The Shaman and the Magician: Journeys Between the Worlds

by Nevill Drury

A sensible and reliable introduction for anyone drawn to explore the real meaning of the word "magic"-RESURGENCE

Genres: Spirituality, Occult, Nonfiction, Mysticism

146 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1982

About the author

Nevill Drury PhD is an independent historical researcher whose specialist interests include modern Western magic, shamanism, transpersonal psychology and visionary art. His most recent publications include The Varieties of Magical Experience (co-authored with Lynne Hume; Praeger, January 2013), Dark Spirits: The Magical Art of Rosaleen Norton and Austin Osman Spare (Salamander, 2012); Stealing Fire from Heaven: the Rise of Modern Western Magic (Oxford University Press 2011); Homage to Pan (Creation Oneiros 2009), The Dictionary of Magic (Watkins 2005) and The New Age: the History of a Movement (Thames & Hudson 2004). He received his Ph.D from the University of Newcastle in 2008 for a dissertation on the visionary art and magical beliefs of Rosaleen Norton (awarded 'Best Humanities Ph.D'. in that year).

Born in England in 1947 but resident in Australia since 1963, Nevill has worked as an international art-book publisher, lecturer and magazine editor and is now a full-time writer. He is the author/co-author/editor of seventy books covering a range of subjects like contemporary art (Images in Contemporary Australian Painting, New Sculpture, Australian Painting Now, Fire and Shadow: Spirituality in Contemporary Australian Art), Aboriginal culture (Wisdom from the Earth), holistic health (The Healing Power, Inner Health) and the magical traditions (Dark Spirits; Stealing Fire from Heaven: Sacred Encounters; Homage to Pan, Inner Visions). He is also the author of a work of mythic fiction, The Shaman's Quest, which was described by Publisher's Weekly as a 'poetic' book that 'could become a classic'. His work has been published in 26 countries and 19 languages.

Reviews

[Murf Reeves · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was a good entry way into a deeper exploration of mysticism and the occult practices. Drury suggests that the magician/occultists techniques and rituals are very similar to shamanic practices. By comparing descriptions of experiences from different researchers, I saw the idea of Occultists practices were a need for the spiritual communication to keep happening. Because so many shamanic cultures have been wiped out over our history, the need for spiritual/cosmic dialog has had to find another outlet. The evolution of the magician/occultist fills that void with modifications based on various factors. Drury correlates the magicians world to the Qabalistic structure as well as the tarot, that seem to me, a strong foundation that allows evolution as culture dictates. Aleister Crowley and his contemporaries is Drury's sort of starting point moving forward to the 80's.
I was drawn to the tarot and Qabalism details. Since I was a kid, I have been fascinated by magic and mysticism. As an adult, through breathwork I am rediscovering my spiritual connection to the source and how that connection is manifested through my thoughts and actions. Drury's book has awakened the childhood aspect of magicians connection to source and seeing the connection be is rad and encouraging me to explore through my daily actions. The end of the book also focuses on the power of meditation as a powerful component of both shamans and magicians.
The final suggestion reported by Drury is the different religious modalities focus on an aspect of the prism of cosmic life, each as valid as the next.

[Kelly · Rating 5 out of 5]

Whilst I don't personally believe people literally enter other realms, I found this incredibly interesting and informative. Particularly as an introduction to a variety of shamanic and spiritual experiences. I particularly enjoyed some of the descriptions of the layers within the Tree of Life.

[Eilfie Music · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a good comparative studies between the shaman and the magician and how similar they are in the approach to seek information. I have already made notes from the first time reading this, but I will be coming back to this book again soon to make more. I would recommend this book to any level of learning.

[Luna · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a fascinating introduction to shamanism and occult practice. Although this book is introductory, I’ve rated it five stars because it sparked my interest in Qabalah.