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The Three Stages of Initiatic Spirituality: Craftsman, Warrior, Magician
A detailed guide to the three successive initiatic Craftsman, Warrior, and Magician
• Investigates the symbolism, rituals, and metaphysical aspects of each initiatic archetype, from the alchemy and shamanism of the craftsman, to the subtle energy work of the warrior, to the sex magic practices and Higher Self work of the magician
• Shares meditations, practices, and transformational techniques for each archetype
• Investigates the similarities between contemporary Western occultism, from Crowley to Chaos Magic, and the “positive thinking” mind metaphysics movement
Exploring the craftsman, warrior, and magician archetypes--three vocations that echo the traditional tripartite division of society--Angel Millar reveals how these archetypes represent the three successive stages of spiritual growth in an individual’s life. He shows how they provide structure for the initiatory process to develop one’s mental, physical, and spiritual potential. As craftsman, the individual experiences “mnemonic” the cultivation of memory as well as language. As warrior, “somatic” development of the physical body and cultivation of the spirit body. And as magician, “gnostic” cultivation of the self and manifestation of the Higher Self.
Investigating the metaphysical aspects of each archetype, the author explores their symbolism, spiritual practices, and rituals. Examining the craftsman archetype, he looks at metallurgy, alchemy, and the “Craft” of Freemasonry, as well as the ancient role of blacksmith as shaman. He explores the idea of God as a “Creator” or “Craftsman,” especially in relation to ancient Greek philosophy, Islamic neoplatonism, and the Kabbalah. Examining the warrior archetype, he reveals how the way of the warrior was affected by religion and mysticism, such as how the Persian martial art of Zoorkhaneh was profoundly shaped by Sufism and why the Buddhist Shaolin temple became synonymous with Kung Fu. The author places special emphasis on the cultivation of subtle energy as practiced in martial arts, especially in relation to Taoist inner alchemy. Examining the magician archetype, he reveals how each individual has two “selves”--a lower self and a Higher Self--and explores the union of opposites studied by the magician, such as in the tantric arts and sacred sex magic. Sharing meditations, practices, and processes associated with each archetype, as well as techniques for transforming one’s consciousness, he also investigates similarities between contemporary Western occultism, from Crowley to Chaos Magic, and the “positive thinking” mind metaphysics movement.
Structured to parallel the three archetypal stages of the initiatic process, this comprehensive guide offers a literary initiation through three degrees of esoteric knowledge.
• Investigates the symbolism, rituals, and metaphysical aspects of each initiatic archetype, from the alchemy and shamanism of the craftsman, to the subtle energy work of the warrior, to the sex magic practices and Higher Self work of the magician
• Shares meditations, practices, and transformational techniques for each archetype
• Investigates the similarities between contemporary Western occultism, from Crowley to Chaos Magic, and the “positive thinking” mind metaphysics movement
Exploring the craftsman, warrior, and magician archetypes--three vocations that echo the traditional tripartite division of society--Angel Millar reveals how these archetypes represent the three successive stages of spiritual growth in an individual’s life. He shows how they provide structure for the initiatory process to develop one’s mental, physical, and spiritual potential. As craftsman, the individual experiences “mnemonic” the cultivation of memory as well as language. As warrior, “somatic” development of the physical body and cultivation of the spirit body. And as magician, “gnostic” cultivation of the self and manifestation of the Higher Self.
Investigating the metaphysical aspects of each archetype, the author explores their symbolism, spiritual practices, and rituals. Examining the craftsman archetype, he looks at metallurgy, alchemy, and the “Craft” of Freemasonry, as well as the ancient role of blacksmith as shaman. He explores the idea of God as a “Creator” or “Craftsman,” especially in relation to ancient Greek philosophy, Islamic neoplatonism, and the Kabbalah. Examining the warrior archetype, he reveals how the way of the warrior was affected by religion and mysticism, such as how the Persian martial art of Zoorkhaneh was profoundly shaped by Sufism and why the Buddhist Shaolin temple became synonymous with Kung Fu. The author places special emphasis on the cultivation of subtle energy as practiced in martial arts, especially in relation to Taoist inner alchemy. Examining the magician archetype, he reveals how each individual has two “selves”--a lower self and a Higher Self--and explores the union of opposites studied by the magician, such as in the tantric arts and sacred sex magic. Sharing meditations, practices, and processes associated with each archetype, as well as techniques for transforming one’s consciousness, he also investigates similarities between contemporary Western occultism, from Crowley to Chaos Magic, and the “positive thinking” mind metaphysics movement.
Structured to parallel the three archetypal stages of the initiatic process, this comprehensive guide offers a literary initiation through three degrees of esoteric knowledge.
256 pages, Paperback
Published February 11, 2020
23 people are currently reading
93 people want to read
About the author
Angel Millar
14 books115 followersAuthor and public speaker Angel Millar was born in a suburb of London, England. He attended Chelsea College and Central Saint Martins College of Art and Design, where he developed both his interest in the arts and in spirituality. He later moved to North America, spending several years in Canada. He now lives in New York City.
