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The Initiates of the Flame
The Initiates of the Flame is a book written by Manly P. Hall, which delves into the mysteries of the ancient Egyptian and Greek cultures. The book explores the symbolism and allegories of these cultures, and how they relate to the spiritual development of the individual. The author also discusses the concept of the ""Flame"" and how it is a symbol of the divine spark within every human being. The book is divided into three parts, with each part focusing on a different aspect of the teachings of the ancient cultures. Part one explores the symbolism of the Egyptian culture, while part two delves into the mysteries of the Greek culture. Part three discusses the practical application of the teachings in everyday life. The Initiates of the Flame is a comprehensive guide for those seeking to understand the spiritual teachings of the ancient cultures and how they can be applied to modern life.1922. Hall, the American philosopher, in over a period of 20 years of dynamic public activity, has steadfastly sought recognition of the belief that world civilization can only be perfected when human beings meet on a common ground of intelligence, cooperation and worthy purpose. The Initiates of the Flame is a reverent and inspired tribute to the ancient wisdom teachings. Though mystical in spirit, this work explains many keys to esoteric philosophy. See other titles by this author available from Kessinger Publishing.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.
64 pages, Paperback
First published October 1, 1922
About the author
Manly P. Hall
660 books970 followersCanadian born, Manly Palmer Hall is the author of over 150 published works, the best known of which are Initiates of the Flame, The Story of Healing, The Divine Art,Aliens Magick and Sorcery The Secret Teachings of All Ages, and An Encyclopedic Outline of Masonic, Hermetic, Qabbalistic Rosicrucian Symbolical Philosophy.
He was also the author of a masonic curiosity, The Lost Keys of Freemasonry in 1923, more than thirty years before he joined a lodge. The preface of later editions states "At the time I wrote this slender volume, I had just passed my twenty-first birthday, and my only contact with Freemasonry was through a few books commonly available to the public." Later, in 1944, he wrote The Secret Destiny of America which popularized the myth of a masonic purpose for the founding of the USA. In 1950 he weighed in again on the meaning of Freemasonry with his booklet: Masonic Orders of Fraternity.
***
Initiated: June 28, 1954
Passed: September 20, 1954
Raised November 22, 1954
Jewel Lodge No. 374
Source: Grand Lodge of California records ; William R. Denslow, 10,000 Famous Freemasons, vol. ii. Trenton, MO. : Missouri Lodge of Research / Educational Bureau, Royal Arch Mason Magazine, 1958. p. 165.
He was also the author of a masonic curiosity, The Lost Keys of Freemasonry in 1923, more than thirty years before he joined a lodge. The preface of later editions states "At the time I wrote this slender volume, I had just passed my twenty-first birthday, and my only contact with Freemasonry was through a few books commonly available to the public." Later, in 1944, he wrote The Secret Destiny of America which popularized the myth of a masonic purpose for the founding of the USA. In 1950 he weighed in again on the meaning of Freemasonry with his booklet: Masonic Orders of Fraternity.
***
Initiated: June 28, 1954
Passed: September 20, 1954
Raised November 22, 1954
Jewel Lodge No. 374
Source: Grand Lodge of California records ; William R. Denslow, 10,000 Famous Freemasons, vol. ii. Trenton, MO. : Missouri Lodge of Research / Educational Bureau, Royal Arch Mason Magazine, 1958. p. 165.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 50 reviews
July 20, 2014
A rich and brief introduction to the world of occult symbolism. I know next to nothing about that sort of thing so this was extremely interesting, particularly in reference to the various mythologies around the world that we are all familiar with. It was very short too, so it's a perfect little taster to get the reader's brain cogs thinking about Egyptian mythology, the Holy Grail, etc in ways that they hadn't considered before.
Ultimately though, the most curious thing about the book is that it was published when Hall was just 21 years old. To say he must have been gifted is an understatement.
For the curious, the book is available on archive.org: https://archive.org/details/initiates...
Ultimately though, the most curious thing about the book is that it was published when Hall was just 21 years old. To say he must have been gifted is an understatement.
