This Is Chaos: Embracing the Future of Magic

by Peter J. Carroll (Editor), Ronald Hutton (foreword), Hagen Von Tulien (illustrator)

This Is Chaos is the first collection of its kind showcasing where chaos magic has come from, where it is now, and most importantly where it is going. Helmed by one of the originators of chaos magic, Peter Carroll, and filled with essays by some of the most respected chaos magic workers who are redefining magic for the modern practitioner.
 
Chaos magic emerged only a few decades back, but it has already grown into a magical tradition embraced by many. Chaos magic started under the influence of renowned artist and occultist Austin Osman Spare; it was then more codified by Peter J. Carroll and a few others. This Is Chaos delves into the history the magical system has come from, but more importantly looks at its current use and what the future holds. Chaos magic has always been about pushing new boundaries with a focus on belief utilizing aspects of magic such as sigils and magical servants (thought forms) to help accomplish one’s aims.
 
This Is Chaos includes essays Chaos magic meets witchcraft Egregores Virtual reality and cyber magic Animist sorcery The power of personal mythology and quantum chaos Tarot in chaos magic A ritual that combines Hellenistic astrology/planetary magic/ceremonial magic Theoretical magical ideas Chaos magic and neuro-hacking Esoteric Buddhism, the eight chaos gods, and the history of Japanese magic  
Featuring a foreword by Ronald Hutton and essays from a wide cross-section of chaos magic practitioners, including Aidan Wachter, Carl Abrahamsson, Dave Lee, Ivy Corvus, Jaq D. Hawkins, Jozef Karika, Jacob Sipes, Julian Vayne, Lionel Snell, Mariana Pinzón, Sinobu Kurono, and Sanhre Daffowt.
 
This Is Chaos is a collection unlike any before, showcasing the many ways chaos magic is finding its way into other modes of magic workings, divination, and disciplines yet to come.

Genres: Occult, Nonfiction, Magick

288 pages, Paperback

Published June 2, 2025

About the author

He maintains a personal website at www.specularium.org

and acts as Chancellor to Arcanorium College:- www.arcanoriumcollege.com

Peter Carroll began his career in Magic at London University where the Chemistry proved so tedious that he settled on a pass degree in that and an unauthorized first in Magic, with Liber Null & Psychonaut emerging as his postgraduate thesis over the next several years whilst teaching high school science.

He then set off around the world wandering in the Himalayas, building boats in India and Australia and seeking out unusual people.

Then after a stay in Yorkshire, he headed back to the Himalayas for a while again before returning to settle in the west of England to found a family and a magical order. Appalled by the compromises made by so many magi to make a living out of their writing or teaching, Carroll decided to make his fortune with a natural products business so that he could write and teach only what had value and interest for him.

Past Grandmaster of the Magical Pact of the Illuminates of Thanateros

Chancellor of Arcanorium College

Acting Marshall, Knights of Chaos

A Bard of Dobunni Grove


*Whilst Carroll derides the very low predictive power of natal astrology he nevertheless looks forward to his Uranus return.

Reviews

[David · Rating 4 out of 5]

There are some interesting essays in this book, such as the Japanese Gods and a path into animist sorcery. It’s not really a book on magick aside from introducing one to different perspectives and ideas one may not have considered before.

[Kames O’Brien]

dnf

[Autumn · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really had to expectations for this book because i don’t have any prior experience with works written by chaots. I have pleasant brain tingles that tells me I was challenged in my thinking patterns and beliefs. At times the tone of the author can be a little off putting but the content is thoroughly explored without becoming too overwhelming. While the content is a bit dense, I really enjoyed the discussion of different theories like String Theiry, the Multi-Universe Theiry, etc. The personal stories of workings are intriguing to consider.

I did get a little confused with some of the advice on what to do or not do, but in general it feels a lot more inclusive than other practices I’ve read about. Definitely recommend for anyone looking to challenge their own beliefs.

[Catherine · Rating 4 out of 5]

A fascinating look at chaos magic from so many different folks’ perspectives! I can’t say I knew too much about the topic before winning a finished paperback copy of this book in a Goodreads giveaway, but now I definitely feel more informed. I particularly appreciated how the book addressed historical aspects and tracked the broad development of chaos magic in service of modern approaches and practitioners. Although there weren’t too many, I liked the illustrations, and look forward to discussing this book with others!

[Davezilla · Rating 5 out of 5]

An anthology organized by Peter J. Carroll is going to be good. Many of the greatest minds in modern chaos magic are represented here and there are solid, wildly varying viewpoints on chaos (as one would expect). Some of the authors (cough Carl Abrahamsson cough) spent more time reminiscing on their past glory days and name dropping than in providing anything new, but that is to be expected and what he wrote was fascinating nonetheless. Definitely a book worth owning.

[Rodrigo · Rating 4 out of 5]

A great compilation of modern chaos magick essays with a wide variety of topics, from egregores, virtual reality, quantum mechanics and magic, to witchcraft and the existence of various dimensions, Japanese gods as forces you can draw power from, and an examination of what Baphomet is. Personally the majority of the essays were really interesting and thought-provoking, some of them not much, but overall I really enjoyed the book as a whole

[Dodie · Rating 4 out of 5]

15 essays of different aspects of chaos magic. I listen to it on audio. I really enjoyed this book. Some of the authors I knew some I didn’t and so of the essay I resonated with. My favourite chapters were A Path into Animist Sorcery, Thread Theory, Octomantic Neuro Hacking and Chaos Witchcraft. 4/5

[Scott Whitfield · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great Compilation

I don’t agree with every opinion stated in this book, and that is okay. I enjoyed it immensely and got a lot out of it. Highly recommend.

[The Vampire Javinus · Rating 5 out of 5]

Some of it was a bit beyond me, but there were several sections that were very appealing. I almost wish it were a bit longer, but I did enjoy it very much.

[Mitchell Stern · Rating 3 out of 5]

A decidedly mixed bag of essays, with some of them feeling a bit too abstract or overly committed to a specific framework than others. Still there were some good ones in here.

[Kenneth · Rating 2 out of 5]

The pseudo academic tone and overly philosophical, as opposed to practical, bent of these pieces just didn't work for me.