Magick Matters

“A History of Gnosticism” by Giovanni Filoramo

"The 1945 discovery of a Gnostic library at Nag Hamadi has brought the study of this second- and third-century religious movement from the wings to center stage. Giovanni Filoramo (University of Turin) has given us the most complete account of Gnosticism thus far. He is thoroughly grounded in ancient writings—classical sources and the Church Fathers in addition to the Nag Hamadi library—and in the scholarly literature. The result is an extensive and probing study of this religious movement, which had wide-spread appeal in the late classical world. Among the subjects discussed, although not necessarily in this order or under these titles, are the existential and religious issues Gnosticism sought to address; the origins of...>>

“Western Esotericism: A Guide for the Perplexed” by Wouter J. Hanegraaff (retail ebook version)

"Western esotericism has been a pervasive presence in Western culture from late antiquity to the present day, but until recently it was largely ignored by scholars and surrounded by misconceptions and prejudice. This accessible guide provides readers with the basic knowledge and tools that will allow them to find their way in this bewildering but fascinating field. What is it that unites phenomena as diverse as ancient gnosticism and hermetism, the "occult sciences" of astrology, alchemy, and magic, rosicrucianism, as well as Christian theosophy, occultism, spiritualism, and the contemporary New Age spiritualities? What can the study of them teach us about our common cultural and intellectual heritage, and what is it that makes them relevant...>>

“The Magic of Catholicism: Real Magic for Devout Catholics” by Brother A.D.A

"Previously titled Occult Catholicism: Real Magic for Devout Catholics, this new edition is upwards of 90% rewritten and contains loads of new material. With this book, you can learn: - What magic is and how a Catholic can practice it. - Catholicism as an initiatory magical system. - How to set up a magical home altar. - How to make prayers and novenas work for you. - How to use candles to bring good things into your life. - How you can work with the Angels and the Saints. Accompanied with copious footnotes and references to the Bible, the Early Fathers, the Council of Trent, and the Catechism of the Catholic Church, this book contains a guided tour of faith and spirituality...>>

“The Element Encyclopedia of Witchcraft: The Complete A-Z for the Entire Magical World” by Judika Illes

"This is the definitive celebration and exploration of all facets of witchcraft, serving as a complete reference book but also as a source of entertainment and general interest. Judika Illes explores the history, folklore, spirituality, and mythology of witchcraft. Wicca will be discussed, but the focus will not to limited to Wicca. As with Element Encyclopedia of 5000 Spells, this book's focus will be cross-cultural and will span the centuries right up to the present day and popular culture. * Meet mythic witches, modern witches, sacred goddess witches, even demon witches, male and female witches, witches from all over the globe. * Includes a miscellany of facts including magic spells,...>>

“Celtic Spirituality: An Introduction to the Sacred Wisdom of the Celts” by Philip Freeman

"In Celtic Spirituality, acclaimed translator and scholar Philip Freeman allows the voices of the Celts to speak once more. Though the Celtic civilization has long disappeared, lingering traces of their spirituality haunt Ireland and the surrounding land. Tantalizing snippets of faded manuscript pages, ancient stone carvings, and spells from the mystery-shrouded Druids have sparked the imagination of generations of modern seekers. Translated from their original languages―Gaulish, Latin, Irish, and Welsh―the passages and stories in Celtic Spirituality are true artifacts of the Celts' vibrant and varied religion from both the pre-Christian and early Christian period. From a ritual of magical inspiration to stories of the ancient gods and adventures of long-forgotten heroes, Freeman has unearthed a stunning...>>