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Sacred Science: The King of Pharaonic Theocracy
R.A. Schwaller de Lubicz (1887-1961), one of the most important Egyptologists of this century, links the sacred science of the Ancients to its rediscovery in our own time. Sacred Science represents the first major breakthrough in understanding ancient Egypt & identifies Egypt, not Greece, as the cradle of Western thought, theology & science.
320 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 1958
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About the author
R.A. Schwaller de Lubicz
23Ìýbooks102ÌýfollowersKnown to English readers primarily for his work in uncovering the spiritual and cosmological insights of ancient Egypt. In books like Esotericism and Symbol, The Temple in Man, Symbol and the Symbolic, The Egyptian Miracle, and the monumental The Temple of Man--whose long awaited English translation has finally appeared--Schwaller de Lubicz argued, among other things, that Egyptian civilization is much older than orthodox Egyptologists suggest, a claim receiving renewed interest through the recent work of Graham Hancock and Robert Bauval.
If his view of Egyptian antiquity wasn't enough to place him securely beyond the pale, he also argued that the core of ancient Egyptian culture was a fundamental insight into "the laws of creation." Everything about Egyptian civilization, from the construction of the pyramids to the shape of a beer mug, de Lubicz claimed to be motivated by a central metaphysical vision about the nature of cosmic harmony and an awareness of humanity's place in the evolution of consciousness. As his translator Deborah Lawlor remarks (introduction to Nature Word 47), Schwaller de Lubicz's Egyptian studies are only a part of his overall work as a metaphysician and philosopher.
Born in Alsace-Lorraine, then part of Germany, René Schwaller grew up in a polyglot atmosphere. (He was later given the title "de Lubicz" by the Lithuanian poet and diplomat O. V. de Lubicz Milosz, for his efforts on behalf of Lithuania in the aftermath of World War I.) Alsace-Lorraine has oscillated between French and German rule many times since Schwaller's birth, and this Franco-Germanic blend lends a curious characteristic to his work. As Christopher Bamford (introduction to Schwaller’s Study of Numbers 1) suggests, Schwaller thought in German, but wrote in French. Added to the inherent difficulties of expressing nonlinear, "living" insights in "dead" linear language, this odd combination places many obstacles before a first-time reader. As he wrote apropos the insights into "functional consciousness," presented in his truly hermetic work, Nature Word (129): "Nature had shown me a great mountain, crowned with a peak of immaculate whiteness, but she was unable to teach me the way leading to it."
Readers wishing to grasp Schwaller's insights may feel that they, too, have found themselves at the foot of a very steep mountain. This challenging prospect would not have fazed Schwaller. He believed knowledge was the right only of those willing to make the effort to achieve it, the elite who would endure suffering in their pursuit of wisdom. This sensibility influenced his political views as well.
(extracted from "Rene Schwaller de Lubicz and the Intelligence of the Heart", by Gary Lachman: )
If his view of Egyptian antiquity wasn't enough to place him securely beyond the pale, he also argued that the core of ancient Egyptian culture was a fundamental insight into "the laws of creation." Everything about Egyptian civilization, from the construction of the pyramids to the shape of a beer mug, de Lubicz claimed to be motivated by a central metaphysical vision about the nature of cosmic harmony and an awareness of humanity's place in the evolution of consciousness. As his translator Deborah Lawlor remarks (introduction to Nature Word 47), Schwaller de Lubicz's Egyptian studies are only a part of his overall work as a metaphysician and philosopher.
Born in Alsace-Lorraine, then part of Germany, René Schwaller grew up in a polyglot atmosphere. (He was later given the title "de Lubicz" by the Lithuanian poet and diplomat O. V. de Lubicz Milosz, for his efforts on behalf of Lithuania in the aftermath of World War I.) Alsace-Lorraine has oscillated between French and German rule many times since Schwaller's birth, and this Franco-Germanic blend lends a curious characteristic to his work. As Christopher Bamford (introduction to Schwaller’s Study of Numbers 1) suggests, Schwaller thought in German, but wrote in French. Added to the inherent difficulties of expressing nonlinear, "living" insights in "dead" linear language, this odd combination places many obstacles before a first-time reader. As he wrote apropos the insights into "functional consciousness," presented in his truly hermetic work, Nature Word (129): "Nature had shown me a great mountain, crowned with a peak of immaculate whiteness, but she was unable to teach me the way leading to it."
Readers wishing to grasp Schwaller's insights may feel that they, too, have found themselves at the foot of a very steep mountain. This challenging prospect would not have fazed Schwaller. He believed knowledge was the right only of those willing to make the effort to achieve it, the elite who would endure suffering in their pursuit of wisdom. This sensibility influenced his political views as well.
(extracted from "Rene Schwaller de Lubicz and the Intelligence of the Heart", by Gary Lachman: )
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Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews
December 28, 2014
This book does a brilliant job of explaining some of the symbolism of ancient Egypt and demonstrating the existence of their sacred science. This book is a must read for anyone interested in Egypt or in the workings of the universe. The book is a little dense so a basic knowledge of Egyptian religion is good to have
May 20, 2024
Delving into this book is no easy feat. It seems like the average reader will have to dedicate a significant amount of time, possibly months or even years, to truly understand its profound message. It's a deep, mysterious, and philosophical work of art. The author's assertion that Egypt, not Greece, is the source of Western thought, theology, and science challenges conventional beliefs. Schwaller unravels an alchemical knowledge of human evolution and higher conscious knowledge at the core of Egyptian civilization by deciphering Egyptian mythology, religion, and symbols.
Among the topics explored are Pythagorean thought (also of Egyptian origin) and its influence on Copernicus and Kepler; Egyptian symbolism and myth and their echoes in modern folk and fairy tales; the redefinition of magic, medicine, and faith; and the Egyptian calendar and the Zodiac of Denderah seen from an astronomical perspective, showing Egypt as the mirror of heaven.
This book is undoubtedly worthy of a five-star rating, but I gave it four stars due to my inability to fully absorb its content in just one reading.
Among the topics explored are Pythagorean thought (also of Egyptian origin) and its influence on Copernicus and Kepler; Egyptian symbolism and myth and their echoes in modern folk and fairy tales; the redefinition of magic, medicine, and faith; and the Egyptian calendar and the Zodiac of Denderah seen from an astronomical perspective, showing Egypt as the mirror of heaven.
This book is undoubtedly worthy of a five-star rating, but I gave it four stars due to my inability to fully absorb its content in just one reading.
July 21, 2015
Other than a few passages that seemed "out there" I found this book to be well-thought and thoroughly-researched. It has a series of fresh perspectives on ancient Egypt considered well outside mainstream thinking. An amazing work.
June 4, 2008
this book keeps me going...thinking. so far, it is an eccentric read, by a seriously eccentric author. i'm really enjoying it--and have been reading it for almost a year...one of those.
November 30, 2017
Very dense book, which I am far too stupid to understand. Will revisit when I am more versed in Egypt, as I think this book has a lot of wisdom, for those who can comprehend its esoteric content.
Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews
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