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Book Discussion Opinions on: Howlings from the Pit: A Practical Handbook of Medieval Magic, Goetia & Theurgy
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Didn't like this one, he sounds all tensed up and faux academic, and in the end I didn't learn anything about evocation. It reads like he desperately tries to convince himself that what he's doing makes sense. Other books by the same author:
I loved the Israel Regardie alchemy book though.
Book – PDF - Joseph Lisiewski - Howlings from the Pit: A Practical Handbook of Medieval Magic, Goetia & Theurgy
Howlings from the Pit may be Dr. Lisiewski's finest work to date. For both the beginning and advanced students of occultism, it lays bare what practical magic is all about. A veritable modern magical 'grammar,' Howlings takes the reader step-by-step through the mental, psychological and physical...
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Didn't like this one, he sounds all tensed up and faux academic, and in the end I didn't learn anything about evocation. It reads like he desperately tries to convince himself that what he's doing makes sense. Other books by the same author:
I loved the Israel Regardie alchemy book though.
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I like Lisiewski - but only with some strong caveats.
His "Boomerang Effect" is UPG bullshit. Not at thing. Hammer this repeatedly into your subconscious and you'll be fine. His fearmongering back the day put a whole bunch of new magicians off evocation.
I like his Subjective Synthesis idea just fine - if turned down 50% to better align with Iamblicus' Neoplatonic ideas about the nature of daimons.
The daimons are objective thought-beings, but also reflect our nature. As the Grimorium Verum says, the demons will come "according to the character and temperament of the one who wishes to invoke." If you want to make them into vicious demons from Hell, they will be that for you.
For a critical but balanced read on Lisiewski:
'The Magical World of Dr. Joseph Lisiewski' – Mark Stavish
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Stavish is more a Hermetic magician, and I don't get the feeling he deals with the daimons of the sublunar world much, but I agree with him that Lisiewski never dealt with his anger left over from his childhood. His rage is on every page of his writing.
My hot take:
Magicians , like most people in late-stage capitalism, are always failing dealing with their emotions (as symbolized as the Element of Water in the Practicus Grade in the G.D.), probably becasue they are usually far too intellectual. I recommended an immersive "witchy" / conjuring approach, rather than stand-offish one when dealing with the Underworld . But there are caveats with that approach too.
As we said in the OTO, we keep our "Head in the heavens, and feet in the Hells. "
His "Boomerang Effect" is UPG bullshit. Not at thing. Hammer this repeatedly into your subconscious and you'll be fine. His fearmongering back the day put a whole bunch of new magicians off evocation.
I like his Subjective Synthesis idea just fine - if turned down 50% to better align with Iamblicus' Neoplatonic ideas about the nature of daimons.
The daimons are objective thought-beings, but also reflect our nature. As the Grimorium Verum says, the demons will come "according to the character and temperament of the one who wishes to invoke." If you want to make them into vicious demons from Hell, they will be that for you.
For a critical but balanced read on Lisiewski:
'The Magical World of Dr. Joseph Lisiewski' – Mark Stavish
Book – PDF - The Magical World of Dr. Joseph Lisiewski – Mark Stavish
Few figures in modern occultism have garnered as much admiration - and vitriol - as Dr. Joseph Charles Lisiewski. Born in the coal mining regions of Central Pennsylvania, Lisiewski came of age as religious orthodoxy was waning, but before the world of the 'Counter Culture Movement' had fully...
wizardforums.com
Stavish is more a Hermetic magician, and I don't get the feeling he deals with the daimons of the sublunar world much, but I agree with him that Lisiewski never dealt with his anger left over from his childhood. His rage is on every page of his writing.
My hot take:
Magicians , like most people in late-stage capitalism, are always failing dealing with their emotions (as symbolized as the Element of Water in the Practicus Grade in the G.D.), probably becasue they are usually far too intellectual. I recommended an immersive "witchy" / conjuring approach, rather than stand-offish one when dealing with the Underworld . But there are caveats with that approach too.
As we said in the OTO, we keep our "Head in the heavens, and feet in the Hells. "