The Philosopher’s Stone: Spiritual Alchemy, Psychology, and Ritual Magic - Israel Regardie 2013

Biographical Dictionary

ABBÉ FARIA: (1746—1819) Born José Custódio de Faria. Portuguese Catholic monk who advanced the study of hypnotism. Whereas Mesmer worked by manipulating animal magnetism, Faria held that it worked through the power of suggestion.

AESCULAPIUS: Asclepius, Graeco-Roman god of medicine and healing. The staff of Asclepius, a single snake entwined around a rod, is the symbol of medicine.

AGRIPPA, CORNELIUS: (1486—1535) German soldier, physician, lawyer, alchemist, astrologer, and magician. Author of the seminal work Three Books of Occult Philosophy, a text that defended magic as a method of understanding God and Creation, and a primary source book for the magic of the Golden Dawn.

ALBERTUS MAGNUS: (1193/1206—1280) Albert the Great. German philosopher, scientist, theologian and Catholic saint. He was called Doctor Universalis (“Universal Doctor”) in recognition of his great knowledge. His works on philosophy filled 36 volumes when printed in 1890. Along with his student Thomas Aquinus, Albertus was influential in the spread of the “New Science,” particularly Aristotelian thought. He was the most prolific writer of his century and wrote on a vast array of subjects, including the Heavens, the natural world, the properties of the elements, meteorology, minerals, metals, life and death, the intellect, and astrology. He established the study of nature as a legitimate science within the Christian tradition. Albertus’ influence on European philosophy was enormous, and his most important work was called On Alchemy.

ARNOLD OF VILLA NOVA: (1235—1311) Spanish alchemist, pharmacist, astrologer, physician and skilled alchemist who translated a number of Arabic texts on medicine, including works by Avicenna. He is credited with the discovery of carbon monoxide and pure alcohol. He claimed to have attained the Philosopher’s Stone and wrote a medical book on wine entitled Liber de Vinis. He also wrote The Alchemy, comprised of a handful of short treatises: the most important of these is The Treasure of the Treasures and The Philosophers’ Rosary.

ARTEFIUS: (Artephius) (circa 1126) Spanish Muslim Alchemist from Al-Andalus. His best known work The Secret Book of Artephius is found in the book In Pursuit of Gold by “Lapidus.” The Secret Book describes the entire process of preparing the Philosopher’s Stone.

ASSAGIOLI, ROBERT: (1888—1974) Italian psychiatrist and pioneer in the field of transpersonal psychology. He founded a holistic approach to psychology known as Psychosynthesis.

ATWOOD, MARY ANNE: (1817—1910) 19th-century English spiritual alchemist who researched metaphysics with her father, Thomas South. At her father’s request she wrote A Suggestive Inquiry into the Hermetic Mystery, published in 1850.

AVICENNA: (980—1037) Known in Arabic as Ibn Sīnā, Avicenna was considered the most famous and influential of the philosopher-scientists of the Islamic world. He wrote about 100 books on Aristotelian philosophy and medicine, the most influential of which was the Canon of Medicine, which was used as a medical text in French universities until 1650. Avicenna’s ideas on psychology and imagination are found in the al-nafs (“soul, self, or psyche”) sections of his Kitab al-shifa’ (The Book of Healing) and Kitab al-najat (The Book of Deliverance).

AYTON, REVEREND WILLIAM ALEXANDER: (1816—1909) British Anglican clergyman who was known as the Alchemist of the Golden Dawn.

BACON, SIR FRANCIS: (1603—1618) Lawyer, statesman, philosopher, scientist, and author. Bacon’s works advocated the scientific method, and were extremely influential during the scientific revolution. He was considered one of the founders of Empiricism, the theory that knowledge comes primarily from sensory experience.

BACON, ROGER: (c. 1214—c. 1294) English philosopher, theologian, scientist, educational reformer, and alchemist. He was known as Doctor Mirabilis (Latin: “Wonderful Teacher”). Bacon is credited with advancing the inventions of gunpowder and the telescope. Asked by Pope Clement IV for a treatise on the sciences, Bacon produced the Opus majus (“Great Work”), the Opus minus (“Lesser Work”), and the Opus tertium (“Third Work”).

