Circles of Power: An Introduction to Hermetic Magic: Third Edition

Written by a true practicing magician, Circles of Power is a marvelous modern occult text full of practical advice and formulae based on the Golden Dawn tradition, founded on Cabalistic Magick. Greer synthesizes the Golden Dawn system concisely and clearly into an outstanding modern Magickal Manual. It compares favorably to, if not better than, Kraig's Modern Magick or Frater U.D.'s High Magick, two excellent similar books. Like those other books on Ceremonial Magick, Greer covers the basics from theory to practice and offers exercises to learn the systems. Unlike other books, however, he doesn't stop his book and suggest that you commit a month to some exercise before turning a page. Though regular work and experimentation will reward the practitioner, it's refreshing not to be asked by an author to stop reading a book in the middle of it. Greer's excellent writing offers the reader no-nonsense, straight forward instruction like a well written text book. Never is the reader in doubt as to the writer's genuine knowledge of the material. Greer's commitment to excellence is shown in his choice to edit out all the Enochian elements from the Golden Dawn Rituals he's presenting. Rather than just parrot what others have said, (including the GD itself), he refrains because he feels his understanding and experience of that part off the work is inadequate. The removal of these elements, by the way, detracts nothing from the rituals and work he presents. He substitutes Cabalistic elements skillfully and effectively in their stead. (I personally like the Enochian system and hope Greer eventaully delves into it and shares his insights.) The weakest part of the book is Llewellyn's publishing. Give them points for including an index, but, considering how excellent this book is, Llewellyn's decision to use pulp acid paper is tantamount to a crime. No one who reads this book, no practicing magician at any rate, would ever consider it disposable, but it will yellow and crumble over time. This is a sad state when one considers the publisher's short print runs and thinks how sought after this book will be in the second hand market when it falls out of print. My advice; if you're new the art, or old to the art, or interested in the least, you should buy this book. It's excellent. Like Greer's other book in this series, Paths of Wisdom, Circles of Power is destined to be a classic. Buy it now while you can still afford it.

Probably Greer's best work to date. I have to say I'm a fan of Greer's even though I have disliked a couple of his other works but this book should be read and studied by those who're interested in working ritual magic. I say should be because every ceremonial magical text is generally suggested to be obtained and read by the novice if you take a look at the average website on this topic. Sadly though many of those sites don't mention this book and I'm not sure why. The book is from a straightforward Golden Dawn approach to the Western Mystery Tradition & ritual magic. Oh I hear the groans now but let me say that the rites are pared down to their core and stripped of all that ballyhoo traditionally associated with the G.: D.: material! That alone is worth the time to read thru this manual. Also like Kraig's "Modern Magick", "Circles of Power" is intended to be a manual used by the solitary practitioner though it can be adapted easily enough for group workings. Is there anything in here that's not covered elsewhere? Not really and yet he does touch on some interesting aspects regarding the Telesmatic Imagery techniques usually only mentioned in other works. Also he does a nice job of explaining the rituals and why they're used instead of just saying "practice this three times a day for the next two years" and leave it at that. One of the best things about this book is the simple language the author uses to express his views and understanding of the subject which in most cases one has to really struggle at first to get the gist of. Not so here. For instance, on page 109 under the heading of "Contemplation" Greer writes: "The central factor in contemplation, and the only aspect of it that can be called a 'technique' at all, is bare intention." Nicely said. Now if you read Israel Regardie's book on the Golden Dawn, it's not written as simply as that. Why? The style evoked by Regardie - and sadly other ceremonial magical authors - is one of the snooty scholar. "Either keep up with me or give it up" tends to be their way of weeding out those who aren't worthy of the "many petaled lotus". For a novice student, Greer's simple language is a God-send. Had I had this book back in 1988 when I started my inquiries into Ritual Magic and G.: D.: material, I think I'd have made a lot more progress. One thing I wasn't happy about is the lack of detailed analysis of the Sephiroth's correspondences. For instance there's no mention of the scents listed for each sephira. So if you had only this book at your disposal, you wouldn't know that tobacco is the traditional scent used for the sephira of Geburah. I have to wonder if the author's intention was to use this book in conjunction with say Regardie's "Golden Dawn" manual. Another oddity offered in the book is the line drawing of the magical sword. On page 206 a trident is shown but it is referred to as a sword. Why I haven't a clue. Perhaps the company made an error in line drawings, I don't know. The triden

I have one complaint with this book, and that is John Michael Greer's approach to the explination of the rituals he highlights in his book. They combine discussion with the steps, which I found more confusing than perhaps spliting each ritual into steps and then discussion of the steps. But this is hardly more than a gripe when you look at the way Greer has opened up magic in a real way. He doesn't hold back, letting people know what magic is really about and encouraging those who are truly interested in magical studies to dive in for themselves. Also, when supplemented with Paths of Wisdom, his book on the magical cabala, the full complexities of the Golden Dawn system becomes very accessible.

For the intellectual student who wishes a complete explication of the purposes of a rite. Each ritual is designed for solo performance, although he strays a bit from Regardie's tome. (If you want something closer to Regardie's rituals try "Modern Magick" by Donald Michael Kraig). Not written for the layperson, this dense book nevertheless will prove to be a complete handbook for the beginning practical theurgist. The only misgiving I have is that he makes no reference to what order the rituals should be practiced. One should not busy themselves with the Greater Hexagram Ritual without first perfecting the LBRP, etc. But Greer does not mention this. This book could be read in tandem with the Kraig book referred to already. In short, this is not a "course" like Kraig's but rather a "handbook" of rituals.

Dr. Israel Regardie's greatest literary legacy, _The Golden Dawn_ (also known as _The Complete Golden Dawn System of Magick_), has cast an often-imposing shadow over the heads of those who would seek the illumination high magick can bring.Known for being at the very least dense and in some cases positively perplexing, Regardie's presentation of the techniques and once-secret papers of the Hermetic Order of the Golden Dawn has still managed to stand the test of time as the definitive collection of the Order's work.One might describe this volume as sort of an "Israel Regardie Lite," but the distinction would not be one of dismissal or derision. Instead, what Mr. Greer has accomplished is rather remarkable in the field Kabbalistic magery. He has managed to create a work which distills the Golden Dawn tradition down to its absolute essentials without losing a single drop of its majesty, beauty and effectiveness in the process.In clear prose, with careful exposition given in each chapter, Greer leads the would-be Initiate through the heart of the Golden Dawn system. All of the basics and the vast majority of the advanced systems are represented, with Greer's commentary acting as the clear voice of an Adept leading the reader toward greater pathways of understanding.I will not, tempting as it is, say this is "The Only Golden Dawn Book You'll Ever Need!" or similar, quote-worthy hyperbole. Every student will eventually want to delve into certain subjects in greater detail, and there is only so much information one volume by one author can hold.But Greer has given us a rare and unusual gift: a clearly-written primer on high magick that doesn't talk down the reader or oversimplify to the point of losing essential material. _Circles of Power_ should appeal to anyone with a interest in the magical legacy and work of the Golden Dawn.