Inner Traditions International

Christianity; the origins of a pagan religion.

Walter (medieval French literature, U. Stendhal, Grenoble) describes some elements of native European mythology that were incorporated into Christianity during the Middle Ages. Carnival, he says, was the essential core of pre-Christian European religion, and he traces its manifestation in eight holidays shared by the Christian and pagan calendars. Mythologie chrétienne: Fétes, rites et mythes du Moyen Âge was published by Éditions Imago, Paris, in 2003, and is translated by Jon E. Graham. Most of the works cited in the bibliography are in French. (Annotation ©2006 Book News Inc. Portland, OR)

The Magus of Freemasonry; the mysterious life of Elias Ashmole; scientist, alchemist, and founder of the Royal Society.

Churton (Freemasonry, Rosicrucianism, and Western esotericism; Exeter U.) presents a biography of Englishman Ashmole (1617-92), who he says was considered a great man by his contemporaries in a world where science and magic were still handmaidens to religion and science, and was one of the last men of learning to enjoy that milieu before science broke away. (Annotation ©2006 Book News Inc. Portland, OR)

Mozart the Freemason; the Masonic influence on his musical genius.

Henry, a Freemason himself, examines Mozart's music in terms of representations of Freemasonry and specific symbols in his pieces. After providing background and a discussion of symbols, he goes through each period of Mozart's oeuvre, finding examples in string quartets, concertos, symphonies, chamber music, and The Magic Flute, mostly avoiding popularly recognized examples. The book was originally published in French in 1991 and 1997 as Mozart Frère Macon: La symbolique maconnique dans l'oeuvre de Mozart. It has been translated by Jack Cain. Henry is the artistic director of the annual Mozart festival in the Drome region of France. (Annotation ©2006 Book News Inc. Portland, OR)