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Secret Chiefs
In various occultist movements, Secret Chiefs are said to be transcendent cosmic authorities, a spiritual hierarchy responsible for the operation and moral calibre of the cosmos, or for overseeing the operations of an esoteric organization that manifests outwardly in the form of a magical order or lodge system. Their names and descriptions have varied through time, differing among those who have claimed experience of contact with them. They are variously held to exist on higher planes of being or to be incarnate; if incarnate, they may be described as being gathered at some special location, such as Shambhala, or scattered through the world working anonymously. History One early and influential source on these entities is Karl von Eckartshausen, whose '' The Cloud upon the Sanctuary'', published in 1793, explained in some detail their character and motivations. Several 19th and 20th century occultists claimed to belong to or to have contacted these Secret Chiefs and made ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Occultist
The occult () is a category of esoteric or supernatural beliefs and practices which generally fall outside the scope of organized religion and science, encompassing phenomena involving a 'hidden' or 'secret' agency, such as magic and mysticism. It can also refer to paranormal ideas such as extra-sensory perception and parapsychology. The term occult sciences was used in 16th-century Europe to refer to astrology, alchemy, and natural magic. The term occultism emerged in 19th-century France, among figures such as Antoine Court de Gébelin. It came to be associated with various French esoteric groups connected to Éliphas Lévi and Papus, and in 1875 was introduced into the English language by the esotericist Helena Blavatsky. Throughout the 20th century, the term 'occult' was used idiosyncratically by a range of different authors. By the 21st century the term 'occultism' was commonly employed –including by academic scholars in the field of Western esotericism studie ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Samuel Liddell MacGregor Mathers
Samuel Liddell (or Liddel) MacGregor Mathers (8 or 11 January 1854 – 5 or 20 November 1918), born Samuel Liddell Mathers, was a British occultist and member of the S.R.I.A. He is primarily known as one of the founders of the Hermetic Order of the Golden Dawn, a ceremonial magic Ceremonial magic (also known as magick, ritual magic, high magic or learned magic) encompasses a wide variety of rituals of Magic (supernatural), magic. The works included are characterized by ceremony and numerous requisite accessories t ... order of which offshoots still exist. He became so synonymous with the order that Golden Dawn scholar Israel Regardie observed in retrospect that "the Golden Dawn was MacGregor Mathers." Early life Mathers was born on 8 or 11 January 1854 in Hackney, London, England. His father, William M. Mathers, died while he was still a boy. His mother, whose maiden name was Collins, died in 1885. He attended Bedford School and subsequently worked in Bournemouth as ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Wali
The term ''wali'' is most commonly used by Muslims to refer to a saint, or literally a "friend of God".John Renard, ''Friends of God: Islamic Images of Piety, Commitment, and Servanthood'' (Berkeley: University of California Press, 2008); John Renard, ''Tales of God Friends: Islamic Hagiography in Translation'' (Berkeley: University of California Press, 2009), passim. In the traditional Islamic understanding, a saint is portrayed as someone "marked by pecialdivine favor ... ndholiness", and who is specifically "chosen by God and endowed with exceptional gifts, such as the ability to work miracles".Radtke, B., "Saint", in: ''Encyclopaedia of the Qurʾān'', General Editor: Jane Dammen McAuliffe, Georgetown University, Washington, D.C. The doctrine of saints was articulated by Muslim scholars very early on in Islamic history, and particular verses of the Quran and certain hadith were interpreted by early Muslim thinkers as "documentary evidence" of the existence of saints. Gr ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Tzadikim Nistarim
The Tzadikim Nistarim (, "hidden righteous ones") or Lamed Vav Tzadikim (,"36 righteous ones"), often abbreviated to ''Lamed Vav(niks)'', refers to 36 righteous people, a notion rooted within the mystical dimensions of Judaism. The singular form is Tzadik Nistar (). Origins The existence of thirty-six righteous people is first mentioned in the Talmud: "There are no fewer than 36 righteous people in the world who greet the Shekhinah in each generation." Another Talmudic passage mentions the righteous people, most unknown, who sustain the world. However, it gives a number other than 36: These two sources were combined into the idea that 36 righteous people sustain the world. The combination may have derived from the fact that to "greet the Shekhinah" was associated with Temple service and that was considered to sustain the world (Pirkei Avot 1:2). The idea of 36 righteous became fully fleshed out in later generations: The idea is particularly prominent in Hasidic Judaism. Tzvi ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Twenty-Four Elders
The Twenty-Four Elders are Book of Revelation#Figures in Revelation, figures from the Book of Revelation who appear in the ''Revelations'' 4, 5, 7, 11 and 19 of the Christianity, Christian Bible; in white robes and golden crowns they on sit with musical instruments on thrones before God during the Apocalypse and praise and worship him. Religious scholars have pointed out the thrones indicate that these are beings of power and authority in Heaven, the crowns indicate that their faith has been tested and the white robes indicate that they are clothed in Righteousness#Christianity, righteousness. They are described in the King James Bible, Book of Revelation 4 as: :4 And round about the throne were four and twenty seats: and upon the seats I saw four and twenty elders sitting, clothed in white raiment; and they had on their heads crowns of gold. :10 The four and twenty elders fall down before him that sat on the throne, and worship him that liveth for ever and ever, and cast their ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Illuminati
