Advanced Magick for Beginners

There is something in this gem for complete beginners and adepts alike. To those comments that say this is all theory, you are completely incorrect or you plain just did not read the book. This book is chock full of exercises to apply it's principles at the end of most of it's chapters. 34 exercises in the book to be exact. Alan Chapman defines magick as: The Art, Science, and Culture of experiencing Truth. Magick is art because the techniques used are arbitrary and aesthetically defined. Magick is science because it uses a methodology that gains results. Magick is culture because you work with the world not in isolation from it. In his fourth chapter he formulates a process that is essentially akin to the scientific method but for occultist, I like to call it the "Magickal Method of Inquiry". The steps to the process are as follows: 1. Decide what is to occur. 2. Ensure the occurrence has the means of manifestation. 3. Choose an experience (ritual experience). 4. Decide the "Ritual Experience" means the same as the intended occurrence. 5. Undergo Ritual Experience. 6. Results. It's from this form of operation that he bases his whole approach to magickal practice, as described in the book that is. Now when it comes to "ritual experience" it does not mean anything in particular (the term ritual experience is the term I coined to make things a bit clear but even now I have the need to clarify what that means, ugh...); it doesn't imply anything elaborate as some of you are thinking. Ritual Experience can mean anything from a simple gesture to a full blown ceremony with all the trappings. What he explains the would-be magickian to do is to form the "experience" according to their aesthetic inclinations. Anything more I tell you will feel as though I am giving too much information, which I feel I have done already. But for those curious all I say is buy the book, you will not be disappointed.

Beautifully written and incredibly philosophical, this is what I have been looking for. It’s wise and careful, and almost like the Tao Te Chung at times. I loved this book though I don’t totally understand why.

An interesting hypothesis on the way that various magical methods function; all magical effects are subjective, and thus the magician can choose to work with any system (or no system) as long as he believes whatever it is he is doing. Chapman organizes this basic Chaoate principle into a framework that functions pan-traditionally and exposes the underlying method beneath all magical paths (Ceremonialists, Houngans & Mambos, Wiccans, Santeristos, and Chaoists may find much common ground if they are open to performing the exercises). Deep on theory and experiential exercise, but paradoxically a rather light and even cavalier read. Given the approach and style, the book is very reductionist, and makes no attempt to satisfactorily answer many questions (such as how spirits can act independently). However, this weakness is more than made up for by providing the reader with the tools to discover the answers for themselves. Recommended.

In my extensive reading and research into all matters arcane, I am always delighted when I come across a book that manages to brilliantly balance simplicity and depth. Advanced Magick for Beginners by Alan Chapman, published in 2008 by Aeon Books, is one such book. Following along in the Chaos Magic current ("post-modern magic," as the author refers to it), Chapman strips away all of the cultural and personal pretenses placed upon magic, and pares down to the bare bones of the underlying theories of magic. The author describes his approach to magic as an art, a science, and a culture of experiencing truth. As an art, a magical act is an experience that we ascribe meaning to. As a science, a magical act is a technique which we refine through an experimental practice and observation of results. As a culture, a magical act is a means of working with a cultural framework, a set of ethics both personal and cultural, to achieve results which are relevant to the life and world in which the mage lives. That is it, as far as Chapman believes the complexity of magic should be taken. The techniques he outlines are more guidelines than anything else. They are a methodology of how to approach magic. This is no book that will tell you what to say or do; Rather, this book will help the reader discover for him or herself the style of magic that flows best with his or her own personality. The author cares not which gods you work with, worship, or pray to (if any at all), nor does the author care which tradition, style, or culture you borrow your elements from (or whether you have invented them all on your own). Rather, the author cares that the reader develops an understanding of magic which will be able to answer the questions of why things work. As such, there is no art, no poetry, no romantic language. Chapman only cares that you get the theory, and that you decorate it as you see fit. The book's starkness is both a blessing and a curse on this book. While maintaining its no-nonsense tone throughout the read, it could feel a bit dry at times. Thankfully, the author does have a sharp sense of humor, which he does pepper up the book with. The material is so dense with information, though, that some of the more complex ideas the author tries to express require a more straightforward approach. This book is not so much a curriculum for learning the magical arts, as it is a catalyst to get the reader thinking on deeper levels about his or her magic. Chapman places a strong emphasis on technique. In many of his chapters, he has laid out spreadsheets in which he examines the core aspects of a magical working, and cross-references many different approaches to magic against those core elements. Thus, he distills the steps of all magic down to 5 simple steps: deciding what you want to occur, making sure it is possible for the outcome to occur, choosing an experience and equating that experience to the desired outcome, and finally performing or engaging in the experience. Last, the mage observes his or her results, and modifies methods as needed. It is against these five steps that he examines sigil magic, sympathetic magic and magical links, nonsensical styles of magic, as well as magic involved with working with Gods, entities, or created servitors. The author likewise explores facets of magical culture, such as the usage of magical names and mottoes and aeonics, with the same forthright manner. He addresses the need for a mage to choose, or not choose, a magical name, and the potential importance of doing so. He insists that the name does not need to be serious, nor does one need to be serious all the time to practice magic. Through his approaches to magical culture, he develops methods that are self-sufficient, self-driven, and ultimately, the most satisfying to the self. What appealed to me most is that this book helps those who seek to know the magical arts to get to the heart of how and why they work. Chapman's work transcends cultural, stylistic, and traditional boundaries in an intelligent way that can help the dedicated mage intelligently develop a system of magic that is unique to the one using it. As I hold true that every mage must find his or her own path, I find that this book can offer some good information about the terrain.

