Tag Archives: samuel scarborough

Secrets of the Magickal Grimoires

Samuel Scarborough reviews Secrets of the Magickal Grimoires: The Classical Tests of Magick Deciphered [Amazon, Abebooks, Bookshop, Publisher, Local Library] by Aaron Leitch in the Journal of the Western Mystery Tradition archive.

The lure of that secret, hidden knowledge buried in a old musty tome just waiting for someone to come along and read the words thus releasing some great power, has lured many new magician with the hopes that they can do just that from picking up those slightly scary and to some degree, awe-inspiring books known as Grimoires. Unfortunately, most of the magical community has done just that, but once we had these books with names like Clavicula Salomonis (The Key of Solomon the King), the Lemegeton, the Goetia, Grimoirum Verum, or even that seemingly holy (unholy) book, The Grand Grimoire, what do we do with them? We read them and quickly learn that we are not sure what we are supposed to do with this great secret wisdom and power that we hold in our hands, so these books go back on the shelf to collect dust for most of us.

Now a new light shines on these often discussed, but long neglected books on our shelves. Aaron Leitch, a scholar and spiritual seeker with over a decade of practical experience has written a book that will be helpful to every magician that has the call to work with those classic books on magic. Where books like Modern Magick by Donald Michael Kraig and Summoning Spirits by Konstantinos give the hopeful magician snippets of information or information that is not that helpful to many, Leitch lays out a detailed method of working with these classics.

When I first got the book I was impressed for a product from Llewellyn. In many cases Llewellyn’s books do not have any sort of reference of where the writer is getting his information, but in Secrets of the Magickal Grimoires, there are detailed endnotes at the end of each chapter showing the research that has gone into the material presented. The next thing that caught my eye was the use of relevant images throughout the book to illustrate a point made by Leitch in the text or to help explain passages from those musty old books. Being something of a scholar myself, I just had to check out what the bibliography looked like…I was again surprised to find one of the most comprehensive bibliographies that I have seen in sometime outside of most academic circles. Finally, I got the best surprise of all…I sat down to read the book, and in the text was clear knowledge of those sirens known as the grimoires. Aaron Leitch clearly expressed his points and explained those difficult passages from such esoteric volumes as the Heptameron and the Sworn Book of Honorius in a clear manner that shed the light of understanding suddenly on just what those magicians of 400 – 500 years ago were talking about.

The book is impressive in its size. At four hundred and thirty-two pages with additional xxi pages of Table of Content, Acknowledgements Preface, and Introduction it makes for a large book. Do not let the size fool or scare you away, it is well worth reading. The Preface is full of praise for Leitch and his work on the subject is written by Chic and Tabatha Cicero. The rest of the book covers such topics as medieval magick with a short history of the classic grimoires from the Picatrix to The Grand Grimoire and every other classic grimoire or important text relating to them such as Barrett’s The Magus and Casaubon’s A True and Faithful Relation of What Passed for Many Yeers Between Dr. John Dee (A Mathematician of Great Fame in Q. Eliz. And King James their Reignes) and Some Spirits to chapters on what tools are described in the texts of the old grimoires with modern-day methods of creating them as well as many places to find the required materials for them. The meat of the book though covers the operations listed in the classic grimoires and just what is meant for a person to follow the often misunderstood instructions that were written in them so that a person can perform them in the 21st Century.

If the glowing words above do not inspire you to get this book, then I will say it in very plain English. Go out and buy this book, come home and read it, and then look at those dusty volumes on your shelf that long ago promised you the lure of sudden power and knowledge of our Holy Guardian Angel in a new light.

Becoming an Alchemist

Samuel Scarborough reviews Sorcerer’s Stone: A Beginner’s Guide to Alchemy [Amazon, Bookshop, Abebooks, Local Library] by Dennis William Hauck at Becoming an Alchemist in the Journal of the Western Mystery Tradition archive.

Ever wanted to be an alchemist? Just how does someone understand those old alchemical drawings that describe the processes that are used to create fabulous elixirs and powders? The very word “alchemy” conjures up images of bearded old men in dark laboratories turning lead into gold, or creating some elixir for extended life. Can this apply to the modern magickal person; can we create that hidden gold or extend our lives?