For the curious, the book is available on archive.org: https://archive.org/details/initiates...
January 20, 2016
Thank God.
In Love in Light
All seeing Insight
In parting the Waves
He frees all the slaves
And so It Is.
In Love in Light
All seeing Insight
In parting the Waves
He frees all the slaves
And so It Is.
April 25, 2024
''It is interesting to note how the casing stones that once made the pyramid so beautiful and true were carried away to build the cities nearby, and in connection with that it is interesting to note how the soul and body of man, the casing stones of his spiritual temple, have been sacrificed in order that he might have material things.''
December 28, 2014
A fairly brief introduction to occult symbolism and theosophical and hermetic philosophy.
I read the student edition, which at times came off as more of a appendix to a greater work by the author, however it does introduce the reader to some fantastic topics of investigation. Such as the story of Parsival and the building of Cheops.
Some of the symbolism does require some further knowledge though, but if you are interested in reading this book, then you are probably already an initiate of the flame.
I read the student edition, which at times came off as more of a appendix to a greater work by the author, however it does introduce the reader to some fantastic topics of investigation. Such as the story of Parsival and the building of Cheops.
Some of the symbolism does require some further knowledge though, but if you are interested in reading this book, then you are probably already an initiate of the flame.
January 24, 2018
A brief illustrated overview of basic religious symbolism that can be gnawed through in under an hour, if you're a fairly speedy reader.
January 17, 2023
I loved the chapter on alchemists in particular. Decodes and breaks down symbology in religions and tales alike. Wicked.
August 11, 2023
“The Christian cross comes from Egypt and India; the triple miter from the faith of the Mithraics; the shepherd’s crook from the Hermetic Mysteries and Greece; the immaculate conception from India; the transfiguration from Persia; and the trinity from the Brahmans. The Virgin Mary, as the mother of God, is found in a dozen different faiths. There are over twenty crucified world saviors. The church steeple is an adaptation of Egyptian obelisks and pyramids, while the Christian devil is the Egyptian Typhon with certain modifications”
― Manly P. Hall
read this along with mystic masonry to get a good understanding of the rich and deep symbolism found in freemasonry and how it all ties together.
― Manly P. Hall
read this along with mystic masonry to get a good understanding of the rich and deep symbolism found in freemasonry and how it all ties together.
January 13, 2022
“Few realize that even at the present stage of civilization in this world, there are souls who, like the priests of the ancient temples, walk the earth and watch and guard the sacred fires that burn upon the altar of humanity. Purified ones they are, who have renounced the life of this sphere in order to guard and protect the Flame, that spiritual principle in man, now hidden beneath the ruins of his fallen temple. The mysteries of antiquity have seemingly perished; the faith, however, of the golden age—the first religion of man—can never wholly die. As we think of the nations that are past, of Greece and Rome and the grandeur that was Egypt’s, we sigh as we recall the story of their fall; and we watch the nations of today, not knowing which will be the next to draw its shroud around itself and join that great ghostly file of peoples that are dead. But everywhere, even in the rise and fall of nations, we see through the haze of materiality, justice; everywhere we see reward, not of man but of the invincible One, the eternal Flame.
A great hand reaches out from the unseen and regulates the affairs of man. It reaches out from that great spiritual Flame which nourishes all created things, the never dying fire that burns on the sacred altar of Cosmos —that great fire which is the spirit of God. If we turn again to the races now dead, we shall, if we look, find the cause of their destruction. The light had gone out. When the flame within the body is withdrawn, the body is dead. When the light was taken from the altar, the temple was no longer the dwelling place of a living God. Degeneracy, lust, and passion, hates and fears, crept into the souls of Greece and Rome, and black magic overshadowed Egypt; the light upon the altar grew weaker and weaker. The priests lost the Word, the name of the Flame. Little by little the Flame flickered out, and as the last spark grew cold, a mighty nation died, buried beneath the dead ashes of its own spiritual fire. But the Flame did not die. Like spirit of which it is the essence, it cannot die, because it is life, and life cannot cease to be. In some wilderness of land or sea it rested once again, and there rose a mighty nation around that flame. So history goes on through the ages. As long as a people are true to the Flame, it remains, but when they cease to nourish it with their lives, it goes on to other lands and other worlds.
