Book Description
Initiation into Hermetics provides step by step instruction in the form of practical exercises. These exercises lead to the development of body, soul and spirit. The result of the practical exercises is the development of occult abilities which can be of benefit to the student, in as far as he can change his existence for the better.
The great mystery of the Tetragrammaton, the key to the tetrapolar magnet, is explained. By reading the theoretical section many secrets are unveiled which were once only known to very few. The reader will receive first-hand knowledge about the principles of fire, air, water and earth, the positive and negative attributes of these elements, and how these elements affect the human body. The immutable law of cause and effect is explained, not only as it applies to human beings, but also how it applies to the elements. Detailed information is also given about the soul or the astral body, and how the four elements determine the temperament in a person.
The astral plane is considered to be "the beyond" by most religions. This plane does have its inhabitants, most of which are departed human beings from earth. Besides that you find elementaries, beings with one or only a few attributes. It is very advantageous to learn about these beings and how they affect a human being's life. There is also another kind of being, which is a being of the pure elements. The reader will find that many myths or even fairy tales are based on truth. But mankind has lost the ability to stay in contact with reality and has chosen to live in a completely transitory world which they consider to be their reality.
The third plain, the mental plain, is also explained; it is the sphere of thought which has its origin in the world of ideas.
Each step of the practical part of this book is divided into three parts: the magical spiritual or mental schooling, soul or astral schooling, and physical schooling. This allows the student to maintain a complete equilibrium. The student learns how to control all his mental faculties even to the point that he can control every thought. He will learn self-introspection, clairvoyance, clairaudience, clairsentience, astral and mental travel, control of the electric and magnetic fluids, and communication with the beings of the astral plain. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.
Customer Reviews:
I would pay twice the price for this book!.......2007-08-28
If I had to throw away all my occult books and only keep one, this one would be it. This is the only occult book you will need to develop the mind, body, and soul and start yourself on the path of true magic. The exercises contained herein are soley for that purpose.
Just as the Yogi would dedicate himself to the rigorous practice of Hatha Yoga for the purpose of attaining union with his Divine Self, so too does the Magus - the only difference is the methods used to achieve that. The principle is still the same.
If only I had bought it sooner. I would have saved so much money and would have advanced so much. This book is a one to be treasured for a life time.
wish it was the first .......2007-07-03
this has to be the greatest book ever written on magik.franz goes into great detail about using the the different techniques to utilize your mind but doesnt force upon his methods, and leaves enough room for experimentation. i wish i had started reading it sooner as i would be much further along in my own practices
This is IT.......2007-03-26
This it, the beginning book. You buy this and wour search for root knowledge is finished. stop wondering in the dark and illuminate yourself.
One of the Best.......2007-01-12
Whenever someone asks me what book(s) they should read to get started in magick I reccomend this one. No glut of rituals, no overabundance of theory, and alot of practical work.
A step by step trainning program for actually aquireing the basic skills of a mage. How to control your own mind, how to revamp your emotions, and how to work with energy. Every step is necessary, and helps you develop the practical skill and knowlage to handle the next portion.
My only problem is that the book is translated in such a way that it is hard to tell what Bardon means sometimes. There are also some random mundane errors here and there, but nothing huge and glareing. Initiation Into Hermetics is best read with Rawn Clark's "A Bardon Companion" for clarification.
Master Bardon.....Thanks !!!.......2006-06-12
Without any doubt, the mental training exercises found inside this great book are the best....period ! This is a must to anyone who aspire to harness the real power behind its own mind.
Buy it...you'll be grateful you did
Book Description
Modern technology is transforming our most basic ideas about the creation of wealth. This book reveals how a new way of economic thinking is essential for success in today's world.
Customer Reviews:
READ THIS TO LEARN MORE ABOUT ECONOMICS!.......2004-12-21
Paul Zane Pilser did a great job of explaining the theory of Alchemy and the application of it in Supply-side and Demand-side economics can produce an unlimited amount of resources and wealth for an economy. He also does a great job of discussing technology and how it is is extremely important to economic growth, how it can greatly conserve resources, it's infinite possiblities, and much more.
I learned a lot from this book!
a unified field theory for wealth.......2003-05-11
This book describes how to build wealth broadly enough so you can apply its principles to anything. its main principle is technology unleashes your ability to build wealth and by applying dormant but existing technology to resources will create enough value for you to achieve wealth. ie using the latest version software could dramatically improve your bottom line.
Probably the most inspiring principle for me is the statement: The faster you process information the faster you will achieve your goals. This makes total sense because if knowledge is power the most important knowledge is the knowledge that allows you to get more of it. I know alot of people who are determined to succeed but they learn so slowly that by the time they figure everything out it will be too late. With the rate of change today one of the skills you've got to have is the ability to learn rapidly!
A Real Eye Opener.......2003-05-09
I read this book many years ago and am still impressed by the clarity of the logic. It presents a wonderful view of the world as a place of abundance and wealth. This is a beautiful contrast to the belief many people have that the world has limited resources, so the only way to get anything is to take it from someone else. This book has forever changed my worldview.
Tim McMahon...
Mandatory reading.......2002-01-21
If you want to understand how the modern economy opperates and how you can take advantage of it, you need to read this book.
Dismantling the Classic Model.......2001-04-24
I first read Mr. Pilzer's book when it was published in 1990, then re-read it eleven years later. His words are as true today as they were when first printed. Through historical anaylsis, Pilzer deconstructs the economic views of our early education and skillfully builds a new model for our truly modern world. This is a must read for anyone interested in working with growth and change in their life and the world.
Average customer rating:
- Calculations are only as good as your numbers
- Pants on fire?
