Customer Reviews

The Necromantic Ritual Book

5 star:		(11)
4 star:		(8)
3 star:		(2)
2 star:		(3)
1 star:		(7)

 

 

In this book, the author talks a little bit about the "Angel of Death", how he is sometimes manifested as "death energy", and includes 5 or 6 solitary rituals for tuning into and understanding this energy. Well, that's at least metaphysically speaking, and I take the talk about "Azrael" with a grain of salt.

Psychologically speaking, I think this book is really about personifying death, and then carefully utilizing that personification to better comprehend and accept death. The meditations/rituals increase in complexity and "effectiveness", but no real special tools are required for the simpler meditations (usually stuff like some candles and jasmine incense or oil, and a place to perform).

As with any sort of ritual in the occult scene, one should be careful of what they're doing so as to avoid unfavorable results. I don't mean invisible spirits/demons (as some believe), but psychological side-affects. IMO, you should just always be careful of knowing your expectations and goals of a ceremony, and not to get too obsessed with it. But like driving a car, the benefits far outweigh the risks once you know what you're doing.

Anyway, the book is also very visually appealing, with its ingrained silvery writing on the outside black covers, deep violet on the inside of the covers, and "gothy" lettering. However, the tiny writing in the gothic-looking font does make a little difficult to physically read. When I bought the book, the cashier and I were trying hard to read the listed price on the back! I admire the effort for aesthetic appeal, but not at the complete expense of practicality. (This moves my vote from 4 stars to 3)

Still, I think it's a unique book of intriguing practices, whatever your religion. We all know that we're going to die someday, and we've all feared death at one time or another, so I think that one could get a lot out of this little book.

A unique book for those wanting to learn the art of Necromancy. Having studied Palo Mayombe in Mexico, I did not find Ms. Wendell's instructions out of the ordinary. It is common in the initiations of Palo to sleep with the corpse which has been chosen for the cauldron, or at least sleep in the same room. In Africa, there are some tribes who keep parts of their ancestors in their dwellings in order to communicate with them. This book is not for the beginner or the curious, but for those who feel a real connection to the world of death and spirits. I feel there were many, many practices left out, that is why I only gave four stars, and since she went this far, why not add the rest. Death is indeed a very mysterious and misunderstood being in much of modern culture, and although I would not want to find myself waking up with a cadaver, even of my own family, but I respect this work for its unique insight. Don't miss it! The section on golem-making was good but lacking some in the ritual of bringing it to life; for experienced magicians, this would not be a problem.

The author state in the book that she would not be held responsible if you get arrested by the police.

Sleep beside a corpse in a cemetary in total darkness... and so-called "death enegy".... and even on page 45, "... grasp rge athame firmly, and with one thrust, pierce the corpse's heart and leave the blade in place. Do not remove it until the next morning".

Up to you to decide whether you think this book is real stuff. To me, this book is ridiculous.

Somehow I just don't see myself breaking into a crypt to spend the night sleeping with a rotting corpse in order to attune myself with the "death energy". I did a 30 days in county jail once & I'm not too keen on the idea of going back just to connect myself to this "death energy". Not to mention, the smell can't be all that great. Phoohey! I don't quite see the point in ritual golem construction either. BTW, don't believe the guy who says he's got an army of golems doing his house work, he's full of it, they don't do anything.

This is an exceptional book written by an exceptional author. If you are looking for ways to attune yourself to the Death energy, folks, this is it! Granted, the font takes a bit of time to get used to, but well worth the effort...and it only adds to the overall character of the book. I would highly reccomend this book to anyone!

I must admit that this book provided some amusement... You don't need a high IQ rating to know what's going on...

Get a decent, trustworthy book to start with. If you understand Latin, a very good one would be "Forbidden Rites: A Necromancer's Manual of the Fifteenth Century" by Richard Kieckhefer, then from there, you will know some authentic sources to further your knowledge.

This book is not about Necromancy, it is a book about Necromantic practices. It's a book intended to "align one's soul with the Death Energy". Simply put: To get to know Death better. I will not practice the rituals in this book, because I am not comfortable with kissing or sleeping with a dead person. It does have an interesting section on Ritual Sculpting. It provides the elements to bring to life a sculpture, but it requires parts of a dead body. The only thing I really liked about the book is that it has a "Sorcerer's Handbook" atmosphere that surrounds it. In short, I am glad to add this book to my unique library.

More mysterious than waltzing with Death is the amethyst cloud of confusion that seems to linger around this book.

I think many of the negative reviews have been generated by their authors' inability to understand what this book is about. This is one of those books that you either get or you don't. If you don't get it, you won't like it, or you'll find it deeply amusing--not that there's anything wrong with that.

I also see the trouble in using the word "necromantic". Readers might immediately jump to the idea of "necromancy", which is obtaining knowledge though communication with the dead. What Wendell is talking about is communication with Death itself.

Don't get the idea that this is some pop fad book of spells and concoctions. The contents herein are volatile, powerful, and are not for the beginner in magic of any kind. Wendell makes all of this perfectly clear, of course, and weaves many warnings into the text. I have and do use the rites in this book, and all I dare tell you is that each working so far has worked for me. Again, if you think to buy this book so you can toy with the Angel of Death, put the thought from your mind and kill it. This is NOT material to be trifled with, so tread carefully.

I have read a few historical necromantic ritual books and this one is most "far-fetched" and I personally don't think this is real necromantic stuff.

Up to you to believe. For me, I am OUT.

I give one star for the unique design of the cover.

If nothing else, this is definatly the "darkest" book in my library. It is an interesting look into Necromantic practice, the whole nine yards. It's something I myself don't practice. If your looking for something light and fluffy, don't buy this book. If anything it is a great introspection on the nature of Azrael and of the dying process itself.

I also highly disagree with another reviewer who stated that the author advocated "sex with a corpse". In fact the author states "One must never violate the sancity of Death for for one's own physical curiosity or pleasure." There is one whole section dealing with "Necrophilia in the Necromantic Rite" which condemns such actions, comparing them with raping a child. Given, the subject matter is a little gruesome and dark, and yes some of what is talked about in this book would be highly illegal if practiced (hence, why I don't practice this sort of Magick), I wouldn't overlook it if you are interested in a well rounded occult library.