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Moon Magic
Almost 15 years after she first appeared in Sea Priestess, Dion Fortune wrote about her heroine Vivien Le Fay again. In Moon Magic Vivien appears as Lilith Le Fay, and uses her knowledge of moontides to construct an astral temple of Hermetic magic. The viewpoint of Lilith Le Fay is purely pagan, and she is a rebel against society, bent upon its alteration. She may, of course, represent my Freudian subconscious... --'from the Introduction 'Dion Fortune's books sell! Sea Priestess has sold 32,000 copies and Moon Magic has 25,000 copies in print. 'First published in 1938 and 1956, neither Sea Priestess nor Moon Magic have been out of print and are enduring favorites among readers of esoteric fiction. 'New packages will update these classic novels and introduce them to a new generation of readers.
235 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 1956
60 people are currently reading
1674 people want to read
About the author
Dion Fortune
146 books466 followersViolet Mary Firth Evans (better known as Dion Fortune), was a British occultist and author. Her pseudonym was inspired by her family motto "Deo, non fortuna" (Latin for "by God, not fate").
From 1919 she began writing a number of novels and short stories that explored various aspects of magic and mysticism, including The Demon Lover, The Winged Bull, The Goat-Foot God, and The Secrets of Dr. Taverner. This latter is a collection of short stories based on her experiences with Theodore Moriarty. Two of her novels, The Sea Priestess and Moon Magic, became influential within the religion of Wicca, especially upon Doreen Valiente.
Of her non-fiction works on magical subjects, the best remembered of her books are; The Cosmic Doctrine, meant to be a summation of her basic teachings on mysticism; The Mystical Qabalah, an introduction to Hermetic Qabalah; and Psychic Self Defence, a manual on how to protect oneself from psychic attacks. Though some of her writings may seem dated to contemporary readers, they have the virtue of lucidity and avoid the deliberate obscurity that characterised many of her forerunners and contemporaries.
From 1919 she began writing a number of novels and short stories that explored various aspects of magic and mysticism, including The Demon Lover, The Winged Bull, The Goat-Foot God, and The Secrets of Dr. Taverner. This latter is a collection of short stories based on her experiences with Theodore Moriarty. Two of her novels, The Sea Priestess and Moon Magic, became influential within the religion of Wicca, especially upon Doreen Valiente.
Of her non-fiction works on magical subjects, the best remembered of her books are; The Cosmic Doctrine, meant to be a summation of her basic teachings on mysticism; The Mystical Qabalah, an introduction to Hermetic Qabalah; and Psychic Self Defence, a manual on how to protect oneself from psychic attacks. Though some of her writings may seem dated to contemporary readers, they have the virtue of lucidity and avoid the deliberate obscurity that characterised many of her forerunners and contemporaries.
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November 14, 2019
This book was first published in 1957, eleven years after Fortune's death, so it was completed by friends of hers. This is somewhat obvious, but not tragically so. In Moon Magic we pick up the trail of Vivien Le Fay Morgan after her adventures in The Sea Priestess. Vivien has travelled to London, following an inner calling, where she has changed her name to Lilith Le Fay and is seeking to establish an Isis cult.
I liked Moon Magic better than The Sea Priestess and I am not entirely sure why. I think I felt more connected to Vivien/Lilith because this second book is narrated by her, in first person, for all but the final chapter. (The Sea Priestess was in third person and we were only able to understand Vivien through Wilfred's view of her, as it was more his story than hers.) Having said that, there is a lot more explanation of the theory and practice of ceremonial magic in this book, too, which amounts to pages and pages of description. Fortune believed that the initiate who read The Sea Priestess and Moon Magic, along with her nonfiction text The Mystical Qabalah, would then hold the "keys to the kingdom" of the hidden cosmic realms and be well set to participate in the rites and rituals of Isis. I am not interested in becoming a priestess myself but found it interesting nevertheless.

The Moon Goddess ~ Early 1900s postcard by Reutlinger
Lilith is a fascinating woman, especially for her time, not only because she lives entirely by her own lights but also because she is an unabashed predator, who willfully emanates a powerful spiritual and sexual magnetism to attract potential acolytes to her, hoping that she may find one to initiate as a priest in her rituals. What the men (Wilfred in the last book, Rupert in this one) expect and what they end up with are very far apart indeed, and one can't help but feel a bit sorry for them, as they inevitably fall in love with her. Their love is useful to Lilith because, as she explains, it makes her stronger as a priestess, thus empowering her magic and, ultimately, benefiting her goddess. To be fair, she does explain to Rupert fully and completely what she can and cannot offer him in their relationship, so that he goes into the depths of it with eyes wide open, which was not quite the case with Wilfred in The Sea Priestess.
Because Lilith has no emotional needs of other people, she is able to remain aloof and independent and center herself in her own world. She has her own money and, as a priestess, has set herself apart in service to her goddess. All that she requires from people (besides a servant or two) is a particular type of male to complete the spiritual work she wants to carry out, which is meant to serve not only her goddess but, ultimately, humankind. Given such lofty and noble goals, Lilith makes no excuses for being completely ruthless in reaching them, as she sees the ends as being worth the means. This tends to leave her men feeling used (as they should!) but, in fairness, she does leave them with a renewed sense of purpose and an enlightenment that they did not possess when they met her. Also, in this book, the fellow who is drawn to her, outwardly a tremendously successful endocrinologist and neurologist, is quite miserable and lost in his life. As with Wilfred in the first book, Rupert ends up enriched by his relationship with Lilith, even though his hopes for love are dashed. Both Wilfred and Rupert, having proved themselves and declared their devotion to the goddess, are empowered to act as priests in serving her, either with Vivien/Lilith or another priestess.

