The Magus: A Complete System of Occult Philosophy

by Francis Barrett

The MagusThree Books of Occult Philosophy . Areas explored include Natural Magic, Alchemy, Talismanic Magic, Cabalistic and Ceremonial Magic, as well as biographies of important figures such as Albertus Magnus, Roger Bacon and John Dee. Notable are the author's illustrations, derived from ancient and magical texts. This book remains much sought after by modern readers for the important source material it provides, and it continues to be drawn on heavily for information on many areas of occult philosophy.

Genres: Occult, Nonfiction, Philosophy, Magick, Magic, Witchcraft, Religion

458 pages, Kindle Edition

First published January 1, 1801

About the author

Francis Barrett was an occultist often credited as the first founder of an academic school of magic.

Reviews

[Matal “The Mischling Princess” Baker · Rating 5 out of 5]

Francis Barrett’s “The Magus: A Complete System of Occult Philosophy” is a hefty book, but definitely important for anyone interested in magical history to read.

He discusses all of the numbers, starting with two and ending with twelve, in incredible detail, even providing correspondence charts. In fact, Barrett discusses correspondences a lot, especially in relation to stones and herbalism.

This book relies heavily on European Christian folk magic and Jewish mysticism, which was expected considering both the date and place of the original publication (1801 and London, respectively).

The influence that this book had, and continues to have, on magical practice is incredible. In fact, I would venture to say that if practitioners today are not directly influenced by this book, then they are absolutely indirectly influenced by it, albeit without citation (as was often the case), because Barrett’s information was clearly recycled by later authors. It must be stated, though, that Barrett also extracted and translated data from earlier sources, most of which he didn’t cite. Once again, this was a common practice among early writers. This book is just one cog in the wheel of how magical information was passed down over the centuries.

Although this book isn’t considered a ‘must read’ like other more well-known books, “The Magus” really should be on everyone’s TBR list. And yes, this book is **that** relevant, primarily due to its historical significance and especially to its importance to both witchcraft and Ceremonial Magic(k).

This book’s data on natural magic, alchemy, astrology, magical tables, seals (also more commonly known today’s as sigils) in both English and Hebrew and detailed information on them, and data on other topics was critical to early practitioners of magic. On pages 232-233, Barrett even discusses a case of astral projection—although he never uses the term, and provides another example:

“…Saint Ambrose, although he was for distant in his body, yet was visibly present at the funeral solemnities of Saint Martin…” (pg. 238).

What is interesting is Barrett’s understanding of magical power. First, he states that—unlike many other previous writers on the subject—that,

“…there is a certain power plainly proper and natural to the witch which belongs not to Satan…” (p.240).

After exonerating witches (and particularly women), he then reveals that those powers are inherent in **all** people (pg. 242)—a radical departure from other Christian writings, further stating that even if someone chooses not to use magic that,

“…every magical faculty lies dormant…” (pg. 249).

[Chris Feldman · Rating 5 out of 5]

Basically a rip-off of Agrippa, but interesting nonetheless.

[☘Misericordia☘ ⚡ϟ⚡⛈⚡☁ ❇️❤❣ · Rating 5 out of 5]

Not too comprehensible but then again, this is an old as hell copywriter Agrippa-ish mix of all things, archaic and occult and symbolic and goethic and ...

The 3d vol is the best, since it's basically oldie bios of occult celebrities.

[Bob Schweiger · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is hard to read and definately not for everyone. It contains valuable information for those seeking out old world knowledge.

[Erik Akre · Rating 2 out of 5]

This might be the most bizarre and random book I have ever read. I read it without any context for its turn-of-the-eighteenth century information, and it blew me away with its strange correspondences, wild numerology, archaic astrology, and twisted suggestions for ritual and spellcraft.

As a student of Wicca, I looked for links between Barrett's writings and current Wiccan practice, and I do feel there are plenty. I am left with wonder at how his own experience in the occult eventually fed into what we now know as "witchcraft." He strikes me as a very strange man who lived underground in his times with a big sack-full of strange information gathered through studies of obscure past knowledge. Did he make any of it up? What on Earth did he study in order to glean all of this bizarre knowledge? What happened to all of this stuff as the nineteenth century progressed?

For quaint interest or a kind of morbid fascination, this book will deliver. For historical material, this book will keep the occultist engaged. For readability, the unadulterated archaic and confusing writing style of this book will be a pure bust.

[Jennifer · Rating 3 out of 5]

Full disclosure: I have only skimmed this book. I feel I must write a superficial review here as two of the three present say nothing about the book itself.

This is a 19th century text drawing from various sources (including, and perhaps primarily, but not only Agrippa's Three Books of Occult Philosophy). It is part manual, part overview for the Victorian occultist and covers various topics such as "Natural Magic," "Alchymy," "Cabalistic Magic," and "Magnetism."

[Andria Potter · Rating 2 out of 5]

Read a brief sample on Wayback Machine and was unimpressed. 2.5 ⭐.

