The Magical Ritual of the Sanctum Regnum (Ibis Western Mystery Tradition) [Paperback]

Eliphas Levi (Author), William Wynn Westcott (Translator), R. A. Gilbert (Introduction)

Book Description

Series: Ibis Western Mystery Tradition | Publication Date: September 2004

Eliphas Lévi (1810–1875) was the greatest innovator in the revival of Western occultism, most significantly with his great leap of imagination that linked the tarot trumps to the letters of the Hebrew alphabet. He set out this tarot theory in his book Transcendental Magic, but never revealed its magical application. This was finally made public in 1896 when Dr. Westcott—creator of the Golden Dawn—translated and printed Levi’s secret manuscript. It is this rare text that we are now re-issuing. This book aligns the major arcana symbolism with a detailed description of the ritual of the sanctum regnum, or Kingdom of God

Editorial Reviews

Language Notes

Text: English, French (translation) --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

From the Publisher

Eliphas Levi (1810–1875) was the greatest innovator in the revival of Western occultism, most significantly with his great leap of imagination that linked the tarot trumps to the letters of the Hebrew alphabet. He set out his tarot theory in his book "Transcendental Magic," but never revealed its magical application. This was finally made public in 1896 when Dr. Westcott—creator of the Golden Dawn—translated and printed Levi's secret manuscript. It is this rare text that we are now re-issuing.

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Paperback: 108 pages
• Publisher: Ibis Press (September 2004)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0892541067
• ISBN-13: 978-0892541065
• Product Dimensions: 8.3 x 5.4 x 0.6 inches
• Shipping Weight: 8 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (6 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,397,873 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Discover books, learn about writers, read author blogs, and more.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Learn Levi's revelations on the Tarot, November 29, 2006

By 

Frater W.I.T. - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Magical Ritual of the Sanctum Regnum (Ibis Western Mystery Tradition) (Paperback)

This short work is undoubtably one of Eliphas Levi's most profound writings. It outlines the meanings of the twenty-two tarot trumps with information found nowhere else. The information on Rosicrucian symbolism is no less than revelatory. The meanings of occult symbols, from the Chi-Rho to Solomon's hexagram, are given in text and pictures that will enlighten any devoted student of the Hermetic mysteries.

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars Cryptically Interesting, July 8, 2006

By 

Hermes G "Mystery in the South" (Birmingham, AL) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Magical Ritual of the Sanctum Regnum (Ibis Western Mystery Tradition) (Paperback)

This book is not much different from what I understand Levi's books are: cryptic, much left unsaid, making reference to other unmentioned works (and you don't get to know which or whose exactly). The text itself is fascinating, interesting, but the mystery of what isn't there is as much of that which is. As far as Tarot books go, and I've read many, this is by no means a beginner's book. In fact, it's not primarily meant to be a Tarot interpretation book, much less a book of spreads as it concentrates exclusively on the 22 major arcana. The attributions or revelations it does make are fascinating, quite tigthly related to the qabbalah (the practical kabbalah). As someone who has studied kabbalah (and also the "q" and "c" versions) I must say that the kabbalistic principles espoused here, while solid, are by no means what a newcomer to Tarot would readily understand. In summary, this is a highly mysterious magical working book which makes reference to the 22 major Tarot arcana, references some kabbalistic mysteries, and is not a good introduction to the Tarot itself. But as with many of Levi's works, its strengths may be precisely on the things it leaves unsaid in the hope that the reader will find out on his own (and exercise his/her magical will in wanting to find out).

5 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A classic occult and tarot manual, January 11, 2005

By 

Midwest Book Review (Oregon, WI USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Magical Ritual of the Sanctum Regnum (Ibis Western Mystery Tradition) (Paperback)

The Magical Ritual Of The Sanctum Regnum by Eliphas Levi (1810-1875) is a classic occult and tarot manual that combines major arcana symbolism along with an extensive description of the ritual of the sanctum regnum, or Kingdom of God. Featuring an introduction by Robert Gilbert that recounts the history of Levi's original manuscript, including its eventual prevalence as a source text for ceremonial magicians, The Magical Ritual of the Sanctum Regnum remains as insightful today for tarot practitioners and lay readers as it did an age ago. A welcome and recommended core staple for tarot magic and occult reference shelves.