Aleister Crowley's Illustrated Goetia: Sexual Evocation [Paperback]

Aleister Crowley (Author), Christopher S. Hyatt (Author), Lon Milo Duquette (Author), Peter Conte (Author), Daniel Pineda (Author), David P. Wilson (Illustrator)

Book Description

Publication Date: February 1, 2010

In 1904, Aleister Crowley commissioned, edited, and introduced an English translation of The Book of the Goetia of Solomon the King, the first of five magical texts known as the Lemegeton. Yet few have actually worked the system, believing one must conform blindly to the archaic procedures and long-winded conjurations of the original text. But Crowley s attitude toward the Goetia appears to have been different. His masterful expansion and perfection of the Preliminary Invocation of the Goetia is a prime example.

This new edition of the Goetia features an introduction explaining Goetic Magick. Goetia refers to all the operations of that Magick which deals with gross, malignant or unenlightened forces. Goetia is sometimes thought of as a wild card, something that can get out of control, something which expresses the operator's lower desires to control others and improve his own personal life. And, in fact, this potential loss of control, this danger, the desire for self-improvement and great power is exactly what attracts many people to the Goetia while horrifying and repelling others. Crowley's Goetia is brought to life by David P. Wilson with vivid illustrations of the Goetic demons, while Lon Milo DuQuette and Christopher S. Hyatt bring the ancient art of Goetic Magick to life in the modern day. Christopher Hyatt joined with Lon Milo DuQuette and David P. Wilson to glean extraordinary magical and philosophical treasures from this most misunderstood subject.

Editorial Reviews

Review

Unambiguous. Cuts through the superfluous and gets right to what is necessary. --N. Mara-McKay (aka Psyche), Spiral Nature

A very modern, practical approach. A book well worth studying. --Baelder Magazine

Extremely disturbing. --David Carrico, Christian Broadcasting Network

A very modern, practical approach. A book well worth studying. --Baelder Magazine

Extremely disturbing. --David Carrico, Christian Broadcasting Network --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

About the Author

Aleister Crowley (1875-1947), also known as 'The Great Beast' and the 'Wickedest Man in the World,' was one of the most profound students of Magick, Qabalah and Yoga. His vast influence reaches through all modern occultism. He is widely recognized as the first Western investigator to give initiation a truly scientific method. In reconciling occultism to physical science, mathematics and philosophy, Crowley achieved a lasting synthesis that remains unsurpassed for depth of insight and comprehensiveness.

Christopher S. Hyatt, Ph.D., was trained in both psycho-physiology and clinical psychology, and he practiced as a Psychotherapist for many years. His numerous books explore Psychology, Sex, Tantra, Tarot, and Western Magick.

David P. Wilson, a writer, artist and a life-long student and practitioner of Magick and Tantra, also worked as a professional psychic, much sought after for his accuracy.

Lon Milo DuQuette is the author of numerous books on Magick, Qabalah, Tarot, and other Occult subjects. He is the co-author with Christopher S. Hyatt of several other New Falcon titles.

Peter Conte read Tarot cards for many years at the Magickal Childe Bookstore in New York City. He remains the living embodiment of the Shop's unapologetic motto--"Hard Core New Age."

Daniel Pineda is an author whose contributions to magical literature will soon become more familiar. A practitioner of the Western Magical Tradition, he is a talented Martial Artist and devotee of Liberty.

Product Details

• Paperback: 254 pages
• Publisher: New Falcon Publications; Third edition (February 1, 2010)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1561840483
• ISBN-13: 978-1561840489
• Product Dimensions: 8.4 x 5.4 x 0.6 inches
• Shipping Weight: 12 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (30 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #231,245 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

26 of 27 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Based on Crowley's Goetia..., February 1, 2004

By 

Psyche (spiralnature.com) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Aleister Crowley's Illustrated Goetia: Sexual Evocation (Paperback)

`What Goetia is - is the releasing of yourself from your won fears and illusions by direct confrontation.' (pg 10)

According to tradition, the Goetia is the first book in the <I>Lemegaton</I> attributed to Solomon the King, though likely compiled by a host of authors. Goetic evocation deals with the summoning of the seventy-two lesser spirits and demons. In this edition, based on Crowley's <I>Goetia</I>, DuQuette and Hyatt strip away all unnecessary trappings and cut through most of the `fooltraps' designed to dissuade less astute practitioners.

