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Raising Hell: A Concise History of the Black Arts and Those Who Dared to Practice Them
If the history of black magic and the occult reveals anything, it's that the drive to marshal the unseen powers of the dark, and bend them to mortal will, is as old as mankind itself. Men and women have believed, in virtually every age and in every land, that there is another world--a world of spirits and souls, angels and demons, gods and monsters, a world that might hold the answers to all the great mysteries: What is life all about? Does man decide his own fate? Is there a Heaven? And, perhaps more important, is there a Hell?
As they sought the answers to these questions, the occult pioneers often stumbled upon real and verifiable truths--the astrologers mapped the heavens and thereby paved the way for the astronomers who followed. The alchemists, in their futile quest to make gold from lead, discovered everything from phosphorous to the manufacturing of steel. Even the seers, who read palms and interpreted dreams, contributed to the vast catalog of human thought and deed, anticipating such later practices as psychology and hypnosis.
Here, in one spellbinding volume, is a history of the major occult arts--necromancy, sorcery, astrology, alchemy, and prophecy--as they have been practiced from ancient Babylon to the present day. Raising Hell weaves history with mythology, quotes, anecdotes, and illustrations to provide a vivid chronicle of the evolution of the occult arts. From the origins of the pentagram and the sacred circle, to the incantations of necromancers, to the prophecies of Nostradamus, this definitive source offers a compelling look at the black arts . . . and those who risked their lives--and some say their souls--to explore them.
As they sought the answers to these questions, the occult pioneers often stumbled upon real and verifiable truths--the astrologers mapped the heavens and thereby paved the way for the astronomers who followed. The alchemists, in their futile quest to make gold from lead, discovered everything from phosphorous to the manufacturing of steel. Even the seers, who read palms and interpreted dreams, contributed to the vast catalog of human thought and deed, anticipating such later practices as psychology and hypnosis.
Here, in one spellbinding volume, is a history of the major occult arts--necromancy, sorcery, astrology, alchemy, and prophecy--as they have been practiced from ancient Babylon to the present day. Raising Hell weaves history with mythology, quotes, anecdotes, and illustrations to provide a vivid chronicle of the evolution of the occult arts. From the origins of the pentagram and the sacred circle, to the incantations of necromancers, to the prophecies of Nostradamus, this definitive source offers a compelling look at the black arts . . . and those who risked their lives--and some say their souls--to explore them.
260 pages, ebook
First published October 1, 1996
79 people are currently reading
348 people want to read
About the author
Robert Masello
34 books614 followers Robert Masello is an award-winning journalist, TV writer, and the bestselling author of many novels and nonfiction books. In addition to his most recent book, THE HAUNTING OF H.G. WELLS, he has written the #1 Amazon Kindle bestseller, THE EINSTEIN PROPHECY, and many other popular thrillers, including THE JEKYLL REVELATION, THE NIGHT CROSSING, BLOOD AND ICE, THE MEDUSA AMULET, and THE ROMANOV CROSS.
He is also the author of two popular studies of the Occult -- FALLEN ANGELS AND SPIRITS OF THE DARK and RAISING HELL: A CONCISE HISTORY OF THE BLACK ARTS.
His books on writing include WRITER TELLS ALL, A FRIEND IN THE BUSINESS, and the classroom staple, ROBERT'S RULES OF WRITING.
His TV credits include such popular shows as "Charmed," "Sliders," Early Edition," and "Poltergeist: the Legacy."
A native of Evanston, Illinois, he studied writing at Princeton University under the noted authors Robert Stone and Geoffrey Wolff, and served for six years as the Visiting Lecturer in Literature at Claremont McKenna College.
He now lives and works in Santa Monica, CA.
He is also the author of two popular studies of the Occult -- FALLEN ANGELS AND SPIRITS OF THE DARK and RAISING HELL: A CONCISE HISTORY OF THE BLACK ARTS.
His books on writing include WRITER TELLS ALL, A FRIEND IN THE BUSINESS, and the classroom staple, ROBERT'S RULES OF WRITING.
