The Esoteric Orders and Their Work (Paperback)

by Dion Fortune (Author) "BEFORE embarking upon the study of the subject of this book, The Esoteric Orders and their Work, it is necessary to define the sense in..." (more)
Key Phrases: esoteric orders, practical occultism, occult training, Greater Mysteries, Lesser Mysteries, Master Jesus (more...)

Editorial Reviews

Product Description
Examines how and why esoteric schools have restricted admission to their secret societies and orders, and shrouded their practices in mystery. The knowledge guarded by these schools passed down through the ages, and revised from time to time by great teachers is a secret science that studies the causes that lie behind observable phenomena. Includes a new introduction by Gareth Knight. Index. --This text refers to the Paperback edition.

Product Details

• Paperback: 144 pages
• Publisher: Borgo Pr (April 1983)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0850303109
• ISBN-13: 978-0850303100
• Average Customer Review: 3.3 out of 5 stars See all reviews (3 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #3,483,548 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

0 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

1.0 out of 5 stars Total Bunk, May 21, 2009

By	Traveling Man (Spring, TX, USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Esoteric Orders and Their Work (Paperback)

After reading several books on occultism and the esoteric orders, I think it is mostly bunk. It seems that a desire to severe from the status quo, an overactive imagination, and an egotistical drive to be involved in magic pretty much sums up occultism. They seem to tenuously link together such things as the Egyptian mysteries, Hermeticism, alchemy, Greek mystery/philosophy schools, and various interpretations about the 17th Century Rosicrucian letters to get occultism and modern mystery schools. And to think it all started with the ancient, highly advanced culture of Atlantis, the lost continent, that was an allegory written of by Plato.

Now, all of that said, if you are into esoteric orders and occultism, Dion Fortune was apparently one of the leading ladies of the occult in her time, and her work is still revered by those in such circles. Maybe then this book is for you.

8 of 30 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The Conspiracy of the Occult, June 20, 2000

By	"draganta" (Bayside, NY) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Esoteric Orders and Their Work (Paperback)

A great book. It shows how secret societies have lived in societies through out history. What they have done or tried to do.

4 of 24 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Not So Secret Orders, October 1, 2005

By	Joseph Adams "Paladin" (Superior, WI USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Esoteric Orders and Their Work (Paperback)

Why these "secret" orders are shrouded in mystery is because a lot of its members are either rich or famous. Not really psychopathic, but definately a secret order. Where I live in the twin ports there are two masonic temples one right on a business street, but they do is still largely secret as these people usually go out of the way to keep a secret identity or lead a double life. Anyone who has internet access can look up the "secret" order's official web page and anyone who can afford it can buy one of these books. However, a lot of Americans and even other countries you need something where they know who won't tell on them, and they use people like me to shamelessly promote themselves while I get a low end "membership." I am a member of the O.T.O., Church of Lucifer and Golden Dawn and these ones you just need to know exact information what their belief system is and how to practice and live it. Then there's the Christian issue- is it worth thumbing your nose at a predominantly Christian society? We all know how boring a Sunday church service is. And to an extent this is a cult, only those with an obessive interest in esoteric subjects pursue membership these organizations. Dion Fortune in all her recent repressings of books for Weiser books they have contact info for the Society of the Inner Light. Now...do you have the balls to join?