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June Book Recommendation.

Posted: Thu Jun 30, 2016 5:28 pm
by Desecrated
Phil Hine - Condensed Chaos.

This month on the forum we saw a rather lengthy debate about sigil magic. So I decided to go back to "school" and read a couple of books on the subject.
Liber null & psychonaut is still my favorite book about Chaos Magic, But I feel like this book needs to be highlighted.

'Condensed Chaos', is not the first book about chaos magic. Heck! It's not even Phil Hines first book about chaos magic. So why choose this over his previous one? I think this one summons it up better and manages to cover a broader area in a shorter amount of space.

If there is any critique about this book, it is that it's highly theoretical, and not very practical. If you want actual exercises to work with, there are better books. But as a piece of information about the subject at hand; it is excellent.

Now. Some of you might have read this book before. I have. But I really recommend reading it again. If nothing else, re-read the first 3 chapter.
There is some really good pointers in there on how to avoid being an asshole when talking and thinking about magic. Something that I've myself have failed at more then once. There is also some really good tips on self-assessment, learning, and the attitudes towards practice.
I also like the fact that it covers some pitfalls like isolation, paranoia and obsession. This book is straight with the reader at all time and doesn't bullshit around some of the more sensitive subjects. And as I said earlier, it does a really good job summarizing a complex subject at the same time as it manages to be easy to read and understand.

https://www.amazon.com/Condensed-Chaos- ... 1935150669

Re: June Book Recommendation.

Posted: Fri Jul 22, 2016 9:33 pm
by LoneWolf
First of all thank you for this recommendation. I am currently expecting it with enthusiasm.

Let me say too that due to summer season and such, if anybody wishes to have it shipped fast home they should get it from another vendor. I purchased it from the link you gave the 13 of July and not only it hasn't shipped yet, but the ETA is August 19 - sept 9. My two cents ;)

Regards

Re: June Book Recommendation.

Posted: Fri Jul 22, 2016 9:47 pm
by Desecrated
LoneWolf wrote:First of all thank you for this recommendation. I am currently expecting it with enthusiasm.

Let me say too that due to summer season and such, if anybody wishes to have it shipped fast home they should get it from another vendor. I purchased it from the link you gave the 13 of July and not only it hasn't shipped yet, but the ETA is August 19 - sept 9. My two cents ;)

Regards
I'm so sorry. I always link to amazon because they usually send to all countries and have a reputation for being pretty painfree.

Re: June Book Recommendation.

Posted: Fri Jul 22, 2016 10:21 pm
by LoneWolf
No problem whatsoever Desecrated. Gives me the oportunity to do some magick [thumbup]

Re: June Book Recommendation.

Posted: Fri Aug 19, 2016 3:00 pm
by LoneWolf
"If something good is simple, twice good" This pretty much sums it up. The first three chapters as you did indicate are really what I needed to hear. Thank you.

About the book overall, I liked the practicallity and simplicity of it. This books deals in a simple manner with many concepts: Sigils, Servitors, Masks, Evocation, Invocation, etc. All of such terms are aproached in a very practical and down to earth manner.

Books from big Magus with big words help to impact oneself a great deal, they in my opinion fuel our fire within. However, books like this one, help integrate our more down to earth consciousness with magick. Important to keep our balance.

I would recommend this book to anybody wanting a simple and practical take on almost all fundamental chaos techniques. It is an easy read too.

Regards