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The Maltese Gnostic, Zabbar (2026)

16/07/2025

Spiritual Creation Consepts Series

Before going into my personal views of creation, I urge one to get familiar with the Kabbalistic Aspect of Creation.

My personal views are essentially built up and expand on these aspects.

So I created the "Spiritual Concepts of Creation Series" of posts to introduce this subject from the perspective of that which is being thought by the system.

So lets get into it...

In the Beginning:

Light, Absence, and the First Breath of Creation.

Before all things, there was no thing - no time, no space, no form.
There was only Ain Sof: the Infinite, boundless and beyond imagination.

Not light as we know it, nor darkness as we understand it, but rather a stillness too vast to comprehand.
In this infinite presence, even the notion of "existence" did not yet exist.

But the Infinite desire to express itself, to give, to reflect. In a "Paradox" beyond human comprehension, the first act of creation was not expansion, but a withdrawal from itself.

This "event" is called Tzimtzum - the contraction.

The Ain Sof pulled back a portion of Its infinite light, creating a vacuum - a womb within which existence could begin.

This empty space was not abandonment but permission - A divine gesture of humility. Only by making space for the "other" could creation unfold.

Into this space, a single ray of divine light; called the Kav, entered.

It began to emanate in stages, forming the Sephiroth "tree", the ten vessels of divine expression.

These are not just mystical concepts, but the architecture of reality itself.
From the highest unity, to the densest material world, each Sephira is a step in the descent of Spirit into matter.

But this descent was not without trauma.

Some vessels shattered under the intensity of the light. And so, even from the beginning, creation bore within it the mystery of brokenness.

Yet in that very brokenness lies a hidden purpose. For it is in the fragments, the sparks, and the shadows, that the journey of return begins...

As for me, this concept is not just cosmology - It is my focus. I see in it the rhythms of my own becoming.

Creation is not something that happened once, long ago.

It happens in every moment, in every breath, in every act of awakening...

In the next post, I’ll talk about the first emanation - Keter, the Crown; where Will, Silence, and limitless potential converge.

From the silent Infinite to the first flicker of intention.

Until then, stay tuned, stay curious.

18/06/2025

Opening the Paths:
The Gnostic Left Hand Path

A Path for the Modern Seeker? Or a reawakened one?

It is evident that many spiritual seekers are combining, or at least consider, Gnostic insight along with L.H.P. aspects.

Where this amalgamated path will tell the practitioner:

- "You are divine and sovereign."

- "If this world is a prison, it can also be a forge."

- "Salvation doesn't come through worshipping, but rather through awakening"

This by all definitions is not religion. A copy and paste set of systematically imposed dogmas and rules... but a revolution of the soul that predates religion itself - a spark which leads to awakening and to remembrance of who we truly are.

The combined aspects of both Gnosticism and the LHP lead to the revelation to ignite the Divine spark:-

A. The core principle was always liberation through Knowledge - Gnosis to ignite the inner flame.

B. Whether through the ancient mysticism of Gnosticism or the fierce individualism of the Left-Hand Path, the message is clear:-

You are more than you’ve been lead to believe...

Although the truth may be hidden from us, yet, it is not unreachable. You hold the key - the spark to ignite the flame and remember who you truly are...

Here I will end the introduction posts to build familarity, its up to the reader to further learn and solidify the foundation...

Now I'm going to blow this rabbit hole wide open...

Stay tuned for more...

10/06/2025

Opening the Paths:
Gnosticism & the Left-Hand Path

A Journey to Inner Self-Liberation

So... What is the L.H.P?

Conterary to the approach taken by the R.H.P, The Left-Hand Path emphasizes on personal power, self-deification, and breaking free from external imposed beliefs.

To the follower of the L.H.P. Instead of surrendering to a higher power, the LHP pushes the follower to become the power itself, to discover the Divine potential inside.

Within the core of many L.H.P. traditions, focus on the rebel archetype is encouraged. Rebellious figures, who defy systems of control and Gods that impose them, are looked up with admiration, because to the LHP follower, these figures bring revelations, new perspectives and new light.