BACSTROM, SIGISMUND: Translated the Aurea Catena Homeri (Golden Chain of Homer written or edited by Anton Josef Kirchweger in Frankfort in 1723) into English in the late eighteenth century.

BARDESANES: (154—222) Greek Gnostic scientist, scholar, astrologer, philosopher, and poet.

BARON DU POTET: (1796—1881) A disciple of Mesmer and exponent of animal magnetism. He recorded his experiments in the journals Le Propagateur du Magnétisme animal, and Journal de Magnétisme.

BARON VON REICHENBACH: (1788—1869) German chemist, geologist, and philosopher who was best known for discovering several chemical products such as paraffin and phenol. After retirement he began to study the human nervous system and certain conditions such as somnambulism. Influenced by Mesmer’s work he theorized that “sensitives” (individuals whose sensory faculties were extraordinarily strong) were affected by a vital life force he termed Odic Force.

BERNHEIM, HIPPOLYTE: (1840—1919) French physician and neurologist. Along with Liébeault, Bernheim was one of the founders of the Nancy School of hypnotherapy. He was known for his theory of suggestibility in relation to hypnotism.

BLAISE DE VIGNÊRE: (1523—1596) French diplomat and cryptographer with an interest in alchemy. He wrote over twenty books including Traicté du Feu et du Sel (“A Discourse of Fire and Salt”).

BLAVATSKY, HELENA PETROVA: (1831—1891) One of the founding members of the Theosophical Society in 1875. Often referred to as HPB. Author of The Secret Doctrine, Isis Unveiled, and The Key to Theosophy.

BOEHME, JACOB: (1575—1624) A German religious and philosophical mystic. Born at the end of the Reformation, Boehme greatly influenced later intellectual movements such as Idealism and Romanticism. Boehme was himself influenced by the speculative alchemical writings of Paracelsus. Boehme’s writings synthesized Renaissance nature mysticism, philosophy, spiritual alchemy, and biblical doctrine—held together by the thread of devotional fervor.

BRAID, DR. JAMES: (1796—1860) Scottish-born physician who coined the term hypnosis and as a result is considered by many to be the “Father of Hypnosis.” Braid’s interest in the subject started in 1841 after seeing a performance by Swiss magnetizer, Charles Lafontaine. Trying to find a scientific reason for the trance-state, Braid believed that it was a result of a fatigue of the eyes. Concluding that the phenomena was a form of sleep, Dr Braid named the phenomena Hypnosis after Hypnos, the Greek god of sleep and dreams. After a time he realized that the trance-state could be achieved without sleep, however the terms “hypnosis” and “hypnotism” had already taken hold in the common vernacular.

BRAMWELL, DR. JOHN MILNE: (1852—1925) Scottish physician, author and hypnotherapist who collected the works of Dr. James Braid and maintained Braid’s legacy in Great Britain.

BUTLER, WALTER ERNEST: (1898—1978) British occultist and author who studied under Theosophist Annie Besant and later joined Dion Fortune’s Society of the Inner Light. He founded his own occult school, Servants of the Light, in 1925. His books include Magic: Its Power, Ritual and Purpose (1952), The Magician: His Training and Work (1959), and Apprenticed to Magic (1964).

CARRINGTON, HEREWARD: (1880—1958) British investigator of psychic phenomena. After emigrating to the U.S., he joined the American branch of the Society for Psychical Research at age nineteen. He published more than one hundred books and pamphlets on paranormal and psychical research, stage magic, and alternative medicine.

CHARCOT, JEAN-MARTIN: (1825—1893) French neurologist and instructor at the Salpêtrière School. He was known as “the Founder of modern neurology” and was famous for his work with hypnosis and hysteria.

