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Original Magic: The Rituals and Initiations of the Persian Magi
A complete guide to the theory, practice, and history of Mazdan magic, the first organized system of magic • Provides a complete curriculum of magical study and initiation centered on exercises keyed to the sacred Zoroastrian calendar • Details advanced magical rituals and practices based on archaic Persian formulas, including fire rituals and divine invocations • Explores the history and lore of Persian magic, explaining how the author reconstructed the original Mazdan system of magic Stephen Flowers explores the history, theory, practice, rituals, and initiations of the Mazdan magical system practiced by the Magi of ancient Persia, who were so skilled and famed for their effectiveness that their name came to mean what we today call “magic.” The prestige and reputation of the Magian priests of Mazda is perhaps most iconically recorded in the Christian story of the Three Wise Men who visited newborn Jesus. The author explains how the religious branch of the Mazdan magical system, founded by the Prophet Zarathustra, is known in the West under the name Zoroastrianism. He reveals how the Zoroastrian religion, which acts as a matrix for the symbols and formulas of the original form of magic, has existed for almost four thousand years with roots going back even deeper into the Indo-European past. The author reveals how all other known systems of magic have borrowed from this tradition, providing the clues that enabled him to reformulate the original Mazdan system. He reviews what the Greeks, Romans, Hebrews, Christians, and Chinese said about the Iranian-Persian tradition of the Mazdans and their invention of a magical technology. He explains how the ultimate aim of the original form of magic was not only individual wisdom, self-development, and empowerment, but also the overall betterment of the world. Outlining the theoretical principles of this method, which can be applied in practical ways to deepen the effectiveness of these magical operations, the author details a complete curriculum of magical study and initiation based on a series of graded exercises keyed to the sacred Zoroastrian calendar. He then offers a series of more advanced magical rituals and practices based on archaic Persian formulas, including fire rituals and divine invocations. Providing a manual for the original magical system used by the members of the Great Fellowship, this book guides you toward the comprehensive practice of the Mazdan philosophy, the ultimate outcome of which is Happiness.
263 pages, Kindle Edition
Published October 17, 2017
46 people are currently reading
260 people want to read
About the author
Stephen E. Flowers
53 books109 followersAmerican Runologist and proponent of occultism and Germanic mysticism.
Flowers is an advocate of "Esoteric Runology" or "Odinism", an occultist version of Germanic Neopaganism
Flowers has graduated in Germanic and Celtic philology.
Flowers is an advocate of "Esoteric Runology" or "Odinism", an occultist version of Germanic Neopaganism
Flowers has graduated in Germanic and Celtic philology.
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Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 reviews
June 2, 2019
This book claims to reveal for the first time the origins of the study of magic, specifically Zoroastrianism. This origin comes from Ancient Persia, now Iran, the etymology given as Mazdan -> Magian -> Magician.
The author asserts that his intention is that Western students of magic will use this information as a basis to further explore their own methods, but with knowledge of a 4000 year old history that forms the basis of much of what has been filtered through many cultural influences over that time to develop into modern magic as we know it.
There are five chapters followed by seven appendices. The first chapter is entitled It's Time to Life the Ban and is about the basic training system for a Mazdan and the knowledge they are to accrue over a twelve month period. The chapter explains the significance of an initiatory path and defines terms for the purposes of the book, explaining the difference between magic and sorcery as well as various cultural terms. I really enjoyed reading about history of this culture from a philosophical perspective rather than a political one.
The second chapter goes into more detail about the history of Iranian magic. The ideas of Zarathustra (called Zoroaster by the Greeks) and the progression of religion all the way up to current Muslim prevalence in Iran is covered as well as the idea of magic as religion.
Chapter three is called Theories of Mazdan Magic. Here we go into cultural ideas of duality and cosmology that look rather a lot like the roots of Judeo-Christian religious structure and morality, but with Astrology providing a cosmological model. Then chapter four brings us to Initiation to Magic. The author emphasises the importance of initiation and lays out a twelve month process for accomplishing a self-initiation according to Mazdan practices. Here it is easy to see the basis for many systems of elaborate daily ritual using specific ritual equipment.
