QUOTE(Celisce @ Apr 6 2010, 05:48 PM)
I was just wondering if anyone could recommend any kind of useful books for me, as I am just getting to know about magic, the techniques, possibilities, etc. Basically, I know nothing about magic so I need a book that could teach, as well as lead me to a starting point. I think the right place to start would be with meditation, so I can become more aware of my mind and the energies surrounding me, but I am not sure.
"Magick" by Crowley. The "blue brick" edition is well worth the cover price. The same texts are available online (for free) but I prefer a hardcopy. Pay special attention to his syllabus, particularly Liber E and its reading list. This is not a quick-know-it-all book! Spend some time with this book as it is the foundation of Modern magic.
"Occult Philosophy" by Agrippa. There is a recent English edition by Donald Tyson. Much of this information is a re-print of Arabic lore presented for Europeans. This is the standard foundational work for Renaissance magic.
"Ceremonial Magic" by Waite. Here is what happens when a scholar of indisputable reputation examines books where everthing about them is disreputable and dubious. The books examined are the foundations of Medieval magic.
"Malleus Maleficarum" by Kramer & Sprenger
"Compendium Maleficarum" by Guazzo
"Demonolatry" by Remy
If you ever read anything else on "witchcraft," read these also.
"The Black Arts" by Ahmed. This is somewhat superficial, but since most of these historic tales are accounted in the other occult history texts, you might as well get a version that entertains as well as informs you. This ought to be considered an "appetizer" for other studies into the history of occult practices.
"Prince of Darkness" by Russell. There is no getting around the idea that magic etc is somehow connected to evil, devils, demons, Satan and so forth. Here is a concise version of the same author's larger (four-part) academic survey of worldwide historic beliefs in the devil.
That list, coupled with the 70+ books on Eastern and Western philosophy in the Liber E syllabus, ought to give you a very clear idea of magic from the perspective of those most influential in its practice. This isn't a quick paperback list obviously, and I think you ought to beware any such thing as the vast majority are derived in some way from the sources mentioned above. Everyone loves "Phantom of the Opera," but there is maybe more to learn from Puccini, you know?
This post has been edited by Imperial Arts: Apr 6 2010, 08:49 PM
Book Recommendations, For a beginner, eager to learn!
Celisce Book Recommendations Apr 6 2010, 06:48 PM
Apr 6 2010, 06:48 PM