- Accepted History & Chronology Must Be Changed.
- Very Interesting
- History as Science Fiction
|
History: Fiction or Science? (Chronology, No. 1)
Anatoly Fomenko
Manufacturer: Mithec
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History: Fiction or Science? Chronology 2 (Chronology)
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They Cast No Shadows: A Collection of Essays on the Illuminati, Revisionist History, and Suppressed Technologies
ASIN: 2913621058 |
Book Description
Recorded history is a finely-woven magic fabric of intricate lies about events predating the sixteenth century. There is not a single piece of evidence that can be reliably and independently traced back earlier than the eleventh century. This book details events that are substantiated by hard facts and logic, and validated by new astronomical research and statistical analysis of ancient sources.
Customer Reviews:
Calculations are only as good as your numbers.......2007-08-03
Yes, we can all agree that mainstream history is nearly 100% BS due to politics, economics, ego, problems with dating techniques, and various conspiracies. Agreed. But, I've been researching the distinct possibility that human history (in terms of civilizations) are much more ancient than we've been told, so coming across this book was very interesting to me. I wondered how Fomenko could be wrong (if at all) because he is very persuasive in his presentations. Then it dawned on me. If at previous times in prehistory, due to the various catastrophies that are well documented (comets, asteroids, planetary disruptions, plasma discharge, pole reversals, etc) the Earth was in a different position in relation to the sun, different tilt on its axis, different orbit, different rotation (in terms of velocity and DIRECTION), and the continents were in different positions, then would this not cause the ancients to see the sky (constellations) differently? In other words, is Fomenko making erronious assumptions about the physics of the Earth in pre-history, which then corrupt his data with regards to dating the relevant astrology? The last event to seriously disrupt our planet occured roughly 3500 years ago, according to other good researchers, so is it possible Fomenko has been confused by this? The vastly different physics of our planet in the not so distant past may explain this confusion, which is not to say the "mainstream" version of history is correct; on the contrary. I am not an expert in these fields, but wanted to see if this idea could spark discussion.
Pants on fire?.......2007-07-19
Will people ever read before spamming? Yes, Jesuits could not rewrite world history alone, they had help. Anyway, Dr Prof Acad A.Fomenko does not point to jesuits as the driving force of world wide history manipulation in published volumes 1,2,3;, actually he barely mentions the poor devils. Check it with 'Search inside' feature, please. China is rarely mentioned either, in fact, Dr Fomenko is completely eurocentric. Right, his theory contradicts all mainstream schools of history, because in their actual state they are all built on blatantly erroneus chronology. You don't need a mysterious cabal (conspiracy) to falsify history, the falsification is its modus operandi. It is inherent to history(ians) to falsify (distort) events, as it is inherent to humans to boast as it is inherent to power (authority) to legimize itself by referrring to glorious past made to its own order. Dr Prof Fomenko and team have identified scores of instances of such manipulation in Russian, European, etc.. history, and delivered valid statistical proof thereof. His own 'reconstruction' is completely another story. Forget c14 as a valid method of dating. W.Libby has initially discovered a brilliant method of INDEPENDENT dating. Too bad, c14 method has become a joke after a forced marrige with dendrochronology with consensual chronological scale inbuilt. Radiocarbon method can't stand blind tests, but is so very productive as a rubberstamp.
Accepted History & Chronology Must Be Changed. .......2007-04-09
There is no doubt that history as most know it is a sham, & institution's version of History both University & Church is fradulent & inaccurate. Everything was established with an agenda, The real "Dark Ages" are now when we have access to incredible amounts of information past authorities & more important 'common folk' didn't have but our institutions & educators are slow to evolve because of what has ignorantly & arrogantly been taught for too long. This is on many subjects not just Chronology.
For anyone to question "Why would a Mathematician have anything credible to say of History?" The answer is from Dr. Fomenko's preface in the book: "It would be worthwhile to remind the reader that in the XVI-XVII century Chronology was considered to be a subdivision of Mathematics." These volumes could possibly be some of the most important works to date & should be read by everyone with an interest in History, especially professors & educators who have a duty to the public. I have read both books & must say that 'Chronology 1' has some very eye opening & revolutionary information. Even if these volumes are part true the implications are profound & opens the doors to further investigations & questions which must be done. I speak several different lanquages & must say the logic Dr. Fomenko uses with "inflection" of words & words being read from left to right in one region & right to left in another then written backwards, the removal of vowels & get down to basics of words, or different cities & locations having the same name etc. is correct. Vowel usage has always been optional & varied, actually complicating linquistics & study. The first thing one has to understand is that words never had a fixed spelling in history like we do now, the spelling of words was mutable & regional, as well as names & titles of people were vast, varied & changed, NOTHING WAS FIXED or understood linear. Matters of Life & Death as well as financial profiteering yesterday & today were & are made with ignorant, illogical & conspiratorial views of history & reality, it's time people get closer to the Truth & society collectively grow up.
Very Interesting.......2007-03-07
It is a good proposal and I believe it will mature into something even better in the future. I think it deserves to be read.
History as Science Fiction.......2007-01-10
Anatoly Fomenko has written a very intriguing book, full of pictures, charts, and computer 'proof' of his thesis: backwards of AD900 we don't really know what happened or when. Between AD900 and AD1600 there is more certainty, but there is still a lot of fuzzy ground, and things don't get reliable until we get past the 1600's where the printing press made it very difficult for the perpetrators of this timeline manipulation to change anything that had been committed to print. The Dark Ages did not happen. Books were burned for a reason. One organization has doubled the actual length of its existence by expanding the real chronology. Read why.
