Masonry and Medieval Mysticism : Traces of a Hidden Tradition (Hardcover)

""Masonry and Medieval Mysticism: Traces of a Hidden Tradition"" by Isabel Cooper-Oakley is a book that explores the connection between medieval mysticism and the secret traditions of Freemasonry. The author delves into the history and symbolism of both mysticism and Freemasonry, tracing their roots back to ancient times and examining their influence on each other throughout the centuries. The book offers a detailed analysis of the rituals and practices of both mysticism and Freemasonry, revealing the hidden meanings and esoteric knowledge that they contain. Cooper-Oakley also explores the role of women in these traditions, highlighting the contributions of female mystics and masons throughout history. This book is a fascinating exploration of the hidden traditions that have shaped our world, and it will appeal to anyone interested in the history of mysticism, Freemasonry, and the occult.In this book first published in 1900, Isabel Cooper Oakley has gathered together extensive source material in presenting this history of mysticism in Medieval Europe. The survey covers some eighteen hundred years, and shows with documented evidence a definite link between the seemingly divergent occult schools and brotherhoods that flourished, and that the source of their knowledge lay in Ancient India, the home of Brahma Vidya or esoteric science. Gradually over the years visiting seers and teachers brought this wisdom to Egypt, Persia and Greece, which was given expression in the great mystery schools and temples. A vast tapestry of the spiritual life is unfolded before us, the Gnostic sects who founded Christianity, the famous occult schools of Averroes and the Arabian mystics in Toledo, the Alchemists and Rosicrucians, and the Grail Legend, preserved in times of religious persecution by the troubadours whose allegorical songs were a feature of the royal courts, and the Knights Templars who designed and built the Gothic cathedrals.This scarce antiquarian book is a facsimile reprint of the old original and may contain some imperfections such as library marks and notations. Because we believe this work is culturally important, we have made it available as part of our commitment for protecting, preserving, and promoting the world's literature in affordable, high quality, modern editions, that are true to their original work.