Prisca Theologica: The Western Mystery Tradition
The Eternal Tradition Perennial Philosophy Ancient and Future Science
Western - rather than Eastern Mystery - it is occult, hidden, secret, esoteric - only for the initiated Tradition - it is ancient and is handed down and passed on
- “The Truth is One. The Sages speak of it by many names.”
The Prisca Theologica - Ancient Theology The Western Mystery Tradition
primordial wisdom tradition that has been transmitted through time via a secretive mystery schools or esoteric lineage.
The Western Occult Esoteric Mystery Tradition
- Western - rather than Eastern
- Mystery - it is occult, hidden, secret, esoteric - only for the initiated
- Tradition - it is ancient and is handed down and passed on
All the different branches of the same spiritual and philosophical tree. This "tree" can be thought of as a primordial wisdom tradition or Prisca Theologia—a universal spiritual stream that evolves and diversifies over time.
Other Major Streams
- The Sanatha Dharma
- The Tao
- Indigineous and Shamanistic
The Term
The term prisca theologia appears to have been first used by Marsilio Ficino in the 15th century. Ficino and Giovanni Pico della Mirandola endeavored to reform the teachings of the Catholic Church by means of the writings of the prisca theologia, which they believed was reflected in Neoplatonism, Hermeticism, and the Chaldean Oracles, among other sources.
Ficino saw himself as one member of a venerable sequence of interpreters who added to a store of wisdom that God allowed progressively to unfold. Each of these “prisci theologi,” or “ancient theologians,” had his part to play in discovering, documenting, and elaborating the truth contained in the writings of Plato and other ancient sages, a truth to which these sages may not have been fully privy, acting as they were as vessels of divine truth.
different than Perennial Philosophy
“Prisca theologia is related to concept of perennial philosophy, but an essential difference is that prisca theologia is understood to have existed in pure form only in ancient times and has since undergone continuous decline and dilution;[citation needed] but perennial philosophy asserts that the "true religion" periodically manifests itself in different times, places, and forms, potentially even in modern times.
Origins?
- The Elohim, fallen angels
- Annunaki
- Atlantis - previous civilization remnants
- From the divine and stellar realms
Fallen Angels
say that the gods or fallen angels, the elohim, or extraterrestrial or extradimensional beings taught high magick and alchemy to humans
- Zozimos about humans being taught alchemy by them….
The Book of Enoch tells of the Watchers, a group of fallen angels who descended to Earth and taught humans arts such as metallurgy, astrology, and enchantments.
Annunaki
Ancient Sumerian myths speak of the Annunaki, powerful beings who gifted humanity with knowledge of the stars and the workings of the cosmos.
Remnants of a Previous Civilization
The lost continent of Atlantis, as described by Plato and expanded upon in esoteric traditions, is often considered the cradle of the Western Mystery Tradition. Atlantis is imagined as a highly advanced civilization where science and spirituality were one. After its fall, survivors are said to have carried its wisdom to other lands, seeding the esoteric traditions of Egypt, Sumeria, and beyond.
a priestly and kingly religion
That this is perhaps a priestly and kingly religion It is not and never has been mainstream and taught to the masses For much of history, the masses could not read and were not educated If it came from the gods/angels/ets - then they transmitted it to only the chosen few
Transmission - Journey through the timeline
Sumeria
Egypt
- Thoth
- Alchemy from the black land
Babylonian
Ancient Jewish
Alexandria Egypt as a Hub
Hermeticism
Rosicrucian
HGD & Crowley
The Hermetic Order of the Golden Dawn (ritual magic, Tarot, Kabbalah) Thelema & Crowley’s system of personal will and ritual magic) Chaos Magic (pragmatic approach to belief systems and magic) Astrology revival in 90’s, Girmoire revival, … Current teachers of the tradition - Greer, Echols, Kraig, ….
Now Today
Now today this tradition can be seen in full(at least what has not been lost) It can be synthesized. Brought together by the individual into their own version.
There exist various Rosicrucian, Hermetic lodges and groups…. - Such as Damien’s school or Tommy Westlund’s Order
All the texts are there online and easily accessible We have almost too much information - and one needs to sift through it and create a wholistic mystery school curriculum That is what I am attempting to do for myself.
This will of course be my version of the tradition - I don’t make any claim to its universality or objective truth - it am creating what fits me
Many people will scoff and dismiss what I say - they are adhering more to an objective “scientific” and historical view of the past.
I think the past is full of mysteries and magic - that that view is far too reductionistic, materialistic, psueudo-scientific.
The balance of following the tradition, yet making it new and fresh and custom to you…
Ultimately I have to be a detective and use my intuition and put pieces together I like Crowley’s idea of “creating your own religion”
I need something that is a custom fit and that fits every aspect of my self and my life.
Western Yang, Eastern Yin
The idea that the western path can be seen as the Yang And the eastern Tao and Vedic can be seen as the Yin (What Ryo said) The western way is perhaps more emphasis on action and creation and ascending up. While the eastern is more about going within and waking up.