He is the author of several books on Freemasonry, esotericism, symbolism, and mysticism. His upcoming book is The Three Stages of Initiatic Spirituality: Craftsman, Warrior, Magician (February 2020, Inner Traditions publishing). In it, Millar explores the three archetypes through the world's cultures, both ancient and modern, from shamanism, ancient Greek philosophy, alchemy, and Kabbalah, through Buddhism, Hinduism, Taoism, the martial arts (of China, Russia, and Persia), to Jungian psychology, the positive thinking movement, and chaos magic.
Designed as a kind of literary initiation, The Three Stages of Initiatic Spirituality: Craftsman, Warrior, Magician is divided into three sections, each with chapters explaining the history, myths, symbolism, rituals, and practices of one of the three archetypes.
In his daily life, Millar does his best to integrate these three archetypes, practicing art and writing (craftsman), martial arts, physical training, and Chi Gong (warrior), and meditation, inner-alchemy, visualization, and positive thinking (magician).
He is the author of several books on Freemasonry, esotericism, symbolism, and mysticism. His upcoming book is The Three Stages of Initiatic Spirituality: Craftsman, Warrior, Magician (February 2020, Inner Traditions publishing). In it, Millar explores the three archetypes through the world's cultures, both ancient and modern, from shamanism, ancient Greek philosophy, alchemy, and Kabbalah, through Buddhism, Hinduism, Taoism, the martial arts (of China, Russia, and Persia), to Jungian psychology, the positive thinking movement, and chaos magic.
Designed as a kind of literary initiation, The Three Stages of Initiatic Spirituality: Craftsman, Warrior, Magician is divided into three sections, each with chapters explaining the history, myths, symbolism, rituals, and practices of one of the three archetypes.
In his daily life, Millar does his best to integrate these three archetypes, practicing art and writing (craftsman), martial arts, physical training, and Chi Gong (warrior), and meditation, inner-alchemy, visualization, and positive thinking (magician).
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Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews
February 8, 2020
This is a very beautiful book, in form as well as content. I am wowed.
October 26, 2022
My favorite part of how the author organizes his thesis is that he dives straight into each topic head first. He holds nothing back as he synthesizes various traditions and thoughts into a single whole that has the ability to resonate with people who are in different stages of their own transformation and development. Spirituality can be a tricky topic in that it is so expansive so bringing to down to something tangible and applicable is an art in itself, especially for the modern reader who is full of skepticism and natural distrust of religious dogma. I appreciate his perspective and breathing new life and appreciation for the spiritual traditions of the past by combining the magic of the occult with the familiar faith traditions emphasizing their common ground. He organizes these principles around Mind-Craftsman, Body-Warrior, and Magician-Spirit which works well, I think he could
Take it a step further and tie in the four elements and cardinal directions as well, because he could add “King” as well. All in all a good book that gave me a lot to reflect on and inspires me to keep working on my own personal growth.
Take it a step further and tie in the four elements and cardinal directions as well, because he could add “King” as well. All in all a good book that gave me a lot to reflect on and inspires me to keep working on my own personal growth.
April 7, 2021
I am actually somewhat torn in my opinion here. I like Angel Millar (or his online available writings and otherwise voiced opinions) a lot. I don't agree with the broadly neoplatonic direction, but practically I do agree with his insistence on tradition, the role of the teacher etc. Same goes for my stance towards the contents of this book. I would recommend it for the absolute beginner, since "The Three Stages" nicely, but almost entirely theoretically lay out a phenoneology of initiation. But as such, I found it somewhat udnerdeveloped and undercomplex. I would have found it more interesting if it had been more closely structured around the masonic symbolism Millar touches on repeatedly, even though Masonry is not really an area of my studies.
March 30, 2020
With this book, Angel Millar extensively analyzes the craftsman, warrior and magician archetypes as found in different religions, mythologies, initiatic orders and ceremonial magick practices. The engages the reader in meditating how s/he has developed and expressed said archetypes while adding perspective to three stages of spiritual growth that should be lived in balance.
February 21, 2024
I wanted to like this more than I did. Information from this book feels not too unique and it offers little in the way of practical advice. It also bothered me how readily the author was willing to cite the likes of Julius Evola, who was an outright esoteric fascist and whose name being dropped positively in any book is a big red flag for me.
January 20, 2025
Angel brings together masterfully his vast knowledge, historical facts and references that connect religions, spirituality, occultism, symbolism, rituals, initiation and secret societies, most notably Freemasonry. Anyone interested in any of these subjects, then the book is an excellent choice.
January 25, 2025
Lots of words pulled from lots of texts stated as fact, just kind of mashed together. The author makes no real points in the first forty pages, after which I gave up.
January 27, 2024
This book is a well written guide to balancing the portions of one’s life that influence us day to day. Millar uses commonly found initiatory rites and processes to highlight and expound upon their usefulness in our modern lives.
Millar is well read and draws upon a litany of different historical, philosophical, and spiritual and religious sources in order to help guide the reader while also exemplify the significance that the process of initiation has had throughout our history.
I recommend taking a long look at the bibliography at the end of the book for a fuller understanding of the concepts outlined in this book as well.
Millar is well read and draws upon a litany of different historical, philosophical, and spiritual and religious sources in order to help guide the reader while also exemplify the significance that the process of initiation has had throughout our history.
I recommend taking a long look at the bibliography at the end of the book for a fuller understanding of the concepts outlined in this book as well.
Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews