Customer Reviews

Ancient Egyptian Divination and Magic

5 star:		(3)
4 star:		(6)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(3)

 

 

I have studied Egyptology for 27 years. This is the first and only book that offers a complete how-to guide for the ancient practice of divination and magic. It's not a New Age smo0ke and mirrors book..... the spells and divination information is taken directly from ancient scriptures. The text is footnoted. The author did her research and condensed the information in an easy-to-read how-to guide. I have dozens of more scholarly books and most do not contain the divination information found in this little number. I have referred to this book over and over again. It is easy to read for beginners and offers easy reference for us old-time armchair Egyptologists.

I had the opportunity to browse through this book before buying. It is not a book for scholars, but definitely of interest to armchair ancient Egyptian enthusiasts. The author presented some magical spells and instruction that I had never read about previously. I enjoyed reading how oil lamps, mathematics, and easy to make tools were used and could be used today. It was refreshing to read something new rather than the repeated use of amulets most other books offer. The author took spells from various papyrus and condensed them into an instructional how-to format that is geared toward a beginner. Its easy reading for someone learning about ancient Egypt and the magic practiced then. If you want to learn about ancient Egyptian magic and how to practice it today this book is a must.

This book is the best source for instructions of how to practice ancient Egyptian divination and magic that I've ever read. It is excellent. The author provides detailed how to instructions for making authentic ancient Egyptian clothing, amulets, and more. The emphasis is purely on divination and magic, so you may want additional books about religion. I've nearly worn out my copy! I love it! You won't be disappointed.

This book focused on the basic interests of life and how they were addressed magically. I appreciated not having to decide on whether to find and do obscure things. The book gave a clear insight to how power was raised and manifested. Translations of spells are included. The ancients were a no- holds barred type of people. They were uninhibited by our present day ethics. If they wanted it and needed it, so be it! Of course their lives were shorter, and they did not have time to dally around with the concept of karma. Life was for living and they got the most out of their magic. This is not for the faint hearted practictioner. On the other hand, historically, it shows how we have changed, for better or worse in our practices. I like to think that we have evolved into beings that go only where it will serve them best. It also explains, through example how intense the dieties of old were to the people and magicians.

after reading the rewiews and ordering the book, i waited the worst. however, this book wasn't that bad, but... the egyptians were very dedicated to the gods, and that is the first "wrong" here...the author just says what goddess/god would be nice to the thatandthat work, and that's all. the list at the end of the book is too small. well, i can understand that, because listing all known goddesses (or gods) would take too much pages, but still... it is nice to notice that the writer tries to mix high and low magic, but she didn't say that...she also says that casting the circle or other protecting shield isn't needed, and what could be worse? protecting yourself is always good idea! there are so many parts what the author should rewrite, but because this is - after all - one of the only practical books about egyptian magic, i'll give to this book 4 stars... this is nice to beginners, and i'd like to say to my last words that don't forget to research any other information. egyptian magic is one subject what cannot be told just in one book. =)

This is a very good book.yet still, one can understand those who criticise
it because people have different expectations.i would say however,do not be dissuaded from buying the book because you might just love it as i do.
And just remember,''you cannot please all of the people all of the time.'' so find out for yourself.

This is a very good book as a source of information, but what is lacking is the pictures or diagrams to show just how to go about making the items discussed. Also things are just mentioned or suggested, nothing is organized into a finally structure, but still packed full of very good information, I'd consider this a good suppliment to have to other books on Ancient Egyptian Magic.

This was one book I'm glad the ex-wife got in the divorce (though she tried to sneak it in my stuff). The people who have rated this book so highly obviously have gotten their knowledge from Llewellyn and other 4th hand internet sources. I have been an avid researcher and practitioner in ancient Egyptian magic (heka) for 10 years, and found nothing of note in this book. She took most of her research from the public domain works by E A Wallis Budge, who's conclusions have been long debunked, and the Leyden Papyrus, a graeco-roman period text that really is almost opposite of how the more traditional magical texts read. The author obviously has no idea what ancient Egyptian magical practices really were like, as obvious with her suggesting of filling your walls with hieroglyphs you feel partial to, putting a nemes on your head (these were only worn by the pharaoh), and waving around an ankh (strictly only borne by the gods) and holding the crook and flail (symbols of the divine kingship, not heka). Anyone who really wants to learn about ancient Egyptian magic would be better to read Magic in Ancient Egypt or The Mechanics of Ancient Egyptian Magical Practice (Studies in Ancient Oriental Civilization) (The Oriental Institute of the University of Chicago). If these books are too hard for you to read, you would be better off going back to your Llewellyn Wicca fluff magic, because the forces of heka are beyond your control.

i'd say this is a good book, set up well, organized, lots of good information, went well into ancient forms of divination, i would have liked to see more about altar set up and less of "ancient spells and formulas" other than that i like it..will keep it..that's saying alot

i don't really have a lot to say. i just want to say that this book was very helpful and informative. if i could go back in time and either save the money i spent on the book or buy the book again, i would buy the book.