130. Archdeacon, Anthony Robert. 'Things which are not': ideas of 'nothing' in renaissance literary and philosophical discourse.

PhD thesis. Univ of Southampton, 1997.

Nihil was a subject of philosophical and theological debate in the late medieval period, and became associated with creation-myths, mysticism, millenarianism, and alchemy in the Renaissance. In intellectual discourses of the period, 'nothing' could name a metaphysical level of being, the spiritual realm, or the ideas of infinite and empty space.

Some medieval dialecticians had disputed whether nihil could logically be a name at all, so that the term had become a common focus of logical problems. These 'sophisms' in turn were to inspire Renaissance poets, who made semantic play on 'nothing' in numerous epigrams and a series of poems in praise of nothing, which have hitherto been considered as neo-classical in form.

(The Labyrinth trilogy; 2). "This second book in The Labyrinth Trilogy is a classic work on neo- shamanism. E. .J. Gold penetrates the secrets of traditional esoteric practice--particularly alchemy, shamanism, and mysticism--and he presents techniques for expanded perception and attention that work in everyday contemporary life. Beyond introductory, the book is demanding in its vocabulary, its concepts, and its iconoclastic humor". [* 131].

"This study argues that there are certain features of Hegel's thought which cannot be explained in terms of his involvement with "mainstream philosophy." These features include Hegel's claim that he has achieved wisdom, as well as his theory that God develops over time, becoming progressively more "concrete," finally reaching "completion" through the philosopher. These features, and others, are intelligible in light of the influence of the Hermetic tradition, a body of thought with roots in Greco-Roman Egypt. In the modern period, the Hermetic tradition becomes inextricably connected with mystical currents of thought such as Kabbalism, alchemy, millenarianism, Rosicrucianism, and theosophy. I argue for this influence through an analysis of Hegel's texts, lectures, fragments, and correspondence. There are four major periods of Hermetic influence or interest in Hegel's life. When Hegel was a boy, Wurttemberg was a major center of Hermeticism with much of the pietist movement influenced by the Christian Kabbalist thought of Jakob Bohme and Rosicrucianism. I show how the leading Swabian exponents of speculative (or "mystical") pietism, J. A. Bengel and F. C. Oetinger, strongly influenced Hegel. One of Hegel's biographers called his years as a private tutor (1793-1801) a "theosophical phase," during which time Hegel became conversant with the works of a number of mystics and Hermeticists. In Jena (1801-07), Hegel lectured at length, and approvingly, on Bohme and Bruno, and drew freely from the alchemical tradition. His notes employed Hermetic language and symbolism. Finally, in Berlin (1818-1831) Hegel developed a friendship with Franz von Baader, the premiere occultist and mystic of the day. The bulk of this study is an analysis of the major parts of Hegel's philosophy in terms of their Hermetic influences or elements. These include a Masonic subtext of "initiation mysticism" in the Phenomenology of Spirit; a Bohmean subtext to the Phenomenology's Preface; a Kabbalistic-Bohmean-Lullian influence on the Logic; alchemical-Paracelsian elements in the Philosophy of Nature; occult elements in the Philosophy of Spirit; an influence of Joachimite and pietist apocalyptics on Hegel's doctrine of Objective Spirit and theory of world history; and alchemical and Rosicrucian images in the Philosophy of Right". [*].

Jane Leade (1624-1704) is probably the most prolific woman writer and most important female religious leader in late seventeenth-century England, yet, she still remains relatively unknown. By exploring her life and works as a prophetess and mystic, this books opens a fascinating window into the world of a remarkable woman living in a remarkable age.

Contents: Introduction; Norfolk's child to 'Bride of Christ'; John Pordage: a spiritual mate; Searching for GO(L)D: spiritual alchemy; Visions of Sophia; Mystical marriage; The Philadelphians' prophetess; The second coming; The healing angel; Conclusion; Bibliography; Index. [*].