Customer Reviews

Aleister Crowley And the Practice of the Magical Diary

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Aleister Crowley penned "John St. John" as an antidote to claims that the practice of magic necessarily involved long periods of seclusion, preparation and meditation. This diary demonstrates how one can achieve the same ends without renouncing mundane life, making it an invaluable case study for anyone contemplating a Great Magical Retirement. Paired with the diary of his star pupil, Charles Stansfeld Jones, this compilation from The Equinox is a primer on how to keep a magical record...a fundamental practice in Crowley's scientific illuminism. Mr. Wasserman's articulate annotations illuminate the more obscure or cryptic entries, and the humorous culinary glossary alone is worth the price of admission. Aleister Crowley And the Practice of the Magical Diary is an indispensible resource for all students of magick.

while most of the material contained can be found for free online, I would still encourage anyone interested in ceremonial magick, and especially those interested in Thelema & Aleister Crowley, to pick up this book. The practice of the magickal diary is vital, no matter your personal Path.

If the title sounds familiar, it's because Aleister Crowley and the Practice of the Magical Diary has appeared before - but this revised, expanded edition is a top pick for any adept or student who wants a sampling of texts drawn from Volumes 1 and III of Crowley's impressive The Equinox. Here are step-by-step methods and descriptions which includes John Street John and A Master of the Temple from the original - perfect for occult students.

Diane C. Donovan
California Bookwatch

Much of this book has been reprinted from older sources, mainly The Equinox vol 1 and vol 3, and yet it is definitely worth having and owning in this format.

First, Crowley's 'John St John' diary is fascinating on every level, a portrait not only of the magician but also of a most unusual man trying to draw the best out of himself in an intensive, short sliver of time; this is directly contrasted with Charles Stansfield Jones' 'Master of the Temple,' which extends over more than a year during which he was isolated physically, financially, and spiritually in Canada, his original mentor came and quit, and his family was confined to a tent. And yet, as annotated by Crowley, one sees what immersion in one's Work is like.

Second, Wasserman's outstanding extended introduction is important reading in its own right. He discusses the use of the diary, how Crowley approached it and how its maintenance is taught, and why it is important.

Third, also included in the book are a series of appendices, from the frivolous (a compendium of the french food Crowley referenced in JSJ) to the sublime (Crowley's exercise program for neophytes, with standards to meet).

If the purpose of the book is to refocus the reader on his own Work, to relight the fire for immersion in one's own meditation exercise, it certainly hits the mark.

An obviously underrated little masterpiece that needs to be resurrected and praised for what it is: a highly useful and user-friendly tool for the mind to awaken consciousness, hone mental skills and integrate the mystical experience to the betterment of your life.

There's a nice balance between methodology and subjective impression, satisfying both the scientist and the artist.

Wasserman does an excellent job of framing the elegantly twisted words of Crowley to the effect of creating lasting impressions
and tasty morsels of knowledge that spice up the brain and heart.

Buy it and use it!

An indispensable source for information on the Magical Diary. From the Master Therion's own, "John St. John", to Frater Acahd's own, "Master of the Temple" this book give a detailed account of the style and tone in which one can approach when writing the Magical Diary. No one since has done more for Magick and this is evidence of that fact.