Count Cagliostro. Joseph Balsamo, Freemason and Alchemist. by Travis Simpkins

Count Alessandro di Cagliostro. Giuseppe Balsamo. Egyptian Rite Freemasonry. by Travis Simpkins

Sketch of a Portrait Bust of

Count Alessandro di Cagliostro

Giuseppe Balsamo

( 1743 - 1795 )

Freemason, Alchemist, Occultist 

Mystic and Traveler

Founder of the Egyptian Rite of Freemasonry

The Ancient Rite of Memphis-Misrain

by Travis Simpkins

based on a 1786 marble bust by Jean-Antoine Houdon

Collection of the National Gallery of Art. Washington, DC

Philippa Faulks & Robert L.D. Cooper : 

The Masonic Magician. Count Cagliostro

For more info, please visit:

robertldcooper.co.uk

Count Cagliostro. Freemason. by Travis Simpkins. Black Magic. Orson Welles

Count Cagliostro. Giuseppe Balsamo. Freemason and Alchemist. Egyptian Rite. by Travis Simpkins

Count Alessandro di Cagliostro. Giuseppe Balsamo. Egyptian Rite Freemasonry. by Travis Simpkins

Sketch of a Portrait Bust of

Count Alessandro di Cagliostro

Giuseppe Balsamo

( 1743 - 1795 )

Freemason, Alchemist, Occultist 

Mystic and Traveler

Founder of the Egyptian Rite of Freemasonry

The Ancient Rite of Memphis-Misrain

by Travis Simpkins

based on a 1786 marble bust by Jean-Antoine Houdon

Collection of the National Gallery of Art. Washington, DC

Philippa Faulks & Robert L.D. Cooper : 

The Masonic Magician. Count Cagliostro

For more info, please visit:

robertldcooper.co.uk

Count Cagliostro. Freemason. by Travis Simpkins. The 7 Ordeals of Cagliostro. Iain McCalman

Pilgrims of the Night. Pathfinders of the Magical Way. Lars. B. Lindholm. Occult

Pilgrims of the Night. Pathfinders of the Magical Way. Lars. B. Lindholm. Occult

I'm enjoying "Pilgrims of the Night: Pathfinders of the Magical Way" by Lars Lindholm. The book provides a historical overview of Magick, the Occult and the Western Esoteric Tradition. It is not an academic or comprehensive study, but is entertaining nevertheless. 



Here is a fresh, unprejudiced and exceptionally readable examination of the evolution of magical theory and practice in Western culture. In his often humorous style, Lars B. Lindholm traces the history of magic from the earliest times to modern, encountering colorful personalities such as Thomas Aquinas, Henry Cornelius Agrippa, John Dee, and Aleister Crowley along the way.


Pilgrims of the Night or Pathfinders of the Magical Way is a fascinating book about the most prominent figures in the history of magic. The subject of magic is defined rather loosely but that would deserve a book of itself to describe it properly. The author assumes the usual meaning of the word and delves perhaps not too deeply into the raging waters of Western magical history.
The book is divided into several chapters. As nothing much is really known about ancient history of magic, the author frankly admits it and gives sketchy outlines or biographies of such figures as Albertus Magnus, Roger Bacon, Cornelius Agrippa and John Dee.
In the chapter on Renaissance magic he starts giving more details but then the book becomes a description of history of Western magical orders starting with Rosicrucians and Freemasons and ending with the famous order of the Golden Dawn. A special attention is given to such prominent figures as Mathers and Crowley. There is also a chapter about Hitler. And finally a "new" magic or rather cult inspired by works of Lovecraft.
What is so unusual and refreshing about this book is that throughout the whole book the author maintains an ironic and rather skeptical attitude about the whole subject. He does not directly say that it is all BS, on the contrary he admits that there is something in it but he definitely acknowledges the fact that there is lots of deceit and plain power struggle when it comes to magic.
In fact the author keeps a peculiarly reticent attitude about the Necronomicon which is a subject of the last chapter. While admitting that all the existing copies are fake, he also admits that the magic in some of them works. Whatever that means. Another peculiarity is that he does not mention Simon Necronomicon by name except by briefly referring to it in a footnote. Very strange indeed, considering that it is the most famous copy of Necronomicon. Copies of Simon Necronomicon are freely available on the net so interested readers can always check them out for themselves.
There are also several interesting appendices in this book that should be a chapter by themselves but they are not, strictly speaking, about the history but rather an attempt to explain magic and other subjects closely connected with it. There are some fascinating insights there.
So I highly recommend this book. You won't find any propaganda (not overt, anyway) for doing magic. It is definitely a good primer as far as the history of Western magical orders go, though an advanced scholar perhaps won't find any new information there. For a novice, however, it is perfect: it sums up everything into succulent points and make it a very enjoyable read. And the book is quite short too, so no danger of it becoming too boring.
I found it one of the best reads on the subject of magic. It does not describe any techniques like spells, sigils, etc. It is basically a history of Western magical orders and some of the most memorable (to the author at least) moments in its history. It has curious gaps but on the whole it is an excellent book. -online review

