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Renowned occult writer, Manly P. Hall, not only explores the history and images of the tarot cards, but he delves into the secret occult symbolism while examining the divinatory meaning behind each of the 22 major arcana. Manly P. Hall quotes Eliphas Levin, stating: with no other book than the Tarot, if he knew how to use it, could in a few years acquire universal knowledge, and would be able to speak on all subjects with unequalled learning and inexhaustible eloquence.

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.

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.

Leadbeater discusses his own struggles in occult initiation, through both astral and physical trials, which eventually led him to the ability to access what he describes as the Buddhic consciousness. He describes how each master has his own plan and that every path is different. Also, he discusses the relationship between the student and the teacher and gives examples of what a new student on the path might expect.

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.

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.

This translation of the Book of Parables comes to us from notable scholar of apocryphal literature R. H. Charles. A new, lengthy introduction has been added, exploring what the Book of Parables is about, offering assistance to the listener.

There is no symbol more interesting to the masonic student than the Sprig of Acacia—not only on account of its own peculiar import—but also because it introduces us to an extensive and delightful field of research: that, namely, which embraces the symbolism of sacred plants. In all the ancient systems of religion, and Mysteries of initiation, there was always some one plant consecrated, in the minds of the worshippers and participants, by a peculiar symbolism.

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.

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 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.

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.

Leadbeater addresses this question of the aspirant, who may be wondering why the Master hasn't singled them out and asked for more. Leadbeater points out that the offer must come from the other side. It is the role of the student to make him or herself available and wait for the Master to reach out to them, since any older student can help teach and attend to a newcomer's immediate needs. The Master's role is a higher one.

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

Just as many more sayings and doings of the Lord existed prior to and alongside the canonical Gospels, so were there, prior to and alongside the subsequently selected or canonical acts, many other narratives professing to record the doings and sayings of the apostles and disciples of the Lord. This is one such gnostic text which had been lost for centuries.

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.

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 occult author Frater Achad dissects the ancient art of crystal gazing, for the act of scrying or otherworldly viewing. Crystal gazing can help the seer come into contact and communicate with intelligences of a higher order. He discusses the history of crystal gazing, how to get started, and what the seer can expect as well as difficulties and how to overcome them. He also discusses using this skill in ceremonial rituals. He references the methods of Trithemius and includes a section on John Dee and Edward Kelly's Enochian angelic scrying conversations.

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.