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Secret Chamber Revisited: The Quest for the Lost Knowledge of Ancient Egypt
by Robert BauvalA firsthand, behind-the-scene account of the controversies surrounding modern explorations at Giza • Investigates the recent scandals at Giza and claims of secret excavations and tunneling inside the Great Pyramid • Reveals the historical evidence in support of secret chambers in the Great Pyramid and beneath the Great Sphinx • Exposes the secret agendas behind the latest explorations on the Giza plateau Since 1993 Robert Bauval has been embroiled in the many controversies involving the search for the lost treasures of the pyramid builders and the quest for the legendary Hall of Records of Atlantis. The strange but true story that he unfolds implicates American business moguls, the prestigious National Geographic Society, several Ivy League universities, the Edgar Cayce Foundation, the Freemasons, Christian fundamentalists, Zionists, and the Egyptian government. In this fully updated edition of Secret Chamber, including new color photographs, Robert Bauval pursues his in-depth investigation of clandestine events at Giza and the role played by the controversial ex-Minister of Antiquities Dr. Zahi Hawass. What lies behind the mysterious doors at the end of the star shafts in the Great Pyramid? What do the mysterious inscriptions found behind the Gantenbrink door mean? What is the real purpose of the Relief Chambers and the red ochre “graffiti” in them? Who is behind the secretly tunneling and excavating in these chambers, and why? Is there really a hidden Hall of Records from Atlantis beneath the Great Sphinx? Is the Great Pyramid just a tomb or does it serve a higher purpose involving a lost science of immortality? Why do the ancient texts ascribe the Pyramid’s design to the supreme god of wisdom Thoth, the writer of the fabled Books of Hermes? Will the Great Pyramid prove to be the “missing link” to our true origins or a “metaphysical machine” to access the world beyond? Providing a firsthand account of the strange events that have taken place at the Giza plateau in the last three decades, Bauval reveals the hidden agendas behind these events and raises important questions about the meaning of Egypt’s ancient structures and the very origins of civilization.
The Secret Code on Your Hands: An Illustrated Guide to Palmistry
by Vernon MahabalWhen properly understood, the human hand is an unsurpassed tool for character and emotional analysis. The Secret Code on Your Hands is a captivating instruction guide to understanding how to read your own destiny in your hands, as well as your friends. Fully illustrated, with quick pointers and distinct section dividers, it is a great reference book for any aspiring palmist; a quick and accurate method to assess talents, abilities, psychology, and emotional personality in both business and romance.
The Secret Daily Teachings
by Rhonda ByrneTake the next step with The Secret Daily Teachings - the much-loved companion guide for living The Secretday by day is now available in a new hardcover format. The Secretcontains clear principles on how to live your life in accordance with the natural laws of the Universe, but the important thing for every person is to LIVE IT. Now, with The Secret Daily Teachings, Rhonda Byrne takes you through a year of teachings, sharing wisdom and insights for living in harmony with the laws that govern all human beings, so that you may become the master of your life. Building upon The Secret's powerful truths, your knowledge of the law of attraction is about to expand far beyond what you can imagine. More joy, more abundance, more magnificence - every single day of the year.
The Secret Daily Teachings
by Rhonda ByrneTake the next step with The Secret Daily Teachings - the much-loved companion guide for living The Secretday by day is now available in a new hardcover format. The Secretcontains clear principles on how to live your life in accordance with the natural laws of the Universe, but the important thing for every person is to LIVE IT. Now, with The Secret Daily Teachings, Rhonda Byrne takes you through a year of teachings, sharing wisdom and insights for living in harmony with the laws that govern all human beings, so that you may become the master of your life. Building upon The Secret's powerful truths, your knowledge of the law of attraction is about to expand far beyond what you can imagine. More joy, more abundance, more magnificence - every single day of the year.
The Secret Daily Teachings
by Rhonda ByrneThe Secret contains clear principles on how to live your life in accordance with the natural laws of the Universe, but the important thing for every person is to LIVE IT. Now, with The Secret Daily Teachings, Rhonda Byrne takes you through a year of teachings, sharing wisdom and insights for living in harmony with the laws that govern all human beings, so that you may become the master of your life. Building upon The Secret's powerful truths, your knowledge of the law of attraction is about to expand far beyond what you can imagine. More joy, more abundance, more magnificence - every single day of the year. For more information, visit www.thesecret.tv.
