Initiation into Hermetics

Rating:
Summary: A Decent Start
Review: The truly admirable feature of Initiation Into Hermetics is Mr. Bardon's focus in the work. Of 356 pages, only 62 are spent solely on presenting a theoretical model. The remainder of the book is an outline of a very thorough, very gradual training course in meditations, simple magicks, and eventually some more "advanced" forms of evocation, scrying, and whatnot, with enough theory in the sections to elaborate on what the exercise is founded on.

But. While this is an admirable approach, I have some very serious problems with this book.

The first is that the theory doesn't just act as a framework to apply the exercises in; it seems many of the exercises are overly concerned with the theory in itself, concerning themselves with working on elements of the theoretical model instead of the actual goals of the workings. Crowley, whatever you may think of his ego, was far more practical and realistic about his magick than Bardon is at any point. (By the way, you don't have to be "moral" or "noble" to work magick. You just have to know how to do it.)

Second, most of these exercises are truly not as basic as Mr. Bardon presents them to be. The bulk of them could be chunked loosely under the category of "energy work", which can be explained in a few simple principles and expanded upon easily by the reader's imagination. I recommend comparing this training program to the ones in Peter Carroll's works Liber Null & Psychonaut or Liber Kaos, or even the most extravagant of Crowley's training programs.

While exploring the limits of magickal work and perfecting one's technique can be a lifetime of work, a program that requires years to master the basics is a poor piece of technology. Liber MMM, from Liber Null is, by comparison, generally intended to take 6 months.

Third, some of Franz Bardon's theory (besides the inherently unprovable and metaphorical material) is horendously outdated. For example, the view of the unconscious mind (and even the neural anatomy he presents with respect to it) presented in Step II is just about universally rejected these days, and such discrepencies are bound to impact the performance of certain exercises.

Nonetheless, this book has much to offer in the way of some of its exercises, and as a clear presentation of one simplified form of Hermeticism. My recommendation, though, would be to supplement it with some more modern training programs.

Rating:
Summary: The only book you will ever need to learn real magic.
Review: There have been many books written on magic, perhaps thousands. You can throw all of them away, because nothing compares to 'Iniation into Hermetics'. It describes in detail all manner of magical practices, and on the world around us and the way it really is. Anyone who reads this book will get an immediate sense that your search for truth is over. There is something about the book that strikes into your very soul, perhaps it is the sensation of looking at pure wisdom. Although the book is easy to read, it is quite another matter to be able to stick to the course. It really does require super-human will-power to complete the course. Very few people who read this book will be able to go the distance. Maybe one in a hundred thousand will accomplish this feat. To everyone who reads it and tries it, good luck and may God give you the will to become one of the true magicians. There aren't many of us left.

Rating:
Summary: Hermetic Science Revealed by a True Adept
Review: This book is a gem. Franz Bardon was really one of the greats when it comes to spiritual practice and discipline. Buy the book and get his other books. You will not regret it.

Rating:
Summary: Excellence In Theory
Review: This book is excellent. Franz bardon writes with love and insight. It's as if he created the universe and knows all it's secrets. I will forever treasure this Hallmark work.

BE FOREWARNED THOUGH - YOU MAY NEVER FINISH THE FIRST STEP. And the book has ten steps. Even the publishers concede that THERE MIGHT ONLY BE ABOUT 5-10 PEOPLE ALIVE WHO HAVE ACTUALLY FINISHED THE BOOK.

So take the reviews with a mouthful of salt. YOU WON'T BE WALKING ON WATER, ASTRAL PROJECTING OR COMMANDING THE WEATHER ANYTIME SOON. Did Bardon really intend for his students to aspire to these ideals though?

BUT, for what it's worth. Even if you never pass step one you would have attempted one of the best systems out there. And if you decide to follow another path take step one with you always. It purges the soul.

Thank Franz Bardon for this work. It's the ideal for any true Hermetic. But ideals are always different from reality.

Rating:
Summary: Most Comprehensive Mind Training Manual
Review: This book is loaded from cover to cover with practical mind-training exercises - from developing the power of one's imagination, to training different senses and perfecting the ability to use them individually or in conjunction with each other; to working with the elements; transfering one's consciousness; generating and projecting energy; and much more. By the time you're done going thoroughly through all the exercises in this book and practicing them until you master them - your ability to use the power of your mind will increase beyond your wildest dreams - and you will have many interesting experiences along the way.



Rating:
Summary: Initiation into Hermetics
Review: This book is one of the best i have read about the magical arts. It does require you to at least have some knowledge of the basics therefore i reccommend Kraigs Modern Magic first or even after, the two books go well together. The thing i really liked about this book was that Bardon doesn't beat around the bush. He gets right to the point every time and his approach is very logical. His training methods may seem impractical or highly difficult but thats the way it is folks! If you have the willpower to commit then this book will show you what to do. This book is a MUST READ for anybody starting on the magical path. I am excited to read his next book in the series.

Rating:
Summary: The Best There Is
Review: This book is superior to any other there is on magical training. There is nothing else so thorough, detailed and scientifically arranged as this. It consists of 10 large groups of exercises. Once these are mastered, the practitioner is fully able to go on to any and all of the most advanced high magical practices. The techniques, carefully outlined in this book, are universally applicable. Bardon was, without doubt, one of the greatest magicians of the 20th century. I cannot recommend any book more highly.

Rating:
Summary: If you are reading this buy this book!
Review: This book is THE BEST! No it does not have ALL the secrets, No it will not make you a Diety. Some say you will ever finish the first step, if you are intrested in this book in any way buy it, read it cover to cover. Once you have done that re-read just the theory section at LEAST three times or however long it takes to get familiar with the concepts. Now re-read the entire book again from the standpoint of natural progression. Now you are ready to begin step one...Most importantly meditate on issues that come up..BE HONEST WITH YOURSELF!!!!
This book when finished makes you....HUMAN!!! You become the absolute YOU that YOU can be...not impressed? You should be:)Finishing this book gives you the keys to the universe, gives you the RIGHT to walk as ADAM, Enoch, Jesus and others did..with God. I recommend a website called emofree.com for soul mirror work. This makes soul mirror work fly by..and makes it fun!
You may have begun this work in the past, it may be time to start it for the first time ever, either way if you truly are called to this book GET IT!

Rating:
Summary: THE SEARCH FOR TRUTH
Review: This book is the first step to discovering the truth about the micro and macrocosm. If you have found this book and read it consider yourself blessed to have learned the wealth of knowledge contained within its pages.

Rating:
Summary: Franz Bardon ROCKS!
Review: This man has a serious clue. His work ranks with Crowley's "Magick in Theory and Practice", yet more readable and without the cumbersome Egyptian cultural drapings of most highly-technical G.D.-inspired works.