Originally Posted by Uriel
I really like learning about religion. So I enjoy reading the Bible. […] My next goal is to pick up some works by Mother Theresa. […] It's a great story of friendship, adventure, brotherhood and struggling to find G-D's purpose in darkness.
No offence, but if you really want to learn about religion, you'd do well to expand your reading list to encompass a far broader and deeper scope than Christianity and Hinduism.
Right Hand Path theists constantly fall into the habit of confusing the study of religion with the study of their religion. Not good.
If you're interested in some more serious study, here's the Temple of Set reading list on religion and dæmonology in historical perspective:
[test]3A.
Religion in Ancient History by S.G.F. Brandon. NY: Charles Scribner's
Sons, 1969. (TS-3) MA: "This book is worth chasing down through a library.
It consists of 25 essays on such topics as the soul, national religions, the
Devil, life after death, Dualism, Jewish history to 70 CE, early Christian
mythology, Time as God and Devil, origins of religion, the Akhenaten period,
early Christian Gnosticism, and angels. Author a Professor of Comparative
Religions at Manchester University."
3B.
The History of the Devil by Paul Carus. NY: Land's End Press, 1969
(paperback reprint 1974 by Open Court). (TS-1) MA: "Still the standard
reference work on the topic, containing chapters on the devils and daemons
of many cultures from antiquity to the present. Included are many perceptive
observations on the concept of 'evil' in human behavior. In his
Confessions Aleister Crowley remarked: 'Carus had always interested me as
being widely learned, yet understanding so little. After meeting him, I
decided that I liked him for it.'"
3C.
Christian Mythology by George Every. NY: Hamlyn Publishing Group,
1970. (TS-3) MA: "Another in the Hamlyn mythology series [see #2A], updated
& reissued in 1986 by Peter Bedrick Books. It exposes the origins and
adaptations of Christianity and includes a number of later legends quite at
odds with the
Bible. The author's comments on the psychological need for
specific myth-types are quite illuminating. The book is neither pro nor con
- merely analytical. Hence it is an excellent source of data for dialogues
with Christians; you can respond to theological issues on a historical
rather than on an emotional, dogmatic, or aesthetic basis."
3D.
The Romance of Sorcery by Sax Rohmer. NY: Causeway Books, 1973. (TS-3)
MA: "Better known as the author of the Fu Manchu novels [fun to read if
you're into 1890's 'Yellow Peril' themes and heroines who faint a lot],
Rohmer was also an initiate of the Golden Dawn who dreamed of writing an
authoritative commentary on the occult. This book was the result - an
empathetic but not-uncritical profile of history's prominent sorcerers,
including Apollonius, Nostradamus, Dee, Cagliostro, Blavatsky, and Francis
Barrett. Written in 1913 and especially commended by Harry Houdini."
3E.
Secret Societies by Norman MacKenzie (Ed.). NY: Crescent Books, 1968.
(TS-3) MA: "While not as extensive as #3F, this book has the advantages of
being relatively current and attractively illustrated. Chapters on the
Mafia, Ku Klux Klan, Chinese Triads, Freemasons, Knights Templar, Thugs,
Rosicrucians, etc. Well-researched and very readable. Three initiatory
rituals (KKK, Mafia, and Masonic) are appended."
3F.
The Secret Societies of All Ages and Countries (two volumes) by
Charles William Heckethorn. New Hyde Park: University Books, 1965. (TS-3)
MA: "Written in 1875 and revised in 1897, this remains the major work on the
topic. It does full justice to its ambitious title. In addition to
discussing the characteristics of secret societies per se, Heckethorn
includes comments on the clandestine operations of supposedly above-ground
organizations (such as the Jesuits). Literally hundreds of groups are
covered. If nothing else, it will leave you with the impression that there
have been quite a number of sneaky people around."
3G.
