In an Appendix to his book on Martinism, written in 1946, immediately after World War II, Robert Ambelain included an Appendix concerning the Ark of the Covenant. It is a fascinating look at this sacred object, and raises a number of questions not previously considered. I translated the book – and the Appendix – around […]
A phrase well-known to Rosicrucians is ‘Mors Janua Vitae‘, or ‘Death, the Gate to Life‘. This profound statement is well worth much consideration and meditation. Indeed, there is almost no initiatory path which doesn’t involve the reenactment of a death and bringing back to life (thought sadly some branches of Freemasonry have become so politically […]
I am delighted to announce that my latest translation, “Elementary Treatise on Practical Magic” by Papus, is now available on Amazon across the world and on a number of other book sites. Available in hardback and paperback, don’t be fooled by the word “Elementary” in the title: it weighs in at 510 pages long! You […]
I have always been fascinated by Abbé Julio (1844 – 1912), that enigmatic French priest who, having been ordained as a Catholic priest, broke with Rome in 1885, eventually joining with Vilatte in the Independent Catholic movement. His books of prayers, combining traditional Catholicism with esoteric Talismans and Sacramentaries which predated Robert Ambelain’s famous ‘Sacramentaire de […]
OK. Today’s blog is a little heavy if you don’t know much about the Scottish Rectified Rite!!! However, this important nugget was recently published on a French website, and given it discusses comments by one of the world experts on this topic, Jean-Marc Vivenza, I felt it my duty to translate it. The original may […]
As I come toward the end of translating Papus’ book “Treatise on Practical Magic”, I am struck by how earnestly he wants Magic to be taken seriously and sit alongside the other sciences. It is unfortunate that Hypnosis will suffer the same fate as Psychology in trying to get a seat at the scientific table. […]
The story below appeared in one of the 1893 editions of L’Initiation, Papus’ magazine on esoteric subjects. It is a letter written by a reader concerning his experiences with a ghost in Czechoslovakia. While the tale is entertaining in itself, I reproduce it (in English) here as one of a number of background articles to […]
It seemed an appropriate place to launch my translation of Saint-Martin’s “Of Errors & Truth”. If truth be told, it wasn’t the most auspicious place! The city of Rochester didn’t exactly come up trumps for the event. Main Street, the focal point of all the activities, was little more than a ditch. The hotels didn’t […]
Amazing what you can get done while lying in bed with a hacking cough, a temperature, a glass of water and a laptop! As a service to those interested in Pasqually, Saint-Martin and the like, this is a sort of public service announcement regarding a much-desired book by the early 19th Century German Philosopher, Franz […]
On Saturday I finally had an opportunity to visit the magnificent Salon de la Rose Croix exhibition at the Guggenheim Museum with a few like-minded friends. I was lucky, too, as the day was offering free entrance to those who could produce a Bank of America card! The Guggenheim is a very approachable Museum of […]
