The Holy Kabbalah [Paperback]

Arthur Edward Waite (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: April 15, 2007

Kabbalah has gained notoriety in recent years, thanks in large part to a publicity boost from celebrity adherents like Madonna. Yet the uninitiated may be surprised to learn that Jewish mysticism has been practiced for thousands of years. First published in 1929, The Holy Kabbalah is Arthur E. Waite's guide to these esoteric teachings. Divided into twelve books, with five appendices and a detailed index, this heavily researched volume traces the origins of Kabbalah and examines its influence (if any) on astrology, alchemy, and freemasonry. Including a close look at Kabbalistic literature, and sections on the Zohar and the Ten Sephiroth, this volume will serve as an excellent introduction to the secret tradition for those wanting to learn more about Kabbalah out of scholarship or curiosity. American-born British author ARTHUR EDWARD WAITE (1857-1942) was cocreator of the famous 1910 Rider-Waite Tarot deck. Among his numerous books are Book of Ceremonial Magic, Devil Worship in France, and New Encyclopedia of Freemasonry.

Product Details

• Paperback: 664 pages
• Publisher: Cosimo Classics (April 15, 2007)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1602063249
• ISBN-13: 978-1602063242
• Product Dimensions: 9.8 x 7.1 x 1.5 inches
• Shipping Weight: 2.6 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.1 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (7 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,507,051 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

13 of 13 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars One of the best books written on the Kabbalah, August 3, 2006

By 

ZANZIBAR "Hotep" (Diaspora) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Holy Kabbalah (Dover Occult) (Paperback)

World renowned Masonic writer A.E. Waite and his book "The Holy Kabbalah" brings the science and art of the Kabbalah to the reader in a style suited to the esoteric enthusiast. The average researcher of Kabbalah will attest to the difficulty in deciphering and teaching it's concepts. The book is 672 pages so bring a lunch it is not a quick easy read. It would probably have to be read 3 times for it's full effect. If one was to read the old testament with this treatise, your understanding of the Pentateuch would only be enhanced.

There is a multitude of books on the subject of the Kabbalah but for the true traveler there isn't a treatise that comes remotely close to the quality of this work.

Book III The Mystery of Shekinah (The Principle of Divine Motherhood, the Feminine side of Divinity). Which tells of the mystical relationship between the sacred Feminine & Masculine principles is a must read, as well as book XI The Kabbalah and Alchemy, Astrology and Freemasonry but I must forewarn, you must be "duly prepared".

12 of 13 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Interesting View on the Kabbalah., October 3, 2005

By 

Queen of Cups (NYC, USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Holy Kabbalah (Paperback)

Waite writes from the standpoint of an Esoteric Christian and does a good job of reporting the known historical facts of the Kabbalah when it came into written tradition after centuries of oral tradition. From the standpoint of combining Kabbalah with mystical Christianity, a lot of connections are revealed that enable the student to value this mystical text in perhaps a way he was unable to do so in the past. Well worth reading!

8 of 9 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars A nice scholar work, March 22, 2006

By 

I. Papadakis "R+C" - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: The Holy Kabbalah (Dover Occult) (Paperback)

"The Holy Kabalah" is a nice informative work on the history and literature of Kabalah from the ancient years until 19th century. It is together with Papus' Kabalah the two most informative works on the Jewish tradition from non-Jewish writers. The book has also a very helpfull appentix.

Much has been writen about the overloaded, artificial way of writing that A E Waite uses and also about his contempt for non-christian (and especially Catholic) way of thinking and beliefs. This maybe is true and I have nothing to add here.
But if one is willing to overcome this, "The Holy Kabalah" is a nice scholar work for the student of the occult, the mystic, the magician, the scholar.