 |
Kabbalah, Magic & the Great Work of Self Transformation: A Complete Course |
It has taken me months to read through this book. I usually scan through a book very quickly when I am reviewing it, reserving a more leisurely read at a later time. This book simply would not allow it. It is too packed with information to scan through it.
What Mr. Christopher has accomplished in 350 pages is an in depth study of Kaballah magic. Not only are the theories and practices discussed in detail; the chapters require reading from many other texts to complete the course. This coursework is not something to be completed in a few months. If followed to the letter, this course could take over eight years to complete. Each level involves journaling, rituals, creation of magical objects and physical exercises.
For anyone wanting to pursue the studies of the mystery schools who find themselves a great distance from a group, this book is ideal. It is also an excellent guide for people interested in pursuing the study of magic, but whose schedules will not allow attending regular meetings.
Each chapter opens by exploring the theories behind the level sought. Next each level is broken down into its components, first as a list and then in more detail. Within each level you are given daily rituals, other special rituals, additional exercises, required reading, written assignments, projects and optional implements. The required reading section is where the book increases its dimensions tenfold, giving referenced reading in many Kabalistic and Golden Dawn texts. Even Dale Carnegie and Joseph Campbell get a nod.
Following the section detailing each of these sections is a handy check list that will help the student keep up with his progress. This is a nice way to take a great deal of information and simplify it so that it doesn’t feel so overwhelming.
The strongest element of this book is that it forewarns the student of feelings and impressions that he will encounter. It is almost like having a personal guide who has traveled the road before. I would think that going through these lessons within a society offers some very solid mentoring and support. Mr. Christopher has anticipated the absence of this support and has provided it within the text. It is warm and caring, yet brutally honest when it needs to be.
Kaballah Magic (ISBN 978-0-7387-0893-5) offers a step by step approach to the mastery of magic and self-transformation. If you have ever wondered about this course of study and would like an complete and honest picture of what it entails, spend a few months with this book, as I did, and you will feel like an expert on the path from Neophyte to Adept.
"Kabbalah, Magic & the Great Work of Self Transformation: A Complete Course",
by Lyam Thomas Christopher
© Llewellyn Publications
Images used by kind permission from Llewellyn
Publications.