Wellspring of Magic
by Jan Fields © 2007
Annie’s Attic
ISBN: 978-1-59635-147-9
120 pages
Paperback
$5.99 (U.S.)
Reviewed by: Mike Gleason

I don’t know if you believe in coincidence or not. In fact, I’m not sure how I feel about the idea myself. In any case, my daughter and I had been one of our periodic discussions about the appearance of magical-themed books in the mainstream bookstores when an offer arrived for my wife to join a “crafting club” (scrap booking, jewelry making, etc.). Included in the package was this book, aimed at 7 to 12 year-old girls. So of course I pounced on it (she wasn’t interested in joining, but the book was way too providential to pass up).

Admittedly, the book is aimed at encouraging the target audience to get involved in day-to-day crafting activities, but it still tells a magical story. And its’ encouragement to look at things creatively is a lesson we can all profit from.

Although the story is fairly simple, and the plot line is uncomplicated, this is not a boring book. It grabs the reader’s attention and engages her feelings. Along the way it shows potential conflicts; grants resolutions, and makes you care about the characters.

I’m reasonably sure this is the start of a series and, while I doubt I will be seeking out additional titles (I’m not in the target audience, nor do I know many in that range) I have no hesitation encouraging parents to pick up copies for their daughters. Even if you are not interested in stimulating their creativity (what kind of parent are you?) you can encourage them to read, and this book will help.

The Four Worlds
Author: Phil Hansford

The ancients described man as mind, body, and soul. Psychologists of the twentieth century added the subconscious to that definition. This produces a four-fold classification. The universe is also divided into four corresponding parts (‘worlds’), as shown below:

WORLD BODY QUALITY
spiritual world spiritual body (soul or kia) intuition mental world mental body (conscious mind) rational thought astral world astral body (subconscious) emotions physical world physical body physical senses

The astral body (subconscious) is the intermediary for intuition, magical and psychic phenomena, and is the ‘psychic link’ to the physical world. J.H. Brennan says that the astral is the realm of visual imagination. It seems to be both a ‘place’ and a ‘state of mind’ at the same time. Most occult and magical phenomena originate in the invisible, non-sensate, non-physical realm (i.e. without physical senses). Each of the four worlds interacts with the other worlds. Psychic energy flows from the spiritual to mental to astral to physical. The physical world is a projection (manifestation, reflection, or shadow) of the higher worlds. Our center of consciousness is generally within these higher worlds. “We are”, to quote the rock music group the Police, “spirits in the material world”.

There are many similar terms used by other occult groups. For example, ‘astral light’ is another name for astral world, although it may sometimes also refer to the entire non-physical realm, as may ‘inner planes’ or ‘the invisible world’. Planes are essentially the same as worlds. Vehicles or sheaths are the same as bodies. Some groups include an etheric or vital body between physical and astral: it is mostly ‘physical’ with a little of the lower ‘astral’ besides. And sometimes astral and mental are each divided into two parts (upper and lower). The ‘causal body’ is the upper ‘mental’.

Microcosm And Macrocosm
We have been describing ‘traditional’ occult philosophy here, and certainly an important part of the tradition is the idea (and terms) microcosm and macrocosm. The greater universe, known as the *macrocosm*, includes everything that exists. It corresponds with the *microcosm*, or tiny universe, i.e. man – who is thought of as a miniature replica of the macrocosm (whole universe). This basic magical relationship is demonstrated in the Bible (Genesis 1.27), where God is the macrocosm; and in the writing of Trismegistus (“As above so below”). Since man is in the image of God (universe) it follows that God is in the image of man (in other words, man and the God/universe match each other). The magician, as a microcosm is thus connected with the macrocosm. There is an intimate relationship of energies between you and everything else. The universe is reflected within us and we are projected into the universe. This is an important theory behind magick and astrology.