I had always wondered why Christ died about AD33 and yet men waited until the 11th century to form the Knights Templar, the Cathars, etc and go after the Holy Land by force. Why the 1000 year gap? Turns out there wasn't more than a 10-12 year gap and he proves it using astronomy. This also implies that the planet is not as old as we have been told, and current Christian and other creationist scientists are already championing that idea without being aware of Fomenko's book. The two groups, creationist scientists and the Russian mathematical analysts corroborate each other. Fascinating.
Of course, all this flies in the face of what we have been told traditionally is the 'proper' chronology of western civilization, and most readers will experience 'cognitive dissonance' in reading this book. It means that our history going backwards from AD1600 becomes progressively more incorrect and unreliable until it cannot be trusted at all... in the space of 700-800 years.
Naturally, the curious, open-minded reader will want to know WHO did this, WHY, and did any of the events we think of as really ancient ever happen?
Dr. Fomenko is a respected scientist/mathematician at Moscow State University who has already answered these questions to the satisfaction of his initially skeptical colleagues. Most of them are now believers, a few still refuse to believe (the usual diehards), and of course the western press has ignored Fomenko's work -- for obvious reasons when you read the book. The ones who perpetrated this chronology ruse have a lot to answer for. They are still with us. That's why this book is a well-kept secret.
I gave the book a 4-star rating because I was unable to check out some of his claims; those I checked were as he said. But if even 1/3 of his claims are true, this punches a big hole in what we think is our history, the meaning of western civilization, our educational process (for repeating the ruse as gospel), and the trustworthiness of the organization that perpetrated this ruse, well-intentioned or not.
This book relates to current research into a Young Earth paradigm, to John Keel's discoveries about our planet, and Fr Malachi Martin's insights (in his now out-of-print books). We are indeed sheep who are manipulated and kept ignorant -- for a reason. While knowing what these men have to say may be the "booby prize" (as in: 'what can you do with this knowledge?'), it will provide interesting reading. Didn't someone say: "...and the Truth will set you free."?? For you to judge if this book contains the truth.
Average customer rating:
- THE be all-end all Thelemic resource
- Indispensible for Thelemic magicians
- Book 4 Parts I - IV
- Highly Complex, Stylized, Substantive
- The Book of Magick
|
Magick: Liber Aba : Book 4 (Magick Bk. 4)
Aleister Crowley ,
Mary Desti , and
Leila Waddell
Manufacturer: Weiser Books
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover
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ASIN: 0877289190 |
Customer Reviews:
THE be all-end all Thelemic resource.......2006-03-20
I've owned this book for several years now, and I STILL learn from it everytime I pick it up. This is NOT the right book for someone new to Aleister Crowley's writings - if you're just starting to look into Thelema and Crowley's approach to Ceremonial Magick, buy Lon Milo Duquette's "The Magick of Thelema"(recently re-issued as "The Magick of Aleister Crowley"), or Crowley's own "Magick Without Tears", a compilation of letters between Crowley and a female student regarding various subjects in magickal/spiritual development. Crowley made the mistake of assuming his readership was at least as educated as he was - well, everytime I read either his or H.P. Blavatsky's work, I am reminded how poor the modern public education system has become! This massive tome is worth every penny it costs, and more... It takes time(maybe a lifetime) to absorb, but it is absolutely worth it. Just remember this: Crowley was constrained by the prevailing laws of his time, and as such, was not always LEGALLY able to come out and just say what he wanted. Alot of things are spoken of in allegory and symbolism; and alot of the time, Crowley had his tongue planted firmly in his cheek when making certain statements. The guy had a cRaZy sense of humor!! Crowley was NOT a baby sacrificing monster - he was a misunderstood genius.
Indispensible for Thelemic magicians.......2004-08-18
One cannot approach Thelemic magick without this book. I have editions of the various parts (Book 4, Magick in Theory and Practice) and they just don't work independently the way the whole volume does. It pulls all of the A.'.A.'. curriculum together and presents it, along with Crowley's examples and commentary, in such a way that a solo practioner might actually be able to make sense of it.
But it is not for beginners, or for light reading. If you want light reading about Thelemic magick, try Lon DuQuette or Gerald del Campo. Then come back to this book.
And if you don't accept the concept of "magick" don't bother with it.
Book 4 Parts I - IV.......2004-06-14
Having read the lively debate/reviews below, I think some important points have been missed through what appear to be fairly 'knee jerk' reactions.
It should be noted that Crowley was one of the first 'Westerners' to bring the teachings of Yoga and Buddhism to the UK & USA during a time of strict formal religious discipline. He was the first to spend serious time and money investigating the mysteries of the mind and the subconscious, using drugs (then legal) and meditation, which was unheard of at that time (1900's). Just as 'The Beatles' (Crowley appears on the front cover of Sgt Peppers Lonely Hearst Club Band) and many other 'Society changing' bands experimented with mind altering drugs and alternative reality in the 1960's - he also wrote about his experiences with painful truth and applied his findings to the way we perceive existence.
Such people are rarely accepted by their social group. Anyone who breaks with convention (and he broke many) will be reviled and attract a certain amount of infamy. To disregard him entirely is wrong. To worship him is also wrong. His achievements create open debate on alternative religious belief systems - allowing people to question their own inherent faith and to explore others.
His greatest achievement is not so much 'Magick', but the fact that all spiritual belief should have the same overall goal, that of an infinite broader view of our own reality in life and death, and to attempt to achieve this without the hindrance of conditioned guilt/sin/love/hate/ego - as well as social/religious taboo's.
