Occult & Divination - Occult

This is a source work of mediaeval magic that gives complete sets of zodiacal lames characters and planetary sigils with full details for their manufacture and consecration often omitted by later writers. Paracelsus is essentially concerned with the practical applications of magic especially with regard to healing rather than the extravagant fantasies of theorists. His sections on alchemy include details of the planetary spirits the conjuncture of the male and female principles and each step on the path to the Tincture - one of the most complete descriptions in the whole Hermetic canon. Paracelsus outlines techniques for the exorcism of evil spirits conjuration and counteracting witchcraft. Stephen Skinner's introduction provides a brief biography of Paracelsus and explains the influence of his work on the Western Mystery Tradition. Paracelsus (Philippus Aureolus Theophrastus Bombastus von Hohenheim) 1493-1541 was a Swiss physician who also gained magical knowledge from Johannes Trithemius Agrippa's teacher and was acquainted with the famous alchemist Solomon Trimosin (suthor of Splendor Solis). In his use of herbal remedies and principle of 'signatures' he could easily be credited as one of the fathers of modern pharmacology. His work had a major influence on John Dee Francis Barrett A E Waite and many others.

· Historical reprint in a subject area with a substantial esoteric and
occult interest
· Preface contains historical information that is new and revelatory
· Republished in French in 1997 but never before available in English

The first English translation of a famous esoteric work describing the workings of the Oracle of Astral Force, the secret divinatory system of the group known as the Polaires and giving clues to their origin, way of working and sources of inspiration. Alongside it is printed the first edition of the Polaire Bulletin, dated 9 May 1930—effectively the manifesto of the Polaires themselves—and a historical preface by Colum Hayward, outlining the history of the Polaires and of the two publications.

In 1929 there burst onto the esoteric scene in Paris a group that had been waiting for a decade to manifest publicly, the Polaires. Furnished with a mathematical oracle that they said gave them direct communication with the Masters in the Himalayas and a six-pointed Star symbol that offered a direction of true spiritual development, they sought to resurrect a long-lost Rosicrucian brotherhood and attracted journalists, poets and intellectuals. Among them were the gentle Maurice Magre, novelist and poet and the founder of the Traditionalist movement, Réné Guénon—who split from them, rejecting Theosophy and Spiritualism too. Magre wrote a book called The Return of the Magi, still popular today, and was a close friend of Otto Rahn, German author of The Crusade against the Grail and one of the most controversial figures in the 1930s because of his flirtation with the shadowy archaeology of Heinrich Himmler.

Published in Paris in 1929 to explain the working of the Oracle to the public, ASIA MYSTERIOSA is now translated into English for the first time. This translation brings to a new public a fascinating and neglected piece of the intellectual scene of the 1930s. It will be a welcome contribution to the studies of historians, cryptographers, Cabbalists and all seeking esoteric truth.

From its early origins to Thelma and Crowley's Golden Dawn involvement, this book is a good introduction to the historical aspect of occult studies..

Most of the occult studies focused on have western origins, so don't look for much detail of religions reaching the far east. The information builds off of itself and is compiled in a comprehensive manner, so it's better if you accept the book as a whole and don't just waste your time looking up the chapter on alchemy. Reading the whole work shows how the arts relate to each other.

Richard Cavendish was an Atheist, and that fact is critical to understanding this book.
As a secular person, Cavendish understood that the power of ritual was in its ability to focus attention and energy through the use of symbolic representations, and not in any alleged supernatural powers. This understanding is critical to Satanists and others seeking to use "low magic" (personal rituals) or "high magic" (public acts designed to create or direct opinions, attitudes, etc.). The ability to control others through the use of symbols (be they flags, images, words, religious icons or other objects) is a source of great power to the Satanist who understands the proper use and application of symbolic acts. Unlike Wiccans and other neo-pagans who make claims on par with other religions concerning their supposed "goodness", a "black magician" is honest enough to admit to himself (or herself in the case of a Witch) that the purposes of magic are to enhance one's own wealth, power, sex life, etc. and to bring about the destruction of opponents and those who would deny the needs and desires of a Satanist.

First published in Detroit in 1919, the legendary Blue Equinox was Crowley's first attempt to publicize the principles and aims of the magical secret society Ordo Templi Orientis (O.T.O.) and its allied order the A.'.A.'. In it, Crowley laid out the esoteric, social, ethical, and philosophical ideas that he believed provided the framework for a new ethics and the liberated morality of the future. Upon publication, the book was threatened with suppression by the authorities of the day. Many of the papers in the Blue Equinox anticipated social liberties we tend to take for granted today.

Blank journal, lines, 224 page, Hardcover Special varnish cover effects.

This book provides an exhaustive and comprehensive study of the lore and science of precious and semi-precious stones and crystals. Crystals have commanded the attention of thinkers, artists, mystics, magicians, astrologers, alchemists and all who appreciate beauty. Intimately and mysteriously formed in the fires of Earth's inner essence, what is the meaning of these exquisitely shaped and coloured gifts of the sacred bounty of Nature.

Occultist, Isidore Kozminsky, explores the use of precious and semi-precious stones in fields as far flung as healing and design, practical esoteric energy channeling and decoration, as well as in powerful magical talismans by which specific energies may be invoked and as artistic objects of great beauty.

Inspiring mythic tales are balanced with practical instructions and knowledge about the astrological sympathies of crystals and the energy work and healing properties associated with all the major categories of precious stones.

From Plato to Leonardo da Vinci, Kozminsky traces crystal lore through the researches of astrologers, magi, alchemists and Hermetic philosophers - all of whom explored the use of stones in the Universal Order and Harmony of the natural world.

This book is a reprint of his classic study, The Magic and Science of Jewels and Stones originally published in 1922.

Along with his written works, Aleister Crowley's legacy includes the organization he is credited with founding, the OTO or Ordo Templi Orientis-The Order of Oriental Templars. This book contains key introductory material to this contemporary occult society, along with a history of the Order after Crowley's death. The format of this edition matches that of the first Equinox series published with Crowley as editor and includes magical instruction, communications to OTO members, and original works of fiction and poetry. As part of this latter category, this book features an illustrated study of the works of underground filmmaker Kenneth Anger with a complete
filmography.

It could be argued that Aleister Crowley (1875-1947) anticipated the entire New Age phenomenon with his methods of teaching, codified in the tenets of the OTO. A rich melange of ritual magic, traditional spiritual practice, drug use, and sex, borrowing from many different cultures and traditions, informed the development of this lasting magical system.

Although he's been popularized (and demonized) as "The Beast, 666"� his teachings have shown lasting value.

Hermes the fascinating, mercurial messenger of the gods, eloquent revealer of hidden wisdom, and guardian of occult knowledge has played a central role in the development of esotericism in the West. Drawing upon many rare books and manuscripts, this highly illustrated work explores the question of where Hermes Trismegistus came from, how he came to be a patron of the esoteric traditions, and how the figure of Hermes has remained lively and inspiring to our own day.