What do you think?
Rate this book
The Way of Magic
The multiple strands which make up the Western Mystery Tradition can present a bewildering tangle of paths for the seeker to negotiate – and this book provides the roadmap by exploring them with clarity and insight. Gordon Strong, who has written various books on the Arthurian legends, Tarot, the goddess and sacred stone circles, is uniquely placed to offer this journeyman’s guide to magic. Meditation and contacts, Tarot, Qabalah, shamanism and polarity magic are covered, as are the British and Egyptian mysteries. The Way of Magic explores the path of ancient secrets as well as more modern adaptations of them, winding through the enigmatic codices of Egypt and the early shamen through to the modern use of Qabalah and practical magic today. Strong follows an established path with the fervour of a pioneer, making new connections and bringing fresh insights to age-old teachings. He contends that “wisdom does not automatically follow in the wake of a great deal of information, no matter how comprehensive” and proceeds to offer a practitioner’s manual for ritual magic that emphasises commitment and self-discipline. This book will be an invaluable guide to any student of the mysteries looking to find some clarity in making their way forward. It will also appeal to those interested in the history of various mystery schools and their impact upon philosophical thought.
122 pages, Kindle Edition
First published July 3, 2012
40 people want to read
About the author
Gordon Strong
42 books7 followersGordon Strong lives near Glastonbury Tor, The Stanton Drew Stone Circles and other celebrated megalithic monuments in the U.K. A Llewellyn Worldwide author, a speaker at the Bhodi Tree in L.A., he has also made frequent appearances at N.R.B. in Portland, Oregon.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 of 1 review
October 20, 2012
A Strong Case for Magic
I have just finished reading The Way of Magic. I read it twice, once quickly, once to actually absorb what Gordon Strong had written.
The book is presented as broad chapters divided into specific sections, which makes it very easy to use for reference purposes.
Mr Strong’s delight in language is evident throughout the book. He writes with clarity and with no presupposition of prior knowledge by his reader. However, he manages also to put enough genuine experience into the book to set the more knowledgeable student thinking.
That he writes from his own personal experience and passion is evident, especially so in his allusions to Great Isis.
As he points out in his Foreword, no single volume can hope to cover the breadth of magical thought. However, Strong successfully manages to cover the broad outlines of the major systems in use in the Mysteries today, giving sound information, challenging the reader and pointing the way for further study. It is not a glossary of current magical thought, but a very useful guide, particularly, I feel, for a new student starting out on their chosen Path.
With over thirty years working within the Western Mystery Tradition myself, I was pleasantly surprised by the new perspectives offered and reminded that sometimes we need to step outside of our well established comfort zones in order to get a clearer view. Moving through the Tarot and Qabalistic thought, from the Arthurian myths to Egypt and ritual the book offers a fresh, clear glimpse into the Mysteries as they are currently practiced.
I was particularly struck by the ethical aspects of the book, and wholeheartedly agree with Gordon Strong on his take on what a student must ask of him or herself.
The cover art of Matt Baldwin-Ives adds a finishing touch and reflects an abiding theme of the book… that Magic is as natural as breathing and as much a part of our everyday lives.
I have just finished reading The Way of Magic. I read it twice, once quickly, once to actually absorb what Gordon Strong had written.
The book is presented as broad chapters divided into specific sections, which makes it very easy to use for reference purposes.
Mr Strong’s delight in language is evident throughout the book. He writes with clarity and with no presupposition of prior knowledge by his reader. However, he manages also to put enough genuine experience into the book to set the more knowledgeable student thinking.
That he writes from his own personal experience and passion is evident, especially so in his allusions to Great Isis.
As he points out in his Foreword, no single volume can hope to cover the breadth of magical thought. However, Strong successfully manages to cover the broad outlines of the major systems in use in the Mysteries today, giving sound information, challenging the reader and pointing the way for further study. It is not a glossary of current magical thought, but a very useful guide, particularly, I feel, for a new student starting out on their chosen Path.
With over thirty years working within the Western Mystery Tradition myself, I was pleasantly surprised by the new perspectives offered and reminded that sometimes we need to step outside of our well established comfort zones in order to get a clearer view. Moving through the Tarot and Qabalistic thought, from the Arthurian myths to Egypt and ritual the book offers a fresh, clear glimpse into the Mysteries as they are currently practiced.
I was particularly struck by the ethical aspects of the book, and wholeheartedly agree with Gordon Strong on his take on what a student must ask of him or herself.
The cover art of Matt Baldwin-Ives adds a finishing touch and reflects an abiding theme of the book… that Magic is as natural as breathing and as much a part of our everyday lives.
Displaying 1 of 1 review