hey ho world

[fishcakes]

Hi my name is fran i developed an interest in the supernatural as a young boy which was complemented by my families interest in spiritualism (tarot/ouija etc). I rebeled from this at adolesence and began reading about witchcraft, despite my families warnings to be carefull. As i learned about the occult my studies since then have tended to wander in that direction.
Recently after reading lectures on ancient philosophy i had an epiphany an awareness of the existance of what i can only describe as god. An infinite energy manifesting in infinite forms.
Besides the occult i am also interested in physics sociology and psychology which i think complement my magickal studies.
Im hoping that one of you might be willing to provide the benefits of their experience by helping me find out what books i should be buying to learn more about the occult, theology, the practical aspects of ritual high magick.
Thanx

[Lady Dunsany]

Well this covers a broad spectrum. Perhaps you could elaborate on the first thing you would like to know about. There are quite a lot of books out there and covers so many subjects. We are presently getting a book section here together. I am sure other members will also chime in about their first books.

[fishcakes]

thought i was being specific. Plus i mean you might be the only one to read this post. But say more people do read it. If each of you could respond by giving the title and author of three books that broadened their horizons expanded their knowledge or blew their minds. I think then we would be moving in the right direction.
brightest blessings.

[fishcakes]

.......might be helpful for everyone.

[Odin]

What direction are you leaning towards Witch Craft Scott Cunningham " The Solitary Practitioner "

Druidism I would suggest John Micheal Greer who is the Grand Druid of the AODA any one of his books

Macigkal Studies, Aleister Crowley anything by him again it all depends what you are leaning towards.

[Lady Dunsany]

If you are interested in the Fay or the Fairy Realm R. J. Stewart is a good read Earth Light.
Raymond Buckland, Dion Fortune, and Beginning High Magick Donald Michael Kraig.

[toadbile]

Well, fishcakes, you sound like a european sorcerer type of witch,
science interweaving with high ritual magik. So try this place:

"Steal This Book of Shadows", by Azzerac (http://www.lodestoneandladysmantle.com/steal_this_book_of_shadows_.htm)

Nice folks; i have coffee with them on Saturdays to discuss the future
of the revolution.

[SWM]

great source. I love the no nonsense approach. Send them my e-love

[galoiwin]

Hello Fishcakes... Nice to see you are keeping a broad view of your studies.
I would also recommend Raymond Buckland Complete Book Of Witchcraft (The Big Blue Book) if you want a primer in Wiccan theory and practice. If you are looking toward ceremonial magick then "Modern Magick" by Donald Michael Kraig is also an excellent book for those new to the arts and adepts alike.
If you can cope with the dated english vocabulary and syntax then I recommend anything by Israel Regardie (his books really opened my eyes..), notably "Tree Of Life", "Garden Of Pomegranates" & "Middle Pillar".

Blessings...

[Odin]

All good books to get started with

[Saeiane]

Hi my name is fran i developed an interest in the supernatural as a young boy which was complemented by my families interest in spiritualism (tarot/ouija etc). I rebeled from this at adolesence and began reading about witchcraft, despite my families warnings to be carefull. As i learned about the occult my studies since then have tended to wander in that direction.
Recently after reading lectures on ancient philosophy i had an epiphany an awareness of the existance of what i can only describe as god. An infinite energy manifesting in infinite forms.
Besides the occult i am also interested in physics sociology and psychology which i think complement my magickal studies.
Im hoping that one of you might be willing to provide the benefits of their experience by helping me find out what books i should be buying to learn more about the occult, theology, the practical aspects of ritual high magick.
Thanx

My first book, which was and still is a REAL help would be Sirona Knight's The Witch & Wizard Training Guide. It's a solid basic beginners book. Which covers everything from color magick, timing, tools, potions, spells, runes, shapeshifting, tarot and defensive magick. Also out of my collection my personal favorites are The Element Encyclopedia of 5000 Spells *read the preface, TONS of information* by Judika Illes I've had this book since it first came out a few years ago and have referenced it TIME and TIME again. [: and as an alternative or addition to Bucklands book (which everyone and their grandmother will tell you to take a look at, haha) is Silver Ravenwolf's Solitary Witch. Personally I don't think much of Ravenwolf's books but this one is really good. Anything by Valerie Worth is absolutely awesome. Instant Magick by Christopher Penczak, Protection & Reversal Magick by Jason Miller is a wonderful hand guide and reference book

If you develop and interest in Mythology or Demonology, go with these three books. A Field Guide To Demons by Mack & Mack, A Witches Guide to Faery Folk by Edain McCoy and The Element Encyclopedia of Magical Creatures by John and Caitlin Mathews

From there, you'll have a basic set up of what path you'll wanna follow. Oh and, when you get a bit more experienced, take a look at Advancing The Witches Craft by Lord Foxglove. I finished all the exercises in it a few months ago, took me about a year. And it was the best $20.00 USD I will EVER spend. :)

Note: these are ALL from my personal library and I have read them all.

