An advanced course in the practice of chaos magic written by one of its most respected practitioners—in a newly revised and expanded edition.
Peter J. Carroll—renowned writer and practitioner of chaos magic—offers a remarkably clear presentation of the practice of chaos magic. His approach combines methods from shamanism, paganism, and chaos science.
Liber Kaos Originally published by Weiser Books in 1992, this new edition is substantially revised and updated and includes new, previously unpublished material.
Peter Carroll began his career in Magic at London University where the Chemistry proved so tedious that he settled on a pass degree in that and an unauthorized first in Magic, with Liber Null & Psychonaut emerging as his postgraduate thesis over the next several years whilst teaching high school science.
He then set off around the world wandering in the Himalayas, building boats in India and Australia and seeking out unusual people.
Then after a stay in Yorkshire, he headed back to the Himalayas for a while again before returning to settle in the west of England to found a family and a magical order. Appalled by the compromises made by so many magi to make a living out of their writing or teaching, Carroll decided to make his fortune with a natural products business so that he could write and teach only what had value and interest for him.
Past Grandmaster of the Magical Pact of the Illuminates of Thanateros
Chancellor of Arcanorium College
Acting Marshall, Knights of Chaos
A Bard of Dobunni Grove
*Whilst Carroll derides the very low predictive power of natal astrology he nevertheless looks forward to his Uranus return.
If you’re curious about chaos magic or magic in general, start with Liber Null and Psychonaut, then give this a read through. This book is intensive and goes into great detail about the inner workings and specifics about magic, reality and the nature of existence. Definitely not something for a casual reader, but I thoroughly enjoyed it. I’ll absolutely be revisiting this in the future.
Building upon the foundations of chaos magic, Liber Kaos: Chaos Magic for the Pandaemonaeon presents an advanced and comprehensive exploration of its theories and practices. Peter J. Carroll combines elements from shamanism, paganism, and chaos science to create a dynamic and flexible system that pushes the boundaries of magical thought and application.
The book delves deeply into the principles of chaos magic, offering powerful rituals and exercises designed for committed occultists. Carroll provides clear instructions that guide readers through innovative concepts, such as aeonics, cosmogenesis, auric magic, and shadow time. His approach to magical training is suitable for both individual practitioners and groups, with detailed insights into the workings of his own magical order.
One of the standout features is the integration of scientific concepts with esoteric practices, bridging the gap between the mystical and the rational. Carroll challenges readers to reconsider their perceptions of reality and the mechanisms of magic, presenting a unique framework that is intellectually stimulating.
While the book is intellectually rigorous and offers groundbreaking ideas, it may be daunting for those new to chaos magic or occult studies. Some sections delve into complex theoretical models that require a solid foundational understanding to fully appreciate. The mathematical components, though innovative, might be inaccessible to readers without a background in such disciplines.
Liber Kaos is a compelling and thought-provoking work that solidifies Peter J. Carroll's role as a leading figure in the chaos magic movement. For dedicated practitioners seeking to deepen their understanding and expand their capabilities, this volume is an invaluable resource.
As far as I can see the main difference between this version and the previous edition is the chapter on the gnostic pentagram ritual, which has been thoroughly revised and improved with addition of a gnostic chaosphere ritual. This is probably the best chapter in the book in an otherwise above average book (it is not like Liber Null and Psychonaut). The parts about progression path in terms of rituals to do and when is somewhat useful although I don't completely agree the order is right. Then there is a lot of theoretical content and classification of different types of magic according to colours. So worth buying for the revised chapter!
CMT works on some interesting ideas and mechanisms, I have some issues with the flippancy people can tend towards when employing sleight of mind, but overall the concepts are solid and ring true to everything I've learned from 20 years of magical practice.