20 Best Books On Occult (2023 Update)

Explore the occult from ancient times to the modern day with one of its most respected scholars and practitioners. take an enlightening journey through occult history, exploring 100 dramatic incidents, arcane knowledge, and key historical figures from around the world. john michael greer delves into two millennia of tradition, from the earliest alchemists to pagan rituals; from the philosopher's stone to cabala, the first tarot, and the knights templar; and from the first horoscopes to fortune-telling trials and the birth of modern witchcraft, or wicca. each entry features a stunning image or intriguing item of ephemera.

The fourth book of occult philosophy, by henry cornelius agrippa and unnamed others, is considered one of the cornerstones of western magic, and the grimoires it contains are among the most important that exist in the western tradition. for more than three hundred years, this mysterious tome has been regarded as difficult or even impossible to understand–until now. occult scholar donald tyson presents a fully annotated, corrected, and modernized edition of stephen skinner's 1978 facsimile edition of the original work, which was six tracts published as one volume in 1655. for the first time, these classic works of western magic have been rendered fully accessible to the novice practitioner, as well as occult scholars and skilled magicians. tyson presents clear instruction and practical insight on a variety of magic techniques, providing contemporary magicians with a working grimoire of the arcane. astrology history geomancy ceremonial magic the nature of spirits, angels, and demons geomantic astronomy necromancy invocation and evocation of spirits

Covering astronomy, demonology, witchcraft, ancient magic, and much more, this book serves as a directory to decoding over 500 signs, symbols, and icons of the occult.this expansive illustrated directory showcases the key signs and symbols of the occult. each entry has been carefully selected for its powerful symbolism, and the stylish illustrations span from the myths and legends of the ancient world to the icons used in modern science. award-winning author eric chaline introduces each topic with a short overview before featuring the key signs and symbols and exploring similar and related entries. including signs from ancient egypt and mesopotamia, as well as aztec, celtic, slavic, native american, and hindu societies, symbols of the occult examines more than 500 symbols from history, art, and culture by decoding their iconography and exploring their historical significance. arranged by topic, this volume collects the key areas of astrology and cosmology; witchcraft and mysticism; satanism and demonology; science and alchemy; math and sacred geometry; the natural world; and symbols of ancient and secret societies. this guide is the ultimate resource for the modern occultist.

A comprehensive look at the life and continuing influence of 16th-century scientific genius and occultist dr. john dee – presents an overview of dee’s scientific achievements, intelligence and spy work, imperial strategizing, and his work developing methods to communicate with angels – pieces together dee’s fragmentary spirit diaries and examines enochian in precise detail and the angels’ plan to establish a new world order – explores dee’s influence on sir francis bacon, modern science, rosicrucianism, and 20th-century occultists such as jack parsons, aleister crowley, and anton lavey dr. john dee (1527-1608), queen elizabeth i’s court advisor and astrologer, was the foremost scientific genius of the 16th century. laying the foundation for modern science, he actively promoted mathematics and astronomy as well as made advances in navigation and optics that helped elevate england to the foremost imperial power in the world. centuries ahead of his time, his theoretical work included the concept of light speed and prototypes for telescopes and solar panels. dee, the original “007” (his crown-given moniker), even invented the idea of a “british empire,” envisioning fledgling america as the new atlantis, himself as merlin, and elizabeth as arthur. but, as jason louv explains, dee was suppressed from mainstream history because he spent the second half of his career developing a method for contacting angels. after a brilliant ascent from star student at cambridge to scientific advisor to the queen, dee, with the help of a disreputable, criminal psychic named edward kelley, devoted ten years to communing with the angels and archangels of god. these spirit communications gave him the keys to enochian, the language that mankind spoke before the fall from eden. piecing together dee’s fragmentary spirit diaries and scrying sessions, the author examines enochian in precise detail and explains how the angels used dee and kelley as agents to establish a new world order that they hoped would unify all monotheistic religions and eventually dominate the entire globe. presenting a comprehensive overview of dee’s life and work, louv examines his scientific achievements, intelligence and spy work, imperial strategizing, and enochian magick, establishing a psychohistory of john dee as a singular force and fundamental driver of western history. exploring dee’s influence on sir francis bacon, the development of modern science, 17th-century rosicrucianism, the 19th-century occult revival, and 20th-century occultists such as jack parsons, aleister crowley, and anton lavey, louv shows how john dee continues to impact science and the occult to this day.

