Eliphas Levi's Biography(Books)(Photos)

Eliphas Levi (the pen name of Abbe Louis Constant,
1810-1875), was a French occultist who is credited for

cult following, influencing others to write their own
books.

reviving interest in magic in the 19th century. Levi's
writings have been appraised as being highly imaginative but

The Hermetic Order of the Golden Dawn, founded in London in

not very accurate. His first and probably most important
work was The Dogma and Ritual of High Magic. It was followed

1888, adopted much of Levi's magic. Aleister Crowley, a
former member, was born the year that Levi died and claimed

by A History of Magic, Transcendental Magic, The Key of
Great Mysteries, and other occult books. Levi "believed in

to be the reincarnation of Levi.

the existence of a universal 'secret doctrine' of magic
throughout history, everywhere in the world."

Levi is well know for four main books, The Dogma and Ritual
of High Magic, A History of Magic, Transcendental Magic and

In The Dogma and Ritual of High Magic, Levi devoted 22

the The Key of Great Mysteries, and other occult books. Levi
"believed in the existence of a universal 'secret doctrine'

chapters to the 22 trump cards, or Major Arcana, of the
tarot. He linked each to the letters of the Hebrew alphabet,

of magic throughout history, everywhere in the world."
In The Dogma and Ritual of High Magic, Levi devoted 22

and to aspects of God.

chapters to the 22 trump cards, or Major Arcana, of the
tarot. He linked each to the letters of the Hebrew alphabet,

Levi also proclaimed a theory of astral light based on his
belief in animal magnetism. In his theory, astral light was

and to aspects of God.
Levi’s most well known work covers Transcendental magic

similar to either, a fluidic life force that fills all space
and living beings. This concept was not original but held by

which is a far more practical from text an occult
perspective than Levi’s other works. The work is split

others in the 19th century. Levi stated, "To control the
astral light was to control all things; a skilled magician's

into two parts. Part 1 covers theory, and examines
traditional interpretations of magic and religion. Part II

will was limitless in power."

covers the practical aspects of ritual magic.

Levi stated he was influenced by an earlier writer and
occultist Francis Barrett. In turn he influenced another

writer and occultist Sir Edward Bulwer-Lytton, with whom he
visited in London in 1861. Bulwer-Lytton wrote The Last Days

- Clefs Majeures et Clavicules de Salomon
- Dogma et Rituel de la Haute Magie Part I

of Pompeii and other occult books helping to make magic
fashionable to the last of the 19th century. They both

- Dogma et Rituel de la Haute Magie Part II
- Elements of the Qabalah

became members of an occult group, which perhaps
Bulwer-Lytton may have organized, that studied scrying,

- The Conjuration of the Four Elements
- The Key of the Mysteries