Amphithéâtre des sciences mortes. Comment on devient mage : éthique. / Sar Mérodack J. Peladan

by Joséphin Péladan

BnF collection ebooks - "Le premier soin de l'homme supérieur, dès qu'il est conscient de lui-même, réside à sculpter, à ciseler son être moral : la théorie de la perfection chrétienne n'est que l'initiation sublimée. Oui, l'homme a le devoir et le pouvoir de se créer une seconde fois, selon le bien. On demande quel est le but de la vie : il ne peut être, pour l'homme qui pense, que l'occasion et le moyen de faire un chef-d'œuvre de bloc d'âme que Dieu lui a donné à travailler ; ..."

Genres: Occult, Philosophy

Paperback

First published January 1, 1892

About the author

Joséphin Péladan (28 March 1858, Lyon – 27 June 1918) was a French novelist and Martinist. His father was a journalist who had written on prophecies, and professed a philosophic-occult Catholicism. He established the Salon de la Rose + Croix for painters, writers, and musicians sharing his artistic ideals, the Symbolists in particular.

He sometimes published under the name Le Sâr Mérodack Joséphin Péladan.

Reviews

[Royal Blue Sicarii · Rating 3 out of 5]

The book was ok. Péladan explains that to be a Mage, one must be isolated from 19th Century Nightlife, alcohol and sex. Personally for a book that explains being isolated will do the trick, there’s a whole lot written about 19th Century French Politics. Some of his complaints are relevant to the problems of today but for the most part, I can’t really see how this is in any relation to being a Mage. Also, I’m not too fond of Péladan’s views of women, very misogynistic (which is not much of a surprise for the 19th century). I did enjoy his breakdown that the truest of Mages are those of the arts (painters, musicians, sculptors, etc...) and if Beethoven would’ve played in a church, it would be a packed house in spiritual unison. All and all, don’t expect much lessons about becoming enlightened or a Mage. The only thing that’s truly worth the read in this book are The Golden Verses of Pythagoras which can be found on www.sacred-texts.com

[Robert K. · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent references and ideas, I was using and having a lot of his experiences in a modern sense. He is so timely and easy to move to this date and time. Quite interesting.