With their origins and rituals shrouded in mystery, many people believe Freemasons are an all-powerful secret sect, covertly manipulating the world. Others simply think Freemasons are a benevolent fraternal society with a penchant for wearing funny hats and indulging in odd initiation ceremonies. A History examines this fascinating organization throughout history, shedding new light on old myths like their relation to the Knights Templar and their involvement in the American Revolution. Filled with illustrations, photographs and insightful details, this comprehensive book digs deep into this mysterious international brotherhood that includes Sir Isaac Newton, Winston Churchill, George Washington, Buzz Aldrin and Count Basie as members.
Author and public speaker Angel Millar was born in a suburb of London, England. He attended Chelsea College and Central Saint Martins College of Art and Design, where he developed both his interest in the arts and in spirituality. He later moved to North America, spending several years in Canada. He now lives in New York City.
He is the author of several books on Freemasonry, esotericism, symbolism, and mysticism. His upcoming book is The Three Stages of Initiatic Spirituality: Craftsman, Warrior, Magician (February 2020, Inner Traditions publishing). In it, Millar explores the three archetypes through the world's cultures, both ancient and modern, from shamanism, ancient Greek philosophy, alchemy, and Kabbalah, through Buddhism, Hinduism, Taoism, the martial arts (of China, Russia, and Persia), to Jungian psychology, the positive thinking movement, and chaos magic.
Designed as a kind of literary initiation, The Three Stages of Initiatic Spirituality: Craftsman, Warrior, Magician is divided into three sections, each with chapters explaining the history, myths, symbolism, rituals, and practices of one of the three archetypes.
In his daily life, Millar does his best to integrate these three archetypes, practicing art and writing (craftsman), martial arts, physical training, and Chi Gong (warrior), and meditation, inner-alchemy, visualization, and positive thinking (magician).