Throughout history, humans have pondered the question of their existence. In nearly every society, part of the answer has included some form of god or goddess. For the Mayans, one such deity was Ajtzak, who tried to create humans from wood; for the Yorubas of Africa, Shango controlled the thunder and lightning. The Chinese of the Shang dynasty era worshipped Shang Ti. Evil deities were also part of the answer, as in the case of the Kuvera, the Hindu chief of evil in the Vedic period, and Tu, the Persian or Islamic demon of fatal accidents. All of the known ancient gods, many heretofore obscure or known only from mythological literature, are included in this exhaustive reference work. The focus is on their origins, histories, and functions. The people who believed in each deity are identified, along with alternate names or spellings both old and modern. The descriptions that follow are of the functions, origins and physical nature of the deities. Extensive cross references are provided for alternate spellings and names.
Israel Regardie wrote The Tree of Life, a book many consider his magnum opus, in 1932. It has continued to sell for decades. And no wonder. Up until the time this book was published, very little information about true high magic was available to the public. In this book, Regardie reveals the secrets of real magic. He begins with an explanation of what magic is and, just as importantly, what magic is not. He explains that it is a spiritual study and practice which, along with forms of yoga, forms the two branches of the tree that is mysticism. Magic is not being a medium or a psychic. Then he explains the tools of the magician, what they mean, and how to use them. He explains the techniques of evocation and invocation, skrying, and astral travel. He shows how the Qabalah unites everything. He even gives a description of the secrets of sexual magick. All of this is in a clear, lucid writing style. This book is simply a must for anyone who is, or aspires to be, a real magician. Although Chic and Sandra Tabatha Cicero were friends of Regardie and are Senior Adepts of the Hermetic Order of the Golden Dawn, what changes could they have made to this classic book? Well, they did change the spelling from British style to American. And they did change his transliterations of Hebrew into the more popular style he used in his later books. But nothing vital was changed or removed. Everything else they added was complementary to the text that was there. And what incredible additions they are! Extensive annotations throughout every chapter; over 100 illustrations; more descriptive contents pages; a glossary, a bibliography and an index. They've even added a biographical note on Regardie and the importance of this book to him and to the occult world. This book contains some of the finest occult writing that has ever been produced. And with the new material by the Ciceros, it becomes a must-have for any magician!
It is the main purpose of this book to provoke the awakening of a cosmic consciousness in those that sense the existence of a spectral and luminous world, but are unable to identify or concretize in their minds. The Theban Nitch is a compendium of ancient Egyptian philosophy and general esoteric knowledge; approached from the point of view of the Theban initiated values. The way this book has been designed, is to offer a panoramic view of the profound philosophical and spiritual values of the Egyptian initiated way of life, as well as the understanding of natural events and the mystic perception of a deep spiritual believe. Characteristic of that important era of the human development, as a sapient race. Most of us, subconsciously, know since be beginning of our life on this planet, that there is a different reality beyond the limiting structures of our surrounding environment and the rigid structures of our modern societies. It is not easy... but neither impossible. All I am asking from my readers is the development of an open mind, capable to search, without prejudice or the previous misunderstanding of different ancient philosophical concepts. To assist the reader in this spiritual endeavor, the book has been divided in 23 Gongs, or chapters, concentrated on a different Egyptian God or Goddess. If after studying the content of this treatise, piece of basic knowledge, the reader perceives in his/her heart about 10% of the message... I will be very happy, very satisfied with the final mission of this honest project.
The main text of this volume outlines the funerary rights of the ancient Egyptians. The funeral process for this ancient empire was long and drawn out but allowed for the soul, or Ka, to make its way to the land of the dead and back again to one day be resurrected. Also included are tablets that outline letters from various officials of missions and conquests of the Egyptians as well as stories of their gods and hymns and litanies outlining their religious beliefs.