Customer Reviews

Dictionary of Demons: A Guide to Demons and Demonologists in Occult Lore

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This book is a magnificant resource book and is more an encyclopedia than a dictionary. Fred Gettings supplies a fantastic introduction that includes information on the content of the book, info. on some influential figures in middle aged to modern occultism, some basic occult principles and history. The dictionary itself includes not only a huge amount of angels, demons and other spiritual creatures/entities but lists other names they are known as, what they may do and what literature they are mentioned in. Also, the dictionary has information on various occult practices such as necromancy, geomancy ect. And info. on leading occult figures and many occult terms. This book serves as not only an excellent resource for the learned occultist but as a book for begginers to learn many occult terms and some history.

I certainly wish this book were still in print, I love this large, coffee table hardback edition with its nicely illustrated and evocative cover to go along with the wonderful title, 'Dictionary of Demons.' Who could resist such a delicious temptation? I'm happy to say I own a pristine copy of Mr. Gettings book that I keep safely locked away and bring out only for my own personal enjoyment when that dark, infernal mood strikes. There are so few good books out there that deal specifically with the topic of demonology, it's a shame such a good one as this has to be stuck in OOP limbo for so many years.

The book gives plenty of information on demons and their origins. it also shed light on some of the grey areas that sojme myths and legends are based on. Its good for writers who wnat some base info on demons and possible legends to start with.

I quote from the 1989 review by G.M. Kelly in "The Newaeon Newsletter, Volume VI, Number 4, September 1989 E.V." ...."'Aiwass The name of a spirit with which the magician Crowley made contact in 1904 while staying
in Ceylon.'

"You know right off the bat where this dictionary is going - downhill all the way. I will not debate the essence of
the sentence, but I must point out that there is a great geological difference between Ceylon and Cairo, Egypt,
where Crowley first contacted his Holy Guardian Angel or True Self.

"Remember the rule of thumb: if the writer cannot accurately give well known and easily verifiable information,
chances are he is even more inaccurate about the more complex aspects of the subject he is writing upon.

"'(28) EVERY MAN HAS THE RIGHT ... WITH HIM. ...' the book continues in another place,
gives genuine cause for concern. In terms of the esotericism upon which true demonology is based,
the dictum 'Do what thou wilt shall be the whole of the Law' is probably quite correct, yet no one
can afford to ignore the future consequences which follow an indulging in every impulse of will.
Unbridled egotism has always been linked with the ABYSS in hermetic lore. ...'
And Mr. Gettings proved his statement so by impulsively writing this book with unbridled egotism only to fall
into the abyss of ignorance, for it is clearly stated by Aleister Crowley in several places that 'Do what thou wilt'
does not mean do as you please. It is not a licence to satisfy every impulse of the petty ego. Instead it means that
one should discover one's True Will, one's specific purpose for existing, God's Will, and do that, very often
ignoring not future consequences but ignoring instead the impulsive indulgences of the ego for the sake of a better
future for all beings. If Mr. Gettings had actually studied his subject, even lightly, before writing a book on it, he
might have written something truly informative and worth reading. And if Trafalgar Square had a conscience,
this is one book they would allow to go out of print."

Note: It seems that Trafalgar Square Publishing does indeed have a conscience.