What do you think?
Rate this book
The Black Art
Occult, Parapsychology
292 pages, Paperback
First published September 30, 1994
6 people are currently reading
99 people want to read
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 reviews
February 21, 2008
This book existed long before any 'dark arts' were mentioned in J K Rowling's book. I bought it years ago, from a second hand bookstore when I was researching a scary story I planned to write.
Rollo Ahmed, an Egyptian occultism, was an expert on the 'black arts'. Ahmed isn't absurd (like Anton Le Vey). The book explores the history of black magic from all parts of the world, from prehistoric times to 1936 (the year of its publication).
Rollo Ahmed, an Egyptian occultism, was an expert on the 'black arts'. Ahmed isn't absurd (like Anton Le Vey). The book explores the history of black magic from all parts of the world, from prehistoric times to 1936 (the year of its publication).
February 25, 2009
If you ever get a copy of the booked, last published in 1934, please read it as fiction.
It's gives a slated generalized history of 'black magic' through out the world.
It's gives a slated generalized history of 'black magic' through out the world.
September 8, 2025
This is advertised as an authentic account of the history of witchcraft, but it is more an account of the history of magic and superstition in, mainly, ancient religions. If, by witchcraft, you are expecting an account of Wicca you will be very disappointed, as there is virtually nothing here about Wiccan practices. That is not surprising, as this book was written in the 1930's, and the secret practice of Wicca was only made public by Gerald Gardner in the 1950's.
Rollo Ahmed claims that virtually all magic deteriorates into the Left Hand Path, or Black Magic, as those who practise it use it for selfish purposes. There is some truth in this, but it also gives the wrong impression. The Right Hand Path most certainly exists, and there are very powerful White Magicians following that Path. It is far more difficult to attain, though, than pre-eminence in the Left Hand Path. You have to develop an almost ascetic life and not use your magic for self gain, focussing instead on the good of the world. Very few can achieve this. So he is right in a way, but the impression he gives that developing magic powers will lead you onto the Left Hand Path to become a Black Magician is wrong. In my youth I practised ceremonial magic and gained much benefit from it. The benefits I obtained are with me nearly 60 years later. But when I saw I was starting to use it to influence other people, enforcing my own will over theirs, I immediately stopped. I haven't become a White Magician as that takes so much training and self denial (although I may still eventually do so, even though I am over 70 now). But I also haven't crossed the abyss to become a Black Magician.
He claims that a common test to detect a witch was to throw the person into water and see whether they were able to save themself. Up to that point he is certainly correct. But then he says that those who saved themselves showed they were worth saving and were therefore white witches rather than black witches. Unfortunately nobody made those distinctions in the times such techniques were used. You were either a witch or not. If you were a witch you saved yourself and were therefore executed. If you were not a witch you had no power to save yourself and unfortunately died. This is a well-known historical fact and I am surprised Rollo Ahmed was unaware of this.
Much of the history Rollo Ahmed recounts is well-researched and accurate. But not all of it, as noted above.
He has confused sorcery with Black Magic, which is completely incorrect. Whilst some sorcery can be from the Left Hand Path, much is neutral, especially the sorcery practised in the southern States and Mexico.
His analysis of the Black Art in the Indian subcontinent is at best incomplete and at times incorrect.
The chapter on Elementals is perhaps where Rollo Ahmed shines. What he describes as the first grade of Elementals, which are what I call Egregores, are outlined well, as long as you realise he is only describing one type. It is well to remember, though, that Egregores can be good, evil or indifferent, just as can our thoughts of which they are composed. At least in this chapter he does briefly point this out and then says he will only describe the evil ones as his book is about black magic. It is quite easy, though, to forget this as you read and then to imagine they are all evil beings, which they are not.
Modern day readers will no doubt be confused or even amused by Rollo Ahmed's need to confirm that Yoga is not, of itself, Black Magic. Perhaps even more by his assertion that Hatha Yoga, the form which is now most regularly practised by westerners who would not dream of investigating any occult subjects, is a more dangerous form of Yoga. His comments about Yoga, which he himself nevertheless sees as a worthwhile subject of study provided the right care is taken, are an indication that this book is now a bit dated.
Despite some of my negative comments, "The Black Art" is worth reading to gain an overview of this subject as long as you do not accept everything Rollo Ahmed writes as being accurate and a complete analysis. It should, perhaps, be included in a perusal of other classics of this study, including Sir James Frazer's "The Golden Bough", which is a much more scholarly study of ancient religion and mythology, and Montague Summers' "The History of Witchcraft and Demonology", which is a rather more credulous and subjective interpretation of the subject but nevertheless covers it in depth.
