The Arcane Veil: Ten Discourses on the Craft and the History of Magic

by Shani Oates

The Arcane   'analogue of Craft historiography, brought up to date through the author's own experiential praxis'    A discursive investigation of magical beliefs and practises in England  since 600CE to the post-modern fall-out of the 21st century, analysing in particular its influences and survival strategies. Emphasis is placed on Christian, Heathen, and Hermetic Praxis, with provocative, critical study of the concepts of Lucifer, Witch-Blood, Sin-Eating and their influences on modern Traditional Craft praxes.   "A driving thirst for knowledge is the forerunner of wisdom. Knowledge is a state that all organic life possesses, wisdom is the reward of the spirit, gained in the search for knowledge. Truth is variable - what is true now, will not be true tomorrow, since the temporal truths are dependent upon ethics and social mores - therefore wisdom is possibly eternal Truth, untouched by man's condition. So we must come to the heart of the people, a belief that is based upon Eternity, and not upon social needs or pressures - the 'witch' belief then is concerned with wisdom, our true name, then the wise people and wisdom is our aim." - Robert Cochrane 1931-1966

302 pages, Hardcover

First published September 21, 2011