The Masonic Magician. The Life and Death of Count Cagliostro and His Egyptian Rite. Philippa Faulks and Robert L.D. Cooper

The Masonic Magician. The Life and Death of Count Cagliostro and His Egyptian Rite. Philippa Faulks and Robert L.D. Cooper

"The Masonic Magician" by Philippa Faulks and Robert L.D. Cooper is one of the best researched and most entertaining Masonic books I've ever read. It was really hard to put this one down...



"Miracle-worker or man of straw? Count Alessandro Cagliostro was a cult figure of European society in the tumultuous years leading to the French Revolution. An alchemist, healer and Freemason, he inspired both wild devotion and savage ridicule – as well as novels by Alexandre Dumas, a drama by Goethe and Mozart’s opera The Magic Flute.
Count Alessandro Cagliostro’s sincere belief in the magical powers, including immortality, conferred by his Egyptian Rite of Freemasonry won him fame, but made him dangerous enemies, too. His celebrated travels through the Middle East and the capitals of Europe ended abruptly in Rome in 1789, where he was arrested by the Inquisition and condemned to death for heresy.
The Masonic Magician tells Cagliostro’s extraordinary story, complete with the first English translation of his Egyptian Rite of Freemasonry ever published. The authors examine the case made against him, that he was an impostor as well as a heretic, and find that the Roman Church, and history itself, have done him a terrible injustice.
This engaging account, drawing on remarkable new documentary evidence, shows that the man condemned was a genuine visionary and true champion of Freemasonry. His teachings have much to reveal to us today, not just of the secrets of the movement, but of the mysterious hostility it continues to attract."

December 27, 1789: Count Alessandro di Cagliostro was arrested and imprisoned at the Castel Sant’Angelo. Sketch by Travis Simpkins

December 27, 1789: Count Cagliostro was arrested and imprisoned at the Castel Sant’Angelo. Sketch by Travis Simpkins

December 27, 1789: Giuseppe Balsamo, aka Count Alessandro di Cagliostro, was arrested and imprisoned at the Castel Sant’Angelo.

Condemned by the Holy Inquisition, he was tried and originally sentenced to death, but the penalty was commuted to life imprisonment at the Fortress of San Leo, in the Duchy of Urbino, Italy.

Sketch by Travis Simpkins

Count Cagliostro. Joseph Balsamo. Freemason, French Revolution. by Travis Simpkins

Count Alessandro di Cagliostro. Giuseppe Balsamo. Egyptian Rite Freemasonry. by Travis Simpkins

Sketch of a Portrait Bust of

Count Alessandro di Cagliostro

Giuseppe Balsamo

( 1743 - 1795 )

Freemason, Alchemist, Occultist 

Mystic and Traveler

Founder of the Egyptian Rite of Freemasonry

The Ancient Rite of Memphis-Misrain

by Travis Simpkins

based on a 1786 marble bust by Jean-Antoine Houdon

Collection of the National Gallery of Art. Washington, DC

Philippa Faulks & Robert L.D. Cooper : 

The Masonic Magician. Count Cagliostro

For more info, please visit:

robertldcooper.co.uk

Count Cagliostro. Freemason. by Travis Simpkins. Joseph Balsamo. Alexandre Dumas

Count Alessandro Cagliostro. Healer, Alchemist and Freemason. Age of Enlightenment. by Travis Simpkins

Count Alessandro di Cagliostro. Giuseppe Balsamo. Egyptian Rite Freemasonry. by Travis Simpkins

Sketch of a Portrait Bust of

Count Alessandro di Cagliostro

Giuseppe Balsamo

( 1743 - 1795 )

