Eliphas Levi, whose real name was Alphonse Louis Constant, was a prominent French occultist and writer during the 19th century. He is best known for his influential works on ceremonial magic and occult philosophy, which have contributed to the development of modern Western esotericism. Levi was born on February 8, 1810, in Paris, France. He showed an early interest in literature and occultism, and his studies led him to become a Catholic priest. However, he was eventually expelled from the seminary due to his unorthodox views and practices. In the 1840s, Levi began to dedicate himself to occult studies and writing.
Levi’s work so impressed and influenced other occultists that he was one of the few French experts to be translated into English. Arthur Edward Waite, a principal in the Hermetic Order of the Golden Dawn, translated his works so that he could better study them himself. Waite called Levi a magus of light. Levi also influenced the English author Lord Bulwer Lytton, whom he met during a trip to London in 1853. Levi taught Lytton various magical rituals and procedures that Lytton incorporated into his fictional works, A Strange Story (1862) and The Haunted and the Haunters (1857), in which Levi served as the model for the magus.
It was probably not until after she left him that he launched his study of the occult sciences; his writings previous to this time show little trace of occult influence. Chauliac The Abb é Constant, for a second time repudiating his name, assumed the title of the Magus É liphas L é vi, giving consultations in great number to credulous clients, who paid as much as twenty-five francs a time for a prediction from Lucifer.
In the 1840s, Levi began to dedicate himself to occult studies and writing. He became involved in various secret societies such as the Rosicrucian Order and the Martinist Order, where he expanded his knowledge of ceremonial magic, astrology, and alchemy. Levi also became well-versed in Eastern philosophy and mysticism, incorporating elements of Hinduism and Buddhism into his own system of spiritual beliefs.
Levi, Eliphas
Eliphas Levi (1810–1875) French occultist who was a leader of the occult revival of the 19th century. Eliphas Levi has often been called the last of the magi. He is said to have coined the term occult.
He was born Alphonse Louis Constant in Paris in 1810. His father was a poor shoemaker and had no means to provide for his son’s education. Young Constant was schooled at a local Catholic parish at the church of Saint Sulpice. He became a deacon and aspired to be a priest, even taking a vow of celibacy. But his tendency to speak his mind and not stick to teaching the doctrines of the church led to his expulsion.
Constant then became involved in radical politics, for which he was imprisoned several times. He married a 16- year-old girl named Madamoiselle Noemy, who gained fame in her own right as a sculptor. The couple had two children, who died in either infancy or childhood. After seven years Noemy left Levi and succeeded in getting the marriage nullified on the grounds that she had been a minor when they were wed.
In the wake of his marital breakup, Levi immersed himself in a study of the occult, teaching the kabbalah, magic, and alchemy. He quickly became famous throughout Europe. His studies focused on the kabbalah, the tarot , and the writings of Swedish mystic Emanuel Swedenborg. He was the first to draw a connection between the kabbalah and the Tarot. During this time, Constant called himself Abbé Constant and dressed in clerical garb, though it is doubtful that he was ever ordained a priest. He earned his living teaching magic. He was inspired by Francis Barrett ’s book The Magus (1801), which was a derivative of Three Books on Occult Philosophy by Henry Cornelius Agrippa.
In the mid-1850s, he took the Hebrew equivalent of his name, Eliphas Levi, and wrote under the name Magus Eliphas Levi. His best-known work is Transcendental Magic, published in 1860, which presents his own system of magic, based in part on the grimoire known as the Greater Key of Solomon. Other significant works by Levi are The History of Magic, The Mysteries of the Qabalah, The Great Secret, and The Book of Splendours. Levi’s works were a focus of the French occult revival, which gained momentum in the several decades following his death.
Levi’s work so impressed and influenced other occultists that he was one of the few French experts to be translated into English. Arthur Edward Waite, a principal in the Hermetic Order of the Golden Dawn, translated his works so that he could better study them himself. Waite called Levi a magus of light. Levi also influenced the English author Lord Bulwer Lytton, whom he met during a trip to London in 1853. Levi taught Lytton various magical rituals and procedures that Lytton incorporated into his fictional works, A Strange Story (1862) and The Haunted and the Haunters (1857), in which Levi served as the model for the magus.
Aleister Crowley, who was born in the same year that Levi died, claimed to be a Reincarnation of Levi. Crowley translated Levi’s book The Key of the Mysteries. According to Levi, two things are necessary to acquire magical power: “to disengage the will from all servitude, and to exercise it in control.”
FURTHER READING:
- Levi, Eliphas. The History of Magic. 1860. Reprint, York Beach, Maine: Samuel Weiser, 2001.
- ———. Transcendental Magic. 1896. Reprint, York Beach, Maine: Samuel Weiser, 2001.
One of Levi's most significant works is "Dogme et Rituel de la Haute Magie" (Doctrine and Ritual of High Magic), published in 1854. In this book, he synthesized various occult traditions and presented a comprehensive system of ceremonial magic, blending elements of Kabbalah, the Tarot, and Hermeticism. Levi's work was highly influential, and his ideas shaped the practices of many occultists and magicians in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. Apart from his theoretical writings, Levi also actively practiced magic and performed rituals. He believed in the power of symbols and sigils to invoke spiritual forces and even claimed to have the ability to communicate with spirits. However, he also emphasized the importance of moral and ethical conduct in the practice of magic, arguing that it should be used for spiritual enlightenment and personal growth rather than for selfish gain or manipulation. In addition to his occult writings, Levi also published works on various topics such as social and political commentary, history, and symbolism. His ideas and teachings continue to be influential in contemporary occultism and the study of Western esoteric traditions. Eliphas Levi died on May 31, 1875, in Paris. Despite facing criticism and ridicule during his lifetime, his work has endured and continues to be studied and appreciated by scholars, occultists, and those interested in the history and practice of magic and mysticism..
Reviews for "The Legacy of Eliphas Levi: Madrid's Occult Heritage"
1. John - 1/5 Stars
I found "The History of Madrid Eliphas Levi" to be incredibly tedious and unengaging. The author's writing style is confusing and convoluted, making it difficult to follow the narrative. Additionally, the book was overly detailed and seemed to lack a clear direction. I struggled to maintain interest throughout and eventually gave up on finishing it. Overall, I would not recommend this book to others.
2. Sarah - 2/5 Stars
"The History of Madrid Eliphas Levi" had the potential to be an interesting read, but unfortunately, it fell short for me. The pacing of the book was off, with long stretches of monotonous descriptions and little action. I found myself skimming through pages to find something more engaging, but it was hard to come by. The characters lacked depth and were difficult to connect with, making it difficult to care about their fates. Overall, I was disappointed with this book and wouldn't recommend it to others.
3. Alex - 2/5 Stars
I had high expectations for "The History of Madrid Eliphas Levi," but found myself sorely disappointed. The plot felt disjointed and lacked coherence, making it hard to follow along. The pacing was uneven, with slow parts dragging on and more interesting moments feeling rushed. There were also several grammatical and typographical errors throughout the book, which added to my frustration. Ultimately, I didn't find this book to be an enjoyable read and would not recommend it.