The Doctrine and Literature of the Kabalah

First published in 1902, this book chronicles the history of Kabbalah and demonstrates its significant influence on nineteenth-century occultism.

Arthur Edward Waite (Author)

9781108061995, Cambridge University Press

Paperback / softback, published 26 September 2013

536 pages, 2 b/w illus.
21.6 x 14 x 3 cm, 0.67 kg

Arthur Edward Waite (1857–1942), mystic and historian, was an influential figure in the occult revival of the nineteenth century. Brought up a devout Catholic, he became increasingly involved in spiritualism in his late teens following the death of his sister. Choosing not to enter the priesthood, he pursued instead his interests in occult philosophy. A translator and editor of several alchemical texts in the 1890s, Waite also wrote several histories of magic in his later years. First published in 1902, the present work establishes Kabbalah's significant influence on nineteenth-century occultism. The book chronicles the history of Kabbalist practice from its ancient Hebrew origins to its effect on other branches of the occult, including Rosicrucianism, freemasonry, hermeticism and tarot. Waite also connects noted occultists to Kabbalah, including Heinrich Cornelius Agrippa, Paracelsus and Eliphas Lévi.

Preface
Book I. Post-Christian Literature of the Jews: 1. Introductory
2. The occult standpoint
3. The kabalah and the Talmud
4. Divisions of the kabalah
Part II. The Doctrinal Content of the Kabalah: 1. The doctrine of the unmanifest god
2. The doctrine of the ten emanations
3. The doctrine of the four worlds
4. The doctrine of the countenances
5. The instruments of creation
6. The paths of wisdom
7. The doctrine of pneumatology
Part III. Source and Authority of the Kabalah: 1. Date and doctrine of the book of formations
2. Modern criticism of the book of splendour
3. The date and authorship of the book of splendour
4. The age of Zoharic tradition
5. Alleged sources of kabalistic doctrine
6. Islamic connections of the kabalah
7. Influence of the kabalah on Jewry
Part IV. The Written Word of Kabalism: First Period: 1. Early kabalistic literature
2. The book of formation
3. Connections and dependencies of the book of formation
Part V. The Written Word of Kabalism: Second Period: 1. The book of splendour
2. The book of concealment
3. The greater holy synod
4. The lesser holy synod
5. The discourse of the aged man
6. The illustrious book
7. The faithful shepherd
8. The hidden things of the law
9. The secret commentary
10. The lesser sections of the book of splendour
11. The ancient and later supplements
Part VI. The Written Word of Kabalism: Third Period: 1. Expositors of the book of splendour
2. The book of purifying fire
3. The mysteries of love
4. Minor literature of kabalism
Book VII: Some Christian Students of the Kabalah: 1. Introductory
2. Raymond Lully
3. Picus de Mirandola
4. Cornelius Agrippa
5. Paracelsus
6. John Reuchlin
7. William Postel
8. The Rosicrucians
9. Robert Fludd
10. Henry More
11. Thomas Vaughan
12. Knor von Rosenroth
13. Ralph Cudworth
14. Thomas Burnet
15. Saint-Martin
16. Eliphas Lévi
17. Two academic critics
18. The modern school of French kabalism
19. The kabalah and esoteric Christianity
20. The kabalah and modern theosophy
Book VIII. The Kabalah and Other Channels of Esoteric tradition: 1. The kabalah and magic
2. The kabalah and alchemy
3. The kabalah and astrology
4. The kabalah and Freemasonry
5. The kabalah and the tarot
6. The kabalah and mysticism
Index.

Subject Areas: History of ideas [JFCX]