The Secret Daily Teachings
by Rhonda ByrneThe Secret contains clear principles on how to live your life in accordance with the natural laws of the Universe, but the important thing for every person is to LIVE IT. Now, with The Secret Daily Teachings, Rhonda Byrne takes you through a year of teachings, sharing wisdom and insights for living in harmony with the laws that govern all human beings, so that you may become the master of your life. Building upon The Secret's powerful truths, your knowledge of the law of attraction is about to expand far beyond what you can imagine. More joy, more abundance, more magnificence - every single day of the year. For more information, visit www.thesecret.tv.
The Secret Doctrine
by H. P. BlavatskyMadame Blavatsky's Victorian-era masterpiece is now scaled down to its essentials, providing the most readable, accessible experience ever of one of history's seminal occult works. The Secret Doctrine, Helena Petrovna Blavatsky's masterwork on the origin and evolution of the universe and humanity itself, is arguably the most famous, and perhaps the most influential, occult book ever written. Published since 1888 only in expensive, two-volume editions of some 1,400 pages, it has long eluded the grasp of modern readers- until now. This single-volume edition, abridged and annotated by historian and Theosophical scholar Michael Gomes, places the ideas of The Secret Doctrine within reach of all who are curious. In particular, Gomes provides a critical sounding of the book's famous stanzas on the genesis of life and the cosmos- mysterious passages that Blavatsky said originated from a primeval source and which form the heart of The Secret Doctrine. Gomes scrupulously scales down the book's key writings on symbolism to their essentials, and offers notes and a glossary to illuminate arcane references. His historical and literary introduction casts new light on some of the book's sources and on the career of its brilliant and elusive author, one of the most intriguing personages of the nineteenth century. At once compact and representative of the work as a whole, this new edition of The Secret Doctrine brings unprecedented accessibility to the key esoteric classic of the modern era.
The Secret Doctrine: The Synthesis Of Science, Religion, And Philosophy, Volume 3
by H. P. BlavatskyMadame Blavatsky's Victorian-era masterpiece is now scaled down to its essentials, providing the most readable, accessible experience ever of one of history's seminal occult works. The Secret Doctrine, Helena Petrovna Blavatsky's masterwork on the origin and evolution of the universe and humanity itself, is arguably the most famous, and perhaps the most influential, occult book ever written. Published since 1888 only in expensive, two-volume editions of some 1,400 pages, it has long eluded the grasp of modern readers- until now. This single-volume edition, abridged and annotated by historian and Theosophical scholar Michael Gomes, places the ideas of The Secret Doctrinewithin reach of all who are curious. In particular, Gomes provides a critical sounding of the book's famous stanzas on the genesis of life and the cosmos- mysterious passages that Blavatsky said originated from a primeval source and which form the heart of The Secret Doctrine. Gomes scrupulously scales down the book's key writings on symbolism to their essentials, and offers notes and a glossary to illuminate arcane references. His historical and literary introduction casts new light on some of the book's sources and on the career of its brilliant and elusive author, one of the most intriguing personages of the nineteenth century. At once compact and representative of the work as a whole, this new edition of The Secret Doctrinebrings unprecedented accessibility to the key esoteric classic of the modern era.
The Secret Doctrine of the Rosicrucians: A Lost Classic by Magus Incognito (The Lost Classics)
by William Walker AtkinsonDiscover arcane knowledge like auras, alchemy, planes of consciousness, reincarnation and more in this classic study of Rosicrucianism.The Rosicrucians are a truly secret society whose philosophy comes to light in different ways at different points in history. In the 1600s they issued a set of manifestos calling for an enlightened revolution that would reshape society into a more democratic ideal. The American Founding Fathers were influenced by these manifestos. Rosicrucianism is alive and well today with more than half a million followers seeking and keeping its many divine secrets.This book reintroduces a new generation of readers to the Rosicrucian ideals, as well as to a myriad of connections between occult concepts as varied as alchemy, reincarnation, the astral plane, auras, Eastern and Western mysticism, and the “evolution of mankind” among seven esoteric versions of planets in our solar system.First published in 1918 by Magus Incognito, one of American occultist William Walker Atkinson’s dozen or more pseudonyms, The Secret Doctrine of the Rosicrucians is said to contain portions of The Arcane Teachings, an anonymous 1909 work now attributed to Atkinson. An introduction by occult scholar and collector of esoteric ephemera Clint Marsh shows us just how relevant this classic occult text remains today.