Also essential to the LHP is the embracing of shadow work, where practitioners are encouraged to embrace their shadow selves, to integrate it, and become whole to truly know oneself.

Having said that, it is becoming clear what Gnosticism and the Left-Hand Path Have in Common.

Grant it that it might seem that both traditions are strange allies, where one tradition is ancient, mystical, and perhaps seen as Christian oriented, while the other is seen as a modern, often controversial, spiritual approach.

But through deeper analysis, they do share a truth... a common ground - liberation through inner knowledge.

Which is why one must ask...

- What Gnosticism and the LHP really are?

- How they intersect and differ?

- What do they offer to the modern seeker?

Get ready to question everything you thought you knew about God, the self, and the path to awakening...

A. Here is where Gnosticism and the LHP Meet:

1. At their core, both Gnosticism and the Left-Hand Path reject the ideas of:-

- Blind obedience
- Religious authority
- The illusion of the material world as ultimate truth.

Instead, they both tell you to look inward, to find the divine spark - the God within.

Both will say: "The truth isn't out there - It's inside you."

2. Lucifer and Jesus - The bringers of light - the Rebels Who Set Us Free?

This will make a few heads turn... but bear with me...

We already know that Gnostics saw Jesus not as a savior from sin, but a bringer of secret knowledge - a massanger of the light. As mentioned in the scriptures it becomes clear that he challenged the systems of the time, defied them, and was crucified for it.

And in many LHP traditions, Lucifer is viewed as a liberator, a figure who wouldn't kneel to the system, and not some devil who torment souls as often portrayed by the mainstream religions. Which is why? One should ask. Why are there those who see him differently? Is there something which is hidden from us? A blurred version of the truth?

These figures essentially defied systematic orders and exposed false gods, brought light to humanity, and challenged systems of control.

Hence they represent a deeper truth - Rebellion can be sacred.

Although both figures come from very different backgrounds, when compared they do share similarities and perhaps a form of connection... but this is a subject for another post... but keep it in mind, not all is as it seems or as lad to believe...

Now...

B. Here is where Gnosticism and the LHP differ:

Though aligned in spirit, these paths do have their differences:-

1. Gnosticism often seeks escape from the world, but the LHP seeks mastery over it.

2. Gnostics aim to return to divine unity while LHP practitioners often pursue individual divinity.

3. One leans toward transcendence, and the other toward transformation.

Although they have different aims, but it is the same fire that burns within.

Which perhaps would bring us to a combined spiritual path of both... A "Gnostic" L.H.P?

More to come in the following post.

As always, stay tuned, stay curious.

02/06/2025

Opening the Paths:
Gnosticism Within the R.H.P. -

Hidden Gnostic Currents in Mainstream Traditions

Although Gnosticism is often seen as a rebellious, heretical tradition, mostly affiliated with the Left-Hand Path (LHP) due to its anti-authoritarian stance and emphasis on individual awakening.... However... I will go into more details on the L.H.P. and its relation to Gnosticism in later posts, so lets focus on the subject at hand...

Although this may be true, but looking through some facts related to the R.H.P. History will tell us a deeper story...

Many traditions within the Right-Hand Path, especially those that seek union with a higher divine order have been known to have quietly preserved and integrated Gnostic principles under new names and symbols to unify both aspects and concepts from both traditions under one coherent, unified tradition.

Here are some of the key aspects of Gnostic thought that has been infused within R.H.P. systems, each backed up with real examples from history and esoteric tradition.

1. Inner Salvation Over the Mainstream Oriented Outer Dogma

One of the core Gnostic ideas emphasized is that salvation comes through Gnosis - direct, inner knowledge of the divine, and not through layered out belief systems or ritualized procedure oriented traditions.

As we have seen in the previous post, this concept found powerful expression in early Christian Gnostics like Valentinus, who taught that Christ came to reveal the hidden divine nature within us and not to simply die for our sins as preached by mainstream Christianity.

