A new book tumbled in through the mail slot last week - "Thorn in the Flesh", a compendium of notes etc. from Rosaleen Norton. Roie, as she was known, was a rather interesting bohemian Character from Sydney, Australia, who was an occult artist. Because Australia is somewhat backward and conservative, she frequently got into trouble with the obscenity laws. I suppose I should modify that last sentence my noting that most countries were backward in those days.
I was rather hoping to see some new pictures by her, but the very few included were not all that good. For those who want to see her pictures, I would rather recommend "the Art of Rosaleen Norton", or even "Pan's Daughter" by Neville Drury.
However what this book does add, is a lot of material about what Roie actually thought, her occult system. Largely, this seems to center on a dualism between humanity and the inhuman entities that accompany us, which was, according to her, ruled by a planetary spirit, Pan. So quite an interesting book, in that regard. Unfortunately, any notes that mentioned the actual magical rituals that she used were not published, out of a desire to keep these secret. And what is left is rather disjointed, so I dont think anyone will be using her system anytime soon... that is, unless there are any of her coven left in Oz, and they join one.
Bookwise, its a fairly plain hardcover, as is typical of the Teitan Press, but they are doing some good work in fleshing out some of the characters of the last century - Jack Parsons, Progradior, etc.
Monday, December 7, 2009
Friday, April 24, 2009
The Red Goddess
The first book out of Scarlet Imprint; quite a wonderful book in most ways; and here it is as it arrived from Scarlet Imprint: including Rose Petals!
Tuesday, March 3, 2009
What your scrivener is doing in his spare time
Last month I went to Pantheacon at San Jose; but the program didnt seem to be up to much, so I didnt register or attend as such; just checked out Field's books in the vendors area, and found that Qutub has just been reprinted. If anyone isnt aware of this, its one of Andrew Chumbley's first books, printed by Xoanon, and was selling in excess of $600, and so totally out of the reach of people of normal means.
Monday, February 16, 2009
Scarlet Imprint
My friends at Scarlet Imprint are blogging about re-releasing their "Howlings"; which is to be commended from a literary availability point of view, but I cant help feeling a little offended, as I set aside quite a hefty sum for what I thought would be a limited release sure to appreciate in price.
I'm very divided on this. One the one hand, I understand the desire of those who missed getting a copy to have one themselves, and also the desire of Scarlet Imprint to meet this demand, from both a mission and a financial standpoint. On the other, Scarlet Imprint are financed primarily by a band of dedicated bibliophiles, able and willing to part with large amounts of dosh to support their activities. If, for example, Scarlet Imprint were in the mass market, I wouldnt care how many they printed. Its the element of betrayal of their sponsors by diluting their investments that I have a problem with.
The solution would be for Scarlet Imprint to make their wonderful books available first to the connoisseur, at a price, and then to reissue it in mass market paperback, which will not mess with the price appreciation of their luxury editions.
Another solution, is to release their luxury editions in the first instance as larger editions, say, 1000 copies. This will say clearly upfront just how things stand, and their purchasers will know that the editions arent really as rare as they are making them appear. For example, the latest blog comment says:
"There are some very limited and desirable books imminent."
Limited; but will be reprinted every year as long as demand lasts?
Personally, I prefer the paperback edition option. That way they can cater to both the bibliophiles who support them, and to the occultists who want the books, but who cant afford the pricier versions.
I'm very divided on this. One the one hand, I understand the desire of those who missed getting a copy to have one themselves, and also the desire of Scarlet Imprint to meet this demand, from both a mission and a financial standpoint. On the other, Scarlet Imprint are financed primarily by a band of dedicated bibliophiles, able and willing to part with large amounts of dosh to support their activities. If, for example, Scarlet Imprint were in the mass market, I wouldnt care how many they printed. Its the element of betrayal of their sponsors by diluting their investments that I have a problem with.
The solution would be for Scarlet Imprint to make their wonderful books available first to the connoisseur, at a price, and then to reissue it in mass market paperback, which will not mess with the price appreciation of their luxury editions.
Another solution, is to release their luxury editions in the first instance as larger editions, say, 1000 copies. This will say clearly upfront just how things stand, and their purchasers will know that the editions arent really as rare as they are making them appear. For example, the latest blog comment says:
"There are some very limited and desirable books imminent."
Limited; but will be reprinted every year as long as demand lasts?
Personally, I prefer the paperback edition option. That way they can cater to both the bibliophiles who support them, and to the occultists who want the books, but who cant afford the pricier versions.
Saturday, January 31, 2009
Blown Away by Coniunctio, a book of Pleasure
Oryelle Defenestre Bascule, in coniunction with Fulgur books, has created probably THE most impressive tome of the past quarter century. Indeed, it is hard to find a comparison until you go back to the grimoires of AOS.
Oryelle's enlightened conceptions and inspired graphicks, are married with spellbinding bookbinding arts of Robert Ansell at Fulgurifick.