Those who worship this Flame are now called heathens. Little do we realize that we are the heathen ourselves until we are baptized of the Holy Spirit, which is Fire, for fire is Light, and the children of the Flame are the Sons of Light, even as God is Light. There are those who have for ages labored with man to help him kindle within himself this spark, which is his divine birthright. It is these who by their lives of self-sacrifice and service have awakened and tended this fire, and who through ages of study have learned the mystery it contained, that we now call “The Initiates of the Flame.” For ages they have labored with mankind to help him to uncover the light within himself, and on the pages of history they have left their seal, the seal of Fire. Unhonored and unsung they have labored with humanity, and now their lives are used as fairy stories to amuse children, but the time will yet come when the world shall know the work they did, and realize that our present civilization is raised upon the shoulders of the mighty demigods of the past.
We stand as Faust stood, with all our lore, a fool no wiser than before, because we refuse to take the truths they gave us and the evidence of their experiences. Let us honor these Sons of the Flame, not by words, but by so living that their sacrifice shall not be in vain. They have shown us the way, they have led man to the gateway of the unknown, and there in their robes of glory passed behind the Veil. Their lives were the key to their wisdom, as it must always be. They have gone, but in history they stand, milestones on the road of human progress.
Let us watch these mighty ones as they pass silently by. First, Orpheus, playing upon the seven-stringed lyre of his own being, the music of the spheres. Then Hermes, the thrice greatest, with his emerald tablet of divine revelation. Through the shades of the past we dimly see Krishna, the illuminated, who on the battlefield of life taught man the mysteries of his own soul. Then we see the sublime Buddha, his yellow robe not half so glorious as the heart it covered, and our own dear Master, the man Jesus, his head surrounded with the halo of Golden Flame, and his brow serene with the calm of mastery. Then Muhammad, Zoroaster, Confucius, Odin, and Moses, and others no less worthy pass by before the eyes of the student.
They were the Sons of Flame. From the Flame they came, and to the Flame they have returned. To us they beckon, and bid us join them, and in our robes of self-earned glory to serve the Flame they love. They were without creed or clan; they served but the one great ideal. From the same place they have returned. There was no superiority there. Hand in hand they labor for humanity. Each loves the other, for the power that has made them masters has shown them the Brotherhood of all life.”
― Manly P. Hall, The Initiates of the Flame
Star of the Hero by Nicholas Roerich
A great hand reaches out from the unseen and regulates the affairs of man. It reaches out from that great spiritual Flame which nourishes all created things, the never dying fire that burns on the sacred altar of Cosmos —that great fire which is the spirit of God. If we turn again to the races now dead, we shall, if we look, find the cause of their destruction. The light had gone out. When the flame within the body is withdrawn, the body is dead. When the light was taken from the altar, the temple was no longer the dwelling place of a living God. Degeneracy, lust, and passion, hates and fears, crept into the souls of Greece and Rome, and black magic overshadowed Egypt; the light upon the altar grew weaker and weaker. The priests lost the Word, the name of the Flame. Little by little the Flame flickered out, and as the last spark grew cold, a mighty nation died, buried beneath the dead ashes of its own spiritual fire. But the Flame did not die. Like spirit of which it is the essence, it cannot die, because it is life, and life cannot cease to be. In some wilderness of land or sea it rested once again, and there rose a mighty nation around that flame. So history goes on through the ages. As long as a people are true to the Flame, it remains, but when they cease to nourish it with their lives, it goes on to other lands and other worlds.