Dennis William Hauck’s interest in alchemy began while he was in graduate school at the University of Vienna. Now he is the editor of the Alchemy Journal, an instructor in the Alchemy Home Study Program and with Flamel College. Mister Hauck serves on the Board of Governors of the International Alchemy Guild and regularly gives lectures worldwide on alchemy.

Dennis William Hauck, a practicing alchemist and one of the leading experts in the world on this ancient art and science, offers a basic introduction to alchemy in this book that is not full of the hidden meanings of some of those ancient texts on the subject, but has clear explanations. As a matter of course he explains just what those odd alchemical drawings from the sixteenth through the eighteenth centuries mean and how to decipher their codes so that you as a modern alchemist can follow their instructions. He also provides practical experiments, and moving meditations.

Mister Hauck has written a book with fifteen chapters and two appendices which follow a pattern of general history and overview, to the explanation of the planetary archetypes used in alchemy, and finally to the operations of alchemy where you can personally perform your own purification and alchemical operations. In this latter part, Mister Hauck looks at both Spiritual Alchemy, the method of meditation and study used to create within yourself the Great Work on a mystical level, and he looks at Practical Alchemy, the creation of elixirs and powders physically, as well as how to blend these two versions of alchemy together. The book is richly illustrated with many old alchemical drawings with explanations that are clear throughout. The two appendices are very helpful. The first one is a glossary of alchemical terms with clear definitions, and the second one is a list of resources for the practitioner from online sites, to books that are recommended for reading. The chapters of the book are:

What is Alchemy?
The Golden Thread That Runs Through Time
The Principals of Alchemy
The Kitchen Alchemist: Making Tinctures and Elixirs
Climbing the Ladder of the Planets
Saturn’s Child: The Base Metal Lead
Jupiter’s Rule: The Courtly Metal Tin
Mar’s Challenge: The Angry Metal Iron
Venus’s Embrace: The Loving Metal Copper
Mercury’s Magic: The Living Metal Quicksilver
The Moon’s Reflection: The Lunar Metal Silver
The Sun’s Brilliance: The Solar Metal Gold
The Operations of Alchemy
Personal Purification
Becoming an Alchemist
Appendix A: Glossary of Alchemy
Appendix B: Resources

Finally here is a book that helps break down some of the mystery of alchemy so that anyone can better understand this ancient art and science, which has been called the Royal Art of the Hermetic Tradition. Dennis William Hauck has made a great contribution to the oft-neglected art of alchemy with this book, and it should be included in any person’s library that is interested in the Hermetic Arts, the Western Mystery Traditions, and especially in Alchemy.

Two on Practical Spagyric Alchemy of Plants

Samuel Scarborough reviews Alchemist’s Handbook: Manual for Practical Laboratory Alchemy [Amazon, Bookshop, Publisher, Local Library] by Frater Albertus and The Practical Handbook of Plant Alchemy: An Herbalist’s Guide to Preparing Medicinal Essences, Tinctures, and Elixirs [Amazon, Bookshop, Publisher, Local Library] by Manfred M Junius at Two on Practical Spagyric Alchemy of Plants in the Journal of the Western Mystery Tradition archive.

For those interested in performing practical or laboratory alchemy there are two books written in the modern era that are indispensable. These two were written in the twentieth century by practicing alchemists. Both authors give good instruction as to what a budding alchemist will need for a modern alchemical workshop, and they even discuss some of the most basic techniques in spagyric (spa-geer-ic) or plant alchemy, which is traditionally the first type of alchemy that is worked with by an alchemist.

The first book that we are going to look at is, The Alchemist’s Handbook by Frater Albertus (Albert Reidel), a major contribution to alchemy in modern times. The author covers the basic principals of alchemy, gives directions for setting up a home alchemical laboratory with illustrations of the basic equipment, and also gives step-by-step instructions for working within the plant kingdom. The chapters of the book are as follows:

Forward
Preface to the First Edition
Preface to the Second Edition
Chapter I: Introduction to Alchemy
Chapter II: The Lesser Circulation
Chapter III: The Herbal Elixir
Chapter IV: Medicinal Uses
Chapter V: Herbs and Stars
Chapter VI: Symbols in Alchemy
Chapter VII: Wisdom of the Sages
Conclusion
Appendix
Alchemical Manifesto

The Forward to the book was written by the noted Golden Dawn magician Israel Regardie, in which he describes this book on alchemy as “… unique and a genuine masterpiece.” After this Forward there are two Prefaces that give the reader an idea as to how to best use the book and the material in it.

