Abraham, The Jew: (Alchemist and magician, circa, 1400).
Comparatively few biographical facts are forthcoming concerning
this German Jew, who was at once alchemist, magician and
philosopher; and these few facts are mostly derived from a very
curious manuscript, now domiciled in the Archives of the
Bibliotheque de l'Arsenal, Paris, an institution rich in occult
documents. This manuscript is couched throughout in French, but
purports to be literally translated from Hebrew, and the style of the
handwriting indicates that the scribe lived at the beginning of the
eighteenth century, or possibly somewhat earlier.

A distinct illiteracy characterises the French script, the
punctuation being inaccurate, indeed frequently conspicuous by
its absence, but an actual description of the document must be
waived till later. Abraham was probably a native of Mayence,
having come thence after the exile of the Jews from Spain, and
appears to have been born in 1362. We find that his father, Simon
by name, was something of a seer and magician, and that the boy
accordingly commenced his occult studies under the parental
guidance, while at a later date he studied under one, Moses, whom
he himself describes as " indeed a good man, but entirely ignorant
of The True Mystery, and of The Veritable Magic."

Leaving this preceptor, Abraham decided to glean knowledge by
travelling, and along with a friend called Samuel, a Bohemian, by
birth, he wandered through Austria and Hungary into Greece, and
thence penetrated to Constantinople, where he remained fully two
years. He is found next in Arabia, in those days a veritable centre
of mystic learning; and from Arabia he went to Palestine, whence
betimes he proceeded to Egypt. Here he had the good fortune to
make the acquaintance of Abra Melin, the famous Egyptian
philosopher, who, besides entrusting to him certain documents,
confided in him by word of mouth a number of invaluable secrets;
and armed thus, Abraham left Egypt for Europe, where eventually
he settled in Germany, some say at Wurzburg, but better
authorities posit Frankfurt.

Soon he was deep in alchemistic researches, but these did not
prevent him from espousing a wife, who appears to have been his
cousin Matilde Stein; and by her he had three daughters and also
two sons, the elder named Joseph and the younger Lamech.

He took great pains to instruct both of them in occul affairs, while,
on each of his three daughters, he settled a dowry of a hundred
thousand golden florins. This considerable sum, together with
other vast wealth, he claim to have gained by travelling as an
alchemist; and whateve the truth of this statement, he certainly
won great fame being summoned to perform acts of magic before
man rich and influential people, notably the Emperor Sigismun of
Germanv, the Bishop of Wurzburg, King Henry VI. of England, the
Duke of Bavaria, and Pope John XXIII

The remainder of Abraham's career is shrouded in mystery while
even the date of his death is uncertain, but it i commonly supposed
to have occurred about 1460. The curious manuscript cited above,
and from which the foregoing facts have been culled, is entitled
The Book the, Sacred Magic of Abra-Melin, as delivered by
Abraham the Jew unto his son Lamech. The volume was translated
around 1899 by one of the founders of the modern British Golden
Dawn, and long time Imperator of its Paris Lodge, MacGregor
(Samuel Liddell) Mathers.

work this consisting of some account of Abraham's youth and early
travels in search of wisdom, along with advice to the young man
aspiring to become skilled in occult arts. The second part, on the
other hand, is base on the documents which the Egyptian sage
handed the Jew, or at least on the confidences wherewith the
former favoured the latter; and it may be fairly accurately defined
as dealing with the first principles of magic in general, the titles of
some of the more important chapter being as follows: " How Many,
and what are the Classe of Veritable Magic ? " - What we Ought to
Take int Consideration before the Undertaking of the Operation, "
Concerning the Convocation of the Spirits, " and " I what Manner
we ought to Carry out the Operations.

Passing to the third and last part, this likewise is most derived
straight from Abra-Melin; and here the author eschewing
theoretical matter as far as possible, gives information about the
actual practice of magic. In the first place he tells how " To
procure divers Visions, - How one may retain the Familiar Spirits,
bound or free in whatsoever form, " and how " To excite Tempests,
while in one chapter he treats of raising the dead, anoth he devotes
to the topic of transforming oneself into " dive shapes and forms, "
and in further pages he descants o flying in the air, on demolishing
buildings, on discovering thefts, and on walking under the water.
Then he dilates o the Thaumaturgic healing of leprosy, dropsy,
paralysis and various more common ailments such as fever and se
sickness, while he offers intelligence on - How to be b loved by a
Woman, " and this he supplements by direction for commanding
the favour of popes, emperors, and oth influential people.

