Mustafa’s Comments (group member since Jul 17, 2008)

Mustafa’s comments from the Magick Talks... group.

A Concordance to the Holy Books of Thelema - Edited & With an Introduction by Colin D. Campbell with a Foreword by Dr. Richard Kaczynski

Hardcover, Large Octavo, (9 1/4 x 6 1/4 inches, approx 23.5 x 16cm), xxiv + 348pp. Blue cloth with gilt titling to spine and gilt magic square on front cover. Dustjacket. Teitan Press, Maine, 2008. Edition limited to 418 numbered copies.

“The Holy Books of Thelema,” is the collective name given to the group of inspired texts received by Aleister Crowley between the years 1904 and 1911. These texts lie at the very heart of the teachings of his magical fraternity, the A.: A.:, and consequently have been the subject of intense study and commentary by Crowley himself, and also by many of his students.

A Concordance to the Holy Books of Thelema is an important new tool for those engaged in the study of these beautiful and enigmatic books. It comprises a survey of every word in these texts, along with a brief quotation to give the context in which each word is used, and the location in which it appears.

On the most basic level "A Concordance to the Holy Books of Thelema" serves as a convenient reference guide or index to the contents of The Holy Books. More importantly, it provides a level of access to the basic elements of the structure and composition of the texts that no conventional reading would afford. Key words and their frequencies of use become apparent, broader usage patterns are revealed, and the identification of particular phraseologies and idioms is simplified. The new paths of exploration that it opens for those with knowledge of the Kabbalah and Gematria are too numerous to list.

The Concordance includes an Introduction by the compiler, Colin D. Campbell, a student and teacher of the Thelemic, Kabbalistic, and Enochian magickal systems, and a Foreword by Crowley biographer and scholar, Dr. Richard Kaczynski.

The book is a high quality sewn hardcover, printed on library-quality paper. Large Octavo (9 1/4 x 6 1/4 inches, approx 23.5 x 16cm), xxiv + 348pp. Blue cloth with gilt titling to spine and gilt magic square on front cover. Dustjacket. Edition limited to 418 numbered copies, $50.00

Occult darlings Teitan Press now have available two new quality reprints of
"Three Essays on Freedom" by John 'Jack' Whiteside Parsons, and the illustrated Frederick Hockley transcription of "A Complete Book of Magic Sciences". They're reasonably priced for 45 and 50 USD respectively.

More info:

http://www.teitanpress.com/

Having been a big fan of Moore's comics for most of my adult life I can say that Promethea was a stunning achievement on its author's part.

Primarily because by the end of the series he really is writing for magician's who read comics rather than comic collectors who may be ambivalent toward esotericism. This move alienated a lot of that title's readership, but Moore seemed not to care - the stories and art continued to fascinate and enthrall.

As a magician who enjoys comics I enjoyed Promethea immensely. However, I suspect the bar will be raised once Moore releases his graphic novel/grimoire and Tarot deck "The Bumper Book of Magick".