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34 of 38 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
An intriguing perspective on magical development..., October 18, 1998
By A Customer
This review is from: Sex Magic, Tantra & Tarot: The Way of the Secret Lover (Paperback)
Sex Magic, Tantra & Tarot was formerly known as 'The Way of the Secret Lover'. Like Secrets of Western Tantra, it draws heavily on the symbolism of the Tarot, the work of Aleister Crowley, the rituals of the Golden Dawn and other 'standards' of the Western Esoteric Tradition in order to provide a framework for progress and development. A central theme here is that the Holy Guardian Angel can be identified with the so-called 'Secret Lover'. Thus the main thrust of the book is how one can enter into dialogue and eventually, union with the Secret Lover. From this perspective, the book could be described as an extended essay on the dynamics of Bhakti Yoga. The appendices deal with familiar themes such as basic chakra symbolism or the Lesser Hexagram or Pentagram Rites. There is also a chapter from Phil Hine on a 'Chaos Approach' to Sexual Magic which urges the reader to beware occult dogmas which limit sexual expression, and includes the sage advice to ... "Beware of Adepts or Witch-Queens who make offers out of the blue to raise your kundalini, stoke up your chakras or blow your aura!" To sum up then, Sex Magic, Tantra & Tarot offers an intriguing perspective on magical development which manages to unite traditional occult symbolism and techniques with a psychotherapeutic perspective. Again, what you get out of this book very much depends on what you put into it, but Dr. Hyatt and Lon Milo Duquette have certainly projected a viable Tantra ('scripture which liberates') for those who feel rooted in the Western Occult Tradition. - Andrew Johnson.
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25 of 31 people found the following review helpful:
2.0 out of 5 stars
A little bit of this, a little bit of that...,, January 11, 2006
This review is from: Sex Magic, Tantra & Tarot: The Way of the Secret Lover (Paperback)
This book deals mainly with sex magic and getting in touch with your personal Holy Guardian Angel ('Secret Lover'). I liked how this was related to being the Tiphareth Sephirah and also the reflection of Kether. There is much more to be said in this alone. I did like how this book encourages people to go beyond their fear, especially as relates to sexuality and Tantra. For me this was about all I gained from this book. The author(s) are both learners of Israel Regardie and Aleister Crowley. After reading Christopher S. Hyatt's `Secrets of Western Tantra' (See my review) and being very disappointed, I did not hope much more from `Sex Magic, Tantra & Tarot'. I did find it a little better and have given it one more star. Both of the books that I have mentioned above have similar information i.e. `lesser banishing rituals' and tarot card descriptions associated with personal meanings. If you are into path working and mixing it up with astrology, numerology, tarot and Cabbala etc you may like this. Personally, a good portion of these books come across as being a little wishy washy, new age self help for my liking. The author being a psychotherapist and counsellor probably has something to do with this. There is however a little more depth, probably due to the influence of Israel Regardie and the many years Hyatt has been involved with the occult. The author states that Sex Magic and Tantra are "Not the same". "Tantra itself is a vast subject, of which sex-magic practices constitute only a small part...Sex Magic however, (requires) no more than a purposeful intent, skill in the techniques of magic, and a relaxed attitude to any possible experience or effect." The author states that this can be accomplished by a single person and couples of same or different sexes. Note also that orgasm is encouraged with the practices given. In `Secrets of Western Tantra' Appendix, via another writer Phil Hine (see also Hine's book `Permutations'- Sub heading - `Sodomy as spiritual fulfilment' pg 25), Hyatt gives techniques for "Cacodemonic Copulations" i.e. sex with Succubi and Incubi; also Evocations for calling an entity for the purpose of having sex with this demon lover. Hyatt states that there are dangers for those not equipped to handle this and gives techniques for getting out of this once all hell breaks loose. I know that the author would hate what I'm about to say, but let's face it, this is black Tantra. I can see that by performing the rituals one would get more in touch with their spiritual selves, yet I profoundly doubt that performing these exercises would lead one to enlightenment. Do what thou wilt with this my review, but remember Anubis is not deceived and shows now partiality.
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7 of 8 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Powerful Magick, August 4, 2005
This review is from: Sex Magic, Tantra & Tarot: The Way of the Secret Lover (Paperback)
While the beginning of the book is mostly the authors explaining themselves and it goes into simple tarot card stuff the ending of the book is supreme with very powerful sex magick involving a partner. I also really liked the illustrations of the cards using Duquette's ceremonial magick deck. Overall, not a bad addition to your book collection if you are into Thelema and other schools of magick. Duquette and Hyatt are both respected authorities on the subject. This involves the all important supreme ritual of invocation one's personal daemon or holy guardian angel (HGA) and for bringing the subject into more tangible terms involving a ritual the book is to be admired.
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