Customer Reviews

Enochian Magic for Beginners: The Original System of Angel Magic (For Beginners (Llewellyn's))

5 star:		(6)
4 star:		(10)
3 star:		(3)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

For the greater part, Tyson's book is a reasonably accurate review of the material in Dee's diaries. So long as you are using it solely as a reference for the basic elements of the system, you won't go wrong. However, he tends to "interpret" unresolvable ambiguities in the material according to his own view without ever noting that there are ambiguities. He also selectively quotes the original material to support his views; a substantially different sense of what was said sometimes arises when the material itself is studied. Where Tyson really crashes and burns is in his association of the Enochian material with the apocalypse, particularly in his belief that the Calls are meant to bring about the end of the world. Here he combines Christian fundamentalist myth with elements of H.P. Lovecraft's fictional horror universes; there is nothing in the original to support his ideas.

Donald Tyson is a respected author who has devoted a fair amount of his life to the mastery of every known branch of ritual magic. While his conclusions are largely in the form of personal insight, he provides a large amount of research to back up his theories and conclusions. What I, personally, find useful, is his commentary on the golden dawn version of enochian magic, compared to what we now know is the full cycle of text (much of which was unknown to the founders of the GD when they created their "most perfect system of magic"). He provides bibliographic references, allowing the reader to peruse the same texts for themselves, and is always careful to note when a remark is based on some bit of cannonical text, or his own experience and insight.

This book does not stand alone, however. I would suggest, at the very least, also having Causabon's "A True and Faithful Relation" and Laycock's "Enochian Dictionary" as supplimental material to use with this book. If, however, you truly wish to understand the depth and potential of Enochian magic, this book is a highly useful platform to begin from.

A very good reference work on Enochian Magick which unfortunately veers into Christian Fundamentalism as Tyson expounds his own private version of the Apocalypse. Tyson also designed two of his own unique Enochian typefaces for this work. I wish that he had stuck to presenting the source material itself in a usable fashion rather than attempting to convince us about the Book of Revelations and Satanic influences "immanentizing the Eschaton".

This book is an invaluable source of reference for magicians who would like to try their hands on Enochian magic. The author has researched extensively in an attempt to put forward as good as possible the original workings of Dee and Kelley.

A word of warning here - the book is not a complete manual for performing Enochian magic. Those who are used to ceremonial magic will have no problems with what is or rather what isn't included in this book. Those who are new to ceremonial magic, and so do not understand certain observances required should not attempt what's been written. 'Enochian Magic for Beginners' is not, or should not be meant for absolute beginners.

This is one of the best books overall, and possibly the only truly introductory book written, on Enochian magic as it was presented to Dee and Kelly. Tyson's scholarship is particularly gratifying when compared to other authors in the field; unlike some writers, he avoids misrepresenting his sources and clearly labels his own conjectures and theories as such.

Enochian magic is a difficult area to access, and Tyson does well to bring things into perspective for a beginner in the art. However, there are serious issues with his personal point of view coming into play, and creating areas of uncertainty - for example in his re-ordering of the great table, and most especially his interpolation of Christian apocalyptic views into his synthesis of Enochian magic. However, that being said, this book will make it accessible for all to dip into, and begin to develop an interest in a complex system of magic.

I was thrilled to receive my copy of this book and consumed it within 24 hours. Mr. Tyson does an admirable job of impressing order upon the many and sundry symbols, numbers and deities that make up Enochian Magic. I do wonder however if there can really be a beginners book on this subject. Certainly not one of less than 400 pages I should think. While Mr. Tyson clearly outlines the methods of transmission and transmutations of Enochian and gives a sufficient nod to the history of the origins, his book left no room for the mention of the Angelic Alphabet or of theories other than his own. Having said that, I did think some of Mr. Tyson's theories were quite compelling. I am a relative newcomer to the subject and I must say that many jumbled facts are now much more cohesive for having read this book. I plan to read it again to get the most out of it and am quite happy to have spent the money for it. It fills a niche (novice) better than anything else I've seen. Thanks Mr. Tyson for a good read.

There was some stuff that was hard to understand. But I guess it was me. As for a beginner, I believe this book is a good source of Dr. John Dee's and Edward Kelley's works. It shows the basic knowledge of Enochian Magick. Although it WILL TAKE AWHILE TO ABSORB THE INFORMATION. There is a lot of information in this book, and it may even take as much as reading the book twice or so to understand the basic concept. Enochian Magick is very complex and I believe the author probably had a hard time to organize the information but I think he just did fine. I recomend others to use "Enochian Magic: A Practical Manual" along with this book to get a good introduction to the complex system of Enochian and the Angelic Magick.

This Book is EXCELLENT VALUE and a grimoire of the lost angel magic.
However it contains very complex ritual magic to summon the angels and therefore not fitted for the 'TOTALLY NEW BEGINNER'in magic.
But it is a great book 'TO BEGIN' with angel magic for the experienced magician...

I own this book, and though immediately upon reading it that it was very thorough and somewhat complex. I did however quickly learn the methods, and I do reccomend the book. However, I should warn those interested that it may take a while to gather the tools to implement it.