The Magic Makers by David Carroll. NY: Signet #E-6556, 1974. (TS-3)
MA: "This little paperback covers somewhat the same ground as #3D and #4C,
with the advantage of being less dated. There are chapters dealing with the
reality of magic, the magical universe, the interrelationship of magic and
science, and the national magical practices of Egypt, Israel, Greece, and
Rome. Individual magicians profiled include Apollonius, Dee & Kelly,
Cagliostro, Saint Germain, Agrippa, and Faust."
3H.
The Secret Societies of All Ages by Manly Palmer Hall. Hollywood:
Philosophical Research Society, 1928. (TS-4) MA: "Available in a variety of
sizes and pricetags, this book contains 45 chapters on just about everything
remotely connected with the Rosicrucian/Masonic tradition. Hence there is
considerable material on Egypt, the Pythagoreans, Atlantis, the Cabala, etc.
It is admittedly a treasure-house of sorts, but the intelligent reader will
note an abundance of unsupported speculation. There are no footnotes,
bibliographical references, or documentary attributions. Accordingly this
volume is best used as an introduction to interesting areas of study rather
than as a definitive text concerning them. It [particularly the larger/more
expensive editions] looks nice on a coffee-table. The biggest one (Golden
Anniversary monster edition) is heavy enough so that you can bash a rat with
it and be reasonably assured he's now a two-dimensional rat. The information
in this book is also handy for confusing [equates to impressing] Masons and
Rosicrucians whose cages you want to rattle. [If YOU want to understand what
Freemasonry and Rosicrucianism are all about, your best bet is #3E.]"
3I.
Encyclopedia of Occultism by Lewis Spence. New Hyde Park: University
Books, 1960 (originally published 1920). (TS-3) MA: "There are three
'occult' encyclopaedias on this reading list, the others being #4E and #4F.
Although dated, this one is extremely well researched, objective, and
thorough. Its companion volume, Nandor Fodor's
Encyclopedia of Psychic
Science, is less likely to be of interest or practical value. Before
acquiring a copy of #3I, consider whether #4E, which reprints extensively
from it, will suffice for your needs and interests."
3J.
The Occult Sciences in the Renaissance by Wayne Shumaker. Berkeley:
University of California Press, 1972. (TS-3) MA: "Shumaker is Professor of
English at U.C. Berkeley. This definitive work includes sections on
astrology, witchcraft, White Magic, alchemy, and Hermes Trismegistus -
painstakingly footnoted and with thoughtful critical analyses. 'The analyst
does not take for granted the necessary existence of truth, much less of
profound, forgotten wisdom in any of the systems, but treats them
objectively as historical efforts to understand the world in which man is
placed and to use his knowledge for human purposes.' [See also #3N.]"
3K.
The Dark Side of History: Magic in the Making of Man by Michael
Edwardes. NY: Stein & Day, 1977. (TS-3) MA: "A fascinating investigation by
a Professor of History and Political Science into the roles of magic in
major social movements of history - from Mesopotamia to the French
Revolution to Maoist China. This might be considered a reflective essay
rather than a documentary analysis, but Edwardes' work is a commendable
effort towards bridging the gap of ignorance/embarrassment that usually
separates magic from the social sciences. Not as much fun to read as #4B,
perhaps; but one doesn't feel quite so far out on a limb either."
3L.
The Western Mystical Tradition by Thomas Katsaros and Nathaniel
Kaplan. New Haven, Conn.: College & University Press, 1969. (TS-3) MA: "A
very good history of mysticism from Hellenic Greece onwards. Offers the
'mystical perspectives' of many of the philosophers whose more materialistic
concepts are treated in tomes such as #16A."
3M.