Magick White And Black
‘Personal magick’ is that magick used to affect the self; often involving affirmation, self-suggestion, and self-hypnosis. ‘Active magick’ is outer directed magick (as in PK) used to affect someone or thing, or to bring about an event. ‘Passive magick’ is to be affected (as in ESP) by an outside non-physical cause. Everyone possesses some magical (and psychic) potential. Some are especially gifted. Usually people are better at one kind of magick (i.e. active or passive) than they are at the other kind; only rarely does an individual excel at both. Training and practice will, of course, improve ability somewhat.

Although the forces of magick are neutral, various systems may take on the qualities of good and evil. There is so-called white magick or good magick, black magick or evil magick, and gray magick between them. When many people refer to white magick they mean magick for unselfish purposes, also healing and mental influence with specific permission. By black magick they refer to magick for self-interest and healing *without* specific permission. Using magick to forcefully control another’s will is, in a sense, black magick too. There are also some people on the occult fringe who claim to be, possibly even think they are, ‘Satanists’, devil worshipers, or black magicians. These people are most likely charlatans, hoaxers, dabblers, or merely misinformed. They may be attracted by the ‘art’ of black magick, or even by the ‘glamour’ of doing something against the ‘rules’. But a real black magician is very dangerous.

Because he has dedicated his life to evil. We usually think of ‘white magick’ as having *unselfish intent*, and (in the extreme case) of ‘black magick’ as being actual Satan worship, human or animal sacrifice, dangerous unconventional magical practices, and other bizarre stuff as makes a nightmare. It is all a matter of degree. Most mild self-interest magick (one of the most common kinds) would be called ‘gray’. Better terms may be *constructive magick* as being beneficial; and *aversive magick* as magick intended to work against the natural order, and to tear down. There is also the *high magick* of spiritual alchemy (i.e. spiritual growth), also known as ‘the Great Work’; and conversely there is ‘low magick’ which is concerned with materiality.

Any magick act is likely to produce side effects regardless of whether or not the desired result is achieved. Such side effects are no problem for constructive magick, since they are beneficial as well. However, aversive magick can produce aversive side effects which may even harm the magician – aversive magick is dangerous!

Magick Is A Continuous Process
What we have been calling ‘magick’ is actually a continuous process. Since your subconscious never rests, your environment is continually being shifted into line with your model. This is true whether you study magick or not. For most people, these effects are usually very subtle, and they are probably not aware of them. However, as you work with the occult, the flow of psychic energy and your awareness of it increases. Your true will is more likely to be strongly expressed. Your luck may be affected (either in a positive or a negative way). Remember, our lives tend to follow what we want down deep. That is why a positive outlook is so very beneficial to us.

The Magical Diary
Sometimes it is helpful to keep a diary of your magical experiments and research. Such a diary should include the date, perhaps even some astrological data (or anything else you think may have a relationship to what you are doing). This is also a good time to begin recording your dreams – at least the important ones – in a dream diary. Your dreams can tell you a great deal about yourself, and may sometimes reveal premonitions. Dreams are personal. Don’t fall for the commercial ‘dream book’ gimmick.

Affirmations
The mind is always open to suggestion – especially the subconscious. Most of the time we censor any suggestions according to the model; but one way to break through the censor is with repetition. An affirmation does this exactly. By suggestion, we mean any statement which is capable of affecting your model. Usually suggestion is in the form of a positive statement (such as the hypnotist’s patter – ” You are becoming sleepy”). An affirmation is the same kind of thing – a positive suggestion, which you repeat (affirm) to yourself aloud or silently (for example, “I remember my dreams”). If there is some quality you wish to change or develop within yourself, an affirmation is ideal. Repeat it several times every day at several different times throughout the day, especially when you go to bed. Affirmations are subtle and may require a few months to work. Use them for changes, not miracles.

