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.

Autorentext

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.

Klappentext

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.

Inhalt

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