How to make a magic carpet, become invisible, and find love are among the useful procedures detailed in this famous book of magic. reputedly written by king solomon himself, this major text of western ritual magic contains chants, prayers, and instructions — both general and specific — on trafficking with the spirit world.editor and translator s. l. macgregor mathers was a leader of the hermetic order of the golden dawn, an influential group of magicians and mystics whose members included arthur machen, w. b. yeats, and evelyn underhill. macgregor mathers based this extraordinary book on seven manuscripts from the british museum's collections. its formulas for conjuring up spirits and performing rituals offer a rich source of study for students of comparative religion, psychology, and the history of ideas. for working occultists, this classic provides a valuable and important guide to the execution of magical ceremonies.

An illustrated guide to the occult history, serpent magic, and practical application of the i ching – reveals how the sacred language of the original eight trigrams of the i ching was discovered by a wisdom serpent known as fu xi – explores how the i ching formed the basis of the earliest taoist philosophies, its complex correlation with human dna, and its relationship with artificial intelligence – provides new contemporary analysis of each of the 64 hexagrams, their changing lines, and archetypes of the i ching – includes original artwork highlighting the serpent magic within the system and tools to help you interpret the i ching based on your own individual experience one of the oldest books in the world, the i ching has been used in china for millennia to open a dialogue with divinity, gain insight and wisdom, and pull aside the curtain of reality to reveal the light of the heavens. yet, despite its popularity over thousands of years, few understand its mysterious origins, symbolism, or occult connections. in this illustrated guide, maja d’aoust applies her significant experience as a professional practitioner and scholar of the i ching to provide a history of the oracle, explain the mechanisms at work behind it, and offer a new experiential approach to its interpretation. the author begins by examining the discovery of the i ching by the first mythical emperor of china, fu xi, a divine being with the body of a serpent. she reveals how fu xi’s eight original trigrams, also called the ba gua, provided a sacred language of symbols that allowed for communication between the diviner and the spirit world. using the i ching’s principles of cosmology as a basis, the shamans of ancient china developed the earliest taoist philosophies of nature, medicine, martial arts, and mathematics as well as ecstatic practices, war strategies, birth and death rituals, agricultural systems, and alchemical studies. d’aoust further shows how the i ching relates to the mathematical sequences of biology and human dna, examining the correlation between the serpent’s tail and the double helix. she reveals how the ways the oracle connects with your own inner knowing parallel the ways in which dna repairs itself. providing a new analysis of each of the 64 hexagrams and their changing lines and archetypes, the author explores each hexagram’s meanings in depth, alongside original artwork highlighting the serpent magic within the system and tools to help you interpret the i ching based on your own individual experience. revealing how the oracle holds complex networks of meaning that language alone fails to capture, d’aoust offers a new understanding of the book of changes and its many hidden lessons.

The kingdom of the occult delivers the timely followup to dr. martin's best-selling the kingdom of the cultsthis book takes dr. walter martin's comprehensive knowledge and his dynamic teaching style and forges a strong weapon against the world of the occult-a weapon of the same scope and power as his phenomenal thirty-five year bestseller, the kingdom of the cults (over 875,000 sold). chapters include: witchcraft and wicca, satanism, pagan religions, tools of the occult, demon possession and exorcism, spiritual warfare, etc.features include:each chapter contains: quick facts; history; case studies; theology; resources

The kingdom of the occult delivers the timely followup to dr. martin's best-selling the kingdom of the cultsthis book takes dr. walter martin's comprehensive knowledge and his dynamic teaching style and forges a strong weapon against the world of the occult-a weapon of the same scope and power as his phenomenal thirty-five year bestseller, the kingdom of the cults (over 875,000 sold). chapters include: witchcraft and wicca, satanism, pagan religions, tools of the occult, demon possession and exorcism, spiritual warfare, etc.features include:each chapter contains: quick facts; history; case studies; theology; resources

