Especially since the Renaissance, some in Western Christendom have suspected that the deeper dimension of their tradition has somehow been lost, and have therefore sought to discover, or create, an 'esoteric' or 'initiatic' Christianity. In the middle of the nineteenth century two scholars, Gabriele Rossetti and Eugne Aroux, pointed to certain esoteric meanings in the work of Dante Alighieri, notably The Divine Comedy. Partly based on their scholarship, Gunon in 1925 published The Esoterism of Dante. From the theses of Rosetti and Aroux, Gunon retains only those elements that prove the existence of such hidden meanings; but he also makes clear that esoterism is not 'heresy' and that a doctrine reserved for an elite can be superimposed on the teaching given the faithful without standing in opposition to it. One of Ren Gunon's lifelong quests was to discover, or revive, the esoteric, initiatory dimension of the Christian tradition. In the present volume, along with its companion volume Insights into Christian Esoterism (which includes the separate study Saint Bernard), Gunon undertakes to establish that the three parts of The Divine Comedy represent the stages of initiatic realization, exploring the parallels between the symbolism of the Commedia and that of Freemasonry, Rosicrucianism, and Christian Hermeticism, and illustrating Dante's knowledge of traditional sciences unknown to the moderns: the sciences of numbers, of cosmic cycles, and of sacred astrology. In these works Gunon also touches on the all-important question of medieval esoterism and discusses the role of sacred languages and the principle of initiation in the Christian tradition, as well as such esoteric Christian themes and organizations as the Holy Grail, the Guardians of the Holy Land, the Sacred Heart, the Fedeli d'Amore and the 'Courts of Love', and the Secret Language of Dante. In addition to Dante, various other paths toward a possible Christian esoterism have been explored by many investigators-the legend of the Holy Grail, the Knights Templars, the tradition of Courtly Love, Freemasonry, Rosicrucianism, and Christian Hermeticism-and Gunon deals with all of these in the present volume as well as his Insights into Christian Esoterism. In the latter, one chapter in particular, 'Christianity and Initiation', will be of special interest with regard to the history of the Traditionalist School. When first published as an article, it gave rise to some controversy because Gunon here reaffirmed his denial of the efficacy of the Christian sacraments as rites of initiation, a point of divergence between the teachings of Gunon and those of other key perennialist thinkers. Both The Esoterism of Dante and Insights into Christian Esoterism will be of inestimable value to all who are struggling to come to terms with the fullness of the Christian tradition.

In this first book of a trilogy on the life of Mary Magdalene, Estelle Isaacson presents her visions of the life of "the Apostle to the Apostles" as seen through Magdalene's own eyes. Following a Prologue "in the starry heavens," Part One encompasses Magdalene's childhood, her journeys and education in Egypt, her struggle with temptations, and her conversion. Part Two takes the reader through some of Magdalene's experiences as she lays down her former life and follows Jesus as his disciple. Part Three visits the Lazarus mysteries and includes revelations concerning his initiation, death, and resurrection. Part Four comprises five appendices presenting subsidiary visions. Among these are two visions of Magdalene's mysterious sister Silent Mary, a figure otherwise unknown except through the earlier visions of the Catholic stigmatist Anne Catherine Emmerich (1774-1824). The book is graced with many illustrations by James J. Tissot (1836-1902), whose work resonates also with Estelle in a very special way, the artist's depictions being so very close to what she herself witnesses in vision. Those who find this volume valuable and inspiring will be glad to know of two further volumes of the trilogy, and that works on other subjects drawn from the ongoing wellspring of Estelle's visions will follow. Book II of the Magdalene trilogy is subtitled From Initiation to the Passion, and Book III is subtitled From the Ascension to Journeys in Gaul. "Estelle invites us to stand witness by her side, in community with the Logos and with Sophia. She tells us we need not wait until we are perfect, for Christ comes to us now " -From the Introduction "This book is a truly remarkable work on Mary Magdalene, in which the mysteries she lived through are re-experienced through her eyes in a most touching and tangible way." -Robert Powell, author The Mystery, Biography & Destiny of Mary Magdalene.