Showing results by narrator "Michael Strader" in All Categories

Ancient Greece has laid way for some of the most influential people, systems and stories of our civilization. It is hard to believe on one hand because technology-wise the Greeks were very primitive, yet on the other hand they were essentially on of the earliest roots of Western civilization.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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 Origin and Nature of Folk Music: As Exemplified in the Welsh National Melodies was originally published in 1911. Kenneth Morris was a fantasy writer and Theosophist from Wales. In this short piece, he looks at the bardic poetry and chants of Ireland, Wales and England, called a "hwyl".

Prolific writer and influential member of the Theosophical Society, Charles Leadbeater enlightens seekers on the law of divine justice, karma and chance. Written for students of Theosophy.

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.

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"!

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.

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.

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.

Notable scholar of all things occult and esoteric Manly P. Hall delves into the world of ceremonial magic and sorcery. He discusses black magic and offers up some lore and legends of Atlantis that have been passed down through oral tradition. He discusses Dr. Faust and presents us with an excerpt from the writings of Dr. Faust that showcases magical experiments and magical pacts. He gives us an outline, the modus operandi, for the invocation of spirits that we can use and finally closes with a discussion of the pentagram, what it symbolizes, and how it is utilized.

Leadbeater attempts to answer the age-old question, which all aspirants to the occult sciences ask their teacher: How can I have those powers? He outlines different examples of the steps and the philosophy behind what the student will need to do in order to begin accessing the extraordinary powers they have within. In doing so, he doesn't limit the discussion to simply clairvoyance, but he touches on astral travel and other psychic powers.

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.