Anacalypsis by Godfrey Higgins: One Book to Read This Summer

Dan Brown's The DaVinci Code has sparked a resurgence of interest in arcane and Masonic knowledge. His new book, The Lost Symbol, will continue this trend. For anyone who's interested in all the history you were never taught in school or the religion you were never taught in church, Anacalypsis is a must read.

Those lucky enough to have an exceedingly good dictionary might find a definition for the word "anacalypsis". I have met only one person who professed ever hearing the word. I usually get a blank stare. If you look it up on the internet, you will find out that it is the title of a book. If you read far enough in one of the articles you might find a definition of the word itself. The word is Latin for "unveiling" or "revealing". I only know this because I once had access to one of those exceedingly good dictionaries. While researching this article, I found no internet dictionary that could provide a definition. So you will have to trust me.

If you want one book to read this summer, this is it. I say this because, if you read it, it will probably take all summer. It is the definition of the word "tome". It is 1400 pages of archaic English with quotes from several other languages. Even the subtitle is a mouthful, "An Attempt to Draw Aside the Veil of the Saitic Isis; or an Inquiry into the Origin of Languages, Nations, and Religions".

To say the least, the book is heretical. To put it correctly, it is eye opening. The author, Godfrey Higgins, was born in an era when classical training was the norm. He was a magistrate by profession and a Freemason by choice. He was passionate in his quest for the lost secrets of the Masonic Lodge. To his credit, he was dispassionate about his findings. His training and tenacity allowed him to study a staggering amount of material over some twenty years of research. By examining the similarities between various religions and mythologies, he attempted to piece together a "system" underlying it all. This early attempt at comparative mythology is stunning for its scope. It should be read alongside Frazer's "Golden Bough". Of course, most of us have heard of that book. Why is "Anacalypsis" unfamiliar?

Higgins' book has been discounted by scholars as erroneous in its conclusions and unreliable in its facts. While I will not attempt to debate the issue in this article, I would suggest that my own research finds far more truth than error. Had Higgins access to today's technology, I believe he would be considered cutting edge (though probably controversial). He touches on a plethora of subjects in the course of the book, among them astrology, religion, mythology, numerology, and politics. He shows good command of them all. Most of today's scholars would have trouble absorbing it because of its generality. Anacalypsis is usually classified as 'theosophy' though I believe the author would have despised the term. Madame Blavatsky was a fan of the book, however, and her "Secret Doctrine" almost certainly finds its roots in this work.

So for those of you who read The DaVinci Code and are eagerly awaiting The Lost Symbol, find a way to read Anacalypsis this summer. It is public domain. As such, it is available in various forms through several publishers. It is also available to read for free online. See the following links for details.

Source: GODFREY HIGGINS AND HIS ANACALYPSIS www.freemasons-freemasonry.com