His TV credits include such popular shows as "Charmed," "Sliders," Early Edition," and "Poltergeist: the Legacy."
A native of Evanston, Illinois, he studied writing at Princeton University under the noted authors Robert Stone and Geoffrey Wolff, and served for six years as the Visiting Lecturer in Literature at Claremont McKenna College.
He now lives and works in Santa Monica, CA.
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Displaying 1 - 11 of 11 reviews
November 30, 2008
Very well written, but it seemed that the author was biased towards Christianity; IMO, his tone was rather acidic when describing the Templars, Dee and most of all, Crowley.
This is where my bias becomes evident.
Crowley was never a Satanist or a Devil Worshiper, and in fact, despised them. When he stated that, "...I have been accused of being a 'black magician.' No more foolish statement was ever made about me. I despise the thing to such an extent that I can hardly believe in the existence of people so debased and idiotic as to practice it.", he realized after he had learned how to utilize this 'short cut' to the art, that he proved to be a rather good Black Magician, that short cuts do not make long lasting changes.
Crowley desired no followers, claimed to be no hero, and opened his life on paper which any aspiring magician should do. He was rare in that he documented his successes and failures. While it's true that he loved attention, he did very little to dissuade anything written about him, much of the John Bull crap was just that: Bull.
Enough of me standing on the Aleister Crowley soapbox.
This is where my bias becomes evident.
Crowley was never a Satanist or a Devil Worshiper, and in fact, despised them. When he stated that, "...I have been accused of being a 'black magician.' No more foolish statement was ever made about me. I despise the thing to such an extent that I can hardly believe in the existence of people so debased and idiotic as to practice it.", he realized after he had learned how to utilize this 'short cut' to the art, that he proved to be a rather good Black Magician, that short cuts do not make long lasting changes.
Crowley desired no followers, claimed to be no hero, and opened his life on paper which any aspiring magician should do. He was rare in that he documented his successes and failures. While it's true that he loved attention, he did very little to dissuade anything written about him, much of the John Bull crap was just that: Bull.
Enough of me standing on the Aleister Crowley soapbox.
The names of the Christian God are invoked as the source of the only true power, making the book appear to be stating (in the writers opinion) the obvious: Jesus, YWVH, God, The Holy Spirit, etc are the only sources of power that you should cling to, for they are the only ones that will keep one out of Hell AND are the only real power that exists. The very title of the book indicates that Hell is the final stop for those daring enough to partake of some of the rituals described within. The problem is, Hell as an eternal place of punishment, is only a terrible place of suffering (which the loving Christian God created) within the contest of very few faiths (Christianity, Muslim and to a lesser extent, Judaism.
Furthermore, the term pagan, Satanist and Devil worshiper are used interchangeably, though not quite as bad as ANYTHING written by Bob Larson, but way too close for an informative and open book. Pagan is simply an umbrella term used by those that are pagan to separate themselves from the "Ready made in a can" faiths, and it is also used as a term by non-pagans to describe anyone who does not think like 'they' do. On one hand, it is merely a generic and harmless title, on the other it is an insult, intended to defame the person assigned.
He touched briefly on the idea that demons were originally spiritual helpers and teachers, spiritual beings that had a mischievous streak, but were beneficent none the less.
Overall, it does make for an interesting read, but keep in mind that much of the arcane writings were written metaphorically, and if a person that wishes to commune with a deceased loved one can do so WITHOUT lying in an open grave, wearing grave clothes, obtaining the head of a corpse, etc.
Sigh.
January 26, 2015
The book reads as if a teenager wrote it, it is choppy and superficial. However, it gives a Judeo-Christian perspective on sorcery.
