Drawing Down the Life of Heaven - An Introduction to Renaissance Magic: Institute for Hermetic Studies Monograph Series

by Mark Stavish, Alfred DeStefano III (Editor)

The Renaissance was the high point of the Hermetic arts and sciences with astrology, alchemy, and qabala being the cornerstones of cultural, scientific, and philosophical development. From the palaces of princes to the chambers of Popes, magic was practiced in secret and in the open. Through the power of the imagination, in conjunction with the use of stones, herbs, talismans, and astrological timing it was thought that personal and collective ills could be healed, the rift between heaven and earth repaired, and that the Magi would reclaim their rightful place as mediator of the soul. In addition, the various schools of natural, demonic, and angelic magic of the Renaissance are the basis for many modern practices, as well as the precursors of contemporary alternative and holistic therapies that seek the “re-enchantment” of the world. This monograph is a thorough and complete overview this critical period in European magical and cultural development.

78 pages, Paperback

Published February 24, 2016

About the author

Mark Stavish, the Director of Studies for the Institute for Hermetic Studies (which he established in 1998), is a life-long student of esotericism with over 25 years experience in comparative religion, philosophy, psychology, and mysticism with emphasis on Traditional Western Esotericism. His articles have appeared in academic, specialty, and mass market publications specializing in spiritual studies, making Mark one of the leading authorities in Hermeticism today.

In addition to being a member and officer of several prominent Rosicrucian and Martinist societies, he served as the Director of Research for the Occult Research and Applications Project, of the Philosophers of Nature (PON). The Philosophers of Nature was founded by Jean Dubuis in France in 1979 and for twenty years was the leading resource for practical information on mineral and plant alchemy, as well as qabala. ORA, a statistically based research wing of the American branch of PON performed detailed exploration into the validity and practicality of various traditional esoteric methods. Original research from the ORA Project was published in the organization's journal, The Stone.

A graduate of King's College, in Theology (B.A.), and Communications (B.A.), and Rhode Island College (Providence), with a Master's degree in Counseling emphasizing psycho-spiritual modalities and Psychosynthesis, he brings a unique blend of tradition with modern research to the application of esoteric philosophy.