Good occult books to start off with?
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johnnathan
- Initiated
- Posts: 33
- Joined: Thu Feb 16, 2012 6:52 pm
Good occult books to start off with?
I have so many occult books but i don't know where to start. What good occult books do you think i should start off reading? Don't worry if you name it i most probably have it if not ill just buy it. Thanks
Re: Good occult books to start off with?
That's a fairly broad question, are you interested in theoretical or practical works? What specific area's are you interested in? Ceremonial Magic? Witchcraft? Shamanism? Chaos Magic? etc. 'The occult' is too broad to a label to make a recommendation on 
"The path of the Sage is called
'The Path of Illumination'
he who gives himself to this path
is like a block of wood
that gives itself to the chisel-
cut by cut it is honed to perfection"
- DDJ, Verse 27
"It's still magic even if you know how it's done." - Terry Pratchett
'The Path of Illumination'
he who gives himself to this path
is like a block of wood
that gives itself to the chisel-
cut by cut it is honed to perfection"
- DDJ, Verse 27
"It's still magic even if you know how it's done." - Terry Pratchett
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johnnathan
- Initiated
- Posts: 33
- Joined: Thu Feb 16, 2012 6:52 pm
Re: Good occult books to start off with?
Witchcraft and divination are more what I'm in to, I would love to study everything lol i tried but my head started to hurt because i was trying to force to much information in it but for now books on witchcraft and divination is what i would want to studyRin wrote:That's a fairly broad question, are you interested in theoretical or practical works? What specific area's are you interested in? Ceremonial Magic? Witchcraft? Shamanism? Chaos Magic? etc. 'The occult' is too broad to a label to make a recommendation on
Re: Good occult books to start off with?
I could be wrong here but I think the term you're after is Servitor, and yes our Chaotes should be able to help you out with that.
As to the Divination question, I would suggest that you look about for a general work on the various methods of divination, and then begin to mess around with some techniques. You will find fairly quickly that not all divinatory techniques work equally as well for all people, and that an enormous part of it has to do with personal preference and comfort level. For instance, Tarot cards do nothing for me. I've tried and tried, and they consistently seem to want to point out the obvious to me; doesn't matter which deck. Runes however positively scream at me, and I seem to have a somewhat natural aptitude for dowsing too. Whatever method ultimately appeal to you, just keep at it and remember that none of this stuff comes easy or without practice.
As far as the Witchcraft-thang goes, you need to understand that the term "witchcraft" is a rather broad term that has vastly divergent meanings from culture to culture, globally. However, bearing that in mind I would suggest that you start out with "Shamanism," by Mircea Eliade. This work is absolutely exhaustive in it's examination of Shamanic belief in northeast Asia --Siberia and the like, yet draws comparisons from around the globe, and will provide you with remarkable insight into the origins of what we call witchcraft today in the West.
"Aradia," by Charles Godfrey Leyland is another interesting work. However, I strongly urge you to stick with the most recent translation by Mario Pizzaglini Ph.D. and Dina --Mario's mother actually-- as she is a native speaker of the dialect in which the texts in Aradia were originally written back in the Nineteenth Century. My understanding is that this edition of the book has actually contributed to clearing up some of the questions around the authenticity of the original writings Leyland received from his informant.
"The Book of Enoch," is another text that you will find has historically played an important part in European witchraft sub-paradigms, too. TBoE was actually one of the original books of the Bible which got edited out at the Council of Nicea, during the 300's CE --I forget the actual year. I'm sure there's a copy kicking around on the web...
If European witchcraft is in fact what you are curious about then Jacob Grimm's monumental four volume work entitled "Teutonic Mythology," will fill your requirements regarding the origins and development of folkloric traditions and mythology, pretty much throughout northwestern Europe, the Baltic region, along with parts of the UK [sorry Ger] and Scandinavia.
Two others I can think of off the top of my head are "The Pillars of Tubal Cain," by Michael Howard and Nigel Jackson; and, "The Call of the Horned Piper," again by Nigel Jackson.
That should keep you busy for a bit... [geek2]
As to the Divination question, I would suggest that you look about for a general work on the various methods of divination, and then begin to mess around with some techniques. You will find fairly quickly that not all divinatory techniques work equally as well for all people, and that an enormous part of it has to do with personal preference and comfort level. For instance, Tarot cards do nothing for me. I've tried and tried, and they consistently seem to want to point out the obvious to me; doesn't matter which deck. Runes however positively scream at me, and I seem to have a somewhat natural aptitude for dowsing too. Whatever method ultimately appeal to you, just keep at it and remember that none of this stuff comes easy or without practice.
