A Beam of Sunlight in the Deep Forest—Mystical Prose Works by Édouard Schuré

“[Schuré is], in our time, the sole man of persuasion for whom the few Mysteries which haunt some of us are natural and part of a magnificent birthright.” — Stéphane Mallarmé Édouard Schuré was a 19th century French author and occultist who spent his life attempting to translate the ineffable realm of spiritual knowledge into literature. Prolific and enigmatic, Schuré navigated many of the seminal movements of his time, developing friendships with prominent figures such as Friedrich Nietzsche, Stéphane Mallarmé, and Richard Wagner. Yet, despite these affinities, Schuré refused to adhere to any one group or dogma. Perhaps due to his singular persona, he has since lived in a netherworld of historical neglect. A Beam of Sunlight in the Deep Forest is a landmark collection of Schuré’s prose works, offering a robust introduction to the forgotten figure. Among the texts included are the never-before-translated Proses mystiques, short pieces invoking disembodied voices, philosophic