Customer Reviews

Kink Magic

5 star:		(5)
4 star:		(0)
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As I was sitting in the bathtub reading Kink Magic: Sex Magic Beyond Vanilla by Taylor Ellwood and Lupa, my Priestess and polyamorous partner Estha (who didn't know I was reading it) came in the bathroom, mock-drowned me for a few minutes, and ordered me to cook breakfast--which I did in satisfactory servitude!
Kink Magic is a gorgeously-written and thoughtfully complete manual for the (relatively common but not commonly discussed) convergence of magical spirituality and the kink lifestyle. Insofar as kink, a wide array of pertinent material is clearly laid out, including BDSM, bondage, fetishism, sadomasochism, and gender-play. For anyone who is curious about either the kink or magical-spiritual lifestyle, this book is key.
Discussions of Gnosis and altered states of consciousness, as associated with kink and sexual magic, help tie the book's text together and encourage the reader to consider the spiritual benefits of alternative sexual/sensual practice. I also particularly appreciate discussions within the book involving health, safety, and realistic awareness in any given situation. Taylor and Lupa examine countless angles of kink culture; my knowledge of the subject has grown immensely after reading this.
I was especially glad to see the authors' insight that sex and kink are separate entities, though the two--one being sexual and one being sensual--often go together. The authors also examine psychological factors to do with magic and kink, which is an extremely important factor that many writers unfortunately overlook. Another strong point in the work are the various discussions and references to gender perception (both personal and cultural), gender identity, and transgenderism (both in the sense of fetishism and actual transsexual living).
Characteristic of the authors' works, Kink Magic includes plenty of personal anecdotes (many of which are, admirably, very personal!), with no text-fillers or empty ritual outlines. The material, par usual, has serious substance; it's down-to-earth, accessible, and brutally honest. It is clear that the authors choose to use their writing skills not for ego-wanking or money-making, but because they honestly and earnestly want to teach people accurate, progressive occult information.

--Raven Digitalis

Kink Magick: Sex Magic Beyond Vanilla
Taylor Ellwood & Lupa
Megalithica Books

I came to read Kink Magic anticipating a book that would give me lots to think about and work with, as other titles I'd read by Lupa had done the same. I wasn't disappointed. The book was well thought out, had numerous references for further reading that were suggested, and I was very impressed with the depth given to the subject covered, as it is a very large topic. Also impressive was how tastefully everything was handled, as this is a subject that can very easily be cheapened and objectified.

What struck me most intensely was that the tone of the book was very warm, whereas other titles that I have read regarding sex more in the "how to" mode were cold and clinical or glamorized various aspects tilting things more in favor of one gender or another, this book was written with both physical/spiritual genders in mind... as well as those in between. While I expected to be pushed back from the subject a bit due to my own psychological dilemmas regarding sex itself, I was very pleasantly surprised to find myself facing these issues feeling backed up and reinforced, which made it easier for me to learn more about the subtle nuances of the magic and spiritual work that can be done through/alongside/within sex. I was also able to find a better understanding of kink, particularly the fact that what is kink to one person may be something totally normal to someone else.

It's a very informative book, and one that I would suggest to those that are looking to deepen connections with their partner(s) (as some people can get along just fine in such situations), are looking to expand their knowledge of what can be done regarding sex and metamorphic/psychological magic, or need a convenient mirror to get a good look at how they view these subjects.

This is NOT a book that I would recommend for the dabbler. Implementing things that are learned within the covers of this book are highly transformative, as is stressed several times throughout, as well as the amount of trust that is rightfully needed. There are no "spells" like one would find in a 101 level magic text, and the reader isn't going to find any tips for landing specific people.

I don't usually give a specific rating for a book, but if pressed, I'd have to give this a 5 star rating, and from someone that can be sent diving for safety behind the couch sometimes at the mere mention of the word, I hope it's realized how high this rating truly is, even with the few typos that always seem to slip through the cracks.

Very well done, and many thanks to the authors for stressing so much the sacredness and power in such a seeming "simple" act.

I really thought that "Kink Magic" was well written and well planned. Taylor and Lupa give solid insight on the various realms of kink/occultism and how to incorporate various themes into creative play and/or ritual. I especially liked how they gave examples of various rituals that they had personally performed and they even incorporated writings by other prominent members of the kink/pagan communities in their books.

This book was geared towards a more experienced group of magickal practitioners... superior to the many "magick 101" books that are found on today's market. Their writing was precise and practical, creative and informative all at once. They cover a wide range of subtopics in their book that are rarely mentioned in many pagan books today.

I give it 5 stars!

In a fairly humorous yet wickedly thorough examination of both magick and kink, here the two beatifically intersect. If you've read the authors' other works (which are highly recommended), some of the magickal information will not be new, though applying it within the context of sex may be. If you're looking for naughty literoticism, you won't find it here. The purpose of this book is to teach, albeit with a bit of bite. This book gives detailed and honest explanations of kink, as well as defines magickal terms. It covers the gamut of choosing partners, negotiation, tools, boundaries, triggers, scenes as sacred space for rituals, altered states of consciousness for setting intentions and thought manifestation, role playing... Hitting several philosophical notes, it covers the precautions and indulgences of kink, as well as debunks myths and stereotypes, diving straight into cultural fears of female power, vagina dentata, notwithstanding. However the reader approaches kink, this book is without judgement, though is careful to espouse healthy distinction between sexual behaviours and interactions that foster connection and compassion, forsaking those that may be considered flat out harmful. That said, it approaches magick with the same compassionate respect and use. Embracing the power of the feminine allows gender polarity to be rendered neutral in the presentation of the material, creating comfortable readers of transgendered folk and those of diverse sexual orientations.

All told, this book isn't beginner material for magicians or kink enthusiasts, but it could be required reading for both.

Besides, any book with the phrase, "ponyboy in a peartree" is worth turning the pages.

rates up there with Dark Moon Rising. Gives a great over view for the beginner and good solid ideas for the expert