Customer Reviews

Applied Magic

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Dion Fortune has used her very rich, and illustrative discriptions once more, to help the aspirant in the magical arts. One draw-back though: It never ceases to amaze me, how bigotted she gets, every single time in her repeatative "Left hand path". She tends to assign homosexuals to it. There is a lot of invalueble information and practical technics. This is why the Sorrora Deo Non Fortuna, (as she was reffered to in the Alpha et Omega fraction of the Society of the Golden Dawn)could always be forgiven, however victorian her expressions..."Applied Magic" is a must-have classic book, for anyone interested in practical occultism. For anyone who wishes to serve the devine with high magic, this is one of the best guides available.

I have just read this book. Overall it is not up to quality of The Occult Philosophy of Love and Marriage which is also a collection of essays as well as Aspects of Occultism. The value of this compilation is that of certain parts of articles that deal with some details which are by necessity excluded from her major works like The Cosmic Doctrine or Mystical Qabbalah. If this collection is read alongside these books then you will receive some necessary distillation and application of Fortune's occult science.

Dion Fortune is a very neglected occult author where I hail from in the states. In fact Fortune may be the "red headed step child" of the occult. This has always saddened me, while I do not agree with all thing that she has to say, her works cover material that other occult authors tend to avoid, out of ignorance of the subject or otherwise. That said I shall proceed with my review.

"Applied Magic" is a collection of articles relating to various occult beliefs and practices. I find it to be a superb work, when taking the time period that the articles were written in into context. First and foremost I give the utmost praise for Fortune's fantastic article on the group mind. The idea of the group mind, and indeed working with it, is a very important part of any occult grouping of people. The understanding of this entity should be at the top of any magically working group's priorities. That alone is worth picking up this work for, as it is a much neglected subject in the occult world. I can also see the value of her article on the three "kinds of reality," when looking at the article through the lens of my own practice. One issue that I have is her definition of "black magic" though others will have less problem with this as their own definitions of the same will be undoubtedly similar. All in all I recommend that students of the occult pick up a copy of this book. It does well to read the articles in it over and over during the course of one's magical practice, as they tend to shed light on subjects that one may get involved in.

What to say...Personally I feel dissapointed after reading this book.

Dion talked about the basic concepts of many topics. The group mind, the power of ritual, what she beliefs is truth when dealing with spirits/dead people and the likes. It's not to the point and it babbles on and on and on. Then when it does get interesting for me she shuts it of saying it would be to indepth and complex to mention it. Very frustrating.

I did like how she talked about groups such as covens and self made types on page 79. It felt so familiar. The unrest in the group makes them think they're attacked by other groups. This I experienced myself with a group whome believed they were under attack by OTO mages from the future. Well I left them a.s.a.p.

In my eyes this book is interesting for people who just started to explore this area of life, but for people who have been doing it for quite some time this is not worth giving time.

applied magic is a selection of Dion Fortune`s writings on the practical applications of magical and esoteric techniques.this edition includes a glossary that defines terms used in the study of the western mystery.tradition when she was teaching her group in London, a new introduction by Gareth Knight, and an index.