This inner concept created a path that continued and evolved within Christian mysticism, where figures like Meister Eckhart spoke of the “birth of God in the soul.” Though, within orthodox Christianity, Eckhart’s teachings reflect a Gnostic flavor - the idea that the divine spark awakens inwardly, through contemplative union - and not mere external observance and adherence to established dogmas.

2. The Material World created as a Soul Prison powered by Illusion

As we said before, Gnostics viewed the material world as a flawed creation, often ruled by the Demiurge and the Archons. While many R.H.P. systems emphasize on a structured divine order that lead to salvation, some of them actually share this suspicion of the material reality.

In Neoplatonism, which heavily influenced Christian and Hermetic traditions, the material world is often seen as a degraded reflection of divine archetypes - an imperfect reality. And our soul’s journey is to ascend beyond the material senses and the limited intellect to rejoin the One, true God.

Similarly, in Hermetic Christianity, texts like the Corpus Hermeticum, teach that the soul is trapped in the “tomb of the body,” and it must remember its divine origin. These teachings were integrated into Renaissance Christian Kabbalism, which, though aligned with the R.H.P. ideals of cosmic harmony, it still carries this Gnostic yearning for liberation from the lower realms.

3. Scripture as a Veil for Esoteric Truths

Gnostics were known for reading canonical texts symbolically, often revealing secret meanings hidden beneath orthodox interpretations. This method reappears in various R.H.P. traditions that guard “inner” meanings for the initiated.

For example, The Cathars of medieval southern France, read the Bible through a Gnostic dual lens. While maintaining its Christian framework, they believed in two opposing creators and rejected the material world as the domain of the false god.

Later, Rosicrucian and Masonic traditions developed esoteric interpretations of biblical stories, emphasizing personal enlightenment, inner transformation, and initiation, all core Gnostic values hidden within a R.H.P. context.

4. The Divine Spark Within

One of the most powerful Gnostic insights, without a doubt is the idea that each person holds a fragment of the divine within; trapped in matter, awaiting awakening.

This belief permeates Eastern Orthodoxy through the concept of theosis (divinization), where the soul participates in divine nature. Though the language is different, the idea echoes the Gnostic view of spiritual ascent through inner purification and divine union.

In the East, Advaita Vedanta teaches that the Atman (self) is identical to Brahman (the Absolute). Though not explicitly Gnostic, the teaching reflects the same premise; that liberation is awakening to a divine essence already within.

5. The Initiate’s Journey

In Gnosticism, salvation is not given - it is uncovered. The initiate, often guided by a revealer (like Christ in Valentinian Gnosis or Hermes in Hermeticism), must remember their true origin and reclaim their divine inheritance.

This model carries over into R.H.P. mystery traditions. Eleusinian Mysteries, Hermetic Orders, and Theosophical teachings all present a structure of initiation, purification, and revelation. Even within Freemasonry, the initiate is seen as a seeker of light, ascending through degrees of knowledge to inner transformation.

Conclusion

Having said all of this clearly shows that the line between Right-Hand and Left-Hand Path is not always as clear as it seems. And Gnosticism, though often labeled heretical or radical, has shaped the inner doctrines of many revered spiritual systems. It teaches us that awakening is not always rebellion, it can also be remembrance, hidden even in the heart of the sacred tradition itself.

By understanding these deeper currents, we open ourselves to a more profound view of the spiritual path, one where tradition and inner revelation meet in the soul’s quest for truth.

Later we shell take a look inti the Left Hand Path to gain a clear understanding and see things from a different perspective... Rebellion and chaos...

Stay tuned, stay curious.

25/05/2025

Opening the Paths:
The Right Hand Path -
The way of Law and Order

Let's get the obvious out of the way...

What Is the Right-Hand Path (RHP)?

In spiritual and esoteric traditions, the Right-Hand Path represents all those systems and spiritual traditions that emphasize on order, Godly authority, and moral living that is based on dogmas and ethics created by established groups or religions.

