Melchizedek And The Mystery Of Fire

Originally published in 1926, this short book focused on the symbolism surrounding the ancient patriarch Melchizedek serves as a concise introduction to important imperceptible truths. “The elaborate rituals of the ancient Mysteries and the simpler ceremonials of modern religious institutions had a common purpose. Both were designed to preserve, by means of symbolic dramas and processionals, certain secret and holy processes, by the understanding of which man may more intelligently work out his salvation. The pages which follow will be devoted to an interpretation of some of these allegories according to the doctrine of the ancient seers and sages.”

First published in 1926, "Melchizedek and the Mystery of Fire" by Manly P. Hall is an in-depth examination of the role that fire plays in religion, mysticism, spirituality, and human anatomy. Hall was born in Ontario, Canada in 1901 and moved to Los Angeles, California in 1919. He was immediately drawn into the world of mysticism and esoteric philosophies. A lifetime of studying, writing and lecturing on the arcane and spiritual had begun and Hall became an important and influential figure in the metaphysical movement that gained in popularity in the United States in the 1920s. Hall would go on to write over 150 books and articles and give countless lectures and classes. In "Melchizedek and the Mystery of Fire", Hall turns his formidable intellect to exploring the relationship of fire to ancient religions, spirituality, and the human body. Hall shows the powerful allegorical significance and meaning of fire in ancient symbols, alchemy, free masonry, early mystical Christianity, numerology, and in eastern religious traditions. Fire is also important in understanding man's relationship with nature, god, and one's own inner spirit. "Melchizedek and the Mystery of Fire" remains a fascinating and thought-provoking study on the timeless and powerful symbolism of fire in human history. This edition is printed on premium acid-free paper.

Here is set forth the origin of the concept of alchemy, its rise in Egypt as the secret doctrine of Hermes, its migration to Arabia, and its relation to the early schools of Christianity. The course of the alchemical mystery is followed from the Near East through the Byzantine Empire and into Europe. During these travels many pioneers in this field are met, including Roger Bacon, Raymond Lully, and Nicholas Flamel. The letters of Sendivogius to the Brotherhood of the Rosy Cross, almost completely unknown to the modern world, are discussed. Illustrated.

This is a new release of the original 1926 edition.

In 1919, a Canadian teenager with a sixth-grade education arrived by train to the wilds of Los Angeles. Within a decade he had transformed himself into a world-renowned luminary and occult scholar. His name was Manly Palmer Hall, author of the landmark encyclopedia The Secret Teachings of All Ages and the 20th century's most prolific writer and speaker on ancient philosophies, mysticism, and magic. Hall revealed to thousands how universal wisdom could be found in the myths and symbols of the ancient Western mystery teachings. He amassed the largest occult library west of the Mississippi and founded The Philosophical Research Society in 1934 for the purpose of providing seekers rare access to the world's wisdom literature. He became a confidante and friend to celebrities and politicians. In 1990, he died - some say he was killed - in what remains an open-ended Hollywood murder mystery. This dramatic story of Hall's life and death provides a panorama of twentieth century mysticism and an insider's view into a subculture that continues to have a profound influence on movies, television, music, books, art, and thought.

This book examines the mediaeval English mystery play, the importance of ritual and archetypes, and how masonic traditions may have been influenced by these mediaeval dramas. Similarly to mystery plays, elements of masonic ceremonial use symbolic characters, archetypes, stories, and rituals to convey moral and spiritual teachings to its members. The rituals are steeped in symbolism and draw on a wide range of historical and cultural sources. Masonic rituals and mediaeval plays both emphasise community and fellowship. This book attempts to highlight the enduring power of symbolic performance, archetypes and the importance of belonging and fellowship in the pursuit of moral and spiritual improvement. The connection between ritual and mediaeval mystery plays is a tantalising subject of much debate, as Freemasonry is a fraternity claimed to have its roots in the mediaeval stonemasons’ guilds, whose members certainly participated in the mystery plays, especially those that depicted biblical stories relating to the building of King Solomon’s temple.