Finally, he reverts to the question summoning visions, and his
penultimate chapter is titled, " How to cause Armed Men to
Appear, " while the concluding pages treat of evoking " Comedies,
Opera and all kinds of Music and Dances." It is by employing
Kabalistic squares of letters that a these things are to be achieved,
or at least, almost all them, and lack of space makes it impossible
to deal with the many different signs of this sort, whose use he
counsels.

It should be said, in justice to the author that he manifests little selfishness, and seems to have striven after success in his craft with a view to using for the benefit of mankind in general. His writings are besides, a firm belief in that higher self existing in man, and a keen desire to develop it.

Abraxas: (or Abracax). The Basilidian (q.v., ) sect Gnostics, of the
second century, claimed Abraxas as the supreme god, and said
that Jesus Christ was only a phantom sent to earth by him. They
believed that his name contained great mysteries, as it was
composed of the se Greek letters which form the number 363,
which is also number of days in a year. Abraxas, they thought,
under his command 365 gods, to whom they attrib 365 virtues, one
for each day. The older Mythology placed him among the number
of Egyptian gods, demonologists have described him a - a demon,
with head of a king and with serpents forming his feet.
Represented on ancient amulets, with a whip in his. It is from his
name that the mystic word, Abracad (q.v.) is taken.

Adepts: Adepts are men who after stern self-denial and by means
of consistent self-development, have fitted themselves to assist in
the ruling of the world. The means by which this position is
attained is said to be long and arduous, but in the end the
Successful one has fulfilled the purpose for which he was created
and transcends his fellows. The activities of Adepts are
multifarious, being concerned with the direction and guidance of

the activities of the rest of mankind. Their knowledge, like their
powers, say Theosophists, far exceeds that of man, and they can
control forces both in the spiritual and the physical realm, and are
said to be able to prolong their lives for centuries.

They are also known as the Great White Brotherhood, Great
Hermetic Order, Rishis, Rahats, or Mahatmas. Those who
earnestly desire to work for the betterment of the world may
become apprentices or chelas to Adepts, in which case the latter
are known as " masters, " but the apprentice must first have
practised self-denial and self-development in order to become
sufficiently worthy. The master imparts teaching and wisdom
otherwise unattainable, and helps the apprentice by communion
and inspiration. Madame Blavatsky (q.v.) alleged that she was the
apprentice of these masters, and claimed that they dwelt in the
Tibetan Mountains. The term Adept was also employed by
mediaeval magicians and alchemists to denote a master of their
sciences.

Adjuration: A formula of exorcism by which the evil spirit is
commanded, in the name of God, to do or say what the exorcist
requires of him.

Adonai: A Hebrew word signifying " the Lord, " and used by the
Hebrews when speaking or writing of Jehovah, the awful and
ineffable name of the God of Israel. The Jews entertained the
deepest awe for this incommunicable and mysterious name, and
this feeling led them to avoid pronouncing it and to the substitution
of the word Adonai for " Jehovah " in their sacred text. This custom
still prevails among the Jews, who attribute to the pronouncement
of the Holy Name the power of working miracles. The Jehovah of
the Israelites was their invisible protector and king, and no image
of him was made. He was worshipped according to his
commandments, with an observance of the ritual instituted through
Moses. The term " Jehovah " means. the revealed Absolute Deity, e
Manifest, Only, Personal, Holy Creator and Redeemer.

Adoptive Masonry: Masonic societies which adopt women as
members. Early in the eighteenth century such societies were
established in France, and Speedily spread to other countries. One
of the first to "adopt" women were the Mopses. The Felicitaries
existed in 1742. The Fendeurs or Woodcutters were instituted in
1763 by Bauchaine, Master of a Parisian Lodge. It was modelled
on the Carbonari, and its popularity led to the establishment of
other lodges, notably the Fidelity, the Hatchet, etc. In 1774 the
Grand Orient in Lodge of France established a system of degrees
called the Rite of Adoption, and elected the Duchess of Bourbon as
Grand Mistress of France.

The rite has been generally adopted into Freemasonry, and various
degrees added from time to time, to the number of about twelve in
all. Latin and Greek mysteries were added to the rite by the
Ladies' Hospitallers of Mount Tabor. The greatest ladies in France
joined the French lodges of adoption. The Rite of Mizraim created
lodges for both sexes in 1818, 1821, 1838 and 1853, and the Rite
of Memphis in 1839. America founded the Rite of the Eastern Star
in five points. In these systems admission is generally confined to
the female relations of Masons. The Order of the Eastern Star and
that of Adoptive Masonry were attempted in Scotland, but without
success.

