Use the Qabalah Now

Practical Qabalah Magick by David Rankine
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

This is simply the best book on Qabalah that I have read to date. The author gives you a variety of techniques, prayers, pathworks and meditations that can be used right away by both the beginner and advanced practitioner right away. The author has done the research plumbing into the depths of such authors of Jewish Qabalah like Rabbi Joseph Giktalia, Abraham Abulafia and Rabbi Areyeh Kaplan. Ceremonial Magic Qabalah is explored as well.

Qabalah is often termed as Jewish mysticism but in reality it's roots extend all the way to Sumeria and embrace aspects of Greek, Egyptian and Babylonian mystical thought. The author covers the evolution of the tree of life. Some Jewish Works show the tree of life having ten sephirot others eleven. Certain paradigms have 16 pathways between the sephirot while Kirshners , Rosicrucian version , the one used by Ceremonial magicians has thirty two. There is in depth discussion on the names of god, arch angels, regular angels and how they connect to the different sephirot.

Technique that are discussed are vibrating the names of god, visions of the angels and combining the names of God , called unifications, which are used to bring about change. The 231 gates which uses hebrew letters in a circle can be used for banishing or attracting. There is a detailed section on Charging and consecrating and cleansing an amulet.

Philosophical backdrop on the qabalah are discussed that involves the four world and how they relate to manifestation. Also discussed are the three pillars of the tree of life. This is one book you got to get. It has everything and it is awesome.


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Ambivalent Goddess

The White Goddess: A Historical Grammar of Poetic Myth by Robert Graves
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

It is a book that is considered a classic, written by a first class author known for his scholarly contributions. Yet there are some interesting stories surrounding this classic. It is rumored that while Robert Graves was on his way to get the manuscript published a huge gust of wind came by and blew it out of his hands. He got it all together and just turned it in, hence the incomprehensibility of the outline of the book. Many people in the scholarly academic community wrote this work off as historically inaccurate. No less several practitioners of Wicca and witchcraft will note that it is valuable in teaching people how to think poetically. That being said it is very worthy of note that this book was the blue print and a main text for the Wiccan revival of witchcraft heralded by Gerald Gardener.

Examining the various mythologies across the board inclusive of Welsh, Irish, Middle Eastern, Greek and Roman.
Starting off with the bards of the British Isles, these Druids were classed into two types of bard. One was official that relied on memorized poems that praised the king and god. The other class traveled from town to town inventing their own stories and songs often in praise of the female muse. That was poetry's original purpose the language of the white Goddess, the moon goddess. Prior to the rise of patriarchal society the world especially the Danites or Tuatha De Dannan worshiped the white moon goddess. With the Achean invasion of Greece and the imposition of their trio of Deities Zeus,Hades and Poseidon. The Danaan moved from Greece and moved to the British isles.

In Mesopotamia she was called Belini. With the change over to a patriarchal society the name got changed to Bel. The Canaanite deity Baal Tzaphon used to be called Baalita Tzaphonia the Goddess of the North. Now that was know that the White Goddess was the original creatrix, where did the male deity come into play.

Hercules in many legends in many locals was considered like the Sun king. Or more correctly the Oak King. The Oak king often times started out as a shepherd. Zeus also started as a shepherd and as the Oak King he could hurtle lightning bolts. Hercules also lead a platoon of twelve leaders or soldiers. He had a twin bother who was the holly king who had a spear for a hand. The Oak King rules during the spring and warm summer months and is then sacrificed to the White Goddess. This is usually the king. Once the oak king is slain and eaten. He lives on in everybody else. The Holly King now takes over ruling during the winter months. Later on he will receive the same treatment as the Oak King. Sometimes the kingly sacrifice happened every seven years and at other times he could also send a substitute.

Proving that old society was matriarchal, it was the queen who determined sovereignty. The king that wanted to be king had to mate with the Queen. The Danae were located in Greece and in particular Crete which was pre Achean. It is believed that the alphabet that we use originated from Crete. This is where the Phoenicians got it and it is the source of the Druid alphabet. There is a legend that Thoth or Mercury invented the alphabet by looking at storks. The Greek poetic tradition was kept alive in British witchcraft.

Despite the repression of the Goddess by male dominated religions the Goddess appears to be resurrecting. The Catholics venerated the Virgin Mary. Miriam means from sea. Aphrodite came from the sea. We can see the connection. Over all this is a great book for understanding the Goddess movements and Wicca. This comes out as the roots.

