Showing results by narrator "Michael Strader" in All Categories

The content of this piece covers Enoch's journey through the multiple heavens, meeting the angels Gabriel and Michael, Enoch instructing Methuselah and his other sons on moral and ethical lessons, which he had written out in 366 books and which he eventually passes on to Methuselah and his other sons, so that his teachings wouldn't be lost and finally, Enoch's eventual assumption into heaven. This is essentially the sequel to the fabled Book of Enoch.

Karl von Eckhartshausen was an 18th-century German mystic. The Cloud upon the Sanctuary is Christian mysticism veiled in hermetic code and often considered a classic among Rosicrucians and Theosophists. Eckhartshausen was briefly a member of Adam Weishaupt's Bavarian Illuminati but left for spiritual reasons. In this work, he cryptically mentions a "society of the Elect" that has existed from the very beginning of time as "the invisible celestial Church".

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.

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

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.

Leadbeater describes what a non-member might expect to encounter behind closed doors at a Theosophical Lodge meeting, such as he would have attended in his day, what they may get out of it, what they might give and what is gained by all, through this collective group of individuals coming together. The outcome is likely not all that different from every real occult lodge, not just the theosophical ones.

Esoteric scholar Manly P. Hall covers a lot of areas relating to the ancient mysteries, including common roots in religious and ritual practices, the practices of the Druids and how they relate to Masonry, the rites of Mithras, Simon Magus and the Gnostics, Abraxas, the Egyptian Serapis, the Odinic mysteries and how they compare, the rites of Eleusis, the Orphic mysteries, Bacchus, Dionysos, and much more.

Famed writer Manly P. Hall explores the symbolism of the most famous Master of the Builders. He continues to delve into the Hiramic legend and how it connects with other cultures and similar myths. He examines the name Hiram as compared to the name CHiram and looks at the esoteric meaning behind the Hebrew letters, which compose the name. He examines the role of the three ruffians and shows examples of the three men as symbols in other myths.

William Harvey was a prolific masonic scholar of his day. In this essay from 1920, he dissects the myth of a Freemason on the battlefield saving an enemy's life after he is seen giving the Masonic sign of distress. In addition to examining similar tales from around the globe, Harvey looks at the stories from a philosophical standpoint and asks some hard questions. And, while these wars may be old, this topic never will be.

The author, a prolific writer and a member of the Theosophical Society, describes his personal journey through the Masonic fraternity, as a co-mason. He explains his shock with the familiarity of the lodge room, as he recalled it exactly from a past life in ancient Egypt. He proceeds to compares the modern masonic ritual with ancient Egyptian mysteries, which he clearly remembers. He explains that the fraternity purposely pretended to be operative masons, to avoid persecution from the Church.

Member of the Hermetic Order of the Golden Dawn and co-creator of probably the most famous and most commonly used tarot deck, Arthur Edward Waite was also a prolific writer and prominent Freemason. Here he looks into the trio of Blue Lodge degrees and the initiatory arc of birth, life, and death associated with those degrees. He looks at the history of these types of initiations in the ancient world, as well as how they relate to the candidate, and asks the listener to consider if Freemasonry even has a place in this type of initiation cycle.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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

This manual of instruction is for the benefit of Masons who have recently taken their First Degree, and for that of other brethren wishful to understand the purpose and the meaning of the initiation ceremony and to draw aside the veil of allegory and symbolism in which the initiation ceremony is clothed, and to reveal its spirit and subsurface significance.

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.

John Sebastian Marlow Ward was a British author who published widely on the subject of Freemasonry. In this handbook, he takes the mason, step-by-step, through the third degree ritual, attempting to highlight lessons, as well as explain the underlying symbolism which was encountered. He covers questions, passwords, the opening, the symbolic journey, secrets learned, the tracing board and many more facets of the masonic raising ritual.

Renowned Masonic scholar Albert G. Mackey examines the role Pythagoras has played in our fraternity. He begins by examining old records and the potential origin of how the Masonic name "Peter Gower" became a synonym for Pythagoras. He points to an early Masonic reference of Pythagoras and Hermes, dating to 1450, while at the same time pointing out that many of the much later documents are devoid of his name altogether. From there, Mackey explores the history of Pythagoras and what he may have symbolized to some early masons.