Eliphas Levi

Date of Birth: February 8, 1810

Zodiac Sign: Aquarius

Date of Death: May 31, 1875

Biography

Eliphas Levi, born Alphonse Louis Constant, was a prominent French occult author of the 19th century. He was born on February 8, 1810, in Paris, France. Levi is best known for his works on magic, Kabbalah, and the occult sciences, which have had a lasting impact on Western esotericism. Initially, he pursued a career in the Roman Catholic priesthood but abandoned it to explore and write about the mystical and occult traditions. His most famous work, “Dogme et Rituel de la Haute Magie” (Dogma and Ritual of High Magic), published in 1854, is considered a cornerstone of modern occultism. Levi’s writings merged various mystical traditions, and his concepts influenced many subsequent esoteric thinkers, including Aleister Crowley. Eliphas Levi passed away on May 31, 1875, in Paris.

5 Interesting Facts about Eliphas Levi

1. Eliphas Levi is credited with popularizing the modern image of the Baphomet, a symbol often associated with occultism.

2. Levi’s real name was Alphonse Louis Constant; he adopted the name Eliphas Levi as a nod to his Jewish heritage.

3. Before delving into the occult, Levi was a deacon in the Catholic Church and studied at Saint Sulpice Seminary.

4. Levi’s works have been translated into multiple languages and have influenced both Eastern and Western mystical traditions.

5. He was heavily involved in the socialist movements of his time and was briefly imprisoned for his political activities.

5 Most Interesting Quotes from Eliphas Levi

1. “To practice magic is to be a quack; to know magic is to be a sage.”

2. “The will of a just man is the Will of God himself and the Law of Nature.”

3. “Behind the veil of all the hieratic and mystical allegories of ancient doctrines, behind the darkness and strange ordeals of all initiations, under the seal of all sacred writings, in the ruins of Nineveh or Thebes, on the crumbling stones of ancient temples, and on the blackened face of the sphinx of Assyria or Egypt, in the monstrous or marvelous paintings which interpret to the faithful of India the inspired pages of the Vedas, in the cryptic emblems of our old books on alchemy, in the ceremonies practiced at reception by all secret societies, there are found indications of a doctrine which is everywhere the same and everywhere carefully concealed.”

4. “The true magician knows that the most powerful talisman is his own soul.”

5. “He who desires to become a master in the art of alchemy must bring with him the following: First, a fixed, resolved, and constant intention; second, a free, unconstrained, and cheerful mind; third, a great deal of money and patience; fourth, an extensive knowledge of nature and her operations.”

Highest Net Worth Achieved

Eliphas Levi did not achieve significant financial wealth from his works. His highest net worth is not documented, as he primarily gained recognition and influence rather than monetary riches.