The author does waste some time with beth-louis-nihon alphabet. Such riddle play served to bore me to death. It turned me off on what could have been a great book. This made the book one of the worst literary experiences that I have had to endure. Yet it also inspired me to connect with the Goddess and the feminine divine. Inspired by the triple muse. I am ready to write more poetry and read more Robert Graves.

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Vampire Gods and Young Jewish Maidens

The Darkening Dream by Andy Gavin
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

A full blown story dealing with the occult, religion, vampire and Egyptian deities. Set in Salem, Massachusetts 1913 one would think this book is about witchcraft. Starting off with Sarah Engelman watching her father pray in synagogue the story rolls into a young girl going off with her friends Emily, Ann and Sam. Sarah worries about typical things for a young Jewish orthodox girl her age. School, acceptable socializing and marriage. Then Alex comes along a young Greek boy her age. The forbidden attraction starts.

Meanwhile Nasir, an Andalusian vampire rolls into town. His first thing is to kill Charles someone about to marry Anne. He is killed by the vampire in a bizarre ritual only to rise from the dead and go on a killing spree all his own. The dream team puts a stop to all that. But only temporarily.

They now have to destroy Nasir. Sarah's father, Rabbi Joseph has some history with vampire as does Alex's grandfather. Nasir is out to get something, Gabriel's horn and he is acting on behalf of a trio of Egyptian gods. Specifically, Anubis and Khepri. The third is a ram. The evil team is being helps by the warlock pastor Parris who himself is in a relationship with a succubus. It only gets better as the story rolls on. The dream team ends up travelloing through time and venturing into different realms. I do not want to spoil the ending.

The story is told by an author who seems to have great knowledge of Jewish lore and customs. The story is centered a lot around Jewish lore. Many vampire stories have a Christian theme so this one stands out. The ending is a little bit sad but at the same time it leaves a platform opening for a sequel which hopefully the author will write.

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The Gods of Brittania

The Isles of the Many Gods: An A-Z of the Pagan Gods & Goddesses Worshipped in Ancient Britain During the First Millenium Ce Through to the Middle by David Rankine
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Sorita D’Este and David Rankine have put together an awesome book that discusses all the Gods and Goddesses tht were were worshipped on the British Aisles. I think there were clese to 147 of them give or take a few. The deities come frm a variety of different pantheons ranging from Welsh, Irish,Gaulic,Saxon, Norse, Roman, Greek and Egyptian. There might have been a few I missed. That’s a big infusion of Gods and Goddesses. The Britsih Aisle have been invaded by score of different people over the last millenia or so. The Roman and North European invasions have brought over the largest contribution of deities worshipped. I think the Romans brought over most of teh foreign deities save for the Norse and Saxon ones. The Romans conflated most of the deities or equated them to corresponding deities in their pantheon. The most popular was Jupiter.

Most of the entries are encylcopediac and numerous . There is a chart on the top which tells you their place of origin, where they were worshipped, what literary evidence reamin of them and their other names. The entries tell the reader what they were worshipped for and what areas of life they were in charge of. Entries also expalin what artifacts of them remain. Most deities have roughly half a page to maybe a page of information on them pending availability of knowledge available. Sometime there are scant remains or scant references to the various deities. Other deities have sometimes up to 5 pages on them and they are detailed.

For those who work magic and wish to work with British deities then this book gives a great over view. If you are using the kindle addition there is one drawback and that is not the fault of the author’s but rather the technology. The charts are not big enough to fit on the page and there are these little arrows that make the other half show up. On some of there longer charts this can get rather cumbersome. Excellent book.


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Magic of the Psalms

Candle Burning Magic With the Psalms by William A. Oribello
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

The bible consists of 150 psalms. William Oribello take the reader through beginning to end. In the introduction the author urges the reader not to try to hard to believe but just to go through the motions of the rituals. The presentation starts off with the preparation of candle method. Is the practitioner attracting or repelling. The next part tells the divine name of God that one needs to use. The third part tells the reader the purpose of the psalm.

There are certain times that are most beneficial for candle magic based on your birthsign. The planetary hours are based on the hours after sunrise. Since I am a Gemini and I was born under the planet Mercury the hours given to the day are as follows.
Sunday 3rd, 10th,and 17th hours : Monday 7th,14th,21st hours. : Tuesday 4th,11th ,18th hours : Wednesday 8th, 15th and 22nd hours : Thursday 5th,12th,19th hours. : Friday 2nd 9th, and 16th hours. Saturday 6th,13th,20th hours. Wednesday is the best day for Geminis.