Basically religious teachings like traditional Christianity, Judaism, or Islam, who aim for salvation though union with God; through obedience, ritual, and aligning with cosmic laws.

So far so good right? Essentially, briefly speaking, that's what the RHP stands for.

But then, what happens when a tradition comes along and states that the material world - God's Creation - is within itself is a trap and, or corrupted?

That’s what Gnosticism comes in and tells us. This however, we already know that it’s portrays a very different story as it was said in previous posts.

To recap, Gnostics believe that a "false" God (the Demiurge) created the material world as a prison. And our souls carry a divine spark - part of the true God, and only through Gnosis - deep inner knowledge - can we awaken and escape the prison.

Where essentially, it’s not about belief or obedience that lead to salvation, but remembering who we truly are beyond the illusion of the material world.

Sounds rebellious right?

It is!... And that’s why Gnosticism often clashes with RHP traditions.

To simplify, here’s a quick breakdown of the core differences in the crucial aspects between the Right-Hand Path traditions and Gnosticism:

Aspects:
- The Material World
- Divine Authority or God worshiping
- The Path to Liberation or Salvation

According to RHP:
- The material World is sacred, or divinely ordered.
- Salvation comes through submission to God.
- Live by established morals and dogmas.

According to Gnosticism:
- The material world is Flawed or deceptive.
- Rejection of false gods (the Demiurge)
- Salvation through Inner revelations (gnosis).

Basically, Where the RHP says:
“Trust the divine order.”
Gnosticism responds and says:
“Question everything. Escape the illusion.”

Now, which speaks to you more? And essentially can these traditions Coexist?

Despite their differences, RHP and Gnostic ideas sometimes do overlap.

Mystical branches of the RHP, like Sufi Islam, Christian mysticism, or Hermetic Kabbalah, often seek inner communion with the Divine. Some even hint at deeper truths behind the visible world.

Modern esoteric paths (like Thelema or Alchemy) often blend elements of both: ritual structure with Gnostic insight.

The line between them isn’t always as sharp as it seems, which leaves us with a Spiritual Choice

Outer Order or Inner Freedom?

At the heart of the RHP vs. Gnosticism contrast is a spiritual decision:

Do you follow a path of structure, obedience, and divine law?

Or do you seek inner knowledge, awakening, and liberation from a world you suspect is an illusion?

In all honesty, neither path is “wrong” per se, but they ask very different things of the seeker.

Which way are you called to walk?
Do you believe that established orders can be beneficial to our spiritual growth?

Next we shell look at some of these RHP traditions in detail.

Stay tuned, stay curious.

20/05/2025

Opening the Paths:
Introducing the Right Hand Path and the Left Hand Path.

A Gnostic Perspective.

Welcome to "Opening the Paths" post series, seekers of truth.

This post series is dedicated to explore the spiritual currents that run deeper than surface belief, where myth becomes metaphor, and symbol becomes guide.

At the heart of this journey lies Gnosticism: the pursuit of Gnosis, or direct inner knowledge of the Divine - a truth that defies dogma and speaks from within.

As we navigate through the esoteric landscape, we encounter two ancient streams of spiritual orientation: the Right-Hand Path and the Left-Hand Path.

These paths are more than just moral labels, they are archetypal expressions of how one relates to the divine, to selfhood, and to liberation.

In Gnostic thought, liberation often comes through awakening to the divine spark within, a realization that transcends both law and rebellion.

What, then, do the LHP and RHP mean within this framework? Can the demiurge be defied, worked with? Is union with the Pleroma beyond such dualities?

In the coming posts, we’ll explore these questions and more:

---What are the roots of the Left and Right Hand Paths?

---How do these paths relate to Gnostic ideas of salvation, knowledge, and spiritual rebellion?

---Is there a "Gnostic Left-Hand Path"? A "Gnostic Right-Hand Path"?

This is an open exploration. Let us seek the light behind the illusion.

Stay tuned, stay curious..