[Constantin · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book is a good read for someone who is a complete beginner, but not good at all for someone who has already a lot of occult related knowledge.

It contains many chapters on many different subjects, but it explains nothing in depth. 99% of the information in it is simply things that are mentioned theoretically, and serve only as ideas for stuff that you can put sticky notes on and then go ahead and research them once you have finished the book.

Personally, I did not enjoy reading it much. It is very theistic and one could say that it is basically "Christian Folk Magick", i.e. theories and ideas of correspondences but nothing actually practical.

[Aaron Meyer · Rating 2 out of 5]

Is a hodgepodge of material. For the time it came out though it was huge because access to some of the volumes which it took from were extremely difficult to come by. Of course now that has completely changed and its sources are readily available. Unfortunately that leaves this volume in the dust heap so to speak, worthless other than it being a curiosity of the times.

[Elli Toney · Rating 1 out of 5]

I only got about 10% in before I gave up and threw in the DNF bin. This was just ridiculously heavy with Christian ideas. If I wanted to read a 5 page prayer, I wouldn't look into a book on the occult.

[Nevethanaa · Rating 4 out of 5]

fantastic

[Heka · Rating 3 out of 5]

From an academic perspective, this was a fascinating read.

[SreevarPat · Rating 3 out of 5]

The Magus by Francis Barrett was the most random and bizarre book I have ever read. If you told your friend to read it, I think they would think you were crazy. The book is deeply influenced by Eliphas Levi's Transcendental Magic, and was written to popularize the occult, occult related texts, and beliefs. Some of the more interesting beliefs in the book include

- Herbalism and Plants
- Astrology
- Gemstones and Tarots

These beliefs are still popular today, last week a tarot card reader went onto FOX News to predict the year for presidential candidate Donald Trump. The Magus influenced spirituality in the 19th century and even spiritual and superstitious beliefs of today. I recommend this book for anyone interested in the occult or spirituality or just like looking at weird symbols. One of the quotes from this book you may have heard of is ...

"The greatest magic is the magic of love, for it can conquer all things."

[Dominika · Rating 3 out of 5]

I read this more as a historical fascination rather than as a practical guide for magick. While you see a lot of these fundamentals in many different schools and teachings, the Christian undertones don't really do it for me. I did think the breakdown was pretty simple to understand if you're desperate, but witches are everywhere and part of being a witch is finding your own path.

That all being said, this is pretty comprehensive, with several types of magick being covered, and you could probably do a lot with this if you're looking for a reference in magic systems (for writing fantasy novels).

[Anne Lydolf · Rating 2 out of 5]

I can see how this book can have been an amazing source of information in a time where a lot of the books were hard to get. However, it is poorly written, organized in a confusing manner and repeats itself endlessly while also breezing over subjects that could have benefitted from a deeper exploration.

[Matt Kelland · Rating 4 out of 5]

I haven't read this in decades, but I needed some details about ceremonial magic for a novel, and this was the perfect place to find it.

Not sure how to rate this: it's great source material if you're looking for something very specific, but it's mostly just a rehash of other works.

[Bob Sacco]

Re-Packaging of Henry Cornelius Agrippa's Three Books of Occult Philosophy.

[Blaine Wajdowicz]

I didnt understand half of this. But it's always cool to review some source material

[Paulo Vasconcellos · Rating 5 out of 5]

An excellent and almost mandatory book to every student of occultism.

[Moga · Rating 5 out of 5]

Dacă e buna merita

[Bruno Tomasini · Rating 3 out of 5]

Muito bom, muito complexo 😂

[Aaron Golding · Rating 3 out of 5]

Interesting, but quite a heavy read. A little too much Christian influence for my liking.

[JV · Rating 4 out of 5]

I read this in 2024 and hated it.

Having read several other grimoires since and gaining some relevant experience, I can say now that it is very well done. I really enjoyed the footnotes in some sections from Agrippa and some other occultists of the age.

My advice to anyone struggling with slogging through this text, is to push on and finish it. Read some other grimoires and come back - if anything, seeing the similarities between others written between 1700 and 1899 is fascinating enough.

[Wyatt whittier · Rating 3 out of 5]

There is strong evidence that this book was read by Joseph Smith the prophet, so I wanted to read it. Lots of interesting parallels to LDS theology, specifically regarding oil healings and the nature of spirits. Interesting read, but lots of superstitious fluff as well in my opinion.

[John Wight]

A great compendium of occult philosophy, going over topics such as natural magic, talismanic magic, alchemy, evokation, etc.

[Penny · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book is absolutely wonderful, but keep in mind, it isn't modern. I don't recommend The Magus for beginners, simply because of the time period in which the material was originally wrote. Some of it can be a bit complex, and even confusing for someone just starting out. However, most of the material is accurate, and complete. A great addition to any occult library for certain, as The Magus makes a wonderful reference book, as well as study tool. Keep in mind, this is not the type of book you can just sit back and read front to back easily. It took me a little over a month to get through the entire book. To truly understand it, you need to take your time, and actually but thought into it.