COCKREN, ARCHIBALD: (?—1950) A practicing physician who also studied metallurgy, biochemistry, and bacteriology. Cockren was in charge of all electrical, massage, manipulative, and remedial exercises at the Russian Hospital for British Officers in London, in WW1. He was considered the greatest British alchemist of the 20th century. Author of Alchemy Rediscovered and Restored (1941).

COLLINS, MABEL: (1851—1927) A Theosophist and author of over forty-six books including Light on the Path (1885). She also wrote a number of popular occult novels.

COSTER, GERALDINE: Author of Yoga and Western Psychology (1934).

CRAWFORD, WILLIAM JACKSON: (1881—1920) Psychic investigator. Author of The Reality of Psychic Phenomena: Raps, Levitations, Etc. (1919).

CROWLEY, ALEISTER: (1875—1959) Former member of the original Golden Dawn, whose Order motto was Perdurabo, “I will endure.” He later went off to assume authority of his own Order, the Ordo Templi Orientis (or O.T.O.) and took on the name of To Mega Therion, “The Great Beast.” He wrote a number of books including Magick in Theory and Practice, The Book of Thoth, and Book Four.

DE BARBARIN, CHEVALIER: Founder of a French school of mesmerism, animal magnetism, and spiritualism.

DELEUZE, JOSEPH PHILIPPE FRANÇOIS: (1753-1835) A French physician, anatomist, and magnetizer.

DE MAINADUC, J. B.: (died 1797) Physician and magnetizer. He was thought to have introduced the theory of animal magnetism into England in 1787.

DE PUYSÉGUR, MARQUIS: (1751—1825) Also named Armand-Marie-Jacques de Chastenet. A French aristocrat, a student of Mesmer, and magnetist who coined the term “somnambulism” and invented the procedure known as hypnotic induction. He taught a course in animal magnetism to the local Masonic society in 1785 and started his own school of animal magnetism called Société Harmonique des Amis Réunis.

DEVANT, DAVID: (1868—1941) Famous English stage magician. In 1905 he partnered with John Nevil Maskelyne, and the pair wrote several manuals on conjuring.

DUBUIS, JEAN: (1919—2010) Renowned 20th century alchemist and author of courses and articles on Alchemy, Qabalah, and Esotericism. He founded the Le Philosophes du Nature (The Philosophers of Nature) in France in 1979. The LPN conducted alchemical research and distributed courses. His work can be found at http://www.triad-publishing.com/.

DU POTET DE SENNEVOY, BARON: (1796—1881) One of Mesmer’s most illustrious students. He developed a system called “magnetic magic” by merging mesmerism’s concept of a universal magnetic fluid with the older idea of a universal spiritual power that was the core of “natural magic.” Du Potet believed magnetism was the bond between spirit and matter, or body and spirit. He thought that true magnetizers could work magic, producing wonderful cures and a range of paranormal phenomena.

EEMAN, LEON ERNEST: (1889—1958) English medical practitioner who discovered copper screens called biocircuits used for vibrational healing. Author of Self and Superman (1929).

ELLIOTSON, DR. JOHN: (1791—1868) British exponent of the theory of animal magnetism in Great Britain. He was introduced to the theory by Baron Du Potet. Elliotson reported numerous painless surgical procedures that had been performed using mesmerism in 1834.

ESDAILE, DR. JAMES: (1808—1859) Scottish medical doctor who practiced mesmerism as an anesthesia for his surgical patients in India. In 1848, he opened a mesmeric hospital in Calcutta.

EUDOXUS: (4th Century B.C.E.) Greek physician, legislator and astronomer who studied under Plato. He was reputed to be the one who discovered that six hours must be added to the 365-day year, and is credited with the invention of the sundial. Fragments of his work are preserved in the writings of the astronomer Hipparchus.

EVANS-WENTZ, DR. WALTER: (1878—1965) American anthropologist and writer who was a pioneer in the study of Tibetan Buddhism. He is best known for helping compile and edit The Tibetan Book of the Dead.