Whoever you are, you look fabulous!
Lilith explains her aesthetic and practical choices in some detail in Moon Magic, and also explains why she must remain celibate. There is a kind of cosmic sexual engagement that occurs between priest and priestess during the ceremonial rites; so, the sexual energy between the pair is used for the magic and cannot be used in the normal fashion. Apparently, it is understood in certain occult communities that, "When sex comes in the door, magic goes out the window" (i.e. they become magically impotent). In the rituals Fortune describes in her books, the goddess has thankfully stopped demanding literal sacrifice of men's lives and is content to have their energy and vitality drawn off them during the ceremonies, to use to her own ends. The goddess promises to bless them in exchange for their service, but the blessing will come in her own time and her own way. After these rites, both priest and priestess are left vigorous and revitalised (following a brief period of post-ceremonial exhaustion) much as couples feel after good sex. So their energy that is taken up by the goddess is returned to them manifestly amplified (which is not the case with the blood sacrifices of earlier times, where the reward had to be gained in the afterlife, or not at all).
This particular approach to ceremonial magic, from what I have read so far, takes a traditional approach to gender and sexuality. It relies on the "magnetism" between male and female and assumes a "divine feminine" that belongs to all women and is represented, in Nature, by the Moon and the Sea. Likewise, it assumes a "divine masculine" that is represented by the Sun. These elemental forces can be "drawn down" into the priest and priestess during their ceremonies and used for magical ends. I don't believe any of these things to be true, in a literal sense, but I can see how they might be psychologically potent for some people.
What I really like about the book though is that Lilith buys herself a decommissioned church ** to refurbish into her home and temple, and wafts about the place wearing gowns made out of draperies. She paints all her ceremonial shoes gold and silver and wears a headdress, and creates similar garments for Wilfred and Rupert. Whilst reading this, I could not help but think of Carol Burnett's send-up of Gone With The Wind, in which Scarlett tears down Tara's green velvet curtains to remake them into a ball gown.
Rhett: That gown is gorgeous.
Scarlett: Thank you. I saw it in the window and I just couldn't resist it.
I am currently reading Gareth Knight's biography of Dion Fortune, after which, I will be done with my Dion Fortune readings. There are more to read but I'm full up for now. I am not sure who I would recommend these books to, to be honest. They are kind of fun to read. Fortune was a brilliant woman with a fascinating mind but, on the other hand, I think her beliefs were ... well, unbelievable. But then, I do not believe there is anything otherworldly about Tarot cards, crystals, or psychics who supposedly channel spirit guides, either. Clearly, these books would hold more than just entertainment value for those who do.

Mossiman's Club, London, was formerly The Belfry
* There are magic cults that belong to specific LGBTQI groups, nowadays, who come together as outsiders or refugees from mainstream religion, seeking enlightenment and empowerment through their own rites and rituals.
** I believe the church she uses is based on The Belfry in London, where Fortune used to perform the Rite of Isis for the public, and which is now a fine-dining club.
I have also read The Secrets of Doctor Taverner, but won't write a review because I have nothing fresh to add to what I have already said either here or in the other two reviews I have written.
TD Whittle's Review of The Sea Priestess
TD Whittle's Review of The Demon Lover
I liked Moon Magic better than The Sea Priestess and I am not entirely sure why. I think I felt more connected to Vivien/Lilith because this second book is narrated by her, in first person, for all but the final chapter. (The Sea Priestess was in third person and we were only able to understand Vivien through Wilfred's view of her, as it was more his story than hers.) Having said that, there is a lot more explanation of the theory and practice of ceremonial magic in this book, too, which amounts to pages and pages of description. Fortune believed that the initiate who read The Sea Priestess and Moon Magic, along with her nonfiction text The Mystical Qabalah, would then hold the "keys to the kingdom" of the hidden cosmic realms and be well set to participate in the rites and rituals of Isis. I am not interested in becoming a priestess myself but found it interesting nevertheless.

The Moon Goddess ~ Early 1900s postcard by Reutlinger
Lilith is a fascinating woman, especially for her time, not only because she lives entirely by her own lights but also because she is an unabashed predator, who willfully emanates a powerful spiritual and sexual magnetism to attract potential acolytes to her, hoping that she may find one to initiate as a priest in her rituals. What the men (Wilfred in the last book, Rupert in this one) expect and what they end up with are very far apart indeed, and one can't help but feel a bit sorry for them, as they inevitably fall in love with her. Their love is useful to Lilith because, as she explains, it makes her stronger as a priestess, thus empowering her magic and, ultimately, benefiting her goddess. To be fair, she does explain to Rupert fully and completely what she can and cannot offer him in their relationship, so that he goes into the depths of it with eyes wide open, which was not quite the case with Wilfred in The Sea Priestess.