Agathodemon: A good demon, worshipped by the Egyptians under
the shape of a serpent with a human head. The dragons or flying
serpents venerated by the ancients were also called
Agathodemons, or good genies.

Agla: A kabalistic word used by the rabbis for the exorcisms of the
evil spirit. It is made up of the initial letters of the Hebrew words,
Athah gabor leolam, Ado-nai, meaning, " Thou art powerful and
eternal, Lord." Not only among the Jews was this word employed,
but among the more superstitious Christians it was a favourite
weapon with which to combat the evil one, even so late as the
sixteenth century. It is also to be found in many books on magic,
notablv in theEnchirid ion of Pope Leo III.

Agrippa von Nettesheim, Henry Cornelius (1486-1535): Cornelius
Agrippa - A German soldier and physician, and an adept in
alchemy, astrology and magic. He was born at Cologne on the 14th
of September, 1486, and educated at the University of Cologne.
While still a youth he served under Maximilian 1. of Germany. In
the early 16th century he lectured at the University of Dole, but a
charge of heresy brought against him by a monk named Catilinet
compelled him to leave Dole, and he resumed his former
occupation of soldier. In the following year he was sent on a
diplomatic mission to England, and on his return followed
Maximilian to Italy, where he passed seven years, now serving one
noble patron, now another. Thereafter he held a post at Metz,
returned to Cologne, practised medicine at Geneva, and was
appointed physician to Louise of Savoy, mother of Francis 1.; but,
on being given some task which he found irksome, he left the
service of his patroness and denounced her bitterly.

He then accepted a post offered him by Margaret, Duchess of
Savoy, Regent of the Netherlands. On her death he repaired to
Cologne and Bonn, and thence to France, where he was arrested
for some slighting mention of the Queen Mother, Louise of Savoy.
He was soon released, however, and died at Grenoble in 1535.

Agrippa was a man of great talent and varied attainments. He was
acquainted with eight languages, and was evidently a physician of
no mean ability, as well as a soldier and a theologian. He had,
moreover, many noble patrons. Yet, notwithstanding these
advantages, he never seemed to be free from misfortune;
persecution and financial difficulties dogged his footsteps, and in
Brussels he suffered imprisonment for debt.

He himself was in a measure responsible for his. troubles. He was,
in fact, an adept in the gentle art of making enemies, and the
persecution of the monks with whom he frequently came into
conflict was bitter and increasing. His principal works were a
defence of magic, entitled De occulta philosophia, which was not
published until 1531, though it was written some twenty years
earlier, and a satirical attack on the scientific pretensions of his
day, De incertitudine et Vanitate Scientiarum et Artium atque

Ahnernerbe, S.S. \u2013 Reich Ancestral Heritage Office: Unlike other
states in which Occultists are accorded little respect, Nazi
Germany has made certain occult operations a part of the state,
while repressing others with strict brutality. The S.S. itself has a
network of Thule Society ritual which replaces Christian religion
for S.S. Officers. Based in Old Prussian Paganism, with Nordic

colorings, the S.S. has its own rites, festivals, rituals and burial
customs. The \u201cspiritual center\u201d of the S.S. \u2013 dedicated entirely to
the development of these and other public rituals, is the Ancestral
Heritage Office.

Reichsfuhrer S.S., Himmler, is an avid student of the occult. An SS
occult research department, the Ahnernerbe (Ancestral Heritage)
was established in 1935 with SS Colonel Wolfram von Sievers at
its head. Occult research took SS researchers as far afield as Tibet.

As soon as the Nazi movement had sufficient funds, it began to
organize a number of expeditions to Tibet and these succeeded one
another practically without interruption through the present day. It
is conjectured that the Nazis wish to find Shambala, an ancient
center of power which is said to be accessible through hidden
tunnels in Tibet.

The strongest influence on Hitler in this regard was Dietrich
Eckart (1868-1923). Most biographers have underestimated the
influence that Eckart exerted on Hitler. He was the wealthy
publisher and editor-in-chief of an anti-semitic journal which he
called In Plain German. Eckart was also a committed occultist and
a master of magic. As an initiate, Eckart belonged to the inner
circle of the Thule Society as well as other esoteric orders.

