Ritual Magic: What It Is & How To Do It (Llewellyn's Practical Magick) [Paperback]

Donald Tyson (Author)

Book Description

Series: Llewellyn's Practical Magick | Publication Date: January 8, 1992

"Ritual Magic, " by Donald Tyson, provides a historical, theoretical, and practical introduction to the astonishing world of magic--not mere myth and delusion nor tricks and illusion, but real magic.
In "Ritual Magic" you will learn what is possible with magic. Can magic bring rains from a clear sky? Can it calm stormy seas? Can real magic change the outcome of great battles? Can you use magic to improve your life? The answers to these and many other questions will be found in "Ritual Magic.
"-Explore the roots of magic -- its complete history
-Get answers to questions frequently asked by those approaching magic for the first time
-Discover how magic works
-Learn the similarities and differences among different magical paths, including Golden Dawn, Shamanism, Wicca, Thelema, Druidism, and more
-Receive complete instructions for rituals to awaken magical awareness and to accomplish a willed purpose
-Deepen your knowledge of ritual magic, with suggested programs of study and reading material
-Learn how and why magic can become an important part of your life
Whatever you own particular occult interest, "Ritual Magic" will help you learn what it is about, where it comes from, and how to do it correctly. By using this book as a road map of Western occultism, you will discover the truth about magic and use it to improve your life.

Editorial Reviews

From the Publisher

Ritual Magic, by Donald Tyson does two things. First, it gives you a historical understanding of the history of magic, including how it has evolved and its many current variations. Second, it gives practical information and instructions so you can use real magic to make positive changes in your life.

In Ritual Magic you will learn the influences, similarities, and differences between Golden Dawn magic and the magic of Aleister Crowley, between druidism and Witchcraft, between the Satanism of Anton LaVey and the path of Thelema, between the spirit possession of Voudoun and Shamanism. You'll discover the nature and beginnings of the Enochian calls, the Tarot, the magic squares, and the four elemental instruments.

The book also reveals what you need to know to prepare for rituals along with how to do them, including the famous Ritual of the Pentagram, a ritual to awaken magical awareness, and a ritual to accomplish a willed purpose. The book shares a graded reading list for personal study and a glossary with definitions for over 165 important terms.

Ritual Magic is a valuable book that will give you a complete understanding of magic and fill any spaces in your magical knowledge. Get Ritual Magic today.

About the Author

Donald Tyson is a Canadian from Halifax, Nova Scotia.  Early in life he was drawn to science by an intense fascination with astronomy, building a telescope by hand when he was eight.  He began university seeking a science degree, but became disillusioned with the aridity and futility of a mechanistic view of the universe and shifted his major to English.  After graduating with honors he has pursued a writing career.

Now he devotes his life to the attainment of a complete gnosis of the art of magic in theory and practice.  His purpose is to formulate an accessible system of personal training composed of East and West, past and present, that will help the individual discover the reason for one's existence and a way to fulfill it.

Product Details

• Paperback: 288 pages
• Publisher: Llewellyn Publications; 1st edition (January 8, 1992)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0875428355
• ISBN-13: 978-0875428352
• Product Dimensions: 8.9 x 6 x 0.8 inches
• Shipping Weight: 14.1 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 3.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (8 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,000,589 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Donald Tyson is a Canadian from Halifax, Nova Scotia. Early in life he was drawn to science by an intense fascination with astronomy, building a telescope by hand when he was eight. He began university seeking a science degree, but became disillusioned with the aridity and futility of a mechanistic view of the universe and shifted his major to English. After graduating with honors he has pursued a writing career. Now he devotes his life to the attainment of a complete gnosis of the art of magic in theory and practice. His purpose is to formulate an accessible system of personal training composed of East and West, past and present, that will help the individual discover the reason for one's existence and a way to fulfill it.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

13 of 14 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars Clearly written, some good material, but a lot of biases, October 29, 2002

By 

Christine Hoff Kraemer (Austin, TX USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Ritual Magic: What It Is & How To Do It (Llewellyn's Practical Magick) (Paperback)

This book is primarily useful for the history, which makes up its bulk. The best chapters are perhaps 3 and 4, which trace the roots of magick from the classical era to the present; the information contained there basically agrees with what I know from both occult and academic resources. Tyson's choice of illustrations -- mostly woodcuts from old manuscripts and a few evocative photographs -- are especially excellent and add a great deal to the text. Overall, I liked Tyson's approach, which was practical, down to earth, and very sane.

That being said, this book has some problems. It doesn't live up to its title, namely the "How to Do It" part -- Tyson gives good general information on what to expect from magick and what not to, as well as some good general principles, but the actual rituals he gives are extremely preliminary. The treatments of various magickal paths vary a great deal in quality and in length. Further, Tyson is very free with expressing his personal opinions. He makes sweeping, negative generalizations about chaos magicians, heavy metal fans, and Thelemites that, while they have a grain of truth, insult the many members of these groups that are pleasant, sane, and responsible people. His ringing endorsement of Witches, while rather sweet, is also a bit strong.

Tyson makes some effort to differentiate his own theories from those of others, but I suspect he doesn't always succeed. Overall, this is a good introductory book, but the serious student will want to check into primary sources (Tyson's list in the back of the book is a decent place to start).

9 of 9 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars A good overview, June 1, 2001

By 

Lil S. (Portland, OR) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Ritual Magic: What It Is & How To Do It (Llewellyn's Practical Magick) (Paperback)

The first 8 chapters of this book focus on the science of magic, which is a rare and valuable find. The next 9 chapters briefly explore a variety of magical traditions, a good start for a beginner to get a feel for what they might find personally appealing. The last 5 chapters have to do with the actual practice of magic rites, and may or may not be helpful depending on the individual.

The entire book has solid information, and I would definitely recommend it for even the first 8 chapters!

11 of 16 people found the following review helpful:

2.0 out of 5 stars Simplistic and judgmental., May 23, 2001

By A Customer

This review is from: Ritual Magic: What It Is & How To Do It (Llewellyn's Practical Magick) (Paperback)

A simplistic and overly moralistic work, in which Tyson states his own theories as fact (a tendency indulged in his other works as well). Watch out for Tyson's own innovations, which directly contradict most accepted theories/practices of other magickal schools of thought. Also painfully ignorant of Crowley/Thelema.