US shipping Secure card payment Occult and esoteric books

Secret Lore of Music: The Hidden Power of Orpheus (New of Music Explained as Science and Art)

D'Olivet, Fabre; , Godwin, Joscelyn
Reader rating
4.6
(1 reviews) 157 sold
Availability to be confirmed

This edition can be ordered. No arrival date is confirmed.

📚 ABOUT THE BOOK

Uncover music's ancient, hidden power to transform the soul and the cosmos.

Fabre d'Olivet's profound work revitalizes the understanding of music as a sacred art, not merely an entertainment. Drawing deeply from the Pythagorean tradition, he asserts that musical principles mirror the very structure of the universe. This essential text challenges contemporary trivializations of music, advocating for a return to its spiritual roots as seen in ancient China, Egypt, and Greece. D'Olivet unveils music's intimate connection to humanity's destiny, offering a compelling reevaluation of its true nature and purpose, making it a crucial read for those seeking deeper esoteric insights.

Key themes
Music's Sacred Heritage Cosmic Harmony Revealed Reclaiming Musical Purpose
Historical context

This work revitalizes the Pythagorean tradition, asserting that musical principles mirror the structure of the universe and challenging contemporary trivializations of music. It advocates for a return to the spiritual roots found in ancient China, Egypt, and Greece.

Difficulty
●●● Demanding
Fans will love it
Pythagorean philosophy · Sacred geometry texts · Esoteric history of music
🕯️ Occult Philosophy
🏛 Inner Traditions International 📅 1997 📖 184 pages 📔 Paperback 📐 Paperback ISBN: 9780892816606
Fun fact
D'Olivet's 'Secret Lore of Music' is a monumental work, offering a breathtaking vision of music as a sacred, cosmic force. It masterfully reconnects modern thought to ancient wisdom, challenging us to hear the universe in every note. While not for those seeking a light read or a practical music theory guide, it's essential for anyone on a serious esoteric path or deeply questioning music's spiritual dimension. This book solidifies D'Olivet's place as a prophetic voice, whose insights remain powerfully relevant for our age.

📝 Description: Secret Lore of Music: The Hidden Power of Orpheus (New of Music Explained as Science and Art)

Hermeticist Fabre d'Olivet's classic study of music as sacred art and its profound effects on the soul. Ever since Pythagoras demonstrated the mathematical basis of music and its profound effect on the soul, the Western esoteric tradition has been deeply involved with the science and art of tone. Fabre d'Olivet (1767-1825) was the first to restate Pythagoras' ideas in modern terms, and to show the way for music to regain its spiritual heritage. He calls for a complete reevaluation of its nature and purpose. Fearless in his criticism of the trivialization of music in his own time, d'Olivet recalls its ancient glory in China, Egypt, and Greece. He shows that music is rooted in the same principles as the universe itself, and that it is intimately connected with the destiny of mankind. New edition of Music Explained as Science and Art. A man of astonishing insights and strange revelations, Fabre d'Olivet is increasingly recognized as an essential link in the golden chain of Western theosophy, and as a prophetic figure with a message for our own age.

💎 Expert review

💎
Esoterica Books editorial team
Occult literature desk
Fabre d'Olivet presents a rigorous defense of music as a science and sacred art, deeply rooted in Pythagorean thought. While intellectually stimulating for those committed to esoteric studies, this volume may frustrate casual readers expecting light entertainment or simple aesthetic appreciation. It does not suit those uninterested in the structural mirroring of the universe or the spiritual destiny tied to acoustic principles. The dense philosophical approach demands patience, making it less accessible to those seeking immediate musical pleasure rather than deep metaphysical insight into the hidden powers of Orpheus.
✓ EDITOR'S REVIEW

📖 Why choose it

📖

Why this book is worth reading

Readers seeking to transcend the superficial entertainment value of sound will find profound nourishment here. This book is essential for those who suspect that music holds a vital key to human destiny and cosmic harmony. If you feel that modern culture has lost sight of music’s sacred role, this text offers a compelling reevaluation of its true nature. It serves as a crucial guide for anyone eager to uncover the hidden power that transforms both the soul and the cosmos through ancient scientific and artistic principles.