However, Crowley did attempt to increase his own wealth via magical practice and this failed. Crowley also wanted (at one point) to 'renounce his role as Magus' and stated he ..'could not go on with his work' due to lack of belief in his own powers, although he continued with his practice's for some time after this. But his ground breaking work in detailing Buddhism/Yoga (featured in this book) and creating open interest, and greater tolerance for, alternative belief systems is valid.
The book, like most of his output, is a product of its time. He did attempt to ritualise his beliefs and it shares the same instructional 'symbolic' style of the bible. A better read for those who have an interest in his work would be 'Do what thou wilt - A Life of Aleister Crowley' by Lawrence Sutin, also sold by Amazon. Its well written and researched - providing an objective view of his life and work.
Highly Complex, Stylized, Substantive.......2003-09-05
Be prepared: The presentation can seem incredibly obscure, obtuse and allegorical... but this is an occult book after all(!) If you aren't prepared to appreciate this, and to explore deeply to get to the underlying substance, you wil certainly hate this book and get absolutely nothing from it but irritation. This isn't the latest pop Llewellyn "Celtic Love Spells" production. Crowley's work is serious, smart, original, highly relevant religious/magickal philosophy, which can be very liberating.
One further comment: The pitifully ignorant, tiresome and homophobic review several down should speak for itself.
The Book of Magick.......2003-08-23
If you want a laugh a minute, read some earlier reviews.
First, let us deal with the alternate reality some people seem to live in--Crowley did not die impoverished. Netherwood is certainly modest, but it is a reputable boarding house and is quite a nice place. It is not squalor or filth as some failed creatures seem to think.
Secondly, ad hominem arguments in general are things we thinking human beings call "illogical". Crowley spent his money foolishly--how does it follow then that Crowley can't be spiritually advanced? It simply does not. Yes, he was bad with money--a lot of people are, but what does that have to do with their religious beliefs?
Thirdly, yes where was Crowley's guardian angel? He died a disreputable old man, indeed. More or less forgotten, yes.
So what?
If I am to transcend the world the herd lives in and is ruled by, am I supposed to want the herd to admire me? Or am I going to want them to think I'm "too weird", or "insane"?
Think about it.
Now that we've gotten back to planet Earth, we can safely deal with the book itself.
Still seeped in the tradition of initiated blinds, this is a book which can sometimes be confusing. Sometimes a blind is perfectly obvious, such as the infamous chapter on blood sacrifice. Sometimes, they are not.
This is an invaluable book, however, for modern occultists of whatever stripe. You ought to discount much of his writing on yoga, however, since there are some instructions which (due to the lack of medical knowledge at the time) are potentially dangerous--do not use the positions he mentions. Do not do pranayama one nostril at a time.
The first two parts of the book largely apply to general Magick, and are very good instructions. For Thelemites, an added bonus is the fourth and final part of the book, a survey on Crowley's claims about what led up to the dictation of The Book of the Law, in addition to a copy of the Book itself and some early comments on it.
Crowley's legendary "Naples Arrangement" of Qabalah makes it's first appearance here, along with a few particularly well-drawn diagrams of the Tree of Life, significantly better than the tiny ones in The Book of Thoth.
A highly recommended book which you can find whole or in parts, occultists need this in your library. Dismiss the fools and read, and discover on your own.
Average customer rating:
- A Must Have
- Should be on everyones shelf.
- Cheap and Comprehensive
- Plenty of material for all levels of magicians
- Awesome price for a classic.
|
Mark Wilson's Complete Course in Magic
Mark Wilson
Manufacturer: Running Press Book Publishers
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ASIN: 0762414553
Release Date: 2003-05-27 |
Book Description
From one of the world's premier practitioners of classic magic, with years of experience instructing younger readers in the magical arts, comes this new revision of his complete guide to learning and performing fantastic feats of prestidigitation. Acclaimed by the Los Angeles Times as "the text that...young magicians swear by," it's full of step-by-step instructions. More than 2,000 illustrations provide the know-how behind 300 techniques, from basic card tricks to advanced levitation, along with advice on planning and staging a professional-quality magic show.
Customer Reviews:
A Must Have.......2007-05-08
Wonderful step by step book. Well illustrated and easy to understand. Was able learn and perform numerous tricks in a matter of one day..A must have for any beginner
Should be on everyones shelf........2007-04-01
This book truly is phenomonal. It has every type of magic you can think of, coin, cards, stage, mentalism, self working, impromptu, gimmicked. It even goes as far as to give you tricks for things like jumbo cards and sponge balls.
Not only this but at the beginning of every chapter Mark Wilson reminds you of what magic is all about, he writes two or three paragraphs about the specific type of magic and how wonderful it can be. Mark also has a biography and an essay on magic at the beginning which is fantastic, and after years I still find myself going back and reading it just for a reminder of what got me into magic originally.
All of the descriptions to the tricks are well written, have accompanying pictures for EVERY move. He even gives secondary ways to do several of the moves and has an Notes and Reminds section after the tricks putting in personal notes about specific parts of the trick. Its obvious how much effort and work went into this book. In closing, this is a book that every magician new or old should have in his shelf, right next to Bobo's Modern Coin Magic, and Royal Road to Card Magic.
Cheap and Comprehensive.......2007-03-20
This book is a treasure trove of tricks, which the author explains in a clean, concise fashion. Highly recommended over other books, which tend to include fewer tricks, occassionally with a glossier, but not superior, presentation.
Plenty of material for all levels of magicians.......2007-02-19
This magic book runs the gamut from beginners tricks to tricks many professionals use. I've been performing as a part-time professional magician myself for several years now, and I still found things in this book I hadn't seen before or new twists on things I was familiar with.
