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scolman Elite user Cape Town, South Africa 456 Posts |
I am looking for a comprehensive book on the history of the occult. I am interested in particular of the roles played by Levi, Crowley, Blavatsky.
Can anyone suggest something? Thanks, Simon |
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kaytracy Inner circle Central California 1793 Posts |
Not sure there is any one comprehensive book, but there are several sources online to look into.
Llewellyn is a good start, Twilit Grotto Hermetics Library are a few places you might google up and look into. k
Kay and Tory
www.Bizarremagick.com |
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Bill Ligon Inner circle A sure sign of a misspent youth: 6437 Posts |
Try "The Rebirth of Magic," by Francis King and Isabel Sutherland, as well as some other books by Francis King.
Also, for Crowley, "The Eye in the Triangle," by Israel Regardie. There are some others about Crowley, some good and some very bad, but Regardie knew Crowley and was, in fact, his personal secretary for some time. I may have some more, but I have to run.
Author of THE HOLY ART: Bizarre Magick From Naljorpa's Cave. NOW IN HARDCOVER! VIEW: <BR>www.lulu.com/content/1399405 ORDER: http://stores.lulu.com/naljorpa
<BR>A TASSEL ON THE LUNATIC FRINGE |
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T-RAY Inner circle 1539 Posts |
Look for Man,Myth, and Magic......it's a series of 25 or so books on the supernatural and includes info on all those you mentioned (I bought my set for $100) and much more. You can easily find info on the internet without the expense.
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Bill Ligon Inner circle A sure sign of a misspent youth: 6437 Posts |
Migosh! I didn't even think of "Man, Myth and Magic." Yes, it is a wonderful series (which I don't own). T-Ray, I'm envious.
Other suggestions: "Magic and the Supernatural," Bessy, Maurice (translated from the French). "The Encyclopedia of Magic and Witchcraft," Greenwood, Susan. "The Occult and the Supernatural," (anon.) Published by Octopus.
Author of THE HOLY ART: Bizarre Magick From Naljorpa's Cave. NOW IN HARDCOVER! VIEW: <BR>www.lulu.com/content/1399405 ORDER: http://stores.lulu.com/naljorpa
<BR>A TASSEL ON THE LUNATIC FRINGE |
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George Ledo Magic Café Columnist SF Bay Area 3042 Posts |
Well, there's always The History of Magic by Eliaphas Levi, which is fine as long as you have lots of coffee available.
The problem I've always found with some of these books is that the historical aspect (like, what really happened when) gets mixed in with the theoretical, to the point where fact and fiction overlap. If you want to put things into perspective, there's always Joseph Campbell.
That's our departed buddy Burt, aka The Great Burtini, doing his famous Cups and Mice routine
www.georgefledo.net Latest column: "Sorry about the photos in my posts here" |
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Caspar Veteran user Tacoma 316 Posts |
Agrippas Three Books on Occult Philosophy (or is it four?) may also be a good place to look. Even contains Magic Squares.
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scolman Elite user Cape Town, South Africa 456 Posts |
Thanks for all the input.
Has anyone heard of "The Occult" by Colin Wilson? he seems to have done quite a bit to piece together the various contributions made by the likes of Crowley and Blavatsky etc. I am not really looking for the writings themselves of Levi and Agrippa, I want to research more about the individuals themselves. I don't mind if fact and fiction overlap as I am merely putting myself in a position where more convincing storylines can be created for my bizarre presentations. Simon |
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Bill Ligon Inner circle A sure sign of a misspent youth: 6437 Posts |
Colin Wilson's book, "The Occult," is an interesting book and has a lot of information. It has been a while since I read the book, so I don't remember how much is history. I'll have to look at it again, however my copy fell apart and is held together by a rubber band. Another (smaller) good book by Colin Wilson is "Frankenstein's Castle."
George Ledo mentions Eliphas Levi's "The History of Magic," but obviously it won't contain information regarding more recent persons. It is an important book but not a particularly enjoyable read. Contact the Theosophical Society for information regarding Blavatsky. There is a lot of information about her, and she was an interesting woman. You might want to take a look at Samuel Liddell MacGregor Mathers, one of the founders of the Golden Dawn with W. Wynn Westcott. A very biased source, critical of the Golden Dawn, is Ellic Howe's "The Magicians of the Golden Dawn." The book has a lot of information, but much should be taken with a huge dose of salt. George also mentions the books of Joseph Campbell, which everyone should read.
