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41 of 43 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
A Classic Exposition of Mediaeval Sorcery, July 22, 2004
This review is from: Mastering Witchcraft: A Practical Guide for Witches, Warlocks & Covens (Paperback)
Paul Huson, artist, actor, novelist, screenwriter and authority on Tarot and Mediaeval Magic originally wrote this book in 1969 and it has since established itself as a highly-regarded 'classic' in the field: it is not difficult to see why.
Firstly it is an exposition of Witchcraft in the purely pre-modern sense of that word, as a Craft (Anglo-Saxon 'Craeft' -'Power, Skill, Force') and he comprehensively expounds the technical knowledge and applied methods by which this innate 'Power' can be methodically tapped and projected by the Witch or Warlock for various pragmatic ends. In other words the term Witchcraft here is used in the same archaic sense as one would find it used in say the 17th century astrological works of William Lilly or William Ramesey when they say that the 12th House of the Chart is the 'House of Witchcraft' - they were not referring to a wiccan-style cult or alternative religion but quite simply meant the exercise of magical power to 'bewitch'. It is in this original and authentic sense that Paul Huson's book is a genuine manual of 'Witchcraft', putting aside the modern meanings which have become attached to that word.
The author presents an immensely skilful synthesis of magical lore and techniques from the traditional Magic of the Middle Ages and imparts a very workable body of spells, invocations, astrological herblore, incenses, philtres and image-magic: he draws upon and weaves together elements from the Solomonic cycle of grimoires, the teachings of Cornelius Agrippa, the 'enlinking' techniques using archetypal images used by Giordano Bruno, the use of Cabalistic kamea in arithmantic invocations etc. For example the invocation to Saturn in the chapter on binding magic is actually a translation/adaptation of the 'Magical Oration to Saturn' from the mediaeval Moorish text the Picatrix(Ghayat-al-Hakim). He blends these learned Hermetic-Cabalistic-Astrological esoteric currents with the rural myhthos of country folk-magic in old England. This is acheived in a way which is both authentic and effective. Indeed Traditional Magic is not subject to contemporary notions of 'progress' or 'improvement': the 'Invincible Magical Discipline' as Agrippa terms it, is timeless, always characterised by a tenacious conservatism and adherence to paradigmatic forms and Paul Huson's book accordingly delivers magical lore which is substantially pre-modern and traditional in flavour.
Yet another minor strain discernable in this book is that of Hoodoo, as seen in the use of certain substances found usually in 'Rootworking' and the creation of sachets which are themselves basically the Mojo Hands or Pacquet Kongo used in Vodoun, derived from the Nkisi of Kongo Magic. Such is the author's consummate skill these cultural elements are harmoniously blended into the brew in a very effective manner.
Furthermore the author's 'voice' throughout is very enjoyable to follow and the book is a great read, lively and expressed throughout with intelligence, stylistic panache and humour.It contains many fine illustrations in an atmospheric woodcut-like style which add a great deal to the text.
In many ways this book was several decades ahead of it's time - it prefigured the contemporary return to authentic mediaeval and renaissance magical lore and technique and provides the reader with a great deal of stimulating and potent material to engage practically. Here is revealed in full detail the true Way of the Warlock for those intrepid souls who would dare penetrate the twilit demesne of mediaeval sorcery and attain to Nigromantic mastery of the Black Art. This essential book contains a wealth of material which will be invaluable to the magical practitioner at any stage of development and is greatly to be recommended.
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34 of 35 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
The First and Best book on Witchcraft Ever!!, November 10, 2004
This review is from: Mastering Witchcraft: A Practical Guide for Witches, Warlocks & Covens (Paperback)
Mr Huson is a Genius in my eyes. Mastering Witchcraft has nothing to do with Religious Witchcraft movements, it has nothing to do with Karma or the Three Fold Law, in fact it has nothing to do with the New Age Witchcraft movement of modern times. This book does not hold its punches back, the book is well balanced with both positive and negative magic, what New Agers label as Black and White Magic.
