Guide to the Hermetic Brotherhood of Luxor collection ARC Mss 100
Collection processed and arranged by Campbell Hannan, 2024. Finding aid prepared by Campbell Hannan, 2024.
University of California, Santa Barbara
Santa Barbara 93106-9010
Phone Number: (805) 893-3062
special@library.ucsb.edu
2024-05-02
Title: Hermetic Brotherhood of Luxor collection
Identifier/Call Number: ARC Mss 100
Language of Material:
English
Contributing Institution:
UC Santa Barbara Library, Department of Special Research Collections
Physical Description:
0.2 Linear Feet
(1 half size document box)
Creator:
Davidson , P. (Peter), (1842-1916)
Creator:
Hermetic Brotherhood of Luxor
Date (inclusive): 1899 - 1913
Abstract: This collection is made up of two publications and one series of correspondence from the Hermetic Brotherhood of Luxor and
its founder, Peter Davidson.
Physical Location: Special Research Collections, UC Santa Barbara Library
Container: 1
Adapted from the dealer description:
This collection contains publications and correspondence related to the Hermetic Brotherhood of Luxor. The correspondence
includes 8 postcards and letters to Peter Davidson, a leader in the Scotland and American chapters of the Hermetic Brotherhood.
Two people mentioned - Aleister Crowley and Israel Regardie - were also of the Brotherhood.
One publication is the Executive Committee's original notes called "Temple Talk". This group includes three out of a reported
10 only known to be in existence. Two are in museums (the Louvre and the Rijksmuseum) in Europe; five are in two separate,
private hands. The second publication, The Morning Star, are dated 1898 to 1908 and cover a variety of topics relevant to
the Brotherhood's belief system.
The collection is open for research.
Library purchase, 2022.
This collection contains two series:
- Series 1, Publications
- Series 2, Correspondence
Peter Davidson was the Provincial Grand Master of the North and East (Scotland and America), and is often credited as a co-founder
of the brotherhood alongside Max Theon.
The Hermetic Brotherhood of Luxor was an occult society that was founded in England and Scotland, then spread to America,
in the late 19th to early 20th century. The brotherhood followed practical occultism and was influenced by Paschal Beverly
Randolph's magico-sexual ideas that found a balance between sexuality and religion.
[Identification of Item], Hermetic Brotherhood of Luxor collection, ARC Mss 100. Department of Special Research Collections,
UC Santa Barbara Library, University of California, Santa Barbara.
Property rights to the collection and physical objects belong to the Regents of the University of California acting through
the Department of Special Research Collections at the UCSB Library. All applicable literary rights, including copyright to
the collection and physical objects, are protected under Chapter 17 of the U.S. Copyright Code and are retained by the creator
and the copyright owner, heir(s), or assigns.
All requests to reproduce, quote from, or otherwise reuse collection materials must be submitted in writing to the Department
of Special Research Collections at UCSB at special@ucsb.edu. Consent is given on behalf of the Regents of the University of
California acting through the Department of Special Research Collections at UCSB as the owner of the physical items and is
not intended to include or imply permission from the copyright owner. Such permission must be obtained from the copyright
owner, heir(s), or assigns. It is the responsibility of the researcher to determine who holds the copyright and pursue the
copyright owner or their assigns for permission to publish where the UC Regents do not hold the copyright.
Publications 1893 - 1908
This series is made up of two publications produced by the Hermetic Brotherhood of Luxor: six issues of The Morning Star Journal,
subtitled as "A Monthly Journal of Mystical and Philosophical Research", and three issues of "Temple Talks", a two-page leaflet
each on one subject.
Adapted from the dealer description:
The subjects that are covered [in The Morning Star] consist of: The Cosmic Philosophy, Astral Demons, The Pope and the Number
Nine, Druse Magic, Astrology within Astronomy and a brief discussion from Peter Davidson's book - "The Discourses of Jesus".
Subjects and dates:
1899: Fragments of the soul, Ancient Prophecies, The Cosmic Philosophy. Printed in Glasgow Scotland.
1900: Covers Esoteric Christianity, Psychometric readings, Esoteric Free Masonry. Printed in New Castle, England.
1908: Visions of the Royal Initiate, Lives beyond the tomb of Attana Oanes, Astrological Fragments, The writings of Jean Lead.
Printed in Edinburgh, Scotland.
Research Notes: In the book "Lite of Life" and the "Discourse of Jesus" Dr. Peter Davidson explains ancient Egyptian symbols
and Hebrew symbols to help the reader understand how Jesus' teachings relate to the ancient Kabbalah (which is simply the
Hermetic Brotherhood in today's world). There is also a discussion from "The Mistletoe." Peter Davidson argues the physical
and spiritual value found in this mysterious plant and he backs up his findings using the Greek and Hebrew Bible. The Mistletoe
discussion involves a brief explanation of the spiritual significance of the Mistletoe and a lengthy discussion of the herbal
benefits from this plant. Davidson had a meeting with three [members of the Cherokee nation] and their Chief who explained
to him their methods of herbal treatments, including mistletoe. This meeting caused him to write in the Morning Star a unique
perspective regarding the "American lndian:" how they lived, their herbal treatments and their view of the white man taking
over their land.
Subjects covered in the "Temple Talks":
- 1. Which holds the most Potency, Denial or Assent? This pamphlet deals with the fixed laws of denial and assent for a mortal soul. (February 1904)
- 2. Practical Activity. This deals with dreams, interpretations, manifestations and ancient Kabbalah teachings. (March 1904)
- 3. The Hypothesis of Reincarnation (November 1905)