Simple Banishing Technique
Visualization is another important method we use to influence the subconscious. A good example of this is the simple banishing technique which follows. Banishing is used in magick to ‘clear the air’ of negative ‘vibes’ and interference…

Visualize a strong white light flowing out the top of your head, flowing down around you and covering you. At the same time imagine you are throwing away any ‘problem’ vibes. Maintain the visualization for a half a minute or longer. Good way to help you handle your emotions, and to control worry or anger.

Book List
Geoffry Hodson, Theosophy Answers Some Problems of Life.
Marc Edmund Jones, Key Truths of Occult Philosophy.
Marion Weinstein, Positive Magic.
Nelson & Ann White, The Wizard’s Apprentice.
Beatrice Bruteau, The Psychic Grid.

——————————————————————————–

Phil Hansford, 4/88
Mysteria
(818) 353-8891 (modem)
PO Box 83
Tujunga, CA 91042
Copyright (c) 1988 by Phil Hansford. This article is licenced for free non-commercial distribution only.

The Morning of the Magicians
by Louis Pawels & Jacques Bergier © 2009
Destiny
ISBN: 978-1-59477-231-1
480 pages
Paperback
$18.95 (U.S.)
Reviewed by: Mike Gleason

I must say at the outset that I was a bit disappointed with this reissue of a classic in the field of “Ancient Mysteries.” It was first published in France in 1960, and I was hoping that there would have been some revisions and updating done. This was not the case. It is a simple reissue of the original English translation.

This does not mean that it lacks value. There are obvious incongruities in this book, viewed through the lens of past events. Given the progress (???) that has been made in nearly half a century – politically, scientifically and culturally – there are obviously dated references which some younger readers may not understand. At the time this work was produced the Cold War was in full swing, the “Summer of Love” was unimagined and nuclear energy was only a dream (although nuclear weapons were already a nightmare).

Much of the information in this book is severely dated, as is to be expected after nearly half a century, but by the same token, much of it is still relevant. It follows in the footsteps of Charles Fort (Book of the Damned) and lays the ground work for Douglas Kenyon’s “Forbidden” series of books (Forbidden History, Forbidden Religion, and Forbidden Science) which draw attention to those events, beliefs, and phenomena which are routinely dismissed by “the authorities” as being mere anomalies, and therefore unimportant.

As an example of how our knowledge has expanded, the authors write concerning a secret Order unknown to the specialists – The Golden Dawn. They say that the Golden Dawn had one member (Florence Farr), while we now know that there were others (Dion Fortune, Anne Horniman, and Moina Mathers among others).

On the other side of the coin, they write from personal experience when dealing with the horrors of the Second World War, and the apparent motivations of some of the major players. This lends a sense of, if not urgency, validity to their observations.
Their speculations regarding man’s progress were perhaps a bit optimistic (or maybe we just aren’t aware of some of the research which has been undertaken and which continues within undisclosed locations). Their stated purpose in making these speculations public was to encourage research, and I am sure that many of their lines of investigation have been pursued, even if the “man on the street” isn’t aware of such investigations.

While I was hoping for more current data, this is a book which I recommend for two very important reasons. First, because it brings to the attention of the average reader information which has probably not bee seen before. And, second, because it is sure to inspire at least some readers to go further, and learn more about the anomalies in our world and how they affect the world in which we live.

Runes: The Gods’ Magical Alphabet
by Laura Tuan Lo Scarabeo
Distributed by Llewellyn Worldwide
ISBN 978-0-7387-1393-9
$34.95 (U.S.) $39.95 (Canada)
Reviewed by: Mike Gleason

This set consists of 25 runes, a black bag, and a 64 page book. I have minor quibbles with some of the information contained in this book, as well as the inclusion of the 25th (blank) rune. However, before I explain what I object to I have to say that the runic set itself is well made, for the most part. The runes are burned into the surface of the wooden tiles rather lightly. In fact, the rune “Rado” is almost indistinguishable from “Wunjo” in the set I received. A slightly deeper burn would make them more durable in the long run, but perhaps the purchaser could make this modification themselves, as a way of putting their own energy into the runes.

