SHAIYA (shaiya) reviewed Three Books of Occult Philosophy (Llewellyn's Sourcebook) on + 41 more book reviews
The text from the back cover of the book pretty much sums this impressive, 938 page compilation of Henry Cornelius Agrippa's three books of occult philosophy up:
"The Three Books of Occult Philosophy's vast store of magical lore has been so influential that occultists have been drawing upon it for the past five centuries. This classic work was first published in 1531, and translated into English in 1651, but it has never since been reprinted in its entirety. Now-for the first time in 500 years-editor Donald Tyson presents three writings as Agrippa intended them to appear; wholly complete and free from the hundreds of errors made in the original translation.
The Three Books of Occult philosophy is the most complete repository of pagan and Neoplatonic magic ever compiled. This book is packed with material you will not find elsewhere, including copius extracts on magic from obscure or lost works by Pythagoras, Pliny the Elder, Cicero, Ptolemy, Plato, Aristotle, and many other authorities. Donald Tyson's detailed annotations clarify difficult references and provide origins of quotations, even expanding upon them in many cases in order to made Agrippa's work more accessible to the modern reader.
As well as providing extensive insight into the foundations of the western Esoteric tradition, the Three Books of Occult Philosophy is the ultimate "how-to" for magical workings. It describes how to work all manner of divinations and natural and ceremonial magic in such clear and useful detail that is is still THE guide for modern techniques. And the extensive supplementary material-including biographical and geographical dictionaries and appendices-provides quick reference to many prevously obscure matters in classical magic.
The Three Books of Occult Philosophy is an essential reference tool for all students of the history of ideas and the occult tradition."
To add my two cents to what I consider to be a very accurate description of this most excellent book, I have to state that Tyson's notes throughout this book are AMAZING- almost as helpful as the original material itself. If there is a single volume on the occult, alchemy, magic, or philosophy that you can own, make THIS one it. It may possibly be the thickest book you will ever own, but it covers absolutely tons of topics, and is a treasure of ancient information and magic lore.
Members who liked this book are also highly recommended to check out "The Complete Magician's Tables" by Stephen Skinner- (a.k.a. "the most complete tabular set of Magic, Kabbalistic, Angelic, Astrological, Alchemical, Demonic, Geomantic, Grimoire, Gematria, I Ching, Tarot, Pagan Pantheon, Plant, Perfume, and Character Correspondence in more than 777 tables" per the front cover.) The clean and straightforward tables make referencing a breeze for all of the covered topics afore stated, and are an excellent helper when studying or comparing magical texts.
"The Three Books of Occult Philosophy's vast store of magical lore has been so influential that occultists have been drawing upon it for the past five centuries. This classic work was first published in 1531, and translated into English in 1651, but it has never since been reprinted in its entirety. Now-for the first time in 500 years-editor Donald Tyson presents three writings as Agrippa intended them to appear; wholly complete and free from the hundreds of errors made in the original translation.
The Three Books of Occult philosophy is the most complete repository of pagan and Neoplatonic magic ever compiled. This book is packed with material you will not find elsewhere, including copius extracts on magic from obscure or lost works by Pythagoras, Pliny the Elder, Cicero, Ptolemy, Plato, Aristotle, and many other authorities. Donald Tyson's detailed annotations clarify difficult references and provide origins of quotations, even expanding upon them in many cases in order to made Agrippa's work more accessible to the modern reader.
As well as providing extensive insight into the foundations of the western Esoteric tradition, the Three Books of Occult Philosophy is the ultimate "how-to" for magical workings. It describes how to work all manner of divinations and natural and ceremonial magic in such clear and useful detail that is is still THE guide for modern techniques. And the extensive supplementary material-including biographical and geographical dictionaries and appendices-provides quick reference to many prevously obscure matters in classical magic.
The Three Books of Occult Philosophy is an essential reference tool for all students of the history of ideas and the occult tradition."
To add my two cents to what I consider to be a very accurate description of this most excellent book, I have to state that Tyson's notes throughout this book are AMAZING- almost as helpful as the original material itself. If there is a single volume on the occult, alchemy, magic, or philosophy that you can own, make THIS one it. It may possibly be the thickest book you will ever own, but it covers absolutely tons of topics, and is a treasure of ancient information and magic lore.
Members who liked this book are also highly recommended to check out "The Complete Magician's Tables" by Stephen Skinner- (a.k.a. "the most complete tabular set of Magic, Kabbalistic, Angelic, Astrological, Alchemical, Demonic, Geomantic, Grimoire, Gematria, I Ching, Tarot, Pagan Pantheon, Plant, Perfume, and Character Correspondence in more than 777 tables" per the front cover.) The clean and straightforward tables make referencing a breeze for all of the covered topics afore stated, and are an excellent helper when studying or comparing magical texts.