As a historical record, this is brilliant. The exercises themselves present a solid structure of discipline, but is culturally based in a basically monotheistic religion that is the basic for the Abrahamic religions. I can't imagine that Western practitioners would benefit much from reciting the formulae in the Avestan language. It's a strong academic work that would be of value in the reference library of anyone interested in the history and study of magic on a spiritual level.
The fifth chapter is on Rituals of Mazdan Magic. The author starts by stressing importance of using original languages for manthras and of both inside and outside environments for performing the rituals. These rituals are very ceremonial and steeped into the belief system of the Persian Mazdan.
After these chapters we have seven appendices. The first is a brief history of Eranshahr, which is basically cultural background for the beliefs and practices of what this book is about. In just a few pages, the author explains several hundred years of Middle Eastern peoples, migrations and empires in a straightforward narrative that I personally found fascinating, as someone who has an interest in history.
Appedix B is a pronunciation guide for the Avestan language, then Appendix C details the Three Major Avestan Manthras. Appendix D lists 101 names of God to be used in the manthras, then Appendix E explains basic Mazdan astrological lore. Appendix F is resources; addresses online to find further information.
The Appendices are followed by a glossary, notes, then a bibliography and reading list, and of course an index.
I found the book historically fascinating, though the belief system involved doesn't fit with my own beliefs. It is certainly well-researched and a gem of a historical record. A very interesting read.
The author asserts that his intention is that Western students of magic will use this information as a basis to further explore their own methods, but with knowledge of a 4000 year old history that forms the basis of much of what has been filtered through many cultural influences over that time to develop into modern magic as we know it.
There are five chapters followed by seven appendices. The first chapter is entitled It's Time to Life the Ban and is about the basic training system for a Mazdan and the knowledge they are to accrue over a twelve month period. The chapter explains the significance of an initiatory path and defines terms for the purposes of the book, explaining the difference between magic and sorcery as well as various cultural terms. I really enjoyed reading about history of this culture from a philosophical perspective rather than a political one.
The second chapter goes into more detail about the history of Iranian magic. The ideas of Zarathustra (called Zoroaster by the Greeks) and the progression of religion all the way up to current Muslim prevalence in Iran is covered as well as the idea of magic as religion.
Chapter three is called Theories of Mazdan Magic. Here we go into cultural ideas of duality and cosmology that look rather a lot like the roots of Judeo-Christian religious structure and morality, but with Astrology providing a cosmological model. Then chapter four brings us to Initiation to Magic. The author emphasises the importance of initiation and lays out a twelve month process for accomplishing a self-initiation according to Mazdan practices. Here it is easy to see the basis for many systems of elaborate daily ritual using specific ritual equipment.
As a historical record, this is brilliant. The exercises themselves present a solid structure of discipline, but is culturally based in a basically monotheistic religion that is the basic for the Abrahamic religions. I can't imagine that Western practitioners would benefit much from reciting the formulae in the Avestan language. It's a strong academic work that would be of value in the reference library of anyone interested in the history and study of magic on a spiritual level.
The fifth chapter is on Rituals of Mazdan Magic. The author starts by stressing importance of using original languages for manthras and of both inside and outside environments for performing the rituals. These rituals are very ceremonial and steeped into the belief system of the Persian Mazdan.
After these chapters we have seven appendices. The first is a brief history of Eranshahr, which is basically cultural background for the beliefs and practices of what this book is about. In just a few pages, the author explains several hundred years of Middle Eastern peoples, migrations and empires in a straightforward narrative that I personally found fascinating, as someone who has an interest in history.
Appedix B is a pronunciation guide for the Avestan language, then Appendix C details the Three Major Avestan Manthras. Appendix D lists 101 names of God to be used in the manthras, then Appendix E explains basic Mazdan astrological lore. Appendix F is resources; addresses online to find further information.
