Customer Reviews

Paths of Wisdom: Principles and Practice of the Magical Cabala in the Western Tradition (Llewellyn's High Magick)

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Qabalah is usually considered to be an extremely dense topic- mostly because of the fact that the standard guides to the topic (Dion Fortune's "The Mystical Qabalah", Crowley's "777", Mathers' and Westcott's books on the subject, etc) are written with more technical jargon and less style than a UNIX manual. Most of these (outdated) books assume that the reader has recieved initiation in a magical order and is pursuing study with a teacher already versed in the "mysteries". Being that this is seldom the case today, the modern student of Qabalah needs a guide tailored to their level of understanding.

"Paths of Wisdom" provides such a guide. Presenting the reader with a step by step guide to the philosophy, metaphysics, and psychology of the Qabalah, the author (John Michael Greer) guides you through a tour of the tree of life, from bottom to top, all within a single book. With considerable erudition as well as an easy reading style, the book succeeds at presenting Qabalistic wisdom to a modern audience.

Unfortunately, the book's strengths end there. There is a brief introduction and overview of the actual practice of Qabalistic mysticism, but Greer does not go into considerable depth in presenting the practice. He does, however, present enough material to get the beginner started in Qabalistic practice. I'd recommend D.M. Kraig's "Modern Magick" and Israel Regardie's "The Golden Dawn" to anyone looking for a book of practical work to go with the theory so clearly deliniated here.

This book is an introductory text on Hermetic Cabala, a form of magical mysticism practiced in the European world since the Renaissance, where it had been borrowed from Jewish mysticism.

John Michael Greer gives a concise introduction to the principles of the Cabala in the first few chapters and then moves on to a detailed analysis of the Tree of Life and its paths, which are the foundation of Cabalistic mysticism.

His writing is clearly done and his grasp on the subject is obviously that of a practitioner of this path with many years of experience, not simply that of an academic writing about a topic foreign to himself. Unlike most books on this topic, Mr. Greer's work explains the theoretical foundations of Cabala as well as giving the details of its practical use.

All in all, the best book I have found on the subject.

We chose this book on Kaballah to use in my study group and we have had excellent results. The group consists of many levels from a beginner to a person who has written her own interpretations of Kaballah. Greer is able to simplfy enough for the beginner to grasp difficult concepts, yet offers enough new information to keep the expert interested. His ideas are fresh and his perspective opens up a lot of new information to a group of people who have been studying Metaphysics for almost 30 years. It should be part of every Metaphysician's bookshelf.

After reading many books on the qabalah, this has got to be one of the best for the beginner searching for enlightenment to this complex system. After 10 years of study of the qabalah, this book opens some of the most complex symbolism. Another plus, is that this book was wrote in simple terms. A third grade student could be able to read this great book and have a firm understanding of what the qabalah is. " A MUST READ BOOK ON THE QABALAH! " Frater 204

For nearly ten years, I have flirted with the idea of studying Cabalah (Kabalah, Qabalah--however you want to spell it) and I have been a member of several Mystery Schools and Masonic organizations that espouse the need to study Cabalah.... However, until I found this book, I just was not sure where to begin (this decision was difficult, pre-Internet) !

Previous to reading this book, I knew of Gematria, Notariquon, Temura and the basic layout of the Tree of Life --and I even tackled Crowley's "777," but I just was not sure what to start memorizing, or which school had it right....

This book cleared-up so many of the confusing aspects of The Cabalah and the Tree of Life--with clear, concise descriptions of the various aspects of the study (with helpful illustrations). This book is the equivalent of having a Teacher, who takes the time to explain The Cabalah, in detail --without all the usual egotistical, rambling, extraneous material found in many books on the subject (e.g., Crowley's dissertations on the subject).

John Michael Greer takes you by the hand and says, "Let's start with the beginning...." --whereas Crowley just throws you into the Deep End and says, "Sink or Swim."

Personally, I like Greer's method of Teaching Cabalah! Reading this book makes studying Cabalah interesting, fun and EASY (and you do not need to wade through numerous pages of extraneous ramblings to find the teachings--they are all laid-out and diagramed, concisely....unlike most pretentious works on the subject).

