The Esoteric Secrets of Surrealism

Origins, Magic, and Secret Societies

Nonfiction, Religion & Spirituality, New Age, Mysticism, Magic Studies
Cover of the book The Esoteric Secrets of Surrealism by Patrick Lepetit, Inner Traditions/Bear & Company
View on Amazon View on AbeBooks View on Kobo View on B.Depository View on eBay View on Walmart
Author: Patrick Lepetit ISBN: 9781620551769
Publisher: Inner Traditions/Bear & Company Publication: April 24, 2014
Imprint: Inner Traditions Language: English
Author: Patrick Lepetit
ISBN: 9781620551769
Publisher: Inner Traditions/Bear & Company
Publication: April 24, 2014
Imprint: Inner Traditions
Language: English

A profound understanding of the surrealists’ connections with alchemists and secret societies and the hermetic aspirations revealed in their works

• Explains how surrealist paintings and poems employed mythology, gnostic principles, tarot, voodoo, alchemy, and other hermetic sciences to seek out unexplored regions of the mind and recover lost “psychic” and magical powers

• Provides many examples of esoteric influence in surrealism, such as how Picasso’s Demoiselles d’Avignon was originally titled The Bath of the Philosophers

Not merely an artistic or literary movement as many believe, the surrealists rejected the labels of artist and author bestowed upon them by outsiders, accepting instead the titles of magician, alchemist, or--in the case of Leonora Carrington and Remedios Varo--witch. Their paintings, poems, and other works were created to seek out unexplored regions of the mind and recover lost “psychic” and magical powers. They used creative expression as the vehicle to attain what André Breton called the “supreme point,” the point at which all opposites cease to be perceived as contradictions. This supreme point is found at the heart of all esoteric doctrines, including the Great Work of alchemy, and enables communication with higher states of being.

Drawing on an extensive range of writings by the surrealists and those in their circle of influence, Patrick Lepetit shows how the surrealists employed mythology, gnostic principles, tarot, voodoo, and alchemy not simply as reference points but as significant elements of their ongoing investigations into the fundamental nature of consciousness. He provides many specific examples of esoteric influence among the surrealists, such as how Picasso’s famous Demoiselles d’Avignon was originally titled The Bath of the Philosophers, how painter Victor Brauner drew from his father’s spiritualist vocation as well as the Kabbalah and tarot, and how doctor and surrealist author Pierre Mabille was a Freemason focused on finding initiatory paths where “it is possible to feel a new system connecting man with the universe.”

Lepetit casts new light on the connection between key figures of the movement and the circle of adepts gathered around Fulcanelli. He also explores the relationship between surrealists and Freemasonry, Martinists, and the Elect Cohen as well as the Grail mythos and the Arthurian brotherhood.

View on Amazon View on AbeBooks View on Kobo View on B.Depository View on eBay View on Walmart

A profound understanding of the surrealists’ connections with alchemists and secret societies and the hermetic aspirations revealed in their works

• Explains how surrealist paintings and poems employed mythology, gnostic principles, tarot, voodoo, alchemy, and other hermetic sciences to seek out unexplored regions of the mind and recover lost “psychic” and magical powers

• Provides many examples of esoteric influence in surrealism, such as how Picasso’s Demoiselles d’Avignon was originally titled The Bath of the Philosophers

Not merely an artistic or literary movement as many believe, the surrealists rejected the labels of artist and author bestowed upon them by outsiders, accepting instead the titles of magician, alchemist, or--in the case of Leonora Carrington and Remedios Varo--witch. Their paintings, poems, and other works were created to seek out unexplored regions of the mind and recover lost “psychic” and magical powers. They used creative expression as the vehicle to attain what André Breton called the “supreme point,” the point at which all opposites cease to be perceived as contradictions. This supreme point is found at the heart of all esoteric doctrines, including the Great Work of alchemy, and enables communication with higher states of being.

Drawing on an extensive range of writings by the surrealists and those in their circle of influence, Patrick Lepetit shows how the surrealists employed mythology, gnostic principles, tarot, voodoo, and alchemy not simply as reference points but as significant elements of their ongoing investigations into the fundamental nature of consciousness. He provides many specific examples of esoteric influence among the surrealists, such as how Picasso’s famous Demoiselles d’Avignon was originally titled The Bath of the Philosophers, how painter Victor Brauner drew from his father’s spiritualist vocation as well as the Kabbalah and tarot, and how doctor and surrealist author Pierre Mabille was a Freemason focused on finding initiatory paths where “it is possible to feel a new system connecting man with the universe.”

Lepetit casts new light on the connection between key figures of the movement and the circle of adepts gathered around Fulcanelli. He also explores the relationship between surrealists and Freemasonry, Martinists, and the Elect Cohen as well as the Grail mythos and the Arthurian brotherhood.

More books from Magic Studies

Cover of the book The Process of Magic: A Guide to How Magic Works by Patrick Lepetit
Cover of the book The Meaning of Surah 113 Al-Falaq (The Daybreak) El Amanecer From Holy Quran Bilingual Edition English & Spanish by Patrick Lepetit
Cover of the book Big Ban Theory: Elementary Essence Applied to Rubidium, Black Jesus, Darth Vader Running for President, and Sunflower Diaries 34th, Volume 37 by Patrick Lepetit
Cover of the book Elogio dell'induzione... e della magia by Patrick Lepetit
Cover of the book Manual de alta magia by Patrick Lepetit
Cover of the book The Great Work of the Flesh by Patrick Lepetit
Cover of the book The Trinity Theory by Patrick Lepetit
Cover of the book Il maestro sconosciuto Cagliostro by Patrick Lepetit
Cover of the book The Ascension Rays, Book Three: Healing by Patrick Lepetit
Cover of the book Love Magic by Patrick Lepetit
Cover of the book The Headless One by Patrick Lepetit
Cover of the book Magic: White and Black by Patrick Lepetit
Cover of the book Spirit Relations: Your user-friendly guide to the spirit world, mediumship, and energy work by Patrick Lepetit
Cover of the book The Devil's Dream Book by Patrick Lepetit
Cover of the book Herb Magic for Beginners by Patrick Lepetit
We use our own "cookies" and third party cookies to improve services and to see statistical information. By using this website, you agree to our Privacy Policy