Lon Milo DuQuette

Relates Masonry to Templers and their probable magic learned in Jerusalem. Has brief guide to goetic magic. Postulates that Templers trampled the crucifix as a rejection of the doctrines of original sin and vicarious redemption. This does make sense and also relates to Gnostic doctrines that Greer thinks they absorbed. Seven secrets of Solomon 1. The individual is the fundamental unit. 2/ Human beings are inherently good 3. Human beings evolve, and with intent, can accelerte the evolutionary process 4. All is consciousness 5. Deity, archangels, angels, intelligences, spirits, demons and you and I are personifications of a hierarchy of consciousness. 6. It is our duty to master and redirect the lower forces to constructive ends. As we are raised -- so must we raise.… (more)

It was an okay read and the information provided didn't stand out too much for me but then again I'm not a novice or beginner so this would be better for them. Otherwise I enjoyed the fact that many "experts" contributed to the novel by going in-depth with the magick origins and practice. I must say it was informative and detailed, and because of that, I would definitely recommend this read for those who what to get a sense of where the practice originated from and to get a better understanding of of magick.

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4.3 stars

I wish that this book was an actual master class in a university setting because there is A LOT of information here from authors that seem to have a plethora of knowledge to pull from. I was in awe of the amount of information in this book. I loved all the history that was included in this book and how each of these experts gave an analysis of the various texts terms associated with magic. It was very well done.

Again, I seriously wished that there was a class that I could take or someplace that I could meet these individuals in person and just pick their brains. Anything metaphysical always intrigues me because there is something fascinating in the unknown. Even with evidence and, sometimes lack of evidence, that it makes it intriguing of the "how" and "why" something is. There is power in discovering the things that are tangible and the things that cannot be explained. I think that if I was around these amazing experts that I might just become even more of a believer than I already am.… (more)