Author of THE HOLY ART: Bizarre Magick From Naljorpa's Cave. NOW IN HARDCOVER! VIEW: <BR>www.lulu.com/content/1399405 ORDER: http://stores.lulu.com/naljorpa
<BR>A TASSEL ON THE LUNATIC FRINGE |
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M. Perk Loyal user Hilton Head Island 292 Posts |
Harper's Encyclopeda of Mystical and Paranormal Experience was available from Barnes and Noble a few years ago. You might want to check their site. Great book.
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T-RAY Inner circle 1539 Posts |
If you're on this site, you must have a computer........who needs books? There is so much information on these things on the internet. Just type in any name you need info on.
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scolman Elite user Cape Town, South Africa 456 Posts |
Thanks all,
T-Ray, you are right about the internet however, my magic room (in a cellar under the house) has some bookshelves that prefer old hardcover books with fine binding rather than printed sheets. I must be old fashioned but I still prefer books that I can physically page through. They also help create a great ambience in the room. Bill, I will look into the books by George Ledo. Simon |
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Bill Ligon Inner circle A sure sign of a misspent youth: 6437 Posts |
Oops, Scolman, George Ledo is a member here. He mentioned Eliphas Levi and Joseph Campbell books.
Author of THE HOLY ART: Bizarre Magick From Naljorpa's Cave. NOW IN HARDCOVER! VIEW: <BR>www.lulu.com/content/1399405 ORDER: http://stores.lulu.com/naljorpa
<BR>A TASSEL ON THE LUNATIC FRINGE |
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T-RAY Inner circle 1539 Posts |
Scolman, you are not old fashioned! As a matter of fact, if you saw my house, you would know that we have the same passion.....I can't walk passed my bed because the books are stacked so high AND fill 5 book shelves and a 6 ft. secret closed book shelf.........
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scolman Elite user Cape Town, South Africa 456 Posts |
Quote:
On 2005-12-28 23:16, Bill Ligon wrote: Ha, too early here in South Africa Bill. I should've followed the discussion more avidly. I see George's post now. Simon |
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Bill Ligon Inner circle A sure sign of a misspent youth: 6437 Posts |
I, too, MUCH prefer real books. I hate trying to read off a computer screen, and printouts leave much to be desired. I have book cases full and stacks of books, too. My office or den or whatever you would call it contains three things: my computer, my books and my magic stuff. When I moved to Tampa I had to get rid of a lot of books and it was like losing part of myself. I even gave away a complete set of the Harvard Classics (that I got at a garage sale for $5.00, but it still broke my heart). I am a sucker for book sales and I can't pass a bookstore without going in -- then I always spend more than I plan to and usually more than I can afford. My wife can't understand why I keep them after I read them. At least I know there are others with the same affliction.
Author of THE HOLY ART: Bizarre Magick From Naljorpa's Cave. NOW IN HARDCOVER! VIEW: <BR>www.lulu.com/content/1399405 ORDER: http://stores.lulu.com/naljorpa
<BR>A TASSEL ON THE LUNATIC FRINGE |
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George Ledo Magic Café Columnist SF Bay Area 3042 Posts |
Quote:
On 2005-12-28 23:38, scolman wrote: 'sokay, guys, I think scolman may have been looking into his crystal ball and seen some years into the future... Don't I wish...
That's our departed buddy Burt, aka The Great Burtini, doing his famous Cups and Mice routine
www.georgefledo.net Latest column: "Sorry about the photos in my posts here" |
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John Smetana ???? - 2009 499 Posts |
You may also want to consider finding a copy of "Behind The Crystal Ball" by Anthony Aveni.Subtitled- Magic, Science and The Occult From Antiquity Through The New Age, this book provides an excellent overview ranging from The Kabbalah to UFO's and everything in between. Really a terrific book.
All the best, John |
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scolman Elite user Cape Town, South Africa 456 Posts |
I've bought books purely on the aesthetics of the binding. Just because they are the best decor a magician can have in his magic room.
I just got given a copy of one of Madame Blavatsky's books, a first edition 1895 collectors item. I haven't read it yet but it seems to have a character all its own. I sometimes think old books retain not only the thoughts of the authors but also something of the various owners. Probably a crock, but makes good material for an effect, don't you think........? Quote:
On 2005-12-29 00:18, Bill Ligon wrote: |
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ClouDsss Inner circle 1799 Posts |
Quote:
On 2005-12-29 10:44, scolman wrote: Mind if I ask what happened with the old book that led you to think that it has a character of its own?
Think outside the box, cos people are all thinking inside now!! - ClouDsss
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