York Beach, Maine, USA: Teitan Press, 2018. First Edition. Hardcover. Small Quarto. xviiipp. [introduction] + 70pp. [transcriptions] + 72 ff (ie 144pp) [reproduction of MSS]. Bound in high quality black cloth, with a gilt design after Hockley stamped on the front cover, blind rules; gilt-lettered spine. Black moire “coffin silk” endpapers. Sewn. B/W ills. Edition limited to 650 hand numbered copies. The exact hand written number may vary from the number shown in the photo.

Book is in new unread condition.

The first ever publication of two Frederick Hockley manuscripts, with an authoritative Introduction by Alan Thorogood, typeset transcriptions, and a black and white photo facsimile of the original manuscripts. The works are of particular significance, as unlike many of Hockley’s manuscripts, which reproduce the work of others, these record his own occult endeavours, chiefly scrying, and their results. The first manuscript is in two parts: “Metaphysical Spiritual Philosophy. A series of discourses delivered through the medium of a Magic Mirror by the Spirit Eltesmo” (&) “The Practical Laws of Life and the Reward which Obedience to them issues to the Soul.” “Metaphysical Spiritual Philosophy” is a group of short writings on life in the spirit world etc. received from Hockley’s Spirit guide, Eltesmo, during a working in October 1857 during which Hockley’s friend Henry Lea acted as the exorcist and Emma Louisa Leigh as the speculatrix. Unlike most of his own material, Hockley had stated intention to publish this work but never did so. The second piece: “The Practical Laws of Life and the Reward which Obedience to them issues to the Soul” is a short philosophical/theological work. The second manuscript “E.L.L. MS” is a lengthy work in which Hockley records a series of invocations of the spirit Eltesmo, and the communications that he received therefrom through the mediumistic abilities of his teenage “speculatrix” Emma Louisa Leigh. The first invocation is dated 5th October 1858, at Limehouse, and the last on the 13th March 1860. It seems almost certain that these were Hockley’s own private records of the workings, and were not intended for publication. As is now well known, Frederick Hockley (1808-1885) was an occultist and freemason whose interests included scrying, ritual magic, alchemy and spiritualism. In later life was associated with the Societas Rosicruciana in Anglia. Hockley’s peers considered him to be one of the great occult scholars of his time in fact he was held in such high regard by one of the founders of the Golden Dawn, W. Wynn Westcott, that he posthumously claimed Hockley as one of the Order’s most outstanding Adepts.