Chapter One is an introduction to alchemy. Frater Albertus describes alchemy in the most basic of terms so that anyone picking up this book will have a working idea as to just what alchemy is. He compares alchemy and modern chemistry, and discusses the prevalent attitudes towards alchemy in the modern day. The real meat of the book though comes in Chapters Two through Five, in which Frater Albertus describes how to set up an alchemical laboratory, the processes to gather the herbs to be used and to begin working with them alchemically. Also, he discusses the medicinal uses of the elixirs or tinctures that can be made using the herbs and processes discussed in the previous chapter. Then Frater Albertus discusses the planetary relationship that many herbs have and how to use this relationship in making elixirs and tinctures. Frater Albertus gives us a chapter on the various sigils and symbols used in alchemy along with their meanings. This section of the book is highly illustrated with these sigils and ciphers.

The rest of the book contains a basic description of the next phase of alchemy, metals, from a Rosicrucian document written in 1777. After this chapter, Frater Albertus gives his conclusions on how to continue the work. Finally, there is an appendix and a manifesto that help promote the use of alchemy in modern times.

The Alchemist’s Handbook should be on any alchemist’s shelf whether you practice spiritual alchemy or practical alchemy. The style of the heart of the book is like a textbook on chemistry in some regards, which is what Frater Albertus was aiming for as a means to demystify the art of alchemy. He brings the ancient art into the modern world by linking the old art of alchemy with the more modern practices of chemistry.

The second book that we will discuss is Manfred M. Junius’, The Practical Handbook of Plant Alchemy. Manfred M. Junius is a former biology professor who also served as the production manager of spagyrics for Australerba Laboratories and was head of the Australian School of Ayurveda in Adelaide. His training and knowledge of western alchemy came from many years of personal instruction from the Swiss alchemist Augusto Pincaldi.

The book is similar to Albertus’ The Alchemist’s Handbook, but has a bit more detail in the operations dealing with the plant kingdom and the making of plant elixirs. Junius gives a fairly good overview of what spagyrics are and how to obtain them in a step-by-step manner. The chapters are as follows:

Preface
Spagyria and Spagyrics
Advice of Basilius Valentinus
The Three Philosophical Principles and the Elements
Mercury, Sulfur, and Salt in the Plant World
The Extraction of the Three Philosophical Principles from Plants
1. The Extraction of the Essential Oils, That Is, of the Volatile Sulfur
2. Mercury
3. Fixed Sulfur and Its Salt
4. Salt
The Stars
Preparation of Spagyric Tinctures and Essences
Circulation
The Plant Magistery of Paracelsus
The Circulatum Minus Urbigerus
Elixir – Clyssus – Vegetable Stone
Alchemical Signs and Symbols
Old Weights
Epilogue: How Can We Heal?
Notes
Bibliography

Just to hit on the overall highlights of the book, the author gets to the real meat of the subject in chapters four through eight, in which he discusses in detail the making of a tincture from a plant using the various techniques available to the alchemist. These are covered in some detail in chapter five. In some cases, the details can be a bit overwhelming and having a practical class or two in general chemistry really helps to understand what Junius is discussing with these techniques.

Chapter six, The Stars, presents the idea that the alchemist should also be something of an astrologer too. Junius shows that astrology and alchemy are closely linked using archetypical forces of the universe. He discusses how the various astrological effects of Sol and Luna have on living organisms, and how in plant alchemy the effects of these two heavenly bodies, along with the other ancient planets has an affect on the alchemical operation. Junius gives a break down of each of the planets and the plants associated with them from an alchemical medicinal view. Further in the chapter, he discusses the use of the planetary hours to begin the alchemical operation and even the casting of astrological horoscope for the outcome of the operation.

In chapter ten, he looks at a classic work of alchemy, The Circulatum Minus Urbigerus, which was originally printed in 1690. The various aphorisms of the original are used to illustrate the practical laboratory technique that Junius later explains following these aphorisms. This chapter illustrates the ability of Junius to thoroughly discuss the material so that a person wanting to follow an older text would be able to.

