The Book of Secrets: Esoteric Societies and Holy Orders, Luminaries and Seers, Symbols and Rituals, and the Key Concepts of Occult Sciences Through the Ages and Around the World

by Daniel Pineda

Overview

From the strange symbols on a onedollar bill to the secret signs of the Knights Templar and Freemasons, invisible societies, and the world of magic and alchemy, The Book of Secrets is a comprehensive introduction to the world of secret and esoteric knowledge throughout history.

In the mystery tradition, "secrets" are levels of consciousness that are hidden from our normal mental state, the acquisition of a new point of view. The Book of Secrets delves into the world of the "occult," the initiated secret traditions of the fascinating unseen spiritual world: its symbols, secret societies, and seers.

You'll discover:

• Key Concepts: the Great Work, the Universal Force, Polarity, the Four Elements, Magick and Mysticism, Esoteric Anatomy, Qabalah, Alchemy, Astrology, the Astral Plane, and more.
• Symbolism: More than 100 secrets symbols, words, objects, including their meanings and the secret powers they invoke: Animals, spiritual beings, and sacred objects.
• Secret Societies and Holy Orders: The gatekeepers and the transmitters of sacred knowledge: Freemasons, O.T.O., Cathars, Templars, Assassins. Pineda places them all in history and geography and explains who they are/were and what they stood for.
• Luminaries and Seers: More than 200 legends and historical personages: Hermes Trismegistus, Jesus, Siddartha, Osiris, and other seers from the Middle Ages, the Renaissance, the 19th and 20th centuries.

From video games such as "Limbo" and "Castlevania" to TV shows and movies to comic book heroes, or Dan Brown's novels, secret symbols and societies fascinate. Pineda provides a comprehensive introduction to secret knowledge for readers who want to know more.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781578634859
Publisher:	Red Wheel/Weiser
Publication date:	03/01/2011
Pages:	166
Sales rank:	973,022
Product dimensions:	5.50(w) x 8.40(h) x 0.60(d)

About the Author

Daniel Pineda is a martial artist, practitioner of the Mystery Tradition, and a devotee of liberty. He holds Black Belts in and teaches various Eastern and Western martial disciplines, as well as Qigong. He lives in south Florida with his wife Julia. This is his first book.

Table of Contents

Introduction vii

Part 1 Key Concepts 1

The Great Work 5

The Universal Force, the Tao, Polarity, and the Four Elements 6

Magick and Mysticism, or The Left and Right Eye 10

The Siddhis or Magical Gifts 15

Esoteric Anatomy, the Chakra System, and the Aura 17

Qabalah 20

Alchemy 25

Astrology and the New Age 27

Divination and the Tarot 30

The Astral Plane 34

Part 2 Symbolism, The Language of Mystery 37

Animals and Spiritual Beings 40

Objects 59

The Word: Formula of the Spirit 77

Part 3 Secret Societies and Holy Orders, Gatekeepers of Hidden Wisdom 85

Freemasons 88

Magicians, Mystics, and Alchemists 92

Warriors 110

Part 4 Luminaries and Seers, Torchbearers of Secret Knowledge 119

Legends and Gods 122

Medieval and Renaissance Masters 137

Sages of the Enlightenment: The 18th Century 142

Magi of the Occult Revival: The 19th Century 146

Modern Adepti: The 20th Century 152

Conclusion 159

Further Reading 161