Serpent of wisdom : and other essays on western occultism

Reconciling magic with rational thought, well-known occult scholar Donald Tyson presents an exciting collection of essays that offer fresh insights into a wide variety of important topics in the Western esoteric tradition. Along with practical instructions on the correct casting of the magic circle and the uses of familiars, Tyson includes a new system of coin divination and a complete history of the esoteric ordering of the Tarot trumps. Here you will learn the hidden roots of magic—what it is, and how it works on the deepest levels of reality. • What esoteric energy is and how to use it • The arcane meaning of the serpent of wisdom • The making and use of a book of spirits • The essential nature of spiritual beings • How we perceive and interact with spirits • The truth about spirit possession and why you should not fear it • The reality of vampires, werewolves, ghosts, and demons • A revolutionary manifesto of spirits’ rights Contents Introduction 1. Definition of Magic 2. The Magic Circle 3. The Nature of Spirits 4. Serpent of Wisdom 5. Familiars 6. Vampires, Werewolves, Ghosts, and Demons 7. Guerrilla Divination 8. Sensory Metaphors 9. Order of the Tarot Trumps 10. Time and Magic 11. The Fairy Godmother 12. Black Magic 13. The Book of Spirits 14. Esoteric Energy 15. Spirits’ Rights: A Manifesto 16. The Enochian Apocalypse Working Bibliography