This is a book that few have heard of
and even fewer (due to its’ unnecessarily controlled availability) have
read. This work is heavily influenced by
Crowley and the Khemetic-Judaic school of the Order of the Golden Dawn. We are
presented with a fusion of ceremonial magick and Witchcraft at ratio of three
to one and as such, interest in this book is more likely to lie with those
whose primary interest is the ceremonial path, rather than the craft. The work
can be seen in the light of being an attempt to introduce some good old
fashioned Paganism back into ceremonial magick.
Although this is certainly something that may need to be done, it is a
matter of debate as to whether this book goes far enough or whether this was a
conscious or unconscious objective of the author.
This work is regarded by some to be a
masterpiece and like all such works, is therefore flawed. However, I am inclined to take a different
view. Although this is certainly a decent
enough book and is certainly well written in parts, it is not the great work we
are lead to believe. There is I feel a
danger for the unwise reader of falling into the trap of the “Emperors’ new
clothes” and believing the hype without questioning it first. The style of
writing is remarkably contradictory, ranging from being puerile in its’
pretension to displaying beautifully mature prose. The work also lacks a suitable commentary and
is not referenced at all. This
unfortunately limits its’ basis for further study. The rituals although displaying creativity, may
require editing to remove the more impractical elements; in an attempt to grasp
the fundamental arte that lies at the core of the work. Whatever that may be. This
book should be read critically and seen for what it is, a volume on
contemporary sorcery and one full of contradiction. A classic perhaps but without doubt, an
overrated one.
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