13/05/2025

Kabbalah and Gnosticism:
Two Paths to Inner Knowledge

Ok... Lets start by the obvious question to get familiar with the topic of this post.

What Is Kabbalah?

To keep it brief, because this subject is quite vast to fully grasp it, Kabbalah is an ancient mystical spiritual tradition rooted in Jewish spirituality and mysticism.

The name Kabbalah roughly means "receiving," and it refers to a body of esoteric teachings that seek to unveil the hidden and mysterious nature of God, the soul, and the universe.

Central to Kabbalistic cosmology is the concept of Ein Sof, which means "the Infinite". From Ein Sof emanates the Tree of Life - The Sefirot, which is composed of ten (10) Sefirot - spares , and the twenty- two (22) paths that connect them together. Essentially this Tree of life is the dynamic medium through which the Divine - aka God interacts with the world and by ascending through these spheres, we achieve unity with God.

To keep it simple, I'll use the analogy of a game to briefly explain how it works. The ten spheres (Sefirot) are the levels of the game, where you start at the lowest level and by completing specific tasks and challenges, which are the twenty-two paths, you'll progress and ascend the levels until you reach the highest level - the highest sphere and unite with God.

In contrast to the Tree of Life, the Kabbalah also speaks of its shadow reflection: the Tree of Death, also known as Qliphoth, which means “shell” or “husk”. The Qliphoth stands for the realms of spiritual distortion and impurity - forces that obscure or oppose the divine light. Where the Sefirot embodies the harmonious attributes of the Divine, the Qliphoth embody their corrupted inversions - imbalance, ego, and separation from the Divine.

Though often associated with evil or demonic forces, advanced Kabbalistic teachings see the Qliphoth not as just external evils, but rather aspects of human consciousness and cosmic imbalances that must be understood and integrated with our divine spirits in order to walk on the path to spiritual wholeness.

The way I see it, from the Sefirot and the Qlippoth relate to the two paths we choose to walk on; the Right Hand Path, and the Left Hand Path... or perhaps we should seek union with both?... But that is something to elaborate in another post...

Now how does Gnosticism tie in with Kabbalistic teachings you may wonder?

Gnosticism, though emerging from a different cultural background, shares striking similarities with the Kabbalah.

At its heart, Gnosticism teaches that the divine spark which reside within us, is trapped in a world of illusion and ignorance. Salvation, in this view, does not come through blind belief, but through Gnosis - direct, experiential knowledge of spiritual truths.

Both traditions emphasize on inner awakening, symbolic wisdom, and the journey of the soul back to the Divine - to the True God. They use metaphors, sacred geometry, and layered cosmologies to describe how we became disconnected from the Source and how we can return.

While Kabbalah uses Hebrew symbols and myths, and Gnosticism often draws from Christian or Platonic imagery, both point to the same truth - We are more than we appear, and the path to wholeness lies within.

Question is, have you explored either tradition? What resonates with you the most?...

Coming up next, we shell take a deep dive, "Gnostically", into the two paths that forge our reality - The Right Hand Path and The Left Hand Path.

As always, stay tuned, stay curious

11/05/2025

Let's take a little break from spreading knowledge on Gnosticism and wish every Mum out there, a wonderful Mother's day. May you all be blessed and remember that Mother is God in the eyes of the child.

Stay tuned, stay curious

11/05/2025

Gnosticism through the Hermetic Lens

After grasping an idea of what Gnosticism is all about. We shell see how it ties in with other spiritual studies in order to see how Gnostic concepts apply to these studies.

We shell look into one of the foundational spiritual studies that most western magickal systems are built on - Hermeticism.

So...

---What is Hermeticism?

Hermeticism is an ancient spiritual teaching that dates back to ancient Egypt and Greece. Rooted in the teachings attributed to Hermes Trismegistus, a legendary figure who was believed to be the amalgamation of the Egyptian God Thoth and the Greek God Hermes.

At its core, Hermeticism teaches that the universe is a reflection of divine mind - the Spirit realm, and by knowing ourselves, we can know the cosmos and thus, the Divine.

