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Rating: 
Summary: A Must for Anyone Engaged In Spiritual Development
Review: Had I got this book before changing religions I would have known where I was going. Then again, had most religious people known what spiritual development they would have been able to better direct and guide their people. I have found that most people change their religion or lose faith because they have begun a spiritual transformation or evolution. We all go through this regardless of what age. But the difference is now for most people in these days and times is that we are in a new age (not to be confused with the New Age Movement). This new age has a lot of people desiring to be better and wanting to walk the planet as the great sages and saviors have done. Unfortunately, many religious leaders aren't aware of this so as a result people leave their religious groups in search of answers to improve their spiritual and physical life. This book explains the different groups that the person in search of 'spirituality' will come across. This is a fantastic book that I always refer others to when they are searching for their spiritual self. Because many people think that it is all about doing magic when in actuality, magical workings are just the beginning.
Rating:
Summary: A general but excellent introduction to true magic.
Review: Out of the many books available, this one provides a very good introduction to several of the possible arts many of us can acquire with practice. It covers arts such as Astral projection, Herbal Magic, Elemental magic, etc.Very insperational!
Rating:
Summary: A Must for Anyone Engaged In Spiritual Development
Review: Overall this book contains too many weak, partial or poorly argued assumptions for me to recommend as an introduction to magick; instead I would recommend Jan Fries' "Visual Magick" and Jason Newcomb's "New Hermetics".
I liked this author's attempt at refining the catch-all definition of magick as 'change in conformity with will' to include a criteria of success, however I found his investigation and elaboration of his ideas elementary and inconsistent with other arguments in his book (namely, those about increased spirituality aiding magick and the power of prayer). In fact, this criticism applies to MOST of what I found of value here: that he contradicts it elsewhere, or that he does little more than state a belief, with no strong attempt at compelling the reader to accept his belief or providing a method of testing it.
I liked his apparent willingness to criticise magickal culture and his preparation of the idea that magick requires a lot of less-than-glamorous effort. I would have been a bit more convinced that I should care what his opinions are if I had any idea about his own achievements in magic, other than writing this book. He criticizes a lot of organizations in this book, including one I have loyalties to, and I would be more willing to consider what he writes if I knew he had any more than a surface relationship with them.
As such, his lack of argument, not to mention his poor command of English (was this just a bad translation?), prevent me from recommending this. At the same time, the book has enough skepticism in it's attitude that an astute reader, even a beginner, will be able to parse the author's own limiting beliefs if they can take on this attitude as their own.
Rating: 
Summary: Too many weak assumptions to recommend
Review: Overall this book contains too many weak, partial or poorly argued assumptions for me to recommend as an introduction to magick; instead I would recommend Phil Hines' or Peter Carroll's Chaos magick books, or Phil Farber's "FutureRitual". I liked this author's attempt at refining the catch-all definition of magick as 'change in conformity with will' to include a criteria of success, however I found his investigation and elaboration of his ideas elementary and inconsistent with other arguments in his book (namely, those about increased spirituality aiding magick and the power of prayer). In fact, this criticism applies to MOST of what I found of value here: that he contradicts it elsewhere, or that he does little more than state a belief, with no strong attempt at compelling the reader to accept his belief or providing a method of testing it. I liked his apparent willingness to criticise magickal culture and his preparation of the idea that magick requires a lot of less-than-glamorous effort. I would have been a bit more convinced that I should care what his opinions are if I had any idea about his own achievements in magic, other than writing this book. He criticizes a lot of organizations in this book, including one I have loyalties to, and I would be more willing to consider what he writes if I knew he had any more than a surface relationship with them. As such, his lack of argument, not to mention his poor command of English (was this just a bad translation?), prevent me from recommending this. At the same time, the book has enough skepticism in it's attitude that an astute reader, even a beginner, will be able to parse the author's own limiting beliefs if they can take on this attitude as their own.
Rating:
Summary: A Great Introduction to the Arts of Magic
Review: What a gem! If you have not read this introductory book on practical Occultism, let me tell you to run out and buy a copy NOW!
Mikaharic is one of those unsung heroes in the Occult who has not only successfully practiced what he preaches but also has developed his own system of practical Occultism (like yours truly!;o) Unlike a lot of the authors out there who play follow-the-follower when it comes to writing about Occultism be it Witchcraft, Vodu, Ritual Magic, etc., Mikaharic does his own researches, formulates his theory, tests his theory and then doing this over and over again after which THEN tells you what actually works.
Born in rural Bosnia prior to WWI, Mikaharic he immigrated to the US in the late 30s and made his living practicing Occultism and passing himself off as a "witchdoctor".
The book covers many subjects from Religious Ritual to learning Natural Magic and much in between. Ritual and Ceremonial Magic, Elemental Magic, Candle Magic, etc. However you may ho-hum the book and say "Been there, read that!" and probably you have. Yet the author gives personal anecdotes and experiences that are typically NOT found in your average "new age practitioners" book that you spent 1 ½ to 2 times the amount of money to get. (My copy retailed for only nine dollars and ninety-five cents).
The exercises while basic in content and form offer some truly unique results if the dedicant perseveres enough. He even relates how his first teacher admonished him after he sent Mikaharic away with the command to practice the art of relaxation. After four months of diligent practice, Mikaharic went back to his teacher only to discover he had not mastered this subtle but necessary art fully. Thus he was told to not come back until he had done so. After another six months of diligent practice, he was ready to continue.
There are other exercises sprinkled throughout the book that you can make use of after you've practiced and mastered them. Under the chapter on Deific Magic, the author discusses the forces at present in the objective universe and how many devotees of magico-religious systems learn to grow under the tutelege and guidance of such powers.
There is a nice Bibliography and a worthwhile Index for you to use. If you know of a beginner who really wants to do it the right way, THIS is one of the better primers you'll be able to lead them too. It should be required reading in all covens, lodges and temples regardless of the path. I have recommended it to my students in my Sorcery tradition as well. And yes I practice the exercises dutifully.
I rate this work 5 stars as it is complete, touches on a wide variety of topics and is not preachy but guiding. The author has chutzpah and practices what he preaches. He's also the author of two other essential books that you may want to look up and obtain as well.
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