Alchemical Timeline
Journey through the ages of esoteric wisdom, from ancient mystery schools to modern-day mystical orders.
Egyptian Mystery Schools
The Egyptian Mystery Schools begin to formalize the teaching of metaphysical concepts, astronomy, mathematics, and medicine, providing the foundation for later Hermetic philosophy.
Orphic Mysteries
The Orphic tradition emerges in Greece, teaching reincarnation, purification, and the soul's journey to the afterlife through symbolic initiation rites.
Pythagorean Brotherhood
Pythagoras founds his mystery school in Croton, Italy, teaching that numbers are the key to understanding the universe and reality.
Eleusinian Mysteries
The Eleusinian Mysteries reach their height in Greece, offering initiates a transformative experience and the promise of a blessed afterlife.
Hermetica Written
The core Hermetic texts (Corpus Hermeticum) are compiled in Hellenistic Egypt, blending Greek and Egyptian wisdom under the mythical author Hermes Trismegistus.
Gnostic Traditions
Gnostic schools flourish in the Mediterranean region, teaching that divine knowledge (gnosis) is the path to salvation from the material world.
Knights Templar Founded
The Knights Templar order is established, eventually becoming associated with esoteric wisdom and occult practices during and after the Crusades.
Kabbalah Emerges
Jewish mystical tradition of Kabbalah begins to formalize with texts like the Zohar, exploring the nature of God and the universe through the Tree of Life.
Corpus Hermeticum Translated
Marsilio Ficino translates the Corpus Hermeticum from Greek to Latin, sparking a revival of Hermetic philosophy in Renaissance Europe.
Rosicrucian Manifestos
Publication of the Rosicrucian manifestos (Fama Fraternitatis and Confessio Fraternitatis) announces the existence of a secret brotherhood possessing ancient wisdom.
Freemasonry Goes Public
Modern Freemasonry begins with the formation of the Grand Lodge of England, systematizing ritual, symbolism, and teachings of operative masonry into a speculative craft.
Theosophical Society Founded
Helena Blavatsky, Henry Steel Olcott, and William Quan Judge establish the Theosophical Society, blending Eastern and Western esoteric traditions.
Hermetic Order of the Golden Dawn
The Hermetic Order of the Golden Dawn is founded, becoming one of the most influential modern magical societies, synthesizing various esoteric systems.
Thelemic Era Begins
Aleister Crowley receives The Book of the Law in Cairo, establishing Thelema as a spiritual philosophy centered around the principle 'Do what thou wilt.'
The Kybalion Published
Publication of The Kybalion by 'Three Initiates' (likely William Walker Atkinson), presenting seven Hermetic principles in an accessible format for modern readers.