Books for a beginner?
Books for a beginner?
Hi I'm new to the occult and I'm wondering what books you recommend for someone new? I've seen thousands of books and I'm very overwhelmed by the selection, I don't know where to start really, could someone nudge me in the right direction?
Re: Books for a beginner?
Hi there Kiyo.
I found Raymond Buckland's Complete Book of Witchcraft interesting; this book gives a good overview of modern Wicca, including the rituals, beliefs and traditions typical of that path. There's also a little on practical magic, meditation and various forms of divination in there. Good as an introduction, if you're that way inclined.
I also recommend Peter Carroll's books Liber Null + Psychonaut (they are sold in a single volume) and Liber Kaos. Chaos Magic is pretty much the closest attempt to approach the occult from a more "scientific" angle. Carroll occasionally slips into using archaic, pompous sounding language for no reason, and there's a little metaphorical melodrama scattered throughout his books, but the material is still very good.
I'm quickly learning that you can never read enough when it comes to this sort of thing... and I suppose the trick is in differentiating between the good, the bad and the bullshit. Nevertheless, the above books I can suggest, with the obligatory disclaimer that everything written by an occultist should be taken with a large grain of salt.
Happy travels!
Eremita
I found Raymond Buckland's Complete Book of Witchcraft interesting; this book gives a good overview of modern Wicca, including the rituals, beliefs and traditions typical of that path. There's also a little on practical magic, meditation and various forms of divination in there. Good as an introduction, if you're that way inclined.
I also recommend Peter Carroll's books Liber Null + Psychonaut (they are sold in a single volume) and Liber Kaos. Chaos Magic is pretty much the closest attempt to approach the occult from a more "scientific" angle. Carroll occasionally slips into using archaic, pompous sounding language for no reason, and there's a little metaphorical melodrama scattered throughout his books, but the material is still very good.
I'm quickly learning that you can never read enough when it comes to this sort of thing... and I suppose the trick is in differentiating between the good, the bad and the bullshit. Nevertheless, the above books I can suggest, with the obligatory disclaimer that everything written by an occultist should be taken with a large grain of salt.
Happy travels!
Eremita
Re: Books for a beginner?
As always, everything written by or about Franz Bardon. Can't go wrong with IIH, no matter where you end up spiritually/magically, IIH will make you better at it.
"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
Re: Books for a beginner?
Whatever direction you want to go, you most likely encounter some sort of visual based magick such like sigils, runes, summoning, etc.
Therefore, I would recommend this one: Jan Fries - Visual Magick
I would also recommend his other works, but they go mostly into the norse paradigm and are more specific then this one.
Ramscha
Therefore, I would recommend this one: Jan Fries - Visual Magick
I would also recommend his other works, but they go mostly into the norse paradigm and are more specific then this one.
Ramscha
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TiSoleyBonHoungan
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Re: Books for a beginner?
The One Year Manual by Israel Regardie.
It provides a simple structure that is compatible with almost all paradigms and leaves out all the gobbledygook. In a years time one will have deeper understanding of their self and a basis for ceremonial magic.
It provides a simple structure that is compatible with almost all paradigms and leaves out all the gobbledygook. In a years time one will have deeper understanding of their self and a basis for ceremonial magic.
Re: Books for a beginner?
Modern Magick by Krieg is a good work as is Low Magick: it's all in your head by Lon Milo Duquette. I am reading The Book of Magic Power by Newcomb and despite the unfortunate title he has good exercises lain out in a systematic order.
I always recommend Robert Bruce and the Hermetic Hour.
http://www.youtube.com/user/RealAstralBob?feature=watch
http://www.blogtalkradio.com/the-hermetic-hour
I always recommend Robert Bruce and the Hermetic Hour.
http://www.youtube.com/user/RealAstralBob?feature=watch
http://www.blogtalkradio.com/the-hermetic-hour