Customer Reviews

The Aquarius Key: A Novel of the Occult

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

 

 

Upon meeting Keith Rowley, one cannot help being struck by his alertness, articulacy, and alacrity. He is a pragmatic, no-nonsense person, a good engineer, a successful businessman, and probably the last person one would associate with a novel of the occult. He doesn't keep a goat's head in the fridge (at least, I don't think he does), nor does he creep around at night wearing a hood with holes and sucking the blood of virgins. So where does this fascinating, sometimes frightening and shocking, book come from?

Despite the health warnings on the cover (words such as `Novel' and `Fiction'), Rowley admits that The Aquarius Key is `not wholly a work of fiction'. Does that mean that his descriptions of satanic rape, magical mind control, and astral travel are based on personal experience? I should be surprised if that were so, although he quite clearly takes a keen interest in the possibility of such things; if truth be told, so do most of us. However, Aleister Crowley - once described as the wickedest man in the world - was very real, and The Aquarius Key draws on the little that is known of this enigmatic character and his work for its key theme: he was the prophet chosen to usher in the new age of Aquarius, an alternative or successor to Abraham, Moses, Jesus, Mohammed, or even Joseph Smith.

There is another way in which this book overlaps definitions: the extensive and informative appendices at the back of the book, which address issues such as `Magick' and the limits of science, the life and legacy of Aleister Crowley, `Magickal' theory, elementary cabbala (Rowley spells it with a `Q'), Tarot, and other esotericisms, lend the flavour of an academic paper to an otherwise entertaining yarn. Which is it to be: a story or a lecture? As it is, it is a mishmash of both: a tale that attempts both to educate and to entertain, as well as a thesis that masquerades as science. Not even Dan Brown presumed that he could make The Da Vinci Code into such an improbable creature.

Rowley's best writing is reserved for the appendices. That is not to say that his story is poorly written, but rather that I suspect that the reader is meant to treat it more seriously than he or she would a late-night horror movie. Rowley argues that, since the average person has insufficient education to interpret or understand science, he or she is forced into `believing' science, as they would religion or the paranormal. It's a compelling argument, although I suspect he is mistaken in ignoring the possibility that most people `believe', not in science, but in the rigorousness of the scientific method, which keeps scientists honest in the withering crossfire of peer review and continual, Popperian attempts at falsification.

What should I recommend, then? The story is gripping, drawing on our human susceptibility to irrational fears, the very things that give breath and life to our major religions. Those who find a thrill in the possibility of a conspiracy of secret, mysterious, and powerful world leaders beyond the ken of the ordinary political elite will have much to think about. Appropriately, the dominant colours of this novel are dark - grey, midnight blue, and mahogany - and the feelings it invokes are similarly gloomy. After reading it, I was forced to reconsider my opinion of the occult, as well as wonder whether there really was anything to Rowley's implication that, with sufficient practice, we too could access the long-lost, frightening powers of our deep psyche. I made a nice cup of tea, walked into the sun, had a quiet lie down, and soon felt better.

Sue and Bill Williams live normal contented lives: Sue is a handsome woman in love with her husband, and Bill, a successful, hard-driving businessman. In the blink of an eye, everything changes. They are thrown into a reality where they come face-to-face with true evil. People they've known and trusted for years suddenly become their greatest peril--and neither of them would have ever guessed that they would play an integral role in bringing evil into their world. Bill not only discovers that an occult group is responsible for this madness, but that his brother Peter is part of it all.

I never give the 5-medallion rating easily; however every blue moon you come across a book that just knocks your socks off for the quality of writing and the complexity and magnetism of the story. I've stumbled onto one right here. The Aquarius Key is in my opinion, the technical standard to which all self-published authors should aspire. The writing is clean and as sharp as a blade and the story tight and cohesive, with that incredible pull that makes you wish your day would go faster so you can go home and read it some more.

There are some scenes of a violent sexual nature in this book, as well as other themes that are appropriate for adult readers only. This book touches on the darker nature of the occult and esoteric practices that may not be palatable to certain people. I will openly admit that many parts of this book just screeched right over the top of my head; I claim no great knowledge of the esoteric practices, nor do I pretend to understand it all in great depth; however the well-researched glimpses Mr. Rowley paints of the ceremonies and teachings of Kabbalah and magic were vivid and enlightening. He showed with credibility what a fine line it can be between good and evil, using fiction, history, science and fact in a graceful dance of words.

Keith Rowley introduces the reader to the dark history of Aleister Crowley, to the Thelemic texts, and to the darker side of the practices. He follows the spiritual schooling of a young Peter throughout the book, giving his reader a cursory edification into the practices of magic. It was fascinating but the flow of information was a bit overwhelming at times, which is the only criticism I have of this book.