From "aarab zereq" to "zos kia cultus," this is the most up-to-date, comprehensive guide to the history, philosophies, and personalities of western occultism. written by an occult scholar and practitioner with the assistance of hundreds of experts in the field, this volume presents the latest in scholarly research and points out errors in previous writings-revealing truths much more interesting and dramatic than the fictional histories that obscured them. the new encyclopedia of the occult is an invaluable reference guide to magic, alchemy, astrology, divination, tarot, palmistry, and geomancy; magical orders such as the golden dawn and rosicrucians; important occultists; and religions and spiritual traditions associated with occultism such as wicca, thelema, theosophy, and the modern pagan movement. "this is an important source for libraries to have in their collections to assist anyone seeking information about the many aspects of occult traditions." —booklist "greer delivers a well researched, informative, and unbiased encyclopedia… highly recommended for all public libraries and where interest merits." —library journal covr award winner

Horror takes its time – looking for a thoughtful fright? or perhaps a frightful thought? packed with stories selected by one of today's leading esoteric scholars, this book will do more than make your toes curl and your skin crawl. these tales reveal hidden truths, inspire forbidden pursuits, and divulge the secrets of magical initiation in the guise of fiction. covering topics from rituals to hauntings to satanism, this one-of-a-kind volume includes selections from:aleister crowley – ambrose bierce – arthur machen – edgar allan poe – robert w. chambers – ralph adams cram – h.p. lovecraft – dion fortune – sir edward george bulwer-lytton – bram stoker – as duquette writes in his introduction, horror takes its time. it creeps in, seeps in, and lingers. these stories will take you hours to read, but they will stay with you, biting at your heels from the shadows, eternally.

The first major survey of the occult collection of artworks and objects in the tate archive "the word 'occult' comes from the latin occulus, meaning 'hidden.' the underlying assumption is that there is another, unseen world beyond that of the day-to-day existence–with magic offering the possibility of connecting these two worlds." –christopher dell, the occult, witchcraft & magic, 2016 this lavishly illustrated magical volume acts a potent talisman connecting the two worlds of tate–the seen public collection and the unseen secrets lurking in the archive. the pages of this book explore the hidden artworks and ephemera left behind by artists for the first time and will shed new light on our understanding of the art historical canon. expect to find the unexpected with artists such as ithell colquhoun, john nash, barbara hepworth, david mayor, max armfield, cecil collins, jill smith and bruce lacey, francis bacon, alan davie, joe tilson, henry moore, william blake, leonora carrington, and hamish fulton. for the first time, the clandestine, magical works of the tate archive are revealed with archivist victoria jenkins acting as the depositary of its secrets. this book explores the symbiotic relationship between art and the occult and how both can act as a form of resistance to challenging environments. this book will change perceptions forever and illuminate the surprising breadth and extraordinary ways in which artists interpret not just the physical world around them but also the supernatural, and in doing so, make the unseen, seen. if you think you know tate artists, it's time to think again.

From "aarab zereq" to "zos kia cultus," this is the most up-to-date, comprehensive guide to the history, philosophies, and personalities of western occultism. written by an occult scholar and practitioner with the assistance of hundreds of experts in the field, this volume presents the latest in scholarly research and points out errors in previous writings-revealing truths much more interesting and dramatic than the fictional histories that obscured them. the new encyclopedia of the occult is an invaluable reference guide to magic, alchemy, astrology, divination, tarot, palmistry, and geomancy; magical orders such as the golden dawn and rosicrucians; important occultists; and religions and spiritual traditions associated with occultism such as wicca, thelema, theosophy, and the modern pagan movement. "this is an important source for libraries to have in their collections to assist anyone seeking information about the many aspects of occult traditions." —booklist "greer delivers a well researched, informative, and unbiased encyclopedia… highly recommended for all public libraries and where interest merits." —library journal covr award winner

