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Naos - A Practical Guide to Modern Magick
This is an ONA publication. Manuscript was given to Hagur by Xaphan (J.F.) (Houston, Texas), for publication, which he did in 1999, and brought the work on e-book (pdf) in 2008. ONA publications are in fact "public domain", as previously stated by Christos Beest (Moulton). This copy is re-arranged and published by Hagur. Hagur is since 1998 an ONA practioner.
Copyright is an anachronistic concept. It is against the spirit of the free distribution and dissemination of information, ideas and concepts which is essential to the subversive and evolutionary strategy of the ONA. Furthermore, the production and distribution of written material in the form of printed books and pamphlets is no longer the main means of distribution and dissemination of written material.
The modern means of communication - such as the Internet - which have been developed have allowed such distribution and dissemination by other means. Nevertheless, the production of printed books remains a valuable resource.
The ONA has no interest whatsoever - and never has had an interest - in making any profit from the sale and distribution of ONA MSS, whether in book format or otherwise. For this reason there has never been any such thing as an "officially approved" or "officially published" ONA book or published item. Individuals are free to publish and distribute - and, in the case of printed material, or compilations in whatever medium, charge for - any and all ONA material, compilations of ONA material, and ONA books, such as the Deofel Quintet, without any prior approval from the ONA or authors such as Anton Long. The only authentic ONA material is that which is reproduced - by whatever means - exactly, in terms of text and illustrations (if any) as it was originally released and distributed by the ONA (typos notwithstanding). Therefore, those publishing, distributing or selling ONA material or texts as ONA material should endeavour to reproduce it accurately, without alterations or additions. In the case of compilations of ONA material, and ONA books, distributors and publishers are free to add whatever artwork or illustrations, or form of presentation, they may deem necessary provided it is made clear that such art-works or illustrations are not ONA material.
In respect of material designed for distribution via electronic mediums it is suggested that standard formats, such as html, are used in preference to proprietary formats such as doc or wpd.
Copyright is an anachronistic concept. It is against the spirit of the free distribution and dissemination of information, ideas and concepts which is essential to the subversive and evolutionary strategy of the ONA. Furthermore, the production and distribution of written material in the form of printed books and pamphlets is no longer the main means of distribution and dissemination of written material.
The modern means of communication - such as the Internet - which have been developed have allowed such distribution and dissemination by other means. Nevertheless, the production of printed books remains a valuable resource.
The ONA has no interest whatsoever - and never has had an interest - in making any profit from the sale and distribution of ONA MSS, whether in book format or otherwise. For this reason there has never been any such thing as an "officially approved" or "officially published" ONA book or published item. Individuals are free to publish and distribute - and, in the case of printed material, or compilations in whatever medium, charge for - any and all ONA material, compilations of ONA material, and ONA books, such as the Deofel Quintet, without any prior approval from the ONA or authors such as Anton Long. The only authentic ONA material is that which is reproduced - by whatever means - exactly, in terms of text and illustrations (if any) as it was originally released and distributed by the ONA (typos notwithstanding). Therefore, those publishing, distributing or selling ONA material or texts as ONA material should endeavour to reproduce it accurately, without alterations or additions. In the case of compilations of ONA material, and ONA books, distributors and publishers are free to add whatever artwork or illustrations, or form of presentation, they may deem necessary provided it is made clear that such art-works or illustrations are not ONA material.
In respect of material designed for distribution via electronic mediums it is suggested that standard formats, such as html, are used in preference to proprietary formats such as doc or wpd.
130 pages, Kindle Edition
First published March 23, 2014
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July 27, 2017
Three and a half stars, really. My criticism of this, a "practical" occult manual intended to help one channel acausal energies and reach a higher consciousness, is that it is not so practical as its title suggests.
I've always considered myself more a student of the occult than an outright practitioner, though I have performed private personal rituals in the past, and will likely continue to do so in the future. In terms of the black magickal practices I have made work for me, I've always taken somewhat of a "thrifty" approach to it, in that I pull from a variety of Satanic, Luciferian, demonolatric, and similarly esoteric philosophies to establish something that is wholly unique, and which works for me.
