Helena Petrovna Blavatsky was born in Southern Russia, at Ekaterinoslav, on August 12th, 1831. Possessed of psychic powers from an early age, she later under-went esoteric training in both India and Tibet, and publicised the knowledge she had gained in such famous works as
Isis Unveiled
and
The Secret Doctrine
. Less well known is Blavatsky's talent as a writer of occult fiction. In
Nightmare Tales
she leads the reader into a bizarre maze of beguiling and sometimes gruesome stories, from
The Cave of the Echoes
The Luminous Shield
to
The Ensouled Violin
, based upon the rumour that renowned composer Paganini had sold his soul to the devil in return for his astonishing musical talent. But fascinating as these stories are, they have a deeper, more important purpose than simple entertainment. Strewn like pearls through each tale are keys to hidden truths, expositions of esoteric principles that derive from the Ancient Wisdom. A must-read for all interested in the hidden aspects of Life.