Freemason, Alchemist, Occultist 

Mystic and Traveler

Founder of the Egyptian Rite of Freemasonry

The Ancient Rite of Memphis-Misrain

by Travis Simpkins

based on a 1786 marble bust by Jean-Antoine Houdon

Collection of the National Gallery of Art. Washington, DC

Philippa Faulks & Robert L.D. Cooper : 

The Masonic Magician. Count Cagliostro

For more info, please visit:

robertldcooper.co.uk

Count Cagliostro. Freemason. by Travis Simpkins. Philippa Faulks

Count Cagliostro. Freemason, Alchemist and Traveler. Egyptian Rite. by Travis Simpkins

Count Alessandro di Cagliostro. Giuseppe Balsamo. Egyptian Rite Freemasonry. by Travis Simpkins

Sketch of a Portrait Bust of

Count Alessandro di Cagliostro

Giuseppe Balsamo

( 1743 - 1795 )

Freemason, Alchemist, Occultist 

Mystic and Traveler

Founder of the Egyptian Rite of Freemasonry

The Ancient Rite of Memphis-Misrain

by Travis Simpkins

based on a 1786 marble bust by Jean-Antoine Houdon

Collection of the National Gallery of Art. Washington, DC

Philippa Faulks & Robert L.D. Cooper : 

The Masonic Magician. Count Cagliostro

For more info, please visit:

robertldcooper.co.uk

Count Cagliostro. Freemason. by Travis Simpkins. Travels of Cagliostro

Count Cagliostro. Joseph Balsamo. Freemason and Alchemist. Egyptian Rite. by Travis Simpkins

Count Alessandro di Cagliostro. Giuseppe Balsamo. Egyptian Rite Freemasonry. by Travis Simpkins

Sketch of a Portrait Bust of

Count Alessandro di Cagliostro

Giuseppe Balsamo

( 1743 - 1795 )

Freemason, Alchemist, Occultist 

Mystic and Traveler

Founder of the Egyptian Rite of Freemasonry

The Ancient Rite of Memphis-Misrain

by Travis Simpkins

based on a 1786 marble bust by Jean-Antoine Houdon

Collection of the National Gallery of Art. Washington, DC

Philippa Faulks & Robert L.D. Cooper : 

The Masonic Magician. Count Cagliostro

For more info, please visit:

robertldcooper.co.uk

Count Cagliostro. Freemason. by Travis Simpkins. A Masonic Anecdote

Count Alessandro di Cagliostro. The Masonic Magician. Egyptian Rite. by Travis Simpkins

Count Alessandro di Cagliostro. Giuseppe Balsamo. Egyptian Rite Freemasonry. by Travis Simpkins

Sketch of a Portrait Bust of

Count Alessandro di Cagliostro

Giuseppe Balsamo

( 1743 - 1795 )

Freemason, Alchemist, Occultist 

Mystic and Traveler

Founder of the Egyptian Rite of Freemasonry

The Ancient Rite of Memphis-Misrain

by Travis Simpkins

based on a 1786 marble bust by Jean-Antoine Houdon

Collection of the National Gallery of Art. Washington, DC

Philippa Faulks & Robert L.D. Cooper : 

The Masonic Magician. Count Cagliostro

For more info, please visit:

robertldcooper.co.uk

Count Cagliostro. by Travis Simpkins. The Masonic Magician. Robert L.D. Cooper

Count Cagliostro. Freemason and Healer. Egyptian Rite. The Last Alchemist. by Travis Simpkins

Count Alessandro di Cagliostro. Giuseppe Balsamo. Egyptian Rite Freemasonry. by Travis Simpkins

Sketch of a Portrait Bust of

Count Alessandro di Cagliostro

Giuseppe Balsamo

( 1743 - 1795 )

Freemason, Alchemist, Occultist 

Mystic and Traveler

Founder of the Egyptian Rite of Freemasonry

The Ancient Rite of Memphis-Misrain

by Travis Simpkins

based on a 1786 marble bust by Jean-Antoine Houdon

Collection of the National Gallery of Art. Washington, DC

Philippa Faulks & Robert L.D. Cooper : 

The Masonic Magician. Count Cagliostro

For more info, please visit:

robertldcooper.co.uk

Count Cagliostro. Freemason. by Travis Simpkins. The Last Alchemist. Iain McCalman

Cagliostro The Unknown Master Facebook Page Features Art by Travis Simpkins

Cagliostro - The Unkown Master Facebook Page. Art by Travis Simpkins

     I am pleased to see that the Facebook pages for the book Cagliostro - The Unknown Master and it's author Philippa Faulks featured my sketch of the famous bust of Count Cagliostro.

