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Literary notes about arcanum (AI summary)

The term “arcanum” is deployed in literature to evoke a sense of secret, mystical knowledge that lies just beyond ordinary understanding. It often signifies a hidden principle or method—an enigma of nature or human experience—whether it denotes the supposedly untouchable essence of romance and wisdom ([1], [2]) or serves as a metaphor for profound, elusive truths that can only be accessed by a select few ([3], [4]). At times, “arcanum” is even used to suggest a literal or symbolic reserve of power, such as alchemical secrets or the key to universal order ([5], [6], [7]). Its application extends to naming exclusive societies and institutions, thereby underscoring both its esoteric significance and its grounding in cultural or political contexts ([8], [9], [10]). In these varied contexts, “arcanum” becomes a literary tool that bridges the mundane and the mystical, inviting readers to explore the boundaries of what is known and what remains shrouded in mystery ([11], [12]).
  1. "You—" he said haltingly, "you, who have never known a woman—how can you touch the arcanum of romance?" "The seer must know the hearts of men.
    — from The Last Ditch by Will Levington Comfort
  2. This is a supreme arcanum of angelic wisdom.
    — from Angelic Wisdom about Divine Providence by Emanuel Swedenborg
  3. That no man may enter therein save the anointed, having the arcanum of Hermes.
    — from The Secret Doctrine, Vol. 2 of 4 by H. P. (Helena Petrovna) Blavatsky
  4. But this is an arcanum which enters into the understanding of only a few.
    — from Earths In Our Solar System Which Are Called Planets, and Earths In The Starry Heaven Their Inhabitants, And The Spirits And Angels There by Emanuel Swedenborg
  5. It is the key of the Grand Arcanum, the root of the Tree of Life, the science of Good and Evil.
    — from Morals and Dogma of the Ancient and Accepted Scottish Rite of Freemasonry by Albert Pike
  6. The grand arcanum 's not for men to see all; My music has some mystic diapasons; And there is much which could not be appreciated
    — from Don Juan by Baron George Gordon Byron Byron
  7. You are possessed of the grand arcanum, the philosophers stone.
    — from St. Leon: A Tale of the Sixteenth Century by William Godwin
  8. He is a member of the Royal Arcanum, and in politics is a Liberal.
    — from A Cyclopaedia of Canadian Biography: Being Chiefly Men of the Time A Collection of Persons Distinguished in Professional and Political Life, Leaders in the Commerce and Industry of Canada, and Successful Pioneers
  9. He is a veteran of the Odd Fellows Association and also a member of the Royal Arcanum.
    — from Montreal from 1535 to 1914. Vol. 3. Biographical by William H. (William Henry) Atherton
  10. Charles Bennett is a member of numerous social and fraternal societies, including the Masons, Royal Arcanum, Elks and Eagles.
    — from The History of Orange County New York
  11. Some have thought to explain the prodigy by that superior instinct known as intuition; but the discovery of the word does not open the arcanum.
    — from Delsarte System of Oratory by Delaumosne
  12. I thought it best that the building at Arcanum
    — from The Letters of Cicero, Volume 1The Whole Extant Correspodence in Chronological Order by Marcus Tullius Cicero

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