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Fall 2014, Volume 10, Number 3 The Esoteric Quarterly An independent publication dedicated to the trans-disciplinary investigation of the esoteric spiritual tradition. ______________________________________________________________________ Esoteric philosophy and its applications to individual and group service and the expansion of human consciousness. Washington, DC, USA. www.esotericsquarterly.com e-mail: [email protected] The Esoteric Quarterly The Esoteric Quarterly is an online, peer-reviewed, international journal, published by The Esoteric Quarterly Inc., a non-profit corporation based in Washington, DC. It is registered as an online journal with the National Serials Data Program of the Library of Congress. International Standard Serial Number (ISSN) 1551-3874. Further information about The Esoteric Quarterly, including guidelines for the submission of articles and review procedures, can be found at http://www.esotericquarterly.com. All corres- pondence should be addressed to [email protected] Editorial Board Editor-in-Chief: Donna M. Brown (United States) Editor Emeritus: John F. Nash (United States) Alison Deadman (United States) Celeste Jamerson (United States) Jef Bartow (United States) Katherine O'Brien (New Zealand) Kevin Hataley (Canada) Miguel Malagreca (Italy) Facebook Administer Miguel Malagreca (Italy) Copyright © The Esoteric Quarterly, 2014. All rights reserved. Copies of the complete journal or articles contained therein may be made for personal use on condition that copyright statements are included. Commercial use or redistribution without the permission of The Esoteric Quarterly is strictly prohibited. The Esoteric Quarterly Contents Volume 10, Number 3. Fall 2014 __________________________________________________________________________ Page Page Features Franz Liszt: An Esoteric 47 Astrological Analysis - Part Editorial 4 Two Celeste Jamerson Publication Policies 5 A 21st Century Model of 83 Poems of the Quarter: “The 6 Consciousness- Part III: A Alchemy of Transformation” Comprehensive View of the and “Everything is You” by Human Psyche Michael Weintraub Jef Bartow Pictures of the Quarter: 7 Great Esotericists of the “Oversoul” “Pulsations” Past and “Creative Forces” by Emil Bisstram Annie Wood Besant (1847–1933) 103 Quotes of the Quarter 10 Biographical Sketch Advertisements 12 Transcendental 108 Articles Abstractionist: Emil Bisttram (1895-1976) Themes in Western Esotericism 15 John F. Nash The mission of the Esoteric Quarterly is to traditions. We also encourage feedback from provide a forum for the exploration of esoteric readers. Comments of general interest will be philosophy and its applications. Full-length published as Letters to the Editor. All articles and student papers are solicited communications should be sent to: pertaining to both eastern and western esoteric [email protected]. Copyright © The Esoteric Quarterly, 2014. 3 The Esoteric Quarterly Editorial Esoteric Paradigms: The Western Spiritual Tradition, Astrology and a New Model of Consciousness nderpinning Esoteric Philosophy and group consciousness, ritual, the initiatory path U Science are a number of paradigms or and the quest for transformation. currents of thought—ancient, pre-modern and Our next article is part of a series by Celeste new—which form clear-cut fields of inquiry. Jamerson that utilizes an astrological Distinctive areas of investigation include the framework for examining the life of the 19th- wisdom of east and west, cosmology, myth, century composer and concert pianist, Franz astrology, alchemy, theurgy and psychology, Liszt. Part 1 of the two-part series concentrated to name a few. Any examination of these on the Rising Sign, Sun, Moon and other major aspects must necessarily bring together various planets in the natal chart. As such, it provided esoteric perspectives and methods with a foundational interpretation of Liszt’s life, analogous theories and practices in religion, character and achievements. Part II in the science, philosophy, literature and art to show series examines the fixed stars, the Great that esoteric paradigms are transpersonal and Comet of 1811, the asteroids, the centaurs, the not reducible to any particular field of inquiry extra bodies and the theoretical planets, along or to any religious attitude or set of beliefs. with their mythical meanings and lore, as a The three featured three and a short paper in means of providing supportive detail to the this issue of the Quarterly utilize the study of Liszt’s astrological chart. The author’s comparative approach. in-depth analysis of these relatively neglected The first offering, from John Nash, examines influences, reinforces what is known about primary themes and currents of thought