*Please note the date has been changed to begin Dec 2nd
Our 23rd convergence of the 22 Teachings Book Club presents The Cloud Upon the Sanctuary by Karl von Eckartshausen.
Written in 1795 by the Bavarian mystic Karl von Eckartshausen, The Cloud Upon the Sanctuary is a short yet profound text that profoundly influenced the Golden Dawn and its successors. Beloved by A. E. Waite, this book reveals the existence of a hidden spiritual church — an interior order of wisdom-keepers guiding humanity toward divine truth. Presented as six letters, it describes the veiled mysteries that protect sacred knowledge, the necessity of purification for true initiation, and the possibility of direct communion with the divine through inner transformation.
For the practicing magician, Eckartshausen’s writing illuminates the esoteric current running through Christian mysticism and Hermetic philosophy. The “cloud” conceals the sanctuary not as denial but as protection, a veil that each aspirant must learn to pierce through devotion, study, and alignment with the inner light. Its teachings resonate deeply with themes of initiation, gnosis, and the Great Work, offering an opportunity to reflect on the invisible fellowship of adepts across time.
Though brief, The Cloud Upon the Sanctuary carries weight equal to much larger volumes, making it an ideal study for our book club. Together we will read and discuss the six letters over three weeks, entering into dialogue with a text that has inspired seekers for more than two centuries.
The reading layout is as follows. Please have these read before the meeting and be ready to share.
- Dec 2 (Week 1): Letters I & II
- Dec 9 (Week 2): Letters III & IV
- Dec 16 (Week 3): Letters V & VI
The book is available online through our affiliate link here: https://amzn.to/4nO9e0D
As always with our bookclub, we record audio only, no video, and this is sent to everyone who is signed up. We do not sell the audio later on the website. This is a participation based event, designed for all to share and feel safe to ask questions, share experiences and learn together.