A chance meeting sparks a forgotten memory of a former life. Le Vallon reminds Mason of a time hundreds of thousands of years ago when they conducted an experiment which went disastrously wrong. The experiment unleashed the elemental powers of Wind and Fire, and Le Vallon now faces the ultimate challenge.

Explores occultism in the writings of four authors who were members of the Hermetic Order of the Golden Dawn. Talking to the Gods explores the linkages between the imaginative literature and the occult beliefs and practices of four writers who were members of the Hermetic Order of the Golden Dawn. William Butler Yeats, Arthur Machen, Algernon Blackwood, and Dion Fortune were all members of the occult organization for various periods from 1890 to 1930. Yeats, of course, is both a canonical and well-loved poet. Machen is revered as a master of the weird tale. Blackwood’s work dealing with the supernatural was popular during the first half of the twentieth century and has been influential in the development of the fantasy genre. Fortune’s books are acknowledged as harbingers of trends in second-wave feminist spirituality. Susan Johnston Graf examines practices, beliefs, and ideas engendered within the Hermetic Order of the Golden Dawn and demonstrates how these are manifest in each author’s work, including Yeats’s major theoretical work, A Vision.

JULIUS LEVALLON When John Mason first meets Julius LeVallon at school, he feels an immediate connection. They had known each other before—not in this lifetime, but many lifetimes before. LeVallon introduces his young friend to a much larger world, the world of feeling-with, of communing with the Forces of Nature, even directing them. As Mason is pulled into LeVallon's peculiar world, he discovers that not only had they known each other before, but they had to correct a mistake they had made with another in the days of pre-history, when they had loosed an elemental on the world. The forbidden experiment needs to be recreated to set things right. After college, Mason loses track of LeVallon. But destiny must be fulfilled, and many years later Mason is contacted by his old friend with portentous news—he has found the other! It is time to set things right.THE BRIGHT MESSENGEREdward Fillery and Paul Devonham have a new patient at their Spiritual Clinique, a young man raised in the Juru mountains by an eccentric mentor. He seems to be suffering from a split personality. One part of him manifests as a simple country lad by the name of Julian LeVallon, but there is another force within him that Dr. Fillery quickly names "N.H." and seeks to develop. Dr. Devonham, on the other hand, is convinced that "N.H." is the unhealthy side, that LeVallon is the true personality and must be encouraged to become the dominant one. But the young man is more than he seems, for he is not entirely human. And when "N.H." does take control, no one is prepared for the results. Everyone is changed—by the bright messenger.

Though Algernon Blackwood's name has come to be associated with supernatural and horror fiction, many of his tales involve deeper themes of metaphysics and consciousness. In The Bright Messenger, a sequel of sorts to Blackwood's previous novel, Julius LeVallon, an eternal spirit passes through several generations of human forms.

The Collected Works of Algernon Blackwood showcases the incredible range of this influential author, known for his mastery of the supernatural genre. Blackwood's writing style, characterized by vivid descriptions and a keen sense of atmosphere, immerses readers in a world where the boundary between the natural and the supernatural is blurred. His stories often delve into themes of cosmic horror, the unknown, and the hidden forces that shape our reality. With an impressive body of work spanning multiple genres, this collection offers a glimpse into the mind of a master storyteller whose legacy continues to captivate readers today. Algernon Blackwood, a prolific writer of the early 20th century, drew inspiration from his own spiritual beliefs and experiences to create works that explore the mysteries of the universe. His background in the occult and interest in psychology contributed to the depth and complexity of his narratives, setting him apart from his contemporaries. The Collected Works of Algernon Blackwood is a must-read for fans of supernatural fiction, as well as anyone interested in the intersection of the natural and supernatural realms. For readers seeking thrilling tales that challenge conventional notions of reality, The Collected Works of Algernon Blackwood is a literary treasure that promises to enthrall and unsettle in equal measure. Dive into the hauntingly beautiful world of Blackwood's imagination and prepare to be transported to realms beyond the ordinary.

By turns bizarre, unsettling, spooky, and sublime, Ancient Sorceries and Other Weird Stories showcases nine incomparable stories from master conjuror Algernon Blackwood. Evoking the uncanny spiritual forces of Nature, Blackwood's writings all tread the nebulous borderland between fantasy, awe, wonder, and horror. Here Blackwood displays his best and most disturbing work-including "The Willows," which Lovecraft singled out as "the single finest weird tale in literature"; "The Wendigo"; "The Insanity of Jones"; and "Sand." For more than seventy years, Penguin has been the leading publisher of classic literature in the English-speaking world. With more than 1,700 titles, Penguin Classics represents a global bookshelf of the best works throughout history and across genres and disciplines. Readers trust the series to provide authoritative texts enhanced by introductions and notes by distinguished scholars and contemporary authors, as well as up-to-date translations by award-winning translators.