A Word to Conjure With: On 'Theurgy' in Late Antiquity and Beyond

De Civitate Dei

On the Mysteries

In this masterwork of Neoplatonic synthesis, Marsilio Ficino navigates the treacherous waters between Epicurean indulgence and Stoic austerity. He argues that the human soul is not merely a passenger in the body, but an indivisible spark capable of transforming physical sensation into intellectual '

On the Mysteries of the Egyptians

This work defends traditional religious practice against the skepticism of philosophers like Porphyry. Iamblichus asserts that the gods are not swayed by human emotions, but rather that rituals align the human soul with a pre-existing divine order. He defines the universe as a singular, living organ

On the Mysteries (De Mysteriis)

This volume presents the definitive Neoplatonic defense of ritual as a tool for spiritual transformation. It shifts the focus from mere intellectual debate to the practical application of sacred symbols. Iamblichus posits that man exists as a unique bridge between the material and the eternal. The t

The Theology of Arithmetic

In this profound synthesis of Pythagorean and Platonic thought, edited by Friedrich Ast, mathematics is reclaimed from the realm of 'logistics' and elevated to a sacred theology. The text argues that numbers are not mere human inventions but the eternal, immaterial blueprints—the 'pre-existent sketc

On the Mysteries (Thomas Taylor trans.)

In this foundational work of Neoplatonic thought, Iamblichus (writing as the Egyptian priest Abammon) offers a powerful rebuttal to the idea that religion is merely a human invention or a series of emotional delusions. By framing divine knowledge as an innate, eternal part of the soul's essence that

Iamblichus On the Mysteries

Iamblichus 'On the Mysteries' is a monumental work of Neoplatonic philosophy that shifts the spiritual search from mere intellectual speculation to the experiential power of theurgy. Writing as the Egyptian priest Abammon, Iamblichus responds to the skepticism of Porphyry, arguing that the divine ca

Introduction to Arithmetic

Nicomachus of Gerasa’s 'Introduction to Arithmetic' is a profound synthesis of mathematical rigor and Pythagorean mysticism that served as the primary textbook for higher education from Late Antiquity through the Middle Ages. Nicomachus boldly asserts that arithmetic is the ontologically prior 'moth

Isis Unveiled: A Master-Key to the Mysteries of Ancient and Modern Science and Theology

Isis Unveiled serves as a polemical weapon against the narrow materialism of the 19th century. Blavatsky argues that human history operates in cycles, where modern civilization has tragically lost the advanced technological and spiritual knowledge held by ancient sages. She asserts that magic is not

The Secret Doctrine Vol. I

The Secret Doctrine Vol. I: Cosmogenesis is a monumental exploration of the origin and destiny of the cosmos, presented through the lens of authentic esoteric wisdom. Blavatsky offers a unique perspective that transcends sectarian dogma, claiming that a 'Great Message' has been preserved by a Lodge

The Key to Theosophy

The Key to Theosophy is a foundational text that strips away the dogmas of organized religion to reveal a universal 'Divine Wisdom' accessible to all. Written in a lucid question-and-answer format, Blavatsky offers a rigorous defense of esoteric philosophy against the materialism of science and the

The Secret Doctrine Vol. II

The Secret Doctrine Vol. II is an audacious synthesis of science, religion, and philosophy that argues for a universal esoteric truth hidden beneath the 'dead-letter' interpretations of modern scripture. Blavatsky asserts that mythology is not a 'disease of language' but a sophisticated system of si