Abstract

An erudite analysis of the Swedenborgian affiliations of Blake – a ‘visionary artist’ and ‘radical prophet’ – in the context of his membership in the London Theosophical Society. In parallel, the author traces the origins and role of the secret society of the Illuminati (Illuminés) and their place in the political landscape of the era. She examines the testimony of Robert Hindmarsh, pointing out the manipulations and omissions it contains. Furthermore, she points to the friction between Masonic factions, as well as Swedenborg’s espionage activities on behalf of France and his connections to a network of lodges operating in several European countries (the anonymous London editions of his theosophical writings, subsidized by Louis XV, were allegedly a cover for his espionage activities). The Jewish alchemist and kabbalist Samuel Jacob Falk taught Swedenborg techniques of kabbalistic trance and sexual magic as ‘gateways’ to “a spiritual and political millennium”. This fascinating article offers many more curiosities of a similar nature.