Colors are very important for candle magic. Red – Energy or Love , Pink – Love, Green- Money and Good Fortune, Blue- Healing and psychic development, Purple – Power over enemies, -personal power or spiritual attainment.

Preparation of the candles is based on purpose. To attract put some oil on the bottom and rub toward the top stopping at the middle. Next put some oil at the top and rub toward the bottom stopping at the center. To repel you put the oil in the center and rub toward the bottom. Next you apply some more oil in the center and rub toward the top.

After anointing the candle you carve in the divine the name. Candle are prepared for one purpose and then not used for any other. Next it must be used for that psalm. OOnce the candle has burned down wrap it in cloth and bury it or throw it in running water.

Steps of the ritual
1. After anointed and carved the candle is lit.
2. Say the psalm.
3. sincere prayer in own words.
4. silent meditation or visualization .
5. After meditation extinguish candle and then put it away.

Psalms and there uses.

Psalm 1: Pregnant women for normal delivery, Prepare red candle to attract, Divine name is EEL ECHAD

Psalm 2: When expose to storm at sea, prepare purple candle to attract, Divine Name is Schaddei

Psalm 3: Over come a bad headache or backache, Prepare blue candle to attract, Divine ADON

Psalm 4: to have Good luck, Green candle to attract, Divine name JIHEJE ( This psalm is said three times before sunset. Say it daily until you see it change. You can say it seven time before going to court in front of the judge.)

Psalm 5: To obtain favor with the authorities, Prepare purple candle to attract. Divine name CHANANJAH

Psalm 6 : For healing Eye problem, prepare blue candle to attract, Divine name JASCHAJAH

Psalm 7: To over come evil condition put in place by enemies, Prepare purple to repel, Divine Name EEL ELIJON

Psalm 8:To win favor with people during Business transaction, Prepare Green Candle to attract, Divine name RECHMIAL (Best recited after sundown with sincere prayer three evening in a row)

Psalm 9: Improve a child’s health, prepare blue candle to attract, Divine name EHEJE AISSCHU EHEJE

Psalm 10: Against Evil or restless spirits, Purple candle to repel, Divine Name EEL MAZ

Psalm 11: Over come fear and persecution, prepare purple candle to repel, Divine Name PELE

Psalm 12: Overcome slander from enemies, Prepare purple candle to repel. Divine Name AINEEL

Psalm 13: To obtain safety for 24 hour, Prepare purple candle to attract, Divine name ESSIEL
Psalm 14: Gain trust or favor, Prepare pink candle to attract, Divine name EEL ENUNET
Psalm 15: Overcome depression, Prepare purple candle to repel, Divine name IALI
Psalm 16: For great joy, Red candle to attract, Divine name EEL CAAR
Psalm 17: For safe journey, purple candle to attract, Divine name JAH JENORA
Psalm 18: To overcome attackers and robbers, purple candle to repel, EEL JH
PSALM 19 : OVERCOME CONFINING ILLNESS , BLUE CANDLE TO ATTRACT, DIVINE NAME ‘HE’

Psalm 20: Protection from danger and suffering, purple candle to attract, Divine Name JEHO

Psalm 21: Against a storm at sea, purple attraction candle, Divine name JEHAEN
Psalm 22: Repel bad luck, purple repel candle, Divine name AHA
Psalm 23: receive dream instructions, blue attraction candle, Divine name JAH
Psalm 45 and 46: Restoring marital harmony, red attraction candle, Divine name ADOJAH
Psalm 47 : To be loved by all, pink attraction candle. Divine name I.H.V.H
Psalm 56: To over come materialism, purple repel candle, Divine Name I.H.V.H
Psalm 90: Protect home, purple attraction candle, Divine name Schaddei
Psalm 92: Gain great honor, Green attraction candle, Divine name I.H.V.H
Psalm 98: Establish peace in the house, Pink attraction candle, Divine name JAH
Psalm 99: Get inner power, blue attraction candle, Divine name I.H.V.H
Psalm 101: Repel evil eye, purple repel candle, I.H.V.H
Psalm 110-111 : Get personal magnetism, purple attraction candle, Divine name JAH

As you can see the list can get exhaustive so I will cut thing short and focus on money psalm.

