Customer Reviews

Carnal Alchemy

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Carnal Alchemy by Dawn/ Flowers
Carnal Alchemy re-introduces a powerful philosophy and magical technology to the contemporary world of western sexual magic. Sadomasochistic sexuality is among the least understood aspects of sexual expression. It is often tinged with overtones of the forbidden and mystery - all these things, as well as certain physiological aspects of it - make this a powerful for of sexuality to be combined with spiritual and magical aims. The text traces the historical roots of this tradition in ancient pagan rites of passage and of the agricultural cycle. But most of the text is devoted to the actual theory and practice of techniques of Sado-Shamanism or Sado-Magic in contemporary life.Paperback 86 pgs.

This book is an intriguing read, particularly if you're into sex magic and BDSM. It's well written, informative (in a general way), and offers some ideas of how to incorporate BDSM into sex magic. The authors also offer a lot of theory in this book, explaining what carnal alchemy is and even offer a bit of practical advice in terms of how to play safe in BDSM and how to work sex magic through the dominant-submissive paradigm. I particularly like the list of recommended readings, which give readers some more reading they can do.

Also the explanations of the tools and various techniques will prove useful and illuminating, for anyone into BDSM. I also like that the authors stress the importance of having some experience with BDSM and being both a submissive and dominant.

However, while I did like this book a lot, I would've liked to have seen more focus on the physiological/psychological aspects of BDSM and how those aspects could be applied to carnal alchemy. Given that alchmy is a transformation, I would like to know how the authors factored in physiological changes and how those changes could be purposely used by either the dominant or submissive. The same applies to the psychological aspects.

The academic sounding stuff has been well-covered by the other reviewers, so I can happily focus on my personal feelings about Carnal Alchemy.

Being someone who experiences the world in degrees of sensual richness, my most intense, most rich sensual experiences are also those which I have an in-depth understanding of. To both the beginner and the experienced BSDM enthusiast, the content of this book when understood opens the door to a baptism in Carnal Alchemy, an array and depth of sensory experience that well transcends the confines of paper and print. Not to mention new levels of intimacy with ones self and ones partner(s).

I suggest this book to anyone who is into BDSM or magik. It's very intriguing. Unfortunately, it is out of print.. so grab your copy before it completely disappears!