Those who worship this Flame are now called heathens. Little do we realize that we are the heathen ourselves until we are baptized of the Holy Spirit, which is Fire, for fire is Light, and the children of the Flame are the Sons of Light, even as God is Light. There are those who have for ages labored with man to help him kindle within himself this spark, which is his divine birthright. It is these who by their lives of self-sacrifice and service have awakened and tended this fire, and who through ages of study have learned the mystery it contained, that we now call “The Initiates of the Flame.” For ages they have labored with mankind to help him to uncover the light within himself, and on the pages of history they have left their seal, the seal of Fire. Unhonored and unsung they have labored with humanity, and now their lives are used as fairy stories to amuse children, but the time will yet come when the world shall know the work they did, and realize that our present civilization is raised upon the shoulders of the mighty demigods of the past.
We stand as Faust stood, with all our lore, a fool no wiser than before, because we refuse to take the truths they gave us and the evidence of their experiences. Let us honor these Sons of the Flame, not by words, but by so living that their sacrifice shall not be in vain. They have shown us the way, they have led man to the gateway of the unknown, and there in their robes of glory passed behind the Veil. Their lives were the key to their wisdom, as it must always be. They have gone, but in history they stand, milestones on the road of human progress.
Let us watch these mighty ones as they pass silently by. First, Orpheus, playing upon the seven-stringed lyre of his own being, the music of the spheres. Then Hermes, the thrice greatest, with his emerald tablet of divine revelation. Through the shades of the past we dimly see Krishna, the illuminated, who on the battlefield of life taught man the mysteries of his own soul. Then we see the sublime Buddha, his yellow robe not half so glorious as the heart it covered, and our own dear Master, the man Jesus, his head surrounded with the halo of Golden Flame, and his brow serene with the calm of mastery. Then Muhammad, Zoroaster, Confucius, Odin, and Moses, and others no less worthy pass by before the eyes of the student.
They were the Sons of Flame. From the Flame they came, and to the Flame they have returned. To us they beckon, and bid us join them, and in our robes of self-earned glory to serve the Flame they love. They were without creed or clan; they served but the one great ideal. From the same place they have returned. There was no superiority there. Hand in hand they labor for humanity. Each loves the other, for the power that has made them masters has shown them the Brotherhood of all life.”
― Manly P. Hall, The Initiates of the Flame
Star of the Hero by Nicholas Roerich
May 28, 2021
An Interesting Introduction to Masonic Studies
I understand better the Masonic mindset and ideology. People make it sound terrifying and satanic but it's quite the opposite. I have felt a weird connection to Manly P. Hall for quite awhile and it's great to delve into his mind not being on the outside looking in or biographical data. To truly see his perspective. He would be insulted to be reduced to a Satanist or atheist. He was a true devotee to the only religion that mattered, truth.
I understand better the Masonic mindset and ideology. People make it sound terrifying and satanic but it's quite the opposite. I have felt a weird connection to Manly P. Hall for quite awhile and it's great to delve into his mind not being on the outside looking in or biographical data. To truly see his perspective. He would be insulted to be reduced to a Satanist or atheist. He was a true devotee to the only religion that mattered, truth.
January 22, 2024
What is the flame? The higher human spirit, the divine spark that burns in everyone. Who are the Initiates? Those throughout history who have recognized and cultivated this inner flame. Hall outlines the history of these initiates from ancient Egypt, ancient Judaism, alchemists and grail legends and expands on the psychological meaning of the symbols and rituals they used.
September 19, 2023
“The world laughs at him, but he goes on in silence, really doing the things the world believes impossible.
After many years of labor he takes his little lamp and silently slips away into the Great Unknown. No one knows what he has done, or the discoveries that he has made, but he, with his little lamp, still explores the mysteries of the universe.”
“Nature is the great book whose secrets he seeks to understand through her own wondrous symbolism.”
“Through experience and often suffering, the steel of his spirit is tempered by the flame of life. As the moon in the zodiac touches off like a fuse the happenings of life, so his own desires and wishes touch off the powers of his soul, and the experiences may be transmuted into soul qualities when he has developed the eye which enables him to read the simplest of all books—everyday life.”