The Secret Epidemic: The Story of AIDS and Black America
by Jacob LevensonHalf the people in the United States who are diagnosed with HIV are now African American. Through the eyes of those on the front lines of the crisis, journalist Jacob Levenson tells a story of race and public health that spans fifty years and reveals how AIDS has become one of the leading killers of young black men and women. Medical researcher Mindy Fullilove investigates the epidemic’s links to crack cocaine, the Bronx fires, and national health policy. Desiree Rushing must reconcile her crack addiction and HIV infection with the fate of her city, family, and the black church. David deShazo, a white AIDS worker in Alabama, fights to prevent the American South from becoming the epidemic’s new epicenter. And Mario Cooper, a gay, infected son of the black elite confronts the boundaries of American race politics in Washington, D.C. Seamlessly interweaving personal stories with national policy, Levenson indelibly captures this devastating epidemic and illuminates its potential to expand our understanding of race in America.
The Secret Female Hormone: How Testosterone Replacement Can Change Your Life
by Kathy C. MaupinYou know the experiences all too well. You can’t sleep, so you start your day feeling exhausted. Seemingly overnight, you can’t remember names, places, appointments—things you could previously recite at the drop of a hat. You want to be more active, but you have zero energy for that. And sex? Forget it!By now, you’ve probably been told this is "normal," or that it’s the "natural" course of aging. And you might even believe it, because so many women approaching midlife have the exact same symptoms. In fact, millions of women worldwide are undiagnosed and untreated for hormone deficiency.As one of the country’s leading experts on hormonal balance—and as a woman who experienced these symptoms herself—Dr. Kathy Maupin has identified a debilitating and overlooked health condition: testosterone deficiency syndrome, or TDS. Most people associate testosterone with men, but it’s one of the most vital hormones in women, and one of the first hormones that women begin to lose as they enter their 40s. And Dr. Maupin’s own research has shown that the symptoms of aging—fatigue, memory loss, moodiness, low libido, and so much more—are initiated and accelerated by testosterone loss.In this book, Dr. Maupin and therapist Brett Newcomb show how testosterone replacement can radically improve your life. They share the history and background of hormone replacement therapy, the latest research on treatment options, as well as: • Tips for dealing with mood swings, changes in sex drive, and maintaining healthy relationships • Surprising information on the long-term effects and health risks of testosterone loss • Common myths and misconceptions regarding estrogen and testosterone replacement therapy • Questionnaires throughout to help you determine your individual hormone deficiencies • Real stories and personal experiences Dr. Maupin’s patients shareClear, practical, and easy-to-use, this authoritative guide sheds light on the importance of testosterone and will help you reclaim your physical, mental, emotional, and spiritual health.
