The Magic and Mysteries of Mexico: The Arcane Secrets and Occult Lore of the Ancient Mexicans and Maya

When Lewis Spence's classic The Magic and Mysteries of Mexico was originally published, it was the first major effort to include in one volume all that was known about the arcane knowledge and occult lore of the ancient Mexican people and their neighbors, The Maya of Central America and Yucatan. The magic of old Mexico, although it closely resembles that of other lands, has distinct racial characteristics of its own, and illuminates other systems through its peculiar preservation of what many other lands have lost or cast aside. Its inherent unity of idea with the arcane systems of the Old World make it a valuable mine of analogy and comparison even if the differences brought about by the environment seem to render it superficially distinctive. Above all, its indwelling spirit of gloomy wonder and mystical exclusiveness reveal it as the most fascination of the world's secret systems.Both the practical anthropologist and student of mysticism will be intrigued with these incredible findings: Spence simplifies the difficult subjects of Mexican and Mayan astrology, and proves that this astrological lore was accompanied by a philosophy of dualism, recalling that of ancient Persia; he exposes a system of initiation resembling that connected with Asiatic and European wisdom religions, also in vogue in Central America; and thoroughly explores mystical books of he Mexican and Maya and the relationship between the religions of these people and their magical beliefs.