Full Description
Acclaimed by Publishers Weekly as "a classic reference, dizzying in its breadth," this volume explores the themes underlying ancient mythology, philosophy, and religion. Hundreds of entries range from esoteric elements of Islamic and Christian history to arcane rituals practiced by Druids, Freemasons, alchemists, and other secret societies. 16 pages of color plates, 100 black-and-white illustrations.
Contents
Preface
I Introduction
II 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 Antiquity
VI The Life and Writings of Thoth Hermes Trismegistus
VII The Initiation of the Pyramid
VIII Isis, the Virgin of the World
IX the Sun, a Universal Deity
X The Zodiac and Its Signs
XI The Bembine Table of Isis
XII Wonders of Antiquity
Xiii The Life and Philosophy of Pythagoras
XIV Pythagorean Mathematics
XV The Human Body in Symbolism
XVI The Hiramic Legend
XVii The Pythagorean Theory of Music and Color
XVIII Fishes, Insects, Animals, Reptiles, and Birds
XIX Fishes, Insects, Animals, Reptiles, and Birds (Part II)
XX Flowers, Plants, Fruits, and Trees
XXI Stones, Metals, and Gems
XXII Ceremonial Magic and Sorcery
XXIII The Elements and Their Inhabitants
XXIV Hermetic Pharmacology, Chemistry, and Therapeutics
XXV The Cabbalah, the Secret Doctrine of Israel
XXVI Fundamentals of Cabbalistic Cosmogony
XXVII The Tree of the Sephiroth
XXVIII Cabbalistic Keys to the Creation of Man
XXIX An Analysis of the Tarot Cards
XXX The Tabernacle in the Wilderness
XXXI The Fraternity of the Red Cross
XXXII Rosicrucian Doctrines and Tenets
XXXIII Fifteen Rosicrucian and Cabbalistic Diagrams
XXXIV Alchemy and Its Exponents
XXXV The Theory and Practice of Alchemy (Part I)
XXXVI The Theory and Practice of Alchemy (Part II)
XXXVII The Chemical Marriage
XXXVIII Bacon, Shakespeare, and the Rosicrucians
XXXIX The Cryptogram as a Factor in Symbolic Philosophy
XL Freemanonic Symbolism
XLI Mystic Christianity
XLII The Cross and the Crucifixion
XLIII The Mystery of the Apocalypse
XLIV The Faith of Islam
XLV American Indian Symbolism
XLVI The Mysteries and Their Emissaries
XLVII Conclusion
Bibliography
Index
