Mythology and Folklore Books

All through my life I've come across various books and booklets claiming to "unseal" the Book of Revelation. Only this book, however, can truly claim to have "unsealed" the true meaning of the book. Not everyone will agree with Pryse's translation and commentary. Yet, for initiates who have actually experienced its meaning, it is very clear.

The opening of the Seven Seals are the seven chakras and the awakening of the Speirema (444), the uncoiled serpent, otherwise known as the Kundalini or Serpent Fire. Iaonnes used the cosmological imagery of ancient astrology to depict the titanic struggles of the initiate during the process of spiritual awakening. The end result is the "New Jerusalem," which as Pryse explains, is the Soma Heliakon or Solar Body. This is because 12,000 Roman Stadia is the equivalent of 1,600 Jewish miles, and 1600 happens to be the numerical equivalent in gematria to "to soma heliakon."

Thus we see that the inner teachings of early Christianity were in perfect harmony with those of the Hermetic Mysteries, the Philosopher's Stone of Alchemy, the Mithraic Mysteries, and the Kundalini Yoga of the Vedas and Upanishads. I cannot recommend a book more highly. Yet, I know full well that few are ready to understand its full value. ...

Written in 1910, The Apocalypse Unsealed attempts to prove that the so-called "Revelation" of John (which in the original Greek was really named "The Apocalypse: The Initiation of John") is in reality a gnostic work that shows an individual's path to enlightenment and peace. Pryse shows how all of the symbols and mysterious figures in The Apocalypse (666, the Dragon, etc) are really (not so) hidden puzzles and clues, that once discovered and solved will enable the reader to use the book as a helpful guide in conquering the material world.

But if this is just a helpful guide, why is it so occultic? Pryse claims that John knew the church would one day get rid of it's esoteric foundation and become more exoteric - the 1958 discovery of portions of a so-called "Secret Gospel" of Mark, which was possibly kept hidden by the Church alone prove this, not to mention the Church's total subjugation of the gnostic sects. So John wrote his book in a code that could be understood by those with the gnosis, the knowledge, and he even made sure that it wouldn't be butchered by future editors by inserting a warning that the text should be left alone, in order to avoid God's wrath.

Some of the things Pryse uncovered are very interesting, such as his claim that 666 is nothing but the numerical transliteration of "he phren," ancient Greek for "the lower mind." The Lamb, 888, is Iesous (Jesus - be prepared for Pryse's usage of the original Greek names for all New Testament figures), the higher mind, whereas 1,000 is "ho nikon," Greek for "the conquerer." There are other numbers besides, such as 777: "stauros" - the Cross, and Pryse shows that there is a numerical chart hidden in the Apocalypse, showing in numbers the progress of a man's journey, from the lowest reaches of his carnal desires (333, "akrasia" - sensuality) to his total mastery over them, and return to his true spiritual self - "ho nikon," the conquerer. This number chart is one of the more interesting aspects of the book; ancient Greeks and Hebrews used letters for numbers, and so by figuring out the word equivalents to the numbers in the Apocalypse, and vice versa, Pryse was able to crack one of the book's many codes.

As I said, this was written in the early 1900s, and it shows. Pryse is about as prudish as an old maid. This book can be read as a code of its own, one which totally sneers at sex. For Pryse, sex is contemptible and profane; he very much has the celibate attitude of an old-school mystic. He also has that old-school mystic disregard for women. In ancient times, women were considered to be the source of all ills, for tempting men away from the pursuit of spirituality. Pryse is an adherent to this pattern of thought. For a better, more modern view of Pryse's thoughts, one which refutes his no-sex, anti-women beliefs, I would recommend Michael Wassil's "Dance of Ecstacy," which is available for free on-line. All you have to do is search for it.

I could go on about this book...there are so many ideas and information in it that it's hard to grasp until you've read it at least a few times. It's also hard to explain what Pryse has written, unless you're talking to someone who's read the book. Also, I don't particularly like Kessinger's version of this; they're just selling a cheap-looking photocopy of the original manuscript. You might be better off finding a used copy of the original edition, or the 1972 trade paperback re-release, which will look a little better on your bookshelf.

