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Elias Ashmole (1617-1692) was the first to record a personal account of initiation into Accepted Freemasonry. His writings help solve the debate between operative and “speculative” origins of Accepted Freemasonry, demonstrating that symbolic Freemasonry existed within the Masonic trade bodies. Ashmole was one of the leading intellectual luminaries of his time: a founding member of the Royal Society, a fellowship and later academy of natural philosophers and scientists; alchemist; astrological advisor to the king; and the creator of the world’s first public museum. While Isaac Newton regarded him as an inspiration, Ashmole has been ignored by many conventional historians. Tobias Churton’s compelling portrait of Ashmole offers a perfect illustration of the true Renaissance figure--the magus. As opposed to the alienated position of his post-Cartesian successors, the magus occupied a place at the heart of Renaissance spiritual, intellectual, and scientific life. Churton shows Ashmole to be part of the ferment of the birth of modern science, a missing link between operative and symbolic Freemasonry, and a vital transmitter of esoteric thought when the laws of science were first taking hold. He was a man who moved with facility between the powers of earth and the active symbols of heaven.
List of contents
Acknowledgements
Introduction: Ex Uno Omnia
The Great Man
The Magus
The Hermetic Magus
Alchemy
Lichfield
C.H. Josten
One: The Coming One
The Ashmoles
Formative Influences
Mother
Two: Lichfield--the Hidden Light of England
St. Chad and the Origins of Lichfield
Gaia
Childhood
Three: London Calling
Four: War
Astrology
The Intelligencer
Ashmole's Persona
Defending Oxford
Dreams and Spires
Women
Worcester
Five: Defeat and Rebirth: Freemasonry
Free Masonry
Secret Signs
Six: Return to London
Women Again
Lady Mainwaring
Seven: The 1650s (I): The Philosopher's Stone
Ex Uno Omnia
Fasciculus Chemicus
One Hieroglyph--New Being
The Theatre of British Chemistry
Ashmole and the Rosicrucians
The Rose Cross Fraternity
A Gathering Reputation
The Way to Bliss
Eight: The 1650s (ii): Study to Be Quiet
Secret Work
A Journey to Staffordshire
Contemplative Men and Antiquarian Recreation
The Tradescant Deed of Gift
Nine: The Windsor Herald
The Royal Society
The Antiquarian
The Masterpiece
Astro-Politics
Ten: Lichfield--the Reconstruction
Restaurator
The Loving Cup
Our Magus
Ashmole's Politics
Bills, Bills, and More Bills
Ashmole and the Mason's Company
The Origins of Freemasonry
Eleven: The Museum
The Tradescant Rarities
The Ashmolean
"Those Fatall Flames"
Twelve: Coming Home
Saving Dee
Sendivogius, Kelley, and Dee
Toward Home
Postscript
Notes
Bibliography
Index
About the author
Tobias Churton is a world authority on Freemasonry, Rosicrucianism, Hermeticism and Gnosticism. Holding a Masters degree in Theology from Brasenose College, Oxford, Tobias is an Honorary Fellow of Exeter University and Faculty Lecturer in Western Esotericism.
Summary
A comprehensive look at the life of Elias Ashmole, who represents the historic missing link between operative and symbolic Freemasonry.
Additional text
"This book is not only an excellent reference on the life of Elias Ashmole but also a most needed, in-depth study into the early transition from Operative to Speculative Freemasonry. It is highly recommended reading for the Masonic scholar."
Report
"Reads like an adventure novel. Ashmole was one of the leading intellectual and spiritual lights of the time, an accomplished alchemist, and close friend to some of the most brilliant men in England. Churton has given us a compelling picture of Ashmole's life, the city in which he lived, and the guild structure of the time." Scottish Rite Journal of Freemasonry, Southern Jurisdiction, USA
