Mystery of the Grail: Initiation and Magic in the Quest for the Spirit (Original)

In this important explanation of the true meaning of the Grail, the brilliant and controversial Italian philosopher Julius Evola discloses the ancient sources of this legend that is so central to Western mythology and culture. He demonstrates how the main features of the legend are from an older tradition analgous to the great heroic sagas and cycles of the Nordic tribes, and that the Grail itself is a symbol of initiation. Evola uncovers the hidden meaning in the often surreal adventures of the knights who searched for the Grail, explaining these adventures as inner tests for the seeker. He also examines the history of the myth in the Middle Ages, its use by the Knights Templar and the Cathars, its legacy during the decline of the Holy Roman Empire, and its links with Rosincrucianism, alchemy, and Masonry. This exploration of this legend of the Grail is sure to provoke radical insights into the true nature of this endlessly fascinating subject.