I give The Aquarius Key five medallions. It is an excellent read; and I recommend it to anyone who likes an intelligently presented novel and a thrilling, hair-raising story.

Well written, just a bit darker than I was thinking it would be. More of a "Rosemary's Baby" thing than an enjoyable jaunt into the occult, but well researched. Probably the best part of the book is the appendix at the end - thoughtful and balanced.

Author Keith Rowley wastes no time playing the first of many Hitchcockian cards in this masterpiece of occult literary fiction. On page one, svelte, blonde, thirty-eight-year-old Sue Williams is window shopping on a beautiful sunny day. On page two, a man with "unfathomable eyes of naked darkness" and a cold smile envelopes her thoughts with his thoughts before maneuvering her into a waiting taxi.

Later, she tells her husband Bill she was mugged. Her blackmailer has pictures of what really happened, threatens to expose her if she talks, and is soon demanding a greater act of betrayal. So here it begins: an everyday couple is thrust into a dangerous and incomprehensible arena of lies, twisted loyalties and occult schemes with world-changing consequences.

Neither Bill nor Sue has ever heard of Aaron Steen, much less his quest for the Aquarius Key which he seeks via the misuse of rituals from the world of ceremonial Magick. (The "k" in the word "Magick" differentiates its rituals from the mere tricks and slight of hand of stage magic.) Neither of them knows that Bill's brother Peter has been deeply involved in Qabalistic theory and rituals for years. And finally, when they first learn of such Magick, they don't believe it's real.

Rowley writes well and moves the plot forward by unfolding the story through the viewpoints of Bill, Sue, Peter, Steen and the other principals. His language has a fine snap, crackle and pop to it and is well suited to the fast-moving sequences of "every day reality," the terrifying descriptions of rituals and to the mind-bending images found on higher planes of existence.

Readers of The Da Vinci Code will remember that author Dan Brown used a fair amount of space in his novel having knowledgeable characters inform others--and simultaneously the reader--about the secrets of the Holy Grail. Keith Rowley uses the same technique: characters who are well-versed in the cosmology of the Tree of Life, the principles of the Hermetic Qabalah, the Thelema philosophy and the associated ways and means of ritual Magick also utilize a lot of similar "instructional time" throughout The Aquarius Key.

The challenge for both Brown and Rowley is that while some (perhaps most) of this information will be over their readers' heads and/or outside their readers' belief systems, the plots of the novels don't make sense without it. The extent to which readers of The Aquarius Key view theories of Magick as exciting material that enhances the plot or as tedious detail that delays the action may well depend of their frames of reference.

Readers who love hair-raising occult thrillers will enjoy The Aquarius Key with only minimal study of the philosophical passages. However, students of astrology, tarot, alchemy, mystical Kabbalah, and related paths will find that Rowley's decision to explain the Magick as the plot unfolds makes the novel a much richer book. To this end, he has also included appendices with additional information about Magick, Qabalah, the Tree of Life and the work of the historical, adept Aleister Crowley (1875-1947), who makes an appearance in the book.

Perhaps, in future editions of the novel, Rowley will expand the appendices to include references to the Ordo Templi Orientis (OTO), Argenteum Astrum (A.'. A.'.), Cor Lucis and other organizations whose teachings include ritual Magick and the Thelema philosophy. This will help readers find the fragile boundary lines between the inner journeys of real non-confrontational Hermetic practice and the stuff of good occult fiction.

In her book The Mystical Qabalah, adept Dion Fortune wrote that each symbol on the Tree of Life represents a cosmic force and that we establish a union with that force through our concentration upon the symbol, resulting in a "tremendous access of energy to the individual soul."

Aaron Steen and his compatriots know well the pathways and forces hidden away upon the Tree of Life from all the Bills and Sues of the world, and how through personal will and the rituals of Magick to wrest from them sufficient energy to do great and horrible things.

Rowley's highly imaginative plot and exceptional prose have, to the potential delight of Alfred Hitchcock--who surely reads The Aquarius Key from beyond the grave--extracted Bill and Sue Williams from their safe, sunny world and placed them without mercy into a much darker landscape. And as for you, dear reader, your roller coaster ride through the dangerous landscape of the novel will be accompanied by the realization that that you have more in common with the pawns in this cosmic game than with its masters.

Most of the fiction I end up reviewing has a more neopagan slant to it. However, when the author of this particular gem told me that it was a story that wove in Western occultism, I jumped at the chance for something new. And I was duly rewarded, as it was a good read all around.