As the pages are divided, for the sake of Art, cosmic pairs are separated, until, when the pages are reunited, phallus is once again reunited with its natural home, and in the secret places between the closed pages, the archetypal figures unite in inky bliss. But this is merely the first layer; first perusal is but the first caress in a long term relationship which I intend to develop with these pages. The symbolism is intense, and looks like it will take some time to tease it out. European, Egyptian and Indian deities romp through its pages, spreading thelemic and spareific good news in every direction. There is even a chance for the reader to remove a chaperone on tracing paper (parchment) to allow for a fuller union that may end one's own universe. I have not yet chanced it.
Having splodged the extra few quid, I was rewarded with the quarter-bound version, together with hand-drawn signature; black slipcase, and some wonderful red and silver-inked marblings. If you intend to buy only one new book this Aeon, I heartily recommend this book of pleasure.
Rip off your robe, pull out your acolyte, and imitate the wonderful inkings for your next ritual in the dark. Oh frabjous day, Caloo Calay!
Oryelle's enlightened conceptions and inspired graphicks, are married with spellbinding bookbinding arts of Robert Ansell at Fulgurifick.
As the pages are divided, for the sake of Art, cosmic pairs are separated, until, when the pages are reunited, phallus is once again reunited with its natural home, and in the secret places between the closed pages, the archetypal figures unite in inky bliss. But this is merely the first layer; first perusal is but the first caress in a long term relationship which I intend to develop with these pages. The symbolism is intense, and looks like it will take some time to tease it out. European, Egyptian and Indian deities romp through its pages, spreading thelemic and spareific good news in every direction. There is even a chance for the reader to remove a chaperone on tracing paper (parchment) to allow for a fuller union that may end one's own universe. I have not yet chanced it.
Having splodged the extra few quid, I was rewarded with the quarter-bound version, together with hand-drawn signature; black slipcase, and some wonderful red and silver-inked marblings. If you intend to buy only one new book this Aeon, I heartily recommend this book of pleasure.
Rip off your robe, pull out your acolyte, and imitate the wonderful inkings for your next ritual in the dark. Oh frabjous day, Caloo Calay!
Friday, January 23, 2009
Solomon's Clavis
Another book I was pleased to receive lately, was Solomon's Clavis from the Society for Esoteric Endeavor in England. The Society produces marvellous new prints of old works, some of which are facsimiles of manuscripts, as indeed this work is. The original manuscript is a a copy by Frederick Hockley of a Ms. by Ebenezer Sibley.
The book describes the manufacture of Talismans on Vellum, and indeed these Talismans have been used on the front cover of the books themselves, with a varied selection of different talismans on each copy of the book (One each). For example, one may be a protection against Slavery, another for "secret love". The Talisman "To render a military life happy" may still find use in this age, as when the book was written.
The actual text is a facsimile of Hockley's handwriting, and can be difficult to read (although its fairly legible).
The book is wonderfully bound in sheepskin leather, which has, so I notice, a distinct barnyard aroma, albeit not at all strong or unpleasant. Overall, the standard of production of the book is remarkable, particularily given that the edition is restricted to only 144 copies.
All in all, a rather typical, if rare and scarce version, of a typical grimoire, including talismans, invocations, incenses, skin of virgin kids (as in goats), and all the rest. Different from Mather's "the Key of Solomon".
The book describes the manufacture of Talismans on Vellum, and indeed these Talismans have been used on the front cover of the books themselves, with a varied selection of different talismans on each copy of the book (One each). For example, one may be a protection against Slavery, another for "secret love". The Talisman "To render a military life happy" may still find use in this age, as when the book was written.
The actual text is a facsimile of Hockley's handwriting, and can be difficult to read (although its fairly legible).
The book is wonderfully bound in sheepskin leather, which has, so I notice, a distinct barnyard aroma, albeit not at all strong or unpleasant. Overall, the standard of production of the book is remarkable, particularily given that the edition is restricted to only 144 copies.
All in all, a rather typical, if rare and scarce version, of a typical grimoire, including talismans, invocations, incenses, skin of virgin kids (as in goats), and all the rest. Different from Mather's "the Key of Solomon".
Tuesday, January 20, 2009
Picatrix 2 finally here!
My Christmas present this year came in the form of a black volume, smelling richly of leather. Volume 1 of the first English translation of the famous Picatrix came out in 2002; and since then I have been lustfully awaiting volume 2. William Kiesel had produced a marvellous book, but part two was to come later. Oft-promised publication of volume 2 kept being delayed, until finally, at the end of last year, my patience was rewarded. Volume 2 is identically bound to Volume 1 (I have the black leather edn.), and the marbled endpapers are identical - pretty good going, considering the time lag. The price is not that different from volume 1 either, at $130. If the price escalates like volume I (as it goes out of print), I would suggest buying a copy sooner rather than later.
Part II contains Books 3 & 4; and largely contain information relating to the planetary spirits; talismans and so forth, but the content is so wide and varied that it is difficult to describe in the confines of a blog. Descriptions are given of how to invoke spirits, and include the use of incenses, colors, stones, together with the necessary invocations. The book also includes incidental notes describing magical practises from pagan Mesopotamia, with for example, the properties of various plants.