The curious history of magic and the powers of the occult, witchcraft, ritual, and the imagination, from their earliest appearances to modern timesfrom the days of the earliest paleolithic cave rituals, magic has gripped the imagination. magic and magicians appear in early babylonian texts, the bible, judaism, and islam. secret words, spells, and incantations lie at the heart of nearly every mythological tradition. but for every genuine magus there is an impostor. during the middle ages, religion, science, and magic were difficult to set apart. the middle ages also saw the pursuit of alchemy—the magical transformation of base materials—which led to a fascination with the occult, freemasonry, and rosicrucianism. the turn of the twentieth century witnessed a return to earlier magical traditions, and today, magic means many things: contemporary wicca is practiced widely as a modern pagan religion in europe and the us; “magic” also stretches to include the nonspiritual, rapid-fire sleight of hand performed by slick stage magicians who fill vast arenas. the occult, witchcraft and magic is packed with authoritative text and a huge and inspired selection of images, some chosen from unusual sources, including some of the best-known representations of magic and the occult from around the world spanning ancient to modern times.

An art historian shows how many surrealists and their predecessors were steeped in magical ideas that were expressed in their art: the sorcery of dali, the alchemy of picasso, the theosophy of kandinsky, and the shamanism of ernst and carrington. an art historian shows how many surrealists and their predecessors were steeped in magical ideas that were expressed in their art: the sorcery of dali, the alchemy of picasso, the theosophy of kandinsky, and the shamanism of ernst and carrington.

Product type: categories > religion & spirituality > new age & spirituality > wicca, witchcraft & paganism > wicca

Over the three quarters of a century since it first saw print, israel regardie'sthe golden dawn has become the most influential modern handbook of magical theory and practice. in this new, definitive edition, noted scholar john michael greer has taken this essential resource back to its original, authentic form. correcting errors and misprints, updating and adding missing illustrations, featuring a twenty-page color insert, remedying omissions, and refreshing the design and typography, this definitive edition returns this modern masterpiece to its true stature.an essential textbook in magical lodges and occult schools, the golden dawnincludes initiation rituals, a complete system of tarot, a ritual for invisibility, secrets of invocation and evocation, the mysteries of kabbalah, meditation techniques, enochian magic, and much more.

Drawing on daemons, symbols, and sigils from ancient magickal grimoires including archidoxis magica and the key of solomon, occult tarot presents a fully realized divination tool to finally embrace and behold the mysteries of the night."–container.

A faithfully reconstructed sourcebook of 17th, 18th & 19th century magic over three centuries of pivotal magical development, four occult philosophers recorded charms, seals, talismans, and magical lore into a single book. now, daniel harms makes this priceless volume accessible to all collectors and historians through his expert transcription, annotations, and translations of the english, latin, and welsh content. preserving the red and black text of the original handwritten manuscript, the book of four occult philosophers reveals centuries' worth of secrets gathered by robert cross smith (raphael), olivia serres (princess olive), thomas harrington, and an unknown individual only identified as "w." their compilation of magical operations contains historical spells and rituals alongside passages about fairies, astrology, numerology, demon conjuring, and more. explore recipes to bind a spirit, attract a female familiar, make men appear in horns, and find the virtue of mandrakes. featuring hundreds of illustrations replicated by s. aldarnay, this compendium of ceremonial magic is the perfect addition to any collection of treasured occult works. translated and annotated from manuscript 116 in the bodleian library's francis douce collection

All three books of francis barrett's superb compendium of occult thought are presented in this single volume, complete with the original charts and illustrations. natural magic is defined, as are the many philters and potions which may be created and imbued with its essence. various historical examples of magicians who had, for good or ill, gained public notice for their practices are given. the later chapters meanwhile concern the properties of magical stones such as the legendary philosophers stone, and the arcane arts of combining creatures of nature, and the sometimes monstrous results. the symbolism of numbers and of the astronomical bodies of the heavens are detailed, sometimes with charts.

Become a competent, confident spell-worker with this practical guide to witchcraft. containing an extensive collection of traditional spells and techniques, this book will help readers attract positive friendships, love and luck as well as promote healing, careers and protection. the practical book of witchcraft is an essential reference for anyone wishing to master the incredible art of magic and spell-making. the book includes: – a section on tools used as well as information on how to consecrate them – correspondences for different spells – rituals for manifesting your wishes