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REVIEWS: Books, Journals, Periodicals, Etc.

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 to working with them. I say comprehensive advisedly, for one of the great virtues of this book is it traces origins and alternatives very thoroughly, rather than laying down dogmatic rules with no background. At the same time as offering depth information the book also retains considerable clarity. The range of sources consulted is astonishing, and the work thus provides an invaluable resource for further research by the individual reader. The material is usefully synthesised into a thoroughly workable practical system of magic; while offering sufficient alternatives for the reader who is so inclined to evolve distinct methodologies based on their own preferences.

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 the most important rituals in the Crowley canon — the so called Bornless Rite — was derived from just one of the rituals in this collection, only a fraction of which was available at the time. Comparison with several other rites in the collection shows clearly that said ritual was one of a genre; many of the names and titles used recur often and are plainly 'Typhonian'.

In addition this kind of material was the origin of much of the grimoire genre, from magical symbols, through procedures, right down to the attribution of such handbooks to Solomon or Moses. However, whereas the grimoires compromised with religious orthodoxy in various ways, this material is pristine, with no concessions to an unsympathetic religious background. In short, it is a first class repository of ancient magic. My own copy has approximately twenty page tags permanently attached, the highest number of any book in my collection.

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, and every reader will have their own favourites; mine include the history of the Delphic Oracle by Caroline Tully, and Janet Farrar's account of her work with oracular trance techniques. Looking at visionary experience through many different eyes, I was reminded at times of Scarlet Imprint's collection Devoted. Although a gentler collection, mental and physical challenges are confronted in this book. All in all a fascinating and inspiring insight into the interior world of modern magic through the eyes of experienced and capable female practitioners.

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. It is also true that at first glance my prejudices were not immediately assuaged, but this is not a book to be lightly skimmed. Once I got to grips with it properly, it began to delight me with its clarity, depth and consistency as well as the author's evident expertise. This book is a splendid guide to the magick of the Grimoires, opening up the whole subject in a way the modern revival has not previously achieved. It is true that the author is squarely 'on the side of the Angels' and to some degree perhaps passes lightly over the darker texts. True too that he is a little overly accepting of the 'gnosticism' of the Knights Templar; and seems unaware that the diabolic pact originates with Origen and St. Augustine rather than the much later Inquisition. However, these are minor points, and the Grimoire genre is hugely clarified by his analysis, which deals solidly with areas many previous works neglect entirely. He also clearly appreciates that the Grimoires approach to 'demons' is less than the black and white of the Inquisitors, far closer to the Greco-Roman world's wider spectrum of spirits. In insisting that some demons do live up to their nasty reputation, and that the magician be equipped to deal with them, he is simply doing justice to the roots and purposes of magic throughout history.

My criticisms? Well, the author admits he is less than green fingered, so there is no in depth consideration of herbal lore in the Grimoires, aside from psychotropic plants. Although this could have developed further the link he presents between shamanism and the Grimoires, it really requires a specialist and it would be unfair to pretend otherwise. There are also points of interpretation where we differ — for example of Names on Barrett's skrying table, where 'the Four Kings' for me would be Oriens and company rather than the Four Archangels. The fact is these are minor criticisms, and being points of interpretation we are entitled to different opinions! These are far outweighed by the enormous value of the book to Grimoire studies, which finally have an intelligent and comprehensive manual.

Everybody with an interest in the Grimoires should read this 'benchmark' book.

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 third volume, and I could kick myself for not being aware of the project at an earlier date, as it evidently parallels researches of my own, involving the Egyptian calendar and the Lunar Mansions, as well as important magical aspects of the cult of Seth. This particular volume involves dreams, not merely their interpretation through authentic Egyptian manuals, but magical activities in which dreams are the focus; particularly aggressive and defensive magic. Rituals and techniques from the Demotic magical papyri and elsewhere are given, accompanied by the insights of an experienced modern occultist. Needless to say I found the book utterly fascinating, and will be adding the previous two volumes to my wish list!

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 James I of England, begins with a frighteningly informative foreword by Paul Tice. James was a man obsessed with evil and with evildoers — most especially with witches, but also with magicians of any sort. In his own words, the book was written in order to prove that "the assaults of Satan are most certainly practiced, and that the instruments thereof, merits most severely to be punished". James presents this evidence by way of a discourse between two characters, Philomathes and Epistemon, regarding the nature of Satan and his special instrument, the witch.

One might hope to find in these pages some insight into the methods by which these instruments performed their acts of evil, but spells, recipes and chants are practically nonexistent. James informs us that witches can and do fly to Sabbats, but he neglects to tell us anything about the art of flight itself. Every act can be laid at the feet of Satan, and the king spared no ink in reminding his readers of this fact at any opportunity. James' sadistic nature is revealed in the latter part of the book, Newes from Scotland, in which he revels in the methods and devices used to elicit confessions from those found guilty of the use of magic.

As fixated as the author was, this book's merit lies in its glimpse at the thinking of the day. Granted, that thinking was done by a man perhaps more mad than many, but this is the man who provided the world with the King James Bible, thereby influencing the vast majority of Western culture. For anyone interested in the history of the witch-hunts, this book is an interesting example of the literature used to promote the idea that witches, magicians and sorcerers were dangerous breeds, best put to death posthaste. For those searching for more practical information about what those evildoers were actually doing, it might be best to look elsewhere.

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 a concise and comprehensive explanation of the VGW and L.C.N. than Beth, Bertiaux's successor. The point of Voudon Gnosis is not, however, to expound upon the material already extant concerning L.C.N., but to express and promote the gnosis achievable through its systems.

Beth alludes to the Order's secrets, teasing us with glimpses of hidden knowledge, but he also offers the uninitiated a clear view of the foundation upon which those secrets are built. One might think that, because of its small page count, Voudon Gnosis ends all too quickly. But — for the careful reader — this book is more than its text and illustrations; it is in itself a magical object, a portal to a universe in which further understanding is revealed.