A History of Magic and Experimental Science by Lynn Thorndike. NY:
Columbia University Press, 1923 (eight volumes). (TS-4) MA: "Frazier's
Golden Bough - which would seem to be an inevitable component of a reading
list such as this - was ultimately not included because its focus on
mythology as such (i.e. as an essentially anthropological phenomenon) offers
no thesis which is usable by magicians. 'Magic,' said Frazier in an oft-
quoted passage, 'is science that doesn't work.' Since Black Magic as defined
by the Temple of Set does work, and since we are not interested in
variations that don't work, we seek more illuminating histories to trace its
development. Thorndike's is one such. In this massive work he shows the
complex interrelationships between the magical, the scientific, and the
philosophical from the time of ancient Egypt to the 17th century CE - after
which the influence of materialism and logical positivism acted to suppress
both magic and philosophy in favor of an all-embracing scientific method.
Like the unabridged
Golden Bough, Thorndike's opus is usually to be found
only in major libraries. You should be aware of its existence for advanced
research purposes."
3N.
Pythagorean Palaces: Magic and Architecture in the Italian Renaissance
by G.L. Hersey. Ithaca: Cornell University Press, 1976. (TS-4) MA:
"According to Pythagorean philosophy, numbers and proportions possess
quality as well as quantity, and the elements of architecture approach
excellence as they maximize incorporation of these elements of quality. In
this book Hersey, Professor of Art History at Yale University, analyzes
several Italian Renaissance buildings according to the Pythagorean standards
employed by their architects. [See also category #12 in general, as well as
#3J. See also #6O for observations concerning architecture which is
conspicuously lacking in Pythagorean excellence.]"
3O.
A History of Secret Societies by Arkon Daraul. NY: Citadel Press,
1961. (TS-3) (CS-3) AL: "A fine essay on the subject, with objectivity and
much attention to detail." MA: "This survey includes chapters on such groups
as the Order of the Peacock Angel (Yezidi), Knights Templar, Assassins,
Sufis, Gnostics, Castrators, Vehm, Rosicrucians, and of course the Masters
of the Himalayas. Used by the early Church of Satan as a source document for
appropriate magical and ritual material. No documentation is offered, so
this book is best considered at face value."
3P.
Futhark: A Handbook of Rune Magic by Edred Thorsson. York Beach,
Maine: Samuel Weiser, 1984. (TS-3) (OT-1) MA: "Quite simply, the most
authoritative and accurate introductory work on Runes and Rune magic.
Futhark culminates the author's ten-year study of Germanic religious and
magical traditions. Included are Rune history & lore, mystical and
metaphysical analyses of Rune concepts, complete definitions of the 24 Runes
of the Elder Futhark, and the etymology, phonetic value, and interpretation
of each Rune. The reader is shown how to perform chants and rituals using
Runic energy, magical tools, and attire; how to sign and send Runes; and how
to employ them for meditation. Thorsson (Stephen E. Flowers) is a Magister
Templi IV*, Grand Master of the Order of the Trapezoid, and founder of the
Rune-Gild. He holds the M.A. and Ph.D. degrees in Comparative Mythology and
Religion from the University of Texas, and is fluent in German, Old Norse,
and Old English dialects. [See also #3S & #3U.]"
3Q.
The Lost Key to Prediction: The Arabic Parts in Astrology by Robert
Zoller. NY: Inner Traditions, 1980. (TS-3) MA: "The first part of this book
is an exacting examination into the philosophical and metaphysical bases for
astrological theory, resulting in the author's postulate that the true
astrologer deals 'with the material globes in astrology only insofar as they
are used to time the movements of the inner "planets" and "stars" that lie
hidden at the center of man's being'. Part Two consists of Zoller's
translation of a 13th-century Latin astrological text by Guido Bonatti. In
Part Three Zoller applies Bonatti's concepts to the construction of
horoscopes. One of the most sophisticated conceptual studies of astrology
yet penned. Reviewed in detail in
Runes #III-1. The excellent bibliography
is supplemented by extensive notes. The author is an ex-Adept II* of the
Temple of Set and a practicing astrologer. [See also his review of #3T,
described in that entry.]"
3R.