FIENUS, THOMAS: (1567—1631) His last name is sometimes spelled Fyens or Feyens. A Renaissance medical theorist and physician born in Antwerp who studied in Italy. He published a number of medical books on such topics as the formation of the fetus, a handbook of surgery, and a treatise on imagination: De Viribus Imaginationis (1608).

FLAMEL, NICHOLAS: (1330—1418) French notary and alchemist. According to his own account, he came across a book filled with alchemical symbolism called the Book of Abraham the Jew. Flamel and his wife Perenelle began a series of a alchemical experiments and after consulting a Jewish alchemist, they set about preparing the first matter. After a few years the couple had reportedly converted Mercury into silver and gold. After this Flamel became wealthy and founded at least fourteen hospitals. Many myths and a good deal of speculation surrounds him.

FLUDD, ROBERT: (1574—1637) English physician, astrologist and mathematician. He wrote several books on Hermetic medicine and alchemy but his major contribution was a huge encyclopedia of Renaissance occult philosophy called Utriusque cosmi maioris scilicet et minoris metaphysica, physica atqve technica historia or “The Metaphysical, Physical, and Technical History of Both Universes, that is, the Greater and the Lesser.” Fludd was a staunch defender of Rosicrucianism.

FRATER ALBERTUS: (1911—1984) The pen name of Dr. Albert Riedel who was the founder of the Paracelsus Research Society (later called Paracelsus College), which was founded in 1982. His works include The Alchemist’s Handbook (1960), and The Seven Rays of the QBL (1981).

FREUD, SIGMUND: (1856—1939) Austrian neurologist and founder of psychoanalysis. Freud developed the theory that the conscious mind is only a small part of our composition, and our motivations are caused, for the most part, by factors that we are unaware of. Freud postulated that psyche is divided into three distinct factions: the id, the ego, and the super-ego. Human beings, according to Freud, are motivated by vital animal instincts—primarily the sexual drive, which he called the libido. Other concepts of psychology promoted by Freud were the ideas of the Oedipus complex and infantile sexuality.

GALEN: (129—199) Greek physician-philosopher whose enormous influence on medical theory and practice in Europe and Byzantium lasted until the mid-eighteenth century. He gained his knowledge of anatomy by stitching up wounded gladiators. In 159 he became court physician to Marcus Aurelius. Galen’s theories on medicine were a mixture of ideas from Plato, Aristotle, and Hippocrates. He was considered one of the most prolific writers in antiquity, with over three hundred books to his credit.

GARSTIN, E. J. LANGFORD: (1983—1955) A prominent member of the Alpha et Omega, a spin-off of the Golden Dawn. He was the author of two published works on Spiritual Alchemy: Theurgy or the Hermetic Practice (1931), and The Secret Fire (1932).

GASSNER, JOHANN JOSEPH: (1727—1779) A Jesuit exorcist who believed that disease was caused by evil spirits and could be banished by prayer and incantations. He was an early influence on Franz Anton Mesmer.

GEBER: (c. 720—c. 810) Latinized version of the name Abu Musa ibn Hayyan. An Arabic alchemist who practiced in Baghdad. Geber had a large role in designing alchemical furnaces, however his major contribution was the sulphur-mercury (masculine-feminine) theory of the formation of metals. During the fourteenth century an unknown Spanish alchemist wrote several alchemical treatises using Geber’s name, including the Summa Perfectionis (Sum of Perfection) and Liber Fornacum (Book of Furnaces).

GELEY, DR. GUSTAVE: (1868—1924) French physician and psychic researcher who investigated mediums and seances. He studied medicine at the Salpêtrière School with Jean-Martin Charcot.

GLAUBER, JOHANN RUDOLF: (1604—1670) German-Dutch chemist and apothecary. In 1625 he discovered sodium sulfate which became known as “Glauber’s salt.”

GREGORY, DR. WILLIAM: (1803—1858) Scottish physician and chemist who had an interest in mesmerism. In 1851 he wrote Letters to a Candid Inquirer on Animal Magnetism.