In the traditional 24 runes of the futhark set there are a number of runes which cannot be read as reverse because their design is symmetrical (Gebo, Hagalaz, Isa, Iera, Erhwaz, Sowelo, Inguz, and Dagaz). Despite this, Ms. Tuan gives reversed meanings for all of the traditional runes. How you could tell if one of these eight was reversed is beyond my imagination.

Then we come to that vexing 25th rune. The problem is not the fact that it changes the number of runes (they have varied from as few as 16 to as many as 33 depending on time and location). The problem is that it didn’t exist in any historical context until less than 100 years ago. As such, the blank (“Odin”) rune is a real Johnny-come-lately with no traditional meanings or associations. Does that mean it is “wrong”? By no means, it is merely non-traditional.

At one time rune masters would not have carried a set of runes with them. They would have created one on the spot as needed. Later, when it became convenient to have a set in your possession there would have been one (or more) blank included so that if one were lost or damaged, it could be replaced from matching wood (so as not to be easily distinguished from the remainder). These blanks would have played no part in the actual reading and would have been set aside.

At some point in the recent past someone decided to introduce a “wild card” into the mix, and thus “Odin’s rune” was born. I don’t see the need for it, as the purpose of the runes is to provide guidance, not forecast the future, and there really is no need for a rune which basically says “I can’t help you. It’s in the hands of the gods.”

Being a translated work, there are occasional spelling errors (“wondering” for “wandering” and “you” for “your” for example), but overall it is quite readable with the exception of the fact that paragraph starts are not indented or space broken from the preceding paragraph, which presents each page as a monolithic block of words.

My feelings about this kit are ambivalent at best. Lo Scarabeo produces some high quality divinatory sets and I am pleased to own several of them. This set, in my opinion, is not up to their usual high standards. Had it been produced by another company I would have been less disappointed. I hesitate to give it a glowing endorsement. I cannot say it is badly made, either. In the end, I must settle for saying that it is good but not excellent.

Magical Creatures
by Elizabeth Pepper © 2000
Witches’ Almanac Ltd.
ISBN 1-881098-14-1
Paperback
97 pages $12.95 (U.S.)
Reviewed by: Mike Gleason

The late Elizabeth Pepper (editor with John Wilcox of The Witches’ Almanac for many years) has produced a bestiary composed of three classes of animals – tame, wild, and “fabulous.” The entries have been drawn from articles which have appeared in the Almanac over the year (including this year’s edition).

The tame creatures range from the always popular pets (cats and dogs), to domesticated fowls (geese, roosters and hawks, among others) to farm animals (goats and swine among them). The wild creatures range from those capable of terrifying (bats and snakes and spiders, oh my!) to those which inspire affection (swans and dolphins jump to mind), while the “fabulous” range from the basilisk (quite terrifying) to the gentle unicorn.

There are 31 creatures in this hand book (the fabulous ones getting the short end of the count with only nine entries, which is really too bad in my opinion). Obviously, it isn’t possible to go into great depth on the traditions and lore associated with any one of these animals, but there is enough information to, perhaps, pique your interest and inspire further personal research.

Each entry is accompanied by woodcuts and line drawings, some quite basic and some quite interesting. This book will serve as a good, basic introduction to animal symbolism and beliefs. Personally, I would have appreciated a short bibliography to help newcomers continue their animal education. But you can’t have everything in a single book.

If you have been collecting The Witches’ Almanac over the years you will already have these articles. This book simply assembles them into a single, convenient source.

I am happy to have this convenient little book in my library, and do not hesitate to recommend it as a basic component in any Pagan’s personal library.