The premise showed a lot of potential. Two perfectly mundane, ordinary people in modern-day London have their lives entirely turned inside out by the intrusion of an occult plot that could have universe-shattering consequences. Their experiences become increasingly disorienting as they're dragged deeper into intrigue and conspiracy in an elaborate plot to manipulate them into just the right place at the right time. This may sound a bit like a bad Satanic Panic novel; however, it's of much higher quality than that. The author is well-versed in ceremonial magic, and weaves a lot of Thelemic and Qabalistic material into the story-and I do mean a lot.

The execution is pretty good. I will say that the first half of the book was a bit on the slow side, though I stuck it out and thoroughly enjoyed the second half, which got a lot more interesting. Rowley has a good grasp of his characters and describes their feelings, thoughts and reactions well; I had clear images in my mind of what was happening, which helped with the entertainment value.

The occult material in the book is a mixed bag. Everything revolves around a destined plot to bring about the Aeon of Horus, and there's a ton of Thelemic material throughout the book. Rowley also draws heavily on Qabalah, particularly gematria. It's rudimentary enough that someone with casual understanding (like me) will understand what's going on, though it may go over the heads of those who are not magicians of any flavor. I think my main complaint with the inclusion of occult material is the same complaint I've had with neopagan novels that also attempt to teach basic Wiccan principles amid the story-it doesn't blend very well. Sometimes the novel reads more like a treatise on basic ceremonial magic than a story; I understand when authors want to make their audiences clear on what's going on, but it's very hard to throw lessons into a plot without it coming off rather clumsily.

Still, it was a fun read, and it kept me entertained on my commute for a few days. I'm not 100% sure how more orthodox Thelemites may feel about the depiction of Aleister Crowley in this book (yes, he's brought in as an actual character) or the rather violent interpretation of the Book of the Law, and a few readers may find the occasional sexual content (including that which essentially opens the book) to be a bit much. But if you're looking for a decent occult-themed novel that wasn't written by someone who thinks we all eat babies and has a good yarn to spin, this is a good choice.

I am struggling with how I should rate or review Keith Rowley's "The Aquarius Key". Mr. Rowley is definately a gifted writer. The pages come alive, the characters, setting descriptions are all top notch. I am truly amazed that Rowley is a self published author??! The novel reads like a well edited main-stream novel. There are no grammatical errors, typo errors or any of the other pitfalls usually associated with amateur writings. "Aquarius Key" has a nice fluid feel (pun intended). It's obvious that Rowley has researched his subject, and that "Aquarius Key" was not just "thrown" together based on a few whims or ideas.

Where my problem lies with "Aquarius" is the subject matter. I know little or nothing of the Occult, the Law of Thelma, Golems and the only thing I knew about Aleister Crowley was that Ozzy Osbourne sang a song about him on his first solo album. To be honest the entire story line of "Aquarius Key" never grabbed me. The struggle of Sue, Peter and Bill against the dark forces of the occult were not that compelling to me, simply because I don't really believe in or care for "magick" or "astral plains" etc. The sections of the novel dealing with Sue and Bill, as well as sections devoted to the police officer were compelling....but only make up about 10% of the story.

I'll wrap up by saying that the novel is very well written and I really hope Rowley continues to hone his craft. (I would be very surprised if Mr. Rowley doesn't end up being picked up by a publishing house very soon). I just hope in his future novels his storylines are more accessible than what is presented here.

This book is a gem. What is truly remarkable about 'The Aquarius Key' is that within the scope of a 'fictional' story, it credibly identifies and analyses the futility of the conventional scientific approach to the fundamental issues of life and consciousness.

Rowley has clearly done his homework here, and displays deep knowledge of both western science and mysticism, cleverly synthesising these domains within a narrative that becomes all too credible as events unfold.

Using the historical legacy of Aleister Crowley (1875-1947), Rowley unfolds his tale in a modern setting, yet convincingly immerses us in beautifully written images of the hidden universe.

Although the book contains an exciting tale that stands on its own merits, the historical threads that appear, linking Christ with Odin, Hitler with Crowley, are fascinating in their own right. Indeed, one sometimes wonders whether this book, with it's excellent appendixes and reference table, may not have begun life as a text book.

There is not much that is negative to say about 'The Aquarius Key'; however, some people may find that a few of the chapters dwell a little too long on the theories of magic and Kabbalah, making the reader impatient for a little more action. I suspect though, that 'The Aquarius Key' was written not for the average horror genre reader, but rather for a more intellectual audience that will appreciate the authenticity of its historical, scientific and mystical background.

For me, 'The Aquarius Key' raises the standard of occult genre, and may in future years become (rightly) regarded as a minor classic.

Aladdin