GRODDECK, GEORG: (1866—1934) German physician who was a pioneer in psychosomatic medicine. His treatment was a combination of psychoanalysis, naturopathy, hypnosis, and suggestion. One of his most influential works was The Book of the It (1923).

HELL, FATHER MAXIMILIAN: (Father Hehl) (1720—1792) Austrian Jesuit who used magnets and steel plates applied to the body to heal disease. He taught his techniques to Mesmer.

HINKLE, BEATRICE: American feminist, psychoanalyst, author, and translator. She was the first to translate the works of Carl Jung into English. She translated Jung’s Psychology of the Unconscious in 1916. Her own work included The Re-Creating of the Individual: A Study of Psychological Types and Their Relation to Psychoanalysis (1923). She wrote several books and articles on women’s rights, women’s suffrage, divorce, and individualism.

HOHENHEIM: (See Paracelsus).

HOLDERLIN, JOHANN CHRISTIAN FRIEDRICH: (1770—1843) German poet who influenced the philosophical movement known as German Idealism.

HOLLANDER, BERNARD: (1864—1934) London psychiatrist and prominent phrenologist. His works include Positive Philosophy of the Mind (1891), The Mental Function of the Brain (1901), and Scientific Phrenology (1902).

JANET, PIERRE: (1859—1947) French philosopher and psychotherapist who is known as one of the fathers of psychology. His work focused on studied traumatic memory and he coined the words “dissociation” and “subconscious.” He wrote several papers on memory as well as an important text on suggestion called La médecine psychologique (1923).

JOHN PONTANUS: A medieval alchemist. His works include a treatise called The Sophic Fire (1624).

JONES, GEORGE CECIL: (c. 1870/73—1963) British chemist and one-time member of the Golden Dawn. Along with Aleister Crowley, he cofounded of the magical order AA, the Argentium Astrum or “silver star.”

JUNG, CARL GUSTAV: (1875—1961) Swiss psychologist/psychiatrist who founded analytic psychology. Jung developed the concepts of the collective unconscious and the archetypes which he felt were fundamental to the study of the psychology of religion. According to Jung, archetypes are instinctive patterns, have a universal character, and are expressed in human behavior and images. The psychology which Jung very gradually developed was described by him as Heisweg, a German word which meant “sacred way” and a “method of healing.” Jung’s idea of the psyche was based upon a separation between the conscious and the unconscious—the personal unconscious being a tributary of the greater river of the collective unconscious.

KHUNRATH, HENRY: (1560—1605) German alchemist and a follower of Paracelsus. His greatest work was a mystical and magical treatise titled Amphitheatrum Sapientiae Aeternae (Amphitheatre of Eternal Wisdom).

KILNER, DR. WALTER JOHN: (1847—1920) Doctor of electrotherapy for St. Thomas’ Hospital in London. Author of a book on the human aura called The Human Atmosphere (1883) based on his studies.

KING, FRANCIS: (1934—1994) British occult writer. Author of several books including Ritual Magic in England: 1887 to the Present Day (1970), Techniques of High Magic (with Stephen Skinner, 1976), and The Rebirth of Magic (1982).

KÜNCKEL VON LÖWENSTJERN, JOHANN: (1630—1702/03) German court chemist and apothecary, who duplicated Hennig Brand’s isolation of phosphorus in 1678.

LAFONTAINE, CHARLES: (1803—1892) Swiss mesmerist who published a journal called Le magnétiseur.

LEVI, ELIPHAS (1810—1875): The pen name of Alphonse-Louis Constant. Levi is considered an author of influence in the so-called “Occult Revival” of the 19th century. His best known work is The Doctrine and Ritual of High Magic, which is known today as Transcendental Magic.

LIÉBEAULT, AMBROISE-AUGUSTE (also spelled Liébault): (1823—1904) Founder of the Nancy School of hypnotherapy, which taught that hypnosis was induced by suggestion and not by magnetism or hysteria. Considered by many to be the father of modern hypnotherapy. Liébeault was an influence on Sigmund Freud, who studied at the Nancy School.

