Paths of Wisdom: Principles and Practice of the Magical Cabala in the Western Tradition

by John Michael Greer

Discover the inner secrets of the Cabala ― the heart of the Golden Dawn tradition ― presented in modern language for the twenty-first century, in Paths of Wisdom by John Michael Greer.

Paths of Wisdom goes beyond fragments of symbolism and correspondences to reveal the actual practices of Cabalistic magic in a way that can finally be understood. This book is a comprehensive overview of the magical Cabala in the Western tradition, aimed at the beginner, but is well suited to students at any level ― even adepts.

You will find Paths of Wisdom lively and exciting. Greer makes the complexities of the subject accessible and meaningful, so you will be able to use the mysteries of the Cabala better than ever.

Paths of Wisdom begins by sharing the basic principles of the magical

·The Tree of Life
·The Paths on the Tree
·The Four Worlds
·Macrocosm and Microcosm
·The Way of Creation (down the Tree) and Redemption (up the Tree)

Then the book delves deeply into the symbolism of the magical Cabala, including one of the most complete explanations ever of the spheres and paths on the Tree of Life. You'll learn how you can make practical use of the Tree to unlock your hidden potential.

Next you will learn the practices of the magical Cabala, including the basic techniques of ritual magic, meditation, and pathworking. Most importantly, you'll learn how you can use the magical Cabala in your daily life and change for the better as you live deliberately and become more aware of the universe around you.

Never before have the most inner secrets of the Cabala been made so clear and usable. Get Paths of Wisdom today.

Genres: Occult, Nonfiction, Spirituality, Mysticism, Magic, Reference, Religion

394 pages, Paperback

First published June 1, 1996

About the author

John Michael Greer is an author of over thirty books and the blogger behind The Archdruid Report. He served as Grand Archdruid of the Ancient Order of Druids in America. His work addresses a range of subjects, including climate change, peak oil, the future of industrial society, and the occult. He also writes science fiction and fantasy. He lives in Rhode Island with his wife.

Reviews

[JP · Rating 5 out of 5]

Greer's book is really excellent at explaining the Cabala used in Western Esotericism, though I would recommend reading his blog posts on Schopenhauer as I serendipitously did a couple of months ago. (http://thearchdruidreport.blogspot.co... Seriously, start here and keep going.) Keeping those posts in mind helped put the Cabala in context, because there has always been this strong tendency of literalizing it in Esotericism.

This book does an excellent job at illustrating that the Cabala is a metaphor for the world, for reality, a map, and not "A 100% Accurate Description of Things In and of Themselves." The Four Worlds are four ways of describing the world, not four actual Sci-Fi Planes of Reality in and of themselves. The Sephiroth are organizing metaphors of the forces at work in the world and not objective forces in and of themselves. The Cabala is a tool one can use, but so are the maps provided in Tibetan Buddhism, the Egyptian Book of the Dead, etc. You can learn to appreciate it that way and use it when it's appropriate, rather than having the hammer and seeing everything as a nail.

[Edric Unsane · Rating 3 out of 5]

There is a great wealth of information regarding the Magical Cabala in this book, but in my opinion, too much. This is a book for someone who beyond a doubt is either very interested in the Cabala, or already practices it. The information is useful, but I felt that the book was too drawn out and I didn't care for the layout of the chapters. It does do what the author intended it to, and may prove to some to be an invaluable resource.

[Ted Heitz · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good intro to the cabbalah and spiritual mindsets.

[Jenn · Rating 4 out of 5]

A wonderful asset, library essential, for any practicing ritual or ceremonial magician. Strongly recommend and as with any book, make it yours.

[Katryn Lume · Rating 5 out of 5]

I read this book every week in all of my lives here on Earth.

[Paul · Rating 5 out of 5]

A deep, thorough, well-organized, well-written explanation of the theory and practice of engaging with the Cabalistic path of magical transformation of the self. The author, a longtime practitioner of the material, knows whereof he speaks, and is able to present complex and subtle teachings in accessible and logical terms. There's a huge amount to learn, but the material is set out clearly. If you're considering taking up magic in the Golden Dawn tradition, you should probably start here.

[Mary · Rating 4 out of 5]

I read this book in conjunction with a year and a half ritual pathworking with my school. I think it would be difficult to read this book cold with limited prior knowledge of Hermetic Qabalah. For those with experience on this topic, it is a wonderful resource and I also found a lot of use in JM Greer's various techniques in the back of the book.
This will always be a reference book for me!