Because Lilith has no emotional needs of other people, she is able to remain aloof and independent and center herself in her own world. She has her own money and, as a priestess, has set herself apart in service to her goddess. All that she requires from people (besides a servant or two) is a particular type of male to complete the spiritual work she wants to carry out, which is meant to serve not only her goddess but, ultimately, humankind. Given such lofty and noble goals, Lilith makes no excuses for being completely ruthless in reaching them, as she sees the ends as being worth the means. This tends to leave her men feeling used (as they should!) but, in fairness, she does leave them with a renewed sense of purpose and an enlightenment that they did not possess when they met her. Also, in this book, the fellow who is drawn to her, outwardly a tremendously successful endocrinologist and neurologist, is quite miserable and lost in his life. As with Wilfred in the first book, Rupert ends up enriched by his relationship with Lilith, even though his hopes for love are dashed. Both Wilfred and Rupert, having proved themselves and declared their devotion to the goddess, are empowered to act as priests in serving her, either with Vivien/Lilith or another priestess.

Whoever you are, you look fabulous!
Lilith explains her aesthetic and practical choices in some detail in Moon Magic, and also explains why she must remain celibate. There is a kind of cosmic sexual engagement that occurs between priest and priestess during the ceremonial rites; so, the sexual energy between the pair is used for the magic and cannot be used in the normal fashion. Apparently, it is understood in certain occult communities that, "When sex comes in the door, magic goes out the window" (i.e. they become magically impotent). In the rituals Fortune describes in her books, the goddess has thankfully stopped demanding literal sacrifice of men's lives and is content to have their energy and vitality drawn off them during the ceremonies, to use to her own ends. The goddess promises to bless them in exchange for their service, but the blessing will come in her own time and her own way. After these rites, both priest and priestess are left vigorous and revitalised (following a brief period of post-ceremonial exhaustion) much as couples feel after good sex. So their energy that is taken up by the goddess is returned to them manifestly amplified (which is not the case with the blood sacrifices of earlier times, where the reward had to be gained in the afterlife, or not at all).
This particular approach to ceremonial magic, from what I have read so far, takes a traditional approach to gender and sexuality. It relies on the "magnetism" between male and female and assumes a "divine feminine" that belongs to all women and is represented, in Nature, by the Moon and the Sea. Likewise, it assumes a "divine masculine" that is represented by the Sun. These elemental forces can be "drawn down" into the priest and priestess during their ceremonies and used for magical ends. I don't believe any of these things to be true, in a literal sense, but I can see how they might be psychologically potent for some people.
What I really like about the book though is that Lilith buys herself a decommissioned church ** to refurbish into her home and temple, and wafts about the place wearing gowns made out of draperies. She paints all her ceremonial shoes gold and silver and wears a headdress, and creates similar garments for Wilfred and Rupert. Whilst reading this, I could not help but think of Carol Burnett's send-up of Gone With The Wind, in which Scarlett tears down Tara's green velvet curtains to remake them into a ball gown.
Rhett: That gown is gorgeous.
Scarlett: Thank you. I saw it in the window and I just couldn't resist it.
I am currently reading Gareth Knight's biography of Dion Fortune, after which, I will be done with my Dion Fortune readings. There are more to read but I'm full up for now. I am not sure who I would recommend these books to, to be honest. They are kind of fun to read. Fortune was a brilliant woman with a fascinating mind but, on the other hand, I think her beliefs were ... well, unbelievable. But then, I do not believe there is anything otherworldly about Tarot cards, crystals, or psychics who supposedly channel spirit guides, either. Clearly, these books would hold more than just entertainment value for those who do.

Mossiman's Club, London, was formerly The Belfry
* There are magic cults that belong to specific LGBTQI groups, nowadays, who come together as outsiders or refugees from mainstream religion, seeking enlightenment and empowerment through their own rites and rituals.
** I believe the church she uses is based on The Belfry in London, where Fortune used to perform the Rite of Isis for the public, and which is now a fine-dining club.
I have also read The Secrets of Doctor Taverner, but won't write a review because I have nothing fresh to add to what I have already said either here or in the other two reviews I have written.
TD Whittle's Review of The Sea Priestess
TD Whittle's Review of The Demon Lover
September 1, 2016
As Dion Fortune herself states in her introduction, this is not a novel for entertainment, but a novel that illustrates the application of the magical theories described in her non-fiction works. Perhaps to someone unfamiliar with those concepts this might be simply an interesting fantasy, but I found it quite powerful, illuminating, and inspiring.
September 25, 2012
Dion Fortune's books are packed with esoteric wisdom, and she's sometimes a hard author to read. I've been working my way slowly through this novel for months, but last night I was finally able to finish it.
This book is the sequel to "The Sea Priestess", but it could easily be read and understood alone. I preferred this novel, in fact.
Lilith Le Fey is a strange woman by the standards of pre-war British society. She lives alone, practices ancient magic, and is searching for a priest to help her change the world. She finds that priest in Rupert Malcolm, a renowned neurological doctor with a prickly personality. Malcolm is a vital man, but time and again, he chooses to allow his vitality to be sacrificed to the norms of the society. When he meets Lilith, he undergoes a deep spiritual transformation.
This novel is rich with symbolism, and in fact Fortune has been quoted as saying her novels are practical manuals for magical transformation. If you enjoyed "Mists of Avalon" or any of Marion Zimmer-Bradley's other titles, you will like this novel. Remember, it's slow going, so take your time and don't get frustrated if the small font and sometimes spotting punctuation throws you momentarily.
This book is the sequel to "The Sea Priestess", but it could easily be read and understood alone. I preferred this novel, in fact.
