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The Adepts in the Esoteric Classical Tradition:
The Nordic, Gothic, and Finnish Rites

by Manly P. Hall

Topics
Detailed Summary
Preface, p. 4

Introductory Section: Historical Development, p. 7
Sources of Influence, p. 7
Scythians and Kindred Tribes, p. 8
Religious Blending, p. 9

The Valas—The Nordic Sibyls, p. 11
The Valas, p. 13

The Temple of Uppsala, p. 15

Saemund, Snorri, and Saxo Grammaticus, p. 23
Saemund and the Elder Edda, p. 23
Snorri Sturleson and the Younger Edda, p. 25
Dane Saxo Grammaticus, p. 26

Nordic, Gothic, and Finnish Mythology
The Key Turned Seven Times, p. 27
Historical, p. 27
Environmental, p. 28
Moral/Ethical, p. 29
Astological/Astronomical, p. 29
Psychological, p. 31
Scientific, p. 32
Religious, p. 33

Yggdrasil Tree Theology, p. 35

The Völsunga Saga, p. 43

Asgard—Abode of the Gods, p. 49

Balder the Beautiful, p. 51

Odin and the Odinic Mysteries, p. 55
The Mythologic Odin, p. 56
The Historical Odin (Sigge), p. 59
Odin as a Composite of Historical and Mythological Elements, p. 64
Odin as Keeper of the Runes, p. 68

Thor the Warrior God, p. 71

Loki, the Flame God, p. 77

The Kaleva—Land of Heroes, p. 79
The Sampo, Mill of the Gods, p. 94
Epilogue of the Kalevala, p. 95

Initiation and the Mystery Schools—Nordic Cosmogony, p. 97
First Cause, p. 97
Creation of the Material World, p. 99
Nordic Trinity, p. 99
Cosmological Origins, p. 102
Nordic Pantheon, p. 104
The Myth of the Dying God, p. 108
Summary, p. 110

Dr. Oliver and the Initiatory Rites, p. 111

Gylfi's Dream, p. 115
The House of the Mysteries, p. 115
Gylfi's Initiatory Experience, p. 117
Subterranean Initiation, p. 120
The Raising of the Hidden God, p. 121
Man's Purpose According to the Nordic Myths, p. 122

Ragnarok—the Endings of an Age, p. 123

The Magic Ring Cycle
Richard Wagner, p. 131
Das Rheingold, p. 133
Die Walküre, p. 135
Siegfried, p. 138
Die Götterdämmerung, p. 141

King Ludwig II of Bavaria, p. 146

Personal Notes and Summary, p. 153

Suggested Readings from PRS Publications, p. 158

Bibliography, p. 159

Glossary of Terms, p. 165

Index, p. 171

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