Magus of Freemasonry

Tobias Churton is an Honorary Fellow of Exeter University where he is a course lecturer on Freemasonry and Rosicrucianism and teaches in England’s first master’s program in Western Esotericism. He studied theology at Oxford University and created the award-winning documentary series and accompanying book The Gnostics as well as several other films on Christian doctrine, mysticism, and magical folklore. He is the founding editor of Freemasonry Today magazine and author of Gnostic Philosophy. He lives in England.

• AcknowledgementsIntroduction: Ex Uno OmniaThe Great ManThe MagusThe Hermetic MagusAlchemyLichfieldC.H. JostenOne: The Coming One The AshmolesFormative InfluencesMotherTwo: Lichfield--the Hidden Light of EnglandSt. Chad and the Origins of Lichfield Gaia ChildhoodThree: London CallingFour: WarAstrologyThe IntelligencerAshmole’s Persona Defending OxfordDreams and SpiresWomen Worcester Five: Defeat and Rebirth: FreemasonryFree Masonry Secret SignsSix: Return to LondonWomen AgainLady MainwaringSeven: The 1650s (I): The Philosopher’s StoneEx Uno Omnia Fasciculus ChemicusOne Hieroglyph--New BeingThe Theatre of British ChemistryAshmole and the RosicruciansThe Rose Cross FraternityA Gathering ReputationThe Way to BlissEight: The 1650s (ii): Study to Be QuietSecret Work A Journey to StaffordshireContemplative Men and Antiquarian RecreationThe Tradescant Deed of GiftNine: The Windsor Herald The Royal SocietyThe AntiquarianThe MasterpieceAstro-PoliticsTen: Lichfield--the ReconstructionRestauratorThe Loving Cup Our Magus Ashmole’s PoliticsBills, Bills, and More BillsAshmole and the Mason's CompanyThe Origins of FreemasonryEleven: The MuseumThe Tradescant RaritiesThe Ashmolean"Those Fatall Flames"Twelve: Coming HomeSaving Dee Sendivogius, Kelley, and DeeToward HomePostscriptNotesBibliography Index

“Reads like an adventure novel. Ashmole was one of the leading intellectual and spiritual lights of the time, an accomplished alchemist, and close friend to some of the most brilliant men in England. Churton has given us a compelling picture of Ashmole’s life, the city in which he lived, and the guild structure of the time.”