Showing results by narrator "Michael Strader" in All Categories

Long ago removed from the Bible, these visions of Enoch are apocalyptic dreams of the end of the world, brought on by the sins of man. The dreams of Enoch contain characteristics that lend themselves to a larger symbolic reading and seem to share the same ancient, cosmographical interpretation of the world, which is outlined in the Book of Genesis. Complete with a brand new introduction and analysis.

Famed esoteric scholar Manly P. Hall examines the origins and evolution of Qabbalism and the role of the Sepher Yetzirah in a wonderful and insightful essay. He also offers a fantastic, simplified, and unique translation of the Sepher Yetzirah, the Book of Formation, for which he consulted nine separate translations in four languages (English, German, Hebrew and Latin) in order to assemble the most accurate modern representation of this classic, Qabbalistic text.

The First Gospel of the Infancy of Jesus Christ, also commonly referred to as The Infancy Gospel of Thomas (not to be confused with the apocryphal book simply called the Gospel of Thomas), dates to AD 185 and tells stories of the early events in the life of Christ, including miracles; although, also included are stories depicting the childhood Jesus behaving less sacredly than one might expect, which may be exactly the reason why the infancy gospels were never considered canon by the Church.

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.

Renowned French occultist Eliphas Levi left behind a vast legacy of fundamental esoteric writings that have influenced a century and a half of writers that followed in his footsteps. Here he examines the true science of the Holy Kabbalah, with attention paid to the Tetragrammaton, the Shemhamphorash and other symbolic parts of the overall tradition.

The oldest, the most profound, the most universal of all symbols is the human body. The Greeks, Persians, Egyptians, and Hindus considered a philosophical analysis of man's triune nature to be an indispensable part of ethical and religious training. The mysteries of every nation taught that the laws, elements, and powers of the universe were epitomized in the human constitution, that everything which existed outside of man had its analogue within man.

Leadbeater addresses the sorrow, grief, and despair we all sometimes experience in this mortal coil, especially when someone close to us has passed beyond the veil. He explains how our mourning for those who have transitioned beyond a terrestrial life affects those who now exist in spirit form. As well, before we can understand their position there, we must first understand our own here.

Notable esoteric writer and scholar examines the history and symbology of the zodiac. The word zodiac is derived from the Greek zodiakos, which means a circle of animals, or, as some believe, little animals. It is the name given by the old pagan astronomers to a band of fixed stars about sixteen degrees wide, encircling the earth. It is difficult to estimate correctly the profound effect produced upon the religions, philosophies, and sciences of antiquity by the study of the planets, luminaries, and constellations.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

This is a collection of 21 essays on a variety of occult-themed topics, covering the full spectrum of classic esoteric 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.

Arthur Edward Waite examines the classic Legend of San Graal (or the Holy Grail), as it was known in both Great Britain and France. He looks at similarities, writes about Percival, and quotes from Tennyson. He discusses the suppression of the Knights Templar by Pope Clement in 1307. He also looks at what role Christianity plays in all of this. During the course of his exploration, Waite likens the knights' quest for the Holy Grail to the candidate's journey through the initiatory degrees in Freemasonry.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.