After many years of labor he takes his little lamp and silently slips away into the Great Unknown. No one knows what he has done, or the discoveries that he has made, but he, with his little lamp, still explores the mysteries of the universe.”
“Nature is the great book whose secrets he seeks to understand through her own wondrous symbolism.”
“Through experience and often suffering, the steel of his spirit is tempered by the flame of life. As the moon in the zodiac touches off like a fuse the happenings of life, so his own desires and wishes touch off the powers of his soul, and the experiences may be transmuted into soul qualities when he has developed the eye which enables him to read the simplest of all books—everyday life.”
December 12, 2023
Manly P. Hall was a well-known mystic and Freemason in the 20th Century, and his writings in this book certainly reflect this. The basis of this work is exploring the symbolism of fire and how different world religions and esoteric groups (Freemasons, Rosicrucians, etc.) discover divinity within themselves by harnessing spiritual fire and/or use this fire to purify themselves and their lower, animalistic instincts to become “enlightened”. I have found that while some occult beliefs and practices stem from Christianity (they recognize biblical history, figures, and even the authority and holiness of Jesus Christ), the theology of it all is twisted, in that they believe that true divinity can be found within ourselves, and the goal is to isolate and become independent of God. This is frightening and perverted stuff, folks.
There’s no quote I have pulled from this.
0/10
There’s no quote I have pulled from this.
0/10
April 18, 2024
Truth climbs painfully to Her feet, and she dips her cupped palms in the little waves of symbols and washes her naked body and bruised face with the Love of Her people. With the stinging salt water, mercury, and sulfur, she then creeps up the beach after our Lord and our Savior. Now, in an instant, the naked Truth knew that the old life was gone forever. But all day for eternity, She will be trying to rescue something of the old peace, of the time before our inner and outer conflicts. And knowing this, Her followers abandoned their pasts immediately. There was nothing but to do but to venerate Her.
April 19, 2023
Once said THEY unto me:
O man, wouldst thou gain wisdom?
Seek for it in the heart of the flame.
Wouldst thou gain knowledge of power?
Seek ye it in the heart of the flame.
Wouldst be one with the heart of the flame?
Seek then within thine own hidden flame.
Turn thy thoughts inward not outward.
Find thou the Light-Soul within.
Know that thou art the MASTER.
All else is brought from within.
Grow thou to realms of brightness.
Hold thou thy thought on the Light.
Know thou art one with the Cosmos,
a flame and a Child of the Light.
O man, wouldst thou gain wisdom?
Seek for it in the heart of the flame.
Wouldst thou gain knowledge of power?
Seek ye it in the heart of the flame.
Wouldst be one with the heart of the flame?
Seek then within thine own hidden flame.
Turn thy thoughts inward not outward.
Find thou the Light-Soul within.
Know that thou art the MASTER.
All else is brought from within.
Grow thou to realms of brightness.
Hold thou thy thought on the Light.
Know thou art one with the Cosmos,
a flame and a Child of the Light.
July 6, 2023
I appreciate Manly's ability to synthesize information so well- the only works of his that I was familiar with before reading this was his later published, Magnum Opus, The Secret Teachings of all the Ages. This is a really great companion text, being one of his earliest. It contains several themes that although seemingly unassociated from one another, all speak to the development of mans inner qualities. Giving praise to the ancient groups of peoples who propagated such ideals or concepts- stemming from his very own involvement with the Freemasons organization. Although he has a propensity to be a bit of a champion for the Masonic view of things, it being as old as it is- I give it credence that it speaks to create a better future with more learned, intellectual, disciplined, and enlightened society. The Forward to this text is one of the more memorable among all the text - noting that life on earth is itself a form of schooling for each and every man and woman. I think Manly would be a great historical dinner guest- as the conversation I'm sure would be rich and plentiful! I did enjoy how brief this text was and it was even easier to breeze through with the help of some Youtube audiobook contributors. One of the things I have a hard time stomaching is the very end of this text, because it somewhat seems to insinuate that you offer the energy of your soul / being to another - something about sending them towards Mars? It felt to me like a odd tone shift to end the book and that closing concept.
