Circles of Power: An Introduction to Hermetic Magic

by John Michael Greer

The ceremonial magic of the Hermetic Order of the Golden Dawn is among the most widely practiced of all magical systems today. Yet very few books on the Golden Dawn tradition pass beyond the basics into the more demanding and powerful magical practices the system has to offer. Circles of Power is the exception. It’s a comprehensive practical manual of Golden Dawn magic that proceeds step by step from basic principles and fundamental rituals to the heights and depths of magical attainment.

Circles of Power provides detailed instructions for such rarely discussed magical techniques as the creation of telesmatic images, the construction and use of flashing tablets, the Golden Dawn method of etheric shapeshifting, and the use of the Formula of the Equinox—one of the two fundamental ritual formulas of the Golden Dawn tradition—as a basis for rituals of evocation, consecration, spiritual development, and more. This new edition has been thoroughly revised by the author.

Genres: Occult, Magick, Magic, Spirituality, Paganism, Nonfiction

345 pages, Kindle Edition

First published January 1, 1997

About the author

John Michael Greer is an author of over thirty books and the blogger behind The Archdruid Report. He served as Grand Archdruid of the Ancient Order of Druids in America. His work addresses a range of subjects, including climate change, peak oil, the future of industrial society, and the occult. He also writes science fiction and fantasy. He lives in Rhode Island with his wife.

Reviews

[Layo · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is an underrated survey of basic magical technique in the Golden Dawn style. For the relative beginner, I like it better than Modern Magick, though it is a bit less engaging. It is dense with information, though a touch dry compared to Greer's later work.

[Garrett · Rating 5 out of 5]

Makes the Golden Dawn system alot more practical for the modern student of the WMT.

[LP · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very good for the beginner.
The first part explains the theory behind Magic, and how it works. Thoroughly recommended for anyone also interested in the practice, demystifying aspects that I personally had found difficult to understand at first.
The second part gives some practical work that will be of use to complete beginners and those a little way along their own path of Initiation.

This book is not too long, but I found myself going back to it for reference time after time. My only criticism is that I would have liked to have had even more to read - and that's never a bad thing !

[Constantinos Nterziotis · Rating 4 out of 5]

A Golden Dawn practical manual for the solitary practitioner who wants to establish a more consistent routine and he feels comfortable with the basic teachings of the Golden Dawn as well as basic GD rituals. The book has its weak spots, but it is one of the best, if not the best for the serious practitioner who does not belong or has access to a group. Tough and challenging.

[Paul · Rating 5 out of 5]

A cogent, systematic, well-written introduction to practicing ritual magic in the Golden Dawn tradition. The author is well versed in both the theory and practice of these rituals, of which he gives a couple of dozen, at least--plenty of work for the would-be magician to get started with. If you're interested in the practice of Golden Dawn magic, then you should probably start here.

[Ismail Akgöz · Rating 3 out of 5]

Yalnızca Türkçe okuyabilecek Okültizm meraklısı insanlar için altın değerinde pratik bir kitaptır. Altın Şafak Hermetik Cemiyeti'nin Praxis'ini güzelce sözlük gibi açıklar. Ancak hoşuma gitmeyen taraf pratiklerin ne durumlarda nasıl yapılacağına dair daha fazla bilgi paylaşılabilir, bir tür detaylı müfredat da ilave edilebilirdi.

[Mitchell Stern · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book provides a solid overview of Hermetic magic. The biggest flaws were the exclusion of some keys to ceremonial magic and overhyping the boon one can get from practicing. Still, it is a solid text.

[Joe Heiderich · Rating 5 out of 5]

Here lies a great book on what extent our earth can yield. Attached here is one of the best documentaries of Soloman's magic, balance, love and light. https://youtu.be/UUyq71MJYGg

[Edric Unsane · Rating 5 out of 5]

A detailed and fascinating look at the rituals and beliefs of Hermetic Order of the Golden Dawn. John Michael Greer knocks it out of the park, once again establishing himself as a go-to author for everything Occult. I highly recommend this book to any who would be interested in magic, it's practice, and the beliefs behind it.