The Light of Egypt. The Science of the Soul and the Stars ( Two Volumes and Supplement ).
Portland OR: The Green Dolphin Bookshop, 1969. Reprint. Hardcover. Octavos. Two hardcover volumes and one supplement. x + 290pp, xii + 212pp. Original brown cloth, gilt titles, etc. to spines, gilt design on front covers. This set includes "A Treasure Chest of Wisdom, Jewels of Thought. A Supplement to the Tablets of Aeth in the Light of Egypt, Volume II. Burgoyne's famous work originally appeared in 1889. This is a reprint of the 1963 edition, which included new previously unpublished material from original manuscripts. The author, Thomas Burgoyne, was a prominent member of the The Hermetic Brotherhood of Light, a group closely associated with - or possibly even the same as the better-known Hermetic Brotherhood of Luxor, of which he was the Secretary. The group was probably the only one of its type teaching practical occultism and Western magic before the Hermetic Order of the Golden Dawn. It claimed a line of descent back to the eighteenth century German Rosicrucians, although it first seems to have been active from 1870 onwards. The Order's teachings are said to have taken much from the sex magic practices espoused by Paschal Beverly Randolph, who some say was a member - although like so many things about the group there is uncertainty about this. The Light of Egypt is an extensive magical treatise: to quote the Preface: 'For nearly twenty years prior to the year 1881 the author was deeply engaged investigating the hidden realms of occult force. The results of these mystical labors were considered of great value and real worth by a few friends who were also seeking light. Finally he was induced to place the general results of the researches into a series of lessons for private occult study. The whole, when completed, presenting the dual aspects of occult lore as seen and realised in the soul and the stars, corresponding to the microcosm and the macrocosm of ancient Egypt and Chaldea, and thus giving a brief epitome of Hermetic philosophy, as taught by the Hermetic Brotherhood of Luxor, Egypt.' There is a bit of light rubbing to the corners and edges of the boards, and several tiny snags to cloth at lower edges. Bookplates on pastedowns, ink stamp flower and a few smudges on front blanks, a few creased pages corners, pages lightly toned, unmarked. A tight and unmarked VG+ set (no dust jackets issued). Supplement covers lightly rubbed else a tight, clean near Fine copy. A scarce set made more so by the presence of the supplement which is often not. Item #63765
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