The biggest drawback to this is the sheer volume of information it contains. If I'd come across this book when I was first getting into magic, I would've been absolutely overwhelmed. It's still a lot to digest now. But if you read through it and pick and choose tricks here and there that fit your style and personality, you'll find it very useful. It's like a cafeteria -- go down the line, picking out the things you want and skipping the things you don't, then go back to your table and chew on them and enjoy them.
Awesome price for a classic........2007-01-20
I was browing Amazon checking out some other books, and up popped Mark Wilson's Complete Course in Magic. I have seen it years ago, and it's a great manual of all things magic. The bargain price was my best buy of this year, a one inch tear in the binding shaved more than 50% off the price of my copy. (Now if only I could get more books in this shape). The closest book would be Tarbell's at $20 a book, my full collection of Tarbell covers more items, but Mark Wilson's is easy to digest and the photos just make it a super book. This is a must buy for anyone with interest in performing magic.
Book Description
Whose relationship -- or lack of one -- couldn't use a little magic now and then?
Sometimes Cupid needs a kick in the pants. for every woman tired of waiting for the right man to come along, Bewitch a Man is a fun, empowering manual that shows how to conjure him up fast. Real-life witch Fiona Horne offers effective, easy-to-master spells, charms, and magical know-how so you too can:
• be irresistible to the man of your dreams
• bring a straying lover back to the fold
• ward off a potential rival
• fire up his libido and keep a relationship sizzling
• and yes, hex the jerks who truly deserve it.
Customer Reviews:
More good than bad.......2007-01-09
I received this book as a Christmas gift, and am almost finished, but wished to share my thoughts. Fiona Horne is very important to me as her book "Witch: a personal journey" (published in Australia) actually set me on my Witchy path, so I will always have a soft spot for her.
I enjoy the way that Fiona writes, as if it was a conversaton with your girlfriend, but I think maybe living in LA has changed Fiona into dropping famous people's names more often, which is a shame, but I guess that is LA. Also, I am a bit disapointed in the underlining theme of the book that females have "power over" men, and that this book will help you increase that power. Yes males have had power over females for too long a time in history, but we should know be viewing the sexes as equal.
That aside, I love the section on "Poetry in motion" on page 112 and will use that myself, aswell as the "Let it go" ritual on page 103. All rituals you can use in your everyday life. Also the story on Yhi in the introduction is a must-read for all Witches, and Fiona's explanation of how a spell works expresses her breadth of knowledge. Even though the title suggests this is a "fluffy" book, Fiona Horne is not a "fluffy" witch.
Amazon.com
The 72 names of God were originally decoded from letters found in a biblical passage describing Moses' miraculous parting of the Red Sea. Rabbi Yehuda Berg translates these 72 names into familiar spiritual concepts, and shows readers how to these names can be useful creeds on the journey toward enlightenment. He explains that "the mystical power of the Hebrew letters that parted those waters can likewise part whatever Red Sea now confronts you in your own life." The letters may be ancient, but Berg's names read like modern catchphrases: "Angelic Influences," "Soul Mate," "Dumping Depression," and "Sexual Energy." Each one gets its own elegantly designed chapter and high impact graphic. Like most Kabbalah teachers, Berg emphasizes the importance of taming ego. Yet Berg also discusses how to keep the ego in check while still attaining sexual satisfaction and prosperity—tricky, but possible. With its stylized presentation and contemporary language, this makes a unique and inviting book on the Kabbalah. --Gail Hudson
Book Description
The power of The 72 Names of God operates strictly on a soul level, not a physical one. It's about spirituality, not religiosity. Instead of being limited by the differences that divide people, the wisdom of the Names transcends humanity's age-old quarrels and belief systems to deal with one common bond that unifies all people and nations as one — the human soul.
Customer Reviews:
Dangerous content........2007-07-25
I am an Orthodox Jew and I bought this book with the intention of praying the 72 Names of G-d, but instead, I got a book that tells me that I am god, sin isn't a reality, and that I am in control of everything around me. I burned the book, lest someone else got ahold of it and actually believed that nonsense.
Amazing and wonderful!.......2007-04-16
This is the life's philosophy that Jesus must have grown up with, as it is exactly what he taught to those around him throughout his life.
The 72 names of God GREAT BOOK.......2007-01-04
The 72 Names of God is a great book.
You can learn alot from this book
and make better changes in your life by reading it..
This is the real thing.......2006-11-04
This was the secong book I read about the Kaballah. Reading it is a life changing event. I was very sceptic and the simplicity of The 72 Names of God blew me away. Don't miss it.
The 72 Names-- A Critical Review.......2006-08-25
The 72 Names of God--A Critical Review
This is a paradox for me. This is an important book (which is why I'm reviewing it) but I'm also disturbed by the economic intentions of its producers.
This is a glossy and contemporary coffee-table book. The subject matter, however, shouldn't be presented in a way that would lead anyone to think this is some kind of fad.
I think its main producer (not author)makes several interesting and true statements about how one should approach these Names. One point he unashamedly makes is that it is for everyone (regardless of one's philosophical and behavioral disposition.) I absolutely disagree as have so many credible Kabbalists throughout the past (estimated) 1800 years.
The reason for this is that these "Names" are attached to gates, "forces" that are attracted when one employs the necessary visualization and contemplative techniques. To be sure, this book presupposes that one has some familiarity with the three different types of meditation: visualization, contemplative and verbal.
There's also the interpretation of a few of the Names that is quite controversial. There are varying beliefs about the afterlife within Judaism and especially with the topic of communing with the dead. When this book first came out several years ago, I was one of the first ones to purchase it. I sent Rabbi Berg and The Kabbalah Center an email questioning the interpretation of a Name that allows for necromancy. Their curt response left a lot to be desired.
Apart from these concerns, these are, in fact, the Names that Kabbalists have maintained are the Names for Creation. Many of the Names use the same letters, and are only distinguished by permutation and the expectation that one brings.
This is not a book for everyone. One must attempt to live an upstanding life or the appeals may result in the influences from the Other Side.
Book Description
New chapter by Soros on the secrets to his success along with a new Preface and Introduction.
New Foreword by renowned economist Paul Volcker
"An extraordinary . . . inside look into the decision-making process of the most successful money manager of our time. Fantastic." -The Wall Street Journal
George Soros is unquestionably one of the most powerful and profitable investors in the world today. Dubbed by BusinessWeek as "the Man who Moves Markets," Soros made a fortune competing with the British pound and remains active today in the global financial community. Now, in this special edition of the classic investment book, The Alchemy of Finance, Soros presents a theoretical and practical account of current financial trends and a new paradigm by which to understand the financial market today. This edition's expanded and revised Introduction details Soros's innovative investment practices along with his views of the world and world order. He also describes a new paradigm for the "theory of reflexivity" which underlies his unique investment strategies. Filled with expert advice and valuable business lessons, The Alchemy of Finance reveals the timeless principles of an investing legend.
This special edition will feature a new chapter by Soros on the secrets of his success and a new Foreword by the Honorable Paul Volcker, former Chairman of the Federal Reserve.
George Soros (New York, NY) is President of Soros Fund Management and Chief Investment Advisor to Quantum Fund N.V., a $12 billion international investment fund. Besides his numerous ventures in finance, Soros is also extremely active in the worlds of education, culture, and economic aid and development through his Open Society Fund and the Soros Foundation.
Customer Reviews:
Wizard of Finance.......2007-07-05
Soros explains here his key analytical principle of reflexivity - essentially a positive feedback loop - in the context of boom-bust cycles in financial markets and economies, and its applications in his extraordinarily successful "global macro" trading system during the 1970s, 80s, and early 90s.
He gives unique contrarian insights into our understanding of supposedly cut-and-dried economic and financial ideas, such as his trenchant denial of the efficient markets hypothesis and financial markets equilibria. He draws surprising links between economic phenomena which hitherto were supposed to be independent of each other, the best example being his emphasis on the propensity for bank lending to reflexively influence the collateral values of the financial assets which it finances in such a way as to lead to a boom-bust cycle.
That mainstream economists would quibble with Soros's ideas are to be expected, for economists are known for being unreasonably disputatious and uncommonly sensitive to outsiders' criticisms of their theoretical sacred cows. But in the analysis of market trends and dislocations, and trading opportunities, I know where I would put my money, given a choice between academic economists and Soros.
Success speaks for itself. Soros applied his theories so successfully that he became the most successful hedge fund manager ever, his flagship Quantum Fund generating an average annual return of 30%+ between 1969 and 1995.
One cannot but admire his tremendous courage, for example, in taking on the Bank of England and breaking its back, as it were, in his famous 10 billion dollar Sterling short trade in 1992 which netted him a cool billion, and made him a legend among traders and feared by central bankers worldwide. His honesty in admitting his missteps, and coolness with which he analysed his failures, is equally impressive, and sets an example for all professional investors.
George Soros is a not just a legend, but a genius with one of the finest analytical minds of his time. He elevated trading to a fine art, an alchemy of which he was an inimitable wizard.
Poor.......2007-04-11
I was looking for a good read about finance and invesments (being a Finance student) and George Soros' book seemed a bible to me. Not after I bought it though...
I had a scan and never read it! Useless. It is neither a good biography nor a good read. Boring, should I say?
Anyway, it contains an in depth case study about a portfolio and how it changed through different periods. Other than that there isn't much interesting. I don't even know to whom to recommend. As a matter of fact, I wouldn't recommend it to anybody, unless you are a big fan of George...
If you want a good read about finance and investments, buy anything but not "The Alchemy of Finance"...
not useful.......2006-12-28
if you're looking for soros' trading strategies, you will be disappointed. this book's theory has little practical application. it was written very poorly as well - incredibly verbose, unnecessarily complex in an attempt to wow you with it's 'brilliance.' similar to academic journals, which frequently explain simple concepts in a very complicated manner to try to make the author sound intelligent.
as a person, his political philosophy is at complete odds with his life. he's so far left into the socialist/communism realm that he's off the map.he's anti capitalist, anti free trade, pro welfare state, yet he made all his money through the free market - the purest form of capitalism there is, yet hardly recognizes how his trading has benefited society. it allowed him to be able to help others become financially free, made markets more efficiently priced, broke unfair control of the currency markets by governments (bank of england), let his family be set for life, allowed him to contribute billions to charities, etc. he acknowledges none of it.
i respect his success, but am not a fan of either his book nor him as a person.
The Alchemy of Finance.......2006-07-14
Was recommended to my by an international banker friend. A bit of a tough read , esp til you understabd what is "reflexivity". A well-written book that any one with a few dollars should read.
Great ideas, put them in practice, made...zero money!.......2006-02-21
Not Soros fault of course. More down to my trading. Great read though and some nice ideas about how market sentiment works or should work. Another Besife Tonwe recommendation to our book club.
Average customer rating:
- a most recommendable first book
- Full of interesting stuff
- Very Effective, simply brilliant
- A Great Course for Learning Ceremonial Magick
- One of the only books youll need.
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Modern Magick: Eleven Lessons in the High Magickal Arts (Llewellyn's High Magick)
Don Kraig
Manufacturer: Llewellyn Publications
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Middle Pillar: The Balance Between Mind & Magic: formerly The Middle Pillar
ASIN: 0875423248 |
Customer Reviews:
a most recommendable first book.......2007-09-26
This was my first book I read about the subject and I still come back to it for reference, truly recommended for beginners at least.