I am a big fan of Mr. Huson's work and enjoy his other books and novels. "The Offering" is a must read for those who want a Horror based on African Macumba (Vodou) magic, laced with Santeria.
But this by far has to be one of my favorite books of all time. While more receant books on Witchcraft have to do with Religion, and Karma, Mastering Witchcraft has to do with the ancient art of Witchcraft, leaving the religion aspect out of it. There is one part of the book though that made me laugh a bit. The "Our Father" backwards. Being Hispanic a Santero, Espiritista and a Brujo I often use the old Padre Nuestro, "Our Father" as is, because in itself it is a very powerful prayer in working Magic as are may Psalms. But besides the Our Father backwards, this is your choice if you use it backwards or not, the book is a must have for all Witches.
Many people ask me if I could recommend an English book on Brujeria as practiced by Hispanics, well this is as close to brujeria as you can get. Many people who gave it a negative are basically Wiccans. I respect Wiccans I just hope that they someday realize that all that is Witchcraft does not make it Wicca. One Wiccan reviewer talked like a Christian when he stated. "The Book tells you that in order to practice Witchcraft you have to sell your soul-- and that the book never tells you to whom. Basically as a Brujo we are taught that God rules over all things, Negative and Posative, Good or Bad. When you decide to practice Magic and Witchcraft you are in a sense selling your soul. Or dedicating your Soul. If you are a Christian Witch you sell your Soul to Yhvh, if you practice Lukumi you sell your soul to your Ruling Orisha. (Selling your soul is dedicating your soul.) In the same if you are a Satanist you sell your Soul to Satan. But all things are of God, evil and good. So if Satan is of God, and you sell your Soul to Satan, you sell your Soul to God.
Anyway this is a good book, a bit controversial, but a must read to all Occultists, Witches, and yes even modern day Warlocks, they exist in Spanish they are called Diableros.
I someday hope Paul Huson one day writes a second book on the subject, but until then, check out his other great books.
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34 of 36 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
THE BEST WITCHCRAFT BOOK - EVER!! HANDS DOWN!!, May 1, 2003
This review is from: Mastering Witchcraft: A Practical Guide for Witches, Warlocks & Covens (Paperback)
I see a lot of debate here about "Mastering Witchcraft". That alone is good, because the more homogenized I see Wicca get, the farther I distance myself from it. I own a metaphysical store and give tarot readings for a living. I've been a high priest for over 20 years. This was the first book on witchcraft I ever read, and nothing since even compares to it. Yes, there are flaws - and you have to consider the time in which it was written. The late 60's. People did not have to be politically correct then, and they weren't. Paul Huson took the best information he had, and in step with his times, he presented it in a better way than anyone has since. It is a little arrogant sometimes. He doesn't back away from the dark side of magick or pretend it doesn't exist like a lot of Wiccan writers that followed him. Huson is not writing about Wicca, he is writing about practicing a craft that may or may not be attached to a religion, a crede, or a system of morals. I am not a child. I don't need my magickal instruction sugar-coated. His version of the symbology is used by almost every witch and Wiccan to this day, even thse who decry his "amorality". Huson has done a lot since. "Mastering Herbalism" is one of the best herbals out there - and he has a book on ESP, two books on the Tarot, and a good horror novel from 1979. As far as I know he's still alive. In the years following his books, he did a lot of producing and writing for television. "Family" with Kristy McNichol, et. al, and "James at 15" in the late 70's, "The Colby's" in the 80's (a spin off of "Dynasty"). The man is quite prolific and diverse in his talents...I am glad that someone put together what he did, when he did it because there's nothing like it now. He has compiled more solid, and yes - amoral - information in 256 pages than most people can do in a thousand. Every practitioner of magick should have this book in a treasured place on their shelf. Learn from it, take what you like, reject what you don't, and enjoy the read and the concise reference.
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