Customer Reviews

Practical Qabalah Magick (Practical Magick)

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

 

 

I was intending to write a beginner's introduction to Qabalah and the ritual esotericism of the West to complement my books on advanced Qabalah. Most of the books on the subject published in the last twenty years seem either 'dumbed down' or simply parrot the format of Dion Fortune's classic 'Mystical Qabalah'. After picking up this volume I knew instantly that the book I would have loved to have written was here in my hands - better than I could have written it. David Rankine and Sorita de Este have produced a beautifully literate and erudite text on practical Qabalah that succeeds in uniting previously ignored sources and yet at the same time is evidently innovative and pertinent to contemporary students. Those expecting yet another re-presentation of 100 year old observations upon the Qabalah fostered upon the tradition by students of the Golden Dawn will be surprised by the attention to detail of the authors. Again, those who consider Crowley's (now) seventy year old teachings and observations as 'modern' will be forced to reconsider their perspective upon what is fast becoming a new era of Qabalah enlightenment. This is ideal for the newcomer to Qabalistic lore and ritual practise, but may be consulted with great advantage by those who are more advanced upon the path - if only for its innovative and thoughtful reconsideration of many associations and correspondences associatied with the Sephiroth and paths.

It is unfortunate that the rating of this excellent book has been brought down by a spiteful and possibly insane review.

I think when I look back over my life in the future, I may well list this as one of my most influential books. It is indeed a practical guide, written in an accessible way, like a teacher holding open a door, or should I say a series of doors ready to step through.

Just from the first read-through, my head was filled with inspirations, images and concepts that finally made true and perfect sense. Since then I have referred back to it many times, and I know I will continue to do so. Even though I have walked a winding magical path for some years, I feel still that I am hovering on a threshold, having glimpsed visions of what lies through the door. As I journey onwards, this and the other Avalonia books from the practical magick series are sure to be trusted companions.

Rankines last book is very useful for readers who are already a little bit trained in kabbalistic thinking. Beginners will soon be deluded to think that Kabbalah is an easy way to esoteric understanding. I think that the most valuable part of the book is the chapter about the paths on the Tree of Life; accurate and concise. The rest of the knowledge along the paths from sefira to sefira is up to you try to find. The only way is thorough meditation.

i disagree with the reviewer above,to start i will give a short outline of the book.first the aurthor give a very weak presentation considering there are far better book out there to exsplain kabalistic philosophical concepts in a deeper user friendly manner.this guys give you correspondences to the paths also a vauge discription on archagels,angels ect.then there are the weak visualization technique for the the 10 spheres,then there is his attribution to the paths through psalms from a couple books from the 18th centuary,the imformation in this book is way to scattered about and to little to be of any "PRACTICAL USE" for the practical seeker of occult pholosophy.its just new age garbo,tomany books that promise something and give nuthing,i see absolutely nuthing to set the begining magician on the right path into qabalah magick by obtaining this book.you will just git correspondence's that the aurthor admitts tampering with to fit a systems that he gives kno techniques to implicate into pragmatic use nor does he point you in the right direction,just a very,very poor book on the subject zero stars if i could for the way the book is presented then overall setup.......