Reviews
The Initiatory Path in Fairy Tales: The Alchemical Secrets of Mother Goose by Bernard Roger A truly phenomenal book. A favorite!, Etymology, mythology, and esoteric thought converge in a fascinating journey through the worlds of tall tales we tell in jest, yarns we spin for laughs, and fairy tales we weave to put the kids to bed. Indeed, Roger's book shows that what we think of as a 'hidden' path to enlightenment is in fact written into the very fabric of our daily lives, in every story we tell ourselves. What we are shown is that these tales of fancy have within them the kernel of truths humanity has known for thousands of years. The book knits together a compelling genealogy that links our stories, our hopes, and our dreams. A compelling read for the novice and initiate alike., Classic as well as little-known fairy tales are ripe with hermetic teachings of alchemy and Freemasonry. In this book, The Initiatory Path in Fairy Tales: the Alchemical Secrets of Mother Goose , Bernard Roger, provides an exhaustive analysis to prove his point and deliver what the title promises. To understand and appreciate this book, you must be very interested in the teachings and practices of the Freemasonry society, induction and alchemy, and have a basic knowledge of the concepts and practices. I was not prepared. Also, many examples Roger sites are from fairy tales I never heard of, and the pages are so thick with details, I sometimes found myself skimming. There is still valuable knowledge for the beginner, such as how quests generally have happy outcomes as the seeker learns it's the princess - and not the jewel, bird, key, flower or fruit - that is meant to be found, and that these quests correspond to alchemy practices. The six chapters cover the tales, the initiation, the stages, the door to the temple or V.I.T.R.I.O.L., the paths of V.I.T.R.I.O.L. and the ultimate success. There are sections on the forest, the castle, riddles, impossible tasks and fighting dragons. Readers will learn the four essential factors of fate (the cause of the quest, assistants offered to him along the way, the object of the quest, and the place where it is found), the ritual for the 18th degree of Scottish Freemasonry and much more in-between., Bernard Roger was a close friend of surrealist leader André Breton, the esoteric painter Jorge Camacho, and of Eugène Canseliet, the disciple of Fulcanelli, the most important alchemist of the twentieth century. Roger, familiar with the mysteries of alchemy and Freemasonry, is obviously one of the most qualified to help us penetrate the heart of the Western Tradition. His book takes us to the threshold of the labyrinth and unveils the secrets of Mother Goose, an avatar of the sun, freshly emerged from her primordial egg, and a messenger between the Earth and the Other World.