Lilith Le Fey is a strange woman by the standards of pre-war British society. She lives alone, practices ancient magic, and is searching for a priest to help her change the world. She finds that priest in Rupert Malcolm, a renowned neurological doctor with a prickly personality. Malcolm is a vital man, but time and again, he chooses to allow his vitality to be sacrificed to the norms of the society. When he meets Lilith, he undergoes a deep spiritual transformation.
This novel is rich with symbolism, and in fact Fortune has been quoted as saying her novels are practical manuals for magical transformation. If you enjoyed "Mists of Avalon" or any of Marion Zimmer-Bradley's other titles, you will like this novel. Remember, it's slow going, so take your time and don't get frustrated if the small font and sometimes spotting punctuation throws you momentarily.
October 28, 2012
I read a friend's copy in 1980 and when it was reissued, got a copy of my own.
Fortune was a member of occult circles in the early to mid 20th century. She writes with the authority of one who is steeped in the occult traditions she uses in this novel.
The crotchety character of Malcolm, the doctor selected for her by the gods to work magic to create a shift in the collective consciousness by the ritual she creates is quite vivid, as is the priestess. What she seeks to shift is the repressive two-faced morality that stunts the growth of the Divine feminine.
Though all this seems quite clinical, it is rich with an off-beat humor and specific physical detail of her ritual, the place of reincarnation in it and the church she purchases to create the sacred space to perform her Moon Magic
Fortune was a member of occult circles in the early to mid 20th century. She writes with the authority of one who is steeped in the occult traditions she uses in this novel.
The crotchety character of Malcolm, the doctor selected for her by the gods to work magic to create a shift in the collective consciousness by the ritual she creates is quite vivid, as is the priestess. What she seeks to shift is the repressive two-faced morality that stunts the growth of the Divine feminine.
Though all this seems quite clinical, it is rich with an off-beat humor and specific physical detail of her ritual, the place of reincarnation in it and the church she purchases to create the sacred space to perform her Moon Magic
May 24, 2019
Some parts of hard for me to read or drag on funny because of the writing style. There's some good bits of information and good moments throughout. The character behavior and dialogue was a bit cringy for me in a few spots.
November 26, 2016
just about the best occult book of its type
March 29, 2020
As a novel, I felt this book was mediocre. Although there is only one instance of racist language, it did turn me off. However, as a book on how to conduct Golden Dawn style magic, Moon Magic was interesting and informative.
One can see how much society has changed since this book was written in the early 1950s. It looks as if the magic has worked.
One can see how much society has changed since this book was written in the early 1950s. It looks as if the magic has worked.
March 19, 2021
Okay, so this is the follow-up to Dion Fortune’s The Sea Priestess (which I read back in 2015.) However, this was not published in her lifetime. It was not even completed in her lifetime, but the last bit was written by someone who was “channeling” her spirit. So, okay.
As I said in my review for The Sea Priestess, Fortune was a British occultist who lived from 1890-1946. Her writing was foundational for what would become modern Wicca and Neopaganism and influenced fantasy authors as well as spiritualists. For these reasons, I find her an interesting figure and her writing is fascinating on a few different levels.
But Moon Magic is irritating . There are some aspects that I absolutely detest, such as a defense of vivisection (gross.) And I find it a bit hard to swallow all this talk of the main character (obviously an insert for Fortune herself) being a reincarnation of an Atlantean and Ancient Egyptian high priestess and building astral temples above her house… It’s not even that I necessarily disbelieve in the concept of reincarnation, but anytime someone insists they were an amazing and super-powerful being in their past life, that gets a bit eye-roll-inducing for me. Also, Lilith/Vivien/Morgan Le Fay is so ridiculously snobbish about her occult rank. She’s entirely dismissive of even her friends who practice occult workings! She’s downright mean in her thoughts towards them.
Also, Lilith makes a big deal out of how enlightened and super special and not like other girls she is, and how powerful, of course, because she’s the CHOSEN ONE of Isis, and she’s rich, but like it’s no big deal because ”…in magic we can only work with power when we are free from desire; desire defeats its own ends, for it is the parent of fear. So I, to whom poverty and wealth were all one, had resources placed at my disposal…” (p. 47) Now, I actually really like ”desire defeats its own ends, for it is the parent of fear.” But. The very next page is ALL about how she loves her pretty jewels - ”It would require Huysmans to do justice to the ear-rings I have possessed - jade, amber, coral, lapis, malachite for day; and for the night I have great jewels - square-cut emeralds; long, pale, drop-shaped pearls; and all the fires of the different opals, which I adore.” (p. 48) THEN we hear all about how she loves real furs: "…I wear furs even in the house….I love the whole skin with the great wicked head, and I love it to be a noble one, not the little mean mask of a fox. I have the pale skin of a timber wolf, and a blue wolf verging on black; of the great cats I have a spotted jungle leopard and a lovely pale leopard of the snows from the Himalayas that the Tibetans say are the ghosts of bad lamas who die in sin.” (p. 49)
First, gross. Second, how are “wealth and poverty all the same” to you, again? Hmmmm?
But let’s back up a bit. This time, the “everyman” character we are following is Doctor Rupert Malcolm. He is a man who is gruff and bad-tempered, but also incredibly dedicated to his job and his patients. He supports his wife, “an invalid,” who lives by the sea and doesn’t like or enjoy his visits. We’re told he’s sexually repressed because he can’t get any from his wife and he’s too moral to divorce her or cheat on her. And this “repression” leads to his poor temperament.