Philippa Faulks Facebook Page. Count Cagliostro Art by Travis Simpkins

Count Alessandro di Cagliostro, Freemason and Occultist. Egyptian Rite. by Travis Simpkins

Count Alessandro di Cagliostro. Giuseppe Balsamo. Egyptian Rite Freemasonry. by Travis Simpkins

Sketch of a Portrait Bust of

Count Alessandro di Cagliostro

Giuseppe Balsamo

( 1743 - 1795 )

Freemason, Alchemist, Occultist 

Mystic and Traveler

Founder of the Egyptian Rite of Freemasonry

The Ancient Rite of Memphis-Misrain

by Travis Simpkins

based on a 1786 marble bust by Jean-Antoine Houdon

Collection of the National Gallery of Art. Washington, DC

Philippa Faulks & Robert L.D. Cooper : 

The Masonic Magician. Count Cagliostro

For more info, please visit:

robertldcooper.co.uk

Count Cagliostro. by Travis Simpkins. Freemasonry. Black Magic. Orson Welles

Count Cagliostro. Freemason and Occultist. Egyptian Rite. The Master Game. by Travis Simpkins

Count Alessandro di Cagliostro. Giuseppe Balsamo. Egyptian Rite Freemasonry. by Travis Simpkins

Sketch of a Portrait Bust of

Count Alessandro di Cagliostro

Giuseppe Balsamo

( 1743 - 1795 )

Freemason, Alchemist, Occultist 

Mystic and Traveler

Founder of the Egyptian Rite of Freemasonry

The Ancient Rite of Memphis-Misrain

by Travis Simpkins

based on a 1786 marble bust by Jean-Antoine Houdon

Collection of the National Gallery of Art. Washington, DC

Philippa Faulks & Robert L.D. Cooper : 

The Masonic Magician. Count Cagliostro

For more info, please visit:

robertldcooper.co.uk

Count Cagliostro. Freemason. by Travis Simpkins. The Master Game. Graham Hancock

Count Cagliostro. Freemason, Adventurer and Healer. Egyptian Rite. by Travis Simpkins

Count Alessandro di Cagliostro. Giuseppe Balsamo. Egyptian Rite Freemasonry. by Travis Simpkins

Sketch of a Portrait Bust of

Count Alessandro di Cagliostro

Giuseppe Balsamo

( 1743 - 1795 )

Freemason, Alchemist, Occultist 

Mystic and Traveler

Founder of the Egyptian Rite of Freemasonry

The Ancient Rite of Memphis-Misrain

by Travis Simpkins

based on a 1786 marble bust by Jean-Antoine Houdon

Collection of the National Gallery of Art. Washington, DC

Philippa Faulks & Robert L.D. Cooper : 

The Masonic Magician. Count Cagliostro

For more info, please visit:

robertldcooper.co.uk

Count Cagliostro. Freemason. by Travis Simpkins. Cagliostro: The Unknown Master

Count Cagliostro. Occultist and Healer. Egyptian Rite Freemasonry and Tarot. by Travis Simpkins

Count Alessandro di Cagliostro. Giuseppe Balsamo. Egyptian Rite Freemasonry. by Travis Simpkins

Sketch of a Portrait Bust of

Count Alessandro di Cagliostro

Giuseppe Balsamo

( 1743 - 1795 )

Freemason, Alchemist, Occultist 

Mystic and Traveler

Founder of the Egyptian Rite of Freemasonry

The Ancient Rite of Memphis-Misrain

by Travis Simpkins

based on a 1786 marble bust by Jean-Antoine Houdon

Collection of the National Gallery of Art. Washington, DC

Philippa Faulks & Robert L.D. Cooper : 

The Masonic Magician. Count Cagliostro

For more info, please visit:

robertldcooper.co.uk

Count Cagliostro. by Travis Simpkins. Egyptian Rite Freemasonry Tarot Cards

Count Cagliostro, Freemason and Occultist. Egyptian Rite Freemasonry. by Travis Simpkins