The Crystal Chalice
by Deborah Hill © 2006
Fire Mountain Press
ISBN 978-1929574441
259 pages
Paperback
$19.95 (U.S.)
Reviewed by: Mike Gleason

Once more Marshall, Lilly, Valaura and Evan cross the dimensional veil. This time it is intentional, if not exactly anticipated by each of them. Upon their arrival, this time in King Lucifer’s City of the Cup (each in their separate location, each with their own unique garb and circumstances to deal with) they find themselves dealing with a time lapse they had not anticipated. They have been gone a year of our time, but 20 years have passed since their “deaths” among the Anjeles and Daemona and that, among other things, causes some misunderstandings.

There is less physical violence in this volume, which is to be expected as the chalice represents emotions. The conflicts which occur within the individual dimension travelers and within their groups interactions are not fully resolved by the end of this novel, and again I expected this. Emotional growth and turmoil are seldom neatly dealt with, there are often things which linger and must dealt with over an extended period of time.

The two authors work well together and their separate contributions mesh well together. It is rare for jointly written works to appear so seamless, but they pull it off nicely.

The next volume in this series (The Sword and the Scabbard) will obviously deal with the third magical “weapon” (sword) and the fourth and concluding volume (The Pentacular) will be associated with the pentacle. I would expect that The Sword and the Scabbard will once again have a higher level of physical conflict. Unfortunately, we must wait until 2009 for the saga to continue, as that is the anticipated publication date for the third volume.

This is a thoroughly enjoyable series of books. It is Pagan-themed and friendly (the four elemental lands; the characters derived from myth and legend; and the overall feel) without being threatening to the non-Pagan reader. It may cause the occasional double-take (the reversal of preconceived relationship of names and characters) but there is nothing wrong with that, and it keeps the reader on their mental toes.

I look forward to the concluding half of this cycle of books, and have no hesitation recommending it to one and all.

The Witches’ Almanac Issue 28 Spring 2009 to Spring 2010 © 2008
The Witches’ Almanac, Ltd.
ISBN: 978-0-9773703-44
152 pages
Paperback
$11.95 (U.S.)
Reviewed by: Mike Gleason

Once again The Witches’ Almanac landed in my mailbox and I looked forward to learning a lot of new, interesting items. The theme for this year is plant lore (next year’s is “Animals Great and Small”), so you can expect to find article on everything from papyrus to olives to mandrakes.

It is not limited to plant lore, however, as you will find articles on deities (Asclepius), magicians (Roger Bacon), and assorted other topics as well. There is even an interview with Hans Holzer. At $11.95 it is reasonably priced and continues their tradition of giving good value for the price.

Every year there are topics both familiar and exotic; ones which open up new avenues to be explored and ones which tie together disparate bits of information which have been knocking around my mind without having found a connection.

As is normal in almanacs, it is the articles which produce the big draw every year. However, this almanac was evolved over the years of its existence from a merely serviceable source of ideas and basic astronomical information into a glossy-covered, well-produced annual book. Nowadays when you see it, your eyes are drawn to the cover, THEN you get drawn in by the contents.

I heartily recommend that you pick up a copy of this almanac. Even though I don’t agree with everything in it (I never do), I cannot find a single objection to it which doesn’t boil down to personal bias on my part.

The Enemy Within: 2,000 Years of Witch-Hunting in the Western World
by John Demos © 2008
Viking Press
ISBN: 978-0-670019991
336 pages
Hardcover
$25.95 (U.S.)
Reviewed By: Mike Gleason

Within the past several decade several histories of Witchcraft, and the persecution of Witches, have made their way to publishers large and small. Their authors have ranged from far-removed academics to those intimately involved in the subject, and their approaches have varied from dryly historical to vocally anecdotal. This current offering may be unique in its presentation. It is a synthesis of much which has been previously written, aimed at the general reading public, written by a scholar known for his historical work. He has not, however, limited himself to the dusty past, but brings it up-to-date by including details from some modern “witch hunts” (both literal and figurative).

This is not a book about witchcraft, but about witch hunting. It is not written by a witch but by a researcher. It encompasses several broad time frames from the medieval to the modern day.