Oh, also Doctor Malcolm - our stalwart yet conflicted supposed-to-be sympathetic everyman - has a fight with anti-vivisectionists who are portrayed as silly and stupid and he’s obviously in the right to perform vivisections. This is incredibly gross and awful. Yeah, I know it was written in the 1940s, I just think it’s funny for something that puffs itself up to such ridiculous degrees about “enlightenment” to turn around and support torturing animals.
ANYWAY.
Sexually-repressed-torturer-of-animals Doctor Malcolm encounters Lilith by chance…or fate, or whatever…and becomes obsessed with her. He begins to dream about her constantly and they have this psychic connection and eventually she recruits him to be her priest in her mission as priestess of the Black Isis.
In this book, Lilith has acquired a small abandoned church and converted it for her purposes with the help of sympathetic old cabbie who is now her maintenance guy. The church had two secret upper rooms (cause the original owner was apparently a creep) which she turns into her spaces for worship. (With an “astral temple” built above it via her trained imagination.)
I think you can tell that I am mostly very frustrated by this book. Fortune’s hostility towards other woman is blatantly apparent and nonsensical. Her bizarre hypocrisy over money and material wealth rubs me extremely the wrong way. The grossness of the treatment of animals whether tortured in vivisection or butchered for furs is made worse because it is all so dismissive, Fortune clearly didn’t have a second thought about it. Oh, and her constant diatribes on how she is so special and powerful and chosen…I just can’t put up with it.
Yes, it is interesting. Yes, it is fascinating. Yes, Fortune is a compelling figure in Occult writing. But I don’t need this on my shelf.
As I said in my review for The Sea Priestess, Fortune was a British occultist who lived from 1890-1946. Her writing was foundational for what would become modern Wicca and Neopaganism and influenced fantasy authors as well as spiritualists. For these reasons, I find her an interesting figure and her writing is fascinating on a few different levels.
But Moon Magic is irritating . There are some aspects that I absolutely detest, such as a defense of vivisection (gross.) And I find it a bit hard to swallow all this talk of the main character (obviously an insert for Fortune herself) being a reincarnation of an Atlantean and Ancient Egyptian high priestess and building astral temples above her house… It’s not even that I necessarily disbelieve in the concept of reincarnation, but anytime someone insists they were an amazing and super-powerful being in their past life, that gets a bit eye-roll-inducing for me. Also, Lilith/Vivien/Morgan Le Fay is so ridiculously snobbish about her occult rank. She’s entirely dismissive of even her friends who practice occult workings! She’s downright mean in her thoughts towards them.
Also, Lilith makes a big deal out of how enlightened and super special and not like other girls she is, and how powerful, of course, because she’s the CHOSEN ONE of Isis, and she’s rich, but like it’s no big deal because ”…in magic we can only work with power when we are free from desire; desire defeats its own ends, for it is the parent of fear. So I, to whom poverty and wealth were all one, had resources placed at my disposal…” (p. 47) Now, I actually really like ”desire defeats its own ends, for it is the parent of fear.” But. The very next page is ALL about how she loves her pretty jewels - ”It would require Huysmans to do justice to the ear-rings I have possessed - jade, amber, coral, lapis, malachite for day; and for the night I have great jewels - square-cut emeralds; long, pale, drop-shaped pearls; and all the fires of the different opals, which I adore.” (p. 48) THEN we hear all about how she loves real furs: "…I wear furs even in the house….I love the whole skin with the great wicked head, and I love it to be a noble one, not the little mean mask of a fox. I have the pale skin of a timber wolf, and a blue wolf verging on black; of the great cats I have a spotted jungle leopard and a lovely pale leopard of the snows from the Himalayas that the Tibetans say are the ghosts of bad lamas who die in sin.” (p. 49)
First, gross. Second, how are “wealth and poverty all the same” to you, again? Hmmmm?
But let’s back up a bit. This time, the “everyman” character we are following is Doctor Rupert Malcolm. He is a man who is gruff and bad-tempered, but also incredibly dedicated to his job and his patients. He supports his wife, “an invalid,” who lives by the sea and doesn’t like or enjoy his visits. We’re told he’s sexually repressed because he can’t get any from his wife and he’s too moral to divorce her or cheat on her. And this “repression” leads to his poor temperament.
Oh, also Doctor Malcolm - our stalwart yet conflicted supposed-to-be sympathetic everyman - has a fight with anti-vivisectionists who are portrayed as silly and stupid and he’s obviously in the right to perform vivisections. This is incredibly gross and awful. Yeah, I know it was written in the 1940s, I just think it’s funny for something that puffs itself up to such ridiculous degrees about “enlightenment” to turn around and support torturing animals.
ANYWAY.
Sexually-repressed-torturer-of-animals Doctor Malcolm encounters Lilith by chance…or fate, or whatever…and becomes obsessed with her. He begins to dream about her constantly and they have this psychic connection and eventually she recruits him to be her priest in her mission as priestess of the Black Isis.
In this book, Lilith has acquired a small abandoned church and converted it for her purposes with the help of sympathetic old cabbie who is now her maintenance guy. The church had two secret upper rooms (cause the original owner was apparently a creep) which she turns into her spaces for worship. (With an “astral temple” built above it via her trained imagination.)
