My Life With the Spirits: The Adventures of a Modern Magician

Rating:
Summary: Very Exciting Autobiograpy of an Expert Magickian!
Review: This first-hand account of Lon Duquette's Magickal life and personal life is very, very interesting. His whimsical style and unabashed Honesty are thrilling. This amazing man can switch from seriously discussing the intricacies of Magickal operations, to making you laugh until you nearly cry. Every Magickian, Wiccan, Witch and whatnot should own this book for the autobiographical dissertation on how he created his first Wand!

Don't get me wrong, this book isn't written to be placed in the humor section--he obviously takes his Work very seriously. However, Lon has discovered one of the Greatest Keys of occultism (don't take yourself too seriously).

This definitely is not a typical "I'm a big dark, brooding Occultist" story. this guy has his stuff together, and I have it on good word that he is just as jovial in person as he is in real life--yet, can switch to Magickian Mode, as if taking off a hat and putting another on.

I have never enjoyed an autobiography so much. Crowley's autohagiography was wonderful, yet his style is not exactly easy to read....Crowley is more like College Courses of study.

Duquette's book can be read in one sitting, yet leaves a tremendous Impression upon the reader. You really feel as-if you know this guy and could actually talk to him.

I learned a lot of very, very useful information from this great book and I will highly recommend it to every Magickal person I know. The lessons to be learned regarding various Magickal Practices are priceless.

No matter what type of Magick you practice, this book will be a useful addition to your library (tell your friend's to get their own copy, or you'll probably never get it back).

Rating:
Summary: A Fascinating narrative of a spiritual journey
Review: This was a surprisingly entertaining biography by a man, a practicing modern magician, who has an almost child-like view of his life and the world. The book is well-written, splashed with self-deprecating humour and supernatural anecdotes that defy rational logic, but is told in such a matter-of-fact tone, that the reader cannot help but believe them.

DuQuette begins his story at his birth and ponders, while only an infant, who and what he is, day dreaming his long past in another life. Some people run the course of their entire lives without coming to terms with who they really are, the discovery of the "I", and the realization that there is no "off" switch; life or existence doesn't stop or disappear, but continues, on and on...For a four year old boy, this was an amazing realization.

The author then proceeds chronologically through his life towards his discovery and later practice of the "black arts". He discovers the infamous Aleister Crowley, eventually joins the dwindling ranks of the OTO, and has never looked back. This is a fascinating journey of spiritual discovery, the achievement of humility, and the wish to use the "black arts" in the attainment of spiritual knowledge, and the will to help his fellow man.

One of the most interesting stories was during his time in Takilma, meeting the intriguing French Canadian, Gary Dubois, a practicing pranic healer. Unfortunately, DuQuette steps on one of Dubois' kittens, breaking its back. In a scene similar to a Stephen King thriller, Dubois actually, through the application of pranic healing, brings the dead kitten back to life. After this event, not surprisingly, they call the cat Lazarus. Sound unbelievable? Read the story for yourself, and you just might change your mind.

This biography is ultimately about DuQette's search for spiritual truth and the pitfalls, tragedies and triumphs along the way. The book also communicates the old adage that it's not wise to take oneself too seriously. DuQette certainly doesn't, though his words ring of spiritual insight.

My Life with the Spirits was pleasure to read.