THE CLOUD UPON THE SANCTUARY
Book Details + Condition: William Rider & Son (London). Third Issue, Revised and Enlarged, 1909. Scarce edition. 143 pages. Hardcover with top edge gilt. Scarce. Written by German mystic Karl von Eckarthausen and translated by Isabelle de Steiger, with a lengthy introduction by mystic and occultist A.E. Waite. A work of Christian mysticism veiled in hermetic code, the book describes the existence of a secret order within the church and its influence on fate and destiny. Von Eckarthausen cryptically mentions a "society of the Elect" which has existed from the very beginning of time, "the invisible celestial Church." He predicted that "it is the society whose members form a theocratic republic, which one day will be the Regent Mother of the whole World." An influential work which directly inspired the Order of the Golden Dawn, most notably Aleister Crowley. An overall firm copy of a scarce edition, with wear to boards; bookplate of the Theosophical Society in England on inside front board, as well as their stamps on the title page. Owner info on front free endpaper and title page. Old binding tape (or regular tape) to inside front & back hinges has forced first 2 and last 2 pages slightly glued together.