I think you can tell that I am mostly very frustrated by this book. Fortune’s hostility towards other woman is blatantly apparent and nonsensical. Her bizarre hypocrisy over money and material wealth rubs me extremely the wrong way. The grossness of the treatment of animals whether tortured in vivisection or butchered for furs is made worse because it is all so dismissive, Fortune clearly didn’t have a second thought about it. Oh, and her constant diatribes on how she is so special and powerful and chosen…I just can’t put up with it.
Yes, it is interesting. Yes, it is fascinating. Yes, Fortune is a compelling figure in Occult writing. But I don’t need this on my shelf.
May 21, 2017
I decided to read Dion Fortune's fiction to see how much of an influence she has been on some other novelists that I have enjoyed. Yes for Katerine Kurtz, and yes for Mercedes Lackey. It may simply be the Western Magical tradition that I am homing in on, but further reading will make that clear. I also noted that Forturne referenced her fiction in Pyschc Self Defense which was recommended by my friend Ted.
Her novels are marked by a celebration of the English "race" sort of a nationalistic pride that seems to be part of her historical period, WWI and II. She was a contemporary of Francis Yates, I see. It was also a time of great homophobia in England, in part because gay men were thought to be security risks-think about what happened to Turing. women were not considered illegal in such interactions, but apparently subject to judgement as well. Fortune is a graduate of a girls agrarian school known for it's unruly female students, sort of a land school for the female discontent. And many girls would have been discontent in an England robbed of men in WWI and again in the second war. Fortune put her time to good use there, going on to study psychology and participate in the Land Farms in WWII.
It is not surprising that her main character in this novel is a man broken on the altars of past morality. She references Haggard and Bulwer-Lytton, and her writing has been classed among those esoteric novels as well as Charles Williams, another favorite of mine. Apparently this is her last novel, finished by her accolytes, and it is rather unsatisfying in the ending.
A priestess of Isis seeks out a tormented neurologist as her magical counterpart. The book is largely a story of his liberation at her hands on the magical plane. We are treated to long descriptions of clothes, physics and mytho-history as well as some quaint psychological theories. This is a nve which runs counter to the purely pysica romance but falls upon the same lines. He definately reminded me of Mr. Rochester.
Her novels are marked by a celebration of the English "race" sort of a nationalistic pride that seems to be part of her historical period, WWI and II. She was a contemporary of Francis Yates, I see. It was also a time of great homophobia in England, in part because gay men were thought to be security risks-think about what happened to Turing. women were not considered illegal in such interactions, but apparently subject to judgement as well. Fortune is a graduate of a girls agrarian school known for it's unruly female students, sort of a land school for the female discontent. And many girls would have been discontent in an England robbed of men in WWI and again in the second war. Fortune put her time to good use there, going on to study psychology and participate in the Land Farms in WWII.
It is not surprising that her main character in this novel is a man broken on the altars of past morality. She references Haggard and Bulwer-Lytton, and her writing has been classed among those esoteric novels as well as Charles Williams, another favorite of mine. Apparently this is her last novel, finished by her accolytes, and it is rather unsatisfying in the ending.
A priestess of Isis seeks out a tormented neurologist as her magical counterpart. The book is largely a story of his liberation at her hands on the magical plane. We are treated to long descriptions of clothes, physics and mytho-history as well as some quaint psychological theories. This is a nve which runs counter to the purely pysica romance but falls upon the same lines. He definately reminded me of Mr. Rochester.
September 29, 2020
This book follows some of the patterns of The Sea Priestess, but given that Dion Fortune died before she finished writing this book, who knows how close to finished it really was. We have another hen pecked man who she ‘rescues’ by using him in her rituals as the priestess for Isis. I found the descriptions much more detailed and interesting than in Sea Priestess as well as the fact that a major part of the story is told from the perspective of Vivian/Lilith Le Fay Morgan.
In many ways I liked this book better than Sea Priestess. Both are written in a clear, straight forward style, which I greatly appreciated as a modern reader. I would still recommend reading both books. They are a great snapshot of the culture (and counter culture) of the time period.
In many ways I liked this book better than Sea Priestess. Both are written in a clear, straight forward style, which I greatly appreciated as a modern reader. I would still recommend reading both books. They are a great snapshot of the culture (and counter culture) of the time period.
October 27, 2014
I thoroughly enjoyed this book. I loved Lilith's courage, power and overall presence. What a perfect character! Strong yet gentle, masterful yet patient with her "student."
I did feel, however, that the book came to a rather abrupt end. When Lilith says in chapter 17, "We have done the first part of that which we set out to do..." I expected a lot more to happen. But the book was over in the very next chapter. That was my only semi-complaint. The writing was great, the characters kept me interested, and the esoteric storyline was phenomenal.
I did feel, however, that the book came to a rather abrupt end. When Lilith says in chapter 17, "We have done the first part of that which we set out to do..." I expected a lot more to happen. But the book was over in the very next chapter. That was my only semi-complaint. The writing was great, the characters kept me interested, and the esoteric storyline was phenomenal.
June 3, 2015
Surprisingly well written
This book is a sort of sequel to see priestess, but it was never finished by the author, and the final third was channeled by a different author. There's a lot of male versus female energy, and the different dynamics that come out of a very repressed society. I would definitely recommend reading it if you want to get lost in the mysteries.
