Magic: An Occult Primer

by David Conway

Overview

David Conway's Magic: An Occult Primer is a seminal work that brought magical training to the every-magician in the early 70s. David is an articulate writer presenting the mysteries in a very workable manner for the serious student. Along with the updated texts on philosophy and practical magic is a plethora of graphics that have all been redrawn, promising to be another collector's edition published by The Witches' Almanac.

The book is divided into two sections: "Magical Theory" and "Magical Practice." "Magical Theory" presents a very concise accounting of the philosophy behind magic. Conway begins with a exposé of magic within the confines of natural law, taking the time to meticulously find corollary for the basis of magic. He then takes us into an exposition of the Kabbalah and broader cosmological concerns. Conway drills down into daily practice and further explores the basic training necessary for a magician in this day and age.

"Magical Practice" begins with the preparations necessary for the practice of magic. Conway begins this section with several tables of correspondences that will prove helpful to even the advanced magician. He continues with an examination of the timing of rituals as well as the place and ritual equipment necessary for rites. Conway then provides master rituals presented for both Kabbalistic and Egyptian approaches. He also presents detail on astral projection, talismanic magic, and prophecy.

Magic: An Occult Primer ends with appendices that present detailed magical recipes, an examination of magical alphabets, and an extensive occult Who's Who.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781881098379
Publisher:	The Witches' Almanac
Publication date:	03/01/2016
Pages:	384
Product dimensions:	5.90(w) x 8.90(h) x 1.00(d)

About the Author

David Conway is a mystic, magus, and author whose profound knowledge, unique insights, and clear writing style have affected literary esoterica since the early 70s. The seventh child of a seventh child, David was reared in seaside city of Aberystwyth, Wales and its surrounding environs. His education in magic began at a very early age when he studied with a local farmer, Mr. James, a magician he encountered in the Welsh countryside. David brought magical training to the forefront by publishing Magic: An Occult Primer very early in his adult life. This very same tome would prove to be the "go to" treatise for magicians beginning their own journey into sublime realms.

Table of Contents

Foreword 10

Preface 25

Introduction 28

Part 1 Magical Theory

1 Magic and Natural Law 34

2 The Magical Universe 54

3 The World and the Magician 78

4 Visualization and the Training of the Magician 86

5 The Meaning of Ritual 98

Part 2 Magical Practice

6 The Preparation 128

The Intention and the Correspondences

Table of Intentions

Table of Correspondences

Zodiacal Tables

The Time

The Tattvic Tides

The Lunar Cycle

Planetary Exaltations

Planetary Rulerships, Planetary Days and Hours

The Place

The Circle

The Triangle of Art

The Altar

The Ritual Sword

The Wand

The Incense Burner

The Correspondence Chart

The Tree of Life

The Ritual Card

The Pentacle

The Gong or Gavel

The Crystal

The Candles

The Sacrificial Knife

The Flowers

The Oleum Magicum

7 The Master Rituals 158

The Kabbalistic Master Ritual

The Egyptian Master Ritual

8 Astral Projection 189

9 Talismanic Magic 209

Kabbalistic Charms

Egyptian Charms

Curses

Antidotes

10 The Art of Prophecy 230

11 A Word About Demons 243

12 Magical Intentions 251

Love

Eternal Youth

Healing

13 Death and the Meaning of Life 271

14 The Way of High Magic 279

Appendices

Appendix 1 Magical Recipes Oils and Salves 296

Oleum Magicum no. 1

Oleum Magicum no. 2

Oleum Angelorum

Witches' Ointment

Tonics

Aurm Potabile

Universal Medicine

Balm of Azoth

Ros Vitae

Potio Priapi (Herbal Aphrodisiac)

Cosmetics

Witches' Eye-bright

Skin Lotion

Anti-wrinkle Lotion

Wart Cure

Appendix 2 Magical Alphabets 310

Hebrew Alphabet

Theban Alphabet

Celestial Script

Runic or Futhorc Alphabet

Malachim Alphabet

Transims Fluvii ('Crossing the River') Script

Writing of the Magi

A Masonic/Rosicrucian Alphabet

Hieroglyphic Alphabet

Greek Alphabet

Ogham Alphabet

Appendix 3 The Occult Who's Who 318

Editorial Reviews

"There is nothing of the phony or the exhibitionist about David Conway. He is not merely a magician, but a genuine mystic, an intensely private person who is absorbed in what Blake called 'the inner worlds and their mystery'."

Colin Wilson

"After a distinguished academic career, which mixed study in London and the Sorbonne in Paris (where he ran off with a travelling circus)…he decided to turn his knowledge of magic into a no-nonsense guide that could be enjoyed by experts and the wider public alike…it remains a considerable success with both adept and novice magicians."

Philip Carr-Gomm and Richard Heygate

"Nowadays there are countless books on Magic. This one is different. As different as when it first appeared in 1972. What makes it different is that it tells the reader—expert or beginner, sceptic or believer—what Magic is, why Magic works and, most importantly, how Magic can be worked. Few books do all three, certainly not with so much style, scholarship and humour. This new edition, enlarged and updated by the author, is certain to delight old friends and win over countless new ones. I highly recommend it."

Maxine Sanders

"An absorbing textbook on the history, art and practice of magic…so tempered by healthy cynicism is this presentation…that even the most sceptical will suspend his or her disbelief."

Vogue

"An absorbing textbook on the history, art and practice of magic…so tempered by healthy cynicism is this presentation…that even the most sceptical will suspend his or her disbelief."

From the Publisher

"Nowadays there are countless books on Magic. This one is different. As different as when it first appeared in 1972. What makes it different is that it tells the reader--expert or beginner, sceptic or believer--what Magic is, why Magic works and, most importantly, how Magic can be worked. Few books do all three, certainly not with so much style, scholarship and humour. This new edition, enlarged and updated by the author, is certain to delight old friends and win over countless new ones. I highly recommend it." --Maxine Sanders

Reviews