The Illuminati (; plural of Latin ''illuminatus'', 'enlightened') is a name given to several groups, both real and fictitious. Historically, the name usually refers to the Bavarian Illuminati, an Enlightenment-era secret society founded on 1 May 1776 in the Electorate of Bavaria. The society's stated goals were to oppose superstition, obscurantism, religious influence over public life, and abuses of state power. "The order of the day," they wrote in their general statutes, "is to put an end to the machinations of the purveyors of injustice, to control them without dominating them." The Illuminati—along with Freemasonry and other secret societies—were outlawed through edict by Charles Theodore, Elector of Bavaria, with the encouragement of the Catholic Church, in 1784, 1785, 1787 and 1790. During subsequent years, the group was generally vilified by conservative and religious critics who claimed that the Illuminati continued underground and were responsible for the Fren ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Great White Brotherhood
The Great White Brotherhood, in belief systems akin to Theosophy and New Age, are said to be perfected beings of great power who spread spiritual teachings through selected humans. The members of the Brotherhood may be known as the Masters of the Ancient Wisdom, the Ascended Masters, the Church Invisible, or simply as the Hierarchy. The first person to talk about them in the West was Helena Petrovna Blavatsky (Theosophy), after she and other people claimed to have received messages from them. These included Helena Roerich, Alice A. Bailey, Guy Ballard, Geraldine Innocente ( The Bridge to Freedom), Elizabeth Clare Prophet, Bob Sanders, and Benjamin Creme. History The idea of a secret organization of enlightened mystics, guiding the spiritual development of the human race, was pioneered in the late eighteenth century by Karl von Eckartshausen (1752-1803) in his book '' The Cloud upon the Sanctuary''; Eckartshausen called this body of mystics, who remained active after the ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Communion Of The Saints
The communion of saints (Latin: , ), when referred to persons, is the spiritual union of the members of the Christian Church, living and the dead, but excluding the damned. They are all part of a single " mystical body", with Christ as the head, in which each member contributes to the good of all and shares in the welfare of all. The earliest known use of this term to refer to the belief in a mystical bond uniting both the living and the dead in a confirmed hope and love is by Saint Nicetas of Remesiana (); the term has since then played a central role in formulations of the Christian creed. Belief in the communion of saints is affirmed in the Apostles' Creed. The word ''sanctorum'' in the phrase can also be understood as referring not to holy ''persons'', but to holy ''things'', namely the blessings that the holy persons share with each other, including their faith, the sacraments and the other spiritual graces and gifts they have as Christians. History The concept of the ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Church Invisible
The church invisible, invisible church, mystical church or church mystical, is a Christian theological concept of an "invisible" Christian Church of the elect who are known only to God, in contrast to the " visible church"—that is, the institutional body on earth which preaches the gospel and administers the sacraments. Every member of the invisible church is "saved", while the visible church contains all individuals who are saved though also having some who are "unsaved". According to this view, Bible passages such as , , and speak about this distinction. Views on the relation with the church visible Distinction between two churches The first known and recorded person in church history to introduce a view of an invisible and a visible church is Clement of Alexandria. Some have also argued that Jovinian and Vigilantius held an invisible church view. The concept was advocated by St Augustine of Hippo as part of his refutation of the Donatist sect, though he, as other Chur ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Ascended Master
Ascended masters, also known as Mahatmas, are believed in several theosophical and related spiritual traditions to be spiritually enlightened beings who in past incarnations were ordinary humans. Through a series of spiritual transformations, or initiations, they are said to have achieved a higher state of being. Although the terms '' mahatma'' and ''ascended master'' are often used synonymously, the Ascended Master Teachings define them differently, associating "ascended master" with a higher level of spiritual attainment, specifically the Sixth Initiation or Ascension. This contrasts with "Masters of Light", "Healers", or "Spiritual Masters", who are said to have taken the Fifth Initiation and reside in a fifth dimension. The term ''ascended master'' was first used by Baird T. Spalding in 1924 in his series of books ''Life and Teachings of the Masters of the Far East'' (DeVorss and Co.). Godfre Ray King (Guy Ballard) further popularized this concept of spiritual masters w ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
One Star In Sight
''One Star in Sight'' is a significant text written around 1911 by Aleister Crowley, serving as a key document within the system of the A∴A∴, a Magical organizations, magical order established by Crowley in the early 20th century as part of the broader religious philosophy of Thelema. The text outlines the stages of spiritual development within the A∴A∴, providing a detailed roadmap for aspirants on their journey toward Enlightenment in Buddhism, enlightenment and self-realization. Structured as a guide for those progressing through the various grades of the A∴A∴, ''One Star in Sight'' is both a practical and philosophical exposition of Crowley's vision of spiritual attainment. Often regarded as one of Crowley's best works for detailing the process of the Great Work (Thelema), Great Work in Thelema, ''One Star in Sight'' stands out for its clear and structured approach to spiritual development. It offers a comprehensive guide that not only presents the theoretical aspec ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Enochian
Enochian is an occult constructed language—said by its originators to have been received from angels—recorded in the private journals of John Dee and his colleague Edward Kelley in late 16th-century England. Kelley was a scryer who worked with Dee in his magical investigations. The language is integral to the practice of Enochian magic. The language found in Dee's and Kelley's journals encompasses a limited textual corpus. Linguist Donald Laycock, an Australian Skeptic, studied the Enochian journals, and argues against any extraordinary features. The untranslated texts of the ''Liber Loagaeth'' manuscript recall the patterns of glossolalia rather than true language. Dee did not distinguish the ''Liber Loagaeth'' material from the translated language of the ''Calls'', which is more like an artificial language. This language was called Angelical by Dee and later came to be referred to as "Enochian" by subsequent writers. The phonology and grammar resemble English, though ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