As far as the Witchcraft-thang goes, you need to understand that the term "witchcraft" is a rather broad term that has vastly divergent meanings from culture to culture, globally. However, bearing that in mind I would suggest that you start out with "Shamanism," by Mircea Eliade. This work is absolutely exhaustive in it's examination of Shamanic belief in northeast Asia --Siberia and the like, yet draws comparisons from around the globe, and will provide you with remarkable insight into the origins of what we call witchcraft today in the West.
"Aradia," by Charles Godfrey Leyland is another interesting work. However, I strongly urge you to stick with the most recent translation by Mario Pizzaglini Ph.D. and Dina --Mario's mother actually-- as she is a native speaker of the dialect in which the texts in Aradia were originally written back in the Nineteenth Century. My understanding is that this edition of the book has actually contributed to clearing up some of the questions around the authenticity of the original writings Leyland received from his informant.
"The Book of Enoch," is another text that you will find has historically played an important part in European witchraft sub-paradigms, too. TBoE was actually one of the original books of the Bible which got edited out at the Council of Nicea, during the 300's CE --I forget the actual year. I'm sure there's a copy kicking around on the web...
If European witchcraft is in fact what you are curious about then Jacob Grimm's monumental four volume work entitled "Teutonic Mythology," will fill your requirements regarding the origins and development of folkloric traditions and mythology, pretty much throughout northwestern Europe, the Baltic region, along with parts of the UK [sorry Ger] and Scandinavia.
Two others I can think of off the top of my head are "The Pillars of Tubal Cain," by Michael Howard and Nigel Jackson; and, "The Call of the Horned Piper," again by Nigel Jackson.
That should keep you busy for a bit... [geek2]
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Nahemah
- Magus
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Re: Good occult books to start off with?
Har,s'ok,this time,lol. [thumbup]...along with parts of the UK [sorry Ger] and Scandinavia.
Good list,I came over all nostalgic and happy reading it there and I 'm now trying to think of some titles myself,to add in and compliment yours.
And it's prolly just as well everybody already knows me name,eh,lol....
"He lived his words, spoke his own actions and his story and the story of the world ran parallel."
Sartre speaking of Che Guevara.
Sartre speaking of Che Guevara.
Re: Good occult books to start off with?
The best to start with for me was Phil Hansford Magic Course. It's about a two hour read but covers and explains the basics pretty much from A - Z. It's "non-denominational" so don't look for Gods/Deities etc to be mentioned much.
Trying to start with Carrol, Crowley etc only gave me a nose bleed from the veins popping out on my forehead.
Trying to start with Carrol, Crowley etc only gave me a nose bleed from the veins popping out on my forehead.
"Health and wealth are my birthright, success my tool, kindness my standard."
Re: Good occult books to start off with?
What's your purpose? This moment I'm reading Franz Bardon's initiation into hermetics, I'm getting the feeling I'll regret this book not being the first occult book I got my hands into.
I mean, independently of hermetism, this book carries a lot of practical and theorical stuff that can be integrated to other paths as well.
I mean, independently of hermetism, this book carries a lot of practical and theorical stuff that can be integrated to other paths as well.
Re: Good occult books to start off with?
Great book isn't itbiguns wrote:What's your purpose? This moment I'm reading Franz Bardon's initiation into hermetics, I'm getting the feeling I'll regret this book not being the first occult book I got my hands into.
I mean, independently of hermetism, this book carries a lot of practical and theorical stuff that can be integrated to other paths as well.
"The path of the Sage is called
'The Path of Illumination'
he who gives himself to this path
is like a block of wood
that gives itself to the chisel-
cut by cut it is honed to perfection"
- DDJ, Verse 27
"It's still magic even if you know how it's done." - Terry Pratchett
'The Path of Illumination'
he who gives himself to this path
is like a block of wood
that gives itself to the chisel-
cut by cut it is honed to perfection"
- DDJ, Verse 27
"It's still magic even if you know how it's done." - Terry Pratchett
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johnnathan
- Initiated
- Posts: 33
- Joined: Thu Feb 16, 2012 6:52 pm
Re: Good occult books to start off with?
Oh i know that, I tried starting with Crowley didn't understand anything.adawehi wrote:The best to start with for me was Phil Hansford Magic Course. It's about a two hour read but covers and explains the basics pretty much from A - Z. It's "non-denominational" so don't look for Gods/Deities etc to be mentioned much.
Trying to start with Carrol, Crowley etc only gave me a nose bleed from the veins popping out on my forehead.
Re: Good occult books to start off with?
I found Crowley's Book 4 to be a surprisingly easy read for a beginner.
Wild cats shall meet with desert beasts, satyrs shall call to one another, there shall the Lilith repose, and find for herself a place to rest.