The Occultist's Required Reading
588951
The philosophical side to the occult actually led me to this book (or rather the author). I have read many of his books and each of them outshine the last. Nietzsche's beliefs, ideas, and arguments are strong and still valid in today's society. For what I can say about this book is that Nietzsche presents a very interesting point of view on other philosophers, morality and, of course, religion. The language that this what written with is extrordinary, and the concepts are very focused. I have not been impressed reading books very often, but when I got to the end of this one I wondered why I wasn't drawn to Nietzsche earlier. And if you are looking for other titles by this author might I recommend "The Antichrist," "The Gay Science," or "Twilight Of The Idols." If you are least bit interested in dark philosophy this book was made for you. "Do not go into churches if you want to breathe clean air." - Nietzsche (Beyond Good And Evil)
4297970
In this memoir, author Kristine McGuire tells her story about her fall from Christ, her dabble into the occult, and her new found freedom. The interest in the occult first occurred when she was a kid. She would play fortune-teller with her friends by reading each others' palms. She would drag out a clear plastic baby toy and use it as a crystal ball.

After attending a Christian college, marring a Christian man, and becoming a mother, she still had an interest in the occult even though she was still a follower of God. Kristine started reading books on witchcraft and the occult. For eight years she devoured her life into the occult, until she suddenly realized that it wasn't the life for her and she made her way back to being a Christian.

When I was offered to review this book from Glass Road Media, I had to say yes. I don't know too much about the occult except for what I have seen in horror movies and on reality series, such as Ghost Hunters, so I was interested in reading the memoir. The author writes about the years she left Christ and dabbed in witchcraft, became a medium and a ghost hunter, and eventually returned to Christ. I have never heard about a Christian falling into the occult world. The author gives a lot of wisdom on the subject. After every chapter there are four to five questions to ask yourself about what you have just read. The paranormal, vampires, and ghost-hunting are popular in pop culture, which can be both good and harmful to a person, especially a Christian. Overall, I enjoyed reading the book and I recommend it to all Christians, clergyman, churches, and anyone interested in learning how to leave an occult.
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3758644
This is a great reference book! It is very detailed and explanatory in simple terms. I read "The Beautiful Side of Evil" by the same author first, which I highly suggest, (it is her autobiography). This book goes more in detail about the occult and explains how our children are being retrained by educators (some willing & unwilling accomplices), TV & music.

I must share that I have also listened to her audio tapes. Her writing/speeches are simple, direct & sometimes blunt. She has a dry sense of humor that comes off more in her oral presentation than in her writings. Ex: She shares with her audience that it is not enough to believe in Jesus. The question is Jesus who? (paraphrased, quotes mine)"I had a gardener named Jesus, people. I could scream Jesus all day long and the most I would get is my rose bushes pruned..."

This book is a quick, informative read! It offers plenty of reference for you to confirm/deny her assertions. In many situations, she offers specific examples and key players. A great place to start in a knowledge search of the occult. One word of caution: She is a strong Christian. Though her unique secular experiences and family background provide a dual perspective of the religious and secular points of view, it is written from a Pro-Christian perspective.
1411656
After reading this Grimoire and myself raised in a Christian upbringing,  I found it enlightening.
I was very happy with this Grimoire, the Book is very practical for the study of magic.  One thing that I didn't necessarily dislike, but did not find useful at this time, was the relation to the Exu and Grimoire sigils.  It was defanatly necessary in my opinion to add this, on account of this Book being The True Grimoire. :see: ' Grimoire wiki '
I would recommend this Book to anyone, not just magicians or those seeking magical study.

