Beginning of a Path

[Dark Guardian]

Hello all,
Finally done with high school, and now ahead of me are three years serving in the army. I'll have plenty of free time there, and I decided to dedicate myself from now on to study the occults.
I longed for this for some years now, and finally I can start walking my path towards the light.
So far I learned Tarotica for a year and a half and achieved some nice results with my divination abilities. Tarotica is not my main path, though.

My question is simple. As a beginner, I decided to read the "Three books of Occult Philosophy" followed by the "Fourth book of...". I already have them in my possession. I assume that these books should give me a theoretical head start in the field, and a global understanding.
The hard part is, after I read those, how do you choose a path? Is it based on the interest of the learner solely, does each individual fit into a specific field because of a destined path?

Also, I'd like to know what I should learn for a good basis, I have to have a very good one before I move forward.
To sum up, any advice for a beginner would be good. I'm open for suggestions, in any of the occult fields (mainly, white black and red).

Thanks!

[Jastiv]

I guess I would recommend reading the works of Aliester Crowley. If you are into the occult, you will probably end up reading him sometime, so it might as well be now.
I would also recommend starting some practices as well, like a banishing ritual and meditation.

[Dark Guardian]

Sounds logical, and I thought about Crowley too. He published many books, but are any recommended for a beginner?
I know I should start practicing as well, meditating mostly, but where can I learn the meditation techniques necessary?

Thanks

[Observer232]

I have just started myself, and have not read a lot of the higher material, but I found this book and found it useful as a "start up guide" to the occult.



Modern Magick by DONALD MICHAEL KRAIG
((this is like only 25$ or so and easily found))

It is very basic, and focus heavily on White and Grey magic
But
I like it because it gives you rituals to preform, and explains how and why they should be preformed. As you read on these rituals grow gradually more complex.

I would also suggest (as the book did) you start a Ritual Diary; writing down which ritual you preformed, when, where, how and the results.

there is also a good chapter on meditation in it.

[ZeldaFitz]

It is a good book. He is one of the nicest men out there, and funny too.

[ThisIsNecessary]

Liber Null & Psychonaut by Peter J. Carroll. I cannot recommend this book enough.

[Dark Wisdom]

Hi Dark Guardian i would recommend reading those books suggest by the other members.Psipog.net i a good website to learn how to develop your occult potential and as for choosing an occult path to follow research and choose the one you like most.

[Dark Guardian]

Thank you all for commenting.

I also thought about reading the liber Null, but isn't it a book for Chaos Magic learners?

I've looked through Psipog, and it looks interesting, I'll give it a try.

I think I have my hands full with books for now. I'll ask for your guidance if I'll be in need.

Just one last question, any books that can teach me the practical basics so I can start practicing? For now I only read the theoretical material, but soon I'll need to practice.

Thanks

[Azaziel]

Liber Null & Psychonaut isn't really a beginner's book and Crowley is way too advanced for someone new to exploring consciousness.

I second the suggestion that Michael Kraig's Modern Magick is a good starting point.

[Veritas_Requiem]

Liber Null & Psychonaut by Peter J. Carroll. I cannot recommend this book enough.

i wholeheartedly agree. An amazing work. I didn't read it until recently, and as a result spent a lot of time figuring things out through the school of hard knocks... lolz ;) In my opinion, definitely an essential as far as basic theory is concerned.

Truth and Wisdom,
~Veritas

[Veritas_Requiem]

Liber Null & Psychonaut isn't really a beginner's book and Crowley is way too advanced for someone new to exploring consciousness.


If you start out with something complicated it makes the learning curve a little easier later on down the road. Assuming that you actually understand what you're reading of course... Wouldn't you agree??

~V

[Vir Sapiens]

The problem with Crowley is Crowley didn't understand some of what he was writing about. I like Crowley and his philosophy and magical system but, there are many many things he is simply wrong about. Now it could be argued that the errors are blinds but, it is as equally likely that he didn't know what he was talking about. The LBRP is just full of inconsistencies in the god names and the elemental correspondences. So I wouldn't say Crowley is a good place to start. Crowley is a good place to go after you have done your other training and research so you can distinguish what is misinformation form what is good information, and he does have a lot of good information presented in innovative new ways even if the information itself is thousands of years old.

[NewAeon93]

When it comes to Crowley the obvious first MUST READ is Liber Al Vel Legis aka The Book Of The Law. Also reccommended: Magick Without Tears, 777, Book Four. For a glimpse of his personality so you can better understand the man behind the works, check out The Book of Lies, or one of his fictional novels (they all contain magickal instruction as well) such as Diary of a Drug Fiend and Moonchild (Moonchild recommended for advanced Cowley readers only)