WHEN confronted with a problem involving the use of the reasoning faculties, individuals of strong intellect keep their poise, and seek to reach a solution by obtaining facts bearing upon the question. Those of immature mentality, on the other hand, when similarly confronted, are overwhelmed. While the former may be qualified to solve the riddle of their own destiny, the latter must be led like a flock of sheep and taught in simple language. They depend almost entirely upon the ministrations of the shepherd. The Apostle Paul said that these little ones must be fed with milk, but that meat is the food of strong men. Thoughtlessness is almost synonymous with childishness, while thoughtfulness is symbolic of maturity.

WHEN confronted with a problem involving the use of the reasoning faculties, individuals of strong intellect keep their poise, and seek to reach a solution by obtaining facts bearing upon the question. Those of immature mentality, on the other hand, when similarly confronted, are overwhelmed. While the former may be qualified to solve the riddle of their own destiny, the latter must be led like a flock of sheep and taught in simple language. They depend almost entirely upon the ministrations of the shepherd. The Apostle Paul said that these little ones must be fed with milk, but that meat is the food of strong men. Thoughtlessness is almost synonymous with childishness, while thoughtfulness is symbolic of maturity.There are, however, but few mature minds in the world; and thus it was that the philosophic-religious doctrines of the pagans were divided to meet the needs of these two fundamental groups of human intellect--one philosophic, the other incapable of appreciating the deeper mysteries of life. To the discerning few were revealed the esoteric, or spiritual, teachings, while the unqualified many received only the literal, or exoteric, interpretations. In order to make simple the great truths of Nature and the abstract principles of natural law, the vital forces of the universe were personified, becoming the gods and goddesses of the ancient mythologies. While the ignorant multitudes brought their offerings to the altars of Priapus and Pan (deities representing the procreative energies), the wise recognized in these marble statues only symbolic concretions of great abstract truths.

An encyclopedic outline of Masonic, Hermetic, Qabbalistic and Rosicrucian symbolical philosophy being an interpretation of the secret teachings concealed within the rituals, allegories, and mysteries of all ages. Chapters include: * THE ANCIENT MYSTERIES AND SECRET SOCIETIES WHICH HAVE INFLUENCED MODERN MASONIC SYMBOLISM * THE ANCIENT MYSTERIES AND SECRET SOCIETIES, PART II * THE ANCIENT MYSTERIES AND SECRET SOCIETIES, PART III * ATLANTIS AND THE GODS OF ANTIQUITY * THE LIFE AND WRITINGS OF THOTH HERMES TRISMEGISTUS * THE INITIATION OF THE PYRAMID * ISIS, THE VIRGIN OF THE WORLD * THE SUN, A UNIVERSAL DEITY * THE ZODIAC AND ITS SIGNS * THE BEMBINE TABLE OF ISIS * WONDERS OF ANTIQUITY * THE LIFE AND PHILOSOPHY OF PYTHAGORAS * PYTHAGOREAN MATHEMATICS * THE HUMAN BODY IN SYMBOLISM * THE HIRAMIC LEGEND * THE PYTHAGOREAN THEORY OF MUSIC AND COLOR * FISHES, INSECTS, ANIMALS, REPTILES, AND BIRDS PART I * FISHES, INSECTS, ANIMALS, REPTILES, AND BIRDS, PART II * FLOWERS, PLANTS, FRUITS, AND TREES * STONES, METALS, AND GEMS * CEREMONIAL MAGIC AND SORCERY * THE ELEMENTS AND THEIR INHABITANTS * HERMETIC PHARMACOLOGY, CHEMISTRY, AND THERAPEUTICS * THE QABBALAH, THE SECRET DOCTRINE OF ISRAEL * FUNDAMENTALS OF QABBALISTIC COSMOGONY AIN SOPH * THE TREE OF THE SEPHIROTH * QABBALISTIC KEYS TO THE CREATION OF MAN * AN ANALYSIS OF THE TAROT CARDS * THE TABERNACLE IN THE WILDERNESS * THE FRATERNITY OF THE ROSE CROSS * ROSICRUCIAN DOCTRINES AND TENETS * FIFTEEN ROSICRUCIAN AND QABBALISTIC DIAGRAMS * ALCHEMY AND ITS EXPONENTS * THE THEORY AND PRACTICE OF ALCHEMY * THE THEORY AND PRACTICE OF ALCHEMY, PART II * THE CHEMICAL MARRIAGE * BACON, SHAKSPEARE, AND THE ROSICRUCIANS * THE CRYPTOGRAM AS A FACTOR IN SYMBOLIC PHILOSOPHY * FREEMASONIC SYMBOLISM * MYSTIC CHRISTIANITY * THE CROSS AND THE CRUCIFIXION * THE MYSTERY OF THE APOCALYPSE * THE FAITH OF ISLAM * AMERICAN INDIAN SYMBOLISM * THE MYSTERIES AND THEIR EMISSARIES

The purpose of these lectures is to consider the origin and nature of the Ancient Mysteries and Modern Masonry and to show the relation which they bear one to the other. Freemasonry deals largely with the morals and symbols of the Mysteries of Antiquity, and originally was one of the channels of Ancient Wisdom. There were a few among the founders of Modern Masonry who possessed the Royal Secret, or, at least, had a knowledge of its existence, and, if the key has been lost, the Mason, as Heir-apparent of the Old Wisdom, should be foremost in the search for its recovery. All agree that the Masonic symbols and traditions are of the greatest antiquity, and can be traced to the far East--to the earliest civilization, from which time and place they have spoken in nature's language to all peoples of the earth. We are more and more convinced that this picture language of our ritual contains a most complete philosophy--a knowledge embracing the eternal verities of the universe, and that these symbols were designed by the Initiates of old to preserve and convey that Ancient Wisdom to the present and future generations. Though empires and dynastic continents have appeared and passed away, these ancient symbols, hewn in rock-cut temples and monuments, have served to convey the Great Secret from ages past and will continue its record as long as this part of the universe remains.

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.

Within the pages of Manly Palmer Hall's celebrated 20th century tome, readers delight in discussions about ancient symbolism, rituals, and mythology. Often hailed as an encyclopedia for all things hidden, ancient, and arcane, The Secret Teachings of All Ages explores a vast array of topics, from secret societies and the Zodiac to Mystic Christianity and William Shakespeare's identity. Despite some of the outdated and controversial ideas it poses now in the 21st century, The Secret Teachings of All Ages continues to fascinate students of the cryptic and mysterious.

Our world is mysterious and conspiratorial. Networking is key - people who exercise power accept that success depends upon who you know. Some of these networks are obvious and visible, while others are hidden. Criminals and fundamentalist cults are sinister - but some secret societies help and guard us. There are wheels within wheels. Unsuspected power sources are interconnected. Concealed watchers and listeners monitor phones, emails, and the Internet. Knowledge is power - and secret knowledge is greater power. Masonry has many secrets. Signs, codes, ciphers, passwords, and symbols abound - for those who recognize their meanings. Masons are prominent throughout the world today in academic circles, armed services, police, government, commerce and industry, finance, and medicine. What are their aims and how important is their influence? Researchers believe some of Masonry's famous members have included Edward VIII, George VI, Franklin Delano Roosevelt, Harry S. Truman, General Douglas MacArthur, Gene Autry, and Virgil Grisson