I have worked with chaos magick and I have familiarized myself with some aspects of Chaos-Gnosticism. As such, I am more than familiar with the theory of the acausal that forms the basis of much of the Septenary Tradition mentioned in NAOS. Indeed, I'm pretty familiar with the various works and teachings of the Order of Nine Angles, the philosophy of which this book represents. I could go into Physis and the Seven Fold Way, and its relation to the Qliphoth and the writings of Thomas Karlsson, but in the interest of not overcomplicating this review, let me just say that there is much overlap between things discussed in NAOS and materials from other organizations, like the Temple of the Black Light. There is even similarity between aspirations to the acausal and the concept of "atavistic resurgence" taught by Austin Osman Spare.
Point is, I appreciated those parts of the book that I could incorporate into my overall philosophy and approach to magick. I certainly took away a lot of positive things after (re)reading this. But I fear I've digressed; I had mentioned that NAOS is not as practical as its title seems to indicate. That's because the requirements for many of the rituals mentioned are unattainable for many. Following the phases of the moon is fine; the Septenary Tradition is far from the first to suggest it. Indeed, magick's intrinsic relationship with lunar activity cannot be ignored.
No, what I'm talking about are the parts where the ritualist is told to bathe in a river by moonlight, or survive in the wilderness. Unless you're Varg Vikernes, I don't see the average American occultist being able to do it. And that, in a sense, is the "test" that the ONA puts forth. If you can't do it, you don't deserve to be a part of this. In theory this is understandable. Occultism and black magick are inherently exclusionary and elitist. And yet, in practice it is undermined by the simple fact that there is simply an easier way. Even the Star Game is, in my opinion, an antiquated approach to achieve the same set of goals for which there is already shorthand.
Despite this nitpicking, I found the book intriguing and it's something I'll have to peruse and pay closer attention to, especially as I consider beginning to work magick back into my daily life. I need to read more materials by the ONA before I form a final assessment of the organization's teachings as a whole.
I've always considered myself more a student of the occult than an outright practitioner, though I have performed private personal rituals in the past, and will likely continue to do so in the future. In terms of the black magickal practices I have made work for me, I've always taken somewhat of a "thrifty" approach to it, in that I pull from a variety of Satanic, Luciferian, demonolatric, and similarly esoteric philosophies to establish something that is wholly unique, and which works for me.
I have worked with chaos magick and I have familiarized myself with some aspects of Chaos-Gnosticism. As such, I am more than familiar with the theory of the acausal that forms the basis of much of the Septenary Tradition mentioned in NAOS. Indeed, I'm pretty familiar with the various works and teachings of the Order of Nine Angles, the philosophy of which this book represents. I could go into Physis and the Seven Fold Way, and its relation to the Qliphoth and the writings of Thomas Karlsson, but in the interest of not overcomplicating this review, let me just say that there is much overlap between things discussed in NAOS and materials from other organizations, like the Temple of the Black Light. There is even similarity between aspirations to the acausal and the concept of "atavistic resurgence" taught by Austin Osman Spare.
Point is, I appreciated those parts of the book that I could incorporate into my overall philosophy and approach to magick. I certainly took away a lot of positive things after (re)reading this. But I fear I've digressed; I had mentioned that NAOS is not as practical as its title seems to indicate. That's because the requirements for many of the rituals mentioned are unattainable for many. Following the phases of the moon is fine; the Septenary Tradition is far from the first to suggest it. Indeed, magick's intrinsic relationship with lunar activity cannot be ignored.
No, what I'm talking about are the parts where the ritualist is told to bathe in a river by moonlight, or survive in the wilderness. Unless you're Varg Vikernes, I don't see the average American occultist being able to do it. And that, in a sense, is the "test" that the ONA puts forth. If you can't do it, you don't deserve to be a part of this. In theory this is understandable. Occultism and black magick are inherently exclusionary and elitist. And yet, in practice it is undermined by the simple fact that there is simply an easier way. Even the Star Game is, in my opinion, an antiquated approach to achieve the same set of goals for which there is already shorthand.
Despite this nitpicking, I found the book intriguing and it's something I'll have to peruse and pay closer attention to, especially as I consider beginning to work magick back into my daily life. I need to read more materials by the ONA before I form a final assessment of the organization's teachings as a whole.
Displaying 1 of 1 review