Traditionally, Goetic evocation calls for strict observance of many details, such as the correct ritual hours, lengthy calls, and an inordinate amount of ceremonial trappings. The authors tell the reader what one can safely do away with, and what can be altered as preference dictates. However, there are some items that the authors do believe are required for the successful (and safer) evocation of the Goetic spirits, including a list of `must haves' with detailed explanations and personal anecdotes as to why they are necessary. Noting `that there is absolutely no necessity (nor particular advantage) to blindly conforming with the Conjuration scripts of the ancient texts. The Spirits are no more impressed of you say "thee" and "thine" than they are if you say "you" and "yours".' (pg 45)

Goetic spirits `will work for anyone who knows how to use them. This is one of the horrors people attribute to Goetic workings. You "don't have to be respectable" for Goetia to work for you. Unlike other magical workings there is no implication that the operator has to be "good" and "holy" to achieve results. This idea in itself violates our model of "right" and "wrong", "just" and "unjust". In the Goetic world like in the real world the "bad" can and do prosper. Thus our belief in the moral orders of the Universe appears violated by the simple existence of Spirits who will do the bidding of anyone.' (pg 14)

Though they will work for anyone, the authors caution that one `must be completely convinced that your demands are absolutely justified. (And don't think we are invoking the great demon "morality" here. An <I>unnecessary</I> motive is an <I>unworthy</I> motive - pure and simple). When you are truly justified in your demands then you have the momentum of the entire universe behind you.' (pg 37)

Further cautioning and confirming that `yes, they are dangerous,' DuQuette and Hyatt explain that `while they remain unmastered they can surface unbidden and wreak all havoc modern psychology blames on "things hidden in the subconscious mind".' (pg 24) As well as a few delightfully thrilling personal anecdotes.

There are a few changes, namely the elimination of lengthy calls in preference for Thelemic invocations from <I>Liber Samech</I> by Crowley, Enochian calls, etc. As well, `for the convenience of the modern reader' the authors have translated information regarding each of the seventy-two Goetic spirits into modern understanding and Crowleyan associations, and `where obvious, returned certain Spirits to their original gender.' (pg 43)

Sketches accompany each of the seventy-two spirits, illustrated by artist-clairvoyant David P. Wilson, a practicing Goetic magickian. `Over a period of 15 years, he has evoked each of the Spirits at least once...But it is very important for you to remember that, because no two people have the same visual-emotional "vocabulary", the images of the Goetic universe will be unique to each of us.' The authors caution the reader not to `think that these sketches are what you <I>must</I> see when evoking any particular Spirit,' instead explaining that `they are intended to serve only as springboards to your imagination.' (pg 72)

Though with such a short section on sex magick, I don't know that it really deserves the `Sexual Evocation' subtitle as there are really only a few pages on it at the rear of the text.

Aimed at those actually interested in actually practicing magick rather than simply reading about it, it gives unambiguous description of what tools are required and the methods of evocation and, briefly, of sexual invocation, cutting through the superfluous and get right to what is necessary. An excellent introduction to Goetic magick as Crowley practiced it.

29 of 32 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars CROWLEY-DUQUETTE-HYATT, an Unholy Trinity, January 11, 2002

By 

Renus Hyena - See all my reviews

This review is from: Aleister Crowley's Illustrated Goetia: Sexual Evocation (Paperback)

Aleister Crowley was called a black magician and the "wickedest man in the world." He was also called a holy-man, prophet, and Logos of the Aeon. In either case, he was the most brilliant and prolific philosopher magicians of the 20th Century. His greatest failing (if you can call it a failing) was the fact that he wrote as if he expected his readers were as educated, brilliant, and insightful as he. (He also mistakenly thought they could all figure out when he was kidding.)

I'm no dummy, and it took me several years, lots of reference books, and a good deal of spiritual courage before I could begin to appreciate Crowley and his works. Helping to light my way through the dark tangles of Crowleyana were two books that were amazingly easy to understand, THE ENOCHIAN WORLD OF ALEISTER CROWLEY, and ALEISTER CROWLEY'S ILLUSTRATED GOETIA. These little gems were written with the expressed purpose of making Crowley's works on Enochian and Goetic magick comprehensible and usable.

I don't know what gods conspired to bring Lon Milo Duquette and Christopher S. Hyatt, Ph.D together as a writing team, but I thank them. Both these gentlemen are prolific authors and famous in their own right, (just search their names on Amazon.com). Together with Crowley, however, they become an Unholy Trinity of modern magick.

If you would actually like to perform magick instead of just reading about it, read both these little books now. Do I sound impressed? I am.

23 of 26 people found the following review helpful:

2.0 out of 5 stars Very dissapointing, June 19, 2005

By 

R. Todish (Marquette, MI) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Aleister Crowley's Illustrated Goetia: Sexual Evocation (Paperback)

I bought this book here on Amazon because of its cover and description but had I thumbed through its pages in a bookstore then I never would have bought it.

144 pages of its 236 total pages are very primitive illustrations and the seal of the individual spirit. Even those only take up half a page each. I would say that well over 60% of this book is just padding.

Other than the few pages that describe the evocation of Orobas I would say that this book stinks and that there is nothing new or useful in it for anybody who has any of the key of solomon texts.