Psalm 57: Attract good fortune, Green attraction candle, Divine name CHAI
Psalm 63: To be free from and unsatisfactory business deal, purple repel candle, Divine name JACH
Psalm 65: To have luck searching for a better job., green attraction candle, Divine name JAK
Psalm 73-83: All purpose good fortune, green attraction candle, Divine name I.H.V.H

To achieve great good say Psalms 86,87 and 88 same candle and divine name as 73-83.
Psalm 96 and 97: Bring joy and good fortune to the family, Green attraction candle, Divine name JAH

Psalm 108: Home prosperity, Green attraction candle, Divine name VI
Psalm 114: business success, Green attraction candle, Divine Name AHA

This magic is simple and direct. In fact one might not consider it magic but rather prayer using candle. To boost effectiveness one might wish to use specialize oil blend and time their action with the moon. Waxing moon to attract an waning moon to repel.


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Hidden History

The Lost History of Christianity: The Thousand-Year Golden Age of the Church in the Middle East, Africa, and Asia--and How It Died by Philip Jenkins
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Today many people associate Christianity with Europe as that is the stronghold of Christiandom. Most devout Christians will note that Christianity was born in the land of Judah and more particularly in Jerusalem. What most people do not know is that Christianity was the major religion of the Middle East before Islam and even some hundred years after it's rise. Of course now there is barely a trace of Christianity left in the lands where it was born and in the lands it used to dominate. This book examines the factors that lead to the demise of Christianity in the Middle East, Africa and Asia.

Christianity was spread all over North Africa and was prevalent among the city dwellers. The Nestorians or Assyrians spread Christianity through Iran, India and all the way to China and Japan. Monuments and church building attest to this. When the Romans adopted Christianity the Nestorians being Christians were associated with Rome and looked at as internal allies of the enemy. This lead to a persecution in Iran which wiped out most of the Christians there. In China there was intense nationalism which drove the Christians away. Persecution also followed in Japan.

With the coming of Islam things went rather smoothly for the Christians of the Middle East. They were allowed to do their own thing and even debate with Muslims. Yet they dhimmi and did not have the same rights as Muslims. For a protection tax called a jizya they were allowed to live their lives unmolested. Many Christians converted voluntarily to the new faith. It was better from a financial point of view. However, as time progressed things got worse. The persecutions would grow terms of life would get harsher. This was especially so in Egypt and North Africa.

The Christian churches dwindled to a fossil of their former glory. Let us not forget that Christians were persecuting Muslims in Europe, especially in Spain. The Crusaders killed Christian, Muslims and Jew alike. Sometimes the Christians allied with the wrong people like the Mongols. When the Mongol adopted Islam things got really difficult for the Christians. Let us not forget that the Mongols almost became Christians and many had Christian wives.

But did Christianity really disappear. I think not as many would practice their religion under ground and in secret. Christian customs would seep into Islam and influence the religion. There were also syncretic sects that combined both religions.

Summing up a Christian amy look at this and ask if it is really god's plane to spread Christianity all over the globe especially after such defeats. One could say that maybe the Christianity that was eradicated somehow did not live up to God's plan. Or maybe that our view is so narrow that we cannot forsee the changed that will happen in the future.


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Gods of the Vikings

The Gods Of The Vikings Exploring The Norse Gods, Myths And Legends Through The Days Of The Week by Marion Pearce
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

This book is rather complete and concise when it comes to the Norse Gods....maybe then some which is why I gave it a five star rating. The book does not tell about all the gods but it gives and in depth over view of most of them. The book also gives a good background on Norse history and customs, something which is important to know if your are researching the Norse gods and/or wish to pursue a spiritual path with those deities. Nothing is fancied up or brushed over with a shiny gloss the author gives you the history and practice like it really is with no sugar coating.

The book has one characteristic in that as she explains certain elements of the Norse she gets into comparison about other religious system which is very enlightening on one hand and yet at times seems to take things off track. When she compares these elements with those of the Celts, Romans and Greeks I say good fine and well they were adjacent cultures and it is appropriate. When she starts comparing to Persian, Indian and other religions that is when I start to yawn. I could see the point if there was an effort to prove that the Norse religion had Indo-European Origin. The book shed light and clarified other things I have read about the Norse before. The author did make one mistake. Baal was a Canaanite God not an Egyptian one.

The Norse or the Viking started out , according to the author in Iceland and moved their way down into Europe. They came from lands that had long and harsh winters. This cause them to seek out other lands. Their conquests were lightning fast and brutal. The conquest often involved rape, pillage and plunder. They were not nice times. The Norse took over huge swaths of England and their gods were worshiped their. They definitely impacted the local culture even if they did not conquer it. Norse namesakes, especially of God names are left all over the place. Most prevalent of these names is noted in the day name of our week.

Monday is Moon Day named after Mani the male moon god of the Norse religion. With a Chariot he drives across the sky. He kidnapped Jack and Jill and had them assist in moving the moon. The Moon god is chased by a hungry wolf. The Romans also named their days after the weekdays.