The practices stated are in line with Islamic beliefs. The author erroneously attributes magic to Solomon (a prophet of Allah) just as the Qur'an says they do. The part about the sorcerer's pact with the devil is also true, although the devil cannot claim the soul in return because it is in God's power alone. A pact with the devil does make one renounce faith, and lose salvation therefore. The various ways of spells, and the instruments of dark arts--including playing card--are all valid. All these practices involve the Lucifer/Iblis/devil/Shaitan/Satan, and it is anti-thetical to faith. Sorcerers hope to gain in this world, at the expense of their faith, thus earning hell.
The practices stated are in line with Islamic beliefs. The author erroneously attributes magic to Solomon (a prophet of Allah) just as the Qur'an says they do. The part about the sorcerer's pact with the devil is also true, although the devil cannot claim the soul in return because it is in God's power alone. A pact with the devil does make one renounce faith, and lose salvation therefore. The various ways of spells, and the instruments of dark arts--including playing card--are all valid. All these practices involve the Lucifer/Iblis/devil/Shaitan/Satan, and it is anti-thetical to faith. Sorcerers hope to gain in this world, at the expense of their faith, thus earning hell.
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March 12, 2008I found this book randomly at work. I had a ten hour shift so I just read it. Very interesting. I learned a lot about the occult and magic. Now lets see if I can sleep tonight.
Faust: Did not my conjuring raise thee? Speak.
Mephostophilis: That was the case, but yet per accidens: For when we hear one rack the name of God, abjure the scriptures and his savior Christ, we fly in hope to get his glorious soul. Nor will we come unless he use such means whereby he is in danger to be damn'd. Therefore the shortest cut for conjuring is stoutly to abjure all godliness and pray devoutly to the Prince of Hell.
Faust: Did not my conjuring raise thee? Speak.
Mephostophilis: That was the case, but yet per accidens: For when we hear one rack the name of God, abjure the scriptures and his savior Christ, we fly in hope to get his glorious soul. Nor will we come unless he use such means whereby he is in danger to be damn'd. Therefore the shortest cut for conjuring is stoutly to abjure all godliness and pray devoutly to the Prince of Hell.
April 10, 2010
if i could give this 0 stars and still save it i would... ugh.... choppy, skippy, flippant when it should be precise, precise and overly detailed over something not worth a paragraph... horrible horrible...
i might burn it instead of donating it just because i don't want anyone else to suffer through it...
i think if i'd tried to read it all at once i would have given up on page 5, but it became a bathroom reader so i trudged through a page or so at a time... better than counting the spots on the ceiling, but not by much
i might burn it instead of donating it just because i don't want anyone else to suffer through it...
i think if i'd tried to read it all at once i would have given up on page 5, but it became a bathroom reader so i trudged through a page or so at a time... better than counting the spots on the ceiling, but not by much
August 6, 2017
A fun, light read about the VERY basic history Black Arts. By no means in-depth or studious, but easy to indulge in over a weekend when you don't want to read fiction, and you don't have the energy for more academic non-fiction on the subject. Some fun morsels and anecdotes! Would be great for the novice teenage Wiccan, haha. I'm considering reading it out loud with my 13 year old for something different.
August 17, 2010
I wish the book was a little longer but I recommend if you like this topic
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February 26, 2011LOVE!
April 4, 2019
A useful primer on the Black Arts in mostly the Judaic-Christian tradition.
A useful resource for the neophyte.
Rating: 4 out of 5 Stars
A useful resource for the neophyte.
Rating: 4 out of 5 Stars
January 2, 2021
Succinct overview
A broad, if somewhat shallow, overview of the history of sorcery and witchcraft throughout the world, describing several famous (and not so famous) figures such as Nostradamus, etc. Worth a read.
A broad, if somewhat shallow, overview of the history of sorcery and witchcraft throughout the world, describing several famous (and not so famous) figures such as Nostradamus, etc. Worth a read.
December 9, 2023
A fascinating, concise history of magic through history. Includes a full bibliography, Mentions a Ton of other books in the body as well. A great place to gather research material! Highly recommend if you're interested in magical history.
September 27, 2020
Purely basic. If you have any background in occultism or metaphysics, it's no a necessary read.
Displaying 1 - 11 of 11 reviews