Visual Magick: a manual of freestyle shamanism [Paperback]

Jan Fries (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: January 5, 2007 | ISBN-10: 1869928571 | ISBN-13: 978-1869928575 | Edition: 2nd

A new edition of the highly acclaimed manual of freestyle shamanism, suitable for all those inspired by such figures as Austin Spare and Aleister Crowley, and who feel the imperative to develop their own unique magical way. Visual Magick aims to build vision, imagination, and creative magick. It shows how magicians, witches, artists and therapists can improve visionary abilities, enhance imagination, activate the inner senses, and discover new modes of trance awareness. The emphasis is on direct experience and the reader is asked to think, act, do, and enjoy as s/he wills. 'One of the best books on magick I have read in a long while.' Phil Hine in Pagan News 'A practical modern grimoire.' The Cauldron

Product Details

• Paperback: 192 pages
• Publisher: Mandrake; 2nd edition (January 5, 2007)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1869928571
• ISBN-13: 978-1869928575
• Product Dimensions: 8.9 x 6 x 0.5 inches
• Shipping Weight: 11.4 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.9 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (10 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #99,395 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
  • #67 in Books > Religion & Spirituality > Earth-Based Religions > Shamanism

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

40 of 44 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Jan Fries & Visual Magick, October 20, 2002

By A Customer

This review is from: VISUAL MAGICK: A Manual of Freestyle Shamanism (Paperback)

I am fond of this book. I have my doubts about Jan Fries.

Fries neatly describes a practice containing elements of NLP (representational systems & perceptual positions), automatic drawing techniques, and a clear (excellent, even) coverage of sigil technique. Jan's emphasis on a non-forceful kind of Taoist approach is worthy of special attention. I have not found much of the latter half of the book useful, myself, but the parts that I have found useful are very well done and free of obfuscation.

That said, I do have a problem with Jan's egotistical glorification of Thelema (in odd and not necessarily appropriate ways) and his claims that some effective techniques of Chaos Magick are "nonsense" (contrary to the experience of a great many people who use them). His statements that visions appear shadey and vague as if one were just imagining them, though I may have misunderstood his meaning and/or intent, lead me to question just how much of an "Adept" he actually is in certain respects.

That said, I believe the book survives the author, and is a worthwhile contribution to any occultist's library (well, unless of course you're a die-hard ceremonialist. Not much here for you in that case).

25 of 27 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars one of the best "chaos magick" books around, July 20, 1999

By A Customer

This review is from: VISUAL MAGICK: A Manual of Freestyle Shamanism (Paperback)

Though Jan doesn't consider himself a practicioner of "chaos magick" (he is a neo-thelemite in the Maat current) people who *do* consider themselves practicioners of "chaos magick" love him.

Very down to earth. Check out his stuff on runes too.

Forget Pete Carroll, that pompous mystagogue. Stick with Jan Fries and maybe a bit of Phil Hine, and you're on solid ground.

11 of 11 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Superb Postmodern Grimoire, September 29, 2009

By 

Dr. R. J. Thompson (MI, USA) - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Visual Magick: a manual of freestyle shamanism (Paperback)

Jan Fries has done a fine job with this work. The book is sub-titled "A Manual of Freestyle Shamanism," and to anyone in the know that seems to fit the books nicely. This work is very much for working magicians who are not afraid to leave their comfort zones. Fries has exercises in every chapter of the book corresponding to the philosophy covered, a rarity in occult works these days. This book is an important text that I believe all modern practitioners should have a copy of, if not for themselves, for potential students. This work will save the would be occultist YEARS of sifting through booshwa to get the facts about magic. In regard to this, the section on sigil magic alone is worth the price of the book. If one truly wishes to the deep transformations that are meant to be brought about by occult workings, this is perhaps one of the best places to start.

As an aside I must mention that this work will not be for those searching for "traditional" forms of shamanism, primitivism or "neo-shamanism." Rather the work is a mix of psychology, NLP, trance, chaos magick, and shamanic technique that blend together to form superb practice. I recommend this book highly to all seekers on the path. I do not recommend that the practices employed be used in a group working, unless all have been working together strictly using said practices. Rather this book works at the core of the occult, personal transformation. Also, the work makes no religious claims or clarifications, another rarity in occult works. This book can be used by a magician, witch, sorcerer, etc. of any stripe. It is so non-judgemental about individual beliefs and practices that it can even easily be employed by an atheistic occultist, and yes they do exist. The only reason that I have not given this book a four star rating is that I do disagree with the author on a few points made in regard to tradition, but otherfise a most excellent work.

Ryan