Thomas Burgoyne’s The Light of Egypt: The Science of the Soul and the Stars takes an occultist and astrological view of creation and humanity. In Volume II of this work (included here), the author provides a valuable continuation and deepening of these themes. Volume I of The Light of Egypt (not included here) explores the nature of man and creation, reincarnation, and the invisible universe. It also investigates astrology and the way it influences humanity. Volume II (included here) builds on this foundation, and provides more advanced information on astrology, as well as additional concepts of ritual magic and the occult. The book again breaks down the twelve signs of the zodiac, what they represent, and how they manifest their energies in humanity. It also explores astro-theology in more depth, retelling many cultures’ stories of creation and salvation through the zodiac and the planets. A similar approach is taken to astro-mythology, exploring Greek lore through the lens of astronomy. Throughout all is a heavy reliance on symbolism, “...the one Divine language of Mother Nature, a language wherein all can read...Symbolism will be the language of Nature as long as spirit expresses itself to the Divine soul of man.” This is a common theme throughout much occultist thought, which is founded on the idea that, “As it is above, so it is below; as on the Earth, so in the sky.” A great deal of Volume II is devoted to proper definitions, in a sense reclaiming the language of the occult from charlatans and fortune tellers. Words like “talisman,” “ceremonial” or “ritual” magic, and “magic wand” are studied etymologically to find their true source and their true meaning, and to separate them from the pop culture ideas of the time. While differing in style from Volume I of The Light of Egypt, Volume II is just as illuminating and fascinating, and is a worthwhile study for any student of astrology and the occult.
