Sepharial
Encyclopedia
Dr Walter Gorn Old was a notable 19th century astrologer, better known as Sepharial.
An eminent English Theosophist, Sepharial was a well-known and respected astrologer
in the late 19th and early 20th centuries and wrote numerous books, some of which are still highly regarded today. He was editor
of "Old Moore's Almanac
", which is still published in the 21st century.
and followed this up with studies in psychology
, oriental languages, astrology
and numerology
. In 1886 he started to write an astrology problem page in the Society Times, where he answered the public's questions, and in 1887 at the age of just 23 was admitted to the "inner sanctum" of the Theosophical Society
. He was in fact one of the founder members of the Theosophical movement in England. Madame Blavatsky
(whom he lived with until her death) called him "The Astral Tramp" because of his nightly explorations into the astral plane .
, astrology
and numerology
, and his writings had a considerable impact on E. H. Bailey and Alan Leo
, who he introduced to Theosophy. He can be credited as the first astrologer to use Earth's "dark moon" Lilith in his calculations. Genuinely erudite, Sepharial had for example a greater knowledge of mathematics
, astronomy
, and historical methodology than most of his astrological contemporaries and this showed in his writings. Sepharial's "Degrees of the Zodiac Symbolised" (co-written with Charubel
) foreshadowed Marc Edmund Jones
's subsequent (and nowadays better known) work on Sabian Symbols. However, many of his books and other works were put together in a rather slapdash way, which made his reputation less enduring than it might have been. A colourful character, Sepharial started a number of astrological magazines, all of which failed to establish themselves.
An eminent English Theosophist, Sepharial was a well-known and respected astrologer
Astrologer
An astrologer practices one or more forms of astrology. Typically an astrologer draws a horoscope for the time of an event, such as a person's birth, and interprets celestial points and their placements at the time of the event to better understand someone, determine the auspiciousness of an...
in the late 19th and early 20th centuries and wrote numerous books, some of which are still highly regarded today. He was editor
Editing
Editing is the process of selecting and preparing written, visual, audible, and film media used to convey information through the processes of correction, condensation, organization, and other modifications performed with an intention of producing a correct, consistent, accurate, and complete...
of "Old Moore's Almanac
Old Moore's Almanac
Old Moore's Almanac is an almanac which has been published annually in Ireland since 1764.It was originally written and published by Theophilus Moore who ran a classical academy at Milltown which was then a village near Dublin....
", which is still published in the 21st century.
Overview
As a young man Sepharial initially studied medicineMedicine
Medicine is the science and art of healing. It encompasses a variety of health care practices evolved to maintain and restore health by the prevention and treatment of illness....
and followed this up with studies in psychology
Psychology
Psychology is the study of the mind and behavior. Its immediate goal is to understand individuals and groups by both establishing general principles and researching specific cases. For many, the ultimate goal of psychology is to benefit society...
, oriental languages, astrology
Astrology
Astrology consists of a number of belief systems which hold that there is a relationship between astronomical phenomena and events in the human world...
and numerology
Numerology
Numerology is any study of the purported mystical relationship between a count or measurement and life. It has many systems and traditions and beliefs...
. In 1886 he started to write an astrology problem page in the Society Times, where he answered the public's questions, and in 1887 at the age of just 23 was admitted to the "inner sanctum" of the Theosophical Society
Theosophical Society
The Theosophical Society is an organization formed in 1875 to advance the spiritual principles and search for Truth known as Theosophy. The original organization, after splits and realignments has several successors...
. He was in fact one of the founder members of the Theosophical movement in England. Madame Blavatsky
Madame Blavatsky
Helena Petrovna Blavatsky , was a theosophist, writer and traveler. Between 1848 and 1875 Blavatsky had gone around the world three times. In 1875, Blavatsky together with Colonel H. S. Olcott established the Theosophical Society...
(whom he lived with until her death) called him "The Astral Tramp" because of his nightly explorations into the astral plane .
Influential legacy
He became a very influential author in the fields of the occultOccult
The word occult comes from the Latin word occultus , referring to "knowledge of the hidden". In the medical sense it is used to refer to a structure or process that is hidden, e.g...
, astrology
Astrology
Astrology consists of a number of belief systems which hold that there is a relationship between astronomical phenomena and events in the human world...
and numerology
Numerology
Numerology is any study of the purported mystical relationship between a count or measurement and life. It has many systems and traditions and beliefs...
, and his writings had a considerable impact on E. H. Bailey and Alan Leo
Alan Leo
Alan Leo, born William Frederick Allan, , was a prominent British astrologer, author, publisher and theosophist, and is considered by many to be the father of modern astrology....
, who he introduced to Theosophy. He can be credited as the first astrologer to use Earth's "dark moon" Lilith in his calculations. Genuinely erudite, Sepharial had for example a greater knowledge of mathematics
Mathematics
Mathematics is the study of quantity, space, structure, and change. Mathematicians seek out patterns and formulate new conjectures. Mathematicians resolve the truth or falsity of conjectures by mathematical proofs, which are arguments sufficient to convince other mathematicians of their validity...
, astronomy
Astronomy
Astronomy is a natural science that deals with the study of celestial objects and phenomena that originate outside the atmosphere of Earth...
, and historical methodology than most of his astrological contemporaries and this showed in his writings. Sepharial's "Degrees of the Zodiac Symbolised" (co-written with Charubel
Charubel
John Thomas was a Welsh mystic of the late 19th century. As a clairvoyant, occultist and healer he was better known by his professional name, Charubel.-Early years:...
) foreshadowed Marc Edmund Jones
Marc Edmund Jones
Dr. Marc Edmund Jones was an American astrologer.-Early life:Born October 1, 1888, 8:37 a.m. CST in St...
's subsequent (and nowadays better known) work on Sabian Symbols. However, many of his books and other works were put together in a rather slapdash way, which made his reputation less enduring than it might have been. A colourful character, Sepharial started a number of astrological magazines, all of which failed to establish themselves.
Books
Sepharial wrote many books, most of which are rare and out of print. Here are a few:- Sepharial: "New Dictionary of Astrology", republished by Arco, New York in 1964.
- Sepharial: "The New Manual of Astrology" (in four books).
- Sepharial: "Astrology Explained".
- Sepharial: "The Book Of The Simple Way" Pub 1904. (Translation of Lao Tzu's Chinese classic, the "Tao Te Ching").
- Sepharial: "The Kabala of Numbers" Pub 1913. Modern edition: ISBN 1-59605-404-2. (on numerology).
- Sepharial: "The Silver Key".
- Sepharial: "Cosmic Symbolism".
- Sepharial: "Science of Foreknowledge".
- Sepharial and CharubelCharubelJohn Thomas was a Welsh mystic of the late 19th century. As a clairvoyant, occultist and healer he was better known by his professional name, Charubel.-Early years:...
: "Degrees of the Zodiac Symbolised" (on astrology). - Sepharial: "A Manual of Occultism".
- Sepharial: "Astrology: How To Make Your Own Horoscope", R. F. Fenno & Company, New York (N.D.) 126 pages w/ illustrations