The Secret Fire of Alchemy: Kriya Yoga, Kundalini, and Shamanism
by Kevin B. Turner• Describes the initiatory stages of Kriya Yoga and Tibetan Buddhism with high-level yogis and lamas• Shares the author&’s experiences of spontaneous dream initiations, astral travels, Kundalini awakening, and an out-of-body journey through the Bardo to a past life—which led him to pursue spiritual studies in Asia• Reveals the profound parallels between Western Alchemy&’s search for the Philosopher&’s Stone and the Indo-Tibetan quest for Spiritual LiberationGuided by a profound series of dream initiations, astral travels, intense kundalini activation, and an out-of-body journey to a past life, Kevin Turner embarks on an around-the-world quest in pursuit of the secret fire of alchemical enlightenment.Detailing his intensive studies to discover the meaning behind his spontaneous nighttime initiations, Turner finds resonance with Goethe&’s alchemical quest and Descartes&’ assertion that the pineal gland is the seat of the soul. Turning to Eastern traditions, the author finds exact descriptions of his experiences in books on kundalini yoga and answers to his questions about death, rebirth, and the soul&’s Immortal Light in writings on Tibetan Buddhism—as well as profound parallels between the alchemists&’ search for the Philosopher&’s Stone and the Indo-Tibetan quest for Liberation.Realizing his calling to accelerate the evolution of the soul, Turner travels to Asia where he meets the last living disciple of Sri Yukteswar, Swami Paramahansa Hariharananda Giri, who initiates him into Kriya Yoga. In his pursuit of the Eastern alchemical tradition, he then travels to the Himalayas in Nepal to study with Shamarpa Rinpoche at Nagi Gompa Monastery. Turner then journeys to Taipei to study Taoist alchemy and Tai Chi before returning to Europe to renew his studies of Western alchemy.Deeply personal and spiritually uplifting, Turner&’s story of initiation into alchemical traditions of East and West offers insight into the initiatory process known as the "Great Work" and powerful guidance to others on the spiritual path toward enlightenment.
The Secret Founding of America: The Real Story of Freemasons, Puritans, and the Battle for the New World
by Nicholas HaggerThe widely accepted story of the founding of America is that The Mayflower delivered the first settlers from Plymouth to the New World in 1620. Yet in reality, the Jamestown settlers had already become the first English-speaking outpost thirteen years earlier in 1607. The Secret Founding of America introduces these two groups of founders - the Planting Fathers, who established the earliest settlements along essentially Christian lines, and the Founding Fathers, who unified the colonies with the Declaration of Independence and the Constitution - and it argues that the new nation, conceived in liberty, was the Freemasons' first step towards a new world order. Drawing on original findings and an in-depth understanding of the political and philosophical realities of the time, historian Nicholas Hagger charts the connections between Gosnold and Smith, Templars and Jacobites, and secret societies and libertarian ideals. He also explains how the influence of German Illuminati worked on the constructors of the new republic, and shows the hand of Freemasonry at work at every turning point in America's history, from Civil War to today's global struggles for democracy.
Secret Founding of America, The
by Nicholas HaggerDiscover for the first time the true story of the founding of America, it's historical ties to Freemasonry and the battle for the New World, in this authoritive and accessible new book.
The Secret History of America: Classic Writings on Our Nation's Unknown Past and Inner Purpose
by Manly P. HallA compilation of rare works on the untold history and destiny of America by acclaimed occult writer Manly P. Hall.Writer and scholar Manly P. Hall (1901-1990) is one of the most significant names in the study of the esoteric, symbolic, and occult. His legendary book The Secret Teachings of All Ages has been an underground classic since its publication in 1928. The Secret History of America expands on that legacy, offering a collection of Hall’s works—from books and journals to transcriptions of his lectures—all relating to the hidden past and unfolding future of our nation. Hall believed that America was gifted with a unique purpose to explore and share principles of personal freedom, self-governance, and independent thought. PEN Award-winning historian, Mitch Horowitz has curated a powerful collection of Hall’s most influential and insightful works that capture and explore these ideas. Never before collected in one volume, the material in The Secret History of America explores the rich destiny, unseen history, and hidden meaning of America.
The Secret History of Consciousness
by Meg Blackburn LoseyThrough a series of personal crises, seekings, and synchronistic events, Dr. Meg Losey learned to channel wisdom from Masters from the past, the present, and off planet and learned this basic truth: "Reality isn't happening to us--we are happening to reality. We really do create our experiences, and we can change them at any time by changing our perceptions. We are the consciousness within the living One." In this new book, she shares her dramatic, personal story. She weaves her story with information from her "Guys" as she came to fondly call her otherworldly teachers. She invites us to open our minds and hearts to the meaning of our shared and hidden history--including Atlantis, Lemuria, pyramids, off planet events that affect us, and more. She presents simple meditations that will allow each and every one of us to become conscious of the change we are creating together.
