The Golden Builders: Alchemists, Rosicrucians, First Freemasons

by Tobias Churton

In a breathtaking span of detailed research, Tobias Churton reveals, without resorting to mythology or pseudo-history, the most up-to-date knowledge on the development of Gnostic alchemy, the true origins of pre-Grand Lodge Freemasonry, and the mysterious Fraternity of the Rosy Cross (the Rosicrucians). Following the Hermetic spiritual and philosophical stream through 1,600 years of esoteric history, Churton introduces readers to great men of magic and wisdom--spiritual heroes and masters like Paracelsus, Caspar Schwenckfeld, Johann Valentin Andrae, and Elias Ashmole. The Golden Builders is an essential addition to any serious seekers' library. The Golden Builders is divided into three
Part 1 presents a broad survey of the Hermetic current and its transmissions from Hellenistic Alexandria to the time of Paracelsus.Part 2 focuses on the Rosicrucian movement as a vehicle of the Hermetic current, drawing on state-of-the-art research, such as the works of Spanish scholar Carlos Gilly. Part 3 concentrates mainly on one man, the English polymath, antiquarian, collector, alchemist, astrologer, and early Freemason, Elias Ashmole, after whom the Ashmolean Museum in Oxford is named, and one of many Renaissance figures who carried the Hermetic current forward. Debunking myths while revealing genuine mysteries, The Golden Builders is an enticing read that contains much spiritual wisdom. Explore the deeper meaning of magic and human existence, as revealed in the records and inspiring lives of the Golden Builders.

Genres: History, Philosophy, Nonfiction, Alchemy, Religion, Metaphysics, Occult

274 pages, Kindle Edition

First published January 1, 2002

About the author

Tobias Churton is a filmmaker and the founding editor of the magazine "Freemasonry Today". He studied theology at Oxford University and created the award-winning documentary series and accompanying book The Gnostics, as well as several other films on Christian doctrine, mysticism, and magical folklore, such as "A Mighty Good Man" (2002), a documentary on Elias Ashmole, his religious ideas and Masonic initiation in 1646. He is currently a lecturer on Freemasonry at the Exeter Centre for the Study of Esotericism, Exeter University. He lives in England.

Reviews

[Bohdan Pechenyak · Rating 5 out of 5]

A fascinating, well-researched, and brilliant account of the Hermetic-alchemical tradition from its origins in the Hellenistic-Egyptian mythology, continued through the Gnostic movements of the early centuries CE, the Islamic Golden Age, the European Renaissance, and culminating in the German myth of the Rosicrucian fraternity and the subsequent development of "speculative" (as opposed to "operative", mostly a spurious distinction) Freemasonry in the 17th and 18th cc. The stuff of many legends, misunderstandings, conspiracy theories, vilification, this tradition of building a metaphorical and spiritual cathedral or temple from the base elements of one's everyday life deserves to be understood accurately. Pursuit of experiential, embodied knowledge (~gnosis) of both self and the world is the eternal quest for building a meaningful life in the here and now.

[Michael P Glasgow · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a really thorough examination of the history and documents surrounding the movements re-forming the Christian religion during the 17th and 18th centuries. The continued popularity of certain mysterious hermetic treatises fueled some brilliant minds of the times to keep striving for a more fair and effective form of Hermetically based wisdom instruction. Did this struggle culminate with the First Freemasons?

12 years later, I find that books like this one, of which I’ve read dozens, are no match for the Bible itself. Freemasonry dances around and pays a lot of lip service to it, but honestly, there is no greater mystical book. I recommend you read that instead of this!!

[James of the Redwoods · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very well documented!
Churton develops his sections on alchemy, hermeticism, Rosicrucianism, and their ties to the historical mind-set leading to the founding of modern Freemasonry.
The one drawback is that his treatment of Freemasonic formation was limited to Elias Ashmole. He expands on the Ashmole section in a later book.
I would have liked to see a more varied treatment of Masonry itself.
Overall, a good book and should be on any Mason's shelf.

[Nathan St Pierre · Rating 2 out of 5]

A few good philosophical quotes. Not colloquial enough to be enjoyable; not scholarly enough to be useful

[Galen Kaback · Rating 2 out of 5]

Opaque and hard to follow. The exact opposite of I couldn't put it down. I found it tedious and had difficulty picking up.

[Antoninus9 · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is a good book that relies heavily on the works of Frances A. Yates. Unfortunately, the author (Tobias Churton) is so biased towards Gnosticism that he fails to recognize any other possibilities.

[Tom Russell · Rating 5 out of 5]

An incredibly in-depth analysis of the philosophical origins of the Western Mystic tradition, from Mermeticism to Alchemy, Rosirucianism and on to Freemasonry. The author has done extensive research and brought to light the most intriguing evolution of these traditions.

[Todd Decker · Rating 5 out of 5]

Churton's book is a well footnoted masterpiece. As Tobias states, "Ambrosia is stored in the catacombs of the footnotes."