This book is a sort of sequel to see priestess, but it was never finished by the author, and the final third was channeled by a different author. There's a lot of male versus female energy, and the different dynamics that come out of a very repressed society. I would definitely recommend reading it if you want to get lost in the mysteries.
July 19, 2024
I first read this book about 15 years ago, and I've reread it every few years since. Its status as an unfinished draft is obvious; redundant and much clumsier than its predecessor. Le Fay is quite the self-insert. But the images are lovely, the stance is humane, the magic is potent. I get more out of it every time I reread it, and I'm always glad to have read it.
August 22, 2022
My five stars are awarded to the portion of the book written by Dion Fortune. Such a shame she was not able to finish the book herself. I feel like we missed out on the true conclusion of her vision. Her last chapters were leading us towards something truly magical, a transformation like no other taking place in Dr. Malcom, brought about through his work with the Goddess Isis herself.
May 4, 2017
Read this ages ago with the pagan group on goodreads. I'm a fan of Dion Fortune. It couldn't have been easy being an occult practitioner in her day. She showed us the way through the Door Without a Key . . .
October 28, 2016
Marvelous book!
December 30, 2021
My favourite of Dion Fortune's novels. It has teachings littered throughout and is an easy and enjoyable read. I am glad I have this in hard copy as I will keep and reread it time and again.
January 17, 2025
Lilith explains her aesthetic and practical choices in some detail in Moon Magic, and also explains why she must remain celibate. There is a kind of cosmic sexual engagement that occurs between priest and priestess during the ceremonial rites; so, the sexual energy between the pair is used for the magic and cannot be used in the normal fashion. Apparently, it is understood in certain occult communities that, "When sex comes in the door, magic goes out the window" (i.e. they become magically impotent). In the rituals Fortune describes in her books, the goddess has thankfully stopped demanding literal sacrifice of men's lives and is content to have their energy and vitality drawn off them during the ceremonies, to use to her own ends. The goddess promises to bless them in exchange for their service, but the blessing will come in her own time and her own way. After these rites, both priest and priestess are left vigorous and revitalized (following a brief period of post-ceremonial exhaustion) much as couples feel after good sex. So their energy that is taken up by the goddess is returned to them manifestly amplified (which is not the case with the blood sacrifices of earlier times, where the reward had to be gained in the afterlife, or not at all).
This particular approach to ceremonial magic, from what I have read so far, takes a traditional approach to gender and sexuality. It relies on the "magnetism" between male and female and assumes a "divine feminine" that belongs to all women and is represented, in Nature, by the Moon and the Sea. Likewise, it assumes a "divine masculine" that is represented by the Sun. These elemental forces can be "drawn down" into the priest and priestess during their ceremonies and used for magical ends. I don't believe any of these things to be true, in a literal sense, but I can see how they might be psychologically potent for some people.
This particular approach to ceremonial magic, from what I have read so far, takes a traditional approach to gender and sexuality. It relies on the "magnetism" between male and female and assumes a "divine feminine" that belongs to all women and is represented, in Nature, by the Moon and the Sea. Likewise, it assumes a "divine masculine" that is represented by the Sun. These elemental forces can be "drawn down" into the priest and priestess during their ceremonies and used for magical ends. I don't believe any of these things to be true, in a literal sense, but I can see how they might be psychologically potent for some people.
April 14, 2024
If you are a fan of Dion Fortune, you will love her last book, unfinished at her death and published ten years after. Her close associate channeled Fortune in writing the last three chapters. For followers of the occult, Moon Magic presents devotees of Isis, the moon goddess. Others may see it as fantasy. Many occult secrets are revealed. In whatever dimension you choose to read/understand Moon Magic, you will discover the ways of the sacred in the union of the raised magnetism of feminine and masculine; woman and man; priestess and priest; and the powers of ritual in building the dynamic sexual/spiritual energies with freedom of choice in each sequence. Fortune was purportedly Christian. However, her alter ego, Lilith LeFay, the protagonist, is a beautiful Pagan through and through.
I especially like her treatment of Rupert Malcolm, a cynical physician with an overworking conscience. Fortune presents him as strong and very masculine, yet open to learning and maturing through the mystical and spiritual realms, led by Lilith. His respect, love, and trust for Lilith overcome his scientific training and desire to bolt at times. He learns how to have humility while retaining his stron masculine.The memories of his death as a priest begin to break through. Their union is profound and unique. Allow yourself the mystical for your spiritual enchantment...
I especially like her treatment of Rupert Malcolm, a cynical physician with an overworking conscience. Fortune presents him as strong and very masculine, yet open to learning and maturing through the mystical and spiritual realms, led by Lilith. His respect, love, and trust for Lilith overcome his scientific training and desire to bolt at times. He learns how to have humility while retaining his stron masculine.The memories of his death as a priest begin to break through. Their union is profound and unique. Allow yourself the mystical for your spiritual enchantment...
August 26, 2023
Ho precedentemente letto i segreti del Dr. Taverner e The Goat Foot God, resto della mia opinione che lo stile di Dion Fortune sia unico. La scrittura in questo libro è precisa, come sempre figlia dei suoi anni, ma meno ripetitiva di The Goat Food God. Le descrizioni dei rituali sono stupende e suscitano pensieri e immagini molto oniriche. Ci sono dei retaggi culturali che oggi appaiono superati, ma la protagonista è una donna per molti versi attuale, piacevole e completa. Apprezzo come sempre che Dion Fortune e i suoi personaggi passino da momenti intensi e profondi a osservazioni ironiche senza mai risultare fuori registro.