Full of interesting stuff.......2007-08-31
Kool book. I haven't finished reading it yet (over 500 pages)But definitely makes for an interesting read.
Very Effective, simply brilliant.......2007-08-29
Well, I have for nearly all of my life been very wary of Magickal Arts. I'm Roman Catholic from birth, and so as you can appreciate, some non-sensical religious superstition is sometimes hard to push away. So buying this book was a huge and excellent life progression for me, and initially, enormously scary. This text has done two things, it has answered some of my personal questions, and improved my overall being. Donald Michael Kraig seems to be able to communicate the learning without all the hocus pocus, and provides very serious, practical and down to earth teaching and great explanations. Without this, I think that I would have simply thrown the book away.
I'm nearly three weeks into following the methods, and have noticed gradual and significant changes to my life. All positive and no negatives. Where I used to be weak, I now feel strong. Psychological maybe, but all the same, very very positive.
Simply put, I am really glad and very fortunate to have purchased this book.
A Great Course for Learning Ceremonial Magick.......2007-06-03
My current thought on this book is, "Why didn't I pick this up years ago?"
Learning about Ceremonial Magick has been rather difficult for me in previous years due to multiple factors. I came to it from a Wiccan and Pagan background, and at the time had a slight predjudice against anything Judeo-Christian. Even after that, however, I found solid information on the subject rather scattered and didn't know where to begin. What good, credible sources I did find were the type of authors from the early 1900's (like Crowley and Regardie) who felt it necessary to write in that "snooty scholar" style that leaves any ordinary person unable to comprehend even two sentences without going over it three times.
Donald Michael Kraig does not write like this. In fact, among books about Ceremonial Magick, his was a breath of fresh air to me. He writes in plain english and takes the time to explain some terms. Other terms he leaves to be understood as more text is read. This is understandable, and for me it's desirable, as I like to be left with a little bit of room to figure some details out. The 11-lesson format of this book makes it into a course of study on the topic. He states several times that his goal with this book was to allow the student to be able to pick up any book on these topics and essentially be able to grasp the concepts - or at least be able to follow. In this, he was a success. I had bought several books about High Magick before this one, most on specialized topics, and after reading through this book I've been re-reading the others right along with it. I could barely understand them before; I can understand them MUCH better now.
In addition, the exercises and rituals he provides are easy to follow. And following his eclectic bent, have substance without being weighted down and layered over with material that can easily be done without to the same effect. Best of all, Kraig himself has been practicing this stuff for over a decade (at LEAST), and so has the wisdom of experience to share. He knows what it's like to practice and study this stuff. He knows what kinds of experiences may crop up, and he knows how frustrating this path can be. He conveys this understanding to the student.
Now for some downsides to this course. First, there's one part where he later admits he purposely messed up to see if the student would catch it. Personally, I don't appreciate playing around like that (that's not one of the things I feel should be left to figure out). There are some other things that he presents differently when compared to other sourceworks on High Magick (like which color band on the Rainbow Wand to grasp when consecrating the elemental weapons). Lastly, there are certain things that I feel should have been better explained, although they were few and can be supplemented by checking out other sources.
All in all, if you're a beginner in Ceremonial Magick and want to know more from a comprehensive source, this is a fine book to pick up for just such a purpose!
One of the only books youll need........2007-04-29
This is one of the only books you'll need to begin your journey on the magical path. This book is a good primer to The Golden Dawn System in that it deals with the Kabalah, ritual magic, and some of the eastern traditions. I would recommend one read this alongside "Initiation into Hermetics" by Franz Bardon. If one PRACTICES the methods laid before them in these volumes they will indeed acquire the skills needed to perform real magic. I would also say that a great deal of magical philosophy and their practices could be learned by the curious dabbler as well, who intends only on reading but not doing. Good luck and farewell.
Book Description
Critical Praise . . .
"The Alchemy joins Reminiscences of a Stock Operator as a timeless instructional guide of the marketplace." â Paul Tudor Jones from the Foreword
"An extraordinary . . . inside look into the decision-making process of the most successful money manager of our time. Fantastic."â The Wall Street Journal
"A breathtakingly brilliant book. Soros is one of the core of masters . . . who can actually begin to digest the astonishing complexity . . . of the game of finance in recent years."â Esquire
"A seminal investment book . . . it should be read, underlined, and thought about page-by-page, concept-by-idea. . . . He's the best pure investor ever . . . probably the finest analyst of the world in our time." â Barton M. Biggs, Morgan Stanley
George Soros is unquestionably the most powerful and profitable investor in the world today. Dubbed by BusinessWeek as "The Man Who Moves Markets," Soros has made a billion dollars going up against the British pound. Soros is not merely a man of finance, but a thinker to reckon with as well. Now, in The Alchemy of Finance, this extraordinary man reveals the investment strategies that have made him "a superstar among money managers" (The New York Times).
Customer Reviews:
A Journal of Competitive Excellence .......2006-05-17
Essential reading for the practitioner and even more critically required reading for the academically baked student of the markets. From living with frustrating ideas of Utopian equilibrium found in well-stocked university libraries this is a voyage of reading that changes lucidly the thought process into understanding the perpetuity of change in the markets.
It is critical to understand the significant role the size of markets play in the present day world as to how markets are driving the shape of events rather than focusing searching only the events that would drive markets.
Do not expect any recipes of magic that would turn stale ideas into profit machines here though. Instead be ready to be soaked in a process of thought that applies to not just markets but well in anticipating the outcomes of the human struggle for furthering competitive excellence.
