Introduction to Magic: Rituals and Practical Techniques for the Magus [Paperback]

Julius Evola (Author), UR Group (Author), Renato Del Ponte (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: June 1, 2001

The rites, practices, and texts collected by the mysterious UR group for the use of aspiring mages. 

• Rare Hermetic texts published in English for the first time.

• Includes instructions for developing psychic and magical powers. 

In 1927 Julius Evola and other leading Italian intellectuals formed the mysterious UR group. Their goal: to bring their individual egos into a state of superhuman power and awareness in which they could act "magically" on the world. Their methods: the practice of ancient Tantric and Buddhist rituals and the study of rare Hermetic texts. So successful were they that rumors spread throughout Italy of the group's power, and Mussolini himself became quite fearful of them. Now for the first time in English Introduction to Magic collects the rites, practices, and knowledge of the UR group for the use of aspiring mages. 

Included in Introduction to Magic are instructions for creating an etheric double, speaking words of power, using fragrances, interacting with entities, and creating a "magical chain." Among the arcane texts translated are the Tibetan teachings of the Thunderbolt Diamond Path, the Mithraic mystery cult's "Grand Papyrus of Paris," and the Greco-Egyptian magical text De Mysteriis. Anyone who has exhausted the possibilities of the mundane world and is ready to take the steps necessary to purify the soul in the light of knowledge and the fire of dedication will find a number of expert mentors here.

Editorial Reviews

Review

"Evola . . . had a clarity of mind and a gift for explaining tremendously difficult concepts in nonacademic language. . . . His descriptions of subtle states and the practices that lead to them are as lucid as these difficult subjects allow."
(Gnosis )

"The essays of the UR Group constitute the most complete and the highest magical teaching ever set before the public. . . . The ultimate goal is the identification of the individual with the Absolute.  This is a powerful and disturbing book, and a classic. One can be quite certain that it will still have readers centuries from now."
(Joscelyn Godwin, author of Harmonies of Heaven and Earth )

"This collection of essays . . . cover the practical, the theoretical and the unclassifiable, such as the Mithraic Ritual of the Great Magical Papyrus of Paris, the only ritual from the Ancient Mysteries to have survived intact."
(The Watkins Review, Winter 2001/02 )

"Introduction to Magic is a collection of intelligent and erudite essays (many of them admirably concise)."
(Hagal, May 2001 )

". . . should be standard reading for any serious academic or practical student of occultism. . . . Experienced occultists will welcome it as a breath of fresh air and a journey into little discussed territories."
(Mark Stavish, The Institute for Hermetic Studies, Mar 2006? )

". . . an important book for those who study esoteric thought."
(Brigit's Feast, December 2001 )

" . . . this book is highly recommended without reserve."
(Jason Jeffrey, New Dawn, January-February 2002 )

"A landmark publication for the new age, delineating clearly between mysticism and magic, written in a Germanic style that allows for unhurried, penetrating insights. . . . You don't read this book, you experience it. . . . A mighty book, like a torrent, that sweeps paltry modern ideas away."
(The Book Reader, Spring/Summer 2002 )

"This new work in hand is unlike any other book on magic previously published."
(New Dawn, September-October 2001 )

Language Notes

Text: English (translation)
Original Language: Italian

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Paperback: 416 pages
• Publisher: Inner Traditions (June 1, 2001)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0892816244
• ISBN-13: 978-0892816248
• Product Dimensions: 9 x 5.8 x 0.9 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.2 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.1 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (14 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #153,363 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

30 of 31 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Initiatory Dynamite, July 20, 2001

By 

Eulit Hinson (Brunswick, Georgia USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Introduction to Magic: Rituals and Practical Techniques for the Magus (Paperback)

Quite simply the most penetrating magical text that I have encountered in all my years of study. The collection of essays on magical theory and practice by Evola and his associates set a standard by which future works appearing in the English-speaking occult world will be judged. Of particular merit are the essays entitled "Knowledge of the Waters" and "On the Magical View of Life" - herein are given great secrets never before so clearly stated. There is no hackneyed, watered-down GD-OTO-Wiccan ephemera to be had here - those accustomed to that kind of spiritual spoon-feeding may find themselves a bit flabbergasted after ingesting this information, but may also find themselves a bit wiser in the process. The unleashing of Evola onto the American esoteric community has been a blast of long-needed fresh air; those with the will and vision to make the Ascent will find in him a great mentor. If you buy only one book on magic, make this your choice. You won't be disappointed.