The Secret History of Dante: Unearthing the Mysteries of the Inferno
by Jonathan BlackWhy does Dante describe the Inferno as a real place? What secret society did Dante belong to? What was Dante's connection with the Knights Templar? What was his secret connection to militant Islamic sects? Jonathan Black, author of the international bestseller The Secret History of the World, uncovers the real-life stories of Dante and The Inferno. Here you will find hidden codes, passageways under the streets of Florence, mad monks, mind-bending drugs and terrifying underground rituals. Together they contain all the elements of a great thriller - greed, murder, obsessive love, betrayal - and they reveal a 2,000-year-old conspiracy: to rule the world. Perfect if you want to understand the mysteries that inspired Dan Brown's novel Inferno, or as a standalone initiation to one of the great turning points in occult history.
The Secret History of Dreaming
by Robert MossDreaming is vital to the human story. It is essential to our survival and evolution, to creative endeavors in every field, and, quite simply, to getting us through our daily lives. All of us dream. Now Robert Moss shows us how dreams have shaped world events and why deepening our conscious engagement with dreaming is crucial for our future. He traces the strands of dreams through archival records and well-known writings, weaving remarkable yet true accounts of historical figures who were influenced by their dreams. In this wide-ranging, visionary book, Moss creates a new way to explore history and consciousness, combining the storytelling skills of a bestselling novelist with the research acumen of a scholar of ancient history and the personal experience of an active dreamer.
The Secret History of Extraterrestrials: Advanced Technology and the Coming New Race
by Len KastenExplores the role of ETs in the military, government, technology, history, and the coming new age • Surveys contact with ETs, abductions, alien technology and exopolitics, genetic tampering by ETs, and the history behind the Nazis and UFOs • Contains interviews with Jesse Marcel, Michael Salla, Paul LaViolette, Robert Bauval, Helen Wambach, and others at the forefront of the ET-derived New Science movement The extraterrestrial presence on Earth is widening and, as we enter the Aquarian Age, will be admitted officially, causing shock and an urgent universal need to understand the social and technological changes derived from our space brothers. A primer for the explosive advances humanity will experience scientifically and spiritually in the coming years, this compendium explores the ET phenomenon and its influence on humanity past and present. The book surveys contact with ETs and abduction accounts, unexplained public and undisclosed military technology from aliens including anti-gravity devices, exopolitics (the influence of ETs in human affairs), the Iraqi Stargate, the Hybrid Project of alien interbreeding by abduction, Nazi ties to UFOS and their secret underground base in Antarctica, government cover-ups of alien interactions including Roswell, and the transformation triggered by the Hale-Bopp comet. Based on interviews with people who are witnessing the coming changes as well as those visionaries who are actually bringing them about--including John Mack, Major Jesse Marcel, Paul LaViolette, Robert Bauval, Michael Salla, and Helen Wambach--this book sketches out a breathtaking vision of the planetary revolution just around the corner.
The Secret History of Freemasonry: Its Origins and Connection to the Knights Templar
by Paul NaudonExplores the hidden history of Freemasonry from ancient Rome, through the Middle Ages, to the present• Shows the close connection between medieval masons and the Knights Templar• Illustrates the sacred nature of Roman and medieval trade associations• Reveals the missing link that connects the lodges of modern Freemasonry to the medieval brotherhoods of buildersHistorians often make a sharp distinction between the operative Masonry of the Middle Ages and the speculative Masonry of modern times, emphasizing that there is no direct bridge connecting the two. Modern historians also have scoffed at Masonic claims concerning the close relationship between the Lodge and the Temple. Using medieval archives housed throughout Europe, historian Paul Naudon reveals that there was in fact a very intimate connection between the Masons and the Knights Templar. Church records of medieval Paris show that most, if not all, the Masons of that time were residents of the Templar censive, which allowed them to enjoy great exemptions and liberties from both church and state as a result of the protection afforded them by this powerful order.Naudon shows that the origins of Freemasonry can be traced back to the collegia of ancient Rome. He traces the evolution of organizations such as the Comacine Masters, the Arab turuqs, and the brotherhoods of builders created under the aegis of the Benedictines and the Knights Templar, all of which provide the vehicle for the transmission of a sacred tradition from pre-Christian times to the modern era. This tradition is the source of Masonic ritual and symbolism, and it provides the missing link in the transformation of the operative Masonry of the medieval cathedral builders to the spiritual principles of modern speculative Masonry.
