Product Description

Shortly after leaving the Alpha et Omega (MacGregor Mather's reformulation of the Hermetic Order of the Golden Dawn), Paul Foster Case developed a lecture series entitled "The First Year Course". The purpose of the lectures was to provide students with a firm foundation in spiritual science and practice and to prepare them for Paul Case's rendition of the Golden Dawn Order.

When this coursework was expanded in 1924, the contents of the "The First Year Course" became known as Section A, `The Life Power', and Section B,`The Seven Steps of Spiritual Unfoldment'. The `Life Power' provided a firm foundation of Occult Fundamentals and the `The Seven Steps of Spiritual Unfoldment' utilized the Major Arcana of the Tarot to communicate the stages of Spiritual Evolution.

The early writings of Paul Foster Case are exceptionally clear and represent some of his finest work. Anyone approaching these lessons for the first time are encouraged to spend at least two weeks on each before proceeding to the next. This is precisely the manner in which the lectures and lessons were intended to be assimilated. Paul Case utilizes images in addition to words to communicate principles. Proceeding in such a manner will allow the corresponding ideas to take root and mature and thus facilitate understanding of the next lesson in the series.

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #84334 in Books
• Published on: 2008-10-12
• Original language: English
• Number of items: 1
• Binding: Paperback
• 224 pages

Review
"Dr. Paul Clark was one of the seven Stewards that trained under B.O.T.A. head Ann Davies receiving the advanced teachings of the Order. This well written book includes a short biography of Paul Foster Case by Paul Clark which includes many previously little known areas of the life and association with Master R who became Case's lifetime guide. The gems within this book are presented in such a manner that they shine a new light on the teachings of Paul Case and explain many nuances of Case's teaching that are not readily apparent. This is an excellent book from a high caliber teacher of the Golden Dawn and is a must for any Golden Dawn enthusiast." --Pat Zalewski, renown author of 'The Magical Tarot of the Golden Dawn'

"Paul Foster Case has been instrumental in unveiling the most profound mysteries of the Tarot, the Qabalah, and other important facets of the Western Esoteric Tradition in an approachable manner. His best known works, including The Tarot: A Key to the Wisdom of the Ages, The True and Invisible Rosicrucian Order, and The Book of Tokens are true gems of wisdom that continue to inspire and inform new generations of spiritual seekers. However, as noted by Dr. Paul Clark in the biographical introduction to Occult Fundamentals and Spiritual Unfoldment, the author behind these treasures has often been a mystery to his readers. Case's early writings, compiled by the Fraternity of the Hidden Light in this new book, provide further proof of Case's substantial esoteric knowledge and insight. It is a most welcome addition to the illuminating body of work we have come to expect from a masterful teacher." --Chic and Tabatha Cicero, Chief Adepts of the Hermetic Order of the Golden Dawn

Customer Reviews

The Meat of the Western Mystery Magical Qabalistic Tradition
This book by Paul Foster Case is no less powerful and intense than my title states. But first I will tell you what it is not: a replacement for the 15-year course currently given by B.O.T.A.

The Occult Fundamentals, authored in 1924, was originally written by Paul Case as a guide for his students to accompany the actual ceremonial magical work practiced and performed by his School of Ageless Wisdom, which he started in the Autumnal Equinox of 1921 -- and which later evolved (after 1932) into the public name of Builders of the Adytum.

Between 1920-21 he was the head of the American Golden Dawn, New York Thoth Hermes Temple of Mather's Alpha et Omega, which Darcy Kuntz has written a book about, and which depicts Paul's movement into the formation of his own school and writing of this book.

The 15-year course which the other reviewer refers to is in fact the consummation of more than 30 years of the author's ceremonial magical practice, work, writings, books, and qabalistic research to enable any serious aspirant to learn what hard work is :-) and be able to open the Door and reach for the Ring -- without necessarily doing ceremonial work. So truly, Case's/B.O.T.A.'s "15 year course" is an entirely different matter. This book was indeed seminal, but not in any way a replacement, please.

What this book is to me, IS nothing less than the equivalent the BIG BANG of all 20th Century Qabalist and Magical Golden Dawn authorship. It is Nothing Less than the Nexus of the most urgent original Rosicrucian thought and practice overlayed with the vitality and essence of true Hebrew Mystical Qabalah -- while also utilizing the Westerm Occult discoveries of Golden Dawn and Qabalstic Magical Practice as purveyed by Allan Bennett, MacGregor Mathers, Moina Mathers, William Westcott, Brodie-Innes, Woodman and (I cannot leave him out) Aliester Crowley. In short, the Occult Fundamentals burns with its own internal flames of Light, becoming the internalized growth-synthesis of the marraige of a whole new level of Rosicrucian thought, Hebrew Mystical Qabalistic knowledge and consciousness, and Golden Dawn cermemonial practice.