Professor Demos brings a historian’s eye and discipline to the table where he adds in a novelist’s ability to tell a story. This is a compelling combination and one which makes this book a pleasure and joy to read. The subject matter may be appalling, but the writing makes up for it.

There is information contained herein which I haven’t encountered before primarily because it has been restricted, I suspect, to more scholarly works which I have not read. This resulted in the expansion of my understanding, even after decades of reading.

Professor Demos shows the similarities, and differences between modern day “witch hunts” such as the McCarthy “Red Scare,” child abuse scandals (Fells, Acres gets quite a bit of coverage, as it should), and anti-Masonic feelings.

Personally, I found this book to be both very informative and easy to read. I strongly recommend it if you have any interest in the subject of witch hunting. It is NOT gory and contains no scenes of graphic violence, as that is not Professor Demos’ intention. He looks at the underlying motivations and perceptions which led to both the beginning and ending of the various types of hunts in Europe and North America.

Witchcraft in Yorkshire
by Patricia Crowther © 2008
Harvest Shadows
ISBN 978-09741740-1-3
71 pages
Paperback
$13.00 (U.S.)
Reviewed by: Mike Gleason

The public perception of Witchcraft (or Wicca, if you prefer) has come a long way in 35 years. Looking through this short facsimile edition of Patricia Crowther’s 1973 work will make abundantly clear. Books written today tend to be too dedicated to explaining the history of the Craft, the contributions of various “names” in the community and forget about the witches were feared as often as admired and that there was (and is) a basis in local folklore. In the beginning, there was more emphasis on the more recent history and memories.

Ms. Crowther, one of Gerald Gardner’s priestesses, has gathered together folklore and stories from her home county and tied them all together in an entertaining narrative. There is no attempt to convey any impression of modern Witchcraft. In fact, modern Witchcraft and its practitioners are never mentioned within the covers of this book.

This is the type of book many of us “old timers” encountered when we began reading about Witchcraft. There weren’t any rituals or invocations; no debates about eclectic versus traditional; there were simply stories, legends, and folktales. These may be what inspired many of us to dig deeper.

There is a separate sheet listing the author’s corrections to the text, since the intent was to produce an exact copy of the original edition.

It is a pleasure to see this book back in print. I hope to see more of the early works reprinted. They may help the younger generation to understand where we came from and why we turned out this way.

Beyond the Burning Times: A Pagan and Christian in Dialogue
by Gus diZerega and Philip Johnson © 2008
Lion Hudson
ISBN 978-0 7459 52727
208 pages
$17.89
Reviewed by: Mike Gleason

This book is going to make everyone uncomfortable, and that is a good thing. It will force both Pagans and Christians to confront what they think they “know” about the other side of the debate. Neither side is composed entirely of “virtuous” or “nasty” individuals.

Gus diZerega (a Third Degree Gardnerian, with a Ph.D. in Political Theory) and Philip Johnson (a liberal Christian) engage in a give-and-take dialogue on topics ranging from the nature of spirituality to nature, and on to Paganism, Christianity and the Culture Wars. There is an abundance of courtesy evident throughout this book. The dialogue shows that it is possible to be on opposite sides of this divide and still remain civil while considering the other side’s position.

Of course, Mr. Johnson’s positions do not necessarily reflect the thoughts of all Christians, just as Dr. diZerega’s do not represent all Pagans (or even all Witches). Regardless, these two gentlemen show the best of their respective belief systems.

It is impossible to read this text without encountering ideas that force you to look at your own beliefs. Whether that confrontation leads you to change your thinking is irrelevant. The examination is the important aspect. This book should be read by every Elder (Pagan and Christian), every Priest (ditto), Priestess and Minister.

I hope, and expect, that it will lead to some interesting discussions at inter-faith gatherings. Such discussions should lead to better understanding and more tolerance among members of such groups