LULLY, RAYMUND: (1232/33—1315) Also called Ramon Lull. Spanish mystic and poet whose writings had a major influence on Neoplatonic philosophy and mysticism throughout medieval and 17th-century Europe. After experiencing a vision, he developed a system of contemplative philosophy with strong similarities to Qabalah, known as the Lullian Art, described in his book Ars Magna. Lully was reputed to have written more than ninety works on alchemy, however many of these were probably penned by Ramon de Tarrega.

MASKELYNE, JOHN NEVIL: (1839—1917) British stage magician and illusionist. His theatrical company, Maskelyne and Cooke, invented many illusions, including levitation, which are still performed today. In 1905 he partnered with David Devant.

MASTER ECKHART: (1260—1327) Real name: Eckhart von Hochheim. German Catholic theologian, philosopher, and mystic noted for his highly unusual sermons on spiritual and psychological transformation, the presence of God in the individual soul, and detachment.

MATHERS, SAMUEL LIDDELL “MACGREGOR”: (1854—1918) One of the key founders of the original Hermetic Order of the Golden Dawn, often considered the Golden Dawn’s leading ritualist and magician. His Order mottoes were ’S Rioghail Mo Dhream, “Royal is my Tribe” and Deo Duce Comite Ferro, “With God as my Leader and the Sword as My Companion.” Translator and editor of The Greater Key of Solomon the King and The Sacred Book of the Magic of Abramelin.

MAXWELL, WILLIAM: (c. 1679) Scottish physician and magnetizer who embraced the concept that a vital universal spirit affected all human beings. He also believed that imagination and suggestion influenced healing.

MEAD, G. R .S.: (1863/28—1933) Full name George Robert Stowe Mead. Author, translator theosophist, and founder of the Quest Society. In 1889 he became H. P. Blavatsky’s private secretary and joint-secretary of the Esoteric Section of the Theosophical Society. He translated numerous works on Hermeticism, Gnosticism, and Neoplatonism.

MESMER, FRANZ ANTON: (1734—1815) Swiss physician and occultist who developed the theory of animal magnetism, a type of subtle life force energy connected with animal life that could be manipulated for the purpose of healing. His method became known as “mesmerism” which, unlike hypnotism, focused on energy work and not mental processes. He explained his theories in the book Mémoire sur la Découverte du Magnétisme Animal (Memoir on the Discovery of Animal Magnetism, 1779). Mesmer’s ideas were highly popular in occult circles and he had a huge influence on nineteenth century French Occult Revivalists such as Eliphas Levi, whose ideas on the Astral Light were nearly identical with Mesmer’s animal magnetism.

MOLL, ALBERT: (1862—1939) German psychiatrist and founder of modern sexology. He was a adherent of hypnotism but not mysticism. He published an account of his own work on the subject in his book Hypnotism (1889).

NINTZEL, HANS W.: (1932—2000) One of the most significant of the late twentieth century’s alchemical enthusiasts, Hans Nintzel was among Frater Albertus’ earliest pupils and a friend of Israel Regardie. From the 1970s on he lectured often on the subjects of alchemy and Qabalah. In 1977 he established the R.A.M.S. publications—the Restoration of Alchemical Manuscripts Society. (http://www.ramsdigital.com). The Society worked to make rare alchemical manuscripts available to English-speaking students.

PARACELSUS: (1493—1541) Born Theophrastus Bombast von Hohenheim, he changed his name to Aureolus Paracelsus to show that he was “beyond Celsus,” the renowned first-century Roman physician. A German-Swiss alchemist and physician, Paracelsus introduced the concept of disease to medicine. Paracelsus believed that disease was the result of external agents attacking the body, and promoted the use of chemicals against illness-causing agents. He is considered the father of modern medicine, and a forerunner of homeopathy, microchemistry, and chemotherapy. Paracelsus maintained the Hermetic view that human life in inseparable from that of the universal mind. The basic idea of purifying gold of its gross components is behind much of Paracelsus’ work.

