Ritual Magic of the Golden Dawn: Works by S. L. MacGregor Mathers and Others

For those who aren't sure as I wasn't what this book entails before i bought it, you should know that it is King's earlier titled work "Astral projection, Ritual magic, and Alchemy" it is the same book under a different title. This is a great companion to Dr. Regardie's Complete Golden Dawn. It contains many of the so-called "flying rolls" from the outer and inner order teachings of the G.D. I especially enjoyed the section on Astral projection. This book goes into delicious detail on Scrying and Traveling in the spirit vision. Ritual Magic of the Golden Dawn is a must have for any occult researcher or initiate of the Western esoteric tradition. There is also so so much in this treatise that is obscure and veiled as in the chapter on Christian occultism and the teachings of the Cromlech temple. This book is a smorgasbord or occult techniques and lore.

As has been pointed out in other reviews, this is a re-issue of "Astral Projection, Ritual Magic, and Alchemy: Golden Dawn Material by S.L. MacGregor Mathers and Others; Edited and Introduced by Francis King; Additional Material by R.A. Gilbert", but with additional material-- Apparently several more "Flying Rolls" surfaced after the books original UK publication around 1973. Some may rightfully claim that these "Flying Rolls" were originally intended only for those in the 2nd Order, but their worth may be assessed by any knowledgable 21st Century Occultist: some rolls may seem anachronistic and even clearly inaccurate, such as comparing Enochian script to the Ethiopian Alphabet, while some rolls have a few gems to be found for the diligent. It is true that there is information to be found here that Isreal Regardie did not reveal in his several Golden Dawn tomes, I leave it to the student to determine its worth and veracity. The Golden Dawn has long since splintered into several widely-varying organizations, none of which appear to carry the Golden Dawn any further along the traditions of the FRC. So this volume, while of some use, seems destined more for Occult Completists than G.D. Neophytes.

Great book. Exactly what I was looking for.

This book should be one of the occult classics. It's both magically and historically interessting as it reveals most of the flying rolls to the earlier G.'.D.'. Instructions are given with examples on how it has been and are used.

I expected this book to be much better than it really is. Its a collection of lectures on various esoteric subjects but they are definetely not well written. I expected to find rituals and practical magick, as the title implied "Ritual Magic of the Golden Dawn", but all I found were various chaotic teachings and magickal tips. The part on astral projection as those on clairvoyance, are confusing and dont include any systematical information. It became very difficult to read this book and I often wondered if the authors had any spiritual experiences or not... Much of the information presented in the book is a part of the indian tantric tradition, but its presented here in a very limited way, often having changed the original occult terms. What is the Golden Dawn? Which are its organized esoteric teachings? This book failed to answer these questions.

I have the Golden Dawn Manual, so to speak . It's a great book. This book " Ritual Magic of the Golden Dawn" was not well written or edited.However, I was able to retrieve a few nuggets of knowledge sporadically.