Magick in Theory and Practice

Rating:
Summary: NOT FOR BEGINNERS NOR THOSE EASILY BORED
Review: Crowley's magnum opus of magic would be much better understood by a reader with a rather thorough background of Crowley's life, works, and vices. The introduction, however, is sensible reading for all who wish to tread the path of ceremonial magick. The rest of the book, while nourishing for would be [and actual] Thelemites, is certainly not to be taken as anything except the Gospel According to Aleister Crowley. If you are not into Crowleyanity, you'd probably be much better served by Franz Bardon in his Initiation Into Hermetics. More practical exercises, less bad poetry.

Rating:
Summary: Read this book.
Review: If you have any interest in Crowley's work, this is an excellent starting point. There are a few of the usual errors, which you'll find in his other work as well, specifically with his oft-criticized numerology system, but overall it's quite sound. It could be a difficult read for some, and he makes references to books most people don't have in their libraries. This is the main problem I have with Crowley, and it's in all of his work. Although he did make magic more accessible, he also kept it fairly exclusive. Becoming any kind of magician nowadays, even a simple diviner, takes far more dedication and research than it should. The fact is, even a person with an IQ of 70 could work the easier stuff, if only it were explained in a clear and simple fashion. It is unfortunate that most magicians are of the elitist sort who appreciate magic for its arcanity rather than functionality, and there aren't many who'd like to make it more accessible to everyday people. If I have one other complaint with Crowley, it's that he popularized the silly "magick" spelling of the word "magic" into mainstream culture, although its use has made it easier to spot the amateurs.

Rating:
Summary: Aleister Crowley Revealed
Review: In "MAGICK in theory and practice" Aleister Crowley reveals his magick, rituals, recollections, and opinions.

Crowley's recollections and opinions provide important insights. Examples include: "Before I touched my teens, I was already aware that I was THE BEAST whose number is 666."; "It is only the romantic mediaeval perversion of science that represents young women as partaking in witchcraft, which is, properly speaking, restricted to the use of such women as are no longer women in the Magical sense of the word, because they are no longer capable of corresponding to the formula of the male, and are therefore neuter rather than feminine ... "; "The Book of the Dead contains many chapters intended to enable the magical entity of a man who is dead ... to take on the form of certain animals ... and in such form to go about the earth 'taking his pleasure among the living'.".

Crowley also lists and describes the Libers, his numbered works to which he refers often in his other writings. Selected Libers are reprinted within this book. This is a very useful reference.

"MAGICK ..." is a seminal work for any student of Aleister Crowley. It is must reading for anyone interested in Magick.