Éliphas Lévi
Éliphas Lévi: A Life of Mystery and Metaphysics
=============================================
Full Name and Common Aliases
---------------------------------
Kabbalistic writer Éliphas Lévi was born Alphonse Louis Constant on December 8, 1810. The name "Éliphas" is a pseudonym adopted by the author for his occult writings.
Birth and Death Dates
------------------------
Born: December 8, 1810
Died: May 31, 1875
Nationality and Profession(s)
-------------------------------
Lévi was French and held various professions throughout his life. He worked as a Catholic priest, a journalist, and a writer of popular occult literature.
Early Life and Background
---------------------------
Éliphas Lévi's early life provides insight into the factors that influenced his later work. Born to a devout family in Paris, he was educated by Jesuits and eventually became a Catholic priest. However, Constant's questioning of Church doctrine led him to leave the priesthood at age 40.
During this period, he began exploring the world of mysticism and the occult. Lévi delved into various spiritual traditions, including Kabbalah, alchemy, and divination. This exploration laid the groundwork for his future writings on these subjects.
Major Accomplishments
-------------------------
Lévi's contributions to occult literature are significant. He was a key figure in reviving interest in mysticism and esoteric knowledge during the 19th century. His works introduced concepts like the Kabbalistic Tree of Life, symbolism, and magical practices to a broader audience.
Notable Works or Actions
-----------------------------
Some notable works by Éliphas Lévi include:
The Dogma and Ritual of Transcendental Magic (1856)
The Key of the Mysteries (1861)
These publications showcased his understanding of mystical concepts and further solidified his reputation as a leading authority in the field.
Impact and Legacy
-----------------------
Éliphas Lévi's impact on modern occultism cannot be overstated. His writings have influenced notable figures, including the famous magician Aleister Crowley. The author's exploration of symbolism and Kabbalistic thought has also resonated with artists and intellectuals.
Lévi's work serves as a bridge between traditional mysticism and modern esoteric pursuits. As a result, he continues to inspire new generations of spiritual seekers and occult enthusiasts.
Why They Are Widely Quoted or Remembered
-----------------------------------------
Éliphas Lévi is remembered for his groundbreaking contributions to the world of mysticism and the occult. His in-depth understanding of various spiritual traditions has made him an authority on these subjects, earning him widespread recognition among those interested in the esoteric.
Through his writings, he continues to provide insights into the mysteries of existence, making his work a valuable resource for anyone seeking to explore the realms of spirituality and the unknown.
Quotes by Éliphas Lévi
Éliphas Lévi's insights on:
Up to one’s last breath, one may retain the simple joys of childhood, the poetic ecstasies of the young person, the enthusiasms of maturity. Right to the end, one may intoxicate one’s spirit with flowers, with beauty and with smiles.
In olden times gold was manufactured by science; nowadays science must be renewed by gold. We have fixed the volatile and we must now volatilize the fixed – in other words, we have materialized spirit, and we must now spiritualize matter.
Succeed in not fearing the lion, and the lion will fear YOU. Say to suffering, ‘I will that you shall become a pleasure,’ and it will prove to be such – and even more than a pleasure, it will be a blessing.
The Placer is an enemy who must necessarily become our lord or our slave; one doesn’t enjoy if it’s not defeated.
EVERY intention which does not assert itself by deeds is a vain intention, and the speech which expresses it is idle speech. It is action which proves life and establishes will.
When one creates phantoms for oneself, one puts vampires into the world, and one must nourish these children of a voluntary nightmare with one’s blood, one’s life, one’s intellegence, and one’s reason, without ever satisfying them.
The Great Work is, before all things, the creation of man by himself, that is to say, the full and entire conquest of his faculties and his future; it is especially the perfect emancipation of his will.
When one creates phantoms for oneself, one puts vampires into the world, and one must nourish these children of a voluntary nightmare with one's blood, one's life, one's intellegence, and one's reason, without ever satisfying them.
