Customer Reviews

Dion Fortune's Book of the Dead

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Dion Fortune's Book Of The Dead is a metaphysical and mystical guide to understanding and accepting the transitions that come with death, how to help the dead on their journey and avoid hindering the soul, how to prepare oneself for dying or the loss of the loved one, and how to grieve. Chapters discuss the journey of the soul beyond life, why it is improper to seek to contact the dead under most circumstances, and offers simple advice in contemporary language as to what the living can do for the dying and why. Originally published as "Through the Gates of Death" in 1930, then in a revised edition in 1995, Dion Fortune's Book Of The Dead retains the timely wisdom of psychologist and psychic Dion Fortune (1891-1946), recognized as one of the most insightful contributors to 20th century esoteric thought.

Dion Fortune was one of the prominent mystics of the Western tradition in the early 20th century. She was a pioneer psychologist, author, psychic, and occultist most known for her acclaimed introduction to Hermetic Qabalah called "The Mystical Qabalah". Fortune's "Book of the Dead" bridges the gap between her psychological and esoteric expertise. It is a guidebook that explains the stages of dying, where souls go when they leave the body, and what we must do to allow the soul's passage from this realm into the next. Fortune embraces death as a necessary and comfortable part of living. She expels all fear, carrying us through death's gate and opens up the possibility of what lies beyond. The result is a fascinating read that brings one at peace with the hastiness of mortality, a brief stage of development in an ever-greater journey. Highly recommended to all humans (and other sentient beings)!

This book is a wonderful tool for assisting anyone resolve the mysteries of death. Dion Fortune was herself an initiate of the Golden Dawn magickal fraternty, and went on to found her own Society for the Inner Light. This book helps dispel many of the fears and superstitions around death and dying. There are tools that help the newly departed souls in their transformation. There is something for everyone, although many of today's new agers may find the outlook somewhat too "christian".
Because it is a small book, it makes for easy reading and referencing.

Dion Fortune is way beyond most authors with her esoteric knowledge of the afterlife. Although this is a thin book, it packs more information than others on the subject that are five times bigger. Rarely does anyone mention the "seed atom" in their writings which is very important to understand especially when it comes to the transition process. Sometimes the author's wording is difficult to comprehend on the first reading but that is her style of writing. I rate this book four and a half stars only because there were a couple of concepts I disagree with from my almost 60 years in the metaphysical field, however, until we actually make our transition, one really never knows what the real truth is. In summation, this book would be helpful to anyone, either in preparation for their own transition, or to help others. So worth the money and time to read.