PATANJALI: Author or one of the authors of two great Hindu classics: the Yoga-sutras, and the Mahabhasya or “great commentary.” The first classifies yogic thought into four volumes: “Psychic Power,” “Practice of Yoga,” “Samadhi” (“union with god,” a merging of the individual consciousness with universal consciousness), and “Kaivalya” (“liberation”).

PETRUS POMPONATIUS: (Pietro Pomponazzi) (1462—1525) Italian physician and philosopher. His greatest work was a controversial text entitled De Immortalitate Animae (On the Immortality of the Soul).

PLATO: (427—347 B.C.E.) Greek philosopher and follower of Socrates, in 386 B.C.E. Plato founded his Academy, where he taught and wrote for most of his life. Plato is universally accepted as one of the all-time geniuses who presented his ideas in the form of dramatic dialogues, as in The Republic. He created a profound philosophy concerned with humanity’s social and personal conduct. Plato believed that the material world was a lower and inferior reflection of a higher truth—a higher world of ideas or archetypes. They also believed there were three parts to the human soul—reason, will, and desire.

PLOTINUS: (205—270 C.E.) Hellenist follower of Plato, and founder of the Neoplatonic school in third century C.E. Most of what is known about him comes from his student Porphyry, who compiled the works of Plotinus in The Enneads.

PRINCE, MORTON HENRY: (1854—1929) American physician who played a large role in establishing psychology as a medical and academic discipline. He was among the first to use hypnosis in psychotherapy.

PROCLUS: (Proclus Lycaeus) (412—485 C.E.) Influential Greek Neoplatonist nicknamed “the Successor,” Proclus was one of the last great Classical Greek philosophers, a theurgist and initiate of various mystery cults.

PRYSE, JOHN MORGAN: (1859—1942) Theosophist and author.

PYTHAGORAS: Sixth century B.C.E. Greek philosopher who is considered the first true mathematician. Pythagoras believed in the reincarnation of the human soul, and the idea that the essence of everything in the universe was numbered. He coordinated the religious thought of his predecessor Orpheus into a complete system of philosophy.

QUINTILIAN: (35—96 C.E.) Also known as Marcus Fabius Quintilianus. Roman teacher and rhetorician who wrote Institutio Oratoria (The Institutes of Oratory).

RICHET, CHARLES: (1850—1935) A Nobel Prize-winning French scientist who spent many years investigating mediumship and the paranormal. He coined the word “ectoplasm.”

RIEDEL, ALBERT: (See Frater Albertus)

RUYSBROECK, JAN VAN: (1293—1381) Flemish mystic.

NOTZING, ALBERT VON SCHRENCK: (1862—1929) German forensic psychiatrist and psychic researcher who investigated spiritual mediums and studied the phenomena of ectoplasm. In 1920 he wrote Phenomena of Materialisation.

SENDIVOGIUS, MICHAEL: (1566—1636) Polish physician, philosopher, diplomat, and one of the last major figures in Renaissance alchemy. In 1604 he was said to have transmuted base metal into gold in the presence of Rudolf II and others. During the same year he published his most famous work Novum Lumen Chymicum (A New Light of Alchemy), written in a coded alchemical language that could only be deciphered by other alchemists. The book greatly enhanced his reputation as an alchemist.

SILBERER, HERBERT: (1882—1923) Austrian psychoanalyst who moved in the same circles as Sigmund Freud and Carl Jung. In 1914 he wrote his most important work Probleme der Mystik und ihrer Symbolik (Problems of Mysticism and its Symbolism) an exploration of alchemical imagery and modern psychology.

SOUTH, THOMAS: British researcher into the history of spirituality, and father of Mary Anne Atwood.

STELLATUS, JOSEPH: Pseudonym for Christoph Hirsh, author of Pegasus Firmamenti. Sive introductio brevis in Veterum Sapientiam or The Pegasus of the Firmament or a Brief Introduction to the Ancient Wisdom (1618). Stellatus provided a clear explanation of the Rosicrucian movement as inspired by an “Ancient Theology” that promotes enquiry into Nature.

