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Techniques of High Magic: A Handbook of Divination, Alchemy, and the Evocation of Spirits
A complete beginner's guide to understanding and harnessing the mysterious forces of nature.
• Provides tools for self-initiation into the ancient and secret traditions of ceremonial magic.
• Explains various divination systems and how to perform ancient rituals that open the doorway to secret and arcane knowledge.
True magic can be defined as the art and science of using little-known or forgotten natural forces in order to achieve changes in consciousness and the physical environment. It concerns a wide body of doctrines and techniques, including the conjuring of spirits and non-human entities; the manufacture and consecration of wands, swords, talismans, and other tools of the magus; ritual divination; and the exploration of universes other than that with which we are familiar. The masters who taught others these ancient arts are gone, but Techniques of High Magic provides the practical and lucid instruction necessary for self-initiation into these secret traditions.
Emphasizing the ordered nature of the universe and the power of will directed by imagination, Francis King and Stephen Skinner introduce the reader to magical practices, rituals, and instruments that have been used for centuries. They explain systems of divination such as the I Ching, the Tarot, and geomancy, as well as techniques of astral projection and elementary alchemy. Their disciplined approach to magical practice includes easy formulas and diagrams that will help the initiate navigate an ancient and potent universe of gods, angels, and spirits--the world of High Magic.
• Provides tools for self-initiation into the ancient and secret traditions of ceremonial magic.
• Explains various divination systems and how to perform ancient rituals that open the doorway to secret and arcane knowledge.
True magic can be defined as the art and science of using little-known or forgotten natural forces in order to achieve changes in consciousness and the physical environment. It concerns a wide body of doctrines and techniques, including the conjuring of spirits and non-human entities; the manufacture and consecration of wands, swords, talismans, and other tools of the magus; ritual divination; and the exploration of universes other than that with which we are familiar. The masters who taught others these ancient arts are gone, but Techniques of High Magic provides the practical and lucid instruction necessary for self-initiation into these secret traditions.
Emphasizing the ordered nature of the universe and the power of will directed by imagination, Francis King and Stephen Skinner introduce the reader to magical practices, rituals, and instruments that have been used for centuries. They explain systems of divination such as the I Ching, the Tarot, and geomancy, as well as techniques of astral projection and elementary alchemy. Their disciplined approach to magical practice includes easy formulas and diagrams that will help the initiate navigate an ancient and potent universe of gods, angels, and spirits--the world of High Magic.
240 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 1976
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About the author
Francis X. King
41 books24 followersFrancis X. King was an occult writer and editor who wrote about tarot, divination, witchcraft, magic, sex magic, tantra, and holistic medicine. He was a member of the Society of the Inner Light, an offshoot of the Alpha et Omega, which in turn was an offshoot of the Hermetic Order of the Golden Dawn.
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Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews
August 18, 2020
I was pleasantly surprised with this book. Taking it for what it is — a book for beginners, it's very good. It does a great job at giving a basis to occult practices and not only it has a great selection of information but it's also explained in a simple manner. I'm tired of books for beginners that use wording that's clearly way too difficult or needlessly vague for someone who's just getting started.
The only thing that bothered me was the pronunciations the author gave for Hebrew terms, such as the ones for the Qabbalistic Cross. They're really not accurate and very funny to read as a Hebrew speaker. This one was my favourite:
"... say LE-OLAM (to the ages), AMEN. ('Lay-orh-lahm, Ar-men')"
Needless to say, there's no 'r' in the pronunciation in any part of it, and le is pronounced like in the word 'let'.
4/5, but I have to admit seeing the author talk about Aleister Crowley with a bath towel wrapped on his head made me want to give it a 5/5.
The only thing that bothered me was the pronunciations the author gave for Hebrew terms, such as the ones for the Qabbalistic Cross. They're really not accurate and very funny to read as a Hebrew speaker. This one was my favourite:
"... say LE-OLAM (to the ages), AMEN. ('Lay-orh-lahm, Ar-men')"
Needless to say, there's no 'r' in the pronunciation in any part of it, and le is pronounced like in the word 'let'.
4/5, but I have to admit seeing the author talk about Aleister Crowley with a bath towel wrapped on his head made me want to give it a 5/5.
March 27, 2021
Good introduction to a lot of the concepts and practices that were very popular in 20th century magick. This book gives great insight on how 20th century ceremonial magicians viewed things like: Evocation, Invocation, Astral Projection, Assuming Godforms, The Holy Guardian Angel, Consecrating your magickal tools, and other things like that which you've probably heard of if you're a student of the occult, but may not have had laid out to you in such an upfront and insightful way as this book does.
January 9, 2018
A descent book which is short, concise, and fairly thorough. I felt that the style of writing was dated and that the information presented in the book can be found elsewhere in more digestible formats. I would still recommend this title to anyone interested in the occult.
August 16, 2017
Definitely a must read for anyone with a serious interest in magic, I wish I had read it sooner.
April 1, 2021
Fascinating practical book on the practices of Golden Dawn (mainly). A lot of useful techniques.
May 5, 2014
Haven't had much success invoking the gods yet, but I have finally consecrated my elemental weapons.
Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews