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In Second Empire Paris, Éliphas Lévi was a well known figure. His pursuit of esoteric matters, initially a rather casual interest, later provided him with a unique knowledge. By applying methods and forms of presentation of natural sciences to concepts of the supernatural, a connection between these two seemingly emerged, and the ''occult sciences'' took shape.

In Second Empire Paris, Éliphas Lévi was a well known figure. His pursuit of esoteric matters, initially a rather casual interest, later provided him with a unique knowledge. By applying methods and forms of presentation of natural sciences to concepts of the supernatural, a connection between these two seemingly emerged, and the ''occult sciences'' took shape.

One reason for Éliphas Lévi's success may be seen in the fact that he was the first to follow this path consequently. He was the first after [[Heinrich Cornelius Agrippa von Nettesheim|Agrippa von Nettesheim]] to study occultism more intensely than just fleetingly and thus was able to draw from substantial sources. Due to the wide range of subjects covered as well as because of their comparative originality, his works influenced all notable mystics in the afermath. His inclination for eccentric appearances, calculated for effect and regardless of possible negative outcome, contributed to further boosting his popularity. Seven years after his death,Paris newspaper ''Le Figaro'' published an editorial on him.<ref>[http://gallica.bnf.fr/ark:/12148/bpt6k278346v Un maitre sorcier. Le Figaro v. 6. Oktober 1882] (provides a detailed description of incidents connected to Lévi's near execution in 1848)</ref>

One reason for Éliphas Lévi's success may be seen in the fact that he was the first to follow this path consequently. He was the first after Heinrich Cornelius Agrippa von Nettesheim to study occultism more intensely than just fleetingly and thus was able to draw from substantial sources. Due to the wide range of subjects covered as well as because of their comparative originality, his works influenced all notable mystics in the afermath. His inclination for eccentric appearances, calculated for effect and regardless of possible negative outcome, contributed to further boosting his popularity. Seven years after his death,Paris newspaper ''Le Figaro'' published an editorial on him.<ref>[http://gallica.bnf.fr/ark:/12148/bpt6k278346v Un maitre sorcier. Le Figaro v. 6. Oktober 1882] (provides a detailed description of incidents connected to Lévi's near execution in 1848)</ref>

[[image:Talisman_universel_selon_levi.png|According to Papus, the universal charm discovered by Lévi banning all evil spirits, provided it was drawn on pristine parchment in golden ink and carried in a golden silk bag.|thumb]]  

[[image:Talisman_universel_selon_levi.png|According to Papus, the universal charm discovered by Lévi banning all evil spirits, provided it was drawn on pristine parchment in golden ink and carried in a golden silk bag.|thumb]]  

Apart from Fernand Rozier mentioned above, further mystics particularly influenced by Lévi were:

Apart from Fernand Rozier mentioned above, further mystics particularly influenced by Lévi were:

* [[Gérard Encausse]] (1865 - 1916), who published under the pseudonym Papus,

* Gérard Encausse (1865-1916), publishing as Papus,

* [[Stanislas de Guaita]] (1861 - 1897),

* Stanislas de Guaita (1861-1897),

* [[Joséphin Péladan]] (1858 - 1918), who called himself Sâr Mérodack Joséphin Péladan.

* Joséphin Péladan (1858-1918), calling himself Sâr Mérodack Joséphin Péladan.

In the English language area he reached amongst others:

Among the English-language mystics he reached were:

* [[Helena Blavatsky]] (1831 - 1891),

* [[Helena Blavatsky]] (1831-1891),

* [[H.P. Lovecraft]] (1890 - 1937),

* H.P. Lovecraft (1890-1937),

* [[Aleister Crowley]] (1875 - 1947), who considered himself a reincarnation of Lévi.

* [[Aleister Crowley]] (1875-1947), considering himself a reincarnation of Lévi.

== Works ==

== Works ==

After having chosen Éliphas Lévi for his pseudonym he no longer published under his original name. With regards to contents a similarly clear distinction can be observed: works of theosophical/ occult contents are written exclusively "by" Éliphas Lévi; for the political pamphlets and the ''Dictionnaire de la littérature chrétienne'' Alphonse-Louis Constant signs as their author.

Having chosen Éliphas Lévi for his pseudonym, he no longer published under his common name. A similarly clear distinction may be observed regarding with regards to content: works of theosophical/occult contents are authored exclusively by Éliphas Lévi, while the political pamphlets and the ''Dictionnaire de la littérature chrétienne'' was authored by Alphonse-Louis Constant.

=== Alphonse-Louis Constant ===

=== Alphonse-Louis Constant ===

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{|border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" style="table-layout:fixed; padding:0px; background:rgb(255,255,255); margin:0px; margin-left:15px; margin-right:15px; width:100%; text-align:left; vertical-align:top; empty-cells:show;"

|-

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|style="width:10%; vertical-align:top;"|1839

|style="width:10%; vertical-align:top;"|1839

=== Éliphas Lévi ===

=== Éliphas Lévi ===

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{|border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" style="table-layout:fixed; padding:0px; background:rgb(255,255,255); margin:0px; margin-left:15px; margin-right:15px; width:100%; text-align:left; vertical-align:top; empty-cells:show;"

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|style="width:10%; vertical-align:top;"|1854

|style="width:10%; vertical-align:top;"|1854

|''L'Annexe de Salomon''

|''L'Annexe de Salomon''

|}

|}

== References ==

== References ==