Hermeticism is built around the principle “As above, so below” which expresses the idea that the outer world and inner world mirror each other and that everything, from the smallest thing to the vastness of the universe is interconnected as stated on the Emerald Tablet.

"Tis true without lying, certain and most true. That which is below is like that which is above and that which is above is like that which is below to do the miracle of one only thing..."
Extraction from the Emerald Tablet.
(You can search on Wikipedia for the rest of it)

Through contemplation, study, and spiritual practice, the Hermetic seeker learns to transcend the illusion of duality and align with the one Divine Truth behind all things.

Thus Hermeticism and Gnosticism often speak the same mystical language. Both traditions view the material world as a shadow of a higher reality and both emphasize that inner revelation is the key to awakening and breaking free.

As we explore Gnosticism through the lens of Hermetic wisdom, we’ll see how this path does not lead only to knowledge, but also to transformation.

---The union of Gnosticism and Hermeticism

Gnosticism, especially when viewed through the wisdom of Hermeticism, is a path of inner awakening. It teaches that salvation doesn't come from external belief, but from Gnosis - direct and personal knowledge of the Divine.

According to Hermetic thought, the material world is not the final truth. But rather, a veil - a reflection of higher realities. Deep within each of us lies a spark of the Divine Mind; a sacred essence that has forgotten its origin. The Gnostic journey is about remembering who we truly are and returning to the Source, often described in Hermetic texts as the All, the One, or the Monad.

One of the most beautiful teachings from the Corpus Hermeticum says:
“You are light and life, like God the Father, of whom Man is born.
If therefore you learn to know yourself, you will return to life.”
Corpus Hermeticum, Book I

In this tradition, to "know thyself" is not just a cliché - its the gateway to liberation. Through introspection, spiritual practice, and inner revelation, we shed the illusions imposed and rediscover our divine origin.

Gnosticism, together with the spiritual teachings of Hermeticism, invite us to awaken - Not to believe, but rather - to know.

Next we shell take a look at Gnosticism through the Kabbalistic lens. Stay tuned, stay curious.

07/05/2025

Christian Gnosticism:
Gnosticism from the Early Christian's eyes.

It is imperative that we really understand what Gnosticism is all about before branching out and going deeper into this fascinating subject. To keep things simple, I wanted to share information about one of the most "common" branches of Gnosticism to solidify our foundations. This is not to judge, or spread disdain towards the mainstream religions, but to broaden our understanding.

Christian Gnosticism is a mystical branch that developed during the early days of Christianity which is mainly centered around inner knowledge (Gnosis) as the true path towards spiritual awakening, salvation and union with the true God.

It shares many ideas and concepts with the broader Gnosticism such as the belief that the material world is flawed and deceptive. However, it is uniquely centered around the figure of Jesus as the revealer of hidden wisdom, and the descendant of the True God.

As such to the Christian Gnostics of the time, Jesus wasn’t just a savior through sacrifice as mainstream Christianity states and preaches. But rather, a divine teacher who came to awaken and liberate humanity from this material prison. His message was not merely about sin and forgiveness, but rather about reminding us of our true origin, and to liberate our Divine spark from this material world and its captors. Salvation was never about belief alone, but about awakening - through knowledge - to the truth of who we truly are.

One of the most important Gnostic texts; The Gospel of Thomas, records Jesus saying:
“If you bring forth what is within you, what you bring forth will save you.
If you do not bring forth what is within you, what you do not bring forth, will destroy you.”
Gospel of Thomas, Saying 70

Christian Gnosticism invites us to see Jesus not just as a figure to worship and praise. But as the guide who is telling us to look inwards, toward the light that is already within us - our spirit. It presented a path of spiritual maturity, where faith and mystical insight go hand in hand...

So from all of this, what happened to the early Christian Gnostics? Why were their sects hunted down and their scriptures destroyed?