This book heralds all of our basics for any form of Golden Dawn / Mystical Qabalah practice in our journey up the Rosicrucian Grades of Conciousness. (See Paul Case's True and Invisable Rosicrucian Order) And for good reason.

The current volume has taken the origins and vital essence of Christian Mystical Cabbalah and practice of 16th Century Hebrew Scholars Reuchlin, Pico della Mirandola, Cornelius Agrippa, Athanasius Kircher -- and later Knorr von Rosenroth's Kabbala Denudata, Dr. John Dee's revolutionary magical Hieroglyhpic Monad, and Dr. Rudd's practice of the Nine Angelic Keys.

I have discovered that even the essence of this book includes the "secret teaching" of ALL 19th Century Masonic and Occult orders like that of the S.R.I.A. which later was the formational (Yetziratic) basis of the Golden Dawn. So I cannot recommend this book highly enough.

To me, this book shows that Paul Foster Case's vision married all these occult principals and perceptions and visions into a practical understanding of true Qabalah and the Tree of Life which is accurately and easily (if you can hear it) in this book.

This book is the begining of his mystical conciousness development into veritable new dimensions of powerful occult thought and discovery. It further heralds a vital synthesis into our 21st Century, pronouncing the essence of 17th Century Rosicrucian thought of the Fama direction with ancient mystical Hebrew Qabalah dating back some 3000 years, and 20th Century Golden Dawn Magic. Amazing!!! Nothing less than Dion Fortune's greatest work!

This book will take you, the initiate, whether young or old, into the very Heart of the Tree of Life and Qabalistic teaching leading to the discovery of the One Self, beyond which has also been known as the Knowledge And Conversation of the Holy Guardian Angel, our Higher Self.

I gratefully want to thank the publishers for bringing such a fine edition of this long-lost work back into current public availability, as well to the future occult community, where the presence and insight of the Master (or Spiritual Contact) who worked through Paul Case can be felt by us all.

Indeed this is the right time in the evolution of Life for all of us to bring the essence of this Work back into our hearts.

No matter what Order or School you are with, this book will lead you to the essence of your life's Devotion to the One Self and consolidation of all Practice of WHO you are.

The Original Paul Foster Case
This book is one that will change your life and your concept of the esoteric sciences. The inner work of Paul Case, who tirelessly created a system of initiation that takes one through the doors of adeptship, is now available openly to the public without having to take fifteen years worth of lessons. This book contains the root and core of Case's teachings which open up avenues of illumination to the new neophyte while at the same time having priceless gems for the accomplished Adept. Case explains, in a friendly and easy to read format, a whole system of practical esoteric science that one may implement in their life to create the changes necessary to be a conduit for the universal Will to Good. This book will fully explain to the modern man, the complex and powerful esoteric principles operating in their life today. Case will provide a roadmap that will allow the reader to create the subtle changes in their soul, mind and body that will bring about a true knowing of the operations of the universe. This is a must have for any student of esotericism and any earnest spiritual seekers.

Clear Concise and Useable
In this book, Case sets out his fundamental viewpoints about the Western Mystery Tradition in a clear and concise manner. He writes a series of "lessons" that taken together, form a substantial body of knowledge about the Western Mystery Tradition.

In one sense, this book is a condensed version of the same topics that Case covers in many years of lesson material through the BOTA (Builders of the Adytum www.bota.org) curriculum. Thorough study of the lesson material is quite rewarding. In another way, these writings are a fresh look at the same subjects. It often happens that an author, writing on the same subject over the years, will use different metaphors and explanations at different times to promote understanding in the reader's mind about the topic. For that reason, this book is very valuable, because Case has provided different approaches to the subjects involved. For this reason, as a long-standing student of Case's work, I find the book helpful and informative.

I would imagine that a novice in the Western Mystery Tradition would also get a lot out of this book. The book is written plainly and simply about deep ideas and from the first lesson, the stage is set to understand the framework of Western Occultism and its core ideas.

What is unique about this book is that the writings are simple enough for a novice to have an overview, or broad treatment of the subject, while at the same time, sentence by sentence a deeper examination yields important insights to the experienced student.

My congratulations to the publishers for their efforts in extending this information to all who are interested in learning more from one of the foremost authorities on Tarot, Western Spirituality, and the Qaballah.