TOWNSEND, CHAUNCY HARE: (1798—1868) British poet, clergyman, and mesmerist. Considered the chief British exponent of mesmerism after Dr. John Elliotson. Although he published two books as well as some articles and letters on the topic, he is primarily known for bequeathing his vast collections of books, paintings, prints, fossils, maps, etc. to English museums.

TREVISAN, BERNARD: (Bernard of Treviso) (1406—1490) The name refers to one or more enigmatic Italian alchemists.

TRISMOSIN, SOLOMON (Salomon): The alleged teacher of Paracelsus and author of the German text Splendor Solis, or “The Splendour of the Sun” (1582), one of the most beautiful of all illuminated alchemical manuscripts which described the philosophy of alchemy.

TUCKEY, CHARLES LLOYD: Eminent British psychiatrist who popularized the word “psychotherapy” in his book on Psycho-therapeutics, or Treatment by Hypnotism & Suggestion (1889). Tuckey used the term as a synonym for the hypnotherapy of Hippolyte Bernheim’s Nancy school in France. He attributed the discovery of “psychotherapy” as a discipline to Liébault, its founder.

VALENTINE, BASIL: (Also known as Basilius Valentinus) (late 15th or early 16th century) German alchemist, Benedictine monk, and author of many influential texts on alchemy including the Triumphal Chariot of Antimony (1604) and the Twelve Keys (1599).

VAN HELMONT, JAN BAPTIST: (1579—1644) Flemish physician, mystic, and chemist who advanced scientific understanding of the physical properties of gases and coined the word “gas.”

VAUGHAN, THOMAS: (1621—1665) Welsh philosopher and mystic heavily influenced by Agrippa. Vaughan wrote on “Natural Magic” under the pen name Eugenius Philalethes, a name chosen out of respect for his teacher Eirenaeus Philalethes. In 1650 he wrote Coelum Terrae.

WAITE, ARTHUR EDWARD: (1875—1940) Christian mystic, occultist, and member of the original Hermetic Order of the Golden Dawn. A prolific author, Waite wrote several books, including The Secret Doctrine in Israel and The Holy Kabbalah.

WESTCOTT, DR. WILLIAM WYNN: (1843—1925) Primary founder of the Hermetic Order of the Golden Dawn, established in 1888 as “a Hermetic Society whose members are taught the principles of Occult Science and the Magic of Hermes.” His Order mottos were Sapere Aude, “Dare to be Wise,” and Nom Omnis Moriar, “I shall not wholley die.” Author of Introduction to the Study of the Kabbalah and Numbers: Their Occult Power and Mystic Virtues, and other occult texts. Westcott also compiled and published a number of Hermetic texts in his Collectanea Hermetica.

WILHELM, RICHARD: (1873—1930) German scholar, theologian, and translator of important Chinese texts including The Secret of the Golden Flower and the I Ching.

WIRDIG, SEBASTIAN: (1613—1687) German physician and professor of physics and medicine. His treatise Nova Medicina Spirituum Curiosa (1673), which combined theology with medicine, was reprinted frequently.

WOODMAN, DR. WILLIAM ROBERT: (1828—1891) Surgeon, horticulturalist, and Freemason. One of the three founding members of the Golden Dawn. His mottos in the Order were Magna est Veritas et Praelavebit (“Great is the Truth and it shall Prevail”) and Vincit Omnia Veritas (“Truth Rules All”).

ZENO OF CITIUM: (334—c. 262 B.C.E.) Greek philosopher and founder of Stoicism, which taught that goodness and tranquility were gained from living a virtuous life in accordance with nature.

ZOROASTER: Zoroaster or Zarathustra (c. 628—551 B.C.E.) was an Iranian religious leader and reformer, priest, and founder of Zoroastrianism, or Parsiism as it is called in India. Along with Moses and Hermes Trismegistos, Zoroaster was considered by Renaissance philosophers as one of the great spiritual teachers of the world—the prisci theogici—who had foreshadowed the teachings of Christ.