Too much drivelApril 25, 2008 3 out of 5 found this review helpful
I was really looking forward to reading this book when it arrived but towards the end there were times when I felt like taking my own life. Don't worry Christians, it was mainly through boredom and frustration.
The author has revealed to the occult world that he does not understand the basics i.e. The Microcosm and Macrocosm are the same.....? He seems intent on insisting that the spirits are outside only, talk about missing the point. Just because it's western esoterica does not mean we are not actively involved and awakening latent forces. Seems like Joseph is a god boy who wants to go to heaven and insists on bringing spirit into the body to acheive his fantasy. He also insisted on talking about the ten commandments!?
To be honest much of the book is actually good. If the author grew some basic understandng of his own relationship with 'spirit' it would have been a very good book.
Sorry but I also think the author has got several friends to print reviews, tempting for him I suppose but obvious.
SetiDraconisMarch 28, 2008 0 out of 4 found this review helpful
I recommend this book very much.
To make it short and to the point the author has had 40 years of Goetic work and lots of sound advice!
SetiDraconis
Please pay attention to this review!February 28, 2008 12 out of 23 found this review helpful
I will start by saying that this book and his other books may have some merit (I bought all 3 of the practical books), but, why choose to inflate your book reviews by manipulating Amazon's system using "fake" customer profiles? If you read many of the reviews it is obvious. Would you trust a guy like that (regardless of whether or not the book is good)? Why would you need to do that if your "old system" of magic works? Also, the author provides instruction on magic to the tune of up to $1k plus per month. Be careful, he'll manipulate you in typical "guru" style. And, all the while draining you of your money. As the saying goes; there's a sucker born every minute...I should know.
Dangerous BusinessJanuary 19, 2008 4 out of 6 found this review helpful
Excellent & superb book - wish there were more like this one.
I have no intention of practicing the magic detailed within as I feel that this is very much a grimoire with a Christian or Hebraic foundation to it - & I don't regard myself / have the conviction or interest to be either a Christian or to become a Jew.
This is a very fine system for a genuine Qabbalist or Gnostic Christian.
If you read the rules and warnings in the major part of the book, you will see that you cannot mess around with the conjurations or innovate in any way with the material (at least not without serious consequences!) All genuine traditional magic, especially that concerned with evocations, is or should be like this.
I look at this book as a fine example of magic from the Hebraic school, it also gives good warnings of the potential dangers encountered with the practice of evocatory magic. I wouldn't be confident or comfortable making use of it without a solid knowledge of the Qabbalah.
The only thing that lets this book down is the author's resort to modern psychological theories & terminology, which I feel is unnecessary when most ancient magical schools appear to have had their own far superior "meta-psychological" teachings, but it's still a good honest guide book all in all.
I personally prefer the older Hermetic systems - especially that contained in Julius Evola & The UR Group's "The Hermetic Tradition" and "Introduction to Magic"; connected with this I would include a revival of the Pythagorean Tradition through the genius of Peter Kingsley as evidenced in his trilogy: "Ancient Philosophy, Mystery & Magic"; "In The Dark Places of Wisdom"; and his masterpiece "Reality".
Hope that helps.
A MUST HAVEDecember 22, 2007 3 out of 4 found this review helpful
I just got in in the mail today. After reading all the reviews on here I had to have this book. And being a fan of Black and Hyatt, I knew it would be good. I got this book today in the mail around 10am 10/22. It is now 12:30am 10/23 and I just finished it from cover to cover. I honestly put this thing down for a few short moments at a time and it was tough. I love the artwork on the cover. I was consistently entertained by the authors writing and humor. He explains the theory behind it all perfectly, and the work itself is some of the simplest I've seen. Not only that, I like the way he throws in his 2 cents throughout the entire time he goes through the book. Simply put, if you don't have this book, it's worth whatever you pay for it. Just buy it and see for yourself.