The Secret History of Hermes Trismegistus: Hermeticism from Ancient to Modern Times
by Florian Ebeling"Perhaps Hermeticism has fascinated so many people precisely because it has made it possible to produce many analogies and relationships to various traditions: to Platonism in its many varieties, to Stoicism, to Gnostic ideas, and even to certain Aristotelian doctrines. The Gnostic, the esoteric, the Platonist, or the deist has each been able to find something familiar in the writings. One just had to have a penchant for remote antiquity, for the idea of a Golden Age, in order for Hermeticism, with its aura of an ancient Egyptian revelation, to have enjoyed such outstanding success."—from the IntroductionHermes Trismegistus, "thrice-great Hermes," emerged from the amalgamation of the wisdom gods Hermes and Thoth and is one of the most enigmatic figures of intellectual history. Since antiquity, the legendary "wise Egyptian" has been considered the creator of several mystical and magical writings on such topics as alchemy, astrology, medicine, and the transcendence of God. Philosophers of the Renaissance celebrated Hermes Trismegistus as the founder of philosophy, Freemasons called him their forefather, and Enlightenment thinkers championed religious tolerance in his name. To this day, Hermes Trismegistus is one of the central figures of the occult—his name is synonymous with the esoteric.In this scholarly yet accessible introduction to the history of Hermeticism and its mythical founder, Florian Ebeling provides a concise overview of the Corpus Hermeticum and other writings attributed to Hermes. He traces the impact of Christian and Muslim versions of the figure in medieval Europe, the power of Hermeticism and Paracelsian belief in Renaissance thought, the relationship to Pietism and to Freemasonry in early modern Europe, and the relationship to esotericism and semiotics in the modern world.
The Secret History of Poltergeists and Haunted Houses: From Pagan Folklore to Modern Manifestations
by Claude LecouteuxWhat poltergeist accounts through the ages reveal about our own worldviews • Provides a wide array of case studies from ancient Greece and Rome to medieval Europe to the modern world • Explores the relationship between poltergeists and troubled adolescence • Looks beneath the Christian adulteration of pagan practices to reveal the hidden ancestral beliefs tied to poltergeists and haunted houses Stories of poltergeists and their mischievous and sometimes violent actions--knocking, stone or chair throwing, moving objects with invisible hands, and slamming or opening doors--are a constant through the ages. What changes is how we interpret this activity. For our pagan ancestors this phenomenon was caused by helper spirits whose manifestations revealed their unhappiness with a household. The medieval Christian church demonized these once helpful spirits and held exorcisms to expel them from the houses they haunted--which proved effective less than half the time. The Age of Enlightenment cast these incidents as clever hoaxes, and many still believe this today. But poltergeist manifestations continue to appear and often defy attempts to debunk them as pranks. What then is behind this phenomenon? Exploring accounts of poltergeists from ancient Greece and Rome, medieval Europe, and the modern world, Claude Lecouteux finds that while our interpretations of poltergeists may change, the manifestations always follow a similar course and evolution. He shows how modern scientific studies of poltergeist manifestations have found a strong tie between these visitations and the presence of a troubled adolescent in the house. Looking beneath the Christian adulteration of pagan practices to reveal the hidden ancestral beliefs tied to poltergeists and haunted houses, the author shows how these unhappy spirits serve as confirmation of the supernatural beings that share the earth with us and of our relationship with the natural and unseen world, a relationship we must take care to keep in balance.
