Showing results by narrator "Michael Strader" in All Categories

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.

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.

Famed masonic scholar Albert G Mackey discusses some deeper symbolism and lesser known masonic lore.

Nearly all kinds of ancient mythology and religions were constructed from early civilizations trying to make sense of their surroundings. The idea of science was completely unknown to them; rather they explained natural phenomena as done by mythical deities. In Greek mythology this is how we come to certain instances like Apollo, the sun god, or Zeus, the god of the heavens and sky.

Notable French esoteric writer and occultist, Eliphas Levi, left behind numerous hints for the diligent student who may be seeking out communication with and travel across the astral plane. Here, his thoughts on the subject, culled from dozens of sources, have been collected together for students of the esoteric sciences.

Renowned author Manly P. Hall covers a range of esoteric history, showcasing the significance behind numerous instances of important stones. He discusses the ancient Greeks, Saturn, logan stones, the philosopher's stone, Moses and the tablets of law, the Qabbalah, the pillars Jachin and Boaz, the Holy Grail, lodestones, the four ages of Greek mystics, magical rings and talismans, gems and the zodiac, days of the week and planets and the gems that correspond with them as well, and much more.

In lecture given to a Masonic lodge in Dublin in 1857, Robert Longfield muses on a topic many are still debating today, whether or not the noble fraternity of Freemasonry has ancient origins or if those allegations simply are, as Brother Longfield puts it, a “modern invention.” The author offers numerous examples from the ancient world, which seem to support Freemasonry having existed for hundreds or even thousands of years prior.

Roger Bacon was born in England in 1219, and while he is primarily remembered as a philosopher, linguist, educator and scientist, he also spent a fair amount of time exploring the art of alchemy. The Mirror of Alchemy is one of the many texts he produced on the subject during his lifetime.

This banned and largely forgotten biblical book, dating to the first century, is a series of secret messages and instructions, which Moses revealed to Joshua, prior to the act of passing leadership of the Israelites on to him, and it includes apocalyptic descriptions in addition to prophecies. It is a fascinating look at one small piece of a much larger, rich history of the myths surrounding Moses.

Leadbeater writes about the distinctive theosophical idea of the Perfected Man, which is intended to be the final stage past evolution and repeated reincarnation. He discusses the path of Adeptship and achieving the life of the Monad. He writes about the terrestrial evolution of human progress to the attainment of perfection and being unselfish as well as the ability to meet the Great Masters in astral form.

Leadbeater discusses the astral plane at length; why it should be studied, descriptions of it, if the astral world is in opposition with various holy scriptures, the astral and death, the appearance of astral bodies, and the advantages of studying the astral. Written from a Theosophical viewpoint.

William Wynn Westcott was a theosophist, Freemason, and Rosicrucian and one of the cofounders of the Hermetic Order of the Golden Dawn. In his own personal spiritual belief system he subscribed to the concept of successive lives in the form of earthly experiences, as was almost universal in the doctrines of the ancient world. Here he examines the changes that occur to an individual upon death (spiritually speaking, of course) and what that means for how a person should choose to live his or her life.

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

William Wynn Westcott was a renowned masonic scholar heavily involved in the occult revival of the 19th century, and organizations like the Hermetic Order of the Golden Dawn, as well as numerous masonic offshoots. He was also Supreme Magus of the Rosicrucian S.R.I.A. Here he takes his knowledge of Rosicrucian history and offers up a lecture for us students of esoteric lore.

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.

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.

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.

Just as many more sayings and doings of the Lord existed prior to and alongside the canonical Gospels, so were there, prior to and alongside the subsequently selected or canonical acts, many other narratives professing to record the doings and sayings of the apostles and disciples of the Lord. This is one such gnostic text which had been lost for centuries.

Featured here is a collection of occult essays from notable spiritual author Charles Webster Leadbeater on a range of esoteric and theosophical topics.

Renowned occult author Frater Achad dissects the ancient art of crystal gazing, for the act of scrying or otherworldly viewing. Crystal gazing can help the seer come into contact and communicate with intelligences of a higher order. He discusses the history of crystal gazing, how to get started, and what the seer can expect as well as difficulties and how to overcome them. He also discusses using this skill in ceremonial rituals. He references the methods of Trithemius and includes a section on John Dee and Edward Kelly's Enochian angelic scrying conversations.