Count Alessandro di Cagliostro. Giuseppe Balsamo. Egyptian Rite Freemasonry. by Travis Simpkins

Sketch of a Portrait Bust of

Count Alessandro di Cagliostro

Giuseppe Balsamo

( 1743 - 1795 )

Freemason, Alchemist, Occultist 

Mystic and Traveler

Founder of the Egyptian Rite of Freemasonry

The Ancient Rite of Memphis-Misrain

by Travis Simpkins

based on a 1786 marble bust by Jean-Antoine Houdon

Collection of the National Gallery of Art. Washington, DC

Philippa Faulks & Robert L.D. Cooper : 

The Masonic Magician. Count Cagliostro

For more info, please visit:

robertldcooper.co.uk

Count Cagliostro. Egyptian Rite Freemasonry. by Travis Simpkins. Cagliostro's Serpent Seal

Cagliostro, or Black Magic (1949): Orson Welles, Joseph Balsamo and Freemasonry

     Directed by Gregory Ratoff, based on the novel Joseph Balsamo by Alexandre Dumas, Cagliostro or Black Magic (1949) was several years in the making with many false starts. The story is a highly fictionalized and overly-sensational account of events in the life of Occultist & Freemason Giuseppe Balsamo, Count Alessandro di Cagliostro, and his involvement with a devious plan to dethrone Marie Antoinette while seeking revenge on the Viscount de Montagne for the executions of his parents on charges of sorcery. The final scene is pure 1940's Hollywood fabrication, with no real historical reference. Joseph Balsamo is presented as a carnival conman and hypnotist… far from the reality of the Count of Cagliostro's exotic travels, studies of Ancient Mysticism and founding of the Egyptian Rite of Freemasonry (although the title character does wear a fancy outfit adorned with various Masonic symbols, including the square and compasses). Nevertheless, if taken at face value, the film is quite enjoyable. Orson Welles is great as Joseph Balsamo, Count of Cagliostro. The supporting cast is good as well, including Nancy Guild, Raymond Burr and Akim Tamiroff.

Paris, France: Cagliostro. Freemasonry

: Cagliostro. Freemasonry

Orson Welles as Joseph Balsamo, Count Cagliostro: Cagliostro. Freemasonry

Orson Welles as Joseph Balsamo, Count Cagliostro: Cagliostro. Freemasonry

: Cagliostro. Freemasonry

Orson Welles as Joseph Balsamo, Count Cagliostro: Cagliostro. Freemasonry

Orson Welles as Joseph Balsamo, Count Cagliostro. Freemasonry

Orson Welles as Joseph Balsamo, Count Cagliostro: Cagliostro. Freemasonry

Orson Welles as Joseph Balsamo, Count Cagliostro: Cagliostro. Freemasonry

Orson Welles as Joseph Balsamo, Count Cagliostro. Freemasonry

Marie Antoinette and Louis XVI: Cagliostro. Freemasonry

Orson Welles as Joseph Balsamo, Count Cagliostro: Cagliostro. Freemasonry

Orson Welles as Joseph Balsamo, Count Cagliostro

Orson Welles as Joseph Balsamo, Count Cagliostro: Cagliostro. Freemasonry

: Cagliostro. Freemasonry

Orson Welles as Joseph Balsamo, Count Cagliostro

Marie Antoinette: Cagliostro. Freemasonry

Orson Welles as Joseph Balsamo, Count Cagliostro: Cagliostro. Freemasonry

Orson Welles as Joseph Balsamo, Count Cagliostro. Freemasonry

Orson Welles as Joseph Balsamo, Count Cagliostro: Cagliostro. Freemasonry

Orson Welles as Joseph Balsamo, Count Cagliostro: Cagliostro. Freemasonry

Inquisition: Cagliostro. Freemasonry

Orson Welles as Joseph Balsamo, Count Cagliostro

Orson Welles as Joseph Balsamo, Count Cagliostro: Cagliostro. Freemasonry

Black Magic: Cagliostro. Freemasonry

Black Magic: Cagliostro. Freemasonry

Orson Welles as Joseph Balsamo, Count Cagliostro. Freemasonry. Egyptian Rite

Joseph Balsamo, Count Cagliostro. Freemason

Orson Welles as Joseph Balsamo, Count Cagliostro