26 of 27 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Initiation by a Master, July 24, 2001

By A Customer

This review is from: Introduction to Magic: Rituals and Practical Techniques for the Magus (Paperback)

This is probably the most profound and significant work on magic to appear in the last fifty years. Readers of Inner Traditions' other Evola translations will know that his works are not an "easy read." They require careful, multiple readings because Evola is not a New Age huckster but a genuine master. His command of the most difficult texts of philosophy, mysticism, and occultism--East and West--is absolutely remarkable. But reading Evola you sense that you are in the presence of a man who not only exhibits great scholarly erudition, but also a high degree of spiritual attainment. INTRODUCTION TO MAGIC confirms this impression, for here we learn of the spiritual and magical disciplines to which Evola and his UR group subjected themselves. This is most definitely a "how to" book, but it is far from "introductory" in the sense of being painless or easy. This is a demanding book, demanding in that it will require careful study, and demanding in what it requires the aspiring adept to DO, practically, in order to perfect his soul. The spiritual aim of Evola and the UR group, and all of the exercises in this book, is to achieve consciousness of, and identification with, a "higher self." This involves nothing less than a will to completely transform and perfect oneself. It is a path which requires the strictest mental and physical discipline. It is not for those casually interested in "the occult." Indeed, Evola warns that this path is actually dangerous to those who would take it up casually or without full conviction. If you are a serious and dedicated student of occultism, if you are ready to embark upon a path which WILL transform your life, and if you are prepared for the struggle and conflict that this will inevitably bring with it, then you must read INTRODUCTION TO MAGIC. No other work on magic is as frank, as explicit, and as profound. Evola's approach is also blessedly free of any infusion of Christianity, Kabbalism, or "Egyptianism." His is truly a Western pagan magical path. It is recommended that you read this work in conjunction with other works by Evola, especially his book on alchemy, THE HERMETIC TRADITION, and his magnum opus, REVOLT AGAINST THE MODERN WORLD. Both of these are also published by Inner Traditions.

9 of 9 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars If you are serious about initiation, May 15, 2008

By 

qwff (italy) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Introduction to Magic: Rituals and Practical Techniques for the Magus (Paperback)

Introduction to magic is indispensable if you are seriously pursuing the path of real initiation. The booklets published by the italian group of UR in the 20s, collected as a chapter for every month, comprise direct instructions, commentaries of ritual and alchemy works, explorations of different initiatory systems, essays on several components of magic.

One aspect that could be considered a minus is that this book doesn't spoonfeed you about how to build your routine. You won't find a page with a big EXERCISES title at the end of every chapter, and you won't be told every little detail of every technique (for an *excellent* book that does this, my advice is 'Initiation into hermetics" by Franz Bardon). However, some of the authors (Abraxas and Luce, in particular) seem to lay out a complete system of practice chapter after chapter, to be followed in order.

A warning: this is a wonderful book, but it is very different from what many occult hobbyists are accustomed to. It does everything to keep away from the feel-good newage fluff which fills the vast majority of books on the subject, and to state clearly what initiation really implies.

Do you think you can read that mediumship is something that must be cured, that theosophy and spiritualism are anti-initiation movements based on fancies, that immortality isn't for everyone and you will not just 'reincarnate' to have another chance if you fail? Can you accept the notion that one of the goals of initiation is to transcend passions, that an initiate cannot fall in love, get angry, desire or fear anything? If the answer is no, then don't read this book; you will not like it.

Note that this is only the first volume of three. In my opinion this is also the most important. The essays follow an order and can be used to draw a plan or at least to get an idea of the subject, while they become less organized from the second year of the publication on. However they are still invaluable, so, if you can, read the other two too.