Aleister Crowley and the Ouija Board [Paperback]

J. Edward Cornelius (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: November 1, 2005

Part fascinating history and part practical manual, this engaging guide takes the position that the Ouija Board is indeed as powerful as its detractors claim, revealing the dark secrets and hidden truths of this curious, enduring “game.”

Product Details

• Paperback: 172 pages
• Publisher: Feral House (November 1, 2005)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1932595104
• ISBN-13: 978-1932595109
• Product Dimensions: 8.4 x 5.4 x 0.5 inches
• Shipping Weight: 7.8 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (8 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #510,920 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

25 of 25 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Destined to be an occult classic, December 4, 2005

By 

Kenneth Robinson (USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

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This review is from: Aleister Crowley and the Ouija Board (Paperback)

It is appropriate that an important contribution to occult literature is to be found in a slim volume with an unassuming and quirky title.

The author presents sufficient theory and practice that will allow even a neophyte to access in a reasonably safe and suprisingly convenient manner the astral realms. Quite an accomplishment. But this is by no means only a book for beginners. Advanced practitioners (assuming they have an open mind) will find a great deal to ponder and benefit from in this volume. Anyone serious about magickal practice or even just magickal theory should acquire this book and consider its contents carefully. They will be well repaid for their efforts.

Aleister Crowley was the baddest of bad boys. He made great advancements in the magickal realm while sending shock waves through the clubby and largely ineffectual grade system of traditional occult fraternities, It is no small irony that the magickal orders that profess to be Thelemic are as full of pretentious poseurs as those that Crowley blasted with his extraordinary talent and application. I suspect that his book will not be well liked by those in authority in Crowleyian magickal orders. The author reveals too many secrets for comfort. I believe Crowley would have approved of this book that captures the spirit of authentic Thelemic magickal theory and practice.

17 of 19 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Magickal principles applied to the "talking board"., November 29, 2005

By 

Chuck Furnace "Love, LIGHT and Laughter," (Hartford, CT) - See all my reviews

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This review is from: Aleister Crowley and the Ouija Board (Paperback)

If your interest is strictly in the Ouija Board itself, the 1st 2 chapters will give you the history of the Board, the Game and it's media press. But this book is really about applying consistent control in all forms of divination to focus the type of Spirit called. Rather than repeat well worn (and well published) truisms, the author seems to have concentrated on what Aleister Crowley and his disciples actually DID, whether it was thru Tarot, Astrology, Ceremonial Magick or Enochian. The common factor was exerting their Will and concentration to calling forth specific Results. Remakable. 93 / 93 Chuck Furnace

13 of 15 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Relatively little-known Crowley divination is illuminated, December 15, 2006

By 

Ty Bevington "A Vate in the Cartomancy dept. ... (Columbus, OH) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Aleister Crowley and the Ouija Board (Paperback)

While the title sounds like a mystery novel or a "Made for TV Movie", the book is a dynamic powerhouse of this previously neglected part of Crowley's life. It details not only his personal use of the talking board, but also his willingness to teach responsible people how to use it with great effect and safety.

The book is written by, and largely for ceremonial magicians by Red Flame member, J. Edward Cornelius. While it is helpful for traditions outside of the OTO, it is tailored to be used in that magickal context and it's traditional methods. It is not an exposure of their practices, but rather how to plug that into traditions of the Golden Dawn, OTO, Gnostic Catholic Church, et al..it is not a book for conspiracy theorists!

The books one fault is that it takes a patronizing approach to Wicca and witchcraft throughout its contents. But by letting that go, it does give a very useful approach to using the board for spirit commincation, and makes clear the potential for harm that comes with the board. I highly reccomend it for Crowley fans, divination enthusist, and the witch and magician at large.