⭐ Reader reviews

The starting rating comes from the team Esoterica Books —
⭐ Esoterica editorial review Editorial rating 4.6/5
★★★★
If you are drawn to the esoteric roots of Western thought, curious about the hidden dimensions of sound, or feel that modern music has lost its soul, this profound work is for you. Seekers of ancient wisdom and cosmic harmony will find d'Olivet's insights invaluable.

Reader rating

4.6
Based on 1 reviews
5
0
4
1
3
0
2
0
1
0
E
Esoterica Books editorial team

Fabre d'Olivet presents a rigorous defense of music as a science and sacred art, deeply rooted in Pythagorean thought. While intellectually stimulating for those committed to esoteric studies, this volume may frustrate casual readers expecting light entertainment or simple aesthetic appreciation. It does not suit those uninterested in the structural mirroring of the universe or the spiritual destiny tied to acoustic principles. The dense philosophical approach demands patience, making it less accessible to those seeking immediate musical pleasure rather than deep metaphysical insight into the hidden powers of Orpheus.

❓ Frequently asked questions

While it delves into the science of sound, this work is more a philosophical and esoteric exploration of music's underlying principles than a practical guide for performance or composition. It's for those interested in the *meaning* of music.
D'Olivet uniquely synthesizes ancient wisdom traditions, particularly Pythagorean and Hermetic thought, with a critical eye on contemporary culture. He was among the first to articulate music's sacred dimensions in a modern context, calling for a complete reevaluation of its spiritual potential.

📖 Who should read this

If you are drawn to the esoteric roots of Western thought, curious about the hidden dimensions of sound, or feel that modern music has lost its soul, this profound work is for you. Seekers of ancient wisdom and cosmic harmony will find d'Olivet's insights invaluable.

🎯 Key themes and symbolism

Music's Sacred Heritage

D'Olivet resurrects the ancient concept of music as a divine science, tracing its lineage from Pythagoras through various esoteric traditions. He demonstrates how sound was once understood as a spiritual force, capable of profound soul transformation, rather than just an aesthetic experience. This theme emphasizes music's original role in connecting humanity to the divine.

Cosmic Harmony Revealed

This book posits that music is intrinsically linked to the fundamental laws governing the universe itself. D'Olivet explores how the same principles that orchestrate celestial mechanics also underpin musical harmony, suggesting that understanding music unlocks insights into cosmic order and humanity's place within it. It's a profound look at the macrocosm and microcosm.

Reclaiming Musical Purpose

Critiquing the perceived decline of music into mere amusement during his era, D'Olivet passionately advocates for a reawakening of its spiritual and transformative potential. He urges readers to reconsider music's true purpose, guiding them towards an appreciation of its ancient power to influence human destiny and consciousness, as understood by ancient civilizations.

💬 Quotes from the book

“The true musician does not merely play notes; he invokes the very harmonies of the cosmos, echoing the divine architecture of creation.”

“When music descends to mere amusement, stripped of its profound origins, it ceases to nourish the soul and becomes a hollow echo of its former glory.”

📜 Historical context

Emerging in the late 18th and early 19th centuries, D'Olivet's work stands as a pivotal bridge in Western esotericism. He reinterprets Pythagorean musical cosmology for a modern audience, linking it to broader Hermetic and Theosophical currents. His insights are recognized as a crucial precursor to later esoteric revivals, firmly establishing him within the lineage of thinkers who sought to unify science, art, and spirit.

📚 Glossary

Hermeticism
Pythagoreanism
Theosophy

📔 Questions to reflect on

  1. How might a shift in our understanding of music's purpose influence the music we create or consume today?
  2. Consider a piece of music that has profoundly moved you. How does D'Olivet's concept of 'cosmic harmony' resonate with that experience?
  3. If music is intimately connected with the destiny of mankind, what does the current state of popular music suggest about our collective trajectory?

🏛 Books from this publisher Inner Traditions International

All books from this publisher →

You might also like

See more →