The Temple of Solomon: From Ancient Israel to Secret Societies Paperback - 2011

HISTORY / RELIGION "Erudite and gorgeously illustrated, The Temple of Solomon places the Jerusalem Temple in its historical and cultural perspective, drawing on sacred books and ancient historians alike to trace the history of the Tabernacle, the First and Second Temples, and the Temple as a visionary experience and esoteric paradigm through more than three thousand years of transformations. This is essential reading not only for students of esoteric spirituality and ancient mysteries but also for anyone fascinated by the lore of the world's most famous holy place." --John Michael Greer, author of The Wealth of Nature, The New Encyclopedia of the Occult, and "The Archdruid Report" blog "For those of all faiths or none, layman or specialist alike . . . this erudite and eminently informative book is a comprehensive, readable survey of the history of the Temple of Solomon, one of Western culture's most important buildings, replete with fascinating reflection and objective historical detail. A visual cornucopia, its beautiful illustrations take the reader further toward the heart and soul of the timeless wisdom of Solomon--a journey not to be missed. Highly recommended." --Karen Ralls, Ph.D., world religions and spirituality scholar at the University of Oxford, England, and author of The Templars and the Grail and The Knights Templar Encyclopedia "The Temple of Solomon represents the separation of sacred and profane, the sacrifice of space, effort, and resources to a greater yet invisible purpose. It signifies the distillation of the spiritual aspiration from the realm of the physical body. It is the manifestation of faith, the materialization of intention, the dedication of oneself and one's community to the service and celebration of the divine. It is the Word made Flesh." --(From the prologue) The spiritual heart of many esoteric societies, the Temple of Solomon was located atop the Temple Mount in Jerusalem, a site venerated by the three great monotheistic religions as the intersection of divine and human. Built by King Solomon at the peak of ancient Israel's power, the Temple of Solomon housed the golden Ark of the Covenant in its Holy of Holies, a sacred chamber where the high priest could communicate directly with God. Centuries after the Temple's destruction, the Temple Mount was chosen as the headquarters for the Knights Templar during the Crusades, and countless legends have come down through the centuries about the secrets they may have uncovered there. Richly illustrated with biblical and Masonic illustrations, photographs, and ancient and modern paintings--many from rare archives--this book explores the Temple of Solomon in the Hebrew Scriptures, the New Testament, and Apocryphal writings as well as its role in the rites of Freemasonry, the legends of the Knights Templar, the doctrines of the Kabbalah, and Muhammad's visionary journey through the heavens. Seeking to understand the powerful desire of many religions and secret societies to re-create the Temple through ritual and prayer, James Wasserman explains why it was built, what its destruction meant for Jews and Christians alike, and why the Knights Templar as well as several modern secret societies have centered their teachings around this vibrant archetype. Detailing the sacred architecture of this perfectly proportioned mystical edifice through words and art, the author reveals the Temple of Solomon as the affirmation of God's presence in human affairs, the spiritual root of Western culture, and an important monument to the divine that may serve to bridge the divide between our ancient past and our spiritual future. JAMES WASSERMAN is the author of several books, including The Templars and the Assassins and The Secrets of Masonic Washington. A longtime student of the occult and a member of the Ordo Templi Orientis since 1976, he lives in New York City.