Not having taken the time to call up the various spirits, I cant vouch for the efficacy of the contents yet, but the Picatrix is immensely important historically, because it represents the hermetic knowledge that existed in the Arab medieval world (The work is atrributed to pseudo Al-Majriti), and was compiled from 224 books written by "Ancient sages". Essentially, it was the Encyclopedia of its day, containing most of what was considered important, including Astrology, Philosopy, Magic and Science. Like most Arab works of importance, it re-entered Europe after the dark ages, helping to cause the renaissance and the flowering of the early universities. Alphonso the Wise translated it into Spanish in the 1200's, and despite the possession of it ensuring a speedy trip to the stake, copies were secreted among the best libraries of the day. Members of the Di Medici court read it; including Pico Mirandola and Ficino; and Agrippa of Nettesheim in Northern Europe also possessed a copy, no doubt using it as the source of much of his 3 books on occult philosophy. Casanova was led to trial on charges of possession of a copy of the Picatrix. Despite this illustrious history and centrality to European Occultism (and hence to the European Scientific tradition), it has remained quite rare to this day. The Ouroboros Press publication has made it available to English readers for the first time, and was released in a limited edition of about a thousand copies. Simply purchasing this book as a piece of History is worth the price. As an example of the bookbinder's art, it is doubly worth that. And who knows! You may even be led to the location of hidden treasures if you handle the spirits carefully, and recoup your costs!
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Picatrix
Part II contains Books 3 & 4; and largely contain information relating to the planetary spirits; talismans and so forth, but the content is so wide and varied that it is difficult to describe in the confines of a blog. Descriptions are given of how to invoke spirits, and include the use of incenses, colors, stones, together with the necessary invocations. The book also includes incidental notes describing magical practises from pagan Mesopotamia, with for example, the properties of various plants.
Not having taken the time to call up the various spirits, I cant vouch for the efficacy of the contents yet, but the Picatrix is immensely important historically, because it represents the hermetic knowledge that existed in the Arab medieval world (The work is atrributed to pseudo Al-Majriti), and was compiled from 224 books written by "Ancient sages". Essentially, it was the Encyclopedia of its day, containing most of what was considered important, including Astrology, Philosopy, Magic and Science. Like most Arab works of importance, it re-entered Europe after the dark ages, helping to cause the renaissance and the flowering of the early universities. Alphonso the Wise translated it into Spanish in the 1200's, and despite the possession of it ensuring a speedy trip to the stake, copies were secreted among the best libraries of the day. Members of the Di Medici court read it; including Pico Mirandola and Ficino; and Agrippa of Nettesheim in Northern Europe also possessed a copy, no doubt using it as the source of much of his 3 books on occult philosophy. Casanova was led to trial on charges of possession of a copy of the Picatrix. Despite this illustrious history and centrality to European Occultism (and hence to the European Scientific tradition), it has remained quite rare to this day. The Ouroboros Press publication has made it available to English readers for the first time, and was released in a limited edition of about a thousand copies. Simply purchasing this book as a piece of History is worth the price. As an example of the bookbinder's art, it is doubly worth that. And who knows! You may even be led to the location of hidden treasures if you handle the spirits carefully, and recoup your costs!
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Picatrix
Monday, January 19, 2009
The Wizard's Quill begins!
In the tower, the Wizard goes to his bookshelf, pulls down a dusty tome, blows a cloud of dust off, then places the book on his stand, opens the page, and begins to read...
You go to a secondhand bookshop, look for the metaphysical section (if the have one), and pull down a book entitled "practical" {withcraft, spellmaking, candleburning, tarot-reading, crystalhealing...}, and are immediately confronted within the curling paper covers, some sentimental tripe about floating rose petals in your bathwater to attract a lover. Somehow, the reality doesnt match the idealized image. You will never learn how to turn your next door neighbour into a toad at this rate. Yet there are indeed good occult books, on every topic, and at every level, if only you know where to look, and what to look for, and are (sometimes) prepared to pay a little, or even a lot, more.
There are genuine antiques, selling for thousands of dollars, available through specialist dealers; and there are rarities from the 20th century selling for hundreds; and there has been an explosion of new, limited edition leatherbound books, published in the last decade. I have discovered many of these hidden gems, and will be sharing my finds with you in these pages, yellowed with age, as I scribble with quill on these pages....
You go to a secondhand bookshop, look for the metaphysical section (if the have one), and pull down a book entitled "practical" {withcraft, spellmaking, candleburning, tarot-reading, crystalhealing...}, and are immediately confronted within the curling paper covers, some sentimental tripe about floating rose petals in your bathwater to attract a lover. Somehow, the reality doesnt match the idealized image. You will never learn how to turn your next door neighbour into a toad at this rate. Yet there are indeed good occult books, on every topic, and at every level, if only you know where to look, and what to look for, and are (sometimes) prepared to pay a little, or even a lot, more.
There are genuine antiques, selling for thousands of dollars, available through specialist dealers; and there are rarities from the 20th century selling for hundreds; and there has been an explosion of new, limited edition leatherbound books, published in the last decade. I have discovered many of these hidden gems, and will be sharing my finds with you in these pages, yellowed with age, as I scribble with quill on these pages....
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