Lost Rosicrucian masterpiece Theomagica: A Temple of Wisdom returns to print after three centuries
John Hayden’s seminal 17th-century work was edited into modern English by Nick Farrell and the team at Lord Manticore Publishing House.
After more than three centuries of obscurity, Theomagica: A Temple of Wisdom by John Hayden is once again available to readers. First published in the 1600s and long out of print, this monumental text was a profound influence on the Hermetic Order of the Golden Dawn and the Rosicrucian revivals of the 19th century.
Hayden, often regarded as the last true Rosicrucian of the English Enlightenment, synthesised strands of Hermetic philosophy, Christian mysticism, and Renaissance magic into a comprehensive vision of spiritual wisdom. His work offered a rare glimpse into the esoteric currents that shaped the intellectual landscape of the period.
The book’s influence echoed centuries later. The chiefs of the last Golden Dawn temple, Whare Ra in New Zealand, actively sought out surviving copies of Hayden’s work, aware of its significance to the Rosicrucian tradition. Until now, it has only been accessible to a few dedicated researchers in rare archives, including the copy preserved in the British Library.
Now, thanks to the meticulous efforts of author and historian Nick Farrell, Theomagica has been carefully edited and translated into clear, modern English. Farrell, known for his extensive work on Golden Dawn history and ritual, has preserved Hayden’s original meaning while making this dense and complex text approachable for today’s readers.
“This is more than just a historical curiosity,” says Farrell. “Hayden’s Theomagica reveals a living tradition of Hermetic and Rosicrucian thought that inspired some of the greatest magical orders of the modern era. Bringing it back into circulation is like uncovering a missing link in the chain of Western esotericism.”
Theomagica: A Temple of Wisdom is now available for the first time in a modern, accessible edition. Scholars of Western occultism, Golden Dawn practitioners, Rosicrucian students, and anyone interested in the intellectual history of the Enlightenment will find this an invaluable and illuminating work.
About John Hayden
John Hayden (1620–1690) was an English physician, astrologer, and mystic who bridged the worlds of science and Hermetic philosophy. His writings represent the last flowering of Rosicrucian magic before the rationalist turn of the Enlightenment pushed such studies to the margins.
About Nick Farrell
Nick Farrell is an occult historian and author known for his extensive research on the Hermetic Order of the Golden Dawn and Western esoteric traditions. He has published numerous books on the history, practice, and philosophy of magic.
Availability
Theomagica: A Temple of Wisdom is now available in paperback here https://www.lulu.com/shop/nick-farrell/theomagica-temple-of-wisdom/paperback/product-nv9j6pw.html?q=nick+farrell&page=1&pageSize=4
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Later it will become available from Amazon and specialist esoteric bookshops.
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