These books are great fun and reading through this three book combo was like eating literary ice cream. I only wish my college days had been half as much fun as reading about Keith's after he discovers the little people and their magic hiding on campus. Read these well written romps when you want to be in a good mood, they'll get you there.

I recieved this book as a gift for my twelfth birthday. I thought it was way too long, so I put off reading it for a few months. Finally I picked it up and almost immidiately fell in love with the story. This series is one of the best fantasy series I've ever read!

The main character is hilarious. I read so much (about a book a day) that not many stories surprize or delight me anymore. Not so with this novel. I was laughing out loud, again and again. I'm now twenty and this is still one of my favorite books.

Fun enough for the kids, yet interesting and mature enough to not throw off the adults.

And don't be thrown off by the overall rating. It's just look cause some numskull forgot to include his rating with the book description.

Read this book! You will not regret it.

This is an intreaging book that questions the roots of one of the greatest legends in Western culture. This is an intriguing book that questions the roots of one of the greatest legends in Western culture. The book is essentially discussing a theory that legends and heroes that lived in central Asia spread out to affect other histories and cultures. If there is more solid evidence that surfaces over the following years then it may mean that our image and the history of everything from Christianity to the first contacts with the East will drastically change. The book's main drawback as a historical resource is that it is predominantly theory and plausible evidence, but nothing proven, at least for now.

I hope that the author, Howard Reid, is able to complete his follow up book looking at links with the legends in Asia, all the way to Japan. Experimental research and theory in history is always needed and attracts new blood and ideas into the field. As every avid reader of history knows, history is ever changing - new perspectives, evidence, and fallacies are constantly being uncovered. We should learn what is factual in order to question it, and ultimately strive to find the truth.

Enjoy a good read on a possible past!

Howard Reid has produced a very readable introduction to the idea that the King Arthur legend began with a Roman Cavalry Commander in ancient Britain. Historically, the Imperial Roman Army had recruited much of its cavalry from subject peoples more familiar with horses than the Romans themselves. There were many "horse" cultures in ancient Europe and the Near East, apart from the Celts themselves. Reid introduces the Samartians, successors to the earlier Scythian horsemen who had so troubled the expansionary Roman Republic as it spread towards the Black Sea. Certainly there is much conjecture in Reid's book. However, he has the historical starting point of 175 AD when Rome posted to the Hadrian's Wall forts (that separated Roman Britain from the wild Scots tribes to the North) one of its cavalry units, comprising some 5,500 Samartian horsemen. He suggests that some of these horsemen would have settled in Britain after their period of service. From this beginning he posits a border community that would have held on to its traditions of horseback fighting. Thus, he suggests, there may have been a local war leader (dux bellorum) who used Roman cavalry tactics to fight the invading Anglo-Saxons of fifth century Britain. This "Samartian Supposition" forms the basis of the 2004 film "King Arthur". The screenwriter, David Franzoni, has his hero Arthur (played by Clive Owen) as a Samartian commander of a Roman cavalry unit on Hadrian's Wall. Arthur confronts the indigenous "Woad" (British war paint) people, North of the Wall, led by Guinevere (played by Keira Knightley). These two then make an uneasy alliance to oppose the invading Saxons. So, for once, Hollywood appears to have made a film based on some very intriguing historical supposition. Whether or not you see the film, Reid's book is an engaging effort with enough scholarship to assist its credibility but without being off-putting to those looking for a good "general" read about a possible "historical" Arthur. Thoroughly recommended, especially to those looking for something other than the 21st century Fantasy retellings of the magical King Arthur so often retold in Romantic Fiction.

This is a beautiful book, with magazine style articles (they coincide with the pictures). It is a great book to have around the house for a casual fast food reference of Authurian art, and a sort of who's who in the legendary relm of King Arthur. Great for all ages.

This entire book was filled with beautiful illustrations, and gave a terrific overall view of the Arthurian tradition, not to mention Pre-Raphaelite art!....wonderful...

