Showing results by narrator "Michael Strader" in All Categories

This translation of the Book of Parables comes to us from notable scholar of apocryphal literature R. H. Charles. A new, lengthy introduction has been added, exploring what the Book of Parables is about, offering assistance to the listener.

Brother Strauss discusses the importance of the letter “G” that all masons will recognize as prominently appearing in every lodge room they have ever met in. He discusses the symbolism and significance, as well as why in foreign lands where English isn’t the primary language, the same letter exists instead of a substitute. He touches on the Kabbalah, references Albert Pike, and cites some biblical passages, as well. Enjoy this essay and check out other audio titles in the Foundations of Freemasonry series.

Notable theosophical author and colleague of Madame Blavatsky, writer C. De. Leiningen examines the more mystical and transcendental side of a subject that sometimes is approached from too much of a mathematical or analytical viewpoint. He discusses concepts like morality, reasoning, divinity and humanity and how the spiritual experience comes into play with regards to the four Qabalistic parts of the soul.

Renowned Masonic scholar and author W. W. Westcott discusses the formula of masonic rituals and why secrets are an important part of that. He discusses the inclusion of the concept of legends in our rituals and why it is important to separate those legends from historical events. He discusses where some of our symbols came from and what part the Jewish Kabbalah played in the formation of freemasonry. He discussed the Tree of Life and the Hebrew letters as they relate to masonry.

Over 350 years before the British occultist Aleister Crowley was sitting quietly in a Cairo hotel room receiving the text of his Book of the Law, the famous French renaissance author Francois Rabelais was busy writing the second book of his legendary fantasy quintology Gargantua and Pantagruel, which included the story of the founding of the Abbey of Theleme, wherein but one clause was observed: "Do What Thou Wilt"!

Waite covers a lot of esoteric territory in this work, from mysticism, to alchemy to the Kabbalah, with a spattering of Latin throughout, for those wishing to brush up. The overall theme here being the search for personal adeptship, to which Waite proclaims, "Lift up your eyes." This is the advice that Brother Waite gives the zealous aspirant who may be seeking the secret tradition or the hidden college of the Rosicrucians.

Famed writer Manly P. Hall explores the symbolism of the most famous Master of the Builders. He continues to delve into the Hiramic legend and how it connects with other cultures and similar myths. He examines the name Hiram as compared to the name CHiram and looks at the esoteric meaning behind the Hebrew letters, which compose the name. He examines the role of the three ruffians and shows examples of the three men as symbols in other myths.

Masonic scholar Manly P. Hall offers some well-researched insights into early human philosophy and history that helped solidify the basis of knowledge for what would eventually become Freemasonry, one day. He covers Freemasonry’s origins in biblical fables, the Dionysiac Architects, Solomon and the personification of Universal Wisdom, and lastly, Freemasonry’s priceless heritage.

Famed masonic and spiritual writer J. D. Buck discusses and examines a lesser-known book called The Great Work: The Constructive Principle of Nature in Individual Life, by John Emmett Richardson. Buck believes that Richardson has uncovered some deeper secrets that relate to the masonic initiations and the lost word, and he wishes to share some of the insight.

William Harvey was a prolific masonic scholar of his day. In this essay from 1920, he dissects the myth of a Freemason on the battlefield saving an enemy's life after he is seen giving the Masonic sign of distress. In addition to examining similar tales from around the globe, Harvey looks at the stories from a philosophical standpoint and asks some hard questions. And, while these wars may be old, this topic never will be.

This is a collection of 14 essays on a variety of occult-themed topics, covering the full spectrum of classic esoterica and related subjects, which include hermeticism, alchemy, magic, the Kabbalah, ancient wisdom and philosophy, the Tarot, Rosicrucianism, Freemasonry, Theosophy, and spiritualism, by some of the most notable and prominent names in the history of those subjects.

This is a collection of 26 essays on a variety of theosophical, spiritual and esoteric subjects by some of the most notable and prominent names in the history of theosophy. Compiled specifically with the student in mind.

Notable masonic and esoteric writer A. E. Waite left behind a treasure trove of writings and translations. Included here are some of his varied essays.

A. E. Waite presents a short but informative essay on Pico della Mirandola and how his collection of Kabbalistic conclusions came into existence. The 49 conclusions, which are also presented here, have been often connected to the 50 Gates of Wisdom (Binah) in Kabbalistic studies.

The Vision of Enoch the Righteous is largely a forgotten first-century text, not being connected to any of the numbered versions of the Book of Enoch. It is part of a tradition referred to as Apocalyptic Literature. The content of The Vision of Enoch the Righteous alternates between the voice of Enoch and that of a chorus of cherubim, who have descended from heaven, in order to deliver a message to Enoch. Includes a prologue discussing the text.

Renowned Masonic scholar Albert G. Mackey examines the role Pythagoras has played in our fraternity. He begins by examining old records and the potential origin of how the Masonic name "Peter Gower" became a synonym for Pythagoras. He points to an early Masonic reference of Pythagoras and Hermes, dating to 1450, while at the same time pointing out that many of the much later documents are devoid of his name altogether. From there, Mackey explores the history of Pythagoras and what he may have symbolized to some early masons.

Arthur Edward Waite was a member of the Hermetic Order of the Golden Dawn and cocreator of probably the most famous and commonly used tarot deck. He was also a prolific writer and a prominent Freemason. In this short discourse he examined the symbolism of our often-ignored second degree.

The Book of Astronomical Secrets, sometimes translated with the title of the Book of the Courses of the Heavenly Luminaries, dates between the third and second century BC. It is the oldest of the collected Enoch texts and comes to us from notable scholar of apocryphal literature, R.H. Charles.

Manly P. Hall explores the secret purpose of the great pyramid and examines the anatomy of this massive structure’s architecture.

The content of this piece covers Enoch's journey through the multiple heavens, meeting the angels Gabriel and Michael, Enoch instructing Methuselah and his other sons on moral and ethical lessons, which he had written out in 366 books and which he eventually passes on to Methuselah and his other sons, so that his teachings wouldn't be lost and finally, Enoch's eventual assumption into heaven. This is essentially the sequel to the fabled Book of Enoch.