The True Grimoire is now among my most valued possessions.
4646256
If you're interested in meditation, the occult, or symbolic systems in general, pick up this compendium of useful information.  It includes charts and articles summarizing different symbolic structures used in magical and mystical traditions from around the world, from Tantric Buddhism and Hebrew Qabalah to Sufism and Hopi shamanic traditions, and much, much more, from overviews of alchemy to occult alphabets.  In addition to all this, there is also an excellent recommended course of study in the book, directing students of magick to some of the best titles for further information on the systems in the book, as well as applying them in one's practical work.
4459424
A generally good introduction to the impact the occult has had on the arts -- especially literature -- in the modern (i.e. 18th century on) era. While readers of James Webb's Occult Underground and other studies will encounter a lot that is familiar in here, Lachman has unearthed some gems. The only real flaw comes at the end where Lachman unnecessary appends a series excerpts from selected texts. Recommended overall.
1031242
I turned to C W Leadbeater as his books were mentioned in Master Choa Kok Sui's. I am an avid believer in the soul and the divine spark and this book is an good introduction to some be who is interested in the occult.
1681877
Always count on Ophiel for some down to Earth occult wisdom. Some of his "laws" are not really laws, but do not let that stop you from picking this book up. Really good info in here for those beginning the path of magic.
1162953
This wonderful little book lifts the veil of mystery and secrecy surrounding one of the occult world's most fascinating practices by making it accessible to beginners. 4 Stars for Konstantinos, because while I did learn how to evoke spirits (and other entities if I would so desire), I did NOT enjoy making the tools. To get the most out of this practice, you also must be able to astrally travel, and have solid meditation/visualization skills. I could see this being a minor irritation to beginners.
2464712
The Magical Union of East and West: The Spiritual Path to New Aeon Tantra makes much of the philosophies and practices of the Ordo Sunyata Vajra (OSV) widely available for the first time.  In this important work, the public is invited to learn about the OSVs groundbreaking approach to Thelema with a system that has been lovingly practiced by its members since 1999.  This system draws upon Eastern Tantrik magic and the authors own extensive background in various esoteric traditions.  Readers will be guided step-by-step into an exploration of the practice of New Aeon Tantra including preliminary practices, mantras, rites of dedication, purification, consecration, energization, invocation and more.  An invaluable gift of this book includes in-depth discussion of tools for attaining Knowledge and Conversation of the Holy Guardian Angel and the discovery of your True Will.  In addition, the OSVs central public rite, the Diamond Sapphire Gem of Radiant Light, is included with extensive explanation and visualizations.  This book is sure to be an essential reference for all OSV members and an invitation to all who are interested in the crossroads between eastern and western esoteric traditions.
1364645
This book addresses human spiritual anatomy, evolution and capacities. For those reasons, I would consider it a foundational reading for those interested in such things. It is aptly titled, as it is reflects Steiner's cognitive scientific methodology. His writing is extremely well organized and coherent, which is an achievement in itself, since the subject matter is often quite difficult to express. I was continually impressed with his own deep thought in this regard. If you are not distracted by the Victorian style, which keeps the head tethered to a bygone era, you will certainly extract that occult science which transcends all time.
2414322
An insightful work revealing the origin of humanity's divination systems & the necessary spiritual trainning that is the basis for it's mastery. DR. Bijumiro has taken these discourses of his Guru His Imperishable Glory Babmbi Baaba Baabwe an indigeous Ugandan and crafted this precious knowledge system into literary form to take us into the lost & forgotten world of Africa's ancient enlighten culture of the Uganda/Rwanda region. A must have for all students of the occult, spiritual history and African culture.
1434871
I have read numerous books and magazines from the points of view of critical rationalists who speak condescendingly or dismissively of occult subjects; from religious conservatives blindly (and almost always with no correct information) condemning occultism as misguided or evil; and an inexhaustible number of fawning new-agers with illogical and false beliefs about history and religion (who are often as violently judgmental of religious conservatives as the religionists are of them). Written by an educated, logical practitioner, this is the single most objective and broadly informed work I have ever encountered on the subject of the history of western magic and modern occultism. I highly recommend it to anyone with an interest in the subject, most of all to practitioners.
3242531
No, this is not Magick for Dummies.  But why would we expect it to be.  That is like critcising a book on Neurological Surgery, because it isn't casual reading.  (Can you imagine a book, "Brain Surgery - Self taught in Three Easy Lessons!)  What Eshelman has given us though, is a major advancement in the study of the subject of Aliester Crowley.  And this study is a foundational resource for the students of the Life and Philosopy of the great Beast.  For those who have taken the time to properly learn their attributions and sybolism, it is facinating.  Astrology is not my forte, but after reading this book, I defintly am in the Sideral Camp.  Jim's expanation of the vision  in reference to the Moon's aspects is startlingly striking from the point of view of the Hermetic Qabalist.  It shows that Dion Fortune was right, when she wrote:"What I imagine is subjective. But, what we both imagine is objective!"  This is a reference book that should be in any person's library who calls him/herself a serious student of the Western Mystery Tradition.
Dr. Paul A. Clark, co-author of "The Dark Brotherhood" and Steward of the Fraternity of the Hidden Light.
4092579
I read it twice over, and accepted it for its illustrations, texts and historical facts altogether! This I would suggest to recommend to anyone deeply intrigued in this occult subject -amen!!
3962146
This is generally a who's who in the occult world. Contains names and addresses of people involved in anything mystical, paranormal and occult related, also some book reviews and vendors. Although somewhat dated its still a great reference.
812493
I give this book five stars because it is THE Lemegeton at it's most complete: all four books ('Ars Notoria' is not included), with every seal, spirit, conjuration, etc. included. As such it's an invaluable reference for any magician interested in Goetic evokation.
However, it is not a book I'd recommend for persons just getting started with Goetic magick. For that, I would recommend Weiser's _Goetia_. Persons interested in a more 'modernized' method might want to try _The Illustrated Goetia_. I don't recommend Savedow's books on the subject, as I didn't find them very useful.
Lemegeton is divided into four parts. The first part is the Goetia, and this is what modern magicians are most interested in. The Goetia is a book detailing the method of conjuring each of 72 demons. Much work has been done in the last century drawing correspondences between these demons and the tarot, astrology, and the 72 names of God, among other things. In each case, these demons (and the vices they represent) are the leftovers of the process necessary to create a virtue (think of leftover coffee grounds for coffee). One evokes these demons in order to learn how to control the vice, in order that one may fully embrace the virtue.
The second part is Theurgia Goetia, which deals with spirits of the directions of the compass and with "wandering dukes" that have no direction. These would be spirits of the living world, in the Elizabethan system neither demonic nor angelic, although in modern terms definitely stuck somewhere between Malkuth and Yesod.
The third part is the Pauline Art, which deals with *celestial* angels that command specific hours of the day and to the zodiac. There is also an evokation of the Holy Guardian Angel. The instructions of this section are rather detailed, although the HGA working is not as detailed as in Abramelin.
The fourth part is the Almadel, which explains the process by which Solomon gained the wisdom to rule. I'm not sure what these entities are supposed to represent, but I know there's a correspondence between them and the Four Horsemen of the Apocalypse.