As for the adoration of crosses, which you object to against us, I must tell you that we neither adore crosses nor desire them. You it is, ye Pagans, who worship wooden gods who are the most likely people to adore wooden crosses, as being parts of the same substance with your deities. For what else are your ensigns, flags, and standards, but crosses gilt and beautified? Your victorious trophies not only represent a simple cross, but a cross with a man upon it.
-Father Minucius Felix in his _Octavius_ written in A.D. 211

_Aryan Sun-Myths: The Origin of Religion_ is a reprint published by Kessinger Publishing of an 1899 essay with an introduction by Charles Morris, author of _The Aryan Race_. This particular essay deals in the field of comparative religion, attempting to trace back all major Aryan religions to an original sun myth archetypal form. According to the author, the Aryans originally occupied Central Asia, and their sun myth incorporated components of death, burial, and resurrection. In addition, the sun was believed to have come from virgin birth (the astrological passage of the sign of Virgo), and primitive forms of baptism and eucharist were practised by these primitive peoples. The author then moves into the field of comparative religion noting relationships between the ancient traditions of Hinduism, Buddhism, Mithraism, the religions of Persia, ancient Teutonic religion, ancient Greek belief, ancient Egyptian religion, the religions of the American Indians, Aztecs, and Mayas, and early Christianity and Judaism. In particular, relationships are found between the ancient gods of Crishna (an avatar of Visnu, part of the Hindu "trinity"), the Buddha, Mithras, Zoroaster, Odin and Thor, Hercules, Osiris and Isis, Quetzacoatl, and Jesus Christ. The interrelationships between Crishna and Buddha and Christ are indeed stunning, when brought fully to light. The author next discusses Christ in particular, and argues that his religion bore much similarity to that of the ancient Essenes. (I believe the relationship between Christ and the Essenes is overdeveloped here, being a product of Nineteenth century thought it has turned out to be a similarity that has not born its expected fruit.) The author notes how events from the life of Christ correspond to ancient aspects of primitive solar worship as well as to worship in the other ancient belief systems. The author also mentions the use of the cross as special symbol, as well as the swastica (an ancient Buddhist symbol). The book concludes with several appendices outlining some of the main features and similiarities between various components of the ancient myths.

Perhaps if we view these ancient beliefs as precursors to the divine Christ it is possible to understand the immense similiarities that existed between ancient cultures. In particular, it is now apparent that a global ancient civilization existed on earth before the modern era, and that the same archetypal forms were expressed in common among all cultures. This book provides an interesting discussion of some of these issues.

A very good work on the Aryan worship of the sun.
A great book for any one interested in Aryanism, Paganism and the worship of the sun. A small book, but an easy read.

Giordano Bruno stands at the cusp between the Renaissance and the modern world. His unique attempts to extract philosophical and theological meaning from Copernicus's forward-looking work provide us with striking insights into the Weltanschauung of his troubled times. Gosselin and Lerner have brilliantly translated Bruno's elegant but involuted Renaissance Italian into clear modern English that nevertheless preserves the spirit of the original. Their thoughtful notes bring comprehensibility to previously misunderstood passages, and the linkage they establish between Bruno's travails and Galileo's later troubles is highly convincing. A must-read for the scientist as well as the philosopher

Giordan Bruno is still today a controversial philosopher. In this book he exposes his philosophical/cosmological ideas and, in doing so, he uses the new Copernican theory as the basis for a new, daring vision of the universe.
Anybody who would like to familiarize him/herself with the work of Bruno, or is interested in the development of Western ideas will find this book extremely challenging. However I would like to say a few words on the interpretation that the translators give of Bruno's ideas. The translators appear to follow completely an interpretation of Bruno based on the theory of the english scolar Frances Yates. According to this theory Bruno was an exponent of the (then popular) Hermetic movement.
It is imperative to underscore that Yates theory is not universally accepted. While it is known that Hermetic influences can be traced in Bruno, to reduce his whole cosmology and his understanding of Copernican theory to a "hieroglyphic" is misleading if not plainly wrong.
Bruno was not a scientist, but he was the first to intuitively realize the revolutionary consequences of Copernican theory (not only for science) and to bring that theory to its logical conclusions: an infinite universe with infinite earth-like worlds. This vision can not be reconciled with the world of the hermetic "Magus". The whole purpose of the hermetic Magus was to ascend the material world to the world of the perfect spheres. In Bruno's universe there is nothing to ascend to. The universe is composed of a thin air where an infinity of worlds and stars are suspended and move following universal (animistic) principles. The other worlds are corruptible as much as the earth and may be inhabited by earth-like people. The very base of the hermetic doctrine is missing. I would therefore encourage the interested reader not to stop the investigation of Bruno's ideas to the hermetic interpretation, but to also read different points of view (for example Yates interpretation of Bruno's use of images has recently been challenged with very solid arguments by the finding of italian scholars). In particular I found the book of Hillary Gatti "Giordano Bruno and the renaissance science" extremely interesting and complete.

