Bygone Beliefs: Being a Series of Excursions in the Byways of Thought

Name: Bygone Beliefs: Being a Series of Excursions in the Byways of Thought
Author: H. Stanley Redgrove

By H. Stanley Redgrove

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Essays, Letters & Speeches History - Other Philosophy & Ethics

About This Book

This collection of essays examines a range of historical beliefs and practices, tracing their logic, symbolism, and persistence. Topics move from medieval animism, astrology, and the interplay of mysticism and scholasticism to treatments of Pythagorean thought, medicine and magic, bird superstitions, the curious powder of sympathy, talismans, ceremonial magic, architectural symbolism, and alchemical themes including the quest for the philosopher's stone and phallic imagery. The author treats each topic as an excursion into forgotten byways of thought, aiming to uncover the reasons behind formerly widespread beliefs and to show continuities between past systems and later intellectual currents.

About the Author

H. Stanley Redgrove

H. Stanley Redgrove was a writer and scholar known for his explorations of alchemy and mysticism. His notable works include "Alchemy: Ancient and Modern," which provides a comprehensive overview of alchemical doctrines and their connections to both mysticism and modern scientific discoveries. Additionally, in "Bygone Beliefs," Redgrove delves into the historical and philosophical aspects of various beliefs, offering readers insights into the byways of thought that have shaped human understanding. His writings reflect a deep engagement with the intersections of science, philosophy, and spirituality.