within Liszt’s life, fills in a number of missing pieces the Westerns Esoteric Tradition. The article and supplies a more integrative portrait of his begins by touching upon esotericism’s ancient attitudes, earthly mission and soul journey. philosophical roots in the Egyptian mysteries, Jef Bartow contributes the third article in a Hermeticism, Neo-Platonism and Gnosticism, series depicting a new integrative model of since these serve as the bridge from antiquity consciousness. Part I described what to more modern thought. Nash’s primary consciousness is. Part II illustrated how focus, however, is on esotericism in Europe consciousness is created. Part III, featured from the beginning of the Common Era to the here, presents a 16 component model of the end of the nineteenth century. The esoteric human psyche. The article opens with a dimensions of Christianity and Judaism are discussion on subjective consciousness as seen considered, as well as the significant esoteric through the writings of Lao Tzu’s Tao Teh movements that arose on the periphery of Ching. Bartow extends the discussion to institutional religion. Within these disparate include an examination of subjective and but parallel traditions, Nash identifies “six objective consciousness from a philosophical, important themes—teachings, beliefs and scientific and shamanistic point of view. Also practices—that spanned multiple segments of discussed, are the fundamental parts of the western esotericism and expressed that psyche, based on Jung’s conception of the cohesive power.” These six themes are: the Quaternity, as they relate to the inner and outer nature of God and the human constitution, layers of higher and lower consciousness. formal communities with esoteric associations, 4 Copyright © The Esoteric Quarterly, 2014 Fall 2014 In addition to the featured articles in this issue, many experiences one has or how long and we offer a short paper on one of the Great convoluted one’s life journey is, it consists of Esotericists of the past. The paper, contributed only one moment, the distance of an instance, by Dr. John Nash, explores the outstanding life when it is realized who one really is.” For of Annie Besant, the British theosophist, additional information on his work, see the women's rights activist, socialist, writer, orator advertising section of this journal. and supporter of Irish and Indian self- rule. Besant (1847–1933), served as the second Donna M. Brown President of The Theosophical Society from Editor-in-Chief 1907 to 1933. She has been referred to as a Publication Policies “Diamond Soul” in order to describe the many Articles are selected for publication in the notable facets of her life. Esoteric Quarterly because we believe they Our Pictures of the Quarter—“Oversoul,” represent a sincere search for truth, support the “Pulsation,” and “Creative Forces”—are from service mission to which we aspire, and/or Emil Bisttram, the renowned artist and contribute to the expansion of human organizer of the Transcendental Painting consciousness. Group. The three compositions featured in this Publication of an article does not necessarily issue are richly imbued with spiritual, imply that the Editorial Board agrees with the scientific and philosophical meaning. Each views expressed. Nor do we have the means to reflects Bisttram’s deep involvement with the verify all facts stated in published articles. Theosophical movement and the teachings of both Helena Blavatsky and Alice A. Bailey. We encourage critical thinking and analysis Dr. Ruth Pasquine, an authority on Bisttram’s from a wide range of perspectives and work, points to Alice A. Bailey’s influence in traditions. We discourage dogmatism or any his depictions of the permanent atoms and the view that characterizes any tradition as having human constitution. Blavatsky’s teachings on greater truth than a competing system. such concepts as the relationship between Neither will we allow our journal to be used as religion and geometry, the creative aspect of a platform for attacks on individuals, groups, forms and the seven archetypal cosmic forces institutions, or nations. This policy applies to are also evident. We wish to thank Dr. articles and features as well as to letters to the Pasquine for her generous assistance in editor. In turn, we understand that the author of providing us with the details of the artist’s an article may not necessarily agree with the fascinating life, and for enabling the Quarterly views, attitudes, or values expressed by a to feature examples of Bisttram’s work. For referenced source. Indeed, serious scholarship additional information on the artist's work sometimes requires reference to work that an visit: www.emilbisttram.com. author finds abhorrent. We will not reject an In conjunction