THE DOCTRINE AND LITERATURE OF THE KABALAH
Book Details + Condition: Theosophical Publishing Society (London). First Edition, 1902. Scarce. Hardcover. Octavo. 508 pages, with Index and illustrated with frontispiece of the "Sephirotic Scheme". Blue cloth boards with gilt titling, etc. to spine and front cover. An important early study of the Kabbalah by the occultist, mystic, and prolific author, Arthur Edward Waite (1857 - 1942). A member of the Societas Rosicruciana in Anglia, and the Theosophical Society, Waite joined the Order of the Golden Dawn in 1891 and remained in it for over a dozen years, before leaving and forming his Fellowship of the Rosy Cross. The book was published at the recommendation of G.R.S. Mead. Writing of Waite's studies of the Kabalah, R.A. Gilbert says: "No other work in English approaches Waite's study in sanity, accuracy or competence, despite the errors due to his reliance on unsatisfactory translations. His insight into Kabbalism is praised by Gershom Scholem, the greatest living authority on the subject ... "
Waite chronicles Kabbalistic practices from their ancient Hebrew origins through various developmental periods, and explores foundational texts, including the doctrinal contents, source authorities, and the evolution of the written word of Kabalism. He shows how the Kabbalah influenced later esoteric movements like Rosicrucianism, Freemasonry, alchemy, hermeticism, and the Tarot, and analyzes the contributions and perspectives of prominent Christian and Western students of the tradition, such as Paracelsus, Heinrich Cornelius Agrippa, Robert Fludd, Raymond Lully, Saint-Martin, Papus, and Eliphas LĂ©vi. Chapters include:
- Post-Christian Literature of the Jews
- Doctrinal Content of the Kabalah
- Source and Authority of the Kabalah
- Written Word of Kabalism First, Second, and Third Periods
- Some Christian Students of the Kabalah
- Kabalah and Other Channels of Esoteric Traditions
A scarce first edition, with firm binding; lightly bumped corners; minor shelf wear to boards; chafed spine ends; a bit of sunning to spine; lovely Art Deco ex libris bookplate of Carlo Chiesa to inside front board; toning to endpapers and interior pages, which are otherwise clean and free of markings. All books are carefully packed, and shipped in boxes.