It all came down to what they believed and preached about the God of the Old testament. According to their scriptures and teachings, the God of the Old Testament wasn't the True God from whom Jesus descended, but rather the Demiurge; the creator of the material world. And so to the Christian Gnostics, the Early Christians were condemning their eternal Spirits by praising, and worshiping, the God of the Old Testament, and thus binding themselves in eternal servitude to the Demiurge through never ending cycles of reincarnation.

This is why Christian Gnostics were persecuted, and most of their teachings destroyed by the Roman Catholic Church. As soon as it grew in power and influence thanks to emperor Constantine, who helped make Christianity the official religion of the Roman Empire. In moments Christian Gnostics became labelled as heretics, spreaders of blasphemy, and thus needed to be dealt with... or at least that's what was claimed...

04/05/2025

How Did Gnosticism Begin?
A Brief Timeline of Spiritual Rebellion and Revelation

Gnosticism didn’t emerge out of thin air, but rather evolved over the centuries, drawing its concepts and ideas from many spiritual currents.

However, to include every detail there is in a post would result in a never ending article since the history of Gnosticism dates back to ancient pagan times that are older than mainstream Christianity by thousands of years.

But to provide a coherent outline, I wrote a brief summary of how Gnosticism came to be using a simple timeline point-form to help you understand and trace the path of this mystical worldview. I have also included links to various resources for those who want to delve even further.

Let's walk down the Gnosticism timeline starting from:

1. Ancient Roots (Before 500 BCE)
Long before Gnosticism had a name, spiritual ideas were forming in Babylon, Persia, and Egypt. Concepts like divine duality, hidden knowledge, and spiritual ascent and liberation from the flesh appear in early Zoroastrian and Egyptian beliefs.

https://www.egypttoursportal.com/ancient-egyptian-symbols/

2. Greek Influence (500–100 BCE)
Next came Greek philosophy, especially Plato’s ideas about the material world being a shadow reflection of higher realities, a concept that deeply influenced later Gnostic thought - From here the concept of the soul and spirit being trapped in a flawed world began to take shape.

https://commons.m.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:An_Illustration_of_The_Allegory_of_the_Cave,_from_Plato%E2%80%99s_Republic.jpg

3. Jewish Apocalyptic Thought (200 BCE–100 CE)
Some Jewish groups, like the Essenes, began focusing on cosmic battles between good and evil. Themes of hidden wisdom (like the Book of Enoch), and the coming of divine knowledge helped pave the way for early Gnostic themes and ideas.

https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dead_Sea_Scrolls

4. Birth of Gnosticism (1st–2nd Century CE)
In the early Christian forming era, Gnostic movements began to fully form as well. Teachers like Valentinus and Basilides taught that the material world was created by a flawed or ignorant being (the Demiurge), and that salvation comes through gnosis - inner, spiritual knowledge. They blended the Christian teachings with the mystery traditions and esoteric thought.

https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Valentinus_(Gnostic)

5. Suppression and Survival (2nd–4th Century CE)
As the early Church solidified its doctrines and rose to power thanks to the political games of those times. Gnosticism was then branded heresy, and thus unfortunately many Gnostic texts were banned or destroyed. But some communities, like the Manichaeans, continued to carry Gnostic ideas across the Middle East and beyond.

https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Council_of_Nicaea_(painting)

6. Rediscovery (20th Century)
In 1945, the Nag Hammadi scriptures were discovered in Egypt, which essentially were a collection of Gnostic writings. This gave us direct access to ancient Gnostic gospels like The Gospel of Thomas and The Secret Book of John, revealing a rich, mystical tradition long hidden from history.

https://calisphere.org/collections/26630/

Today:
Gnosticism lives on, not just as a historical movement but as a spiritual path, a foundation pedant for many new age spiritual movements, including both L.H.P. and R.H.P. traditions (obviously the point of views are different, but still influential). It speaks to those seeking deeper truths, personal transformation, and inner knowledge beyond dogma.

I hope this provides a good background to understand how Gnosticism came to be. Next I will write about Gnosticism and how it relates to other various spiritual traditions.

The Maltese Gnostic

16/07/2025

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