Finally, in the epilogue, Junius approaches alchemical tinctures and elixirs pretty much as Paracelsus did over 450 years ago. Diagnose the illness, and treat it with the suitable tincture or elixir after creating it. He also cautions that this sort of work in the healing area should be undertaken only with great care, but that it could be done with the aid of those around the alchemist.

This book is full of various drawings and illustrations of alchemical as well as chemistry equipment showing not only what it looks like, but also some of the basic techniques used to create these tinctures and elixirs. There are also many older illustrations from older alchemical works showing the various phases and ideals of the work, not to mention Junius has included a rather in depth list of signs and symbols used in alchemy in one chapter that would be useful for the practicing alchemist. Even though there are some complex descriptions and techniques in Junius’ book, it should be on the bookshelf of any practicing alchemist, or more likely, like Albertus’ The Alchemist’s Handbook, will be open as a reference for the practicing alchemist.

Wiccan Genius or Pagan Savant?

Samuel Scarborough reviews What’s Your Wicca IQ? [Amazon, Abebooks] by Laura Wildman at Wiccan Genius or Pagan Savant? in the Journal of the Western Mystery Tradition archive.

How well do you know your Wiccan or pagan material? Are you just starting on the path or have you been practicing for years? Have you ever wondered just how you could test your knowledge of the material that you should know as a practicing witch or pagan? Well, here is a book that will be able to help you out. The last twenty years have seen the growth of interest in Wicca, witchcraft, and Neo-Paganism. Wicca has been acknowledged one of the fastest growing religions in North America, and there are innumerable websites and books on the subject.

Laura Wildman is a Third Degree Gardnerian Witch trained in the Protean tradition. She has taught and lectured on Wicca for more than fifteen years and is a legally recognized Wiccan clergy in Massachusetts. Mrs. Wildman is also a faculty member and chair of the Interfaith Development and Community Rites of Passage Department at Cherry Hill Seminary, a Pagan seminary in Vermont.

The book is broken down into six distinct chapters that each deal with a specific topic, and a seventh chapter to grade yourself as to where you fall in the Wiccan IQ scale, but if you are expecting just another run of the mill recipe book on paganism or Wicca and witchcraft, then you will be disappointed. Each chapter has several sections of questions with multiple-choice answers and a few matching questions that relate to a more narrowed focus within the broad categories of the chapter. There is no other information on the topic of the chapter, other than the very brief introduction. The answers to each section of questions are at the end of the chapter. The object is to test your knowledge of the topic at hand. The chapters are as follows:

Chapter 1 – You Believe What?! Witches, Wiccans, Pagans, and Their Beliefs
Chapter 2 – Tools of the Trade. Within, Without, and All About the Circle
Chapter 3 – Which Witch is Which? The History of the Witch
Chapter 4- Burn Two Candles and Call Me in the Morning – Spellcraft
Chapter 5 – Unraveling Entrails – The Art of Divination
Chapter 6 – Cerebellum Ceremonium – Ceremonial Magic
Chapter 7 – Putting It Together – What is Your Wicca I. Q.?

Unlike many books that have questions and answers in them, Mrs. Wildman actually explains the answers in some detail in the answer section of each chapter. This is not simply a question 1. A; format, there is a brief explanation of the answer and in many cases a cite as to where the information can be found, i.e. what book, etc. Also, in many cases there is a listing of a book or books that may be of help on a particular subject listed under the question. Her reason for this format on the answers to show the subject taking the test where their strengths lie and what they need to work on, not just to parrot back a series of answers to the questions. Finally, in each chapter is method to calculate your score in that chapter, along with a maximum test score possible in that chapter.

Chapter seven of this book is where it is all comes together. This is where you tally your scores from the previous chapters and then tabulate the score. This score can range from 0-1234. The scores are further broken down into four categories.

0-307: Dedicant
308-676: First Degree
677-1046: Second Degree, Priest or Priestess of the Craft
1049-1243: Third Degree, High Priest of Priestess of the Old Religion

These sections are further explained as to having the general knowledge that would go along with having that particular degree within a Tradition or bestowed upon you by the gods. Having answered the questions to the level of 677-1046 does not make you a Priest or Priestess within the Craft; it just means that you understand the material to that level.

