Review of The Practical Art of Divine Magic: Contemporary & Ancient Techniques of Theurgy by Patrick Dunn The Practical Art of Divine Magic does not claim to slavishly recreate the practices of ancient theurgy, but rather to make them relevant for contemporary practitioners while remaining true to the original principles. The text uses a postmodern approach to “explore and revitalize the spiritual techniques of diverse times and places all under the loose heading of ‘theurgy’.  …  This book does not... Read more

Review of Tantra for All: The Path of Nath Tantrika by Denny Sargent Mr Denny Sargent has been a practicing Tantra since he was initiated in the Nath Lineage in 1980. He has “organized and worked with several different Kula circles of initiates, and performed hundreds of Tantric Puja rituals in a variety of places for a number of different purposes, including a wedding.” For forty years, the Tantric gods and goddesses have been a part of his daily life. His... Read more

Review of Modern Witchcraft with the Greek Gods: History, Insights & Magickal Practice by Jason Mankey and Astrea Taylor Modern Witchcraft with the Greek Gods: History, Insights & Magickal Practice is a book on working with the Greek deities written by witches, for witches. Author Jason Mankey is “a third-degree Gardnerian High Priest who runs a traditional coven and an eclectic Wiccan coven with his wife, Ari.” Coauthor Astrea Taylor is “an intuitive Witch and eclectic Pagan who leads moon circle... Read more

Review of Normalizing Abuse: A Commentary on the Culture of Pervasive Abuse by Karen Tate Normalizing Abuse: A Commentary on the Culture of Pervasive Abuse is a deeply personal book as Ms Tate bravely recounts her own experiences of abuse. She writes with compassion and understanding to help others in a similar position, as she “confronts the acculturated abuse in society.  She brings this pervasive and insidious poison to the fore so others can see, understand, and take steps to obliterate toxic elements... Read more

Review of Mysteries of the Aura: How to See, Interpret & Work with Subtle Energies by Jean-Louis de Biasi and Patricia Bourin Mysteries of the Aura is not just a practical text with a number of exercises leading both individuals and couples to see auras, but it is also rich in theory to understand what is actually being seen. There are several published books on the topic of auras. Jean-Louis points out: “Sometimes these works are from an Eastern perspective, sometimes Western. The system... Read more

Review of An Oracle of Kemet: Tarot of the Noutjeru by Doug Blake The deck from An Oracle of Kemet features sharp and elegant illustrations designed in the artistic style of new kingdom Egypt (circa 1549– 1069 BCE). It applies symbolism following European esoteric traditions from the 16th century CE as well as the potency of Archetypal (Jungian) images. I consider this to be an intermediate level deck which will certainly appeal to those readers who identify as Kemetics, that is... Read more

Review of Seven Goddesses of the Hellenistic World: Ancient Worship for Modern Times by Jo Graham Seven Goddesses of the Hellenistic World does not focus on the gods of the Hellenistic world, which were often venerated in large magnificent temples, but rather on seven of the great goddesses which were “often worshiped more modestly with more intimate rites at home shrines or small temples.” This worship occurred between 320 BCE and approximately 200 CE. The book selects seven goddesses, “each chosen because... Read more

Review of The Tablet of Cebes: With Illustrations adapted from Hans Holbein the Younger by John Opsopaus PhD The Tablet of Cebes is a document that describes “a tablet or plaque erected in a temple of Kronos by a Pythagorean initiate”, the philosopher Cebes of Thebes (c.430– 350 BCE) who is not actually mentioned in the text. Cebes “lived in the fifth century BCE (contemporary with Socrates), but The Tablet seems to have been written  …  from third century BCE to the... Read more

There are ancient precedents for having a magickal partner that we see in the Sacred Marriages of many traditions. Jupiter (Zeus) and Juno (Hera) on Mount Ida by James Barry, 1773 (City Art Galleries, Sheffield) The spiritual path is usually thought of as solitary and leads to adepthood: “An adept is aperson who has advanced through levels of learning to become a master. In Magic, an adept commands considerable secret magical knowledge and is proficient in Rituals, Divination, psychic powers, communication with... Read more

Elemental Tools: Should the attributions for air and fire be reversed? The four Elemental Tools are used by magicians, wiccans and witches to work with the Four Alchemical Elements: Earth, Water, Air and Fire. The attribution of tools to the first two elements appears to be agreed upon universally: Earth – Pentacle Water – Cup The attribution of tools to the last two elements, however, has been called into doubt: Air – Dagger / Wand Fire – Wand / Dagger... Read more