The Secret History of Rock 'n' Roll
by Christopher KnowlesSex. Drugs. Loud music. Wild costumes. Dazzling light shows. These words can all describe a great rock concert or a hot dance club, but they were also part and parcel of the ancient cultural phenomenon known as the "Mystery religions." In this book, author Christopher Knowles shows how the Mystery religions got a secular reincarnation when a new musical form called rock 'n' roll burst onto the scene. The Secret History of Rock 'n' Roll traces the history of the Mysteries -- their rise, their fall, and their survival through long centuries of repression. Knowles shows how the Mysteries prefigured subcultures as diverse as Santeria, Freemasonry, Mardi Gras and even the Holiness churches of the American frontier, and explains exactly how ancient rituals and music found their way to the New World. In the process, The Secret History of Rock 'n' Roll traces the development of rock's most popular genres such as punk and heavy metal, and reveals how many of rock's most iconic artists play the same archetypal roles as the ancient gods. You'll see how many of the rituals and customs and even musical styles of our postmodern society have stunning ancient parallels. You'll meet history's first pop
The Secret History of Rock 'n' Roll
by Christopher KnowlesSex. Drugs. Loud music. Wild costumes. Dazzling light shows. These words can all describe a great rock concert or a hot dance club, but they were also part and parcel of the ancient cultural phenomenon known as the "Mystery religions." In this book, author Christopher Knowles shows how the Mystery religions got a secular reincarnation when a new musical form called rock 'n' roll burst onto the scene. The Secret History of Rock 'n' Roll traces the history of the Mysteries - their rise, their fall, and their survival through long centuries of repression. Knowles shows how the Mysteries prefigured subcultures as diverse as Santeria, Freemasonry, Mardi Gras and even the Holiness churches of the American frontier, and explains exactly how ancient rituals and music found their way to the New World. In the process, The Secret History of Rock 'n' Roll traces the development of rock's most popular genres such as punk and heavy metal, and reveals how many of rock's most iconic artists play the same archetypal roles as the ancient gods. You'll see how many of the rituals and customs and even musical styles of our postmodern society have stunning ancient parallels. You'll meet history's first pop
The Secret History of the Hell-Fire Clubs: From Rabelais and John Dee to Anton LaVey and Timothy Leary
by Geoffrey AsheAn exploration of the origins, influences, and legacy of the scandalous Hell-Fire Clubs of the 18th century and beyond • Reveals the club’s origins in the work of Rabelais and the magical practices of John Dee and how their motto, “Do What You Will,” deeply influenced Aleister Crowley • Explores the cross-fertilization of liberty and libertinage within these clubs that influenced both U.S. and French Revolutions • Examines the debaucherous activities and famous members of many Hell-Fire Clubs, including Sir Francis Dashwood’s Monks of Medmenham Mention the Hell-Fire Clubs and you conjure up an image of aristocratic rakes cutting a swath through the village maidens. Which is true, but not the whole truth. The activities of these clubs of upper-class Englishmen revolved around not only debauchery but also blasphemy, ritual, quasi-magical pursuits, and political intrigue. Providing a history of these infamous clubs, Geoffrey Ashe reveals their origins in the work of François Rabelais and the activities of John Dee. He shows how the Hell-Fire Clubs’ anything-goes philosophy of “Do what you will”--also Aleister Crowley’s famous motto--and community template were drawn directly from Rabelais. The author looks at the very first Hell-Fire Club, founded by Philip, Duke of Wharton, in 1720 and then at the Society of the Dilettanti, a fraternity formed in 1732. Ashe examines the life, travels, and influences of Sir Francis Dashwood, founding member of the Society of the Dilettanti and the scandalous Permissive Society at Medmenham, also known as the Monks of Medmenham. He also explores other Hell-Fire clubs the movement inspired throughout England, Scotland, and Ireland, including the violence-prone Mohocks and the Appalling Club. He shows how many illustrious figures of the day were members of these societies, such as Lord Byron. He also examines the rumors that Benjamin Franklin was a member, an allegation that can be neither confirmed nor denied. Exploring the political and magical ideas that fueled this movement, the author shows how the cross-fertilization of liberty and libertinage within the Hell-Fire Clubs went on to influence both the U.S. and French revolutions, as well as the hippie movement of the 1960s, the Church of Satan founded by Anton LaVey, and the motorcycle club known as the Hells Angels. The legacy of the Hell-Fire Clubs continues to impact society, beckoning both elite and outsider to cast aside social norms and “do what you will.”