Brotherhood of Light printed lessons collection, 1927 - 1949

Collection context

Summary

Title:
Brotherhood of Light printed lessons
Dates:
1927 - 1949
Creators:
Zain, C. C. (1882) and Brotherhood of Light (Los Angeles, Calif.)
Abstract:
This collection contains 23 volumes of "lessons" in the three branches of occultism (astrology, alchemy, and magic), circulated for initiates of the Brotherhood of Light.
Containers:
box: 1
Extent:
0.42 Linear Feet (1 document box)
Language:
English
Preferred citation:

[Identification of Item], Brotherhood of Light printed lessons collection, ARC Mss 97. Department of Special Research Collections, UC Santa Barbara Library, University of California, Santa Barbara.

Background

Scope and content:

From the dealer's description: (Los Angeles based proto-New Age group) Zain, Elbert Benjamine The Brotherhood of Light, Los Angeles: the Author, 1927-1949.

23 volumes. Small 8vo. Each issue approximately 24-28 pp. Text illustrations. Each in original printed blue wrappers, stapled as issued (first volume wrappers detached).

First editions of these "lessons" in the three branches of occultism - astrology, alchemy, and magic - for initiates of the Brotherhood of Light. These volumes cover aspects of natal astrology and astrological signatures, including relationship compatibility, prophesying events based on celestial patterns, and achieving bodily perfection. Seven of the lessons are on astrological weather predicting and how to plan for storms, phenomena, and temperature changes by using star charts. The lessons were issued serially to Brotherhood disciples, and upon completion of all volumes and passing the accompanying examinations one would become a Hermetician.

Established in Los Angeles in 1915, the Brotherhood of Light was founded by Elbert Benjamine Zain (pen name C.C. Zain) to teach and disseminate the practice of astrology for "the way of life in the Aquarian Age." It was reorganized in 1932 as the Church of Light due to sanctions imposed in Los Angeles County against institutional teaching of astrology. The Church of Light is still active today.

Zain (1882-1951) was allegedly born a psychic and seer with the power to contact the dead. Upon tapping into his heightened awareness, he began to study astrology and moved from his conservative Christian hometown in Iowa to Los Angeles to begin teaching the occult.

The 23 lessons are as follows:

No. 3 (1927): Astrological Signatures: Physiology and Correspondence No. 19 (1934): Natal Astrology: The Hermetic System of Progressions No. 61 (1936): Esoteric Psychology: How to Rule the Stars

No. 105 (1934): Natal Astrology: Stature, Temperament, Disposition, and Mental Ability No. 106 (1934): Natal Astrology: Vitality, Health, and Disease

No. 108 (1934): Natal Astrology: Friends, Enemies, and Associations No. 109 (1934): Natal Astrology: Love, Marriage, and Partnership No. 110 (1934): Natal Astrology: How to Delineate a Horoscope

No. 111 (1934): Natal Astrology: Major Progressions of Sun and Angels No. 112 (1934): Natal Astrology: Major Progressions of the Moon

No. 113 (1934): Natal Astrology: Major Progressions of the Planets

No. 115 (1934): Natal Astrology: Minor Progressions of Moon and Planets No. 116 (1934): Natal Astrology: Transits, Revolutions, and Cycles

No. 117 (1934): Natal Astrology: Rectifying the Horoscope

No. 150 (1938): Mundane Astrology: Precise Predicting; Eclipses No. 176 (1942): The Next Life: Astrological Influences

No. 190 (1949): Weather Predicting: Astrological Weather Predicting

No. 191 (1949): Weather Predicting: Reading Astrological Weather Charts No. 192 (1949): Weather Predicting: Astrological Temperature Charts

No. 193 (1949): Weather Predicting: Astrological Air Movement Charts No. 194 (1949): Weather Predicting: Astrological Moisture Charts

No. 195 (1949): Weather Predicting: Unusual Weather

No. 196 (1949): Weather Predicting: Tornadoes and Hurricanes

Biographical / historical:

From the description given by B and L Rootenberg - Fine and Rare Books:

Established in Los Angeles in 1915, the Brotherhood of Light was founded by Elbert Benjamine Zain (pen name C.C. Zain) to teach and disseminate the practice of astrology for "the way of life in the Aquarian Age." It was reorganized in 1932 as the Church of Light due to sanctions imposed in Los Angeles County against institutional teaching of astrology. The Church of Light is still active today.

Zain (1882-1951) was allegedly born a psychic and seer with the power to contact the dead. Upon tapping into his heightened awareness, he began to study astrology and moved from his conservative Christian hometown in Iowa to Los Angeles to begin teaching the occult.

Acquisition information:
Library purchase, 2024.
Physical location:
Special Research Collections, UC Santa Barbara Library
Rules or conventions:
Describing Archives: A Content Standard

Indexed terms

Names:
Church of Light

About this collection guide

Collection Guide Author:
Collection processed and arranged by Campbell Hannan, 2024. Finding aid prepared by Campbell Hannan, 2024.
Date Encoded:
This finding aid was produced using ArchivesSpace on 2024-05-02 09:32:58 -0700 .

Access and use

Restrictions:

The collection is open for research.

Terms of access:

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.

Preferred citation:

[Identification of Item], Brotherhood of Light printed lessons collection, ARC Mss 97. Department of Special Research Collections, UC Santa Barbara Library, University of California, Santa Barbara.

Location of this collection:
UC Santa Barbara Library
Santa Barbara, CA 93106-9010, US
Contact:
(805) 893-3062