Wright's interesting volume, here, is a discussion of the similarity between the Freemasons and certain "native" tribes in the Americas- it compares ideology and spiritual systems more than it does any physical rituals, although it does contain a lengthy section on the initiation stages gone through on the way to becoming a medicine man. A large number of mythological stories are related here, so it's a decent work on the figures and folklore of such tribes as well.
110 pages.
The Book of Witches is a lengthy piece of historical study on the topic of witches, witchcraft, persecution, and superstition. Indeed, it is probably the best single text I have read on the subject, covering a vast period of time over the course of many cultures, from ancient Assyria and Egypt through the Middle Ages, the burning times, and the then-modern dawn of the 20th century. It contains a large amount of primary material from Weirus, Scott, and others, as well as verbatim material from papal bulls, witchcraft trials, and ancient sources ranging from philosophical to legal.
232 pages.
This fine work is a volume of Masonic poetry and song- mostly of a spiritual nature, although there is some civic material here, especially praise for George Washington who, of course, was a Mason. The symbolism of Masonry is profusely utilized in these verses, and a few poems for initiates actually tell explicitly what the symbols represent- such as the ashlar, pillars, square, etc. The poetry is quite good, and comes from a large number of different lodges and figures within the society itself.
159 pages.
This volume is an extensive treatment of the ancient Egyptian religion; its deities, its rituals, and especially the treatment of the dead and form of the afterlife. As with Egyptology in general, all of these subjects were malleable, changing in form and practice over the course of many centuries, something which is repeatedly noted especially in the spells and enchantments and rituals involving mortality and the judgment of the spirits of the departed. A number of interesting tales about the interaction of their deities with one another are provided.
168 pages.
This nice volume is a compilation of fairy tales from England (as its title suggests) but it also contains a lengthy and helpful dissertation on the etymology of the fairy, its linguistic origins in Italian antiquity, and its similarity to the genii, the lamia, and the nymph. It is partly anthropological, therefore, and contains a number of allusions especially to Reginald Scott's "Discoverie of Witchcraft" in which the European adaptation of such folklore is noted to have affected adults, not just children, and that such superstitions as "Robin Goodfellow" and fellow beings was rife for centuries.
171 pages.
This fine work is a lengthy explanation of the concept of Christian mysticism, addressing "rea" incidents and concepts of mystic value (according to the authors' perspective!) as opposed to those which are more derived from rational thought or mental analysis. It speaks highly of Proclus while denouncing Dionysus the Aeropagite, among other things.
155 pages.
This is a full length academic treatment of the basic life, rituals, and political meanderings of ancient Babylon and, later, Assyria. Of course, it additionally alludes to the Sumerian origins of what became the Babylonian system. Of especial note for the occultist, here, is the wide difference between the purported godly nature of Babylonian royalty supplanted by the militaristic Assyrians, and the related difference between archaeological remains. A description of the basic pantheons (and evolution of their worship) is notable as well, and some intriguing healing and protective rituals and practices are detailed.
208 pages.
This little booklet is one of a number of "chap-books" reworked in the late 19th century from an earlier volume, with a very interesting origin; namely, a far older work dating back far further than the "Book of Knowledge" which I once personally believed was the origin of the Norwood Gypsy tale. It is mostly a series of fictional tales of "Mother Bunch" interacting with various youngsters, advising them on matters of courtship and marriage, being oddly foreword about the concept of premarital relations and adultery.
33 pages.
This fine work by Abhedananda describes the five types of yoga (Hatha, Raja, Karma, Bhakti, and Gnani) and their various purposes. It also speaks about Yogic breathing at some degree of depth, and finally delves into what was a pressing Western conundrum at the time; was Jesus Christ a Yogi? A number of secondary works by other authors are mentioned here, for those which wish to practice the five different types of yoga, typically beginning with the Hatha, or physical form.
76 pages.
This fine book is a compilation of lore related to the development and standards of medicine through the entirety of the Middle Ages, with a heavy focus on surgical techniques and medical literature- often, in the latter, of an herbal nature. It contains some fascinating history about the Salerno school, the practitioners of Montpellier, the herbals written by Italian, English, and French scholars, and the role of women in medicine with especial note of the Benedictine order and their formation of hospitals, medical academies, and asylums for the insane.
154 pages.
This little booklet is an interesting look at some of the ritual and behavioral overlap between Freemasonry and certain "Native" American groups. In a very telling postscript, it essentially admits that its purpose was to impress local lodges at large to solicit donations for a museum for their artifact collection- a very compelling bit of history, not only for its folkloric content, but as a sign of the outgrowth of the Masons in the first half of the 20th century and interest in historical study.
36 pages.
This interesting text is an analysis of the intertwined and co-evolving nature of medical practice (specifically herbal and mineral) with religions, from times as remote as early Ancient Egypt and Sumeria, up through Assyria, Greece, Rome, the rise of the Islamic world, the copts, and other groups.
A great many specific rituals and a large number of species and their usages are explored- the work is also illustrated, with cuneiform and hieroglyphic work translated and interpreted.
76 pages.