Rollo Ahmed claims that virtually all magic deteriorates into the Left Hand Path, or Black Magic, as those who practise it use it for selfish purposes. There is some truth in this, but it also gives the wrong impression. The Right Hand Path most certainly exists, and there are very powerful White Magicians following that Path. It is far more difficult to attain, though, than pre-eminence in the Left Hand Path. You have to develop an almost ascetic life and not use your magic for self gain, focussing instead on the good of the world. Very few can achieve this. So he is right in a way, but the impression he gives that developing magic powers will lead you onto the Left Hand Path to become a Black Magician is wrong. In my youth I practised ceremonial magic and gained much benefit from it. The benefits I obtained are with me nearly 60 years later. But when I saw I was starting to use it to influence other people, enforcing my own will over theirs, I immediately stopped. I haven't become a White Magician as that takes so much training and self denial (although I may still eventually do so, even though I am over 70 now). But I also haven't crossed the abyss to become a Black Magician.
He claims that a common test to detect a witch was to throw the person into water and see whether they were able to save themself. Up to that point he is certainly correct. But then he says that those who saved themselves showed they were worth saving and were therefore white witches rather than black witches. Unfortunately nobody made those distinctions in the times such techniques were used. You were either a witch or not. If you were a witch you saved yourself and were therefore executed. If you were not a witch you had no power to save yourself and unfortunately died. This is a well-known historical fact and I am surprised Rollo Ahmed was unaware of this.
Much of the history Rollo Ahmed recounts is well-researched and accurate. But not all of it, as noted above.
He has confused sorcery with Black Magic, which is completely incorrect. Whilst some sorcery can be from the Left Hand Path, much is neutral, especially the sorcery practised in the southern States and Mexico.
His analysis of the Black Art in the Indian subcontinent is at best incomplete and at times incorrect.
The chapter on Elementals is perhaps where Rollo Ahmed shines. What he describes as the first grade of Elementals, which are what I call Egregores, are outlined well, as long as you realise he is only describing one type. It is well to remember, though, that Egregores can be good, evil or indifferent, just as can our thoughts of which they are composed. At least in this chapter he does briefly point this out and then says he will only describe the evil ones as his book is about black magic. It is quite easy, though, to forget this as you read and then to imagine they are all evil beings, which they are not.
Modern day readers will no doubt be confused or even amused by Rollo Ahmed's need to confirm that Yoga is not, of itself, Black Magic. Perhaps even more by his assertion that Hatha Yoga, the form which is now most regularly practised by westerners who would not dream of investigating any occult subjects, is a more dangerous form of Yoga. His comments about Yoga, which he himself nevertheless sees as a worthwhile subject of study provided the right care is taken, are an indication that this book is now a bit dated.
Despite some of my negative comments, "The Black Art" is worth reading to gain an overview of this subject as long as you do not accept everything Rollo Ahmed writes as being accurate and a complete analysis. It should, perhaps, be included in a perusal of other classics of this study, including Sir James Frazer's "The Golden Bough", which is a much more scholarly study of ancient religion and mythology, and Montague Summers' "The History of Witchcraft and Demonology", which is a rather more credulous and subjective interpretation of the subject but nevertheless covers it in depth.
January 5, 2022
The best thing about this book is Ahmed's author photo. So suave, so occult.
Sure it is outdated, sure it a dense read, and perhaps much of the witchcraft, which is mostly bunk in the first place, has been thoroughly discredited even for historical accuracy.
But it does cover the world's occult history, from Irish boo-scarers to Arabic genies, and kind of runs like Roman history did--Suetonius, all that--based on hearsay, and incomplete records, and lore. In that sense it is engaging enough to be a worthy book, provide you with words and concepts to pursue the hundred years of research that followed in its wake.
Definitely don't spend $1000 on this, and don't think it will help you write a scary story. That has to come from the heart, from the dumb bestial interior of us all.
Sure it is outdated, sure it a dense read, and perhaps much of the witchcraft, which is mostly bunk in the first place, has been thoroughly discredited even for historical accuracy.
But it does cover the world's occult history, from Irish boo-scarers to Arabic genies, and kind of runs like Roman history did--Suetonius, all that--based on hearsay, and incomplete records, and lore. In that sense it is engaging enough to be a worthy book, provide you with words and concepts to pursue the hundred years of research that followed in its wake.
Definitely don't spend $1000 on this, and don't think it will help you write a scary story. That has to come from the heart, from the dumb bestial interior of us all.
March 18, 2019
I must say I found that book along with many more . I now am going on 50 years and I have Been a Theosophists , and that is where my life changed into something Greater than Myself. Their is a whole universe to explore in the coming Yugas , Races.
Most of people it will be so much longer, ;-A few thousand years.
Humanity Will ,in time ,become ready.
Most of people it will be so much longer, ;-A few thousand years.
Humanity Will ,in time ,become ready.
August 3, 2020
It took me 3 months to slog my way through this book of rubbish. Booooooring.
January 20, 2016
I read this book, from the Library it was very interesting. I was sepetical about the stories inside. So I asked my best friend who knows about the subject and I researched in the African culture and that worked out fine.
Most of what is in the book is true. However I am not sure about individual practional, e.g di Medici but all else rings true.
Most of what is in the book is true. However I am not sure about individual practional, e.g di Medici but all else rings true.
Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 reviews