There can be no doubt that Eckart - who had been alerted to Hitler
by other Thulists - trained Hitler in techniques of self confidence,
self projection, persuasive oratory, body language and discursive
sophistry. With these tools, in a short period of time he was able to
move the obscure workers party from the club and beer hall
atmosphere to a mass movement. The emotion charged lay speaker
became an expert orator, capable of mesmerizing a vast audience.

One should not underestimate occultism's influence on Hitler. His
subsequent rejection of Free Masons and esoteric movements, of
Theosophy, of Anthrosophy, does not necessarily mean otherwise.
Occult circles have long been known as covers for espionage and
influence peddling.

Akashic Record: the idea that all of the experiences and memories
of every living being are contained in the substance of the ether.
Advanced magicians develop the ability to recover details of past
events by "reading the Akashic Records."

Akiba: A Jewish rabbi of the first century, who, from being a
simple shepherd, became a learned scholar, spurred by the hope of
winning the hand of a young lady he greatly admired. The Jews say
that he was taught by the elemental spirits, that he was a conjurer,
and that, in his best days, he had as many as 24, 000 disciples. He
is said to be the author of a famous work, entitled, Yelzirah (q.v.,
On the Creation), which is by some ascribed to Abraham, and even
to Adam. It was first printed at Paris in 1552. The historic Akiba
was a formative influence on Judaism during the post-Diaspora
period.

Albagensianism: A neo-Manich\u00e6an (Gnostic) sect that flourished
in southern France in the twelfth and thirteenth centuries. Among
recent historians there is a pronounced tendency to look upon the
Cathari as the lineal descendants of the Manich\u00e6ans. The
doctrine, organization, and liturgy of the former, in many points,
reproduce the doctrine, organization, and liturgy of the early
disciples of Manes. The successive appearance of the
Priscillianists, the Paulicians, and the Bogomili, representatives to
some extent of similar principles, fairly establishes the historical

The Albigensians may also have some relation to the Arian Heresy,
which flourished in southern France in the fifth century, before it
was repressed by the Frankish King Clovis, the leader of the
Merovingian Dynasty. The Arians denied that Jesus was divine.

The name Albigenses, given to the Southern French sect by the
Council of Tours (1163) prevailed towards the end of the twelfth
century and was for a long time applied to all the heretics of the
south of France. They were also called Catharists (katharos, pure),
though in reality they were only a branch of the Catharistic
movement. The rise and spread of the new doctrine in southern
France was favoured by various circumstances, among which may
be mentioned: the fascination exercised by the readily-grasped
dualistic principle; the remnant of Jewish and Mohammedan
doctrinal elements; the wealth, leisure, and imaginative mind of
the inhabitants of Languedoc; their contempt for the Catholic
clergy, caused by the ignorance and the worldly, too frequently
scandalous, lives of the latter; the protection of an overwhelming
majority of the nobility, and the intimate local blending of national
aspirations and religious sentiment.

Relatively little is known about the Albigensian beliefs, since the sect was repressed, and most evidence destroyed. What is known largely comes from their opponents. However some picture can be drawn.

The Albigenses asserted the co-existence of two mutually opposed
principles, one good, the other evil. The former is the creator of the
spiritual, the latter of the material world. The bad principle is the
source of all evil; natural phenomena, either ordinary like the
growth of plants, or extraordinary as earthquakes, likewise oral
disorders (war), must be attributed to him. He created the human
body and is the author of sin, which springs from matter and not
from the spirit. The Old Testament must be either partly or
entirely ascribed to him; whereas the New Testament is the
revelation of the beneficent God. The latter is the creator of
human souls, which the bad principle imprisoned in material
bodies after he had deceived them into leaving the kingdom of
light. This earth is a place of punishment, the only hell that exists
for the human soul.

Punishment, however, is not everlasting; for all souls, being
Divine in nature, must eventually be liberated. To accomplish this
deliverance God sent upon earth Jesus Christ, who, although very
perfect, like the Holy Ghost, is still a mere creature. The
Redeemer could not take on a genuine human body, because he
would thereby have come under the control of the evil principle.
His body was, therefore, of celestial essence, and with it He
penetrated the ear of Mary. It was only apparently that He was
born from her and only apparently that He suffered. His
redemption was not operative, but solely instructive. To enjoy its
benefits, one must become a member of the Church of Christ (the
Albigenses). Here below, it is not the Catholic sacraments but the
peculiar ceremony of the Albigenses known as the
consolamentum, or "consolation," that purifies the soul from all sin
and ensures its immediate return to heaven. The resurrection of
the body will not take place, since by its nature all flesh is evil.