The Seattle Metaphysical Library has extended our Magic section by 30+ books, giving category 38 (Magic) more than one hundred books on subjects ranging from Ceremonial to Chaos, Golden Dawn System to Crowleyanity, Qabalah to Voodoun, Sex to Asceticism; covering the physical, mental and astral facets of magick. This includes an increase in category 38.1, Witchcraft/Wicca.

The authors include the local (Seattleite) Wyzard John Michael Greer, Chaos Magic Pioneer Peter Carroll, Golden Dawn Torchbearers (they would have you know) Chic and Sandra Cicero, The Thamauturgical Thespian Antero Ali, Reclusive Sage Draja Mickaharic, Madame of Metaphysics Dolores Ashcroft-Norwicki, the Western Mystery Tradition Granddaddy S.L. Macgregor-Mathers, and the Great Beast 666 himself, Aleister Crowley.

My involvement with the material independently is limited, but I do have a firm understanding of the information contained herein. The majority of the texts are written well and hold a fair amount of invaluable wisdom for the would-be student of the occult. Plus, many offer the stepping stones in a sequential curriculum for the beginner.

Aye, on the path of the Great Work, we are always at the beginning.

In these books you could discover ways to change both your mentality and reality (does a division between the two exist?) and find ways break open both.

Exercises for meta-programming, trance, energy generation/manipulation, psychic powers, astral work, sacred art, etc. Techniques in invocation and evocation, scrying, talismans, manifestation, healing, banishing, elemental/planetary/zodiacal magicks, sigils, etc.

This isn't armchair wyzardry; these words aren't telling a tale--they're showing a path. Though some of our collection may be just historical and personal accounts--better than fiction tales of mystery and the occult--most of the books in this section offer practical work . As well they should, for magick is a practice and it is work. So...on that note. Here are some preliminaries for anyone with a mind dedicated to taking up the Work:

Relaxation: You must be able to relax, in order to be receptive to energies, as well to be able to base line your body and mind for the coming work. It is well done to take yourself into a relaxed state at any given time, especially those times of stress and strain. The goal is to reach total relaxation by just saying the word: RELAX. There are many methods for such, find one that best suits you, such as tense and release, anatomical focus, counting backwards, etc. Do this until totally relaxed.

Breathing: The quickest way to control the mind is by control of the breath. Rhythmic, full belly breathing for best results. Breathe from your stomach to diaphragm to upper chest for, lets say 7 beats in, 7 beats out. Rest your attention only on the breath. If the mind wanders, bring it back to your breathing. 15 min. a day should suffice, though 30 min is your goal.

Motionlessness: In order to concentrate one should remain motionless. Not a flinch. Though, don't try too hard, lest lust for result ensue.

No-mind: All of this leads to a calming of the mind. There is no easy way to do this. Keep your attention in the present; on sounds about and on your breath. Any intruding thought should be dealt with immediately. Calmly return to no-thought. Zen practice is a good resource for this, as well as the writings of Eckhart Tolle.

After getting a hold on these (at least the first three) one should be well prepared to start some form of magick practice. Though the work does not rely completely on you having accomplished these, it increases your chances at success greatly.

Recommendations from (on stock at) the library:
· Occult Exercises and Practices by Gareth Knight
· Liber Null and Psychonaut by Peter Carroll
· Simplified Magick by Draja Mickaharic,
· Modern Magick by Donald Michael Kraig

Come check out our new books!

Thanks for your graciousness Gavin Hall.
in L.U.S.D.

copyright 2010 Seattle Metaphysical Library