Tag Archives: practical occultism

777

777 And Other Qabalistic Writings of Aleister Crowley: Including Gematria & Sepher Sephiroth, edited with an introduction by Israel Regardie, the 20th printing of the 1986 paperback edition from Weiser Books, is part of the collection at the Reading Room.

Aleister Crowley 777 from Weiser Books

“This collection of Qabalistic texts is without parallel in the history of mystical literature. Edited and introduced by Dr. Israel Regardie, the three texts included are Gematria, 777, and Sepher Sephiroth.

Gematria, reprinted from “The Temple of Solomon the King,” The Equinox, Vol. 1, No. 5. It provides essential explanations of theoretical and practical Qabalistic number analysis and philosophy. “An Essay in Number,” also included, provides invaluable insights into key numbers as well as techniques and safeguards for practical magical work.

777 itself contains, in concise tabulated form, an overview of the symbolism of the major world religions, as well as the system of correspondence of the Hermetic Order of the Golden Dawn. In short, it is a complete magical and philosophical dictionary—a key to all religion and practical occultism—an amazing work whose value has been recognized through many editions since its first appearance in 1909 and subsequent enlargement in 1955.

The third text is Sepher Sephiroth, a unique dictionary listing hundreds of Hebrew words arranged by numerical value. It was compiled jointly by Crowley and Allan Bennett and first appeared in The Equinox, Vol. 1, No. 8.”

 

The Hermetic Library Reading Room is an imaginary and speculative future reification of the library in the physical world, a place to experience a cabinet of curiosities offering a confabulation of curation, context and community that engages, archives and encourages a living Western Esoteric Tradition. If you would like to contribute to the Hermetic Library Reading Room, consider supporting the library or contact the librarian.

The Hermetic Brotherhood of Luxor

Hermetic Library fellow T Polyphilus reviews The Hermetic Brotherhood of Luxor: Initiatic and Historical Documents of an Order of Practical Occultism by another fellow Joscelyn Godwin [also]:

Joscelyn Godwin's The Hermetic Brotherhood of Luxor from Red Wheel / Weiser

 

This volume-length study of a 19th Century international magical order shows a level of scholarship that deserves to set a standard in the treatment of such topics. Virtually all of the available primary texts have been reproduced, with analysis that sets them in context. Biographies of the principal figures of the organization are set forth, and its relationship to other groups is examined.

Though not presented as such, The Hermetic Brotherhood of Luxor as now published could provide the basis for a grass-roots H.B. of L. revival such as that enjoyed by the Golden Dawn as a consequence of Regardie’s exposures. In many ways, the H.B. of L. technology is more appropriate for the task. While the H.B. of L. aspired to the formation of a Lodge system and group initiations, it appears that their modes of recruitment did not make such activity possible for the majority of members. So the emphasis is on individual study and self-initiation within a larger fraternity and symbolic system. [via]

 

 

The Hermetic Library Reading Room is an imaginary and speculative future reification of the library in the physical world, a place to experience a cabinet of curiosities offering a confabulation of curation, context and community that engages, archives and encourages a living Western Esoteric Tradition. If you would like to contribute to the Hermetic Library Reading Room, consider supporting the library or contact the librarian.