Publisher's Synopsis
Masonry and Medieval Mysticism: Traces of a Hidden Tradition is a book written by Isabel Cooper-Oakley. The book explores the connections between medieval mysticism and the traditions of Freemasonry. The author delves into the history of both movements, tracing their roots and examining the similarities and differences between them. She also looks at the symbolism and rituals used by both groups, and explores the ways in which they have influenced each other over the centuries. The book is a fascinating exploration of the hidden traditions that have shaped the Western world, and will be of interest to anyone interested in the history of mysticism, Freemasonry, or the occult.In this book first published in 1900, Isabel Cooper Oakley has gathered together extensive source material in presenting this history of mysticism in Medieval Europe. The survey covers some eighteen hundred years, and shows with documented evidence a definite link between the seemingly divergent occult schools and brotherhoods that flourished, and that the source of their knowledge lay in Ancient India, the home of Brahma Vidya or esoteric science. Gradually over the years visiting seers and teachers brought this wisdom to Egypt, Persia and Greece, which was given expression in the great mystery schools and temples. A vast tapestry of the spiritual life is unfolded before us, the Gnostic sects who founded Christianity, the famous occult schools of Averroes and the Arabian mystics in Toledo, the Alchemists and Rosicrucians, and the Grail Legend, preserved in times of religious persecution by the troubadours whose allegorical songs were a feature of the royal courts, and the Knights Templars who designed and built the Gothic cathedrals.This scarce antiquarian book is a facsimile reprint of the old original and may contain some imperfections such as library marks and notations. Because we believe this work is culturally important, we have made it available as part of our commitment for protecting, preserving, and promoting the world's literature in affordable, high quality, modern editions, that are true to their original work.
