Renowned esoteric scholar Manly P. Hall gives us an overview of the history of Thoth Hermes Trismegistus. He begins with a short piece of fiction, which he was known to do, in which he illustrates the tale of Hermes defeating a dragon in a temple, as...

The Life and Teachings of Thoth Hermes Trismegistus

Esoteric scholar Manly P. Hall gives a brief biography of the life of the fabled Greek philosopher, Pythagoras, as well as accounts of how he was murdered. He gives a fantastic overview of the teachings of that man. Hall covers his theories of transmigration, symmetrical solids, aphorisms, astronomy, and many other things, as well as what he expected of his students and accounts of his school and initiations. 

The Life and Philosophy of Pythagoras: Esoteric Classics

Esoteric scholar Manly P. Hall discusses the life of Christ, early Christianity, related symbology and the ancient mysteries in general, as well as the Christian Apocrypha, the Holy Grail, the Arthurian legend and other related topics. 

Mystic Christianity

Renowned esoteric author Manly P. Hall examines the beliefs of Paracelsus and the fabled spirits associated with the four classical elements, as Paracelsus taught. Paracelsus believed that each of the four primary elements known to the ancients (earth, fire, air, and water) consists of a subtle, vaporous principle and a gross corporeal substance. This is fundamental learning for any student of the occult sciences. 

Paracelsus, The Four Elements and Their Spirits

Written as an overview of Rosicrucian history, esoteric author Manly P. Hall explores different theories as to the beginnings and motives behind the fabled secret society, the Rosicrucians. He discusses the life and death of Christian Rosenkreuz, the famas, as well as scholarly interpretations of the Society and their possible motives. 

The Fraternity of the Rose Cross

Brother Mackey examines the importance of having a temple within the realm of Freemasonry, with specific attention being paid to the symbolism of King Solomon's temple and the working tools a mason uses when building. He also covers the symbolism beh...

The Symbolism of Solomon's Temple

This is a collection of 15 essays on a variety of occult-themed topics, covering the full spectrum of classic esoteric and related subjects, which include Hermeticism, magic, ancient wisdom and philosophy, Rosicrucianism, Freemasonry, Theosophy, spir...

An Anthology of Writings Related to Occult, Esoteric, Rosicrucian and Hermetic Literature, Including Freemasonry, Theosophy and Ancient Wisdom, Volume 1

Renowned esoteric author Manly P. Hall examines worldwide and age-old myths and symbolism of various creatures across the globe. The creatures inhabiting the water, air, and earth were held in veneration by all races of antiquity. Realizing that visi...

The Occult Symbolism of Animals, Insects, Reptiles, Fish and Birds

This is a collection of 10 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, Rosicrucia...

A Collection of Writings Related to Occult, Esoteric, Rosicrucian and Hermetic Literature, Including Freemasonry, the Kabbalah, the Tarot, Alchemy and Theosophy, Volume 3

Critias is one of Plato's late dialogues and contains the story of the mighty island kingdom Atlantis and its attempt to conquer Athens, which failed due to the ordered society of the Athenians. Critias is the second of a projected trilogy of dialogues, preceded by Timaeus and followed by Hermocrates. The latter was possibly never written, and Critias was left incomplete. This edition was translated by Benjamin Jowett in 1871. 

Critias

Rabindranath Tagore was born in Calcutta in 1861 to a family of culture and means, where he received an extensive, though unorthodox, education, much of which would later involve extensive traveling with his father. He had a passion for learning Engl...

Thought Relics

The landmarks of Freemasonry have existed from time immemorial; however, Albert Mackey was the first Mason to collect them all together and explicitly define them for the greater benefit of the fraternity. Here he outlines what the 25 landmarks are, ...

The Ancient Landmarks of Freemasonry

Brother Rudyard Kipling sets this fictional Masonic tale during World War I. A wealthy shop-keeper is running a Masonic lodge for traveling brothers from around the globe, most of whom are in and out of London, due to the war. Many can't be authenticated as Masons, but are permitted to sit in lodge, based on partial examinations and an overall gut feeling. The topic of what Grand Lodge would think about this comes up as an eventual conversation. 

In the Interests of the Brethren

Ralph Waldo Emerson helped to spearhead the American transcendentalist movement. He championed individualism and free thought, often pushing others toward self-reliance in many different ways. Emerson urged his listener to pursue their individual wil...

The Over-Soul

The author of the classic best seller shows how an exciting, new understanding of the nature of the universe has far-reaching implications for how we can better live our everyday lives, improve our communities, and meet the enormous challenges of our time.

The Living Universe

Notable author and founder of the modern Theosophical movement Helena Blavatsky highlights Plato, his teachings, and his legacy in this essay. It is the Platonic philosophy, the most elaborate compend of the abstruse systems of old India that can alo...

Plato and Platonism: Theosophical Classics

Brother Stewart sets out to prove that ancient civilization has an important role to play in the overall mythology and history of Freemasonry. While other writers on this topic have focused on religious and initiatory similarities, Stewart turns his ...

The Message of Ancient Masonry

Alexander Wilder was a theosophist, journalist, and prolific writer in his day; being heavily recognized as one of the leading Platonists in America at the time. This piece was originally published in 1897 and offers a brief overview of some of the concepts explored by Plato, with some focus on religion, goodness, evil, and truth. 

The Teachings of Plato

Darrow was a professor at Harvard, a prominent theosophist, and the author of numerous works on philosophy. In this piece he examines primarily the Republic, from a theosophical standpoint, in an attempt to show that many scholars have misinterpreted Plato's relationship with the arts. Darrow states that Plato's belief was that the only true art is a life well lived, with the ultimate aim being to create a heaven on Earth. 

Plato's Conception of the Function of True Art: Theosophical Classics

In this short piece, theosophical writer Remsen Whitehouse sets out to disprove a common argument against Buddhism during his day: that all Buddhists are atheistic. He examines the difference between divine intelligence and a God as well as pantheism...

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