Transcendental Magic Its Doctrine And Ritual

This book is the first treatise on magic by Éliphas Lévi and one of his fundamental works. In this book, he criticizes magic as a collection of methods and rituals. Instead, he says magic is a universal power and attribute of a man, an eternal religion that existed before Christianity and other religions. According to his theory, proper magic as an attribute of a human is a combination of psychic force, will, and imagination. He calls the ordinary miracles attributed to unnecessary magic exaggerations. Yet, the access to the true magic is constricted only to a narrow circle of selected people, or Magi. Those who go through the initiation to Magi acquire force to alter human wills. His works became quickly popular, as their publication coincided with the interest in magic and occultism in the second half of the 19th and the beginning of the 20th century. It also greatly influenced the magic of the Hermetic Order of the Golden Dawn. Also, in this text, Éliphas Lévi, for the first time, pointed out that a pentagram or five-pointed star with one point down and two points up represents evil, while a pentagram with one end up and two points down represent the good.

This is Eliphas Levi's (1810-1875) best-known book. This work arguably made Levi THE most influential writer on magic since the Renaissance. Originally issued in French, the English translator is A.E. Waite and it is doubtful that anyone else could have better captured the essence of Levi's work. The book is divided in two parts; the first is theoretical, the second practical. This is a fascinating and often debated work involving a discussion that covers almost the entire realm of Ritual and High Magic.

This is the complete English version of Eliphas Levi's treatise on ritual magic. This work is in two parts: in this one we establish the kabalistic and magical doctrine in its entirety; the other one, called "The Ritual of Transcendental Magic", is consecrated to the cultus, that is, to Ceremonial Magic. The one is that which the ancient sages termed the Clavicle, the other that which people on the country-side still call the Grimoire. The numbers and subjects of the chapters which correspond in both parts, are in no sense arbitrary, and are all indicated in the great universal key, of which we give for the first time a complete and adequate explanation. Let this work now go its way where it will and become what Providence determines; it is finished, and we believe it to be enduring, because it is strong, like all that is reasonable and conscientious. Contents: Introduction The Candidate The Pillars Of The Temple The Triangle Of Solomon The Tetragram The Pentagram Magical Equilibrium The Fiery Sword Realization Initiation The Kabalah The Magic Chain The Great Work Necromancy Transmutations Black Magic Bewitchments Astrology Charms And Philtres The Stone Of The Philosophers – Elagabalus The Universal Medicine Divination Summary And General Key Of The Four Secret Sciences

Explore the fascinating world of the occult through the teachings of one of the most influential magicians of the 19th century, Éliphas Lévi. This classic work on magic and mysticism is a must-read for anyone interested in the esoteric arts. This work has been selected by scholars as being culturally important, and is part of the knowledge base of civilization as we know it. This work is in the "public domain in the United States of America, and possibly other nations. Within the United States, you may freely copy and distribute this work, as no entity (individual or corporate) has a copyright on the body of the work. Scholars believe, and we concur, that this work is important enough to be preserved, reproduced, and made generally available to the public. We appreciate your support of the preservation process, and thank you for being an important part of keeping this knowledge alive and relevant.

This is the first part of Eliphas Levi's last great descourse on the mysteries of occultism that was continued and concluded in The Great Secret. In it, Levi examines with great precision and insight the inner meanings of Qabalism and their relationship to the occult sciences. Part One is a commentary on the Spihra Dzeniuta by Simeon BenJochal, which includes an examination of the affinities between Qabalism and Freemasonry. Part Two pursues the correspondences between Qabalism, Numerology and the Tarot. This edition includes an appendix by Papus (Dr. Gerard Encausse) summarizing Levi's doctrines and teachings and supplying some fascinating information on some of the master's many disciples.