At a Glance
- Written by Louis Jacolliot (1837–1890), translated by William E. Felt
- A firsthand European account from mid-nineteenth-century India
- Written from the perspective of a religious sceptic, not a believer
- Includes a translation of esoteric works of Indian magic
- Those works have been likened to the Jewish Kabbalah
- 280 pages, paperback
How to Use It
A reference book earns its place by being opened, not by being finished.
- Start with the chapter that answers the question you already have. Reference works reward curiosity over order.
- Keep it near your altar, desk or reading chair — somewhere you will actually reach for it.
- Mark the pages you return to. The passages you revisit are the ones your practice is built on.
- Read one entry before a ritual or a study session to set the frame for what follows.
Book Details
| Detail |
Specification |
| Format |
Paperback |
| Pages |
280 |
| Dimensions |
0.63 x 8 x 5 in |
| Published |
December 16, 2005 |
| First published in English |
1884 |
| Author |
Louis Jacolliot |
✨ Temple Tip
Read this one next to a modern account of the same phenomena. The gap between a sceptical 1884 eyewitness and a contemporary believer is where the most interesting questions live.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the author a believer?
No. Jacolliot writes as a religious sceptic and states the facts without further comment, wondering whether some unfamiliar natural force is at play.
Who was Louis Jacolliot?
A French writer and jurist (1837–1890) who served in French India as a government official and wrote extensively on Indian culture, including Voyage au pays des fakirs charmeurs (1881).
What else does it include?
A translation of esoteric works of Indian magic that have been likened to the Jewish Kabbalah.
Who wrote it?
Louis Jacolliot (1837–1890), French writer and jurist who served in French India as a government official, translated by William E. Felt.
How quickly does it ship?
Ships within 3 business days, packed to protect the corners and the spine.
An eyewitness who refused to be impressed — and reported it anyway. #TempleOfDesire