The Appendices are followed by a glossary, notes, then a bibliography and reading list, and of course an index.
I found the book historically fascinating, though the belief system involved doesn't fit with my own beliefs. It is certainly well-researched and a gem of a historical record. A very interesting read.
January 9, 2019
A well-researched linguistic and practical history of Persian magical practices, with an attempt at modern application. His analysis of modern Iran is laughably long (and thankfully brief) but he lives in Texas and they aren't known for their aptitude in assessing middle eastern politics.
April 2, 2019
I did not read it as a practice manual, as the author said I should, but I loved this book none the less. This is the first book I have read that was exclusively Mazdean in content. This book did not go in depht of the Zoroastrian religion, even though I learned a lot about it, but it did provide a practical system that any interested novice would be able to practice. I will definately return to this book at a later time. Magic is not sorcery.
August 1, 2024
This book is well-structured and offers an accurate glimpse into one of the most intriguing groups of ancient magicians, the Persian Magi. Flowers provides a thorough historical overview, accompanied by relevant philosophical concepts, saving the reader considerable effort in research.
After presenting the historical information, Flowers offers his own interpretation of what the magic rituals of the Persian Magi might have looked like, based on the earlier information provided. He makes informed speculations, and it's worth noting that despite the criticism he often receives, Flowers is consistently transparent about his approach in all his works. It is up to the reader to decide whether to pursue purely authentic practices, as much as possible, or to experiment with the rituals Flowers compiles.
Personally, I find the intricate rituals described in the book a bit excessive for my taste, but they are largely consistent with historical realities. Readers should remember that, in the past, those who served temples and cults were dedicated solely to these roles.
Overall, the book provides an intriguing look at a different magical tradition, offering a solid historical foundation, perfectly structured thanks to Flowers' academic background. Additionally, his proposed system serves not only as a means to revive these historical insights in modern times but also as a case study on how such revivals could be achieved. Of course, this should be done with the understanding that Flowers is significantly influenced by Western occult traditions from the late 19th and early 20th centuries.
Nevertheless, I believe that every history lover engaged in any form of magical practice would greatly expand their knowledge and worldview by reading "Original Magic" with an open mind.
After presenting the historical information, Flowers offers his own interpretation of what the magic rituals of the Persian Magi might have looked like, based on the earlier information provided. He makes informed speculations, and it's worth noting that despite the criticism he often receives, Flowers is consistently transparent about his approach in all his works. It is up to the reader to decide whether to pursue purely authentic practices, as much as possible, or to experiment with the rituals Flowers compiles.
Personally, I find the intricate rituals described in the book a bit excessive for my taste, but they are largely consistent with historical realities. Readers should remember that, in the past, those who served temples and cults were dedicated solely to these roles.
Overall, the book provides an intriguing look at a different magical tradition, offering a solid historical foundation, perfectly structured thanks to Flowers' academic background. Additionally, his proposed system serves not only as a means to revive these historical insights in modern times but also as a case study on how such revivals could be achieved. Of course, this should be done with the understanding that Flowers is significantly influenced by Western occult traditions from the late 19th and early 20th centuries.
Nevertheless, I believe that every history lover engaged in any form of magical practice would greatly expand their knowledge and worldview by reading "Original Magic" with an open mind.
December 31, 2022
Basic but complete!
Because the subject is so large it would be hard to encompass all the material in one volume.
Want you get is almost bullet point version of a working Mazdan magic.
This book never leaves you hanging, there is always a call to action; wether that is in study or practice.
Because the subject is so large it would be hard to encompass all the material in one volume.
Want you get is almost bullet point version of a working Mazdan magic.
This book never leaves you hanging, there is always a call to action; wether that is in study or practice.
February 17, 2024
Great reference book for an occultist on the ways of Zarathustra.
October 21, 2020
Awesome book!!
Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 reviews