[Saeiane]

Oh and with your interests in physics, try looking for information on Quantum Physics, there's a book/movie "What the *Bleep* Do We Know". I personally found QP to be invaluable to my understanding of reality, which helps to manipulate said reality.

[fishcakes]

You may have to excuse me. i do not know a lot (who does) but like everyone else i have opinions. This can piss some people off
I have rad an intoductory book on wicca and feel that neither this or druidism is the way forwards for me. I do not feel that worshiping nature is where we are supposed to be. If we were created above the angels then we are certainly above the fowls in the field or the trees in the forest.
Aleister crowley is more attuned to my way af thinking. As i see it he has taken the apropriate parts of many philosophies and theologies and bound them together. Unfortunately i do not understand some of his work. I am not stupid. I dont feel stupid... ...think that i have a questioning nature and am told im inteligent by the people i know.
Dont know but think that the ritual parts of magick are just a means of cicumventing the mental practices of prayer and yoga.
You recomend that i read dion fortuneand a friend has recently suggested that i explore her work so i hill go for that.
Modern magick by donald michael craig sounds good and i will give it a try once i have finished reading the disinformations book of lies.
you recomend israel regardie and a satanist using the name venus satanas also recomended a book of his that apparently covered the first five grades of initiation. Unfortunately i do not know if this is 'an account of the teachings rites and ceremonies of the order of the golden dawn' or 'the complete golden dawn system of magick' one is 15 pounds the other is 130

I started a book review post on another site and it was one of the most popular posts. if you think it would go down well we could start one here.

Saeiane
you might want to read shrodingers cat trilogy which is about quatum mechanics and quantum psychology by robert anton wilson. Quatum psychology is about how the mind and the sub atomic world interact. Both books are written by robert anton wilson and you can view reviews for both on amazon.

for anyone who has read this i suppose it would only be fair for me to share some of the books i have read. Isis unveiled written by helena patrovna blavatsky is an excelent book on theology and will increase your knowledge five fold even if you are well read.
cosmic trigger one by robert anton wilson is a great book that charts a master magicians experiments in the fields of magick.
A comprehensive book the deals with philosophy and theology is manly p halls secred teachings of all ages. Manly p hall is one of the leading thinkers of the last 300 years his work continues to inspire millions.
Also writen by manly p hall is lectures on ancient philosophy = pure philosophy and the book that led me to a realisation of the infinite.

[Odin]

Well it seemed to me at least that you were telling us that you had no idea what you wanted to study

Isis Unveiled that's something to start with so are you looking towards the path of HPB and Theosophy?

[Lady Dunsany]

Isis Unveiled was my first book given to me by my teachers from Point Loma. It is an excellent book on Theosophy. She has been written about in Dion Fortune's book and Israel Regardie mentions her and Aleister Crowley even sought her out for advice. You will never find a more advanced way to open up one's occult powers. By studying her works the veil is lifted.

[Saeiane]

that's a pitfall a lot of people tend to have when they hear nature they are incline to think of the owls and trees and forests and fields but in their philosophies, nature is technically the whole of the infinite universe, it encompasses and is represented by all things from the fields & streams to the stars and skies. Quite an interesting take, but I still don't think that would sound very appealing to you..

for Ritual / High / Ceremonial magic (different names that all mean the same thing) I'd try Konstantino's book Summoning Spirits: The Art of Magical Evocation. It's a well-laid out, Golden Dawn oriented system, but if you like to tinker (like I do) you can take the basics and re-write the rituals. I am incline to working with Shadows, Light and Balance. So I wrote my own rituals for ceremonial workings using my own tools. And it gave me a good freedom, since my methods are somewhat unorthodox (for example, most accompany the Fire element with the tool of the Wand, I accompany it with the mental element, air. Because to me it's less of a tool of action, more of focus)

Usually when scrounging for books, I go into the store, casually walk to the occult section and sit there for over a half an hour, reading the titles to books, feeling how they resonate with me, reading the backs of them and IF they interest me enough, skim through 'em before I buy them. [: It's lead me well so far- haha!

