A comprehensive guide to the ancient beliefs and spiritual power of subterranean spaces • Examines in depth the myths, symbology, deities, and beliefs connected to the underworld from many different cultures and mystery traditions • Investigates the role of the underworld in initiatory rites and mystical practices, such as the Orphic Mysteries, the chambers of reflections in Freemasonry, the cult of the Black Madonna, and the cult of Isis • Discusses the telluric currents that run through ley lines, the significance of underground waterways, Hollow Earth theory, and the denizens of the subterranean realms, such as dragons, gnomes, and dwarfs Ancient cultures around the world understood the spiritual powers of the underworld. For millennia, natural caves and caverns were turned into sacred underground temples and, from holy mountains and cliffs, churches were beautifully carved into solid rock. Offering a guide to the spiritual energies that flourish beneath the surface of the Earth, Jean-Pierre Bayard explores the esoteric mysteries of the underworld, including the symbolic significance of caves, caverns, and underground temples. He examines in depth the myths, symbology, deities, and beliefs connected to the underworld from many different cultures and mystery traditions, from ancient Egypt to Scandinavia and Europe to the Middle East and India. He investigates the role of the underworld in initiatory rites, such as the Orphic Mysteries and Christ’s descent into hell, revealing that at the heart of these teachings is the transformative power of a hero’s descent into and return from the underworld. The author connects the esoteric attributes of the world below with the cult of the Black Madonna and the earlier cult of Isis. He discusses the telluric currents that run through ley lines, the significance of underground waterways, the esoteric properties of gems and stones, and the “mineral blood” of the alchemists. He also looks at Hollow Earth theory and the denizens of the subterranean realms, such as dragons, gnomes, and dwarfs. Explaining how the Earth is the womb of the world, Bayard shows how initiatic descent into the sacred subterranean realms reflects the descent of spirit into matter and its slow crystallization. By entering the body of the Earth Mother we are transformed, initiated into primordial wisdom and reborn as spiritual beings. “. . . steers a careful path between the symbology of Guénon, the scholarship of Eliade, the alchemy of Fulcanelli, and the sensationalism of Pauwels and Bergier. Bayard never loses sight of the essence of the subterranean mysteries: the restoration of our primordial state.” ― Joscelyn Godwin, author of Mystery Religions in the Ancient World “A deliriously speculative and erudite examination of caves. Echoing the modes of writers as divergent as Bachelard and Eliade, Jean-Pierre Bayard’s examination benefits enormously from a deep draft from the font of esoteric wisdom. With these tools he creates a narrative that presents the myth of the cave as a story of human initiation, knowledge, and self-discovery.” ― Jesse Bransford, clinical associate professor of visual arts, NYU Steinhardt “What I also love about this book is how Bayard takes all of this information and somehow manages to not only make it interesting, but to also leave space for the reader to question. There is no feeling that the material presented is the final word on any of the subjects contained within: this is more of collection of writings on a variety of topics that all have an esoteric thread linking them to one another. Each section blends seamlessly into the next and there is enough information in each section that links to the next, something that I found kept me on track and engaged despite the vast amount of information being presented.” ― Sarrah October Young, Musing Mystic Jean-Pierre Bayard was a prolific esoteric scholar, authoring more than 50 books on subjects such as Rosicrucianism, secret societies, symbolism, and the spiritual aspect of Freemasonry. An active member of the Masonic Supreme Council of France, he passed away in 2008 in Angers, France. From Part One. The Symbolism of the Underworld and the Cave Chapter One: Preamble The infinite and untouched wealth of the world underground haunts the human imagination. This mysterious domain does not reveal itself to those who dwell above these deep, dark caverns whose strange, dull noises inspire dread and superstition. But if we go even a short way down into these “inferna immanis,” we are soon struck dumb with wonder: vast halls sparkling with crystals open up before our eyes. Before us lies a luxurious and fabulous landscape. It would come as no surprise if we were to encounter fairies here, the guardians of all this wealth. Despite so much bewitching beauty, the reader will not find descriptions of caves to explore in this book. Nor will I speak of the troglodytes or the flora and fauna of the underground