The Life and Death of John Yarker

John Yarker was a Victorian Occultist, Freemason and esoteric Truth Seeker, who is now somewhat revered by both esoteric Freemasons and Occultists alike. He was born in Cumbria, but moved to Manchester, where he spent the rest of his life, and authored countless articles, short papers, and books that now fetch large sums at book auctions. He also collected together a number of Masonic and Oriental Orders, and he was said to have been the lynchpin for the founding of the O.T.O., a move that secured his Occult status. Indeed, Yarker was a strong influence on Aleister Crowley, introducing him to the Ancient and Primitive Rite.

This work is the first extensive biography written of John Yarker's life, and explores his early life, his Masonic career, and his eclectic collection of Rites and Orders, which include the Society of Eight, the Sat B'hai, the Swedenborgian Rite, the Ancient and Primitive Rite, Martinism and the Adoptive Rite, to name but a few. 

The book also presents an examination of his extensive works, and looks at his legacy, focusing especially upon his collection of Rites and Orders, some of which survive today and are still practiced. The work highlights documents and letters from Yarker that have never before been published, including letters that chart the early beginnings of the Operatives and the O.T.O. The work also presents a deep insight into Yarker's life and legacy, especially examining how Yarker is still celebrated in certain esoteric lineages that exist today.

Highlights include:

• Yarker's Orders, Societies and Rites include the Society of Eight, Sat B'hai, the Swedenborgian Rite, the Celestial Brotherhood, the Ancient and Primitive Rite, Martinism and the Adoptive Rite, to name but a few. 

• Includes documents and letters never before been published and an extensive list of Yarkers known works.

• Discover Yarker's key role in the founding of the Order of the Operatives.

• Learn about the mysterious order of the Sat B'hai, an Order that, like the Hermetic Brothers of Egypt, was inspired by the fashionable Orientalism of the period.

• Explore the PanSophic Rites, which celebrate a connection to Yarker through a lineage of Orders.

• Find out all about the Order of Zuzamites, whose members included some of the first Muslim converts in England. The leader of the Order was actually the man who opened the first Mosque in the UK.

Orders Covered in this volume include:

• The Adoptive Rite 
• Ancient and Primitive Rite (Memphis Misraim as 33°)
• Ancient and Accepted Scottish Rite (Yarker version)
• Swedenborgian Rite 
• Sat B'hai 
• Celestial Brotherhood 
• Society of Eight 
• Martinist Order (through Papus)
• The Operatives 
• The Order of Zuzemites 
• Hermetic Brothers of Egypt 
• Order of Elijah
• Red Order of Eri
• Frater Lucis
• Societas Rosicruciana in Anglia (SRIA)
• The Sacred Military Constantinian Order of Saint George
• The Order of Ishmael, or of Esau, and Reconciliation
• The August Order of Light
• The Ancient Order of Zuzimites
• Martinist Order of Papus
• The Grand College of England Holy Royal Arch Knight Templar Priests

Hardback Limited Edition with Embossed Cover - Only 500

352 Pages

What others are saying about this book.

'...a masterfully researched and thoroughly engaging biography that illuminates the fascinating life of John Yarker, a towering figure in the realms of Victorian occultism and Freemasonry.'

The Square

'The Life and Death of John Yarker is a delight of biographical writing, this is a work that is both a reliable resource and an engaging read which has both detailed historical research combined with a compelling narrative...'

Coronatio Quadrans