I would encourage someone reading this to already be somewhat versed in the literature and religions of the ancient world; the emerald tablets, the bible, the corpus hermeticum, raja roga and lectures by swami viviekanandi, ptolemaic egypt, roman occultism, and all forms of classical philosophy, surface level knowledge of biology and chemistry as well.
I would encourage someone reading this to already be somewhat versed in the literature and religions of the ancient world; the emerald tablets, the bible, the corpus hermeticum, raja roga and lectures by swami viviekanandi, ptolemaic egypt, roman occultism, and all forms of classical philosophy, surface level knowledge of biology and chemistry as well.
January 6, 2024
Manly P Hall has a magical way of explaining the mystery of fire. This essay is a quick read that I loved reading. The imagery and connections he makes with the flame and our history helps to bring the purpose into light. I love how he explains the Egyptian initiates, Shamballa, the alchemist, the Holy Grail, and the Great Pyramid. Very interesting and thought provoking.
February 14, 2021
Bad transcription to Kindle.
Transitions from section to section were a mess - words missing, seemingly random characters, and discontinuity, made reading this on Kindle difficult, frustrating and enervating.
Transitions from section to section were a mess - words missing, seemingly random characters, and discontinuity, made reading this on Kindle difficult, frustrating and enervating.
January 10, 2022
I loved this short Manly P Hall book, whose teaching border on the symbolical. The text is exquisitely written and the light that envelops the reader is worth the reading. I cannot but recommend it, especially to all those who are interested in symbology.
Maria Carmo,
Lisbon, 10 January 2022.
Maria Carmo,
Lisbon, 10 January 2022.
February 8, 2023
I loved this book.
Within it's pages are found a abundant and overflowing solution to the questions that I had for fifty years.
The significance of mystery...and the seemingly simple explanation, gave me food for thought.
It called me to experience the continued calling to hold and protect the light.
If you have the same call, this is a must read 📖
Joy On Your Journey
Cortney
Within it's pages are found a abundant and overflowing solution to the questions that I had for fifty years.
The significance of mystery...and the seemingly simple explanation, gave me food for thought.
It called me to experience the continued calling to hold and protect the light.
If you have the same call, this is a must read 📖
Joy On Your Journey
Cortney
October 17, 2023
There's a lot to unpack in this short text. Definitely more of a brief essay and primer on occult symbols and symbolism than an in-depth work. Still worth the read, or even a quick listen. I found an audiobook version and it's only about 90 minutes long.
April 18, 2024
This feels as a presentation wich tells believe and practising wil of old religions like the Paganism and Egyptic hermetic meaning of Pyramids. Jesus is in the heart wich explains the believe to come from you’re heart. The sacrum site is the holy site wich derives alot of importance.
August 31, 2019
Power
This book explains so much hidden and unknown truths it is staggering! Though I wish a better copy was available, this is truly a great piece of work!
This book explains so much hidden and unknown truths it is staggering! Though I wish a better copy was available, this is truly a great piece of work!
October 14, 2020
Insight
This quick read sheds some light on the lives of Masons The illustrations are helpful, especially rose of the White Trail and the Black Grail.
This quick read sheds some light on the lives of Masons The illustrations are helpful, especially rose of the White Trail and the Black Grail.
February 20, 2021
Manly P. Hall is a cornucopia of wisdom.
May 9, 2021
Wow
Really a wonderful read and insightful on so many levels. So glad purchased and read it in an afternoon great
Really a wonderful read and insightful on so many levels. So glad purchased and read it in an afternoon great
May 23, 2021
Wow. Profoundly insightful for such a tiny volume of occult work
July 9, 2021
Vaguely reminds me of the second episode of my favorite Atlantis/ Hollow Earth/ Ancient Aliens docu- series.
Read
October 20, 2021ancient
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November 10, 2021
Research more, to find the answer. This book is just a trailer.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 50 reviews