[Lady Dunsany]

You may have to excuse me. i do not know a lot (who does) but like everyone else i have opinions. This can piss some people off
I have rad an intoductory book on wicca and feel that neither this or druidism is the way forwards for me. I do not feel that worshiping nature is where we are supposed to be. If we were created above the angels then we are certainly above the fowls in the field or the trees in the forest.
Aleister crowley is more attuned to my way af thinking. As i see it he has taken the apropriate parts of many philosophies and theologies and bound them together. Unfortunately i do not understand some of his work. I am not stupid. I dont feel stupid... ...think that i have a questioning nature and am told im inteligent by the people i know.
Dont know but think that the ritual parts of magick are just a means of cicumventing the mental practices of prayer and yoga.
You recomend that i read dion fortuneand a friend has recently suggested that i explore her work so i hill go for that.
Modern magick by donald michael craig sounds good and i will give it a try once i have finished reading the disinformations book of lies.
you recomend israel regardie and a satanist using the name venus satanas also recomended a book of his that apparently covered the first five grades of initiation. Unfortunately i do not know if this is 'an account of the teachings rites and ceremonies of the order of the golden dawn' or 'the complete golden dawn system of magick' one is 15 pounds the other is 130

I started a book review post on another site and it was one of the most popular posts. if you think it would go down well we could start one here.

Saeiane
you might want to read shrodingers cat trilogy which is about quatum mechanics and quantum psychology by robert anton wilson. Quatum psychology is about how the mind and the sub atomic world interact. Both books are written by robert anton wilson and you can view reviews for both on amazon.

for anyone who has read this i suppose it would only be fair for me to share some of the books i have read. Isis unveiled written by helena patrovna blavatsky is an excelent book on theology and will increase your knowledge five fold even if you are well read.
cosmic trigger one by robert anton wilson is a great book that charts a master magicians experiments in the fields of magick.
A comprehensive book the deals with philosophy and theology is manly p halls secred teachings of all ages. Manly p hall is one of the leading thinkers of the last 300 years his work continues to inspire millions.
Also writen by manly p hall is lectures on ancient philosophy = pure philosophy and the book that led me to a realisation of the infinite.
If you are truly a beginner and this is going to sound crazy but there is a book Grimoire for the Apprentice Wizard by Oberon Zell Ravenhart. It is almost like what every young or old wizard should know. It will answer a lot of your questions. I am not a big fan of most Wiccan authors there is a consensus out there old versus new as I have friends that fight about this all the time. Scott Cunningham is good, The Farrars are good, Raymond Buckland is good for Wicca. Daniel Michael Kraig's High Magick is good for Grey Magick. If you have any more questions please ask. Too many times one is hit with so many books and subjects and if one has no idea what they should be reading it can be confusing. The best is to pick one subject you are interested in and we we can steer you to the right books.

[fishcakes]

I am a beginner only in that i was there at the begining.
I gave to the first men who where savage and coarse, the greatest of gifts: the ability to question. I answered the prayers of my people and guided them to the golden land of summer. There i arose from the waters and while my enemies taught the painting of skin, the wearing of jewels and the arts of war to my children i gave the gifts of society and culture. I was the light in the minds of the king priests who i taught to transend space and time so that communication might be possible down through the ages.
I guided moses in the coracle and stood with him in his stand against the pharoh and his sorcerers. I guided you my chosen from the hand of slavery i was as a pillar of smoke in the day and of fire at night. I met your lord on the summit of mount sinai and gave to you as i had given to others the commandments by which you should live in order to trancend death.
yet still you turned your back from me though i guided you straight to cannan.
I was with my prophet in the manger of oxes and arses and awoke his spirit durring the ceremony of baptism. Having veiwed the barbarism that had befalen you in my absence I spoke through him the way i wished you to be. I said love thy enemy, bless those that curse you, do good tho them that hate you, and pray for them that despitefuly use you and persecute you'
I gave to him the power to heal, to expel demons, even the secret to awaken the dead.
We were as one during his torture and i tell you that i would gratefully be crucified again for you my children!
When you hung him on his cross and his mother cried at his feet i was there as the cup that caught his blood.
I have watched you from a distance ever since and my waiting is almost at an end for the time is near when you shall all be judged. These memories are in the universe of stars. They are in a grain of sand. A childs laughter, a mothers tears.
I have tried to guide you, sometimes through adversity, for all these memories are available to you. Truth can be yours.
I guide those who rule you and am the enlightment that graces the minds of those who are worthy and search for the secret of secrets. I am here because i sense that within one of you lies great power and great kindness. I wish for you my chosen that you might uphold the light of creation when it comes the time that the stars grow dark and time and space cease to be. When the connections i created across great distance ceases to function.
I comand you!

[Lady Dunsany]

Are you for real? For someone who is suppose to be a beginner? If you were there at the beginning then you were incarnated over and over. I think you contradict yourself.

[SWM]

I think its either a dose of copypasta or a sudden burst of creativity.

[Lady Dunsany]

I think it is both. I am so tired.

[Odin]

This reminds me of a story called Chicken Little and the other The Boy Who Cried Wolf


enough said