Elementary Treatise of Occult Science: Understanding the Theories and Symbols Used by the Ancients, the Alchemists, the Astrologers, the Freemasons, and the Kabbalists

by Papus, Mark Anthony Mikituk, Papus

An Essential Work of 19th-Century French Occultism from the Leading Intellectual of the Era

Explore Papus's Pivotal Teachings on the Secret History of the World, Symbols and Their Meanings, and the Nature of the Magical Universe

Available in English for the First Time

One of the most important books in the modern history of occultism, Papus's Elementary Treatise of Occult Science helped establish the shape of occult thinking and practice for decades...and its legacy as a source of spiritual philosophy continues today. Never before published in English, this work explores a fascinating interpretation of the history of the world and develops a powerful approach to decoding esoteric symbolism, a crucial skill for contemporary occultists. Papus also provides a stunning analysis of ancient mysteries, including Hermeticism, astrology, magic, alchemy, theosophy, signification of numbers, the astral plane, sacred geometry, Kabbalah, the tetragrammaton, the pyramids, and much more. This premium hardcover edition introduces the contemporary occultist to the ideas of one of history's most profound metaphysical thinkers.

Front Flap:

Let us open the door and let us not be blinded by the light which escapes it, let us not be afraid to say that which must be said, because the masters wished that certain mysteries be revealed...What then have you seen on the occult side of the Universe?--Papus

Elementary Treatise on Occult Science was one of the most influential books to emerge from the turn-of-the-century French occult revival--a detailed and readable description of the magical universe and humanity's place in it. Many important teachers and authors of the esoteric arts--including Madame Blavatsky, Rudolf Steiner, and Manly P. Hall--were influenced by Papus's vision of occult philosophy and the hidden side of history. This volume, translated and annotated by Mark Mikituk with a foreword by John Michael Greer, provides a captivating view of Papus's visionary mind and his radical ideas.

Genres: Occult, Nonfiction, Spirituality

312 pages, Hardcover

Published December 8, 2018

About the author

Gerard Encausse, whose esoteric pseudonym was Papus, was born at Corunna (La Coruña) in Spain on July 13, 1865, of a Spanish mother and a French father, Louis Encausse, a chemist. His family moved to Paris when he was four years old, and he received his education there.
As a young man, Encausse spent a great deal of time at the Bibliothèque Nationale studying the Kabbalah, occult tarot, the sciences of magic and alchemy, and the writings of Eliphas Lévi. He joined the French Theosophical Society shortly after it was founded by Madame Blavatsky in 1884 - 1885, but he resigned soon after joining because he disliked the Society's emphasis on Eastern occultism.

In 1888, he co-founded his own group, the Kabbalistic Order of the Rose-Croix. That same year, he and his friend Lucien Chamuel founded the Librarie du Merveilleux and its monthly revue L'Initiation, which remained in publication until 1914.
Encausse was also a member of the Hermetic Brotherhood of Light and the Hermetic Order of the Golden Dawn temple in Paris, as well as Memphis-Misraim and probably other esoteric or paramasonic organizations, as well as being an author of several occult books. Outside of his paramasonic and Martinist activities he was also a spiritual student of the French spiritualist healer, Anthelme Nizier Philippe, "Maître Philippe de Lyon".
Despite his heavy involvement in occultism and occultist groups, Encausse managed to find time to pursue more conventional academic studies at the University of Paris. He received his Doctor of Medicine degree in 1894 upon submitting a dissertation on Philosophical Anatomy. He opened a clinic in the rue Rodin which was quite successful.

When World War I broke out, Encausse joined the French army medical corps. While working in a military hospital, he contracted tuberculosis and died on October 25, 1916, at the age of 51.

Reviews

[BJ · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book reads a bit like 19th century continental philosophy. Actually, since it was written in the 1890's, it is quite literally 19th century continental philosophy. Just a more obscure flavor of it than I studied in college. The English translation of Papus' work (originally in French) can be difficult to get through for the modern reader, but it is a surprisingly comprehensive overview of occult concepts for being only 300ish pages. I would recommend it for a more seasoned researcher and fan of the occult, but beginners may struggle through it.

[Nick Gilbertson · Rating 1 out of 5]

The book is interesting through Chapter 7. However, starting in chapter 8, it starts talking about how great Christianity is and that it's the one true religion and Jesus is God. I pushed myself to continue reading but it's just more Christian propaganda. I can't recommend this book.

[Edgardo · Rating 4 out of 5]

Although there are some concepts that could benefit from modern science, the recommendation to use analogy, basic numerology, and concepts like the law of three deserves at least four stars.