The Arcane Schools. A Review of Their Origin and Antiquity; With a General History of Freemasonry and Its Relation to the Theosophic, Scientific, and Philosophic Mysteries.
Belfast: William Tait, 1909. First Edition. Hardcover. Thick Octavo. xvi+ 566 pp (+2 pp publisher's adverts). Original deep blue cloth with gilt titling and reverse swastika design to spine. Appendix and index. Errata slip tipped onto contents page. "With the Publisher's Comments" stamped on front free endpaper. "The Arcane Schools," is Yarker's somewhat unconventional history of Freemasonry, tracing it from remote antiquity, through the mystery and hermetic schools to modern times, arguing that throughout a an authentic Mystery Tradition was maintained and passed on. Yarker (1833-1913), was an active Freemason, with an interest in the esoteric, who attracted controversy by promoting degrees which he said predated those of regular Freemasonry, and in particular devoted himself to the revitalization of the Rites of Memphis and Mizraim. He was associated with a number of esoteric fraternities, a Corresponding Fellow of the Theosophical Society, a member of the Golden Dawn precursor group the Society of Eight, and Papus' Martinist Order, and had connections with the Hermetic Brotherhood of Luxor. His work drew the attention of, and arguably had influence upon, some members of the Hermetic Order of the Golden Dawn. Both Theodur Reuss and Aleister Crowley were personally acquainted with Yarker, and the former reviewed his works with uncharacteristic fervor in the September 1910 issue of "The Equinox," stating that Yarker had "abundantly proved his main point, the true antiquity of some Masonic system. It is a parallel to Frazer's tracing the history of the Slain God." As is well known, the aging Yarker welcomed Crowley enthusiastically, granting him high degrees in a number of the "fringe" Masonic Rites over which he had control. The thought which underpins Yarker's writing is said to be valuable in gaining a broader understanding of the initiatory processes of the low and mid-range degrees of the O.T.O. A lovely copy. Boards a little rubbed and with a hint of fading to the spine. Front endpaper hinge cracked but holding firm, rear endpaper hinge cracked but almost invisibly reinforced with archival Japanese tissue. Two neat manuscript insertions on errata slip. A little shadowing to endpapers. Still an unusually bright, crisp, fresh, VG+ copy. Item #62433
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