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Alex Bushman

Magic Mirrors – Paul Sédir (1907/2019)

Next name of the Belle Epoque esoteric authors is that of Paul Sédir (1871-1926). Les Miroirs Magiques was translated by Alex Bushman.

After some information about clairvoyance and other abilities, Sédir gives an overview of the use of different kinds of mirrors in different cultures and in different times and also about other types of divination. Sometimes he is quite explicit about the possible techniques that can be used. There is also information about astral worlds and similar subjects.

Even though the subject is not entirely mine, Sédir, just like Stanislaus de Guaita and unlike Jhourney or Papus, has a readable writing style with interesting details.

Divination in theory and practice.

1907/2019, isbn 979-8650697794

Rosicrucian Kabbalah – Alber Jhourney (1887/2019)

Albert Jounet (1863-1923) was an author from the esoteric circles of the French ‘Belle Epoque’. I have been reading more texts of this period recently and Jhourney’s Kabbalah book is mentioned in some of them.

Le Royaume de Dieu (‘the kingdom of God’) is not as much a book about (Jewish or Christian) Kabbalah, but more of ‘a Kabbalistic book’, so to say. About 100 pages filled with aphorisms roughly structured around the sephiroth.

Trinitarian Christian, less focused on the science of his day than other books that I have been reading, but (unfortunately) again not really my cup of tea.

In the Days of the Messiah, the World will be ruled by the Son of God and the great Church of the Magi. The Redeemer will be the Supreme Prophet, the Sovereign Pontiff and the King of Kings.

A random quote to give you an idea of the book. Some of the aphorisms are like this, other are more religious or spiritual, but this is not a learning book about either Kabbalah or Rosicrucianism. Some people may find (and have found) it inspirational.

2019, isbn 979-8634113968

At The Threshold Of Mystery – Stanislas de Guaita (1886/2018)

Catching up on the actual writings of 19th century esotericists, I took a stab at Stanislas de Guaita (1861-1897). De Guaita is mostly known as a poet, but he was involved in neo-Rosicrucian and Martinist organisations such as that of Joséphin Péladan (1858-1918), he was a familiar of Papus (Gérard Encausse (1865-1916), etc.

Au seuil du Mystère (1886) proves to be a highly interesting collection of essays. The book itself it not too long, but the publisher (Alex Bushman) added some extra material which is even more interesting.

The main book is a bit of a history of Western esotericism. There are more such books, but now at least I know that De Guaita was very well read. He works towards the time and traditions in which he himself was involved and other systems such as Theosophy, Mesmerism and the like.

In the appendices there are two detailed decriptions of two emblems from Khunrat’s Amphitheatrium and texts about Martinism.

2018, isbn 1796449385