascinating and closely held secrets of myth, religion, and philosophy. Unrivaled in its beauty and completeness, it distills ancient and modern teachings of nearly 600 experts. Compelling themes range from the riddle of the Sphinx and the tenets of Pythagorean astronomy to the symbolism of the pentagram, the significance of the Ark of the Covenant, and the design of the American flag.
Acclaimed by Publishers Weekly as "a classic reference, dizzying in its breadth," this remarkable resource was compiled by the founder of the Philosophical Research Society. Author Manly P. Hall examines the secrets of Isis along with arcane aspects of mystic Christianity and other religions. Fascinating surveys cover topics as diverse as Kabbalah, alchemy, cryptology, and Tarot, along with Masonry, gemology, and the identity of William Shakespeare. Sixteen pages of color plates and 100 black-and-white images by the celebrated illustrator J. Augustus Knapp illuminate this vast and indispensable encyclopedia of the occult.
Synopsis
Classic reference explores ancient mythology, philosophy, and religion. Hundreds of entries range from Islamic and Christian history to arcane rituals of Druids, Freemasons, alchemists, other secret societies. 16 pages of color plates, 100 black-and-white illustrations.
Synopsis
Classic reference explores ancient mythology, philosophy, and religion. Hundreds of entries range from Islamic and Christian history to arcane rituals of Druids, Freemasons, alchemists, other secret societies. 16 pages of color plates, 100 black-and-white illustrations.
About the Author
Canadian-born author and mystic Manly Palmer Hall (1901-90) founded the Philosophical Research Society. In his eight decades of public life which included thousands of lectures, more than 150 books and essays, and countless magazine articles Hall emphasized the practical aspects of philosophy and religion.
Table of Contents
PrefaceI IntroductionII The Ancient Mysteries and Secret Societies Which Have Influenced Modern Masonic Symbolism III The Ancient Mysteries And Secret Societies (Part II)IV The Ancient Mysteries and Secret Societires (Part III)V Atlantis and the Gods of AntiquityVI The Life and Writings of Thoth Hermes TrismegistusVII The Initiation of the PyramidVIII Isis, the Virgin of the WorldIX the Sun, a Universal DeityX The Zodiac and Its SignsXI The Bembine Table of IsisXII Wonders of AntiquityXiii The Life and Philosophy of PythagorasXIV Pythagorean MathematicsXV The Human Body in SymbolismXVI The Hiramic LegendXVii The Pythagorean Theory of Music and ColorXVIII Fishes, Insects, Animals, Reptiles, and BirdsXIX Fishes, Insects, Animals, Reptiles, and Birds (Part II)XX Flowers, Plants, Fruits, and TreesXXI Stones, Metals, and GemsXXII Ceremonial Magic and SorceryXXIII The Elements and Their InhabitantsXXIV Hermetic Pharmacology, Chemistry, and TherapeuticsXXV The Cabbalah, the Secret Doctrine of IsraelXXVI Fundamentals of Cabbalistic CosmogonyXXVII The Tree of the SephirothXXVIII Cabbalistic Keys to the Creation of ManXXIX An Analysis of the Tarot CardsXXX The Tabernacle in the WildernessXXXI The Fraternity of the Red CrossXXXII Rosicrucian Doctrines and TenetsXXXIII Fifteen Rosicrucian and Cabbalistic DiagramsXXXIV Alchemy and Its ExponentsXXXV The Theory and Practice of Alchemy (Part I) XXXVI The Theory and Practice of Alchemy (Part II)XXXVII The Chemical MarriageXXXVIII Bacon, Shakespeare, and the RosicruciansXXXIX The Cryptogram as a Factor in Symbolic PhilosophyXL Freemanonic SymbolismXLI Mystic ChristianityXLII The Cross and the CrucifixionXLIII The Mystery of the ApocalypseXLIV The Faith of IslamXLV American Indian SymbolismXLVI The Mysteries and Their EmissariesXLVII ConclusionBibliographyIndex