Due cose ritornano nei libri di Fortune: spesso le informazioni e i dialoghi sembrano incompleti, sono definiti dalla stessa narratrice "indovinelli" perché trattando di occultismo e magia di un certo livello non tutto poteva essere comunicato direttamente e alcune cose andavano cifrate. La seconda cosa, che apprezzo meno, alcuni momenti di pathos e a volte le conclusioni stesse dei libri risultano un po' brusche e tagliate.
Al di là di queste due osservazioni, adoro che le trame si sviluppino su storie di vite passate, templi pagani e donne magiche e spero di trovare altri libri altrettanto stimolanti.
Due cose ritornano nei libri di Fortune: spesso le informazioni e i dialoghi sembrano incompleti, sono definiti dalla stessa narratrice "indovinelli" perché trattando di occultismo e magia di un certo livello non tutto poteva essere comunicato direttamente e alcune cose andavano cifrate. La seconda cosa, che apprezzo meno, alcuni momenti di pathos e a volte le conclusioni stesse dei libri risultano un po' brusche e tagliate.
Al di là di queste due osservazioni, adoro che le trame si sviluppino su storie di vite passate, templi pagani e donne magiche e spero di trovare altri libri altrettanto stimolanti.
December 24, 2025
I first read this book about 15 years ago, and I've reread it every few years since. Its status as an unfinished draft is obvious; redundant and much clumsier than its predecessor. Le Fay is quite the self-insert. But the images are lovely, the stance is humane, the magic is potent. I get more out of it every time I reread it, and I'm always glad to have read it.
August 15, 2025
I started off really enjoying the story of the doctor. I thought the writing was pretty good and I was genuinely surprised to be liking it. Then part two happened and it was just a vomit of words that spout occultist bullshit. Gorgeous cover though.
February 15, 2020
NICE BOOK.
October 29, 2022
Great occult and magical book, writer shows extraordinairy knowledge of ancient mystical traditions of the world
February 15, 2023
Lilith Le Fay, one of the two central characters is more of a lightly detailed sketch than a fully fleshed out personality. She is also rather unappealing, having been given a cold predatory nature and seemingly no real emotions or desires of her own beyond surface level.
It may be that Dion Fortune wished Le Fay to represent an era of humanity she felt was best left in the distant past, Le Fay is a Pagan (Fortune was a Christian) whose sect condones human sacrifice, for example. She is also pro-vivisection and enjoys wearing animal skins, (complete with head still attached), which again shows her utilizing the suffering of others for her own benefit.
The counterpart to Le Fay, Dr Malcolm, is utterly forgettable despite the narrative constantly telling the reader how fiery, gruff and imposing he is. During his association with Le Fay, the start of an interesting past life story is partially revealed, but then it just seems to peter out with nothing really resolved.
The story keeps going over the same ground. Dr Malcolm goes to work where he is gruff and fiery to everyone. Dr Malcolm visits Le Fay and feels better afterwards.
Le Fay herself is purely there for Dr Malcom to be healed, she has no story arc of her own and remains the same at the story's end as she was at the start.
It may be that Dion Fortune wished Le Fay to represent an era of humanity she felt was best left in the distant past, Le Fay is a Pagan (Fortune was a Christian) whose sect condones human sacrifice, for example. She is also pro-vivisection and enjoys wearing animal skins, (complete with head still attached), which again shows her utilizing the suffering of others for her own benefit.
The counterpart to Le Fay, Dr Malcolm, is utterly forgettable despite the narrative constantly telling the reader how fiery, gruff and imposing he is. During his association with Le Fay, the start of an interesting past life story is partially revealed, but then it just seems to peter out with nothing really resolved.
The story keeps going over the same ground. Dr Malcolm goes to work where he is gruff and fiery to everyone. Dr Malcolm visits Le Fay and feels better afterwards.
Le Fay herself is purely there for Dr Malcom to be healed, she has no story arc of her own and remains the same at the story's end as she was at the start.
September 5, 2025
I loved this sequel to the Sea Priestess just as much as the first book.
For me, the characters were more developed.
For me, the characters were more developed.
July 15, 2018
So far my very most favorite book of hers and of all the books I have read.
February 9, 2022
Like The Sea Priestess this is a fiction plotline serving as explanation of Fortune's magical practice - it is definitely a piece of it's time and very heavily invested in magic as working through heterosexual gender binaries. That said there's some nice lines in here and a genuine attempt to reflect the feeling of practising and doing ritual.
March 17, 2016
An interesting book but, sadly, not a good one. The first three chapters have the same skilled sense of character and place as the first three quarters of The Sea Priestess. Then the magician with the lecture notes takes over. The other thing which is even harder to ignore is the misogyny which is explicit and pronounced in so many places. Like Margaret Thatcher, Lillith is a goddess who revels in the worship according by the men in a man's world and who seldom shows anything other than contempt for other women...
February 13, 2022
In my re-read of Dion Fortune's work, I've enjoyed this one the most. It portrays a deeply complex relationship with an almost BDSM-like power dynamic, as well as a realistic depiction of the kind of magical rites and beliefs that Fortune and her ilk followed. Fascinating both as a piece of literary fiction and as a piece of occult fiction. Obviously, like all her work, it's very dated, and exudes something of a Madame Arcati vibe at times, but nevertheless, worth reading.
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