by B. Ann Moran

Created on: January 30, 2007   Last Updated: February 22, 2010

Western Mystery Schools History or "The force be with you Luke..."

I have studied Hermetics/Alchemy/Occult systems for years as a part of a larger study on Comparative Religions and Philosophy. I dusted off my research notes and have tried to do a Readers Digest version of the history here; don't want to put anyone to sleep!

First what are these schools? The word "mystery" comes from the Greek "mysteria" which means secret or hidden. The schools involve systems of secret knowledge taught to initiates (Jedi Knights?); its also known as mysticism. The Western equivalent to Eastern mysticism is Hermetics, Gnosticism, Rosicrucianism and the Illuminati schools. Jewish mysticism, or Kabbalah, derived from a mixture of Babylonian dualism and Jewish beliefs. The Star Wars saga is an embodiment of these mystery school teachings: by secret knowledge one can become a Jedi Knight and learn to manipulate The Force. You can't get any more "yin/yang" than Darth Vader and Luke Skywalker or the Sith and the Jedi!

The History of what?

All Mystery Schools - East and West - have the doctrine of Illumination or Inner Light as in "don't forget your Light Saber". Put another way, it is called The Great Work, The Craft, or The Path. Man can reach perfection (become god or awaken) through his own efforts by journeying through higher spheres of knowledge. Altered states of consciousness are achieved (by meditation, drugs, ritual) to tap into the spirit world "Above" from the material world of "Below". All the mysteries involve death and resurrection of the ego; man is a microcosm of the universe and can become One with The All or Universal Mind, The Absolute, or The Force. It involves the balancing of forces (as in Eastern Yin/Yang doctrine) and manipulation of energies (Wicca/Occult) as in Harry Potter's wand; the union of the Male/Positive creative principle and Female/Negative principle in the union of the Divine Couple; The Great Work of Alchemy; or "Balance the Force Luke...". These energies are symbolized by the Sun (+) and Moon (-) which form the One or Monad.

God is a Force or Divine Intelligence IN all of Nature and is in all creation as opposed to the God of the Bible who is OUTSIDE of creation, is a personality with attributes and who requires a personal relationship involving moral judgment.

History of the Philosophy behind the beliefs:

Ancient Mystery Schools were divided into the Lesser Mysteries, open to many initiates involving basic lessons of spirit, and the Greater

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