A small collection of three pieces exploring the impact and legacy that Pythagoras has left on both Freemasonry, as well as modern, esoteric, philosophical thought. Includes "The Influence of Pythagoras on Freemasonry" by Albert G. Mackey, "The Golden Verses of Pythagoras" which is traditionally attributed to Pythagoras himself and "The Life and Philosophy of Pythagoras" by Manly P. Hall. This is a nice primer for someone becoming interested in Pythagoras.

Esoteric scholar Manly P. Hall covers a lot of areas relating to the ancient mysteries, including common roots in religious and ritual life, the practices of the Druids and how they relate to Masonry, the rites of Mithras, Simon Magus and the Gnostics, Abraxas, the Egyptian Serapis, the Odinic Mysteries and how they compare, the Rites of Eleusis, the Orphic Mysteries, Bacchus, Dionysos, and much more.

Prominent masonic scholars discuss the meaning and symbolism behind the three Blue Lodge degrees of Freemasonry, which every mason will encounter, during his initiatic journey. Presented here are the essays: Studies in Blue Lodge Symbolism by H. L. Haywood, Symbolism of the First Degree by Asahel W. Gage, The Wages of an Entered Apprentice by William Harvey, Discourse on the Fellowcraft Degree by Arthur Edward Waite, The Legend of the Winding Stairs by Albert G. Mackey, The Third Degree: Its Ornaments and Emblems by William Harvey and Soliloquy For a Master Mason.

Prominent masonic scholars discuss the meaning and symbolism behind the common stone and its placement, which is frequently encountered, in a variety of different ways, throughout the masonic journey. Presented here are the essays: Symbolism of the Corner Stone by Albert G. Mackey, The North-East Corner by William Harvey and Religious & Masonic Symbolism of Stones by William Wynn Westcott.

From Mythos to Logos: Andrea Palladio, Freemasonry and the Triumph of Minerva explores how myth was used to encode architecture and frescoed interiors with insights that promote peace, freedom and kindness as ways of being in the world. The author, Michael Trevor Coughlin argues that Freemasonry took root in the Italian city of Vicenza as early as 1546, and that its precepts, conveyed through the intersection of myth and philosophy, were disseminated widely in buildings and images, as well as texts, prescribing tolerance and an understanding of the divine that exists in each and everyone.

Letters, documents, ritual texts, and lectures from the Cognitive-Ritual Section of the Esoteric School: 1904-1919 + Documents of a new beginning after the First World War: 1921-1924 (CW 265) To ground his project of founding the new mysteries of Anthroposophy in spiritual history, Rudolf Steiner always sought to unite with and transform where possible the older initiatory streams such as Freemasonry and Rosicrucianism. In November 1905, both Steiner, who was General Secretary of the German Section of the Theosophical Society and Arch Warden of its Esoteric Section, and Marie von Sivers were invited to "join," in a purely formal way, the Order of Ancient Freemasons of the Memphis and Misraim Rite, allowing him to form his own Mystic Temple, Mystica Aeterna, in Berlin. On this basis, Steiner created--freely and out of his own spiritual experience and inspiration--the Cognitive-Ritual Section, or Misraim Service, of the Esoteric Section. "Everything was done as it must be when spiritual reality is to be investigated directly and experienced in full consciousness." Though outwardly similar to existing Masonic rituals, forms, and legends, the spiritual content Steiner gave was new and vital. Especially important was the ritual work, reverently undertaken with a deep sense of responsibility and of the sacramental nature of all human activity. This astonishing volume of rich, primary materials contains letters, documents, ritual texts, meditations, and lectures pertaining to Steiner's teaching of the Misraim Service. Ritual symbols (such as the mallet, the triangle, the right angle, the compass, the rule, the Rose Cross, and the pillars of Jachin and Boaz), as well as the Temple Legend of Hiram Abiff and Solomon and the story of Cain and Abel, all find their place here. The ritual texts are given in full, with illustrations and descriptions of making the ritual objects. There are numerous fictional and superficial books available on Freemasonry, but this unusual volume reveals the deep, esoteric nature of true Masonic rituals and practices and how they form some of the roots of Anthroposophy. C O N T E N T S Introduction by Christopher Bamford Preface to the German Edition by Hella Wiesberger Introduction to the German Edition by Hella Wiesberger 1. The Introduction of the Misraim Service into the Esoteric School 2. The Contents of the Cognitive-Ritual Section - Preparation for Admittance - Ritual Texts - Notes and Parts of Ritual Texts - Explanation of the Ritual Texts - Sketches and Explanations of Ritual Objects - Explanation of the Temple Legend 3. Documents of a New Beginning after the First World War Freemasonry and Ritual Work contains an introduction, a brief chronology of Rudolf Steiner's life, and an index. It is the first complete English translation of « Zur Geschichte und aus den Inhalten der erkenntniskultischen Abteilung der Esoterischen Schule 1904-1914 » (GA 265).