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Then in 1859, at long last (he was 49 years old now), the economical breakthrough: the publication of his ''History of Magic'' brings a return of 1,000 Francs, at today's purchasing power an equivalent of more than 30,000 Euros. But ''l'Histoire de la magie'' isn't just the economical success, it also gets him recognition in wide sections of the "esoteric" France, among them the physician [[Fernand Rozier]] who would become a student of Lévi's.<ref>Rozier had studied not only medecine, but pharmacy, chemistry, and physics as well. That couldn't prevent him from financially salubrious performances as a clairvoyant.</ref> Eventually in March 1861 he was accepted in the Masonic Lodge ''La Rose du parfait silence'' who soon after grant him the degree of a Master. In the same year ''La Clef des grands mystères'' appears, last part of the trilogy that starts with ''Histoire de la magie'' and of which ''Dogme et rituel de la haute magie'' was conceived the second part.

Then in 1859, at long last (he was 49 years old now), the economical breakthrough: the publication of his ''History of Magic'' brings a return of 1,000 Francs, at today's purchasing power an equivalent of more than 30,000 Euros. But ''l'Histoire de la magie'' isn't just the economical success, it also gets him recognition in wide sections of the "esoteric" France, among them the physician [[Fernand Rozier]] who would become a student of Lévi's.<ref>Rozier had studied not only medecine, but pharmacy, chemistry, and physics as well. That couldn't prevent him from financially salubrious performances as a clairvoyant.</ref> Eventually in March 1861 he was accepted in the Masonic Lodge ''La Rose du parfait silence'' who soon after grant him the degree of a Master. In the same year ''La Clef des grands mystères'' appears, last part of the trilogy that starts with ''Histoire de la magie'' and of which ''Dogme et rituel de la haute magie'' was conceived the second part.

Lévi works a lot now, mainly as teacher for the high aristocracy, and that he even teaches the bishop of Evreux on the kabbalah does speak for his professional reputation. He is doing well financially, every surplus he invests in his growing library. During a further visit to London Eugène Vintras is introduced to him, a workingman convinced of being a reincarnation of the prophet Elijah. Lévi on the contrary, all expert now, considers him more a gifted psychic, an interesting object of study anyway. This same year marks the start of a correspondence with the Italian baronet Spedalieri, about whom nothing seems to have been passed on to us except that he became Lévi's most important patron and in reverse received in over 1,000 letters a course on the kabbalah. This exchange of letters lasted for almost thirteen years.

Lévi works a lot now, mainly as teacher for the high aristocracy, and that he even teaches the bishop of Evreux on the kabbalah does speak for his professional reputation. He is doing well financially, every surplus he invests in his growing library. During a further visit to London Eugène Vintras is introduced to him, a workingman convinced of being a reincarnation of the prophet Elijah. Lévi on the contrary, all expert now, considers him more a gifted psychic, an interesting object of study anyway. This same year marks the start of a correspondence with the Italian baronet Spedalieri, about whom nothing seems to have been passed on to us except that he became Lévi's most important patron and in reverse received in over 1,000 letters a course on the kabbalah. This exchange of letters lasted for almost thirteen years. [[image:Eliphas_Levi_1872_Photo_Originale.jpg|Portrait from 1872|left|thumb]]

The years beginning with 1861 are the most fruitful for his authorship. ''Le Sorcier de Meudon'' (1861) is followed one year later by ''Fables et symboles'', containing extensive analyses of the symbolisms of Pythagoras, of the gospels, the talmud, and other sources. In 1865 he publishes ''Science des esprits'', and [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pierre_Larousse Pierre Larousse] asks him to contribute an essay on the kabbalah for his ''Grand Dictionnaire''. At the same time he starts working on a monograph about the [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Zohar Zohar], however this work won't be published until after his death.<ref>http://gallica.bnf.fr/ark:/12148/bpt6k56839792/f107.image - This source claims that at the time in question he acted also as "head" of a society of "Grand Magicians". As a matter of fact that document is a belated apology of the Marian apparition at [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Our_Lady_of_La_Salette La Salette], 1846. Hence its objectiveness is rather dubious.</ref> [[image:Eliphas_Levi_1872_Photo_Originale.jpg|Portrait from 1872|left|thumb]]

The years beginning with 1861 are the most fruitful for his authorship. ''Le Sorcier de Meudon'' (1861) is followed one year later by ''Fables et symboles'', containing extensive analyses of the symbolisms of Pythagoras, of the gospels, the talmud, and other sources. In 1865 he publishes ''Science des esprits'', and [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pierre_Larousse Pierre Larousse] asks him to contribute an essay on the kabbalah for his ''Grand Dictionnaire''. At the same time he starts working on a monograph about the [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Zohar Zohar], however this work won't be published until after his death.<ref>http://gallica.bnf.fr/ark:/12148/bpt6k56839792/f107.image - This source claims that at the time in question he acted also as "head" of a society of "Grand Magicians". As a matter of fact that document is a belated apology of the Marian apparition at [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Our_Lady_of_La_Salette La Salette], 1846. Hence its objectiveness is rather dubious.</ref>

 

His private life, however, is running less pleasantly meanwhile. Indeed, he makes up his mind to care more for his son, and gets the mother's approval for it, but after six years an ultimate discord drives the parents apart, and neither his son nor the mother he will ever see again. Adding to this headaches develop, tormenting him more and more frequently. Then in 1870 the siege of Paris cuts off all contributions from his students, and when he serves in the National Guard a heart disease manifests. In May 1861, with the episode of the Commune finally being over, Lévi once again finds himself at the end of all material resources. [[image:Eliphas_Levi_sul_letto_di_morte.jpg|Éliphas Lévi on his deathbed, 1875|thumb]]

 

 

 

== References ==

== References ==

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