No matter what level of experience an individual may have with magick this book gets to the point. If you are new to magick and need a more structured approach it might be a little more work than buying a a step by step guide to hold your hand. But if you are creative and ready to practice magick on your own terms than buy this. I am a Brujo in the Afro Caribbean tradition and a curandero. This book is applicable to any other magickal tradition you belong to.

Quick read and confirms the point I've been trying to make to my husband for years; it's less about the ritual and more about intent. This books strips everything away and really gets to the bare bones of Magick. I highly recommend it, though I'm not sure a true beginner should start with it, but you definitely should add it to your repertoire.

If I was allowed only one book of Magick, it would be this one. The exercises are well explained and simple in operation. Instant success.

A wonderful introduction into magic and occultism in general. Even if you aren't specifically interested in chaos magic, which is the book's primary focus, what it teaches is applicable to any practice regardless of the magical system or tradition you choose to follow. Alan Chapman writes with a refreshingly lighthearted and humorous style while also being highly informative. He picked up chaos magic's literary legacy where Peter Carroll left off. I highly recommend this book!

"for beginners"とあるのはある種の頓智問答。「これから新しく始まる魔術」への視座を求める有志たちへ、と解釈するべし。中級者以上は読んで損なし。"Where do demons live?" "Sorcerer's secret"と並び21st. century magickの基本文献か。

Dal momento che è già pieno di recensioni inglesi, ne lascio una in italiano per i miei connazionali. Un libro che mette da parte un po' la teoria (comunque presente, ma spiegata in maniera eccelsa e con ironia) e da' spunti per avere esperienze. Come si legge nel libro, la magia NON funziona, ma si sperimenta, si vive. Il libro è in inglese, ma è scritto in modo molto accattivante, ironico e alla portata di tutti. Non aspettatevi un libro di saggistica o digressioni storico-filosofiche. E' un libro di pratica, mirato a dare spunti concreti, il tutto costellato da qualche battuta ironica che conquista. Personalmente l'ho molto apprezzato perché risponde alle domande classiche che una persona si pone quando si approccia a questi argomenti. E' soddisfacente leggerlo. Lo consiglio ai neofiti, dal momento che mi è stato consigliato in quanto tale e mi sto trovando bene. Buona ricerca!

Muito bom, bem explicativo e objetivo, sem enrolação desnecessária.

I enjoyed this book immensely. It is written in a humorous tone at times ascerbic and at other times written in with a pomposity which reminds one of the writings of Crowley. I dont mean this in a negative tone, for it is A refreshing read. Tired of Llewellyn Wiccan modern dogmatic books which peddle the same old fluffy bunnie wiccan magick and correspondances from ten years ago ? Tired of the modern Chaos magic books which are postmodern in the extreme to the point of incoherence ? This book is the antidote. Indeed, he makes a good point for the process of initiation being left out of chaos magic - that extreme post modernism and relativism of this system might leave one looking at an empty universe. The book points out initiation is right in front of our nose everyday in every experience. What is great about this is book is it is very practical with many exercises and interesting gives for example a variety of approaches for any goal. In here we hear echoes of Carroll, Robert Anton Wilson, Crowley and the highly experienced insights of the Author. Definately this book is recommended for advanced magicians, it may give them some possible ideas or routes out of problem areas one could fall into or philosophical malaises which can result. In addition, every beginning in true magic should read this book for the principles it underlines. Possibly one of the most initiated books in print. However, I think that traditionalists of any system will either not like nor not understand this book, because it exposes some of the self illusions or delusions self appointed authorities can fall into. Ironically, those who seek magick often seek liberation, but often fall into a new dogma which enslaves just as much as that from which they were trying to escape. It is clear this has not happened to the author who understands the system and how it works. Those who are 'the sheep' of a tradition bleeting out the some old ideas without understanding them might learn something from this book. I highly recommend it to anyone seeking the true nature of magick. As mind expanded as Robert Anton wilson, as humorous and clever as Crowley whilst the author is clearly one of the next big names in magic of this generation with his own style and ideas. I'd like to see many more books by the author.

I really enjoyed this book. I did some of the things he said not to do, and learned fast why he said not to do it. Powerful stuff.