Larousse Encyclopedia of World Mythology by Pierre Grimal (Ed.). NY:
Excalibur Books, 1981. (TS-3) MA: "As the title indicates, this is the
'mythology' volume in the Larousse series of encyclopaedias. 550 pages - in
fine print - jammed with information. Note that this book focuses on
mythology, not on occultism, so it is more descriptive of systems [from an
archaeological/anthropological/sociological point of view] than analytical
concerning their various merits, drawbacks, substance, etc. The editor is a
Professor at the Sorbonne in France."
3S.
Runes and Magic: Magical Formulaic Elements in the Older Runic
Tradition by Stephen E. Flowers. NY: Peter E. Lang (American University
Studies/Series I:
Germanic Languages & Literature, Vol. 53), 1986. $57.00.
(TS-4) (OT-4) Flowers: "The purpose of this study is manifold. First, it
represents an attempt to place the problem of runes and magic in the context
of the most recent ideas on the problem of magic in general. Here magical
theory will be approached from the viewpoint of a 'linguistic model' and as
a representation of a communicative relationship, rather than from what have
become barren ideas of nebulous numerological computations and the like. The
possible relationship between runes and magic is evaluated on the foundation
of linguistically and formally based formulaic models, all of which have
been material problems of runology over the past hundred years. Sound
runological evidence has been the standard basis through which magical or
operant aspects have been approached. Second, any rune-magic which might be
deduced is placed, as far as possible, within the context of a general
understanding of 'magical thought' in the Germanic world. Third, an attempt
has been made to develop an explanation of the runic phenomenon which takes
into account the social realities of those times. The social context of the
runic tradition - as nearly as we can determine it - may yield information
which is useful in order to ascertain the nature of that tradition, as well
as that of the society in which it thrived. Fourth, I have made a final
effort to evaluate the possibilities for the establishment of a general
theory of the use of runes in magical operations." [See also #3P & #3U.]"
3T.
The Serpent and the Rainbow by Wade E. Davis. NY: Warner Books #0-446-
34387-0, 1987. (TS-3) MA: "This is the book explaining the Voodoo system of
Haiti and the manner in which zombis are actually created - not by
supernatural means, but by the secret use of poisons. The book is based upon
field research by the author, who holds undergraduate degrees from Harvard
University in Ethnobotany and Biology, and more recently a Ph.D. in
Ethnobotany. #3T is reviewed in detail by Adept Robert Zoller (author of
#3Q) in
Scroll of Set #XII-3, June XXI."
3U.
Runelore by Edred Thorsson. York Beach, Maine: Samuel Weiser, 1987.
(TS-3) (OT-3) Flowers: "This book is intended to supplement the practical
material found in my Futhark (#3P). In these pages the more intellectual
aspects of the runes - their history and development and their esoteric lore
- will be investigated. It is hoped that through this work I can begin to
dispel most of the misconceptions fostered by recent books that purport to
explore the runic tradition.
Runelore incorporates into a system of living
philosophy and practice the latest and best scientific scholarship of
runologists from all over the world. The method used in the present book is
essentially one of intuition firmly based on hard scientific data. This is a
method that I hope will continue to find wide acceptance. As it stands,
Runelore is the basic textbook for members of the Rune-Gild, but I trust
it will strike a responsive chord in all who seek to unravel the riddle of
the runes."
3V.
The Books of the Beast by Timothy d'Arch Smith. London: Crucible
(Aquarian Press/Thorsons Publishing Group, 1987. (TS-4) MA: "This is a 126-
page, high-quality paperback collection of essays on Aleister Crowley,
Montague Summers, Ralph Nicholas Chubb, Francis Barrett (author of The
Magus, the book which revived an interest in sorcery & ceremonial magic in
19th-century England), Florence Farr (author of #10I), and the British
Library's catalogue of erotica. This collection is cited here because of
some interesting anecdotes it contains re Crowley, Summers, Barrett, and
Farr. If you are interested in one or more of them, you might enjoy this
book as a 'casual read'. But I would not consider it essential."[/test]
It's not a bad list, for starters.
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