Customer Reviews

The Zelator: A Modern Initiate Explores the Ancient Mysteries

5 star:		(10)
4 star:		(2)
3 star:		(2)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

An amazing book giving a few, no make that many secrets away of the ancient mystery schools which have survived to this day. Mainly with a Gurdjieff flavour with a few astrological, Rosicrucian and ancient history references.

This is a slow burning type of book where the student has to search for the meaning behind Hedsel's veiled secrets. True Esotericism at its best to guide the seeker onward. Much like Fulcanelli, Hedsel and Ovason's secrets are only really available to those with eyes to see.

The Bibliographic notes meticulously compiled by David Ovason run into 103 (Yes that's 103) pages and are worth the price of the book alone. They act as a signpost for the initiate who is seeking further answers pointing to a mixture of some rather obscure and common texts.

There is a website dedicated to the book which I have published on the web. Just type "Hedsel" and "Zelator" on Google to find it.

Highly recommended.

Without this book, I would still be asleep.
"The Zelator" will prove to be an insightful and inspiring read for all newcomers to Hermetic philosophy, and the occult in general.
I agree that some of the information contained is not wholly accurate, but the serious student will find that further exploration of the various concepts contained will clarify any errors or misunderstandings.
Ovason's footnotes, although extensive and fairly well informed, do tend to dwell on unimportant aspects of the subjects covered by Hedsel. The variety of arcane subjects dealt with and explained by Hedsel will provide a basic grounding in hermetic studies for any new student.
There are also moments when Hedsel explains events in his life in relation to various alchemical operations. At times these insights into his personal life are touching and often moving.
This book sets out to tell the story of one man's personal journey through initiation, it does not claim to be an instruction manual for magical works. It explores areas of occult study which would not be discussed so openly elsewhere and, for this alone, it deserves the respect of the reader.
An excellent book.

Mark Hedsel has written an intriguing account of his journey in his "Zelator." This remarkable book holds full of gems and insights as one will discover new knowledge that lies within.

This book will surely takes the reader to the experience the mysterious knowledge as well the esoteric path. In this work, one can see the keys to unlock the ancient mysteries and knowledge.

With little over eight chapters and roughly 460 pages as well the included fascinating pictures, this book is tough to read but well worth the read.

For any devoted esoteric seekers of the truth and knowledge, I would highly recommend this book.

Mark Hedsel had given a gift to seekers in this lovely book. Depending on where you are in your own journey, the Zelator will seem a rambling account of a man's journey through life, or as a cornucopia of esoteric clues and signposts. As another reviewer has pointed out, Hedsel gently points the seeker in different directions but leaves it to them to follow up. Thus has ever been the esoteric path. I've read this book three times now. I'm sure I will read it many more, discovering something new each time. Highly recommended.

The Zelator: A Modern Initiate Explores The Ancient Mysteries is the engaging, candid, fascinating story of Mark Hedsel's life-long quest for true understandings of ancient metaphysics, magic, and spirituality. He shares his path of initiation into the antiquarian mysteries held within the silence of secret societies of Europe, the mid-East, and America. These are schools of thought and ritual tracing their heritage back to the hermetic lore of fabled Egypt. The Zelator will prove informative and revealing to students of metaphysics and others who seek the path to lost knowledge and ancient insights into the mysteries of life and the universe.

When I began reading this book I found it a little strange and sometimes weird. It introduces many themes of an arcane nature that are unusual and unfamiliar. The book is basically a journal of Mark Hedsel's journey through the arcane word of spirituality and arcane knowledge. He was taught by many masters on different subjects, and the book itself was fascinating reading.

In order to gain the most from the book it is necessary to read it on an esoteric level rather than literally, otherwise you would dismiss it as gobbledegook. I liked the author's method of pointing you gently in the right direction, by dropping references to certain books and works, which if you were so inclined, you would follow up on. I would recommend that anyone reading this book should do so twice with a break of a few months in between. This is because the meaning of certain passages is not immediately apparent and a second reading with a fresh and developed esoteric mind is required.

I have given it four stars because I found a chapter on the moon to be bizarre and was left pretty clueless after reading it. Apart from that the book itself is fascinating.

Mark Hedsel provides us with a rare glimpse of the secret knowledge that has been hidden from the common man (the "sleepers"), and only available to the initiates and masters.

Mark Hedsel reveals to the seeker of hidden knowledge/truth the opportunity to learn the many aspects of mysticism, encompassing many fields (ranging from the Arts to Zorastrianism). This book is not written for the average person (sleeper), but for those who are already learned, wise, spiritual, and who burns for higher knowledge and insight (Zelator).

This book is a catalyst providing additional impetus for higher learning (such as becoming a Rosicrucian/AMORC member) for those who are evolved and ready to advance further.

This is a great book. It's full of information that will get you interested on the esoteric path. But be warned on first read it may seem like some of it is gobbledy gook, but this is not the case. I returned to it again and again as I discovered new things and found I was led, by the snippets provided in the book, to go and research things for myself.

There are copious amounts of interesting foot notes by David Ovason (almost a little mini-book itself), that are informative and revealing.

This book provides a great introduction into occult (secret) teachings. It will get you started in the areas of:

- alchemy
- different bodies of man
- astrology
- language of the birds
- esoteric symbolism
- mystery religions
- fulcanelli
- astrology

Definitely a great book to get you started on the esoteric path. I would recommend it to anyone, along with Manly Palmer Hall's "Secret Teachings of All Ages".

'The Zelator' by Mark Hedsel is a rather intimidating 490 pages in length, 354 pages of text with an additional 136 pages comprising an appendix and bibliographic notes.

This alleged true account of the late Mark Hedsels' mystical journey following the "Way of the Fool" in his persuit of arcane wisdom is quite a read. His journey emcompasses many continents, traditions and years as he works his way through the myriad avenues of esoteric study that comprise the Western Mystery Tradition.

I was quite excited about this book in the early pages, particularily so with his chance meeting with the legendary mystic/artist Austin Osman Spare and his coincidental procurement of one of his paintings. I'm particularily fond of synchronistic occurences and there were plenty of them in the early going to keep me reading. However, I must admit that my initial infatuation with his ponderous tale dulled the further I advanced into 'the mystery' and found myself looking forward to its eventual end.

There's some very interesting material within, but I'm not sure it's worth 490 pages to find it. Anyway that's my subjective opinion. Who knows, you may discover something I missed. Such is the way with enlightenment, many are called but few are chosen.

This book is fantastic and contains a wealth of esoteric knowledge that will keep you dipping into it time after time.

It deals with the esoteric wanderings of Mark Hedsel as he goes on a pilgrimage for higher knowledge. His journey has him travelling, mostly through Europe, visiting places of esoteric significance.

The topics touched on really cover the smorgasboard of esoteric knowledge, but Hedsel usually just gives you snippets that will set you on the path.

David Ovason provides copious amounts of footnotes (over one hundered pages) at the back of the book, expanding on areas that Hedsel touches on in the text.

As time rolls on I'm beginning to see this book as very similar to Fulcanelli's "Mystery of the Cathedrals" in that it is somewhat of a puzzle that the avid reader needs to come back to time and time again to decode.

It is well worth the price of admission and will launch you on your journey into esoterica and aid you in your quest for higher knowledge.