I've read and studied Mr. Jabbar's 4 book series over the last 4 yrs. They are eye opening and pain inducing. They render the veil that obscures the truth behind the biblical document. Once you've read them, you instinctively want to challenge them (Good thing). You set them down for a while ( a year for me)and attempt to formulate an argument against his assertions. You may even reach out to local pastors, rabbi's, and biblical scholars (as I did- unfortunately many aren't aware of Egyptian Cosmology or astronomy). Ultimately, you then try to undermine the veracity of his assertions by studying astronomy, egyptian history and biblical accuracy. Finally, you concede that you've been misled by the local church and begin to rebuild your true spiritual identity without guilt and fear of death and damnation.

These books can serve as a catalyst for true spiritual growth.

change the names of the movements of celestial bodies into the names of men and women and what do you get? a dramatic story...the holy bible. this book is packed with information that shows a correlation between the biology of humans and the movements of celestial bodies. the pages on solar birth are especially enlightening- the writer explains why december 25 is believed to be a special day. many are not ready for this book but those who arent afraid to inquire will find it liberating.

This is a wonderful story! And, the tone is perfect: instructive and lyric, but never pedantic. It has many layers and a wonderful irony that will not be too elusive for children and will delight adults. I think that is what I like best -- the irony and the detailed factually-correct description of life in a cathedral. It even has the cathedral floorplan on the back inside cover of the book!

This book is the book for all children and adults that want "more" than they get with a typical fairy tale.

For those of you who loved the Narnia Chronicles, this book is for you. The best parts of Tim Burton's Gothic taste, mixed in with Stephen Sondheim's "Into the Woods". This story avoids many mistakes Fairy Tales do. It balances on the line between the adult and child audience and never seems to insult the reader's intelligence.

I cannot remember the last time I was so taken in with a book so simple. And that is why the tale is told so well. It never strays from its path, and gently takes the reader along.

"At the Top of the Cathedral" holds all the magic of those bed time stories we loved when we were little, but now cannot remember.

And best of all the Gargoyles are not cute, nor silly, nor over-the-top ferocious. They're just gargoyles. Like God wanted them to be.

My pre schoolers beg for me to read it "one more time and one more time." After the story is over, the kids chant,"Baby Leopard, baby Leopard, please don't mess with fire." After eight year, the book has given out and I have to reorder a new copy. I just hope it is still in print!

This is what Mama leopard says to her little one!
This is an all time classic, where I feel every school and home should have one!
We all know how our little ones are fascinated with fire!
Well, this book made the biggest impact on my 4 year old and did the same at the same age for my now 13 year old.
Baby Leopard thinks of himself as invicible toward anything, even Fire until..yes you guessed it,he got burned!
He runs back to his Mommy and asked her to help him, then he ran
out into the rain and asked the rain to wash the burned spots away.
Nothing is working and "Ever since that day, Leopards have had spots to remind all of us of one thing... Baby leopard, Baby Leopard. Please don't mess with fire."("" Phrase taken form the book!}
This book is just the greatest tale with amazing pictures.
Your little one will feel so bad for that baby Leopard that all you will here is Baby Leopard Please don't mess with fire!
If you can get your hands on this book, do so, you will not be disapointed!
Sorry, but I am keeping mine!

I loved this book, it's brilliant! As an (immanent) mom to be, I was feeling down cos of my ever-expanding belly and thighs and this brought joy to my day.

This is a wonderful book that will guarantee hours of fun for all moms or midwives. It had all the nursing colleagues at my hospital in stitches! It would make a fanastic baby shower gift for any expectant or new mom.
This is packed full of superstitions that I have never ever heard before, so its thoroughly original as well as well as being very well-researched.
What I most liked about it was that it was very easy to read, full of just the beliefs and superstitions rather than lots of boring academic text.