Customer Reviews

Magick in Theory and Practice

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

 

 

This book covers everything that a true practitioner must know when approaching magick. The first half of the book is highly informative, and helps you cover all the bases in creating the proper mood sets as well as enviroment for your work. The second half contains several of the most important magickal rituals of Thelema, the most important being the Star Ruby banishing. If you are interested in the Occult at all, or are a magick practioner, GET THIS BOOK. You will not regret it. I have two of Crowley's other books, and they're a bit difficult to digest, but this is very smooth reading. HIGHLY, HIGHLY, HIGHLY RECOMMENDED.

Aleister Crowley's lecture notes on the subject of magic read exactly as it sounds like they would. Some people have said that the book is so difficult it reads like the Bible. I disagree... I think it reads like COMMENTARY on the Bible! Israel Regardie, Crowley's friend and secretary for many years, once said that he uses "language like a bludgeon where a scalpel would do..." No where is this more evident than in Magic in Theory and Practice.

But despite this, anyone interested in the subject absolutely MUST struggle through it. Crowley's knowledge of magic was unparalleled for his time and remains rarely challenged. This book was written earlier in his life, before years of drug-abuse and syphilis had a chance to ravage his obviously powerful mind. Though the discussion, as it were, ranges from typical magical ritual to the dark "drug-and-sex" magic he's famous for, this wide variety of explanation, theoretical musing and practical advice can't be beat.

That being said, it needs to be approached with a strong will. Crowley's path is tempting, especially for people who are interested in magic for its more Faustian aspects. People who want wealth, fame, sex and power will see the perfect opportunity in this book. After all, Uncle Al died famous and rich, right? Wrong. He died poor, desparate and alone, barely eeking a living by mooching off of his sycophantic followers. The path he chose has its price, and readers should remember that when they peruse these pages.

Okay, editorializing aside, this book has some gems of wisdom in it that really can't be found elsewhere if you have the patience to look. If you want to be a Magus, you need to read this book and take what you can from it. For followers of any path and on any level of study, this book will most likely provide some interesting ideas. Its not 5 stars, because its not 100% accessible by everyone, nor is it easy to read, but its definitely 4 stars with high marks. Hope you enjoy!

I don't know who "Martino Fine Books" are, Googling them seems to indicate a Used Book Store near Hartford, Conn. But with them now advertising a paperback edition of "Magick In Theory And Practice" that is going for $57.99, and a hardback edition for $199, I thought a direct reference to their product might prove instructional to the potential buyer. This is merely a facsimile of the original edition, which itself was Part Three of "Book 4", and originally published in paperback between 1929 and 1932, in four parts.

Instead of paying a very high price for an unknown publisher's highly priced edition, I'd highly recommend that any potential buyer seek out the Dover Paperback edition (very cheap) or the Castle Press hardback edition (relatively cheap)Magick: in Theory and Practice, or better yet-- get the lovely and durable hardback of Magick: Book 4, Liber Aba (Magick Bk. 4), as it has the complete text of "Magick In Theory And Practice" as well as the other three parts of "Book 4", and actually costs less (here on Amazon) than the paperback edition that Martino Fine Books is trying to shill here.

If any of you have purchased this edition, and can tell me what it has (if anything) that would command these prices, I would greatly appreciate your making mention of it in the comments section.

This book is a very difficult read, and that's putting it mildly. However, once you get through the flash and the flare, you begin to realize that Crowley had a real insight into the workings and fundamentals of magick. If you can find a copy of this book, snatch it up, it's worth every penny and worth all the time and trouble.

Crowley's magnum opus of magic would be much better understood by a reader with a rather thorough background of Crowley's life, works, and vices. The introduction, however, is sensible reading for all who wish to tread the path of ceremonial magick. The rest of the book, while nourishing for would be [and actual] Thelemites, is certainly not to be taken as anything except the Gospel According to Aleister Crowley. If you are not into Crowleyanity, you'd probably be much better served by Franz Bardon in his Initiation Into Hermetics. More practical exercises, less bad poetry.

Crowley exlains as well as anyone can the magic and mystery of existence in an essentially magical world. practical tips and hints abound, but this volume is not for those expecting "tantra for dummies": the subject itself is by definition obscure, and to explain the nature of the three in one , or the adept's lantern , cannot be easily done. the author was the greatest master of recent years, whose entire existence was much larger than life. while he was both satanist and saviour to many who loved him and loathed him, there is no denying his grasp of the broad sweep of the magical horizon If you hear the piper in the woods, and see the movement of the gods in all things, then read, meditate, and make up your own mind: you will not remain unaffected

In "MAGICK in theory and practice" Aleister Crowley reveals his magick, rituals, recollections, and opinions.

Crowley's recollections and opinions provide important insights. Examples include: "Before I touched my teens, I was already aware that I was THE BEAST whose number is 666."; "It is only the romantic mediaeval perversion of science that represents young women as partaking in witchcraft, which is, properly speaking, restricted to the use of such women as are no longer women in the Magical sense of the word, because they are no longer capable of corresponding to the formula of the male, and are therefore neuter rather than feminine ... "; "The Book of the Dead contains many chapters intended to enable the magical entity of a man who is dead ... to take on the form of certain animals ... and in such form to go about the earth 'taking his pleasure among the living'.".

Crowley also lists and describes the Libers, his numbered works to which he refers often in his other writings. Selected Libers are reprinted within this book. This is a very useful reference.

"MAGICK ..." is a seminal work for any student of Aleister Crowley. It is must reading for anyone interested in Magick.

This book is one that is necessary for every true mages library. While it doesn't contain everything it pretty much does for the formal magician. A difficult read, but well worth it if you can get through it and keep your sense of humor.

There are numerous things...
dear Magi,
... that make this a great book, starting with his outline in the beginning of the book, defining magic, its theory and the postulates and theorems thereof. There is also a very useful section later in the book of magical correspondences (we have referenced this section for years). But what really makes this book great is the seriousness with which Crowley approaches his subject; he makes the magic real. If you are a young magician and still hounded with the doubts instilled in you about magic from a society that uses the word "science" to denounce magic (like some people use crosses to ward off vampires) without even understanding the methodology that science truly is, this book is the cure. It is comprehensive, clearly written (although that can't be said of everything Crowley wrote but then some of his works are actually mystical in nature) and while you may not agree with everything he says, it is inspiring. This book is a vital part of every magician's library.
kyela,
the silver elves

the great beast dicusses the power and practice of magick very informative there were parts that gave me a little concern but it didn't take away from the quality of the information.