Demonstrates Soros' Ledgerdemain .......2005-12-11
Soros is perhaps history's greatest manipulator of markets. His actual quantitative analysis does not stand up to any rigorous testing, nor have his trading techniques withstood anomalous shocks or the simple resistance of pure market forces.
Most, if not all of Soros' great trading coups seem to come from carefully constructed manipulations or runs on markets. Often, his genius has been the interpretation of the desires or intentions of major regulators (Treasury Secretary, Fed Chairman, other central bankers). One suspects this has not been accomplished without cooperation among fund managers and the regulators themselves.
Soros' political and financial pronouncements and policies all seem geared towards generating profits -- he is highly skilled at talking his positions. Lately, though, his dollar short, along with Buffet and others, has been a disaster, suggesting that, absent the unethical cooperation of a Robert Rubin, Soros' crystal ball begins to cloud over. Perhaps that was why he was so anxious to see a Democrat back in office.
His last book, "The Bubble of American Supremacy" was barely literate. He should stick to currency manipultions with his friends around the world, and leave politics and psychiatry to the pros. His theory of "reflexivity" is nothing more than the explanation of markets as subject to mass psychology -- work that others have done better, but perhaps not applied so larcenously.
It is enough to grind billions out of the markets through questionable methods. Why does Mr. Soros feel compelled to be accepted as a genius or some sort of genuine philantropist? His greed seems unlimited in every field. \
All that is solid melts into air.......2005-10-17
The only thing I'd like to add to this discussion is to highlight out tendency to assume that the status quo will continue. It's by exploiting this assumption that has allowed me to make some money in the equity markets. As an example of our tendency, I'd like to offer a quotation from one of the previous reviews of Soros' book (put up in 1999):
Indeed, it is almost embthrassing to read Soros' predictions - that the dollar will depreciate dramatically in the 90s, that Japan will surpass the US as economic leader, that the US economy will succomb to fiscal and trade deficits. Soros' predictions are not just wrong, they are the complete opposite of what actually has occurred.
For 1999 that analysis might have been valid. Now, here we are only 6 years later and the world economy is in much different shape (and closer in keeping with what Soros' predicted): The US economy is weighted down by fiscal and trade deficits that are at historic levels. The dollar is starting to tank and although the Japanese are not surpassing the United States anytime soon, they are recovering finally. What is problematic to me is the tendency to assume that the status quo will continue. Pointing out that it won't is one of the chief benefits of this book.
Had to take a second look.......2005-04-06
Several years ago, I read Soros' description of reflexivity hoping to understand what he thinks about markets. I thought he'd failed miserably, was too much like expecting a good hitter to explain how he connects with the baseball. Easier to do than explain. In finance, that is surely even more true, and is in line with von Neumann's naive definition of complexity: a simple system is easier to describe mathematically than to build: the solar system (even if chaotic), a rocket, and so on. A complex system is easier to build/produce than to explain mathematically: the genetic code, or an egg, e.g.
Having heard Sheri Markose (Uni Essex) talk recently in Galway about the Red Queen and the Liar Strategy (Cretan Liar, Gödel et al), I became much more curious and now expect that Soros might really have something to tell us but we have to figure out what it is. Two of his main ideas are easy to agree with: expect surprises (the essence of complexity), and we can create self-fullfilling prophecies. The interesting question is whether there's anything there about markets that can be mathematized (Sheri produced formalism, but we still need an example). In any case, the book of Soros to read is "The Crisis of Global Capitalism". Therein, he writes in more detail what he thinks. A third main point (about markets or any social phenomena), his big point: our perception of social reality is always wrong, time will show the flaws in any model, but there are good models (models that are locally correct) and bad ones. My work ("Dynamics of Markets") teaches that the good local models ("models") are empirically based: they describe what markets have been doing, but don't include the surprises, the future. Global predictions are always wrong. Dictatorially enforced models like communism, and extremist free market models like globalization via deregulation are good examples of self fullfilling prophecies. A fourth point, also Soros' main point: because our understanding is always imperfect, reality will always produce something (a surprise) that our model doesn't predict. With deregulation, the most recent surprise for American Christian Fundamentalists may be the systematic bankrupting of the US by the neo-con regime that they've elected and support without question.Why? Because they expect that both they and G.W. Bush will spend an eternity together in heaven. The Fundies will have first to become unemployed to see their mistake. With an island mentality, most Americans don't even know, e.g., that whereas gas prices in the US have more than doubled in three years, they've barely changed in Europe. They rise in gas prices in the US is due soley to the systematic devaluation of the dollar by Bush, a fact that both Soros and Buffet have profited from by betting against the dollar.
Written by a convicted criminal & inside trader.......2004-05-21
See Dec. 20th, 2002 on the BBC web site. George Soros was convicted of inside trading in the stock of Societe Generale.
Alchemy is pretty easy when you trade on inside information. Ivan Boesky made millions too by cheating.
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- Barlowe's Guide to Extraterrestrials: Great Aliens from Science Fiction Literature
- Beyond World's End
- Distillation Design
- Beyond Baghdad: Postmodern War and Peace
- Light from the Darkness / Licht aus dem Dunkel: The Paintings of Peter Birkhäuser / Die Malerei
- All God's Creatures: Inspirational Stories About the Animals That We Love
- A Handbook of Rare and Endemic Plants of New Mexico
The Practice of Magical Evocation
The Key to the True Kabbalah
The Kybalion - A Study of The Hermetic Philosophy of Ancient Egypt and Greece
Franz Bardon: Questions & Answers
Modern Magick: Eleven Lessons in the High Magickal Arts (Llewellyn's High Magick)
