Aleister Crowley and the Ouija Board

A lot has been written about the playful (or demonic) Ouija board, everything from it being a game to it being a tool of Satan, and connecting the topic with the always-provocative name of Aleister Crowley promised titillation but not necessarily much more. This book, though, truly delivers the good; it is unexpectedly excellent throughout. Cornelius is a student of Thelemic magic, is quite familiar with both Crowley and ritual magic, and writes clearly and well. The book delves first into the known history of the Ouija board and its commercial development, as well as 'talking board' vehicles and similar machines, going back to ancient oracles, in examining just what it is that makes it 'work.' The almost accidental triangular design of the pointer, other working planchettes, and so on, are all examined; what makes the board a convenient doorway to other/astral worlds is fully explored. Further, Cornelius takes some time to cover the types of elementals and other entities one might potentially make contact with - or, in the case of the Ouija board, might make contact with the user - and speculates on how to best and most safely deal with them. Cornelius takes very seriously the potential for harm and dangerous interaction to take place through the medium of the Ouija board. From Crowley's point of view, this danger could be minimized through careful ritual protection, and this is where Cornelius gets into magic, from simple banishing rituals (LBRP) to Enochian tablets (opening and closing by watchtower), correct procedures and the thinking behind them. This is meant to make the board's use as controlled and safe as possible. Specific techniques, tasks for each of the participants, and use/function and set up of all furniture and implements are made clear. This is the best book I have read on how to use and make the most of the Ouija board. It is excellent in conception, information, and execution.

While the title sounds like a mystery novel or a "Made for TV Movie", the book is a dynamic powerhouse of this previously neglected part of Crowley's life. It details not only his personal use of the talking board, but also his willingness to teach responsible people how to use it with great effect and safety. The book is written by, and largely for ceremonial magicians by Red Flame member, J. Edward Cornelius. While it is helpful for traditions outside of the OTO, it is tailored to be used in that magickal context and it's traditional methods. It is not an exposure of their practices, but rather how to plug that into traditions of the Golden Dawn, OTO, Gnostic Catholic Church, et al..it is not a book for conspiracy theorists! The books one fault is that it takes a patronizing approach to Wicca and witchcraft throughout its contents. But by letting that go, it does give a very useful approach to using the board for spirit commincation, and makes clear the potential for harm that comes with the board. I highly reccomend it for Crowley fans, divination enthusist, and the witch and magician at large.

Aleister Crowley and the Ouija Board presents the fascinating true history of the ouija board, a device purported to facilitate communication with spirits, back to John Dee, Queen Elizabeth's advisor, who allegedly used it to contact angels and codify the Enochian Alphabet. Of especial interest is the true story of twentieth-century magician Aleister Crowley, who made effective use of the ouija board and even attempted to create and sell a version of the device. An absorbing examination of the history, current usage, and future of a mysterious and mystical device, cherished by some as a magical tool, and condemned by others as a gateway to the devil, and dismissed by skeptics as a hoax.

It is appropriate that an important contribution to occult literature is to be found in a slim volume with an unassuming and quirky title. The author presents sufficient theory and practice that will allow even a neophyte to access in a reasonably safe and suprisingly convenient manner the astral realms. Quite an accomplishment. But this is by no means only a book for beginners. Advanced practitioners (assuming they have an open mind) will find a great deal to ponder and benefit from in this volume. Anyone serious about magickal practice or even just magickal theory should acquire this book and consider its contents carefully. They will be well repaid for their efforts. Aleister Crowley was the baddest of bad boys. He made great advancements in the magickal realm while sending shock waves through the clubby and largely ineffectual grade system of traditional occult fraternities, It is no small irony that the magickal orders that profess to be Thelemic are as full of pretentious poseurs as those that Crowley blasted with his extraordinary talent and application. I suspect that his book will not be well liked by those in authority in Crowleyian magickal orders. The author reveals too many secrets for comfort. I believe Crowley would have approved of this book that captures the spirit of authentic Thelemic magickal theory and practice.

If your interest is strictly in the Ouija Board itself, the 1st 2 chapters will give you the history of the Board, the Game and it's media press. But this book is really about applying consistent control in all forms of divination to focus the type of Spirit called. Rather than repeat well worn (and well published) truisms, the author seems to have concentrated on what Aleister Crowley and his disciples actually DID, whether it was thru Tarot, Astrology, Ceremonial Magick or Enochian. The common factor was exerting their Will and concentration to calling forth specific Results. Remakable. 93 / 93 Chuck Furnace