{"product_id":"a-stranger-in-the-elemental-temple-the-rituals-of-the-ancient-order-of-ishmael","title":"A Stranger in the Elemental Temple: The Rituals of the Ancient Order of Ishmael","description":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eBy Billy Hamilton\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp dir=\"ltr\"\u003eAuthor: Billy J. Hamilton, Jr.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp dir=\"ltr\"\u003eForeword: Arturo de Hoyos\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp dir=\"ltr\"\u003eThe Ancient Oriental Order of Ishmael, a para-Masonic system of thirty-six degrees, has a documented history and a unique ritual that has never been published. This book includes a brief biography of the four known heads of the Order, and a complete set of rituals. The rituals include the opening, closing, all thirty-six degrees, and the banquet toasts of the Order. Each degree includes an illustration of the jewel for the degree, with numerous illustrations and photographs to show other regalia and materials used to explain the degrees. An appendix documents letters between the members and the development and growth of the Order.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp dir=\"ltr\"\u003eThe Order was initially governed by Kenneth Mackenzie, who claimed to have received the degrees from a mysterious professor in France. When challenged, he claimed authority from an Arch Chancellor in Paris, a possibly fictional figure so elusive that letters from other members would be returned unopened. Mackenzie was initially very protective and secretive about the Order, though he published many references to Ishmael throughout the Royal Masonic Cyclopaedia. Upon Mackenzie's death, Major Francis George Irwin, one of the first members, assumed control, and he, in turn, passed it to John Yarker. The final known head of the Order was William Wynn Westcott.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp dir=\"ltr\"\u003eClaiming descent from an older organisation, the Order of Ishmael is based on the story of Abraham and his family fleeing religious persecution from the city of Ur of the Chaldees and finding refuge with the sheik of a desert tribe. As Abraham gains their trust, they initiate him into an elemental priesthood and entrust him with the secrets of their Temple. Later rituals in the system recount the story of Ishmael and Hagar fleeing from Abraham's tents due to the jealousy of Abraham's wife Sarah, Isaac's efforts to deny Ishmael's inheritance, and the conflicts and reconciliation between Isaac's sons Jacob and Esau. The final nine degrees are philosophical orders of knighthood, exemplifying important biblical and world history figures.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp dir=\"ltr\"\u003eBeautifully embossed on front cover and spine\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp dir=\"ltr\"\u003e376 pages\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp data-empty=\"true\"\u003eHardback\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch3 dir=\"ltr\"\u003eThe following degrees are reproduced in their entirety:\u003c\/h3\u003e\u003cp dir=\"ltr\"\u003e1st Degree (Stranger) \u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp dir=\"ltr\"\u003e2nd Degree (Guest) \u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp dir=\"ltr\"\u003e3rd Degree (Proselyte)\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp dir=\"ltr\"\u003e4th Degree (Minor Fellow)\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp dir=\"ltr\"\u003e5th Degree (Major Fellow of the Canaanite Mysteries) \u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp dir=\"ltr\"\u003e6th Degree (Trusted Teacher)\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp dir=\"ltr\"\u003e7th Degree (Companion of the Elements) \u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp dir=\"ltr\"\u003e8th Degree (Master of the Elemental Temple) \u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp dir=\"ltr\"\u003e9th Degree (Guardian of the Temple)\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp dir=\"ltr\"\u003e10th Degree (Hagar, the Mother of Ishmael) \u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp dir=\"ltr\"\u003e11th Degree (Ishmaelite)\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp dir=\"ltr\"\u003e12th Degree (Isaac, or Reconciliation) \u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp dir=\"ltr\"\u003e13th Degree (Burial)\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp dir=\"ltr\"\u003e14th Degree (Inheritance of the Promise) \u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp dir=\"ltr\"\u003e15th Degree (Marriage)\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp dir=\"ltr\"\u003e16th Degree (Power of the Lord)\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp dir=\"ltr\"\u003e17th Degree (The Attack of the Five Kings) \u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp dir=\"ltr\"\u003e18th Degree (Aid, or Rescue of the Captives) \u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp dir=\"ltr\"\u003e19th Degree (Novelty)\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp dir=\"ltr\"\u003e20th Degree (Submission) \u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp dir=\"ltr\"\u003e21st Degree (Servant)\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp dir=\"ltr\"\u003e22nd Degree (The Meeting of Brethren)\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp dir=\"ltr\"\u003e23rd Degree (The Last Meeting in the Desert) \u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp dir=\"ltr\"\u003e24th Degree (Faith)\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp dir=\"ltr\"\u003e25th Degree (Hope)\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp data-empty=\"true\"\u003e26th Degree (Charity)\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp dir=\"ltr\"\u003e27th Degree (Divine Providence)\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp dir=\"ltr\"\u003e28th Degree (Fate, or Chevalier of Plutarch)\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp dir=\"ltr\"\u003e29th Degree (Knight of Cyrus and Commander of Ishmael) \u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp dir=\"ltr\"\u003e30th Degree (Chevalier of Plato and Teacher of Ishmael) \u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp dir=\"ltr\"\u003e31st Degree (Chevalier of Daniel and Councilor of Ishmael) \u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp dir=\"ltr\"\u003e32nd Degree (Chevalier of Darius and Chief of Ishmael)\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp dir=\"ltr\"\u003e33rd Degree (Chevalier of Zaphnath Paaneah and Patriarch of Ishmael) \u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp dir=\"ltr\"\u003e34th Degree (Chevalier of Solon and Lawgiver of Ishmael)\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp dir=\"ltr\"\u003e35th Degree (Chevalier of Arbaces and Illustrious Leader of Ishmael) \u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp dir=\"ltr\"\u003e36th Degree (Knight of Alexander and Prince of Ishmael)\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Lewis Masonic","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":56386690220417,"sku":null,"price":36.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0192\/1843\/2064\/files\/dsc00039-edit_3f2696dea5.jpg?v=1791590147","url":"https:\/\/ravenmasonicbooks.co.uk\/products\/a-stranger-in-the-elemental-temple-the-rituals-of-the-ancient-order-of-ishmael","provider":"Raven Masonic","version":"1.0","type":"link"}