My Life W/the Spirits By Lon Milo Duquette Options

"In this text, Lon Milo DuQuette takes readers into the sometimes terrifying, sometimes hilarious world of the modern ceremonial magician. Laced with self-effacing humour, his confessions, insights, and profundities contain a body of technical information on magick."

Has anyone here read this book and willing to comment on its accuracy in the world of the ceremonial magician? There is much mention in the reviews I have read of the book being so funny and hilarious--but is it too much so?--is it realistic?

Thanks in advance.

it's a good book about a magicians life, but it's not a good book on learning how to be a better magician, IMO. I recommend it though as long as you don't expect much from it other than an entertaining read and a slight insight into working the goetia and enochian in a modern context. Be aware though, that he treats the goetics as aspects of the mind that can't hurt you, but I don't, and a lot of other people don't either, so most people have trouble with them, even if he doesn't. So research carefully before you try anything he's tried. After all, in the book he describes several mystical experiences he has had so he was already prepared to work with the goetics more than most beginners.

His description of working with enochian also shows how easy it is to become obsessed with any system, so be wary of that also. Regardie warned him to be careful, but he didn't listen and lost his job while trying to finish the enochian tablets.

it's a good book about a magicians life, but it's not a good book on learning how to be a better magician, IMO. I recommend it though as long as you don't expect much from it other than an entertaining read and a slight insight into working the goetia and enochian in a modern context. Be aware though, that he treats the goetics as aspects of the mind that can't hurt you, but I don't, and a lot of other people don't either, so most people have trouble with them, even if he doesn't. So research carefully before you try anything he's tried. After all, in the book he describes several mystical experiences he has had so he was already prepared to work with the goetics more than most beginners.

His description of working with enochian also shows how easy it is to become obsessed with any system, so be wary of that also. Regardie warned him to be careful, but he didn't listen and lost his job while trying to finish the enochian tablets.

That's ok--I, myself, am not a CM, but find their work fascinating as is working with spirits in general. In that the author treats the goetics as aspects of the mind that can't hurt you, etc.--is disappointing as I believe the opposite is true.

But in any event, thank you, everyone, for your replies.