QUEEN OF HELL by Mark A. Smith I X A X A A R Reviewed by Stephen Sennitt (posted with permission) This is the latest in a succession of beautifully produced hardback, limited edition books from Ixaxaar, and is, I think, their most sumptuous and thought-provoking production yet-a seductive combination for collectors of truly gorgeous occult/magickal tomes that also have […]
This text originally appeared in Issue 10 of the British Journal of Thelema, under Reviews. It is our intention to make available here on the site all of the book reviews we’ve published. Grimoire Publishing, by Jake Stratton-Kent, was compiled as an essay rather than as individual book reviews. ‘Goetia is the new black’ – Sorita de Este […]
Practical Elemental Magick. David Rankine & Sorita d’Este. Published by Avalonia: BM Avalonia, London, WC1N 3XX, England, UK. October 2008. 186pp. Reviewed by Empedocles This is a very impressive book from two prolific and respected occult authors. The concept of Elemental Spirits is encountered frequently in occultism, but there has been until now no comprehensive guide […]
The Greek Magical Papyri in Translation — Including the Demotic Spells: Edited by Hans Dieter Betz. University of Chicago Press. 1996. 353pp. Reviewed by Jake Stratton-Kent While this is not exactly a new book it is difficult to over emphasise its value to practicing magicians, so that promoting it here is readily justified. To begin with, one of […]
Secrets of the Magickal Grimoires: The Classical Texts of Magick Deciphered. Aaron Leitch. Published by Llewellyn Publications, U.S. August 2005. 456pp. Reviewed by Jake Stratton-Kent As a long time student and practitioner of the Grimoires, with some well established opinions of my own, I was ready to hate and shred this book if it failed to deliver. […]
Priestesses Pythonesses Sibyls. Edited by Sorita d’Este. Published by Avalonia: BM Avalonia, London, WC1N 3XX, England, UK. November 2008. 196pp. Reviewed by Sophie Zumm An exploration of trance work, both historically and practically. Written by twenty-one women involved in magic and neo-paganism; this is an intriguing collection of essays and articles. There are many highpoints, […]
Supernatural Assault in Ancient Egypt — Seth, Renpet & Moon Magick. Mogg Morgan. Mandrake of Oxford. PO Box 250, Oxford, OX1 1AP (UK). 2008. 315pp. Reviewed by Jake Stratton-Kent Part of an ongoing project investigating magical and Sethian mysteries of Ancient Egypt from a perspective that incorporates academic research and the viewpoint of magical practitioners. This is the […]
Demonology: Includes News From Scotland on the Death of a Notable Sorcerer. King James I of England. The Book Tree. San Diego, CA. 2002. Reviewed by Erzebet Originally published in 1597, this is a reprint of the 1924 edition and includes Newes from Scotland, first published in 1591. This slender little volume, written by His Notorious Highness King […]
Voudon Gnosis. David Beth. Scarlet Imprint. 2008. 90pp. Reviewed by Dis & Erzebet Voudon Gnosis is a nicely bound and well-written “initiated commentary” on the extensive work of Michael Bertiaux, who is best known for his recently re-released Voudon Gnostic Workbook, the training tool of La Couleuvre Noir. No one is better able to give such […]