Abraxas: The Mystery, Existence, and Power of an Ancient God

Who is Abraxas? Condemned as a demon by the early Church. Worshipped as a supreme deity by Gnostic mystics. Carved onto ancient gems as a talisman of terrifying power. Rediscovered by Carl Jung as the key to psychological wholeness. Immortalized by Hermann Hesse in Demian and by Santana in a multi-platinum album.For two thousand years, this strange, composite god rooster-headed, serpent-legged, armed with whip and shield has haunted the Western imagination. Now, Abraxas: The Mystery, Existence, and Power of an Ancient God brings together for the first time the complete story of this enigmatic figure.Drawing on Gnostic texts, magical papyri, Jungian psychology, and esoteric traditions, this book traces Abraxas from his origins in second-century Alexandria through his condemnation by the Church, his underground survival in grimoires and talismans, and his explosive rediscovery in the modern era. More than a history, it offers practical guidance for those who wish to engage Abraxas as a symbol of integration a path toward facing the shadow, holding the tension of opposites, and becoming whole.Whether you are a scholar of Gnosticism, a student of Jung, a practitioner of the esoteric arts, or simply a seeker drawn to the mystery, Abraxas invites you on a journey into the heart of one of history's most enduring and challenging spiritual figures.Inside you will discover:· The true origins of Abraxas in the Gnostic teachings of Basilides· The meaning behind his bizarre iconography rooster, serpent, whip, and shield· Why his name adds to 365 and what this reveals about his nature· How early Church Fathers condemned him and why they feared him so deeply· His survival in magical grimoires, Renaissance occultism, and the Hermetic tradition· Carl Jung's terrifying encounter with Abraxas and its implications for modern psychology· His role in the 20th century occult revival and counterculture· Practical exercises for contemplation, shadow work, and integration· The Abraxas Mandala a complete symbolic map of the path to wholeness"Essential reading for anyone seeking to understand the Gnostic roots of Western esotericism and for anyone brave enough to face their own shadow." Read more