Thomas Burgoyne – författare

It is the duty of Occult students to familiarize themselves with the subjects herein discussed. They should know the ideas of our ancestors regarding them and be familiar with their thought, in order to appreciate the sublime wisdom and knowledge of Nature as taught by them, otherwise we are sure to do them, as well as ourselves, great injustice. The history of Occultism bears out the fact that there is very little that is new to the present time.

The arrangement and classification of thought differs during each cycle of time on the different spirals, and, like the fruitage on lower rounds of Nature''s progressive wheel of destiny, variety and quality are diverse, so, likewise, do we find the mental manifestations. This age, however, is blessed with a great variety and abundance of thought, in clear-cut language, that should enlighten the races of the Earth with Mother Nature''s modus operandi in every department of human thought.

We hope these chapters will aid to this end, and doubtless many students will find in them the key to unlock the mysteries veiled in symbol and hieroglyphic by ancient writers. The author''s object has been to make plain and easy of understanding these subjects. Much, however, has been left for private study and research, for many large volumes might be filled if a detailed description of each subject were entered upon, which task is left for those who feel so inclined. A rich reward is in store for those spiritual investigators who will follow out the paths and lines herein mapped out on Spiritual Astrology, Alchemy, and other subjects. Meditation and aspiration will open up hidden treasures that will prove a boon to Occult students, for Astrology and Alchemy are the two grand sciences that explain the why and reasons for what we see and experience on every plane of life. In this age there should be no concealing of these Divine truths. We cannot hide anything in the air, and for this reason the Sun in Aquarius will unearth and reveal to man all that the present cycle has to give during the Sun''s passage through this airy sign.

The watery sign, Pisces, through which the Sun manifested during the past 2,160 years, gave up to man their secret powers and hidden attributes in steam as a motive power, which man has completely mastered. He will likewise master the airy forces during the present sub-cycle of the Sun in Aquarius. Already we see him using liquid air and compressed air as a motive power, which will gradually take the place of steam as the Sun gets farther into the sign, or constellation, of Aquarius. Men will become immensely wiser than they have been, and it is to be hoped they will leave the written record of their achievements in science and art to show to future races their status of mind on every subject for the edification and enlightenment of coming races.

Our ancestors were denied this great privilege. Consequently their wisdom is only symbolized to us in a way that it is difficult to read and interpret correctly, yet we who have the key to their symbols can read accurately the truth they wish to convey, which stands out clearly to all capable of understanding and interpreting symbolism and correspondence correctly. History and Nature repeat themselves in every cycle of time; therefore these forces and potentialities are natural to the sign through which the Sun manifests. We can go backward or forward through the Sun''s Zodiac and read correctly the history of the hoary past, as well as the present and future, by bearing in mind the sign and cycle in manifestation at any given period. When the proper time arrives, a work will be given to the world to prove to mankind the law of cycles.

God is present in all ages and races, manifesting His love and wisdom throughout infinite creations, and that He records, in His own way, the most detailed record of any event which takes place, thus giving to man a complete history of His works and will, for man''s enlightenment, so that he, too, may cooperate intelligently with his God in every way that intelligence wills to manifest. Prehistoric history is not blotted out from Nature''s laboratory. The Astral Book of Karmic evolution will one day reveal its hidden treasures to a waiting world in such a manner as to surprise and enlighten mankind as the recording angels give up those gems of truth they have so jealously guarded for untold cycles of time, simply because the time was not ripe for its divulgence.

There is a time for everything, and when that time arrives all past history of our planet''s evolution will be written in an intelligent manner for the illumination and education of man as the masterpiece of the Living God. In this way man will worship Deity and perfect his God-nature, even to Angel-hood.

The Light of Egypt: The Science of the Soul and Stars by Thomas H. Burgoyne is a treatise on astrology, occultism, and the true nature of the universe. Comprising two volumes, this work explores the connection between the macrocosm of God and the microcosm of man.

Author Thomas H. Burgoyne was an occultist and medium, who believed he was in touch with the unembodied Brotherhood of Light. This group, Burgoyne and other followers believed, guided the fate of humanity from a different plane of existence. This book began as a set of lessons to share the Brotherhood''s teachings with the public.

Burgoyne wrote Volume I of this work in the late 1880s, and published it in 1889. Shortly after its publication, he passed away at the age of 39. But he was not done with The Light of Egypt yet. After his passing, fellow occultists Henry and Belle Wagner continued his work. Belle Wagner succeeded Burgoyne as the scribe of the Hermetic Brotherhood of Light. Burgoyne also chose Mrs. Wagner to be the vessel through which he would reveal Volume II of his great work. This is how the second volume of The Light of Egypt was written after Burgoyne''s passing, and published in 1900.

Volume I explores the very foundations of existence, from the spirit to matter to creation. It then moves into the transitions of the soul, through the concepts of reincarnation, karma, and mediumship. Burgoyne explained that rather than reincarnating into another life here on Earth, true reincarnation brought the soul to a different, more elevated plane of existence. It was from this plane that he dictated the second volume of his work to Mrs. Wagner.

Key to Burgoyne''s understanding of humanity and the universe is the study of astrology. By understanding the celestial bodies-the sun, moon, and eight planets (omitting Earth)-we could understand ourselves and the world around us in a new, truer way. Detailed descriptions of each of these bodies explain the way they interact both with each other and with the human brain. Volume I closes with a chapter regarding the practical applications of astrology, and how the date, time, and location of one''s birth will determine mental and physical traits.

Volume II builds on the foundation laid in Volume I, and explains additional concepts of astrology as well as ritual magic and the occult. This volume explores astro-theology, using the science of the stars to understand the creation and redemption stories of world religions, including Christianity. It also discusses astro-mythology, drawing parallels between the symbolism of the gods and goddesses and the stars and constellations.

A common theme through Volume II is understanding the true names and words used to symbolize the concepts described. The etymology of words like alchemy, talisman, and ritual are explored to help the reader understand their true original meaning, rather than the meaning we have ascribed to them in the centuries since their creation.

Volume II also contains a translation of the Tablets of Aeth, said to have been transcribed from the "Astral Records." These translations are in three parts: one to explore the symbolism of each of the twelve mansions, or zodiac houses; one to discuss the symbolism of the ten planetary rulers (the sun, moon, and eight planets); and one for "the Great Kabbalistic Powers." These 33 tablets represent the very core of occult philosophy.

The work closes with the Penetralia, or "The Secret of the Soul," to bring everything together in a final call to enter the Sacred Sanctuary and learn the "imperishable truth of our being."

The Light of Egypt is a work to be carefully studied by students of astrology and the occult, to give them a deeper understanding of the universe and their place within it.