Tuesday was named after Tyr. He is a one handed god who lost his right hand subduing Fenris the wolf who was bound up. he is a god of war and of justice. Wednesday or Wodens day is named after Odin. He is conflated with Hermes or Mercury both are psychopomps who lead the dead to the underworld. Thursday or Thors he is the thunder god and he delivers lightning with his hammer. He is a war god and protector of boundaries. Friday is dedicated to Frig , Odin's principal wife. Odin had three wives.Saturday is for Loki who is comparable to Saturn. Loki is a bisexual trickster god who causes no end of trouble. Sunday is dedicated to Sol the sun goddess.

The book also covers the Norse conversion to Christianity. Olaf and his magicians was the one was in charge of that conversion. It was not an easy conversion in fact it was rather swift and violent. Prior to Olaf's forced conversion it was noted that practitioner of the old religion were quite able to coexist with Christians. Burial customs are covered as are the system of sacrifices. Animals and sometimes the king and people were sacrificed to the Gods. Usually the sacrifice was performed with a spear. The carcass of the sacrifice was hung from a tree. Sacrifices of animals were eaten especially the liver. The entrails were used for divination. When a warrior died in battle he was claimed by either odin or Freya's Valkyries. Viking had all their stuff loaded in a ship that was then set a fire amidst the sea. Sometimes even the wife was sent along. this is true even of the chieftain. Sometimes a girl volunteered or was chosen. Everyone took turns making love to her and then she was sent off with the chieftain.

This book has also offered the most thorough explanation of ragnarok. I have heard it was a war were al the Gods would die along with the giants and ogres. This book tells us who kills who and who survive. Several of Odin's children survive as do Thor's. The original gods dies and that includes Odin, Freyr and Thor and Tir.
Baldur comes back to life for Hel where all the non warrior dead are buried.

Truly a very thorough book that explains everything in detail quite literally. I now have a totally new and clear understanding of the Norse religion. I say buy it. If you have a kindle it is like $5.99 if you have Amazon prime you can check it out for a month and read it. But seriously for $5.99 just buy it. The investment is well worth it as you will most likely want to refer to it at some future date.


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Light and Darkness and Then Some

vs. - Duality and Conflict in Magick, Mythology and Paganism by Kim Huggens
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Lightness and Darkness, Good and Evil, Male and Female our universe is filled with opposites. Opposites create a duality and opposition. Most people try to focus on one or the other. There is a constant effort for most of us to be all good to stay on the side of the light. Some spiritual systems embrace only the masculine or the feminin. True spirituality however, must find a way to embrace both. True power comes from the energy that is produced when both of them are united rather then seperate. Both the left hand and the right hand must work in conjunction.

Avalonia publications has put together a compilation of essays that embrace this concept of duality. There is a vast specturum of spiritualities that re represented that it is virtually impossibe to summarize al of them. Several essay did grab my attention above all the others in this excellent collection. Michael Howard gives the read a taste of Robert Cochrane’s Witch craft and gives us a different perspective on the Devil, Lilith and Cain. I will not blow the details but Lucifer is not a bad guy, after all he rules this planet and his redemption is dependent on our redemption. Lilith refuses to submit and is said to have seduced Adam numerous times. Cain built the first cities. You got to read his essay.

I am an avid fan of Middle Eastern Mythology the fact that thre were 3 essay on Inanna/ Ishtar thrilled me to death, especially when one of the authors had been to Iraq on a mission to help the people. Inanna/ Ishtar herself embodies duality. She is the queen of the Earth and the Heavens. She is a goodess of love and fertility yet she is also a goddes of war and destruction. Inanna is both the harlot and virgin. Lapis Lazuli and dates are sacred to her

If you are a Norse pagan or a Heathen there is a lively essay on Freya and Frigg. Big question are they both the same or they different goddesses? Freya is mentioned in Scandinavian countries but not in Germanic countries. There are several parralels between the two. In some of the sagas they are fighting side by side. Are they two Goddesses or one Goddess? That is a quest you will need to take if you wish to find out.

One last essay that really thrilled me was when a young female had a converstation with Aleister Crowley and another female occultist. Remember this is about unifying dualities. She is given a choice to choose which form her Holy Guardian angel will take . Before making her choice she is blessed with the opportunity to listen them bantering back and forth. What choice will she make?

I love Avalonia and this book deserves to be counted. I realize that after you read this book that this review did not do the book justice. It is a great book. Avalonia keep up the great work.


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