Customer Reviews

Sex Magic, Tantra & Tarot: The Way of the Secret Lover

5 star:		(6)
4 star:		(0)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(2)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

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.

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.

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.

The quick version is "skip this book and buy Frater UD's book instead."

In general, I found this book very shallow and not very useful. Most of the work is fairly watered-down Hermetic material, with some suggestions for the use of divination an the Tarot thrown in, and a few basic elements of sex magic. The useful portions of the book could probably fill 5-10 pages.

This book might be a decent beginner book on the subject, but even there it lacks sufficient guidance to provide a useful framework for getting started. Additionally, for beginners, I am not sure that sex magic is the place to start....

In general, I have found both Hyatt books I have read to be great disappointments because they lack substance. The subject deserves to be treated better. Since Frater UD's book provides more substance, I would buying that book instead.

SEX MAGICK, TANTRA, & TAROT
BY Christopher S. Hyatt and Lon Milo DuQuette.

First of all this book is simple to understand and the directions are quite clear. This is a book that can change you for the better if you work it. Its a way of using the tarot in a special reading "not an ordinary divination" to know of yourself on a more deeper level. It will prepare you for Kundalini and the knowledge and conversation of you Holy Gaurdian Angel. Even if you like I have had in the past and still have the knowledge and conversation this book can help you on a more deeper level. It uses the systems of Tantra, Sex Magick and Ceremonial Magick to achieve this. It also has a chapter on how the Tarot and the Tree of Life and Qabalah are all put together. This book is great for those who wish to have this High Magickal experience, it should not be passed by. The book is 191 pages but dont let that fool you as there is a wealth of information here. Too me its one of those treasures I considder priceless and I will hold on to for good! ! ! I am very pleased at what has been put into this book. Even though I had the knoledge and conversation with my HGA many years ao I found these techniques to be helpful in streanthning my relationship with my Angel. I still like using this book as a reference.

I been thinking awhile about whether to buy this book or not... I'm glad I did. I must say it offers quite a personal means of achieving a deeper understanding of your mental and especially spiritual self. "The Meditation of the Seer" alone is worth the price of this book!

Hyatt and Duquette team together for a ritual using sex as the meditation in gaining insight, enlightenment, samadhi - whatever it may be. Also using your Tarot cards coupled with astrology to determine the time and place of the ritual (conversation) of the Holy Guardian Angel. Spelled out by Hyatt and Duquette, both learners of Israel Regardie, in an explanatory manner how to achieve invocation through sex with a partner or yourself.

This book is poorly written and organized. It is not what I expected. I would continue your research and get a book worth spending your money on.

This book serves as a good introduction to the idea of sex magick and the doctrine of the Holy Guardian Angel, which is central to the practice of magick. There is good basic information on Tarot and Qabala and using the symbols for practical purposes. It's hard to really review this book without summarizing it. It's worth looking at. Slackananda's Book Reviews