Also, in chapter seven, there is a section for evaluating each chapter on a similar scale of Dedicant through Third Degree. This is like the rest of the book used to see what sections you may need to strengthen so that you can better use the knowledge of your chosen path.

Here is a book that will help you with your knowledge of paganism and Wicca and witchcraft that any person on that path can use regardless of learning or time practicing. Do not expect an easy time in taking the tests. The material covered in these questions is very thorough and will take some thought on the part of the person answering the questions.

Overall, this book should be in any personal library of any practicing magician regardless of Tradition. From Neo-Pagan to Ceremonial magician, this book has something to offer any practicing magician.

Adept Magic in the Golden Dawn Tradition

Adept Magic in the Golden Dawn Tradition by Frater YShY, preface by Sandra Tabatha Cicero, foreword by Samuel Scarborough, from Kerubim Press, hardcover available directly from the publisher, paperback due for wide release in September, may be of interest.

“Within this tome are the secret instructional papers of a modern Golden Dawn order. The first half of the book contains an advanced exegesis of the Neophyte Ceremony using Lurianic Kabbalah, Freemasonry, modern Wicca and Greek mythology. The second half includes the author’s own application of the same magical formulae in his personal rituals. Among these are an example of his fusion of evocation and classical statue Theurgy, a careful interpretation and re-contextualisation of the Adept invisibility formula with new advanced visualizations, a Shamanic-style transformation ritual, and a higher genius or ‘higher self’ working that the author personally conducted over many years.” [via]

“Preface by Chic and Sandra Tabatha Cicero
Foreword by Samuel Scarborough
Introduction by Frater YShY
Chapter One: Zeta 1, Sephirotic Attributions to the Neophyte Hall
Chapter Two: Zeta 2, Planetary Attributions to the Neophyte Hall
Chapter Three: Zeta 3, Three Principal Officers
Chapter Four: Zeta 4, The Four Elements at the Equinox and Neophyte Ceremonies
Chapter Five: Zeta 5, Neophyte God-forms
Chapter Six: Zeta 6, The Hierophant’s Speech From the Throne
Chapter Seven: Zeta 7, The Seven Floor Officers as the Seven Planets
Chapter Eight: Zeta 8, The Zodiac and the Wheel of the Year
Chapter Nine: Zeta 9, Violence, Hazing and Power Struggles in Masonic and Magical Ritual
Chapter Ten: Zeta 10, The Ten Sephiroth Combined in Seven Palaces in the Neophyte Hall
Chapter Eleven: Solitary Z2 Workings
Z2 Yod: Planetary Evocation Ritual
Z2 Shin of Aleph: Invisibility Ritual
Z2 Shin of Mem: Transformation Ritual
Z2 Shin of Shin: Gathering the Divine Sparks, a Spiritual Development Ritual” [via]

Hermetic Virtues, Vol 6 Iss 1

Hermetic Virtues Magazine begins its 6th year with its 21st publication, Vol 6 Iss 1, available as a PDF via single issue download or 4 issue subscription. The Magazine is a project of the Hermetic Virtues site, which site is intended to be “a repository for hermetic knowledge and research. It is designed to be a place where people of good will from all orders, groups, places and backgrounds can communicate to freely share what they have discovered in the course of their exploration for the greater good of all and the expansion of our intellectual and spiritual horizons.”

· The Alchemical Hexagram – Chic and Tabatha Cicero
· The Emperor by Harry Wendrich
· The Grimoire of Arthur Gauntlet – a book review by Aaron Leitch
· Group Work – an unpublished Whare Ra document – Mrs. Felkin with a commentary by Nick Farrel
· Hidden Treasures of the Golden Dawn – a book review by Samuel Scarborough
· Invocation of the powers of Aquarius – Jayne Gibson
· Astrological Magic – A book review by Samuel Scarborough
· Becoming the Star Child – Nick Farrell
· An Invocation of Kether – Samuel Scarborough

You can find an index of past issues at the Hermetic Virtues Magazine Index.

The Hermetic Library Blog

Faint gibbering heard from somewhere near the restricted stacks