I also highly recommend purchasing the following book in conjunction with (or because you cannot find/afford this one, due to the sad fact that it is ludicrously "out of print") :
"The Chicken Qabalah of Rabbi Lamed Ben Clifford: Dilettante's Guide to What You Do and Do Not Know to Become a Qabalist" by Lon Milo Duquette (ISBN # 1578632153). This book receives rave reviews from Kabalists.

These two books, together, are perfect for the Beginner. Both of these men have a wonderful way of setting Personal Ego aside, and explaining Cabalah as a Friend and Teacher, instead of a Mystical "Know it All."

Anyone who has ever been Intimidated by the study of The Cabalah, or by various well-known Cabalist's works, should acquire this book (if possible) and Duquette's book, as well.

Also, obviously, you will need the famous "777" and other well-known Cabalistic Reference works (Sepher Yetzirah, etc.)....but, for the Beginner, "Paths of Wisdom" is the perfect starting point on the Journey up The Tree of Life.

This book coupled with Dion Forutune's work , "The Mystical Cabalah", and the book ,"770", in order of difficulty would give you more than a working knowledge of the correspondences of the GD system of the Cabalah. Creer's companion book, "Circles of Power", provides more practical work that the previous one somewhat lacks. I would highly recommend this book to anyone who can find it, I have no idea why the publisher has decided to stop producing this work. MY SUGGESTION IS TO GET THIS IF YOU CAN FIND IT....ITS WORTH THE PRICE. :-)770!!!

The book is excellent as a primer and as a supplement to one's study of the magical Cabala. I would give it 5 stars if the second part (the actual discussion of each path and sphere) was set up a bit better and wasn't discussed in such a prosaic fashion. More than once I was caught reading something that seemed to come out of nowhere, in the second part. However, the book is excellent as a primer for the beginner, as well as a supplement to the adept, and is an excellent Prologue (and Epilogue) to John Michael Greer's second book "Circles of Power."

First off, I must present my biased disclaimer of being a huge fan of John Michael Greer. Few authors in this field have his ability to tackle a complex subject, gather an immense amount of information, sift through the dross, and present it in such accessible and practical fashion.

Paths of Wisdom is no exception. If you own only 1 book on the Hermetic Qabala (as distinct from the traditional Hebrew type), MAKE SURE this is it! Qabala, by its very nature, can be a complex, pedantic, and often dry and confusing study. However, the patient and persistent student will find great rewards. Too often one learns the rudiments while lacking the deep understandings, which can be subtle and paradoxical. This book helps clarify all that. Granted, there's a lot of material here too, and it'll take time to fully absorb all the hidden jewels. But the engaging and lucid writing style makes this anything but a dry reference or "how to" manual.

Greer does not lose sight that to experience the Qabala is to practice and live the tradition each day, not just read and discuss it. Paths of Wisdom is a reminder that Qabala is not a static, pedantic methodology that exists in a vacuum, but a beautiful, living, dynamic system that evolves alongside humanity's aspirations to re-discover our forgotten Oneness. As a valuable tool for personal growth, pathworkings are presented as a freeform, archetypal, and deeply subjective experience based on the Tree of Life's path symbology, and not as the common, predefined, guided visualizations. The incredible and often neglected faculty of the human Imagination is greatly emphasized. The aspects and symbology of the Tree of Life are very well presented. With this book and Greer's equally excellent Circles of Power, the student of The Western Mysteries will find a lifetime of treasures and inspired direction for their sacred journey.

What an unbelievable gem. I wish to the gods this wasn't $8 million used. I can say without reservation that it is one of the best Cabala/Kabbalah/Qabalah book EVER WRITTEN. Why it's no longer printed, the world will never know. JMGreer is planning on expanding it and printing it with another publisher, luckily.

If you ever come across a cheaper copy--or have the extra dough to spend--I recommend this book immensely, for accurate and clearly explained Kabbalah study AND magickal practice. I can't recommend it highly enough. Because most people can't afford this, I second this recommendation with "The Magic of Qabalah" by Kala Trobe and "The Mystical Qabalah" by Dion Fortune. You won't be disappointed with either. Beginner or advanced, all of these both invaluable, accurate and wise.

this book is very easy to read and understand. it brings many of the complex concepts of the qabala, (as understood in the golden dawn) to a level most students can understand. it's like a more interesting version of the golden dawn papers. i'd also recommend Dion Fortune's mystical qabala.