First, on this the occasion of the 50th episode, I want to express my thanks to all who have listened to Occult of Personality podcasts as well as all the writers and researchers who have graciously spent some of their time with us. It is my humble wish that you may have learned as much by listening to these podcasts as I have by helping to create them.

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In this 50th episode, we’re joined by Masonic scholar, researcher, and writer Angel Millar. He has an extensive historical knowledge of The Craft and associated fraternal orders and societies. We begin our conversation with the subject of the origins of Freemasonry and the seemingly diverse streams that may have fed it, specifically ancient Mysteries, stone masons, neo-Templarism, Enlightenment philosophies, and Christianity.

The discussion delves into Rosicrucianism, particularly the Golden Rosicrucians that formed the basis for later Masonic Rosicrucian societies, such as Societas Rosicruciana in Anglia. This material is fascinating for those that enjoy the mystery of the origin of Freemasonry and Rosicrucianism. Millar does a fantastic job of explaining his perspective based on scholarly research displayed in both his first book, “Freemasonry: A History” and upcoming book, “The Forest of Symbols: Freemasonry and the Western Esoteric Tradition” soon to be released by Ouroboros Press.

We also cover topics like Sacred Geometry, the concept of clandestine or irregular Masonry, the Rite of Strict Templar Observance, the Hermetic Order of the Golden Dawn, and Aleister Crowley’s Masonic adventures.

relevant links:

Angel Millar

“Freemasonry: A History” by Angel Millar

“A Gentleman and a Scholar”

“The True and Invisible Rosicrucian Order” by Paul Foster Case

“Esoteric Keys of Alchemy” by Paul Foster Case

“Morals and Dogma” by Albert Pike, SacredTexts.com

“Devil Worship in France” by A.E. Waite, SacredTexts.com (an exposition on the Leo Taxil hoax)

“Pythagorean theorem: Euclid’s proof“, Wikipedia entry

“The Rite of Strict Observance”

intro music by “HipGnosis”

outro music by The Wailers, excerpt of “Cornerstone”

Technorati Tags: occult, history, Freemasonry, Rosicrucianism, Alchemy, Sacred Geometry, symbolism, Philosophy, religion, spirituality, mysticism

 

 Podcast 50 - Freemasonry and the Western Esoteric Tradition [69:44m]: Play Now | Play in Popup | Download

Writer and reporter Louis Sahagun joins us to discuss his amazing new book, “Master of the Mysteries: The Life of Manly Palmer Hall” published by Process Media. Louis’ book is an incredibly well-researched and revealing a biography of Manly Hall that contains so many previously unknown facts and stories that it is simply astonishing. This book is a must read for anyone that considers themselves a student of Hall and his work, or is simply interested in how a man came from almost nothing and made himself into one of the greatest teachers of his generation.

Our conversation begins by discussing how Louis came to know Hall and his work and describes his approach to writing the book as a history of Hall and the city of Los Angeles growing up together. Next, we talk about Manly Hall’s early life and how he began his career as a teacher and seer. In the early years, Hall was identified with Rosicrucianism, as were some of his contemporaries, including Max Heindel’s widow, Augusta, and H. Spencer Lewis. We get into Hall’s history as a Freemason and how this affected the subject matter of his writings and lectures. We trace the progression from writings on Magic, Tarot, Alchemy, and Freemasonry to his later works on mysticism, meditation, Eastern philosophy, and comparative religion. We also discuss the later years and Hall’s very mysterious death at the hands of the man who was supposed to be his friend and aide. Hall’s accomplishments are legion, including the hundreds of books he wrote and published, the thousands of lectures he delivered, and the Philosophical Research Society that still stands as a living monument to the Wisdom of the Ages compiled by Hall during his lifetime.

I encourage you to obtain and read a copy of Louis Sahagun’s “Master of the Mysteries” (also available from Amazon). It reveals the real man behind the mysteries, telling all the details of Hall’s life that, apparently, not even very close friends knew. The result is a portrait of a genius who was driven to achieve great things, as well as a human being. By doing this, Louis Sahagun brings us much closer to the man and his works - a truly great accomplishment.

“The 21st century has an extreme reminiscence to the 21st year of a person’s life. It is a year of coming of age … when a person becomes an adult… Mankind has not the right to take a beautiful world with all its privileges and opportunities and turn it into a purgatory. This situation should remind Freemasons that they have something to live for. We have the power to build worlds, the wisdom to govern them, and the divine right to inherit the earth and preserve it in good condition in order to pass it on to our descendents as a place of happiness, usefulness and security for thousands of years to come. We’re not asking for treason. We’re not asking for disobedience. We’re only asking … that in every way possible, when they have the choice, stand for truth and, if necessary, take a little punishment for it.”
- Manly Palmer Hall, 33°, 26 May 1990, Scottish Rite Temple, Wilshire Blvd., Los Angeles, California (pp. 1-2 of Sahagun’s “Master of the Mysteries”)

relevant links:

“Master of the Mysteries: The Life of Manly Palmer Hall” by Louis Sahagun (also available from Amazon.com)

“The Great Work of Manly Hall”

“The Mysterious Career of Manly P. Hall” by Mitch Horowitz in episode 6 of Sub Rosa magazine

“Podcast 21 - Mitch Horowitz” - Mitch and I spend the last portion of the show discussing Manly Hall

The Manly P. Hall Archive

Philosophical Research Society

University of Philosophical Research

“The Secret Teachings of All Ages” by Manly P. Hall

“Lectures on Ancient Philosophy” by Manly P. Hall

“The Secret Destiny of America” by Manly P. Hall

“The Lost Keys of Freemasonry (Also Includes: Freemasonry of the Ancient Egyptians / Masonic Orders of Fraternity)” by Manly P. Hall

“Road to Inner Light” by Manly P. Hall

intro music by HipGnosis

outro music by The Doors, excerpt of “Riders On the Storm”

Thanks to Jason Walraven for the audio mastering.

Technorati Tags: occult, philosophy, spirituality, mysticism, religion, consciousness, psychology, history, esoteric orders, Freemasonry

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 Podcast 49 - Louis Sahagun and "The Master of the Mysteries" [74:59m]: Play Now | Play in Popup | Download