This Text presents an introduction to the Alchemical Philosophy of the Ancient Mysteries, it contains extracts from many different books and is organized into 2 main sections:
1) An explanation of the Alchemical Symbolism which has 3 parts that are mostly extracts from 3 of Jean Marie RagonÕs books published together in 1853: Masonic Orthodoxy, Philosophical Masonry and Occult Masonry. Taken together, these extracts are a wonderful synthesis of how Masonry is a continuation of the Ancient Mysteries.
2) Contains the Instructions and/or Catechisms from 3 different French Masonic orders: FRENCH RITE (early to mid 1700s), ADONHIRAMITE RITE (late 1700s), and MEMPHIS RITE (mid 1800s). These show the Ancient Philosophical, Hermetic, and Alchemical symbolism which was explained in the first section.
Finally, in the EditorÕs Appendix, there is an explanation of the ÒMasonic TabletÓ, followed by an article about the ÒGeneration of BeingsÓ and then a list of the ÒShem HamphorashÓ or the '72 Names of God'.